The Rocker and the Mechanic - Chapter 7

Rated: T

Curiosity

Chapter Summary: Ash decides it's about time to learn more about the handsome Johnny even only if it's to sate her horrible curiosity.

Thought it was about time Ash learned more about Johnny. ;-3 This one was way too much fun to write; that savage porcupine has little to no filter. XD

Off topic and in case anyone asks and since I kinda already outlined this story to not include Johnny telling Ash of his past (mostly including his father's criminal background and whatnot). So since Johnny will not be spilling the beans to Ash, I thought I'd clarify a little. BD is just as much a criminal in this AU as he is in the movie - perhaps moreso. More lucrative gang dealings that Johnny was not proud to be involved in. Yes, BD is in prison in this AU as well as all of Johnny's uncles - leaving Johnny solely in charge of the Mechanic's shop his father used to run once upon a time to make extra buck during the earlier years of his gang dealings.

I still believe Johnny somehow messed up his father's life much like he did in the movie - not being there for his father (even in this AU, he did not join a singing competition) when he was needed leading BD to get caught and incarcerated.

Johnny, full of regret and guilt for not being there for his dad, reopened the shop to try and earn money to possibly get his father a good lawyer. At this point in the story, BD has been in prison for nearly a year and it's still a sore subject Johnny tends to try and not think about - you'll understand more as you read this chapter. BD's imprisonment also had a rather profound effect on Johnny's character - making him slightly more rough around the edges even if he's remains kind and respectful as ever.

I picture this version of Johnny to let a few curses slip now and again - fight me.

So, anyway, hope that clears some stuff up someone (or no one) may have been wondering but thought it was worth mentioning.

With that out of the way, hope you enjoy. ;-p

The light conversation remained thick in the air; a comforting one nonetheless.

Just two animals that didn't know of the other's existence only an hour ago shooting the breeze and slowly getting to know each other if for nothing more than to fill the silence.

Frankly, it was something Ash hadn't done in a long time; so used to merely ignoring anyone (everyone) around her in favor of guarding her fragile, shattered heart. Ex's betrayal stinging like ever-living hell and making sure it didn't happen again - (hell, even before) it had always been easier to push others away than get suckered in hook, line, and sinker.

Yet there was something about this guy that had her putting those barriers down - at least slightly.

Ash wasn't sure if it was the mechanic's calm demeanor, soothing British accent, or the fact he was super easy on the eyes - hell, maybe all three - that had her opening up to him. Well - somewhat.

The conversation remained casual; well, as casual as could be after already admitting about her ex (and his assholeish-ness) regarding his abhorrent carelessness with her motorcycle. Careful not to include the fact he cheated on her - no use bringing up that to a virtual stranger.

So, Ash went on; avoiding anymore conversations about her ex by keeping the topics ranging from what kind of music she played, the fact she wrote her own songs, and what it was like performing for a living since he seemed rather intrigued by it.

As strange as it was to speak about her career to the mechanic merely fixing her motorcycle, the enthusiasm and wonder filling the gorilla's sultry brown eyes was worth humoring him - at least for a little while.

"Wow," Johnny muttered, his eyes leaving his strenuous work to flash her another look of astonishment when she told him of her last concert. One she was particularly proud of for it was the first time she performed in front of more than one-hundred animals in a single venue.

"It's like yer a celebrity or something." he drawled; eyes showcasing nothing but sheer astonishment.

Ash rolled her eyes at that compliment even if she had to admit it was rather flattering and had her heart fluttering strangely in her chest.

"Heh. Yeah, no, not even close - but…thanks." she chuckled warmly, toying with the edges of her red leather jacket sleeves. Hating the feel of her cheeks heating as she reached for her forgotten cup of coffee on a nearby table and drinking down another mouthful of the sweet, lukewarm beverage.

The weight of his eyes soon faded and she listened carefully to the sounds of him continuing to work.

