Chapter Text
Ever since being a small boy, Florian had always wanted to get a nice racing car and be the best racer there was, but as big dreams are, they are given to those who can have a 50% chance to none to actually accomplishing them.
Florian is no exception at all, each time he's about to accomplish something, something bad ends up happening and makes his dream go further away from his grasp, but he was a stubborn boy, and once he made up his mind on something, he'll do all that he can to get that something.
Years and years after failing, being told to give up and that he won't succeed, and that he was just wasting his life on some 'stupid' racing gig. Being told that all his life just fueled the urges to keep going. He didnt care what his parents said, he wanted this. It was the only thing he ever wanted in his entire life and he wants to fight for it this time and not give in to what they say no matter how frustrating it gets.
Surprisingly enough this would get him to where he is now finally and actually succeeding to get his hands on a pretty sweet racing car. Although it wasn't much, it was everything in his eyes.
But great accomplishments come with a cost in life, don't they? A few months later Florian lost his parents to a fire that broke out, to which he and his little sister survived. This left them both devastated and depressed for weeks on end, after all they only had eachother now and no longer had the warmth of their parents even though they were strict at times.
…..
Months later he decided to break out of that cycle and continue his dream. He's gotten this far and he has to care for his sister now, if he can be one hell of a racer he could give the world to her if she wanted him too.
…
"You're not actually serious about this are you?? Please tell me this is a joke- Florian, you know how dangerous racing can be, I can't lose you too!" Lily cried out to him
She was always so sensitive towards racing especially after the incident with their older brother, he can understand her argument about not starting racing. But this was something he's always wanted and now that he's actually at the door to opening and beginning to be the best racer, he couldn’t hope but be selfish and assure her that he won't go down that easily and he won't leave her either, after all what brother would he be if he left his little sister all alone in this harsh world. However risks are meant to be taken!
So, Florian challenged many racers who've also just started out, and to his surprise and also disappointment, he won some and he lost some, that's ok though...even though he felt bitter at the times he had lost, he had to understand that in this occupation even losing many times is a step to be the greatest.
And so, he practiced...
And practiced....
And practiced.....
...
As Florian slammed his foot on the gas and went off with speed to beat his highest score, he felt elated, his heart was beating rapidly from the excitement and speed of the car, his grip on the poor wheel was a way for him to contain the excitement he felt and not to just drive off the road to be in the air out of intrusiveness. He was driving so fast and so was the timer he had Lily holding to get the timing correct and not delayed.
With the screech of the car, he pulled up next to Lily with a big grin and yelled out,
"Lily hit it!!" (Meaning to stop the timer)
And she did just that and ran up to him with a smile and showed him the timer. As he got out of the car and ran up to Lily with a grin which was now a big smile based off of her smile as well, he can only assume that he best his score on time. He glanced at the timer in her hands and he practically jumped in joy and gave her a hug, twirling her in a circle.
“I did it! Lily, I did it!” He laughed out
That entire day was filled with laughter as the two siblings celebrated in joy by jumping around and hyping each other up.
After that incident Florian decided to challenge other racers at his level and slowly start challenging racers slightly above his level each time he got better then those that were on his level.
He became well known after a while, due to challenging others and the same people repeatedly if he lost. Some who weren't so bitter from losing against him had to admit the kid had potential and had a good spirit.
years later that led him to where he was now. Challenging a well known racer that went by “Novelist” or you can just call him Orpheus, Florian always thought that those fake names racers came up with were funny…even though his car said “Fire Investigator” to be fair tho he was just a teenager when he came up with it…ok yeah maybe he was in no place to judge the fake names.
And man was he not ready for what he saw Orpheus bring to the track, Nice car yadda yadda…but he brought his own referee. And man were they just eye candy, scars on his face like a map and brown hair that perfectly framed his face and he looks as if he's underweight or if that's just genetics. Florian couldn't keep being distracted by the sight for sore eyes, he had a rich prick to crush beneath these tires.
As they both got in their cars and put on everything needed for safety, they waited for the referee to start the race.
Florian watched as the scrawny male walked in between both of the cars and gripped those two flags nervously, then slowly but surely lifted the flags up followed by the cars zooming past the male with incredible speeds.
…..
It was a close call but to no surprise he lost. But that didn't mean he won't keep trying and trying, he just had to make sure to have enough money for the prize to keep this highly- titled racer interested in racing with him.
They both got out of the car's, Florian with a bitter grin and the other with a cocky grin.
“I must admit, you're a good racer Mr. Brand. you almost caused me to break a sweat.”
He holds out his hand for the other to shake
To which Florian returned and shook his hand as well, “I'm glad I can make the all mighty Novelist break a sweat. I can assure you next time you might just be breaking more than a sweat.” he couldn’t help but be slightly petty with how this man made the race sound like some kitty play and well he hated how he said more to continue this unneeded small talk.
As Orpheus walked off with a scoff, Florian glanced once again at the referee that was walking off towards the other male like a dog on a leash. Why was that? The other didn't look like he enjoyed that book man as much, so why was he with him in the first place? Boy does this referee have him curious like a fox in a new environment.
He had to get to know this male-
And that thought was cut off and Lily ran and hugged Him tightly
“You were so close! You were right there” She exclaimed with a big smile, trying to help her brother not to feel so bitter and motivate him to keep practicing.
Another male walked up towards them with a sly smile…as always, “You were good out there, good job” The man known as “Knight” or well Richard said.
Florian and Richard became friends after Florian challenged him to race over and over again, he was a hell of a racer in Florian's eyes, he was outstanding. And from all those times he challenged Richard, they got to know each other and Richard even helped him out with some things, it was great.
