Chapter Fourteen: Return To Sanity

Holding hands, Brodi and Mac made their way back to Brodi's trailer.

"I'm gonna go to the lodge and get us that hot chocolate, okay Mackenzie?" Brodi asked.

"Alright," said Mac, looking up at Brodi and smiling.

Brodi opened the trailer door for him, and then closed it behind Mac once he had entered. Brodi headed off to the lodge, glad that Mac was alright again.

Opening the door to the lodge, Brodi looked around, seeing everyone except Kaori sitting around and watching tapes of last year's races. Laughing at crashes and knockdowns, cheering for themselves, etc., all under the influence of alcohol. Psymon turned around when Brodi entered the lodge.

"Well if it isn't Mackey's guardian angel!" Psymon yelled tauntingly, and the rest of the men and Zoe laughed. The rest of the women stayed silent.

"You think he could make it on his own after what you did to him? He's 16 years old for God's sake, and he was 15 when you beat the kid bloody!" Brodi yelled back angrily, marching away into the kitchen. Speaking of Mac's torture brought tears to Brodi's eyes as he made their hot chocolate. He listened to everyone laughing and talking in the other room, they didn't care about the pain that Mac had to go through at all and it made him sick.

He walked briskly out of the kitchen and through the room everyone was in, ignoring their teases and taunts. He carried two mugs of hot chocolate by the handles in one hand, being careful not to spill any as he walked out of the door and slammed it behind him. He walked as quickly as he could back to his trailer, entering and closing the door behind him before setting the mugs down on the table.

Mac was lying on his bed quietly, his back to Brodi.

"Mackenzie?" Brodi approached the curled up ball on his bed and sat down next to it, putting a hand on Mac's shoulder and rolling him over onto his back. Mac smiled up at Brodi. "Hello there, love," Brodi whispered as he leaned down to kiss Mac gently. "Hot chocolate's here." He got up and took one of the mugs over to Mac, who had sat up and took the mug gratefully from him.

Mac took a sip and sighed. "Thanks, Brod," he said softly, setting his mug down on the bedside table.

Brodi pulled Mac closer to him, putting his hand on Mac's thigh. "I love you, Mackenzie…" He said, rubbing Mac's back gently with the other hand. "I can tell when something's wrong."

Mac look surprised, then looked up at Brodi. "You're good," he said, resting his head against Brodi's shoulder. "But to tell you the truth, I don't really know what's wrong… it's just this feeling I have, I don't know… a sad feeling, I can't really describe it."

Brodi nodded. "I understand… and I want to make you feel better. So how about we drink our hot chocolate together, and call it a day? Today's race was pretty tiring."

"Alrighty," Mac said, taking his hot chocolate from the bedside table and drinking a few swallows. Brodi stood up and retrieved his mug, drinking half of it in one gulp, then sat down with his lover again.

"Mackenzie, if you ever want to talk about anything, I'm always here to listen to you. I love you, and I want to help you in any way I can," said Brodi in a concerned voice.

"I know, and thanks. I really appreciate it," said Mac, nuzzling Brodi's shoulder before drinking the rest of his hot chocolate and setting the empty mug down on the bedside table. Mac lied back on the bed, staring up at Brodi, and watching him finish his own hot chocolate. Brodi lied down with Mac, and pulled him into his arms.

"I love you, my little grasshopper… forever," Brodi whispered to Mac as he pressed his body against the smaller boy's and kissed his head.

"I love you too… forever…" Mac whispered softly, closing his eyes and putting a leg over Brodi's waist. Brodi smiled and ran his fingers through Mac's hair. He pulled the covers over both of them, falling asleep with his lover held tight in his arms.

Le Fin… for now.