The Scene - for tea_filter
Title: The Scene
For: tea_filter
Pairing: Chen/Kai
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: mentions of drugs (implied)
Word count: App. 2,800 words
Summary: All is fair in love and speed.
This street racing at two in the morning is also known in the underground as the scene. Everyone knows it's illegal, thus everything is coded, including the name of the activity. The scene was established by Kim Junmyeon, that loaded motherfucker who finds going neck to neck against the law a hobby. He's a senior in the engineering school that Jongdae goes to, though that's not how Jongdae learned of the scene. Baekhyun, his best friend, works for Junmyeon (aka Suho in the scene), coding himself as Light and responsible for the security on the scene. He checks in every racer, even every boy and girl that hangs out at the scene. He sets out secure perimeter, then proceeds to distribute hidden clues all over town regarding the details of that day's scene. Even the direction to the scene is coded. Suho is either very careful or very paranoid.
Nevertheless, everyone must follow the rules or they'll be kicked out by Dragon. He's Suho's right-hand man at the scene. Jongdae never learns of his real name. It's not like Baekhyun will tell him anyway. Dragon stands six feet tall, with a perpetual scowl residing across his face. Jongdae's been here a few times and he doesn't think he's ever seen Dragon smile. The race is already intense without knowing that Dragon's eyes are always watching you, ready to banish you forever in the blink of an eye.
It looks like their paranoia eventually gets to Jongdae, because not only does he hide behind the code name Chen, he also hides behind a dark helmet that he wears as long as he's at the scene, which is not long. He's only there to win, and when that's done, he's out. He doesn't make friends, doesn't chat. He doesn't want sponsors and all that shit. He only wants to feel the ground surrendering at the wheels of the blue Mustang that he's rebuilt from zero.
Getting the prize money also never hurts.
Jongdae is not the only one who has turned the scene into their temporary, nocturnal home. It's always crowded. People race, party, and make bets under their anonymity. It's amazing to think that Light is the only living soul that knows each face that exists in the crowd. But Jongdae also knows another. Kai.
Kai is a rookie at the scene, but his fame quickly soared as more and more bets are put next to his name. Claire V, the resident dealer who will charm you with his big, seemingly-innocent, deer-like eyes, realized Kai's potential and quickly promoted him around for wager. Kai's the only one who's come after Jongdae for three races in a row. Other racers have never gotten this close.
Chen has always been the champion of the street, but one of these days, Kai could beat him. That will be a big blow for Jongdae and a big profit for Claire V.
So Jongdae observes Kai closely. Imagine how surprised he was to see Kai's face among the freshmen of campus. Kim Jongin. And he lives two floors above Jongdae at the student dorm. That's all he knew in the beginning. Determined to find out more, he volunteered the moment Jongin announced he was looking for help in the subject of calculus. Jongdae is a genius in calculus.
They have a tutoring session once a week in Jongin's room. After the first few sessions, Jongdae concluded that it's not the lack of brain that made Jongin almost fail calculus, but simply because Jongin gets distracted easily, especially by cars. Jongin lights up like a Christmas tree whenever he talks about cars. It's the only thing he's passionate about. It's the reason he became a machine engineering student. It took some subtle coaxing, but Jongin eventually told Jongdae about the scene, trusting its secret to him.
Do you want to see my car, Jongin asked.
Even though he’d been waiting -aiming- for it, Jongdae was still taken aback nonetheless by the hiding potential behind the question. His eyebrows shot through his wide forehead and one corner of his lips went up involuntarily. Sure, he replied. Anything else you want to show me? Jongin only laughed as a reply.
And so Jongin took him to a garage located far from the dorm, a hidden place where he parks and takes care of his glorious red Firebird.
Second generation. Built it myself.
Jongdae could see the pride in Jongin's face.
Can I see?
Jongin lifted the hood for Jongdae, and Jongdae peeked. Is he cheating? Perhaps. But Jongdae doesn't think it counts as cheating if he's going to win the race anyway. With or without peeking.
Slowly, Jongin starts to tell a little bit more about himself.
