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There was something about race weekends that Kenta had grown to find comforting, the smell of oil and gas, the recognizable noises of the crew preparing, a heat that permeated the air. It was almost like home, a reminder of his pack and mate. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that despite Kim’s retirement he’d still end up with racers in his family he dutifully had to support.
“Where is it?”
Kenta looked over from where he’d been standing with Alan to see Buddy crouched on the ground, rummaging through his duffle bag with a pinched expression. Buddy had decided to throw himself into racing much to Kenta’s displeasure, he knew his pup liked it, but did it really have to be motorcycle racing? He’d seen Kim’s crashes and knowing that there was nothing between Buddy and the world but his suit made his nerves twist.
But his pup loved it and that meant Kenta had to support him.
Today’s race was far enough away it was just their family unit and Alan. Most of the pack were occupied with their lives, Buddy understood that not everyone could support him at every race. Kenta ensured that he was at every one, along with Kim and Taro. Normally by this point Buddy was bouncing with energy, but Kenta could feel the waves of dark energy coming off Buddy.
“One second, phi.”
Alan nodded, allowing Kenta to check on his pup. Buddy had grown up well, one of the few things Kenta could say he was truly proud of. Kim stated all the time that Taro and Buddy looked just like Kenta, even if he couldn't see it. Buddy had inherited a tanner complexion from his mystery parent, a leaner build that resembled Kim. His face though was Kenta's, and right now it was twisted in a frown.
“What are you missing?” He asked.
Buddy looked up from his bag, “My necklace, I can't find it. I threw it in here this morning cause I was rushed, but now I can't find it.”
Buddy must have been referring to his pink frog necklace that Kim had given Buddy a few years ago. They had been a bit rushed that morning getting out, Buddy’s hair had still been wet from his shower as he shoved the rest of his things into his bag. It was possible he’d forgotten to grab it.
“Do you need it?”
Buddy chewed on his lip, “I can’t race without it.”
Kenta knew that racers had their superstitions but he didn't think Buddy would be one of them. He also didn't think Buddy would need it, he was a great driver, but Kenta also knew there was no reasoning with his pups about their anxiety tics. “Alright,” he dropped to his knees, “do you want me to have a look?”
Buddy shoved over his duffle bag. It was on the smaller side, Buddy was surprisingly neat for a teenager. Kenta took out each item, meticulously checking each one to make sure the necklace wasn't caught. A change of clothes for after the race, one of Kenta's old hoodies (that had originally belonged to Kim), a small first aid kit, his tablet, headphones, spare charger.
As Kenta pulled out the sandals from the bottom he could see Buddy's face fall.
He began packing the things back up, “Why don't you go ask Kim or Taro if they saw it?”
Buddy was just staring at the bag and Kenta wanted to tug him into a hug. His scent was milder than most alaphs, a warm coffee scent that was currently curling with distress. Buddy usually presented calm and unaffected by his time under Tony, but at points like this Kenta was clearly reminded just how deep trauma could run and how it could appear at the strangest of times.
He squeezed Buddy's shoulder, “We'll find it, and if it is missing, Sonic can always make you another.” Sonic could have an entire line of pink frog jewellery, there had to be thousands of those things back at the garage.
Buddy’s face twisted up, his scent spiking into something burnt before smoothing out all together. He looked around the garage, his eyes falling on Taro off to the side, typing away on his phone with a pinched expression. He was dressed in his X-Hunter shirt with Buddy's name on the back.
“Nii-san, have you seen my necklace?” As Buddy went to interrogate Taro, Kenta finished putting Buddy’s things back where they belong. Spice warned him before Kim crouched down beside him, his mate never far off.
“What's wrong?” Kim was always observant, and knew in seconds if something was bothering Kenta or the pups.
“Buddy can't find his necklace. Have you seen it?”
Kim shook his head, which Kenta had expected. Kim had come up earlier with Alan and Buddy's bike, unless he'd grabbed it that morning, he wouldn't know where it was.
