A/N- Looks like you've got another chapter out of me. We are making progress lol.

Just mild fluff in this one - no warnings.


Chapter 4 – The Feeling is Mutual

It had been a week since Turbo and Candy had rutted together in the men's room at Tappers and since then King Candy hadn't set foot in game station. When the monarch disembarked the train he was accompanied by one other, a racer called Taffyta, who clutched the King's arm as he led her into the halls that buzzed with activity.

Taffyta coiled her arms about Candy's neck for a hug "See ya later, sire. Thanks for escorting me here, I know you don't like us to travel alone," she parted from him and skipped away. Truthfully you could say it was Taffyta who accompanied the King, for secretly he wasn't as keen on leaving Sugar Rush by himself either.

The King called after her as she made her way to a group of girls of similar age to her "Be th'safe Taffyta! Keep away from Tappers and Streetfighter too! Many undesirables dwell there and its'th not for a lady your age." If Turbo was anything to judge by then the King suspected his words were perfectly true; with a sigh the King turned to gaze across the room his mind was deep in the remembrance of their affair a week ago today. Ever since that night he couldn't get the racer put of his head.
By chance his eyes fell upon two racers stood outside the outlet of Turbo-time; they were dressed in blue race suits with white stripes, much like Turbo's suit. Could they know him?

He smiled and made his way to the twins, who were in conversation with each other.

"Did you see him race today?" said Set his arms waving around in exclamation with the sleeves dangling over the tips of his fingers, "It's like he's been drugged or something."
Jet rolled his eyes at his twin brother with a knowing smirk, "Seems there is something on the little guy's mind... Must be big... He's not usually so careless on the track."
Despite being identical twins, Jet was clearly the leaner of the two and stood about half an inch taller, although Set seemed to always stand in a slightly hunched over frame, which could easily account for this slight difference.
Set shrugged, his arms fell limply at his sides, "He just seems more... What's the word?... Irritable, then before. Like the other day when I laughed at him for getting his uniform caught in the engine bonnet... he threw a wrench at me. A wrench, Jet! It almost hit me in the head!"
"Compared to yesterday that's normal," said Jet with folded arms as if this was a one-upmanship match, "Saw him on the way down to garages and decided to take a shot at him for that cheap cut-in he tried on the last race... decided to use his favourite pet name..."
Set's smiled widened revealing ivory coloured teeth, "Ooooooo."
Jet equalled his brother's grin, "So I walk up to him saying, 'How's it going Bright eyed baby brother?' and he... just muttered 'fine' and walked straight past as if it meant nothing."
The smile instantly fell from Set's face, "That's impossible. In the history of our game, he's hated having people mention his eyes, how they glow like headlights and make him look all creepy."

"Don't I know it," said Jet, disappointed, "It started when we came back from Pacman. But all I know is he went to Tappers that night... and he's not been back there since," he paused and put a hand to his chin in thought, "hmm, wonder if he got up to anything in there."
Set gazed with curiosity at his sibling when his attention was immediately grasped by a strange little fellow in a very flamboyant outfit, complete with crown.

"Pardon me My good th'sirs! I was looking for someone," The King cleared his throat and giggled happily "Would you happen to know a racer named Turbo?"

The way he little man spoke made Set raise an eyebrow, especially at that giggle. But the mentioning of Turbo's name drew both the twin's attention.
"Oh we know him alright," said Set.
"He's our irritating little sibling," finished Jet, he too raised an eyebrow at the King's quirky manner.

"I would like to see him, do you know where I may find him?" said Candy and he tucked his cane under his arm and held his free hand limply in a camp fashion.

A questioning frown was shared between the twins. No one had ever done that before, especially someone of such unusual style.
The clogs in Jet's mind began to twist and click as his curiosity peaked.
"Sorry, I'm not sure you already said, but who exactly are you?"

The King gave a delightful clap of his hands once before realising he hadn't introduced himself, the colourful gent bowed gracefully his hand over his heart "Forgive me, I'm King candy ruler of the racing game Sugar Rush."

Jet clicked his fingers, "Ah I remember, you didn't get plugged in too long ago. Forgive my rudeness, you Majesty, I had no idea someone of your stature would want to speak with Turbo... although come to think of it, I didn't think anyone would."

