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“Fuck it's cold,” Race said as he and Albert walked out of class.
The complaints began at the beginning of October, it wasn't even that cold, but Race was already freezing. He got his big coat out, started putting on his hat, but somehow Race never managed to find a pair of gloves.
“It's a bit chilly,” Albert agreed, “but not that bad, you know it gets worse, right?”
“Shut up, I'm freezing,” Race pouted, bunching his hands up under his sleeves.
Albert shook his head, “are you teaching tonight? he asked, deciding to change the subject before he got complained at the whole way home.
“Yeah,” Race nodded, “I have my tiny ballerinas in about an hour, are you teaching, or are you assisting tonight?”
“Assisting,” Albert replied, “I'm teaching tomorrow, it's now officially my class.”
“Nice, what did you get?” Race asked, squeezing his hands together and trying to warm them up.
“Grade 2 tap,” Albert said, frowning slightly, “I don't get why they love you so much, how did you get the adorable ballerinas while I get the noisy preteen tappers. They're loud enough without their tap shoes on.”
Race laughed loudly, “we all know I'm the favourite at the studio, I get all the classes I want,” he grinned, doing his best smug face which made Albert want to punch him.
“Yeah, I get it, you're a prodigy,” Albert said, shoving Race lightly.
“Yep,” Race said, popping the p loudly.
Albert rolled his eyes, “I hate you.”
“No you don't.”
Race grabbed hold of Albert's hand, resting his head against his shoulder. “Ooh, you've got warm hands, that's much better,” he said, swinging Albert's arm back and forth.
“Racer, let go please,” Albert said, trying to pull away.
“No, you're warm Albie, my hands are gonna freeze!”
Albert rolled his eyes again, but didn't protest, he held Race's hand all the way home.
It continued throughout the month, Race taking hold of Albert's hand as soon as they were outside. He'd sometimes go as far as swapping sides, so he could warm up both of his hands.
Each time, Albert pretended it annoyed him, but it was actually quite nice, comforting. He's never dare to admit it, but Race holding his hand made Albert feel safe and warm, it had benefits for the both of them.
Their friends questioned it from time to time, eventually accepting it as one of those things Race would do, he had a reputation of course.
-
“Albie,” Race shouted from the kitchen, where he was currently making a mess.
Albert sighed as he stood up, knowing that Race was going to keep shouting if he didn't move, “what?”
“Can we go shopping in like half an hour? I want to get some christmas things for the last week of term” Race asked, wiping down the sides to try and hide the mess he'd made.
It was good that Race mostly tried to clean up after himself. It was something Albert found difficult, and almost as soon as he explained that to Race, things started getting randomly tidied, normally at four am when most people were sleeping.
“Sure, yeah, I want to get some decorations for my room,” Albert agreed, “shout when you're ready.”
Race nodded, “thanks Al,” he said, grinning at Albert before continuing with his cleaning.
It was about thirty minutes later when Race appeared, saying he was ready. He had his big coat on, zipped all the way up so it was covering his chin, and a pink bobble hat on his head. Albert was quick to put his coat on, grabbing his bag before pushing Race out of the door.
“I've got something for you,” Albert said as they walked outside. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small hand warmer that looked like a shark. Sarah had helped him pick it out, making sure it was reusable to protect the environment. “So you can keep your other hand warm.”
He cracked the disk so it warmed up, and then handed it to Race, whose face lit up immediately.
“Albie, this is incredible, it's so warm!” Race exclaimed, pressing it against his face to feel the warmth, “thank you,” he grinned, holding Albert's hand with the hand that didn't have a hand warmer.
“You're welcome Racer,” Albert smiled, squeezing Race's hand lightly.
The handwarmers came in packs of two, but Albert had got used to Race holding his hand now, he was beginning to like it.
-
Albert was woken up by a knock on his bedroom door. He sat up quickly, trying to work out where he was. The clock beside him read 4:32 and Albert groaned as he walked across the room.
Race was stood on the other side of the door, fully dressed and grinning like a mad man, “Albie!” he exclaimed as the door opened.
“What do you want Race, it's four in the morning?” Albert said, his eyes still half shut.
“It's snowing,” Race said, jumping up and down, “come on, get dressed, let's go!”
Albert sighed, “fine, give me a minute,” he said, shaking his head before shutting his door.
He heard Race making general sounds of excitement, probably still jumping up and down. If it was anyone else waking him up at half four, Albert would probably beat them up, but it was Race, and he couldn't say no to Race.
Even though he knew he would be exhausted tomorrow, Albert knew it would be worth it to watch the joy on Race's face.
Race was still standing outside his door by the time Albert was ready, and perked up immediately when he saw him.
“Come on Albie, let's go,” Race said, taking hold of Albert's hand and dragging him outside.
There was a thin layer of snow settling on the ground, flurries of snow swirling around them as they made their way outside. Race's face lit up as snow began falling on his head.
He let go of Albert's hand, running around the empty street, grinning wildly.
