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“Good racing out there, Rookie,” Doc said, wrapping an arm around Lightning. The young racer didn’t need to be told he was good because it was obvious, but neither the less, Lightning embraced the compliment from his mentor. Pride is something Lightning has struggled with for years— which is quite shocking since he based his whole image off of being cocky and self-centered and developed an attitude all thanks to Harv. Despite it all, it’s nice to have someone be proud of him for a change. Doc was a good change. And oh how did Lightning look up to the older man.
“Thanks, Doc,” Lightning blushed, “Thought I was gonna fall behind there but you were right.”
“I’m always right.” Doc quipped.
Lightning rolled his eyes but still smiled brightly at his mentor. It was a long day and the young racer was ready to head back to the hotel room. They finished all the interviews and pictures, which usually took a toll on Lightning because he had to keep up his sparkling personality. To say the least, Lightning was ready for a long nap.
The two walked out into a small crowd. Usually, there were lingering fans and desperate interviewers who stayed long after races in hopes of getting special treatment. Lightning always made sure to take a few selfies with the fans, but absolutely made sure to ignore the interviewers. Most of the time they were there to twist words and start drama.
Lightning pushed his way past the chaotic crowd where Mack and the rest of his crew were. The young racer waved with beaming eyes. He could tell they were all excited to see him, especially after his major win in today's race. Doc slapped his hand on the kid's back and tugged him along. Lightning was easy to lose in a crowd due to his small frame and size. Ducking under camera flashes and rowdy fans' hands, Lightning miraculously made it through. His friends from Radiator Springs praised and congratulated him which made Lightning feel all warm inside. With a sigh, Lightning welcomed the foreign feeling and embraced it.
This felt genuine to him. This felt earned. This felt like family.
“Good job, Stickers,” Sally said, bringing the blond into a hug. “I’m super proud.” Her smile was the prettiest thing to Lightning, especially when her freckles and rosy cheeks made her look like an angel. Gosh, you really need to stop staring! Lightning pulled away, trying to hide his blushing cheeks. Suddenly, he made eye contact with Doc. The older man tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. He knows. To be fair, practically everyone knows how much Lightning loves Sally. Maybe someday one of them will be brave enough and admit their feelings… just not today.
Mater walked up to Lightning and forcefully yanked him towards his chest. “Great racing today, buddy!”
Nothing could wipe the smile off of the young racer's face. God, he loved racing and his pit crew. He regretted all of those years when he was adamant about working alone. It took a whole town to make him realize how lonely he really was… but now he has everything he has been yearning for like friends and maybe even a family.
As the group began their walk back to their designated vehicles, a man's voice was heard from the distance. Probably just another nosey interviewer. Lightning ignored the yelling man and continued with the group. Unfortunately, the voice did not die down and only got louder. It didn’t take long before the sound of running halted Lightning. Luckily for him, Mack was already one step ahead.
“Woah, easy there pal,” Mack said, pushing the man away from the young blond. The stranger had a dirty bandana covering his face and he reeked of tequila. Lightning gagged at the smell and backed into Mater. “Lightning is done with questions for the day. You need to leave.”
“It’ll only be for a minute,” The dirty man said. His voice was slurred and incredibly raspy. Mack looked at Lightning waiting for approval. Lightning really wanted to get back to the hotel and relax, and the man was giving him a weird vibe. Suddenly, the thought of an undercover interviewer plagued his mind. Maybe they’ll frame him for being rude to fans or homeless people. Maybe this man wasn’t homeless but he sure looked like it. Lightning ignored his gut and took a step forward. He could see the man's eyes peeking through greasy hair that was held down by a baseball cap… it was familiar. “Montgomery, you recognize me, right, son ?”
Lightning paled. Only Doc knew his name— maybe everyone else knew but only called him ‘Lightning’ because it felt natural. ‘Monty’ was his nickname that only Doc called him, but only used it during serious moments. It felt like a parent saying a child's full name, but anything other than ‘Lightning’ felt personal. Lightning choked up a little as he was paralyzed from the shock of the use of his first name. The man began removing his bandana and Lightning felt like he was going to pass out.
