Part 4

It was too bright for him. His sunglasses pulled down, tinted black weren't enough. But he had to do something. Three was all this nervous energy knotted inside him and he couldn't even eat.

So he went out running, his chest heaving as sweat glistened on his bare front, the sun beating down on him.

His legs were heavy and when he saw a bench near a bus depot, he damn near fainted on the wood, resting his head on the back of the seat, his eyes blinded by the glare from the sun, even from behind his closed eyelids.

He heard the bus coming, the rumbling engine and opened an eye to it. It stopped, it's brakes squealing and Justin held up a hand for it to go on.

But as he paused, he thought of getting away with his pride. His doubts at e at him as he chewed on his lip, visions of racing, visions of losing bombarding, crushing his hope.

JC is worth it, though, he thought but as the bus stopped, and the doors opened slowly, and his heart began to speed up and it was this fight or flight instinct, he didn't know anymore.

Forget about his bike, forget about the title, forget about everything he didn't need. He kept his pride, and that's all he needed...

With a flip of his wrist, he waved the bus on, and the doors closed loud in Justin's mind and he looked back up, his eyes squinting against glare.

He could do it, he could.

He would.

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Game time.

Someone was massaging his shoulders and he was nodding to himself as he swallowed his doubts. He looked over, Nico sitting on his bike, face blank. JC wasn't by his side but Justin wouldn't be surprised if the young man surfaced somewhere closer. He hoped not, it would hurt a lot more.

He was the black sheep in the herd of white ones. He was the one that stuck out because he was the only one going against the leader, the only one who had the balls to. Still, with about 70 people on his side, Nico looked so much better on his silver BMW with black flames licking over the shine of the motorcycle.

Justin looked down at his own bike, the Kawasaki in glowing green looking so puny Justin almost wanted to hide it. He raised his boot, his heel hiding the tag.

"You ready?" Nico asked and all at once silence dawned and Justin heard himself gulp and nod, sliding on his helmet, already too hot in the confines and he looked forward. He wanted JC to be there. He didn't care anymore, as long as JC was at least there, then maybe the butterflies would leave.

Yeah right, said a voice and Justin looked down at his dash board. Yeah right was right. It would only make him more nervous.

"Shit," he cursed as he cracked his knuckles clothed by the breaking gloves he had always worn, but had abandoned when it had become uncool. He wore them now, hoping for the luck.

There was snickering and Justin looked over, Nico blowing him a kiss and Justin suddenly got an idea.

"Ey yo!" he called and climbed off his bike, kicking the parking brake out. He tore off his helmet and walked the two steps to Nico. The older man sat back and crossed his arms, Justin wanting to kick that smug ass smile off his face.

"What you want? You backing out already?" he asked and Justin came close, obviously too much in Nico's space because the man pushed at his chest defensively, his eyebrows furrowed.

"No, I gotta... I wanna. Look," he said and took a deep breath, feeling the urge to vomit rising and he knew he had to do this quick. "Let's change the winnings. Fuck your spot, I don't care. You and me both know what I want."

And it was known.

Nico nodded for him to continue.

"I win, I get him," he said hushed, prying eyes and perked ears unnerving. "You win, I leave."

Nico scratched his chin and looked around him discretely. "Who the fuck says my spot is more important than C? Why would I just give him over?"

"Because he comes to me, because you don't give him shit, because you could never love him like a real man should. That's the fuck why," Justin grunted and his heart was beating too loudly in his ears. What did he just do?

"Fuck you, bitch ass. I--"

"Look, you take it or leave it. If you think you can win, go ahead and accept it," he said loudly, satisfying the nosey appetites of the spectators. Nico growled, his engine starting with vengeance and Justin nodded, slipping on his helmet, hoping to God he didn't just fuck himself over.

Hopping onto his bike, Justin took a chug of his Gatorade before throwing it to the side, gunning the engine, the sound silk to his ears as he twisted his handles.

The sun was disappearing and he lifted up his visor, the orangish sun casting it's glow on the surroundings, the ground reddish in it's light.

A voluptuous woman came to the middle of them, looking from one to the other and Justin nodded abruptly when she looked at him. His palms were sweating and he twisted a handle, making unnecessary noise, the crowd ooing over the move. He cringed and gulped, his mouth already so dry.

It'll only take a few seconds, he told himself, whether he won or lost, it would be over in a few seconds. And he couldn't wait.

The gun was raised and everything faded except for the strip of sun calling him. The gun cocked and his heart started racing, even before he could even start. When the loud shot fired, he closed his eyes, pressing down, opening them as he leaned forward, the wind sliding off the front of his bike, right over his back and straight into the cloud of dust.

He couldn't look over, not even for a second and he didn't want to. He checked his speedometer and dared to press harder on his pedal, the sun coming up to greet him and that's all he saw.

