Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

☆═━┈┈━═☆

"I belive I found a love the night you walked my way"

──────═━┈┈━═──────



──────═━┈┈━═──────

Iso never thought that he would once drive down these legendary racetracks... not to mention doing it with a special someone.

...

He was a young boy who won some local races and got the opportunity to actually go and learn from professionals. He was overjoyed, to say the least, and accepted amidiedly. And that meant, that he also agreed to go overseas all alone... Oh, why was he not thinking more about it?

On his first day, he was more than scared.

It was the first time he have ever left Chonqing, not to mention China. Hungary was completely foreign, not just from his history books but geography too. He only knew that he was going to a random country that has a good track where he can train.

He drowned himself in music and tried to relax, but that was not very possible when other training lessons were held just under his window. Hungaroring was a challenging racetrack, lot of turns and technical parts, and that guaranteed a lot of yellin from the coach and of course, deep rumbling from the cars.

And so, he decided to check out the boxes. He was free to walk all around the place, but he still felt unwelcome. No one greeted him nor tried to talk as he walked past a group of adults, most likely mechanics. He reached his own assigned part. A beautiful honda greeted him, the NSX's black surface reflecting the surroundings: it seemed to be newly painted.

Iso allowed himself to step closer and ghost his fingers over the car's roof. It was cold, as expected in november, the warmth of his hand left soon fading marks of fog on it.

Suddenly, another car arrived into the box street, pulling him out of the short trance. He moved away from the vehicle like he did nothing and watched the white-green auto slowly turn to the box on his right and turn off the engines.

This was one of his teammates, he noted.

A young boy around his age opened up the door, a sligly tired but happy smile written all over his face. Tan skin, green hair, dark brown eyes... oh shit, Iso was staring.

"Ah, hey! Youre the newbie, am I right?" The other wawed at him.

"U-uhm yeah. Just arrived yesterday." He tried to tune his accent down sligtly, "Its nice to meet you, Im Zhao Yu."

"Im Mateo, welcome to the gang! Your weekends are free, correct? I can show you the track if you want." Mateo offered.

"Are we allowed to go out there alone?"

"Yep, on sundays everyone's got a green light if we tell the coaches. You know, explore and stuff with other cars outside of training." The shorter started to walk towards the exit after sheding his gear and grabbing his backpack.

The chinese instinctively followed as the other showered him in all kinds of welcoming and friendliness. Almost like time flew, they somehow got to the viewer's stand. They sat down and watched as some other pilots completed their laps and tried out different positions.

"Ay, you see that blue guy there?" Mateo signalled at a sleek azure car rolling out of the stables.

"Yeah?" He squinted at the vehicle.

"He was trained by Liam too, and actually won a race on this track before."

"Oh."

He knew that their coahes were 'legendary', but now teammates too? Holy shit, how did he even get here. He is just a random guy from Chonqing.

"You talked to him before?" Iso asked quietly.

"Yeah, but I was scared like shit, so it didnt go really far. Omen is a genius, so as a starter, I didnt even try to talk to him." Mate snickered.

"Omen? Like, Dimitri Oaks?" Purple eyes widened.

"Yep yep, that would be him."

"Oh shit. I mean, oh, thats unexpected." He corrected himself.

They shared a laugh at that and just watched as the bugatti crossed the finish line before them, completing it's first lap. Zhao felt so amazed. The man in question was just 26, only 9 years older than them, and was already such a well-known racer.

A mixture of many emotions weighed his stomach down as he observed the greek's car take the first narrow ( maybe too narrow for Iso's liking ) turn perfectly and move on, out of their sight. There was admiration, but also jealousy in his mind, tho he was more scared about sunday's ride with Mateo. It would be his first time driving on Hungaroring, and he dosent want to hold anyone up like an amateur, or in the worst scenario even cause an accident.

"It seems like everything they said about VALORANT is true." He sighed, a hint of a smile coming across his features.

"Hey, no need to be nervous. They are all chill." Those dark eyes were suddenly filled with care, so suddenly that Iso was taken aback.

"Easier said than done."

"Ayy, Im a nice guy too, arent I?"

"Yes you are?"

Did he just admit it? He did...

"See, and the others are friendly too. Even the seniors."

"I-... Ill see for myself or something like that." Iso tried to calm both Mateo and himself.

"Oh. Well, we have a groupchat, I can invite you. Everyone is a little more talkative there, you know?"

