Nothing Says I Love You (Like Blackmail) by carolinecrane (PG-13)

[jainamac.livejournal.com]

Fandom: NEWSIES
Pairing: Spot Conlon/Racetrack Higgins
Length: 3,000
Author on LJ: carolinecrane
Author Website: carolinecrane

Why this must be read: If pressed I would say this story and its sequel are the best written stories in the Newsies fandom, at least that I've come across. Finding great fic can be difficult in a small fandom so when I read this story it just filled my heart to bursting and then I read it like 30 times. The story takes place during the movie and it features a spot-on (hah) Racetrack pov as well as fantastic dialogue between Race and Spot. It also shows how far Racetrack will go for his boys, even if it means losing a good thing. The scene in the holding cell is just fantastic. Spot is cool and calm with that slight layer of violence/energy/warmth/amusement beneath the surface, and it's never over the top. An excerpt is below which contains one of my favorite Spot lines in a fic ever.

“Spot…”

Just for a second Spot glances back at him, eyes flashing with something that makes Racetrack’s stomach sour. “You placed your bet, right? Gotta let it ride now.”

He shakes off Racetrack’s hand and walks away, leaving Racetrack standing in an alley somewhere in Brooklyn and wondering if he just threw away the best thing he’s ever gonna have.

Nothing Says I Love You (Like Blackmail)