Chapter Text
chapter I – staging
Morning silence was a rarity for people like them; life often had a sneaky way of creating hectic calendars forcing away the serenity of these brief and quiet mornings. But with the golden rays of light ebbing their way through the hotel’s curtains brought a sense of dread to the two inhabitants of the large double bed situated within the room. Well perhaps the dread truly only lingered with the broader blonde, afterall he was the only one awake to witness the sun trying to disrupt this moment of peace, the other inhabitant was still deep in his slumber tangled within a mess of quilt covers and tattooed limbs with his head resting upon his partners chest, mouth a jarred and eyes ever so slightly opened. Many would describe this state of sleep to be akin to that of a dying Victorian child; however, Gris couldn’t help but find it some what endearing it even though his pectoral was being used as a pillow and would have a touch of drool on them, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make so long as Enjin got a full night of rest.
The mornings were always a good time to reflect, this season had been brutal on the whole team with new drivers, new cars and new tracks all in all this season had been unpredictable, the champions title was up for grabs by anyone it was simply down to who was determined enough to grab it. Thankfully 23 races were down, they had breezed through the qualifiers without a hitch, all this effort, all these early mornings and late nights had all lead to this singular day. Gris knew the pressure was on but in truth all eyes would be on the man which laid within his arms, Enjin is fiercely competitive and probably the most ambitious driver on their team so it was Gris’s job to ensure that his, and the other drivers, cars were at peak performance. As if written in a romance novel the way they had met was between tire and tarmac, Enjin was ripping through Formula 3 like a man on a mission and Gris was becoming more proficient within the pits, around the cars and his team. Of course, it was Enjin who ignited their game of back and forth, all it took was a simple question, “Let me take you for a drink after this?” and Gris looking like he had just been shot by cupids’ arrow simply replied “Win this race and we’ll talk”.
As if Enjin needed anymore motivation to claw his way up through the Formulas and get what he wanted, because skip forward five years later and here they laid in a plush hotel room with the suns rays slowly disappearing behind greying clouds. Gris gave a groan and with his only free arm reached for his phone which laid upon the bedside counter, his eyes squinted as the bright artificial light illuminated his face but his eyes locked on the time, 06:00 whilst he could sacrifice fifteen more minutes, he knew they both had to get ready and quite frankly he didn’t want Semiu to come banging on their door. Again.
So it was with a heavy heart that Gris began shifting which earned a disgruntled groan from the creature leaching all his body heat. “Come on, time to get up” he tried to be gentle but it was within the first six months of their relationship that Gris learnt Enjin couldn’t be lured awake with soft sweet words without demanding for more. Whilst Gris would love nothing more than to indulge his partner he knew Enjin would need his legs to be in perfect working order. Tomorrow it wouldn’t matter as much and hopefully they’ll be celebrating tonight.
Whilst the lump on his body did move if only to bury his face within the well-built chest it was a slow start. What Gris wouldn’t give to have every morning be like this, he soon found his fingertips tracing over the intricate swirls which inked his skin, a soft sigh was the only indication of a warning as Gris sat up in the bed causing the tattooed blonde to roll right in to his lap. If eyes could capture a picture forever then this would be one of his favourites. Golden hair was stuck out like a messy halo, his tanned skin basically glowing in the fading morning rays, but the part that caught Gris off guard was his lovers’ eyes. Burning ambers looked up to him with a veil of tiredness and impish amusement, “such a rude wake up call” came the groggy grumble as he tried to bury his face in to the meat of Gris’s thigh “not even a good morning kiss” was added along to his little list of complaints.
If anyone ever met Enjin they would happily say he was probably the most laid-back guy, however for those who truly knew him and had the pleasure of working with him understood how demanding he could be. Gris was the main target for his complaints. Luckily the bear of a man had learnt of ways to deal with Enjin and his rather bratty tendencies.
