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“Aye, Keisuke, remember about number 23, he kept spinning out at turn 12 last time, don’t get too close to him.” Hasegawa, one of Keisukes mechanics, reminds the blonde as he zips up his race suit, preparing for the last race of the championship. This would be the last race of this season and Keisuke was in the lead, obviously, but only just. Number 825 was right behind him in terms of points, so he was desperate to keep the other racer at arms length. His Silvia was one mean machine.
“Yeah, got it man, cheers.” The blonde responds, pulling on his balaclava, making sure it was pulled under his chin.
“Keisuke, just keep an eye on track limits, I know you got stung by that last year. Please be wary, don’t let your emotions take over.” Ryosuke reminds his brother, giving him his well known stern look. Ryosuke was a surgeon at his parents hospital and the heir to the title of CEO. However, he had made sure that, regardless of what was going on, he had today off to support his brother. Keisuke was first in the championship, and he wanted to be there when his brother won.
“Trust me bro, after last season, I ain’t making that mistake again.” The driver pulls on his gloves, making sure they’re fastened properly.
“Hey, just relax. You’ve got this. Do it for you, do it for the people who said you couldn’t, do it for me. Last year it was snatched away from you…use that anger, use that sadness, and win this out of spite. Send a big ‘Fuck you’ to everyone who said you never could, yeah? I know you can win this, now show me.” Takumi riles his boyfriend up, Keisukes arms going round his waist when he starts speaking. Takumis arms where around his neck, keeping strong eye contact with the blonde as a way to try and stop him from becoming overwhelmed by all the noise around them. The noise from the other drivers getting pep talks and their cars having last minute prep was deafening.
“Ive got this far out of spite so I have no intention to stop using that as a motivator now.” Keisuke smirks, receiving an eye roll in response.
“Don’t get hurt out there, whatever happens. Id rather you lose and be alive.”
“I’m not you, I won’t drive into a ravine.” The couple both laugh at this, Takumi slapping his boyfriends chest.
“Fuck you.” “I love you too.” They share a tender kiss, before separating as the starting Marshal announces that the drivers are going out for their formation lap in 90 seconds. Keisuke sighs, grabbing his helmet from the roof of his car and slipping it on, Takumi helping him make sure its fastened correctly. Keisuke grabs both of Takumi’s hands in his and squeezes them briefly, as a loving gesture, before turning towards the FD and climbing inside. Takumi sighs, walking over to Ryosuke who was talking to Tomiguchi as they both looked at something on the computer. He didn’t care to listen. The FD Roars to life, Keisuke giving it a few revs for good measure before he slowly pulls out of the pit garage and towards the Marshal who was guiding them.
“30 seconds!” The Marshal shouts, all the cars now lining up behind the safety car, engines revving as they all got their machines ready. Takumi, Rysouke, Fumihiro, Tomiguchi and his 2 assistants all stand at the edge of the garage watching as the FD waits for the formation lap. Usually these races are light and fun and, whilst they are always emotional, they have never been this tense. There is so much riding on this race however. This was Keisukes chance at a championship, its also his redemption opportunity. Today is also the 2 year anniversary of Takumis life changing accident that ended his very short rallying career. So Keisuke was more determined to win this today, for those exact reasons.
The Flag goes green and the safety car leaves the start line, the other drivers following behind. They do a quick warm up lap, all steering side to side and speeding up and breaking in order to warm their brakes and tyres. The cars line up on the start line, getting into the formation that the marshals requested. All the cars rev their engines as the officials perform the countdown.
Takumi, Ryosuke and Keisukes team watch Keisuke race from the Pit. The pit was silent, the only time it got noisy was when Keisuke pulled up for a tyre change. The small garage was tense, the mechanics all gripping their tools tightly as they watched the screen, Ryosuke having wrapped his arm around Takumi’s shoulder, the brunette gripping his other hand tightly as they both watched the screen intensely, burning a hole in the screen with their eyes.
The race lasted 45 minutes, and they swear it was the most stressful 45 minutes of their lives. But, ultimately, Keisuke won. The whole garage erupted into cheers, celebrating their first season victory. He actually did it!
The cars complete a ‘victory’ lap, or a cool-down lap as some know it, waving to the marshals and crowd before pulling into the pits, not even caring to turn the car off once parked. Keisuke removes his helmet before opening the door and basically jumping out of the vehicle. The mechanics head straight to the vehicle as Takumi near-enough runs over to his boyfriend, the blonde taking him into his arms immediately and kissing him passionately in celebration. The two where, unofficially, engaged. Even though gay marriage isn’t yet legal, it didn’t stop Keisuke from “Proposing” 3 years ago.