Kenta leaned his head against Kim's shoulder, soaking in the comfort, “He's upset.”
Kim sighed, stroking a hand down Kenta’s back. “I get it. This is a mental sport, even something super minor could throw you off your game,” Kim chuckled, “do you remember how badly I lost when you went into heat while I was in Korea?”
Kenta's cheeks burned, yes he remembered and no he didn't need Kim bringing it up.
“Appa?” They both turned to see a very dejected Buddy. Kim sighed, pushing himself to his feet, opening his arms to allow Buddy to find refuge in his embrace.
“I know you won't believe me,” Kim said, petting Buddy's hair, “but you don't need it to win.”
Buddy mumbled something but it was obscured by Kim's jacket.
“What was that?”
Buddy tilted his head up slightly, “I just feel safer with it. Like you and Dad and Taro are with me on the track.”
Kenta could feel himself melt because of course his pup would be like this.
Kim must have felt similar because he crushed Buddy into a hug, “Don't worry Buddy, we're all here on the sidelines cheering you on. Frog or no frog.”
“Hey,” Alan jogged over, “are you almost ready, the race is about to start.”
“Ugh,” Buddy groaned, burying himself deeper into Kim's hold for a second, as if he was still a tiny pup, before pushing back. He pulled up a mask of bravado, something that Kim had always worn before races. “Yeah, I'm all ready.”
Buddy accepted his helmet from Alan. He'd accepted the colours of X-Hunter, but Kenta knew his son preferred yellow over the blue and white scheme. He was not sure where that one came from but he's not going to argue it.
“Hey Buddy!”
Buddy stopped on the steps leading down to the track at the shout. Kenta looked over to see another racer running over. Normally Kenta wouldn't know who any of the dozen racers were (he only cared about Buddy) but he recognized Rider. If only because Buddy never shut up about him.
If he'd known how important Rider was going to become he would have paid a lot closer attention to the first time his name had come up. The other racer wasn’t particularly tall but built well, with the kind of looks that were often flaunted across social media. A lot like Babe if Kenta thought about it for a second. Buddy hated Rider but for reasons that escaped Kenta. Kim had just laughed and told him to be patient.
Already in a bad mental state, Buddy scowled at Rider, “What do you want?”
Rider put his hands up in surrender, “Hey I come on peaceful terms.”
Buddy crossed his arms, “I highly doubt that.” Kenta wasn’t sure if a fight was about to break out or not.
Rider shrugged, “Have it your way, I just figured you'd want this back.” From his pocket he pulled a very familiar necklace.
“Hey!” Buddy lunged for it but Rider was faster, throwing his arm behind him to keep Buddy from getting it.
“Is that how you treat someone who saved your precious necklace?” Rider’s voice was cocky and he had a smirk on his face that grated Kenta.
“Give that back.”
“You should ask me nicely. I could have just thrown it in the trash, you know since it looks-”
Kenta couldn't see Buddy's expression but he could still read his son better than anyone. Buddy was tipping over from annoyance to actual distress. One of Buddy’s few triggers was when his things were kept away from him, long dead memories of a time where Buddy would be taken away as punishment for Kenta’s disobedience.
He took a step forward, to intervene, when Kim grabbed his bicep.
“Just wait.” Kim whispered.
Kenta did not like being told to not protect his pups, instincts ran deep, but he also trusted Kim with both his and the pups' lives. Had for years. So he relented.
Rider's smirk dropped, hesitation in his movements, but he quickly handed Buddy back his necklace.
“Sorry,” he apologized, “I didn't-”
“Whatever.” Buddy grumbled, snatching his necklace back and heading to the track. Rider stood there, uneasily shifting from foot to foot. When Buddy didn't turn back, he turned around and headed for his own team.
“What was that?” Kenta asked, bewildered by the turn of events.
“Despite what Buddy seems to think, Rider isn't that much of an asshole.” Kim watched Rider head to his own bike, “He's just a cocky kid. I don't think he actually wanted to upset Buddy.”