Rolling sky blue eyes and running his hand through fluffy golden hair, “well you ignored the first alarm, and you have morning breath. So, if you want a morning kiss you best get up and brush your teeth.” This was only met with Enjins’ groan of complaint, so Gris met him in the middle and pressed a kiss to his head. “There now get your ass up before you get dragged away by Semiu.”.
That had earned a chuckle and led to Enjin finally sitting up, running a hand through his mop of hair and stretching his shoulder blades he looked to his partner and wanted nothing more than to jump his bones then and there. How dare Gris look this hot first thing in the morning and on race day, the audacity of him. “You know I don’t think Semiu would appreciate you using her to blackmail me like this”. Gris rolled his eyes and huffed out a deep chuckle “she’d be happy for us getting to the garage on time” with that came the firm hand tapping the lean muscles of Enjin’s abdomen. “Shower now”.
Of course, Enjin always had that look of lazy mischief within his eyes, “only if you’re planning to join me big guy” with that being said Enjin heaved himself up from the mess which was their bed easily shucking off the covers that scandalously clung to his waist. Shame had left their relationship early on, and Gris was quietly watching his naked lover walking towards the bathroom. If one looked close enough there were faint bruises upon Enjin’s lean waist and no doubt they would align with Gris’s finger tips, it was a result of one of their celebratory nights. Tonight, he would get to renew his marks upon his lover and no doubt Enjin would attack his flesh as well, that man was a living land piranha. Hearing the shower start up Gris got himself up and checked his suitcase ensuring that small velvet box was still safely hidden and secure. Tonight, would be a night of celebration regardless of champion titles.
The rest of the morning had passed without much hassle; however, it was when the duo went down for breakfast they were greeted to their own apprentices. Zanka and Riyo who were both apart of the junior academy and finally getting their first taste of the Formula 2 season, they made a fantastic duo of drivers and did brilliantly for their first season but there was still a lot for them to practice and master particularly working together rather than opposed each other. Then there was Rudo who was their newest addition, scouted out by Enjin himself in some underground dirt race he was dragged in to their junior academy and would start his season next year. Enjin wouldn’t stop rattling on about this kids drifting skill. All three of them were promising, Zanka was strategic, Riyo was confident and bold and Rudo was just wild. Enjin had basically taken them under his wing.
Then for Gris there was Follo the newest addition to his pit crew, a touch shy at first but now he was starting to make sense of his position but the kid was bloody great with a hammer and a wrench. But Gris knew Follo longed for the chance to drive, he was just too nervous to take that leap. Hopefully an opportunity would give him that chance, or he would have a word with Corvus.
Whilst Enjin and the kids (they were kids to them anyway despite being young adults) spoke ever so loudly and enthusiastically as the rush of the day began to dawn upon them, rain drops could be heard pattering on the window when breakfast was offered up. Whilst the kids devoured their hearty meals, Enjin had stuck to something light the last thing you want is a full stomach whilst pulling high G-Forces.
Racers were a superstitious bunch; Gris had his lucky tool belt and would never use another no matter how worn it was. Enjin would always touch his lucky sticker that he slapped on the front wing of the car, it was a black and yellow umbrella which the driver held in high regard. Bro Santa would always wear his lucky bandana underneath the balaclava. Corvus had banned anything coloured green from entering the garage insisting it was bad luck and Semiu always wore the same pair of glasses.
This would be a special race, not only because of Gris’s plan for tonight at dinner, but it was also their other driver’s last race. Bro Santa, due to personal life he decided to announce his retirement and wanted to focus on his kids Dear and Guita. Two spitfire kids which often watched the races from the team’s box rather than the pits. This also meant that come next Formula 1 season there was an open spot for a new driver to compete with Enjin.
Despite all the excitement and buzz that came with the team as they got in to the bus that would take them to the track, the rain continued to fall.
Today would be an emotional day for the Cleaners team.
But no one would realise how emotional it would be.