"Aaah, I see. Okay."

They exchanged discord IDs and well, now he was in the offical Valorant server. The coaches only had access to some channels, it was made by the youngers for 'fun', it seemed. He scrolled over the list of users, all having their own special roles like: Ramsay Stan, Minecraft alex, Samurai Jack...

Most of the references were foreign to him, but it was still somewhat funny even whitout knowing the story of how they got those roles and nicknames.

"You are now offically here."

"I was already recuited weeks ago." He looked up questioningly.

"A contract is nothing like joining the server, belive me!"

Suddenly, a bell sounded from somewhere far away. Was it for the jetlag, or Mateo, but Iso didnt feel tired even if the sun was slowly sinking below the horizon.

Sadly, It was nearing dinner time and they both retrieved to their quarters, but Mateo never left Zhao's mind that day. He tossed and turned in bed, revisiting the moments that happened just some hours earlier.

If he was honest, Mateo never left his mind from the moment he saw him.

Chapter Text

( that same night )

#gay-talk channel

☆ Iso hopped on

Gekkooo
>Heyy

Iso
>Good evening. Is this the main channel?

Gekkooo
>Ehh could be called that
>Your pfp is 💪 also

Iso
>Thank you, its kind of old

Gekkooo
>I change mine like, every other day or smth

KJ's Razeyy
>OMG A NEW GAY???

Gekooo
>Oh no dont tell him

Sova
>We should tell him...

KJ's Razeyy
>I wont lol

Iso
>I think I kind of understand...

Cypher
>[Cat pic]

Sova
>Is that Yanik? 💙

Omen
>I took the picture. He is sleeping under the sofa right now

Yoru
>Its already midnight go to sleep ppl Im trying to get ready for exams and all I hear is NOTIFS

PHOENIX
>Bruh

Yoru
> >:(

PHOENIX
>You dont scare me w you lil emoji bro XD

.....

Private chat of @gekkolegend and @iso16

Gekkooo
>Ill go to sleep now, they are going to have beef for hours lol

Iso
>Alr, goodnight

Gekkooo
>Gn :)

Chapter Text

On friday morning, Zhaoyu woke early. He stretched and rolled out of bed. His blinds were rolled down, so he fumbled towards his windows in darkess, hitting his foot on a chair. He had to fight himself not to curse at the pain. Another stab at his fragile morning-mood was the sunlight burning his eyes. He sighed and just sat back down on the bed.

The room was plain and undecorated. White walls, grey furniture. It almost felt like a hotel, lacking personality. Back in china, his walls were old yellow with purple posters and pictures covering the stains and imperfections of the old paint. He couldnt take everything with him to here, but he saved his favorite bedsheets, rug and pictures.

Iso opened his suitcase yesterday only to fish out his sleepwear and toothbrush. It laid next to 2 unopened boxes. He should probably unpack.

He got on his knees on the hard wooden floor and quietly started to organise his clothes. It took quite an effort and it was 9am when he finally left his room. He had a map emailed to him some weeks ago of the place, so he decided to dedicate the day to just exploring. The gym was just a down the hallway, so that was his first destination. He never really went to a gym before, scared of people eyeing him, but he figured that he wont really have a choice in a training program.

The chinese took a deep breath before pushing the glass door open. It wont be so bad... And oh, it was. As soon as he stepped in, atleast 3 people glanced in his direction. The room was spaceous and light, but the group of trainees were sitting closely together. They must be friends, of course.

There was a moment of awkward silence before one of them stretched her hand in a wawe.

"Hey Mate'!" She greeted.

"Good morning-"

"Ya looking for something?"

"O-oh no. No, I just wanted to check the place out... I just arrived yesterday." He could feel the embarrasment radiating off of him.

"Aaaah, I see!"

"Take your time to get used to it, I got lost five times the week I came!" Another girl chimed in.

She seemed to be young, her hair a vibrant blue. He chuckled silently at her remark before nodding and leaving. Once out in the hallway, he had to take a moment to recover from all the mental trauma he caused himself in the past minutes before continuing. His next destination was the main room. Basically, a living room of sorts with a lot of couches, bookshelves and medal displays.

He passed it many times by now, but he was interested in the books they were offering. Other than music, reading was another great hobby of his. He liked to daydream and losing himself in a novel almost as much as he enjoyed the expression in music.