This garage belongs to my good buddy, Sehun. You know him, right? The pretty one. Suho, I mean, Junmyeon hyung's boyfriend. That ash green Camaro right there, it's his. He knows every wire and bolt of that car.
Jongdae tried to remember if he'd ever seen Sehun at the scene, or maybe he'd heard of his code name. But never. Sehun was never there.
As though reading Jongdae's mind, Jongin continued. Junmyeon hyung's forbids Sehun from entering the scene. Too dangerous. He's afraid it might break Sehun's bones, which is a shame. He's supposed to be the one who knows how Sehun is stronger than he looks.
Jongin spoke of Sehun with a fondness that made Jongdae uneasy. He didn't like to hear Jongin speak that way, and he couldn't fathom why. But Jongin didn't read his mind this time, and continued to blabber on.
Rather than telling no to Sehun, Junmyeon should have kicked Phoenix out. You should know, hyung, Phoneix never drives sober. He's a danger to himself and others. The saddest thing is, that yellow Corvette of his is almost beaten to a pulp from the series of accidents he's been getting in the recent races. That guy is insane.
Jongdae replied Jongin with a fake bewilderement. Of course he knew who Phoenix was. That guy's a chore for Dragon and Lay, the medic. Jongdae himself even almost brushed death because of Phoenix. All the more reason to race ahead in the game.
But what hits my nerve the most is this guy, Chen, Jongin said, interrupting Jongdae's train of thought. Jongdae wished with all his might that Jongin couldn't hear the allegretto of his heartbeat at the mention of his code name from Jongin's lips. Chen, Jongin said. The way Jongin hissed the first two letters and emphasized the n with that deep timbre of his gave Jongdae the shivers. It sounded inappropriately lower in his ears.
He's the crowd's champ and he beats me everytime. I'd kill to see the guts of his Mustang. Does he have a special kind of turbo or something? And that stupid helmet of his. God I want to take it away from him and hit him with it. Hit him ‘till he finds it hard to breathe.
The sweat pooled in Jongdae's palms and he was afraid his identity would be found out by his nervousness alone. He stared at Jongin who talked of Chen with the highest spirit of competition, and Jongin almost glowed.
It's not about the prize money anymore. I just want to beat him. Don't you agree, hyung?
But Jongdae didn't hear Jongin anymore. His eyes were fixated on Jongin's lips and how those parts of Jongin's grew closer as Jongdae shortened the distance between them. Jongdae kissed him. He tilted his head just enough to get their noses out of the way. He realized he had to tiptoe to reach Jongin’s lips, but he didn’t care. The posture made a great tipping point anyway, in which his body was balanced to fall forward and thus adding pressure to the kiss. In short words, they were falling.
Surprised at this sudden move, Jongin stepped backward only to be stopped by the nose of his Firebird. It was almost like the car was conspiring with Jongdae to corner Jongin. Jongdae pulled Jongin's face down to his, ravishing those thick lips that had just promised doom to Chen not so long ago. Jongdae smiled as Jongin kissed him back.
There was no Kai. No Chen. Only Jongin, Jongdae, and their breaths racing against each other.
That night, at the backseat of Jongin's car, naked chests colliding, hips grinding, lips parting, Jongdae was suddenly afraid of what would happen when Jongin finds out the truth about him. Would he be mad? He must be. Could Jongdae stand his anger? Maybe. But Jongdae didn’t want Jongin to be angry at him, as he thought about it over and over again, cradling the sleeping boy in his arms. Jongdae wanted Jongin just like this, a boy who found a consolation in him. Jongdae felt great. He’d never felt this great before. Not even when he was winning.
So when a fortnight later Chen and Kai meet each other again, Jongdae's decided that this will be his last race. He will win and walk out, leaving the next victories for Jongin.
It's the race that everyone's been waiting for. The deciding scene. The top five of this race will be automatically eligible for the big scene that Suho's been hinting to everyone. Rumor says, the prize money will be bigger than the amount of bets Claire V deals combined. Thus, the road to go there won't be easy.
There's no dragging tonight. The assignment is to drift. They're positioned at the top of a hill. The city lights shine brilliantly on their left, a sharp turn to the right up ahead. Jongdae can see the marks his damp hands leave on the steering wheel. This will be his last.