Florian turned to look at them rather than the brunette a few feet away from him. “Thanks guys, I swear to you guys I will get him next time, and then we can really celebrate” Florian replied with a smile then glanced back at the brunette, surely Richard must know something? After all he knew all the drama and quite literally everything about other racers…
“By any chance, do you know who that is?” Florian kept his eye on the brunette, and Richard already knew what the other wanted from that.
“Not much but I know some stuff about him. Are you perhaps interested in the man?”
there was a minute of silence
“Just maybe” he mumbled
“His names Matthias Czernin, supposedly he survived a fire...which is clearly evident just by one look at him” Richard judged the others taste in guys
“A fire huh… why is he with Orpheus? He doesn't look like he's enjoying his company” Florian frowns slightly
“Probably cause of some contract Orpheus had him sign, after all Orpheus knows how to screw people up with his contracts especially when they're in a weak place”
“Is that so…”
Richard raised a brow, It's not every day Florian acts like this, It was odd.
“So if he's trapped by him…is there any way for me to help him…” Florian glanced away from the brunette, he didn't want to make him uncomfortable with the staring.
“I'm not quite sure…You'd have to convince Orpheus in some way, although I doubt the ex puppeteer holds any value to the Novelist.”
“Huh.” And with that Florian walked towards the brunette and stopped half way in the middle of his car and the Novelists car.
“Orpheus! I want to have another race with you! Although this time , I don't want to race for your money.” Florian exclaimed with a wide grin, in which the crowd stood quiet and stared at Florian and Orpheus, waiting for his next words.
Orpheus glanced back at the other with a hint of annoyance
“Are you trying to challenge me to another race you know you'll lose? that's not very smart Mr. Brand... but please, humor me. What do you wish to race for if not money?”
And with that Florian proudly pointed at the Scar faced boy that panicked as eyes fell on him and Florian.
“I want your referee.” He says with much confidence and wide grin that never left his face
there was silence at first, Orpheus taking a minute to process what the other male wanted. “...you want my referee?”
You could hear Orpheus and friends of his snicker and laugh
“You want to race for that? Really?” Orpheus said with a sly smile and shoves Matthias forward, making Him slightly stumble.
“Surely this is some joke?”
To which Florian's proud grin was replaced with a frown at the way the scarring male was addressed as if he was some item and not human.
“I assure you this isn't a joke, I want him as my prize in the next race. I'm stealing your referee.”
And with that you can no longer hear snickering and laughing from Orpheus's friends... the atmosphere grew tense.
“Tch. How irritating. He's yours if you want him. I'm not doing a stupid race to keep him.”
Florian could feel the eyes, well eye, of the brunette on him with something that Florian couldn't define.
“I still want to race you.”
“Fine. But if you lose you wont get that ‘prize’.” And with that he fled the scene like some evil villain.
Who does that guy think he is? Seriously. Maybe he's taking that Novelist title too literally, who would even read a story with that irritating man as the main character…
As Florian glared at the man walking off he didn't register the quiet footsteps that walked towards him and as the other called out to him, it really gave the man a scare and turn to pay attention to the ex puppeteer.
“Pardon?” Florian asked with an awkward chuckle.
“What do you think you're doing?” the ex puppeteer asked quietly
The look of obvious confusion and mixed emotions was on the others face
“That's a good question actually” He didn't know the answer either, he has a bad habit of acting impulsively.
“A very good one in fact. Were you even thinking when you said any of that? How are you going to race against him again after that” Richard said with a huff as he and Lily walked towards them.
Matthias just stood there by Florian watching as this went down, waiting for an answer or at least some type of context towards this situation to understand Florian's intentions.
“Ah well, I think you know the answer to that Richard! Of course I didn't think this through, BUT! I'll crush him for sure, I almost got him this time, what makes you think I wouldn't be able to do it again? I've also finally got a taste of his racing skills so that'll help for sure” Florian exclaimed confidently with a yet again beaming smile
To which Richard pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling irritated by the idiot he calls his friend.
As Lily and Florian got lost in the “you can do it!” Or “I will beat him this time!” And other motivating yet too much and way too hyper for both of the males next to them.
"My deepest apologies for this nut head and getting you into this situation. I assure you that there's no need to worry about falling into his hands though” Richard turns to glance at Matthias, who was watching the scene of two foxes jump around as if one of them didn't practically declare war for someone with no value as himself.
“He's a kind person…even though he can be too much at times but you'll learn to live with it and appreciate it after a while. It's better than Orpheus, no? It's no secret how he treats his victims that fall into his contracts.”
Matthias stood quiet. He didn't know how to feel, but the thought of someone wanting him- hell even trying to attempt to beat one of the best racers for him just felt so warm…like how the sun warms up the sky and everything surrounding it once the moon sets to rest.
“Okay.” And with that Matthias walked off. He couldn't leave Orpheus waiting for him to depart.
….
Days passed and almost all the racers were talking about the upcoming of the strange race, after all no one usually tries to race Orpheus again after a loss, let alone ask him for someone that works for him as a prize other than money.
Florian was racing around with Richard to practice and to make sure his car would do just fine, he also couldn't help but notice that Richards car also looked fine as well, It was a white car with specks of blue and green muted colors and etc, followed by the words “Knight” on it and over all really had the whole matching look of a knight, he'd hate to say but he wish he payed attention to the car and its small details. It looked cooler than his in all honesty, white car and orange fire marks with a one eyed fox as a logo along with small letters that said “Fire Investigator” on the front of his car did not seem all that great but it was still cool. He can't wait for Richard and him to get to the top leagues and be great racers, hell maybe even go against Richard in a real tournament too.
But for right now he had to focus on Matthias. He had to win that race for him, and who knows maybe he can befriend the guy after all.