The two had been out in Tokyo that night for their date night, and as neither of them drank - Takumi doesn’t drink as his father is an alcoholic And Keisuke doesn’t drink as he had a bad relationship with alcohol when he was bosozoku - they decided to drive into town, and again back home. They tend to take turns in driving and it’s just up to how they are feeling that day, but, Keisuke usually does most of the driving now due to Takumis injuries. Anyway, that day as they where driving home - located not too far from Keisukes parents - they had pulled over to grab some coffee. They where sat on the bonnet of the FD, talking about anything and everything, when Keisuke decided to pull out the move. He didn’t do the whole getting down on one knee thing as he thought that was cliche, instead he simply pulled the small box out of his pocket and opened it, all with one hand. ‘I know it’s not legal for us to get married, but, that Doesn’t mean we can’t be together for the rest of our lives. I love you more than I ever knew was possible, and everything always just feels okay when you’re around. I don’t feel like the world is going to collapse in on me anymore. So, as we can’t get married, Takumi, will you promise to spend the rest of your life with me? Not not be my fiancé?’
It was completely unexpected - Takumi was in complete shock. Obviously he accepted the ‘not not engagement’. A few weeks later, they both went out and brought wedding bands, explaining to the employee when a few eyebrows were raised that they where doing a double wedding so thought it would be easier just to buy their rings together as that is what their partners where doing. This settled the old lady at the counter and she happily assisted them. They decided to get these bands for a few reasons. Not only to shots themselves as ‘off the market’ but to also feel like a ‘proper’ couple and deepen their connection even more…but also to give a little ‘fuck you’ to the homophobes in power, saying that even though they allow them to wed, it doesn’t mean they can’t look like they are…right?
“I’m so proud of you. This is what you’ve been working towards. You finally did it. I’m so proud.” Takumi praises his boyfriend between kisses, tears of happiness in his eyes.
After what only can’t like a short moment, the couple finally separate, Keisuke pulling off his balaclava and running his fingers through his long hair as his brother approaches him. Over the years, Keisuke had realised that having a hairstyle that requires his hair being spiked doesn’t go well with racing helmets. So, to combat this, he just grew his hair out. He keeps it bleached, obviously, but his hair is currently sitting just above his shoulders in a choppy style.
As soon as Ryosuke reaches his brother, he pulls him into a tight hug. The blonde is shocked by this as the older Takahashi isn’t one to show physical affection, but hugs his Aniki back regardless. No words where exchanged between the brothers, but Keisuke knows that he has made his brother proud. That was the most important thing to him. It’s what he’s worked so hard for since Ryosuke helped him buy his FD.
“Well done, Otouto, I knew you could do it. I’m proud of you.” Those words will stick with him for the rest of his life.
Keisuke celebrates his victory with the rest of his team - their victory.
Keisuke and his team are called up for the podium not much later. Keisuke stands in first place as instructed, holding the trophy he was awarded. The one he’s worked so hard to obtain. After taking a picture with the rest of the podium competitors, he pulls his team up, all 7 males celebrating their victory - even Ryosuke managed to crack a genuine smile. This was the best moment if their lives. Everything they’ve spent their whole lives working towards, the constant fear of being arrested when running as the Redsuns, then as Project D, the arguments, the crashes, the training, everything has led up to this moment. And it was worth it.
———————
Its been a week since Keisukes season win, and he and Takumi where currently at home, taking some time to relish in the younger Takahashis time off before he starts training again next week for next years Season.
“Hey Keisuke, look at these photos that have just been sent through to us by Fumihiro.” Fumihiro was Keisukes assistant. After Ryosuke started working in the hospital, Fumihiros skills where no longer required by the older Takahashi, so he joined Keisukes team and took on the role of manager/assistant. He dealt with all the emails, enquiries, people wanting to get in contact with the driver for interviews, brands, meetings etc. he both loved and was very skilled at the role, and the blonde was thankful to have someone do that for him. he hated admin tasks. Keisuke walks over to his boyfriend from the kitchen, picking up his laptop and quickly flicking through the photos the media had sent through. His favourite image was one of him kissing his boyfriend in the garage following the victory. His second favourite being the one where he’s hugging his brother, closely followed by another where he was high-fiving Tomiguchi over the roof of the FD. They where very open about their relationship, Keisuke having always been openly bisexual and Takumi just not caring enough about social stigma to hide it.