“I don’t understand,” Lightning said, swaying a little. “What are you doing here?” The young racer was gritting his teeth now. His fear turned into anger real quick, just like when he was a kid. Lightning ignored the gasps coming from his friends. The last time he spoke to his father was right before Harv signed him. He was given a whole bunch of money from his manager and left without saying goodbye. It was quite apparent that the man quickly went broke from addiction, which was not surprising.
A scoff erupted from behind Lightning. “Son?” It didn’t take Doc more than a minute to connect the dots. His mentor took a step forward, putting himself between Lightning and the filth-covered man. “I think it’s time for you to leave.” Doc stood firmly in place, but everything started to feel claustrophobic for Lightning. He wasn’t sure if it was out of embarrassment because everyone believed that his parents were wealthy lawyers from California and this man looked nothing like that, or if it was because the man he hated the most in this world was standing right in front of him.
“Montgomery, tell 'em’,” his father rasped. “I didn’t come all this way to be ignored by my child who is now a hot shot and won't even call his old man! Thought you were better than that, Monty… guess you never changed.” Everyone went silent and stared with wide eyes at the man who was apparently Lightning’s dad. “You know this kid used to be a real brat,” He placed his hands on the young blond's shoulder, shaking him with every word. “could never get em’ to follow any rules. Must be a real hassle dealing with the shit every day, huh?” Once again, the smell of tequila invaded Lightning's nose as his father let out a drunken chuckle.
Growing up, Lightning would get the sensation that felt like floating. Sometimes it felt like he was watching himself from above like in a movie. He could hear voices but they were muffles. All he could focus on was the gravel beneath his boots. Reality did not come back until he was forcefully yanked to the side, causing him to fall to the ground. Mater was already by his side to help him up. He didn’t feel the pain, but he saw the scrapes and the crimson red beginning to form. He never thought he’d be bloody and covered in dirt again. It was nostalgic but in a sick and twisted way. He felt sick.
“I don’t care who you are, but Montgomery and I have things to discuss!”
“Like hell you do!”
“That bastard owes me, dammit! I am his father, and I will be damned if that little greedy shit doesn’t give me something for fucking raising him!”
Lightning was aware of the screaming match happening in front of him. He has never seen Doc this angry before. He silently prayed that security would drag his father away— something that CPS failed to do a long time ago.
“Maybe if you did a better job at raising him, then maybe Lightin’ would’ve given you money,” Mater mumbled.
Lightning’s cheeks grew hot. Oh god. Mater, why would you say that? Lightning wanted to scream, but his mouth was glued shut. He watched his father's wobbly legs take a step forward. His hand was clenched in a tight white fist. This was all too familiar to Lightning, so why was he scared? He has done this hundreds of times, but maybe nothing can really prepare you for the reminder of how cold a father's hatred can become for his own child.
Doc pulled the drunken man back and with a blink of an eye, his father was on the ground and passed out. Doc winced and shook his hand. Blood stained his mentor's knuckles and for a split second, Lightning couldn’t tell whose blood it belonged to.
“Lightning?” A voice called out. He was being pulled in another direction again, but his eyes remained locked on the man who he used to call ‘dad’. “Kid, are you alright?” The voice said again. Lightning shook out of his trance and looked up to find the voice. Doc was standing in front of him now trying to talk to him, but Lightning could not speak. Everyone knows now. Everyone knows that your father is a pathetic alcoholic. Everyone’s stares felt like daggers in his back. “Mack, call security,” Doc instructed. The older man never took his eyes off of the trembling racer. “I’m taking Lightning back to the hotel.”
Lightning allowed Doc to guide him out of the place. Doc’s car was parked securely right next to his trailer. Lightning’s eyes darted around the car, making sure nothing was touched. His father was notorious for breaking into cars for petty revenge or theft. He didn’t even want to think about Doc’s Hornet being vandalized and broken into. He’d actually murder his father. As Lightning lowered himself into the vehicle, he realized that he could finally breathe properly. He let out a shuddered breath and finally became more grounded. God, he loved Doc’s car. It was comforting.