Next to him is Jongin's Firebird. The tinted glass preventing him from seeing Jongin's face, but he knows that the rookie is staring straight ahead. He's vowed to beat Chen tonight. For a split second, Jongdae considers to let Jongin win, but no.
From the rear mirror, he sees the other racers lining up. He recognizes Ice, Tempus, and Earth. The three are also strong candidates for the big scene. There's Phoenix too and other cars too far behind for Jongdae to recognize. Waiting for the race to start, Jongdae wonders what everyone's reason is to be here. Is it for the money? Or the love of speed? Does it really matter when these wheels could give you wings?
Claire V appears in Jongdae's peripheral vision. With a flare gun in his right hand, and money in his left, he still finds a way to blow Ice a kiss. In front of the dealer, Jongdae would fake a vomit. But behind his helmet, he just laughs.
Ready, Claire V shouts into the night. All around him, colorful cars groan as their drivers push deep into the pedals. Go!
Claire V shoots the flare gun into the air and off they jolt, racing down to the foot of the hill with a neckbreaking speed. Jongdae is first and he knows that the crowd is cheering behind him. The sound of the wind swiftly dies in his ear, replaced by the loud thumping of his heart as he passes the first sharp turn. Thump, thump, thump. It was sharp. Really sharp. Thump, thump, thump.
When he was climbing up the hill, he assessed the situation of the route, and he knew to manage his speed wisely. These turns are dangerous, and he'd better save his speed for the finish line. He doesn't even have time to check out the cars racing after him. Drifting is a skill that demands your absolute attention and he cannot be careless in this.
The only car that he sees is the Firebird as Jongin zooms fast in front of him. Jongdae shifts in his gear as another car passes him by. Phoenix. The dangerous constant in every race. Jongdae must outrace Phoenix before the latter can drag him into an accident. But then another car outraces him. It's a new car he hasn't seen in the scene before. An ash green Camaro.
Thump, thump, thump.
For a reason Jongdae can't really explain, he's suddenly stricken with fear. No, no, get away from there, is the only thing he can think about, eyes never leaving the Camaro. Jongdae turns on his turbo and levels up with the Camaro in no time. He slides down his window to get a better look at the Camaro, but the windows on that car is heavily tinted, it's almost black, there's no way for Jongdae to confirm the identity of the racer. Up ahead is Phoenix and Kai, no doubt shifting their gear for the closing drift.
The first sign telling Jongdae that something is wrong is when a thin snake of smoke escapes out of Phoenix' hood. The Corvette is coughing from the front and behind. Jongdae slams on his horn to warn everyone of what is happening. He steps on the gas deeper and easily catches up with Phoenix, whose windows are open. To Jongdae's horror, Phoenix is blinking so rapidly, eyes unprotected against the wind, and Jongdae's not sure if Phoenix mind is on the road.
Shit.
Behind him, Jongdae sees that the Camaro is still hot on Phoenix' tail. Too close for comfort. Without even thinking, Jongdae blinks his signals rapidly, hoping against hope that everyone behind and in front of him can see the disaster that's about to happen. They cannot afford any mistakes at this drift.
Abandon the race now!
Jongin must have seen his signals, because he suddenly moves faster. Or perhaps because the finish line is already visible upfront. Jongdae sends signals to Light, who's waiting under the street light, but it was too late. Everything seems to happen in slow motion as Jongdae takes in his surrounding. He sees Jongin drive on as a shower of sparks rose at the drift turn he's just left behind. Jongdae hits the brake and gets out of the car, taking off his helmet and throwing it down. He doesn't see his wheels stop just behind the finish line.
People are screaming now and Jongdae is still running. He's afraid to see what exists at the other side of the drift. He can hear Suho shouting, who is it?
Phoenix and Zephyr, Light shouts back.
Zephyr. The soft and gentle breeze.
Jongdae doesn't realize that he's been calling Jongin's name over and over again, trying to stop him from running to the collission behind the drift. He pulls Jongin by the arm, but there's no going back anymore. Jongin's seen the ash green Camaro, now blazing with red and orange, connected to the Corvette by a trail of fire.
