AU Ficlet: Blind Rally
Blind Rally
written for au_bingo, prompt: auto-racing
fandom: Pokemon (Anime); pairing: Paul/ Ash (Comashipping); rating: PG; approximately 890 words
Disclaimer: This is only fiction and written for non-profitable purpose. Pokemon and its characters are owned by Pokemon franchise and its creator, Satoshi Tajiri.
A/N: Not beta'ed, of course. I never expected I'd be writing a Pokemon slash fic, let alone an AU. When I was re-watching the episodes of the Sinnoh League battles, I realized that there were several slashy moments between Ash and Paul. I held onto their competitive sides in this prompt and played around with it. Also, I know nothing about rallying so everything here is made up, sort of made it fit into the Pokemon world, minus the amazing pocket monsters.
My AU Bingo card
The engine roared wildly like a predator preparing for a hunt. The entire car pulsated with life, vibrating beneath him and he could feel its power against his palms.
Ash gripped the wheel tighter, the leather gloves stretching over his hands. His eyes flicked over to the car on his left. Through the tinted windows, he could see Paul. Ash's longtime rival seemed to have his eyes locked on the road ahead but somehow, Ash could feel the touch of Paul's gaze. Maybe Ash was imagining it.
The signal light changed to yellow and Ash slid his foot on the gas pedal. Anxiety rushed through him like burning liquid. Half of his attention was on the road now and half at the signal board. A loud bang went off at the same time the light changed to green. Ash stepped on the gas almost simultaneously and the Subaru Impreza soars down the dirt road.
Ten kilometers into the race and Paul was leading, his red Peugeot disappearing on the next turn followed closely by Gary's Ford Puma. Ash switched gears, determined to catch up.
At the last five kilometer stretch, Ash managed to go past Paul, his blood rushing up his head, heart pounding wildly against his chest. He saw the finish line and he held on to his speed until he crossed the mark just probably ten seconds ahead of Paul.
Ash coaxed the vehicle to slow down and once he felt he had it under control he turned it around back to the last stop. He slid his helmet off and he could see Brock and Dawn running towards him.
"You won!" Dawn screeched, her voice surprisingly rose above the noises that swallowed Ash. People crowded around him. Someone grabbed him in a one-armed hug and he wasn't sure who it was, probably Brock, probably someone else.
Pretty soon, the group of well-wishers dispersed, some running over to greet the other racers, leaving Dawn and Brock beaming at Ash.
"You did it. You beat Paul," Brock said with a grin so wide that his face seemed about to split.
Ash shrugged "I had luck on my side, I guess."
"Hey Ash." The sound of Paul's voice made Ash's skin prickle. Ash fought the urge to smile and kept an impassive expression before facing Paul. "Congratulations. That was a great race."
I'm probably dreaming, Ash thought because Paul congratulating him was not in the list of things he expected, at least not in this lifetime. "Thanks," was all Ash could offer.
Paul gave a cursory nod then walked away.
*
Ash was in his garage working on his car when he felt the presence behind him. He had a gut feeling he knew who it was before he even twisted his head and looked over his shoulder.
"What are you doing here, Paul?"
There wasn't anything threatening in Paul's demeanor but Ash couldn't be blamed for feeling paranoid. This guy had caused him enough trouble, usually when Ash came close to winning a race. Who knew what Paul would do now that Ash did win it?
"Just thought I should congratulate you," Paul said, taking slow, calculating steps towards Ash. "In private."
"You did that yesterday. After the race," Ash pointed out hoping he didn't sound blatantly cautious.
"I did, didn't I? But not in private."
Ash wiped his hands clean and tossed the rag aside, the uneasiness growing, boiling in the pit of his stomach.
"Can't wait for the next race." Paul stood at arms length, eyes never leaving Ash's face. "You do know I'm going to challenge you again."
"As always," Ash murmured. It would probably be the end of the world if Paul wasn't compelled to drag Ash into some sort of competition. Paul always did that since they were in high school. It was either who had better fashion sense or who excelled more in Math and Science or who had a faster car. Ash never knew why, but only recently did he realize that in all those years, he wasn't trying to win over Paul. He was more focused on what Paul thought of him.
Maybe it was too bitter to admit that Ash admired Paul in some sense or another. Ash never really stopped long enough to give a name to the conflicting thoughts that clawed at the back of his brain where Paul was concerned.
"Also..." Paul's breath was hot against Ash's face and Ash jumped back when he realized how close Paul was already only for his lower back to hit the side mirror of his car, "I thought I'd come over to give you a gift, some sort of token to show you I'm fine with you winning."
"You don't have to." Ash felt trap, the side mirror now pressed against his left hip. He could slide over to his right but Paul must've sensed Ash's planned move because Paul leaned closer, keeping Ash in place. "W-what gift is it anyway? I um… I don't see you carrying anything."
"It's not something I can carry around literally." Paul was in Ash's personal space now. He was too close. "I just wanted to give you…" Too close. "This."
Paul's lips was hard, his tongue persistent. But Ash found himself surrendering to the kiss while thinking that Paul had won once more, but in a different kind or race.