A comforting sound with gentle clinks and the squeak of metal - hell, even the silence in-between. Johnny's steady breaths and him adjusting on the wooden stool he'd pulled out awhile back. Standing to gather more equipment or parts before settling back down to his task. All the while, she watched him from the corners of her eyes as she circled her finger along the porcelain cup and not wanting her gaze to linger on him for long, she began studying her surroundings.

Ash realized she had told him a lot about herself but she hardly knew anything about him - not that she really cared; just made breaks in conversations more than a little awkward.

So, she studied.

Blue eyes flicking over his the garage he must have lived; to tables, stands and walls hoping to see pictures that would give some kind of indication or hint to his life other than his obvious career - perhaps hoping to see pictures of his family.

Wife - or girlfriend maybe?

A glance to the mechanic's busy left hand told her he wasn't married or simply chose not to wear a ring. But marriage didn't seem consistent considering this was such a masculine-heavy atmosphere - nothing girly or frilly laying about even though his place was left surprisingly clean.

Ash's eyes went back over to him and chewed the inside of her cheek wondering if she'd been getting butterflies over someone who perhaps wasn't into females at all.

Only one way to find out for sure.

"So…are ya married?" Ash asked even before she realized the words left her mouth.

Johnny froze above his work; eyes wide and a bit shocked by the question that (admittedly) came out of fucking nowhere.

"...Um. P-Pardon?"

"Are you married?" she asked (she'd already dug a hole, might as well plunge herself in it - and well, she was curious).

"Eh, uh, no. I'm not." he said with a chuckle and adorably flushed cheeks.

"So, you gotta girlfriend then?"

"Heh." he chuckled rather nervously, "N-No, I don't."

"...Boyfriend?"

"...What?!" his eyes widened further and he seemed rather offended, "No!" he answered quickly with a rather displeased look crossing his features. "I'm not bloody gay."

"Oh." Ash shrugged it off casually trying to play off this whole series of telling questions.

Johnny grew silent and she wondered if she perhaps crossed some line but in today's society, you can never be too sure and she would rather know for certain before catching any more glimpses of his taut ass from the corner of her eye every time he stood up. She was forward anyway, so it wasn't as if asking these questions was in any way out of her personality.

"Just askin' - ya know, with how it is these days, you just never know." she admitted lowly, throwing out wanting to tell him how she was just shocked considering his level of attraction to probably either sex. A guy that handsome, muscular, and well-mannered was very desirable but maybe he was like her and still reeling from a bad break-up.

Anything was possible.

"...Wait - Why do ya ask?" he asked and it was Ash's turn to flush in panic.

"Huh? Oh. Just…ya know, filling the air. I never was very good at casual conversation." she replied even as she refused to look at him; hoping he took the red of her face as the chill caused from from her still damp quills and not the fact her heart was straight up beating out her chest.

Johnny's eyes were heavy on her when she continued.

"You live here alone, then?"

"Huh?" he seemed surprised at the other question but answered anyway, "…Um… Yeah. I do." he muttered and a pained expression suddenly flashed across his eyes before it faded as quickly as it came.

Ash, curious as all hell, kept quiet not wanting to push yet more boundaries tonight.

He was still a stranger after all.

"Oh." she tapered off; biting her lip and internally wondering if she should elaborate and one glance at the confusion lacing his brow made up her mind for her, "Um, well, the reason I asked is because you keep this place really clean - helluva lot cleaner than my apartment," she chuckled, trying to lighten the dense atmosphere - or rather reclaim the comforting one from only moments ago. "Just figured you had help. That's all."

It took a few moments, but Johnny's smile returned.

"Oh. Uh, thanks. I-I try." he replied steadily as he quietly resumed the work on her bike much to her relief.

"Well, it's workin'."

"Hmm. Yeah. Clients come and go all the time - wouldn't get much business if I let this place go ta shit." Johnny chuckled deeply around the curse leaving his lips and just like that, the tenseness was gone.

The cloud drifting away as soon as it came and Ash didn't bother fighting the smile that perked up the edges of her lips.