Jongin keeps yelling Sehun's name as Suho freezes at the edge of the cliff, oblivious to the people around him trying to put out the fire.
Get away from me, Jongin bellows. He breaks free out of Jongdae's grasp and helps Dragon pulling out the bodies out of the cars. Are they breathing?
Thump, thump, thump.
A small, new puff of fire shoves Jongdae out of his reverie and his feet finally move to lend a hand. Together with Lay, he rescues Phoenix and quickly carries him to the medic van. He's breathing.
Stay with me, Sehun, stay with me, Jongin repeats. He must be also breathing. Suho is still rooted at the edge of the cliff. Dragon and Light moves Sehun into the van, it's almost surreal to see him and Phoenix laying side by side like that. Jongin is about to follow into the van but Light pushes him out. Jongin falls into Jongdae's arms and they can only look at the van driving away in silence. Who’s to blame when things have gotten this way? Suho and his overprotectiveness? Sehun and his beligerence? Jongdae can’t help but to think that maybe there’s a reason to why Suho didn’t let Sehun to be in the game. It’s too dangerous. And now it feels like Sehun has shown no respect to the care and concern that Suho has shown for him, but can Jongdae really blame any of them?
His grip tightens on Jongin’s arm, determined to not let him go. Any seconds now, Jongin will break out of his shock and it will sink in on him that Jongdae and Chen were but the same person. As of now, the only sound comes from the noise that Jongin's nose makes from the tears he doesn't care to hide. When his vision clouds, Jongdae realizes that he's crying too. Suddenly, all the codes and secrecy of the scene cease to matter, Jongdae can see it now. He only hopes the revelation isn't late in its arrival as the machine of his Mustang cools down just behind the finish line.
dear tea_filter: I apologize in advance for every inaccuracy found in the fic. I tried my best. I hope you like it ♥ because I do xD Writing this was quite difficult, I had to write and rewrite three times. The more I wrote, the more I realized that this universe is amazing and that there’s a lot of stuff to explore. So please be prepared for any continuation of the story that might be happening outside of the challenge. ♥
Music is made for this fic by the wonderful, talented geniebsmart (thank you so much! ♥)
For: tea_filter
Pairing: Chen/Kai
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: mentions of drugs (implied)
Word count: App. 2,800 words
Summary: All is fair in love and speed.
This street racing at two in the morning is also known in the underground as the scene. Everyone knows it's illegal, thus everything is coded, including the name of the activity. The scene was established by Kim Junmyeon, that loaded motherfucker who finds going neck to neck against the law a hobby. He's a senior in the engineering school that Jongdae goes to, though that's not how Jongdae learned of the scene. Baekhyun, his best friend, works for Junmyeon (aka Suho in the scene), coding himself as Light and responsible for the security on the scene. He checks in every racer, even every boy and girl that hangs out at the scene. He sets out secure perimeter, then proceeds to distribute hidden clues all over town regarding the details of that day's scene. Even the direction to the scene is coded. Suho is either very careful or very paranoid.
Nevertheless, everyone must follow the rules or they'll be kicked out by Dragon. He's Suho's right-hand man at the scene. Jongdae never learns of his real name. It's not like Baekhyun will tell him anyway. Dragon stands six feet tall, with a perpetual scowl residing across his face. Jongdae's been here a few times and he doesn't think he's ever seen Dragon smile. The race is already intense without knowing that Dragon's eyes are always watching you, ready to banish you forever in the blink of an eye.
It looks like their paranoia eventually gets to Jongdae, because not only does he hide behind the code name Chen, he also hides behind a dark helmet that he wears as long as he's at the scene, which is not long. He's only there to win, and when that's done, he's out. He doesn't make friends, doesn't chat. He doesn't want sponsors and all that shit. He only wants to feel the ground surrendering at the wheels of the blue Mustang that he's rebuilt from zero.
Getting the prize money also never hurts.
Jongdae is not the only one who has turned the scene into their temporary, nocturnal home. It's always crowded. People race, party, and make bets under their anonymity. It's amazing to think that Light is the only living soul that knows each face that exists in the crowd. But Jongdae also knows another. Kai.