“I’m so sorry, Rookie,” Doc suddenly said.
Lightning blinked. “For what?” His voice was raspy. He shivered as it reminded him of his fathers.
“I know it wasn’t easy having him as a father. I didn’t even speak to him for longer than a few minutes, but I can already tell that he is not a good man,” Doc said. “Monty, I—”
Lightning suddenly tensed up at the nickname. Hearing his father say it made him feel ill. Months ago he’d blow up if someone called him that, but then Doc found out his real name when coming with him to sign some documents for racing. Doc would call him ‘Monty’ and for the first time in years, Lightning didn’t want to scream. The resentment was gone and he embraced the nickname that his mentor would call him to help ground him in moments of frustration and anxiety. The cruel reminder of his childhood resurfaced and Lightning just wanted to crawl up in a ball. He wishes that he just kept walking or that everyone would’ve just kept pushing him along. But now, everyone has seen where he came from. It wasn’t pretty, nor was it nice. Just another broken boy who came from a broken home…
“Kid, I’m sorry,” Doc said once more. Lightning didn’t even realize that they were already on the highway, but when he finally looked up, they were speeding down the road. “Your father just said all that because he’s jealous and angry. I’m sure he still loves you, but he needs time to come around and realize how lucky he is to have you as a son.”
“I don’t want to believe that he’ll get better,” Lightning mumbled. “He’s the worst man alive to me. I don’t want to forgive him. I don’t want to be loved by him. And I don’t ever want to see him again.”
Doc was left speechless. When Lightning was angry, he was loud but this time he was quiet like the eye of a hurricane. Rage filled every inch of the kid's body, yet he remained still. Years of repressed anger still managed to stay bottled up.
“And that’s okay,” Doc sighed. He didn’t blame the kid for his anger and resentment towards his father. “We’ll make sure that he will never be within 5o miles of you. Never will I ever let that man speak to you like that ever again. You don’t deserve it.”
Lightning remained silent. It felt like the kids walls were being rebuilt and soon Lightning would be shutting everyone out, but this time the racer wouldn’t hide behind a cocky persona, but a quiet broken boy. And then it dawned on Doc that Lightning was still a kid— not even old enough to drink or able to get most hotel rooms. He was young and already shot down by the unforgiving moments of childhood.
~
By the time they reached the hotel, Lightning was already swaying with fatigue. The blond leaned on the counter while rubbing his tired eyes while Doc checked them into their room. Originally, Lightning was supposed to bunk with Mater, but Doc wanted to keep an eye on Lightning for the night. The boy was too tired to protest anyway and happily dragged his bags to their room where he plopped onto the bed face first.
“Kid, go shower and change before you get the sheets all dirty,” Doc said while unpacking his stuff. Lightning groggily obliged, which was a first.
It was nearing 6 PM and everyone was supposed to meet up for dinner, but Doc sent a quick text saying they won't be making it. Occasionally, Doc has to cancel dinner plans or interviews after races due to Lightning being way too tired to function. The mornings always start off with the kid being a zombie until right when they get into the car. Lightning always talks his ear off and starts bouncing off walls once they get to the track. He has a good hour or two after racing where he is mellow but still high energy for his persona. It doesn’t take long before Lightning is nodding off and falling asleep on Doc’s shoulder.
Once Lightning exits the shower, he tears the sheets off the bed and slips under the covers. His gray sweatpants and red sweatshirt swallowed him. His hair was still damp from the shower, so Doc turned off the air conditioner. He didn’t want to deal with a sick Lightning in the morning. That’s the last thing the kid needs. Doc dimmed the lights and allowed Lightning to get some much needed rest. He turned on the light on his side of the room and pulled out a book. Lightning would call him a nerd every time. Doc silently chuckled to himself. He loves his kid.
~
Doc wouldn’t say that he was surprised to be woken up around midnight to sniffling, but it was expected. Lightning may be small, but the kid has a lot of emotions. For a split second Doc hesitated to get up. Maybe he needs to be alone, but that’s probably the last thing Lightning needs right now. You’re going soft again, old man. Doc didn’t care. He has never cared, especially when it was Lightning. When it was his kid.