The King held a most regal posture as the first twin addressed him. He gave a slow nod at Jet, "Ted'th so far it's been a pleasant stay the people of the other games are most accommodating." He eyed the brothers, they had the same pale skin but their eyes wasn't as bright as Turbo's own glowing orbs, the thought made Candy quiver as he remembered how bright Turbo's eyes were in the cubicle of the men's room.

"If you don't mind me asking, where exactly did you meet Turbo anyway?" continued Jet.

With a tip of his head, The King lowered his candy cane making a soft click on the polished floor, "Oh we met at Tapper'ths around a week ago," the king placed a hand to his cheek and chuckled sweetly to himself a very tiny pink tint crossing his face "I've never met a man quite like your brother, but he didn't like the fact I was from another racing game."

As soon as the King mentioned he met Turbo at Tappers, Jet felt a piece of the mystery click into place. Was this the fellow responsible for Turbo's loss of appetite for racing? What had their brother been up to?

"Most other racers steer clear of him," admitted Set, entering the conversation, "you can probably guess why. But he's the same with us... can't keep that ego of his in check. Just has to be number one."

Jet nodded at his twin's comment. Then he had the feeling that Turbo might have done something to offend the King, which would account for King Candy wanting to see him. But oddly, the King seemed like he wanted to see Turbo and it wasn't as if he was flanked by guards with intent to serve the little racers head on a platter.

"I can see what you mean. He's a rotten little blighter and has a filthy mouth on him," said Candy, secretly he found Turbo's temper amusing. "I couldn't say his company was unpleasant when he finally opened up hmmhe. He does'th have the most amazing eyes."

The clogs in the Jet's mind shuddered and grinded to a halt. 'Opened up?' what the hell did he mean by that. Turbo wasn't open with anyone. When the king said 'he has the most amazing eyes,' Jet could hear a crack of laughter being held back behind Set's hand as his twin's eyes almost watered at the prospect of the man thinking Turbo's eyes were anything but cold, frightening and the first warning sign that shit was about to hit the fan.

The King's sweet and gentle dementia faulted and gave way to a rather un-amused scowl at the other twin, Set. What did he find so funny? He chose not to bark out the thought in his head he didn't want to get distracted from his primary goal to find turbo.

At first Jet wanted to question the king further. The pinkish red which seeped into the King's face as he shyly exclaimed his thoughts on their little brother, made Jet think twice. There was something there, he knew there was, but he also knew that openly demanding an answer, especially from a man who wielded such power, would end badly.
"What do you mean by that-" began Set, but he was quickly cut off by an outstretched arm from his twin.
"You know that's none of our business," said Jet quickly. "Apologies your Majesty, we were merely concerned for our little brother, you know what a hot head he is...We thought he might have gotten in trouble...again," he smiled, but it was painfully awkward. "Turbo's still in Turbo-time. You'll probably find him in the garages. It's just down the hill when you get to the station. Sorry, but we really must attend an important meeting with fellow arcade members, you understand of course. Good day to you, your highness." And with a swift short bow which barely came up to the monarch's head, Jet quickly steered his brother away from the King and out across game station.

"Thank you I shall find him, he's not hard to spot. Good day gentleman." Candy bowed in return to Jet and made his way to turbo time.

Once they were out of earshot, Jet released his twin. Set stumbled forward a bit but regained his balance, a look of puzzlement over his face. "Hey what the heck was that about? Wait, where are you going?"
"Tappers," said Jet with both hands in fists at his side and a determined glare in his slightly yellow eyes, "I want to know what the hell Turbo's been up to."

Jet and Set had left the moment the arcade was closed and Turbo was glad that they had. His mind was focused on one thing only, a certain King. In fact after the quick one night stand in Tappers, Turbo hadn't thought of anything else. But he wasn't clear why he felt so odd, even racing had lost its appeal. He exited the garage; it was a large hanger like building with two huge shutter doors that had a thick coating of rust, not as flashy as the new games he imagined, but after twenty years it was familiar and welcome. He just couldn't make sense of his confusion, sure it wasn't a usual situation to have it off with royalty in a men's public toilet, but he'd done other equally bizarre things before – why should this be any different?