Kai is a rookie at the scene, but his fame quickly soared as more and more bets are put next to his name. Claire V, the resident dealer who will charm you with his big, seemingly-innocent, deer-like eyes, realized Kai's potential and quickly promoted him around for wager. Kai's the only one who's come after Jongdae for three races in a row. Other racers have never gotten this close.
Chen has always been the champion of the street, but one of these days, Kai could beat him. That will be a big blow for Jongdae and a big profit for Claire V.
So Jongdae observes Kai closely. Imagine how surprised he was to see Kai's face among the freshmen of campus. Kim Jongin. And he lives two floors above Jongdae at the student dorm. That's all he knew in the beginning. Determined to find out more, he volunteered the moment Jongin announced he was looking for help in the subject of calculus. Jongdae is a genius in calculus.
They have a tutoring session once a week in Jongin's room. After the first few sessions, Jongdae concluded that it's not the lack of brain that made Jongin almost fail calculus, but simply because Jongin gets distracted easily, especially by cars. Jongin lights up like a Christmas tree whenever he talks about cars. It's the only thing he's passionate about. It's the reason he became a machine engineering student. It took some subtle coaxing, but Jongin eventually told Jongdae about the scene, trusting its secret to him.
Do you want to see my car, Jongin asked.
Even though he’d been waiting -aiming- for it, Jongdae was still taken aback nonetheless by the hiding potential behind the question. His eyebrows shot through his wide forehead and one corner of his lips went up involuntarily. Sure, he replied. Anything else you want to show me? Jongin only laughed as a reply.
And so Jongin took him to a garage located far from the dorm, a hidden place where he parks and takes care of his glorious red Firebird.
Second generation. Built it myself.
Jongdae could see the pride in Jongin's face.
Can I see?
Jongin lifted the hood for Jongdae, and Jongdae peeked. Is he cheating? Perhaps. But Jongdae doesn't think it counts as cheating if he's going to win the race anyway. With or without peeking.
Slowly, Jongin starts to tell a little bit more about himself.
This garage belongs to my good buddy, Sehun. You know him, right? The pretty one. Suho, I mean, Junmyeon hyung's boyfriend. That ash green Camaro right there, it's his. He knows every wire and bolt of that car.
Jongdae tried to remember if he'd ever seen Sehun at the scene, or maybe he'd heard of his code name. But never. Sehun was never there.
As though reading Jongdae's mind, Jongin continued. Junmyeon hyung's forbids Sehun from entering the scene. Too dangerous. He's afraid it might break Sehun's bones, which is a shame. He's supposed to be the one who knows how Sehun is stronger than he looks.
Jongin spoke of Sehun with a fondness that made Jongdae uneasy. He didn't like to hear Jongin speak that way, and he couldn't fathom why. But Jongin didn't read his mind this time, and continued to blabber on.
Rather than telling no to Sehun, Junmyeon should have kicked Phoenix out. You should know, hyung, Phoneix never drives sober. He's a danger to himself and others. The saddest thing is, that yellow Corvette of his is almost beaten to a pulp from the series of accidents he's been getting in the recent races. That guy is insane.
Jongdae replied Jongin with a fake bewilderement. Of course he knew who Phoenix was. That guy's a chore for Dragon and Lay, the medic. Jongdae himself even almost brushed death because of Phoenix. All the more reason to race ahead in the game.
But what hits my nerve the most is this guy, Chen, Jongin said, interrupting Jongdae's train of thought. Jongdae wished with all his might that Jongin couldn't hear the allegretto of his heartbeat at the mention of his code name from Jongin's lips. Chen, Jongin said. The way Jongin hissed the first two letters and emphasized the n with that deep timbre of his gave Jongdae the shivers. It sounded inappropriately lower in his ears.
He's the crowd's champ and he beats me everytime. I'd kill to see the guts of his Mustang. Does he have a special kind of turbo or something? And that stupid helmet of his. God I want to take it away from him and hit him with it. Hit him ‘till he finds it hard to breathe.
The sweat pooled in Jongdae's palms and he was afraid his identity would be found out by his nervousness alone. He stared at Jongin who talked of Chen with the highest spirit of competition, and Jongin almost glowed.