“Ha, they’re pretty cool.” He smiles handing the laptop back to Takumi.
“Yeah.” He smiles, continuing to click through his emails. It mainly being junk that held no relevance to either of them, just keeping an eye out for anything else of note from Fumihiro. Takumi still felt pretty bad that the only source of income into their house was from Keisukes racing. Whilst they where more than comfortable in their current financial situation, he still hated not working. Hes worked every day since he was 13, and not having worked in the last 2 years didn’t sit right with him. As Ryosuke has been his doctor (Due to the older Takahashi sibling being a trauma surgeon and, the more obvious reason, his brother-in-law) he was keeping a close eye on the brunette. He had told Takumi he has at least another year yet before he can start working. The team had sat down a few months ago and come up with a plan: when Ryosuke deems Takumi fit to work, he will start training with Tomiguchi to work on the FD, meaning he will actually be involved In the racing world once again, this time just working on his boyfriends car, rather than racing his own. They where both excited for this.
Keisuke climbs over the back of the couch, placing one leg either side of his boyfriend, sitting on the back of the couch. He laces one if his hands in Takumis soft hair and gently pulls his head back, leaning down and pressing their lips together. This was perfect. They where just happy being in each others company.
"Your hair is dripping all over me." The brunette whispers a few moments later, laughter filling the room.
"You had to ruin this moment!"
"Well it is! My shirt is getting soaked!"
"I think you mean my shirt." Takumi blushes slightly. "And I’ve just had a shower, cut me some slack here man!"
"Is that why you’re shirtless?"
"No, I can’t help but strip every time I see you." Its good to know the blondes hasn’t lost his sarcastic streak. "Yes it is, obviously. I barely wear shirts in the house anyway, be thankful I’ve got shorts on and I’m not just strolling around in my underwear!"
"Why should I be thankful for that? Because I couldn’t help myself and would have to have you then and there?"
"I mean have you seen me! How you control yourself on a daily basis anyway astounds me."
"You’re insufferable!" Both males laugh with each other, eyes turning to the TV as it brings up the weather. Nothing of note for the next few days. It was just general noise in the background, neither of them paying close attention. They stay like that for a good few minutes, Keisukes legs either side of his lover as he sat on the back of the couch, fingers combing through the brunettes hair, Takumis arms wrapped around the blondes thighs as he leant back against the cushions.
But, of course, the moment is cut short by the cravings of nicotine becoming to strong for Keisuke to ignore anymore. Damn it. He leans forward again, grabbing his boyfriends attention. “Hey, I’m going out for a smoke, care to join me?”
“Sure, why not.” They both climb of the couch, Keisuke grabbing his cigarettes and lighter before following his boyfriend into the back garden. Takumi sits on the small fence separating their raised patio and garden, motioning for Keisuke to stand in between his legs. The blonde does just that, Takumis arms going around his slim waist as the Takahashi grabs a cancer stick from the box, lighting it with ease as there was no breeze. They where both happy in this moment. Just being in each others company was enough for the two of them.
“Have your parents contacted you yet?” Takumi breaks the comfortable silence, taking a drag of the cigarette that Keisuke offers. The brunette doesn’t smoke, but, due to being surrounded by smokers his whole life, first by his father, and now by his fiancé and his family and friends, it’s not something that he is against participating in.
“Obviously not.” There’s a hint of bitterness in the blondes voice, but Takumi pretends not to notice it. Keisukes parents have made it obviously clear that Ryosuke is their favourite, being the doctor and the one who will give them grandchildren. That dislike was strongly broadcasted when Keisuke brought Takumi home to meet his parents for the first time, to introduce him and their relationship. They barely acknowledged the brunette and instead just ignored the couple. Keisuke moved out a week later. He doesn’t care how they treat him, but he drew the line at them treating his boyfriend badly. That’s too far.
“I’m sorry my love…”
“It’s fine. I don’t fucking need them.”
“We’re our own little family.” “Yeah, you’re right. I have a new family now. A family that actually love me…” The blonde smiles, taking another drag from the cigarette before leaning forward and pressing’s lips to Takumis, free hand gently holding onto the back go his neck. Keisuke deepens it almost instantly, running his tongue along Takumis lips, humming in approval when the brunette opens his mouth, Takumi tilting his head . The cigarette smoke Keisuke inhaled slowly leaks out into the air around them as they share this moment. The sound of cicadas and the distant sound of the road was the only sound around them, the air warm with a warm breeze. This. This right now. This was perfect.