Meanwhile up on the hill the train pulled into Turbo-time. To the King this game wasn't as beautifully crafted as Sugar Rush and it didn't have any enticing smells either, just the raw scent of oil, dirt and burning rubber but the king liked it. He made his way down the hill as Jet had explained and there he reached the garage. The king walked in and peered round.

"Helloooo?" his voice echoed as he took several more steps in, it was dank and the smell of petrol made his head spin but he carried on looking. He finally reached the back of the building and there sat a red and white car but no one was there. He stood inches from the vehicle before extending a hand to run his finger tips over the smooth shiny surface.

Having taken the door at the other side of the building, Turbo didn't see or hear Candy enter. In fact he walked right past the door that if he had turned his head slightly to the right, he would have seen the King straight away. As it was, Turbo made his way up the road towards the station with both hands in his pockets and a strangely empty expression on his face. He needed a drink; a few mugs in Tappers might help. Then the moment he reached the top of the hill he paused and cursed loudly.
During the last race Jet had barged into the side of Turbo's car, a usually manoeuvre his brother used to piss off the pale racer. As the metal crashed against it a chunk of paint had come off the left side leaving a long five inch gash of raw metal. Turbo wasn't entirely sure that the engine hadn't been jarred either as the car had made a funny clicking noise just as he cross the finish line. It would need to be checked before tomorrow and the paint fixed up.
With a huff he turned on his heel and slumped back down the hill, his mind pondering over what happened last time he was in Tappers. Wonder if King candy would be there...
He shook his head, 'forget the sugarplum faggot!' he told himself; concentrate on fixing your damn car!

As he turned into the garage through the rusted doors as he usually did he wasn't fully aware of his surroundings. He expected to see his car which gleamed a slick white with the red stripe on the side, a model of perfect engine. What he didn't expect was to see someone standing by it. In the light he wasn't sure if he was hallucinating on the petrol fumes, but he recognised all too well the flamboyant attire. As surprised as he was to see the monarch, he was more concerned with what the King was doing.
As King Candy ran his hand over Turbo's car the pale racer felt his face flush warm. No one touched his car, especially not some princess!
"Get your damned Sugar-coated hands off of my car!" He shouted, storming forward with clenched fists.

The King nearly had a heart attack when the loud harsh voice of Turbo bellowed at him, he jumped and turned but lost balance and ended up on his back on the hood of Turbo's pride and joy, "T-t-turbo...oh god you scared me!" he slid down the shiny surface of the car before pushing off into a standing only to be met with those glowing eyes now filled with rage.

Turbo's teeth gritted when the King fell back and landed on the bonnet of his car with some force. He felt a vein throb at this temple. He gripped his hands together and made himself take a deep breath, it wouldn't do any good to go ape shit at the King. Not now not at this time.
"Just get away from it," he said, striding over to his beloved car to see if the bonnet had been scratched.
This king lifted his hands in defence and eyed the racer up and down, was the king visibly shaking? He swallowed hard and took a side step making sure to keep Turbo in sight "Your brothers'th said I could find you here," he gave a sigh and risked lowering his hands.

Turbo murmured a response when he learned it was his brothers who had directed the King here. "Figures those jerks would say something," he paused. "You better not have done any of that gay stuff in front of them. Set might be dumb as a rock, but Jet ain't."

"Gay th'stuff? I act how I act plain and th'simple, I haven't got a problem with my sexuality but it th'seems you might."

Turbo rolled his eyes; that wasn't what the pale racer had meant.

Candy continued, "She's a lovely little racer I was just admiring her paint job," that wasn't all true he knew this was Turbo's car and just wanted to touch it. He gave a coy smile but kept his guard up "I haven't stopped thinking about our night together a little short lived but you made an impression on me, Bright eyes," He moved to lean against one of the twins cars. He used his palms to help slide his backside up onto jets bonnet and crossed his ankles, as he did a soft jingling sounded.

"Don't call me that," said Turbo, deliberately avoiding the King's lustful gaze. Though he did see the King was leaning up against Jet's car in a very seductive way. Oh Jet would be pissed if he knew that, he was just as protective as his car as Turbo was of his. "You here for round two?" smirked Turbo.