It's not about the prize money anymore. I just want to beat him. Don't you agree, hyung?
But Jongdae didn't hear Jongin anymore. His eyes were fixated on Jongin's lips and how those parts of Jongin's grew closer as Jongdae shortened the distance between them. Jongdae kissed him. He tilted his head just enough to get their noses out of the way. He realized he had to tiptoe to reach Jongin’s lips, but he didn’t care. The posture made a great tipping point anyway, in which his body was balanced to fall forward and thus adding pressure to the kiss. In short words, they were falling.
Surprised at this sudden move, Jongin stepped backward only to be stopped by the nose of his Firebird. It was almost like the car was conspiring with Jongdae to corner Jongin. Jongdae pulled Jongin's face down to his, ravishing those thick lips that had just promised doom to Chen not so long ago. Jongdae smiled as Jongin kissed him back.
There was no Kai. No Chen. Only Jongin, Jongdae, and their breaths racing against each other.
That night, at the backseat of Jongin's car, naked chests colliding, hips grinding, lips parting, Jongdae was suddenly afraid of what would happen when Jongin finds out the truth about him. Would he be mad? He must be. Could Jongdae stand his anger? Maybe. But Jongdae didn’t want Jongin to be angry at him, as he thought about it over and over again, cradling the sleeping boy in his arms. Jongdae wanted Jongin just like this, a boy who found a consolation in him. Jongdae felt great. He’d never felt this great before. Not even when he was winning.
So when a fortnight later Chen and Kai meet each other again, Jongdae's decided that this will be his last race. He will win and walk out, leaving the next victories for Jongin.
It's the race that everyone's been waiting for. The deciding scene. The top five of this race will be automatically eligible for the big scene that Suho's been hinting to everyone. Rumor says, the prize money will be bigger than the amount of bets Claire V deals combined. Thus, the road to go there won't be easy.
There's no dragging tonight. The assignment is to drift. They're positioned at the top of a hill. The city lights shine brilliantly on their left, a sharp turn to the right up ahead. Jongdae can see the marks his damp hands leave on the steering wheel. This will be his last.
Next to him is Jongin's Firebird. The tinted glass preventing him from seeing Jongin's face, but he knows that the rookie is staring straight ahead. He's vowed to beat Chen tonight. For a split second, Jongdae considers to let Jongin win, but no.
From the rear mirror, he sees the other racers lining up. He recognizes Ice, Tempus, and Earth. The three are also strong candidates for the big scene. There's Phoenix too and other cars too far behind for Jongdae to recognize. Waiting for the race to start, Jongdae wonders what everyone's reason is to be here. Is it for the money? Or the love of speed? Does it really matter when these wheels could give you wings?
Claire V appears in Jongdae's peripheral vision. With a flare gun in his right hand, and money in his left, he still finds a way to blow Ice a kiss. In front of the dealer, Jongdae would fake a vomit. But behind his helmet, he just laughs.
Ready, Claire V shouts into the night. All around him, colorful cars groan as their drivers push deep into the pedals. Go!
Claire V shoots the flare gun into the air and off they jolt, racing down to the foot of the hill with a neckbreaking speed. Jongdae is first and he knows that the crowd is cheering behind him. The sound of the wind swiftly dies in his ear, replaced by the loud thumping of his heart as he passes the first sharp turn. Thump, thump, thump. It was sharp. Really sharp. Thump, thump, thump.
When he was climbing up the hill, he assessed the situation of the route, and he knew to manage his speed wisely. These turns are dangerous, and he'd better save his speed for the finish line. He doesn't even have time to check out the cars racing after him. Drifting is a skill that demands your absolute attention and he cannot be careless in this.
The only car that he sees is the Firebird as Jongin zooms fast in front of him. Jongdae shifts in his gear as another car passes him by. Phoenix. The dangerous constant in every race. Jongdae must outrace Phoenix before the latter can drag him into an accident. But then another car outraces him. It's a new car he hasn't seen in the scene before. An ash green Camaro.
Thump, thump, thump.