Doc quietly uncovered himself and walked over to Lightning’s bed where the kid was curled up and shaking like a leaf. He hesitated before putting his hands on the shaking boy. Lightning jumped a little, but eventually leaned back into the touch.
“M’ sorry,” Lightning mumbled. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s alright, kiddo. No need to apologize.” Doc whispered back.
Lightning started to become more and more vulnerable with Doc. The kid has changed tremendously over the course of a year, and it started to show. He was less tense and angry. Fillmore was a good influence— except for the time Mater bought weed from him and got Lightning high for the first time.
Doc pulled the pillow away from the blond's face. Lightning’s face was all red and puffy from crying. Slowly, he brought his hand to Lightning’s cheek and wiped the tears that were still forming.
Lightning’s blue glossy eyes were looking away from Doc’s. “I don’t know why I’m upset…” Lightning suddenly whispered. “It shouldn’t hurt this badly.”
“It’s your father, Lightning. It’s going to hurt regardless.”
“ I know, but I’ve taught myself to forget everything he has ever done to me and— and now it’s like all of those years I’ve spent away from him trying to forget were for nothing!”
“Monty, he doesn’t know anything,” Doc said, rubbing the kids shoulder. He tried to ignore the sudden shiver coming from Lightning but elected to pull his hand away as Lightning jumped slightly. “You’re so much more than what you came from. Despite all odds, you turned out more than okay. Do you understand me?” Doc placed his hand on Lightning’s leg to get the kid’s attention. “You are a terrific kid and if he doesn’t want to be your father then I will.”
It felt like Lightning’s whole world stopped at that moment. He knows, Doc knows, they both view each other more than just a mentor and a prodigy. They were both missing something in their lives and perhaps it was fate that Lightning crashed into Radiator Springs. They needed each other.
Sometimes it felt like love was all conditional but then he crashed into Doc’s life and suddenly there was a man waiting for him every night making sure he was safe and sound. Someone who made breakfast for him almost every morning and allowed him to ramble about everything and anything and would actually listen. Someone who loved even if he couldn’t be perfect all the time. It was unconditional. For the first time in his life, he knew what unconditional love was.
Lightning crumbled and melted into Doc’s chest. Tears still fell but a smile was planted onto his face. Slowly but surely the sunshine that used to radiate from the boy was coming back.
His kid was back.
When morning came, Doc realized he was trapped under something warm. A smile quickly grew as he looked down to see Lightning’s head on his lap. The kid's legs tangled up with his own. He swears he’s worse than a toddler when finding places to sleep.
Slowly, he lifted Lightning’s head off of him to not wake him up. Unfortunately, his plan failed and Lightning rubbed his eyes and stretched.
“Wha’ time is it?” Lightning yawned as he yanked the blanket to his chest.
Doc checked his watch. “A quarter after seven. Go back to sleep, kiddo.”
“Why can’t you be normal and just say 7:15?”
“Keep it up and I'll get Mack to throw you into the shower again.”
Lightning paled as he remembered last time they were in a hotel. He was too tired to wake up after Doc woke him up several times, so he brought Mack in to carry him into the shower where he got soaked in his pajamas. It was freezing.
“Well, I’m awake now,” Lightning said, suddenly perking up with a new found energy. “Do you think this place has breakfast?”
“Not sure, but I’m sure the others wouldn’t mind going out for breakfast.”
Lightning’s energy dimmed and he found himself slowly falling back into the bed. Everything from the night before flooded his head, causing a pit to form in his stomach.
“Actually, I’m not that hungry,” The blond mumbled. “I might just sleep in a bit longer.”
Doc raised an eyebrow at the kid. “Are you sure? You haven’t eaten since…” The older man paused to think. “Before the race. You gotta be starving, kid.”
Doc's worry grew. He forgot about dinner last night since Lightning went to bed earlier than usual.