Candy laughed in a soft tone as turbo sneered at the pet name, Turbo liked it really, he could tell. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a lollipop, unwrapping it and popping it into his mouth he rolled the Apple flavoured sweet over his tongue before jamming it into the right cheek and snorting at Turbo's insinuation of the reasons for Candy seeking out the racer. He popped the lollipop out between his lips and pointed the saliva coated end at turbo "Oh so I can't come here without wanting a mindless fucking session? Pleas'th!" He was such a bitch! He shoved the pop back in his mouth before tipping his head to gaze at the racer inspecting his car.

When Turbo looked back up the King was already messing around with that damned lollypop. As if that was suggesting something plain and clear!
"Oh like you weren't begging for it," said Turbo eyeing the king up and down.

The king leaned back on his elbows and drew a leg up looking around at the inside of the garage "Am I your first gay experience?" well that was surely random.

Turbo's cheeks flushed a little. Truthfully it had been the first time he'd done it with a guy. Apart from that he'd been with maybe two or three different partners, nothing serious, each time was just for kicks. He thought about it and decided that this bit of truth wouldn't give him too much agro.
"Yeah," he said in answer to the King's question, as casually as he could. "But I don't give a shit about it, alright? Like I said at Tappers I don't care who knows. You're rep would suffer worse than mine ever could." He went to the work bench at the far corner just behind the cars and yanked the draw open harder then intended, once he found what he was looking for he slammed the draw shut equally as hard.
The king was taken aback by the admission that Turbo's first gay experience was with him, he felt flattered! A blush crept over the Candy's face and gave a toothy grin, the lollipop stick being pressed between white sparking teeth. Then his smile disappeared as soon as it came, Turbo seemed indifferent and very spiteful about it "You must care or why would you keep saying you don't?"

"I don't care," said Turbo, each word loud and clear.

"You cared enough to ask whether I've been gay in front of your brothers. But if you want to keep up this bravado then so be it. My reputation is none of your concern, bright eyes - look at me, do you think others see a straight man?"

"You're only as good as the company you keep, Candy boy," he said. Back at the car he once again inspected the gash in the paint; minor surface damage. With the spray he'd taken from the workbench he carefully sprayed the gash to match in with the cars flawless white bonnet, keeping the spray a suitable length to avoid breathing it in.
"What else would you want then if not a 'mindless fucking session'?" said Turbo sending the King a smug grin.

The King flicked the lollipop to the floor and glared at turbo before smiling, "Maybe My mind was in the gutter when I came here. I imagined you throwing me hard against a filthy work bench face down and roughly taking me from behind but! I have something in mind that will get that joystick of yours harder than you've ever had it," the king stood upon the bonnet of the blue racing car before leaping into the driver's seat.

Turbo watched with amusement. 'Oh if only he really knew,' he thought.

Candy smiled and turned the key and loudly revved the engine, once, twice then eight times in quick succession of rather other.

Then the amusement quickly faltered. "How the-" Turbo began, then it hit him, Jet must have left the keys in again. For a guy who seemed so cool and up himself, his brother was really a right idiot. Jet's face would have been a shade of violet if he could see what Turbo could see now.
What the hell was Candy thinking? The King's comments were obviously meant to be sexual, and then what was this shit about him not coming here just to get banged again? What was he up to?
The King's eyes fell to lock onto Turbo's and moaned loudly as he revved the engine one last time "Oh turbo, oh Yeah! Race me, Bright eyes."
That hit it, right where the money was, and Turbo's lip curled.
Oh it was on. Turbo revealed his glowing teeth and his eyes seemed to shine brighter. "You're on, princess."
With a click on went the head of the spray can and he tossed it over his shoulder to the back the garage where it clinked along the floor and rolled away under the workbench. With a pause he put a hand on the side of his car and leapt into the seat, revved up the engine till its roars boomed through the roomy garage.

"See you at the finish line," he said in a dark, twisted murmur and floored the pedal, the wheels of the car whirled around on the concrete with a loud screech before taking off out of the garage without a moments breathe.

Chocolate eyes watched as the racer spun out of the garage and onto the track, he laughed loudly in his typical fashion before shifting jets car into gear and slamming his foot on the gas, wheels spun, smoke filled the air and off he shot!

