He doesn't know when it started. He really doesn't. They were friendly rivals, pushing each other, teasing each other, until everything all met in a mix of alcohol and lust. He had been thankful that nothing had actually happened... but now there was something there, but it wasn't new. No, he had felt his heart speed up every time he saw him... he felt his breath hitch and his smile widen at the impending banter. He had a... a... a Crush on a fellow racer! It was weird and he'd only had a crush on a few other people, who had mostly not been guys! Except for that one kid in high school... but he was a dick, so he didn't matter.
But him... he wasn't a jerk. He had been nothing but polite to him when they first met... of course he was polite! he hadn't been the one bad mouthing another racer on live television! Lighting McQueen was better than that, he was better than him.
And boy did it hurt his ego to say that... and he hoped that it was just this crush thing that would make him think such a slanderous lie, but rationally he knew Lightning was better than him. Not at racing! of course not! But Lightning knew how to handle awkward situations like an adult. He didn't run away and hide, though Francesco had a feeling he wanted to, but if Lightning hadn't had the courage to come forward and say that he hadn't regretted what had happened between them... then they wouldn't be... whatever they are.
It was confusing to both of them. In public they were rivals, to their friends, to their families they hated each other... But when they could manage it... when they could steal a moment of time away... they were one mass of lust and love. They fit together perfectly and mixed together easily. It was hard being them, but they managed it. When they were apart they skyped each other until they fell asleep, when they were close they stole kisses and held hands underneath the table. They were together but forever apart. it was... infuriating.
Francesco wouldn't call Lightning a big Romantic. He kept his feelings simple, but Francesco was the complete opposite. It killed him being unable to be... romantic around his Lightning. He wanted to give him roses and kiss him and hold his hand... he wanted to be with him! But they were separated by their jobs and their fans. Fans loved their rivalry, they waited to see how they raced each other, each trying to one up the other. The loved the competition, and it brought in money. This was their job, they loved it, but they had to make money to keep doing it!
and even now as Francesco brushed his fingers across his lovers was killing him. He had just been interviewed by some local new station on his and Lightnings rivalry, and he had passed the other racer on his way back to his car and that little contact was all they had. Lightning flashed him little smiles whenever he could, and had even shown him a small necklace with a yellow heart on it (Francescos favorite color). it was endearing, but Francesco could not return the favor. The media had already run stories on his necklace wondering who it could possibly be for since his relationship with sally had been ended. Some had speculated a mystery woman he had run into while on racing tour, other had surmised that it belonged to one of Lightnings racing opponents, and lots had been coming to the conclusion that it was Claude Scruggs who has vigorously denied it.
Francesco had watched an interview where Lightning had flat out refused to tell anyone his secret lovers name. He had smiled slyly and said that it was fun to keep the mystery around it, and unless his significant other said it was okay it would remain a secret forever.
That was when Francesco finally realized that he was the one holding back their relationship. He had been the one who always denied being in a relationship to anyone who asked, and through he chose to ignore it he had seen the flicker of hurt across his boyfriends face when he had heard him deny him. Francesco was the one afraid of losing things. Lightning had said before that as long as he had him he was okay. Why couldn't that be him too?
They followed each others races, of course they did! They had been together almost 2 years now, and they worried about each other constantly! If they were in the same race they played the worry off as nerves, and when they were left alone for a moment they had kissed and told each other to be careful.
"Love you." Lightning called back softly as he exited the room. Francesco rubbed at his temples.
Lightning said it so easy, and Francesco couldn't. He had bad relationships in the past, and he just couldn't rush in to fast... Hell, after the initial drunk kiss they hadn't done so again for months! And Lightning had been okay to wait. He was fine with going as slow as Francesco needed and waiting for him to make the first move. Of course he was a bit hurt that Francesco hadn't said I love you back, but he understood why and gave him the space he needed. Francesco didn't know how he got this lucky as to be dating someone so perfect, but he knew he wouldn't let him go.
Lightning won that race.
But now Francesco had locked himself in the bathroom to hide from the mob of fans waiting for his signature. He had his headphones shoved into his ears and his hands clenched shut. He scrubbed at his face and listened intently to the radio announcer talk, only singling out key words.
spun out... car flip... fire...
He stopped breathing for a moment. Lightning was going to die. A fire would trap him in his car, and when it exploded... this couldn't be happening. this couldn't be real. he had never even told him he loved him. Francesco was not a religious man, but now he bowed his head and prayed to any god out there to save Lightning somehow, someway. He didn't realize he was crying until the droplets splattered his screen and blurred the reporters face. But his did notice what the man said next...