~fin~
written for au_bingo, prompt: auto-racing
fandom: Pokemon (Anime); pairing: Paul/ Ash (Comashipping); rating: PG; approximately 890 words
Disclaimer: This is only fiction and written for non-profitable purpose. Pokemon and its characters are owned by Pokemon franchise and its creator, Satoshi Tajiri.
A/N: Not beta'ed, of course. I never expected I'd be writing a Pokemon slash fic, let alone an AU. When I was re-watching the episodes of the Sinnoh League battles, I realized that there were several slashy moments between Ash and Paul. I held onto their competitive sides in this prompt and played around with it. Also, I know nothing about rallying so everything here is made up, sort of made it fit into the Pokemon world, minus the amazing pocket monsters.
My AU Bingo card
The engine roared wildly like a predator preparing for a hunt. The entire car pulsated with life, vibrating beneath him and he could feel its power against his palms.
Ash gripped the wheel tighter, the leather gloves stretching over his hands. His eyes flicked over to the car on his left. Through the tinted windows, he could see Paul. Ash's longtime rival seemed to have his eyes locked on the road ahead but somehow, Ash could feel the touch of Paul's gaze. Maybe Ash was imagining it.
The signal light changed to yellow and Ash slid his foot on the gas pedal. Anxiety rushed through him like burning liquid. Half of his attention was on the road now and half at the signal board. A loud bang went off at the same time the light changed to green. Ash stepped on the gas almost simultaneously and the Subaru Impreza soars down the dirt road.
Ten kilometers into the race and Paul was leading, his red Peugeot disappearing on the next turn followed closely by Gary's Ford Puma. Ash switched gears, determined to catch up.
At the last five kilometer stretch, Ash managed to go past Paul, his blood rushing up his head, heart pounding wildly against his chest. He saw the finish line and he held on to his speed until he crossed the mark just probably ten seconds ahead of Paul.
Ash coaxed the vehicle to slow down and once he felt he had it under control he turned it around back to the last stop. He slid his helmet off and he could see Brock and Dawn running towards him.
"You won!" Dawn screeched, her voice surprisingly rose above the noises that swallowed Ash. People crowded around him. Someone grabbed him in a one-armed hug and he wasn't sure who it was, probably Brock, probably someone else.
Pretty soon, the group of well-wishers dispersed, some running over to greet the other racers, leaving Dawn and Brock beaming at Ash.
"You did it. You beat Paul," Brock said with a grin so wide that his face seemed about to split.
Ash shrugged "I had luck on my side, I guess."
"Hey Ash." The sound of Paul's voice made Ash's skin prickle. Ash fought the urge to smile and kept an impassive expression before facing Paul. "Congratulations. That was a great race."
I'm probably dreaming, Ash thought because Paul congratulating him was not in the list of things he expected, at least not in this lifetime. "Thanks," was all Ash could offer.
Paul gave a cursory nod then walked away.
*
Ash was in his garage working on his car when he felt the presence behind him. He had a gut feeling he knew who it was before he even twisted his head and looked over his shoulder.
"What are you doing here, Paul?"
There wasn't anything threatening in Paul's demeanor but Ash couldn't be blamed for feeling paranoid. This guy had caused him enough trouble, usually when Ash came close to winning a race. Who knew what Paul would do now that Ash did win it?
"Just thought I should congratulate you," Paul said, taking slow, calculating steps towards Ash. "In private."
"You did that yesterday. After the race," Ash pointed out hoping he didn't sound blatantly cautious.
"I did, didn't I? But not in private."
Ash wiped his hands clean and tossed the rag aside, the uneasiness growing, boiling in the pit of his stomach.
"Can't wait for the next race." Paul stood at arms length, eyes never leaving Ash's face. "You do know I'm going to challenge you again."
"As always," Ash murmured. It would probably be the end of the world if Paul wasn't compelled to drag Ash into some sort of competition. Paul always did that since they were in high school. It was either who had better fashion sense or who excelled more in Math and Science or who had a faster car. Ash never knew why, but only recently did he realize that in all those years, he wasn't trying to win over Paul. He was more focused on what Paul thought of him.
Maybe it was too bitter to admit that Ash admired Paul in some sense or another. Ash never really stopped long enough to give a name to the conflicting thoughts that clawed at the back of his brain where Paul was concerned.
"Also..." Paul's breath was hot against Ash's face and Ash jumped back when he realized how close Paul was already only for his lower back to hit the side mirror of his car, "I thought I'd come over to give you a gift, some sort of token to show you I'm fine with you winning."
"You don't have to." Ash felt trap, the side mirror now pressed against his left hip. He could slide over to his right but Paul must've sensed Ash's planned move because Paul leaned closer, keeping Ash in place. "W-what gift is it anyway? I um… I don't see you carrying anything."
"It's not something I can carry around literally." Paul was in Ash's personal space now. He was too close. "I just wanted to give you…" Too close. "This."
Paul's lips was hard, his tongue persistent. But Ash found himself surrendering to the kiss while thinking that Paul had won once more, but in a different kind or race.
~fin~