Adrenaline coursed through Turbo's veins, his eyes positively aglow. This felt Turbo-tastic. All week the love of racing just seemed to slip away from him. The joy of letting his brothers get ahead of him only to snatch away their victory at the last second had never grown old... that was until now. But this was like old times, like when his game was first plugged in, and gamer after gamer lined up to see him take first place again and again.
So princess wanted to race? - With pleasure. Turbo would dominate him just as much on the track as he had done in Tappers. He easily already had the lead, taking each bend with a screech of the wheels and a flurry of rubber on tarmac. Oh, the look of the sugarplum-fairy's face when he took the victory.

Candy hung back just enough to give turbo the idea he was in the lead and at hair pin bend was approached and candy sent the car into a slide, by this time he was on Turbo's tail, his car coming level with the others. Candy was handling Jet's car with ease it would seem, he looked over to the pale racer as they careered down the track. Candy's tufts of white hair waved in the breeze. Turbo spied King Candy coming up the side.

"Looks like you're slowing up there darling! Here! Let me take first position for you!" The king slammed his foot on the gas again and fish tailed forward and cut in front of Turbo, a high pitched series of laughter ensued as the car he drove kicked up a large cloud of dirt.

Turbo gritted his teeth at the King's smug little jeers and hissed a curse as Candy cut off in front of him and showered him in flecks of dirt.
"Son of a bitch!" snapped Turbo, but not in anger. The King wasn't bad, he did know his way around the track, but Turbo was still better. The king's teasing laughter only drove the competitive, glory-hungry nature and Turbo floored the pedal, his car lurched forward and he came shooting up on the inside, completely undercutting the King. He was ahead again, not by much, but just enough to win.

Just as Turbo was sure he'd overtake the engine juddered. For a split second it seemed like it was just a flicker, nothing more than a palpitation. But an almighty crack sounded and with a few shuddering gasps the engine coughed out clouds of smoke from underneath the bonnet. The sudden up-blast of steam made Turbo veer of course and he rammed headlong into the central barrier of the course.

Candy had given a large smirk as turbo undertook him, the man was a devil on the track and it showed in everything turbo did from the subtle changes in his expressions to the way he handled his car. His jolly expression faltered as he shot past turbo "Wha-?" It seemed the other racers car had suffered an engine failure. He looked in his wing mirror as turbo collided with the crash barrier and he gasped, applied his breaks, spun jets car about and made his way back up the track.
A shake of the head proved Turbo was okay, but the car was another matter. Without hesitation, Turbo was at the bonnet of his beloved car and yanked it open to be overwhelmed with a blanket of steam and smoke. He waved the cloud away, coughing. A few glances over the wrecked motor and it was painfully obvious to the extent of the damage.
"FUCK!" shouted Turbo, planting a boot on the barrier he'd crashed into. He knew it; he knew he should have checked the fucking engine! That bastard of a brother had completely screwed it up. He didn't think once that it was his own erratic driving which made the motor finally keel over.
He ran a hand over his car's side, like a mother comforting a sick baby.
"Alright, girl..." he whispered. His eyebrows creased in shared agony for his fallen beauty.

Coming to a screeching halt the king kept from the seat just as Turbo had opened the bonnet and began to run a hand over his pride and joy. At first the King remained silent as he moved to stand besides the other man.

Turbo was aware of the Kings presence at his side. Oh great... that was the last thing he needed, more jeering... Oh the great Turbo, losing to the most homosexual racer in the arcade! It Jet and Set knew it would be weeks before he could live it down.

But King Candy only sighed and looked down at Turbo's free hand hanging at his side, the king moved and scooped the pale racers hand into his candy entwined his fingers tightly around its partners "Th'sorry love..." His words were kind and soft; he could understand how upsetting this could be.

The racer felt the King's hand in his own and heard words not full of spite and hate, but something Turbo hadn't ever heard in his life – sympathy. Usually he would have yanked his hand away... but he couldn't. Here was someone who as annoying as he was had offered comfort where anyone else would have just laughed. Not even his own brothers, his family, would have offered support. He would have been left to suffer alone, or told he deserved it; which was probably why Turbo kept up his heartless, cruel nature. It was better to fight back, to keep up a wall of solitude, and then let in the pain from years of rejection and hate.
He met the King's chocolate coloured eyes, his eyes betraying his confusion and uncertainty, only to be returned with affection and understanding. And then Turbo did something he thought he'd never do. He wrapped his other arm around the King's waist, pulled him close to his own body and planted his lips on the King's own cherry ones.