Albert watched on, unable to keep the smile off his face as he watched Race mess around. He felt warm despite the cold weather, his chest warming at the sight of his best friend.
“Albie, let's make a heart,” Race said, dragging him over.
They found an untouched patch of snow, and Race got Albert positioned, telling him exactly what to do. Of course Albert could work it out, he wasn't that thick, but he listened to Race anyway. He was wearing a serious expression, explaining it as if it was the most important thing in the world.
Albert loved that about Race, he put his heart into every single thing he did. It's what made him such a good teacher, it's why all of the baby ballerina's adored him.
They spent an hour messing around in the snow, before Race got too cold, his fingers ice cold as he took hold of Albet's hand.
“Thank you Albie,” Race said, as they were curled up on the sofa, blankets piled on top of them and mugs of hot chocolate in their hands. Race had tried to have coffee, but Albert put his foot down.
Albert smiled, “I had fun,” he said, “even if you did wake me up at four am.”
Race smiled sleepily, resting his head on Albert's shoulder. They stayed there for most of the morning, catching up on some much needed sleep.
-
It had become a sort of habit, Race taking hold of Albert's hand whenever they went anywhere. It was weird when Race wasn't holding his hand, Albert almost missed it.
The weather got warmer, and Race's big coat went back in the cupboard, along with the hand warmers that Albert had brought, but Race was still reaching for his hand.
Flowers were beginning to grow, sprouting in all the grassy areas around them. Albert couldn't help but make himself feel sick, comparing the flowers growing around him to the feeling of warmth blossoming in his chest.
It was a good feeling, one Albert wasn't really used to. He found himself feeling happy when he was with Race, those small in-between moments becoming some of the most important in his day. He made it through his college work, fighting his way through essays and assignments, because he knew he would be able to spend time with Race when he did.
They encouraged productivity in each other. Albert did everything he hated because it meant spending time with Race, and Race always worked better when someone was with him. Their flat was immaculate, almost cleaner than it had been when they first moved in. Jack had nearly fallen over in shock when he saw it for the first time.
“Thanks for helping me Al, I've been putting that off all week,” Race said as he finished hanging out the last of his washing.
“All good Racer,” Albert said, pushing himself off of the floor, “just means I'm gonna make you help me plan my lessons later,” he said with a smile.
“What do you need help planning, you're better than me at tap?” Race asked, dumping the empty basket on top of the washing machine, and turning round to face Albert.
“I've got new classes, grade one acro, and you're much better than me at that,” Albert said, and Race frowned at him.
“You absolute liar,” Race said, “you can do grade one acro in your sleep.” He pushed Albert out of the utility room, rolling his eyes.
“Shut up, just help me,” Albert whined, doing his best puppy dog eyes.
“No, absolutely not!”
Despite his complaints, Race stayed up with Albert, both planning their lessons for the next few weeks. They ended up falling asleep on the sofa again, too lazy to go to bed.
Albert woke up with Race curled against him, and knew that he wanted to wake up that way forever. He felt content, a peaceful sort of feeling that Albert couldn't remember experiencing before.
‘Fuck,’ he thought as he lay scrolling on his phone, waiting for Race to wake up, ‘I'm in love with Race.’
-
It took a few weeks to muster up the courage to talk to Race. He didn't want to lose his best friend, that would break him completely.
So he waited. Summer came and went, then the leaves fell off the trees and Race's big coat came back out of the cupboard, but Albert still kept waiting, he was terrified.
“Albie, it's snowing!” Race exclaimed, jumping up off the sofa where he and Albert were sat watching a christmas film.
“D'you wanna go outside?” Albert asked, smiling at Race as he watched the excitement vibrate through his body.
“That's not even a question, come on, go get dressed,” Race replied, running out of the room.
Albert chuckled as he stood up, moving quickly to avoid being hurried up. He wasn't going to be able to rest until Race had spent some time in the snow.
He was dragged outside, Race trying his best to pull his shoulder out its socket. It was just approaching two am, and a thick blanket of snow had fallen since Race and Albert sat down to watch christmas films.
Race's face lit up as he stepped outside, the snow almost covering his foot. He ran around in a massive circle, almost exactly the same as he had the year before.
The snow was heavier than last year, and it hit Albert's face as he chased after Race.
They messed around for a bit, then Race stopped, turning around to face Albert.
“Albie,” Race said, taking hold of Albert's hands.
Albert's heart fluttered, he wasn't sure if Race knew what he was doing. “What?”
“I've been thinking about doing this for a while,” Race said, before trailing off. He was shaking slightly, and Albert wasn't sure if it was from the cold or not. “Albie, can I kiss you?”
Albert grinned, placing a hand on Race's cheek. He nodded his head, and let Race pull him closer. They kissed with the snow swirling around them, and it felt like something from a Disney movie.
“I've been waiting to do that,” Race said, smiling so widely his cheeks hurt.
“That was amazing,” Albert said, “but I'm pissed, I wanted to do that first.”
“You're an idiot,” Race said, pushing Albert over into the snow.