For a reason Jongdae can't really explain, he's suddenly stricken with fear. No, no, get away from there, is the only thing he can think about, eyes never leaving the Camaro. Jongdae turns on his turbo and levels up with the Camaro in no time. He slides down his window to get a better look at the Camaro, but the windows on that car is heavily tinted, it's almost black, there's no way for Jongdae to confirm the identity of the racer. Up ahead is Phoenix and Kai, no doubt shifting their gear for the closing drift.
The first sign telling Jongdae that something is wrong is when a thin snake of smoke escapes out of Phoenix' hood. The Corvette is coughing from the front and behind. Jongdae slams on his horn to warn everyone of what is happening. He steps on the gas deeper and easily catches up with Phoenix, whose windows are open. To Jongdae's horror, Phoenix is blinking so rapidly, eyes unprotected against the wind, and Jongdae's not sure if Phoenix mind is on the road.
Shit.
Behind him, Jongdae sees that the Camaro is still hot on Phoenix' tail. Too close for comfort. Without even thinking, Jongdae blinks his signals rapidly, hoping against hope that everyone behind and in front of him can see the disaster that's about to happen. They cannot afford any mistakes at this drift.
Abandon the race now!
Jongin must have seen his signals, because he suddenly moves faster. Or perhaps because the finish line is already visible upfront. Jongdae sends signals to Light, who's waiting under the street light, but it was too late. Everything seems to happen in slow motion as Jongdae takes in his surrounding. He sees Jongin drive on as a shower of sparks rose at the drift turn he's just left behind. Jongdae hits the brake and gets out of the car, taking off his helmet and throwing it down. He doesn't see his wheels stop just behind the finish line.
People are screaming now and Jongdae is still running. He's afraid to see what exists at the other side of the drift. He can hear Suho shouting, who is it?
Phoenix and Zephyr, Light shouts back.
Zephyr. The soft and gentle breeze.
Jongdae doesn't realize that he's been calling Jongin's name over and over again, trying to stop him from running to the collission behind the drift. He pulls Jongin by the arm, but there's no going back anymore. Jongin's seen the ash green Camaro, now blazing with red and orange, connected to the Corvette by a trail of fire.
Jongin keeps yelling Sehun's name as Suho freezes at the edge of the cliff, oblivious to the people around him trying to put out the fire.
Get away from me, Jongin bellows. He breaks free out of Jongdae's grasp and helps Dragon pulling out the bodies out of the cars. Are they breathing?
Thump, thump, thump.
A small, new puff of fire shoves Jongdae out of his reverie and his feet finally move to lend a hand. Together with Lay, he rescues Phoenix and quickly carries him to the medic van. He's breathing.
Stay with me, Sehun, stay with me, Jongin repeats. He must be also breathing. Suho is still rooted at the edge of the cliff. Dragon and Light moves Sehun into the van, it's almost surreal to see him and Phoenix laying side by side like that. Jongin is about to follow into the van but Light pushes him out. Jongin falls into Jongdae's arms and they can only look at the van driving away in silence. Who’s to blame when things have gotten this way? Suho and his overprotectiveness? Sehun and his beligerence? Jongdae can’t help but to think that maybe there’s a reason to why Suho didn’t let Sehun to be in the game. It’s too dangerous. And now it feels like Sehun has shown no respect to the care and concern that Suho has shown for him, but can Jongdae really blame any of them?
His grip tightens on Jongin’s arm, determined to not let him go. Any seconds now, Jongin will break out of his shock and it will sink in on him that Jongdae and Chen were but the same person. As of now, the only sound comes from the noise that Jongin's nose makes from the tears he doesn't care to hide. When his vision clouds, Jongdae realizes that he's crying too. Suddenly, all the codes and secrecy of the scene cease to matter, Jongdae can see it now. He only hopes the revelation isn't late in its arrival as the machine of his Mustang cools down just behind the finish line.
dear tea_filter: I apologize in advance for every inaccuracy found in the fic. I tried my best. I hope you like it ♥ because I do xD Writing this was quite difficult, I had to write and rewrite three times. The more I wrote, the more I realized that this universe is amazing and that there’s a lot of stuff to explore. So please be prepared for any continuation of the story that might be happening outside of the challenge. ♥
Music is made for this fic by the wonderful, talented geniebsmart (thank you so much! ♥)