“Maybe I’ll be hungry after sleeping. I don't have much of an appetite at the moment.”
Lightning tugged the blankets up even further and rolled over, causing Doc to roll his eyes. This kid was not a teenager but dammit, sometimes he had an attitude and was stubborn like one. He stood there watching the boy, which felt like forever but it was probably only a minute. If Doc really wanted to, he would’ve left Lightning there to prove a point, but today he would not. He would not allow Lightning to be stubborn after their talk from last night. Doc reached his hand out and pushed Lightning hair out of his face and planted his palm on his forehead.
“Doc,” Lightning whined. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure you’re not sick.”
“I’d tell you if I was sick.”
Doc slowly blinked at Lightning. “No you wouldn’t.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Lightning admitted. “But I’m actually not sick this time. I’m just not in the mood to go out.”
Doc was not dumb. He knew it wasn’t tiredness or sickness. The encounter with Lightning’s father from yesterday still was affecting the kid.
“You can’t keep running every time something happens— especially not from people who would really like to see you.”
“They saw him though,” Lightning said, his voice barely above a whisper. “They saw him and what if they see him in me?”
“Kid, no one thinks that,” Doc said, trying to reassure the boy.
Lightning quickly ripped the blanket off and jumped put of the bed. “I can’t help but be embarrassed and ashamed of where I came from. What if Sally thinks I’m pathetic because I never told her the truth and she doesn’t want to be around me anymore? And— and what about everyone else, huh? What if they see right through me? They all probably can see that I’m a horrible person and haven’t changed one bit since I lived with my dad!”
Lightning tended to cry when upset, but this time no tears fell. It reminded Doc all of the angry outburst that Lightning constantly had when he first stumbled into his town. It was this uncontainable rage that Lightning was always burdened to carry and could never seem to set down. It took months for the embedded wrath to die out and to be replaced with contemptment. It was evident that Lightning’s father brought out the worst in the kid.
“Lightning, do you believe that you’re just like your father?” Doc challenged.
Lightning opened his mouth to speak but ended up biting his tongue.
“I guess not…”
Doc let out a dry chuckle. “You guess not? Kid, you are nothing like him. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you before it gets through to you through your thick skull.” The older man reached over and ruffled Lightning’s messy hair. “They think the world of you, kiddo. It’s about time you think the same about yourself.”
The rage vanished from Lightnings demeanor and soon he was back to his calm self from a few minutes ago.
“Maybe I've just been overthinking a lot recently.”
“Yeah, that’s for sure.”
Doc brought Lightning in for a much needed hug.
“Thanks Doc,” Lightning said, his voice muffled from being buried in his mentor's chest. “I really needed this.”
“Anytime, kiddo.”
Doc Hudson was never a touchy person until he met Lightning, then suddenly his love language turned into touch. It was something he picked up from the kid and surprisingly he didn’t hate it. Lightning was starved from the lack of loving embrace, so when Doc would place a hand on the kid’s shoulder or ruffle his hair, he’d always lean into the touch. As time went on, Doc finally got a glimpse into Lightning’s childhood, and he could see why. So now every time Lightning sits on the couch with Doc, he always moves over so the kid has a place to lay— whether that be into his side or on his lap. He enjoyed the quality time regardless even if it became uncomfortable especially with his old limbs and bones.
He’d do anything for Lightning. Even if that means getting bruised knuckles from punching the man responsible for hurting his kid.
“Go get dressed. The others are waiting at the diner across the street.” Doc demanded.
“I didn’t even agree to anything yet.”
“Kid, I would’ve dragged you out of here regardless.”
“Stubborn old man,” Lightning says under his breath but just loud enough for his mentor to hear. There’s a sly smile on the kid's face before he exits to the bathroom.
Doc shakes his head but smiles anyway because at least his kid is returning to old self again. He needs to properly sit Lightning and talk about his self worth issues, but that’s a problem for another day. He doesn’t regret taking Lightning in and hopefully someday the kid can see that without his mind turning on him.
And maybe someday Doc can get another swing at the kid's father. That one he definitely does not regret.