When he got there, he found a man sitting comfortably on an armchair. The dude looked fancy, with a rather formal attire and well done hair. Iso had the feeling that he saw him somewhere before, but that was set with all the racers he met here before. He started to browse books by genre, and most were in foreign languages so he could only find a few classics in english. He took out a Dostoyevsky book and put it in his bag.

His phone buzzed twice in his pocket before he heard his ringtone.

"Yes?"

"Hi!" Ah, Mateo. "Sorry if I woke ya up."

"Ive been awake for hours, dont worry."

"Mmmkay. I just got up, 'been wondering if you want to have a coffee with me."

"I-uh-sure. Yeah."

"Cool! Ill meet you in the lobby."

"Okay where is-"

The other hung up. With a sigh, he pulled up the map again and started his journey back to the entrance. Gekko was already waiting for him at the coffee machine.

"Hey! I already made mine, I didnt know what you like." He greeted.

The green haired boy had a big cup in his hand that had way more milk than coffee. He seemed to be a bit tired but still cheerful, dark lines visible under his eyes.

"Ill see..."

He took a look at the machine and realised that there is no tea nor hot chocolate option...

"I... dont know, choose for me. I drink tea usually." He buried his nose in the folds of his hoodie.

"Im sure some others will share their tea packs with you once they get to know you! Hmm... this will be good."

Mateo clicked the machine, then added some extra sugar, milk, cinnamon(?)... whatever these were, soon the cup was in his hand. He leaned closer and the smell was lovely, and the taste did not dissapoint too.

"Thats. Thats actually really good." Zhaoyu smiled softly and took another sip.

"Thanks, I used to work as a barista before getting accepted into the academy." The other replied with an infectious smile.

There was a bit of silence of the both of them just staring out the windows, observing the trees and the rising sun. Then, footsteps

"Hello! You two already get along, I see." A man's voice spoke from behind them.

"Hey coach!" Mateo wawed. "Yep, we sure do."

Zhaoyu turned back to see a familiar face. He already met Varun when he showed him the dorms. The guy was really welcoming, but more in a warm older-brother type of way. He was hoping for a kind trainer, and the indian man was more than just that based on first impressions.

"Good morning sir."

"Ah, no need for so much formality. We'll work together for a long time, after all." Harbor smiled.

"Oh, okay."

"Next monday Ill introduce you to everyone, until then, if you need anything ask me or Gekko here." The older motioned towards Mateo.

Huh, so they use those nicknames in real life too, Iso thought.

"-I think Im gonna to steal him from you for practice. We have to get there early or Vincent will complain of us not being on time."

And with that, Harbor got a hold of Gekko's shoulder and pulled him away towards the stairs. He and Mateo wawed goodbyes.

He still heard some echoes of the two's conversations in the silent building.

"What? That dude can surely buy some time for himself, with the fancy bags he brings for training-"

"Maybe, but that 20 minutes must cost much!"

"20!? I didnt sleep in that much!"

He should really go and unpack his posters.

Chapter Text

Iso
How was practice?

Gekko
Stressful
Tomorrow will be finally a bit better on the tracks w you I hope :)

Iso
Ill try to not crash

Gekko
You better not lol

Iso
Also uh

Gekko
?

Iso
Thank you for being so nice to ke
me*

Gekko
Awww its no problem
♡ by Iso

Meanwhile...
#gay-talk

Chamber
Good evening @everyone

Neon
??

Reyna
Did you really need to ping everyone

Chamber
I have been wondering, who stole my bag? I need it

Skye
Its been like 7 hours since training

Chamber
I have been searching 😢 but not finding

Harbor
one things sure I didnt take it

Skye
Me neither

Jett
how are yall taking this seriously...

Omen
If Sabine was in this gc she would discipline him fairly)

Chamber
Discipline for someone stealinf MY bag?!

Neon
You really miss ur gucci 🥺

Raze
XD brooo

Chamber
My ID is in that

Sova
Oh
Tell Liam he will help w finding it

Chamber
Yes, I will go and knock on his door.

Iso
Its 1am

Chamber
I meant tomorrow

Cypher
Are you sure about that...? 🤨📸

Raze
Cypher best moderator

Jett
would win the discord mod elections

Cypher
:D

Kjjj
He even has a fedora hat T-T

Harbor
What about me..?

Jett
We love you but not as a moderator

Harbor
Coldest rejection I ever got

I should really sleep and not read this... Iso thought