"He's... he's pulling himself from the wreckage!" He had shouted in awe, "He must be in severe pain, but he sure has a lot to live for!"
Francesco was always amazed by Lightnings strength. He could beat Francesco easily in an arm wrestling match, and for his small stature it was kind of awesome. He had made fun of him back then, calling him the tiniest strongman he ever saw, but now he thanked all the times Lightning had gone to the gym. He thanked the universe for allowing him to keep his life. He thanked everyone he could think of, and when the reporter announced that he was going to live, Francesco knew he would have to go out and face the real world. So with one headphone in he went out to finish his autographs and get home. He needed to do something... anything to let Lightning know he was thinking about him.
Lightning hated hospitals. After years of watching his mother slowly wither away in one of these places he grew an extreme disliking for the sterile walls and bed sheets. He just wanted to be home eating soup and skyping Francesco, was that too much? did the universe hate him? He knew he was lucky to be alive, but that didn't affect his hatred for this place any less. He tossed the blankets back and pulled his hospital gown off. He examined the wraps across his body with a minor interest. He had broken a rib or two, and one had come dangerously close to puncturing his lung. He snapped his leg in two and cracked his collarbone. That was about it aside from the ridiculous amount of bruises now painting his skin.
He groaned internally. No more racing this season.
The door clicked open and he hurriedly covered himself as Doc walked in holding a cup, which he almost dropped in surprise seeing the racer was awake given how many drugs that had shot through his system. He wondered if Lightning even knew about his head injury, or any of his others. The doctors said he would be a bit out of it when he first woke up.
"Hey, kid. How are you?" he asked gingerly as he sat down. Sally and the others had promised to be up soon, and made him promise to keep watch of the boy while she wasn't there.
"I dunno, fine I guess?" He shrugged, "But i'm assuming i'm out of commission for the rest of the season?"
Doc frowned and nodded. He had thought he would be more scatterbrained than this, but he supposed Lightning was just adjusting quickly to the morphine or something. at least that what he thought at first, but after the 3rd time Lightning woke up and asked the same questions he assumed he was still pretty out of it, but by the time everyone arrived he was much more aware, which was good.
"Mr. McQueen?" A tentative nurse asked, holding a vase of flowers.
Lightning straightened in curiosity, and held out his hands. when he received the vase he smiled gently at her and thanked her quietly. She took his thanks as a dismissal and clicked the door shut behind her. He stared at the vase for a few moments. All of his favorite flowers, even the ones he had given his mother in her last few days.
He plucked the card out and read it quickly with a smile.
I'm tired of hiding. Channel 45 at 7.
"Dumb." He said softly and shakes his head. Mater raises an eyebrow, but decided to keep his mouth shut anyway. He could be a bit insensitive sometimes and didn't want to accidentally offend his best friend...
hours past when Lightning suddenly picked up the remote and flicked the TV on.
Francesco was smiling at a reporter, but he had dark bags under his eyes and it was obvious he had either been crying or not sleeping. Lightning presumed it was both and frowned. Francesco knew he didn't like his to do that to himself! He needed to sleep, or he would get sick.
"So you've heard about Lightning McQueens crash, Francesco?" the reporter asked, "You must be cheering on the inside! No more competition, right?"
Francesco, to his credit, didn't punch the reporter right then and there, "Truthfully I've been a mess over it. Lightning and I are actually pretty good friends off the track. I know almost everything about him, and I wish his the best of Luck in recovery."
The reporter shifted awkwardly, fumbling for words to cover her mistake at the beginning of the interview, "Everything? Do you know who the yellow heart necklace is for?"
Francesco smiled fondly, "OF course I do, we tell each other everything."
The reporter pounced on the juicy information automatically, "Well, spill the beans! Who does the heart belong to? Why is it yellow?"
Francesco shrugged, "It's yellow because that's my favorite color." He stated simply.
Lightning was grinning ear to ear. Francesco was such a slippery dork! He was going to sneak around the subject until the reporter figured it out on his own, the Bastard. Jeez did Lightning love him...
Surprisingly Mater got it first and spun around to stare open mouthed at his friend, a questioning look in his eyes. Lightning nodded in conformation and Mater grinned excitedly.
"Your favorite color? You mean you and Lightning McQueen..?"
Francesco shifted uncomfortably. He hated being questioned about relationships, but this needed to be said. "Yes, Lightning and I are a thing! And there's something I want to tell him, if you don't mind."
Francesco turned towards the cameras and took a deep breath, "Get better soon, Lightning. I Love You."
The endedededededend. trying out writing a new couple! What do you guys thinks? Yes/no? Maybe so? well thanks for reading my one shot you nuggets!