And when he was just a few feet in front, Justin watched, watched as he won, Nico just a second behind him and he couldn't explain it. The feeling, it... his bones melted and he lifted his foot from the pedal, instead pressing lightly on the brake, making a wide turn, releasing the breath he hadn't known he had been holding.

The sun was gleaming at him and a drop of sweat dripped over his temple and he thanked whoever was looking out for him.

"You! Fucking faggot motherfucker!!" Nico was yelling and Justin turned to see Nico drop his bike, and run towards him. Shit, spoke too soon.

He pressed on his gas and it coughed and slowed, Justin looking down quickly. Shit was right.

"Fuck," he cursed as he looked up, stomping on his pedal, Nico's hard eyes pinning him right through the stomach. He was going to hurl any second now. "Fuck!" he yelled as he jabbed the pedal, the bike lurching to life and he laughed shortly, gaining control as the wheels skidded across the pavement, leaving Nico in a cloud of smoke, losing held above his head as Justin rode to the start line, but there was no JC.

"Shit," he sighed and continued on, not wanting the cheers of the crowd, no matter that suddenly they were on their side.

The only one he had raced for wasn't even there.

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He was afraid to leave his home. He had heard from a few people that he was being looked for, Nico ready to whoop his ass and really, Nico was a giant of a man and there was no way Justin could fight him fairly.

And now his body ached, his legs in particular as he had been riding all day, crouched and he laid on his couch, icepacks beneath his calves and the TV blaring cartoons. He closed his eyes, PowerPuff Girls loud in his ears.

"Justin, someone's here for ya."

Only one person came to mind and Justin looked towards Terrence but it wasn't JC and instead some understudies of Nico's. He recognized them and gulped. His eyes darted around, waiting for Nico to jump out with a hammer or something.

"What?" he answered, glad his voice was husky, showed just how tough he could be. Suddenly, though, on the television, Buttercup said something and all eyes turned to the TV. Justin fumbled with the remote, finally just clicking it off. So much for looking manly.

"Nice prize," the man remarked, dark skin vibrant as his blue eyes twinkled. Something wasn't right.

"Fuck that," Justin remarked, still a little wary, pulling back his calves, the muscles aching with contempt, but he couldn't deny the sting of the comment.

Now the man was smiling and Justin swallowed. Shit, it was coming.

He was pulled up roughly, his legs cramping and Justin followed obediently as they led him outside, the night still dark and Justin closed his eyes, in attempt to will away these men, and the consequences he was going to have to suffer.

They stopped and Justin peeked, but there was no massive guy in front of him, knuckles wrapped in chain, just... JC.

"Hi," the other said weakly and if he wasn't so overwhelmed with relief he would've been thoroughly pissed.

The tight grip on his arm loosened until it was completely gone and the men too, disappeared, almost magically. It was just him and JC, now.

Goodie.

"Thanks for showing up at the race, I was glad to know I was supported." Justin was a little surprised himself, his tone biting and JC looked down, his hair falling in curls.

"I was scared. And plus," he looked up with a furrowed brow, "It's not like I could go out there and root for you. I mean, Nico was gonna be right--"

"I told him."

JC stopped talking and nodded. "I know, and I know that y'all also fucking bet me. I'm not fucking property--"

"And tell me now, have I won you? Or am I just shit out of luck?"

JC stopped talking and his forehead creased in worry lines. "What?"

"Are you here to chew me out because I made a stupid bet or what?" Justin asked, putting a hand on his hips. JC, who had his jaw on the floor, scoffed.

"I'm here because you," he poked Justin in the chest, "made a cocky move that could've gotten you killed, offering me up like that, then telling him about us! I was surprised he didn't stomp your ass down right then! I'm here to make sure you know I'm more than a fucking prize! I'm a human! I'm the one you love and you need to get that through your head!" Reaching out, JC cuffed the side of Justin's head for good measure, glaring at him. "Now, get your fucking bike and let's go!"

Justin was scrambling towards the garage, starting it up quickly. He had no idea what the hell for but when JC asked like that, shit, it was done. JC hmphed to himself but didn't let it show.

When the bike neared he came close, Justin's arm almost automatically coming to his waist and JC smiled softly, tilting the black haired man's chin up, their lips meeting in a hot kiss.

JC's tongue ruled his mouth as they battled, the arm around the brunette's waist bringing him close, the feel of each other beyond reassuring.

JC pulled back and panted, a lazy smile on his face. "Ready?" he asked, sliding out of the embrace and slipping onto the bike, pressing close to Justin.

"Where are we going?" Justin asked over the roar of the engine. JC grinned as he pressed his cheek to the younger man's back, his hand slipping to the front of Justin's jeans.

"I got a hotel room in Columbus, at the Marriot with our name on it, since we're on a massive wanted list," he grinned and Justin turned quick. He just smiled, kissing the other's ear, whispering, "You didn't give me enough credit. It's all about faith, sweetie." With one last kiss, JC sat back and howled as the gravel crunched under the spinning wheels of Justin's motorcycle.