Kenta cocked his head to the side, “How did Rider even know that was Buddy's necklace? I didn't think they talked.”
Kim shrugged, “Who knows, let's just be glad he did.”
Kenta hummed, leaning back against Kim as the racers prepared.
***
Buddy was lucky he'd placed sixth. His brain was scrambled by the time the race had started and Buddy knew how important focus was.
“You okay?” Uncle Alan asked as he walked off the track.
“Yeah,” he could see his parents coming up and he suddenly really needed space. It was rare for him not to want to be around his family, but at that moment it felt like he was suffocating under his suit. “I'm going to go get some air.”
He all but ran away before anyone could protest, hopeful that his parents wouldn't follow him. He just needed like five minutes alone.
There are small hallways between the different zones for the teams, and it is in one of them Buddy found a little alcove to tuck himself into. Anyone who came down the hallway would be able to see him, but should understand that he wanted space.
Obviously he knew he was being irrational. Who gets worked up about a necklace? But Buddy had been in therapy for so long he also knew not to dismiss his emotions. He had to feel them or whatever.
He wasn’t even sure why Rider holding his necklace had upset him so badly. Even if Rider had kept it he knew Uncle Sonic could just make him another one, Dad had even mentioned the idea in the case of losing it. It may not have the frog that had been Appa’s good luck charm on it but he'd still have one.
He could feel the person approaching before he heard them. It was a strange part of his ability, one he hadn't even understood until he was much older, but he could…feel the blood of other people. Dad had looked horrified when he'd figured out that Buddy knew where everyone was in the pack because he could feel their hearts beating. It wasn't like Uncle Babe who could hear the different heart beats. Buddy could feel it like a pulse in his own body, it was proximity based as well. Martin and him had tested it a couple times, he could discern between pack members up to about ten feet, and then recognize someone was around in about a twenty foot radius. Barriers didn't seem to matter.
He looked up to see Rider approaching. He'd changed out of his racing gear and was now in jeans and his team hoodie.
“What do you want?” He crossed his arms, trying to embody some of his dad's aura.
Rider quickly put his hands up, “I just wanted to check in on you.”
He glared, knowing he looked a lot like Dad when he did that, “Why? Shouldn't you be gloating or celebrating with your team?” Rider had got second, losing out by fractions of a second.
“Well,” Rider jammed his hands into the pocket of his hoodie, “it's not as fun when you're not on your game. That was your worst race by far.”
Buddy slumped back against the wall because Rider was right. He hadn't been racing for long but he'd never done that bad. “Whatever.” He grumbled, wanting the ground to just swallow him up.
Rider did not take the hint and leave, instead shifting from foot to foot. Buddy could feel the way his heart rate picked up and sighed, “What?”
“Huh?”
“You want to say something. Just say it and then go away.” He just wanted this day to be over.
Rider hesitated for another second, “Why is it so important to you? Your necklace?”
He frowned, “Why do you care?”
“It's just, I know older racers have their things, but you’ve only been racing for a year. So what gives with the necklace?”
Buddy sighed, maybe if he was truthful with Rider it would get him to go away. He already knew telling the other to fuck off did not work. “It's not the necklace, it's the frog.”
Rider blinked, “What?”
“The frog.” He dug the necklace out, thumbing the little plastic frog, “When I was a kid I hid a bunch around our place and garage. I guess I put one in my Appa’s racing suit, and he used it as a good luck charm after that. Once he retired he gave it to me since I was already showing an interest in racing.”
Rider raised a brow, “How much is a bunch?”
That’s what Rider focused on? Buddy sighed, “Like a hundred.”
“What?” Rider laughed, “if I did that my pack alpha would kill me.”
Buddy knew it was a joke but he couldn't help but wince. Despite Uncle Alan having never once got mad at him, some permanently damaged part of him was still terrified at messing up enough to bring down the wrath of his pack alpha. He never did understand why Uncle Alan hadn't got mad at him for that stunt.
“You're lucky.” Rider said, snapping Buddy from his thoughts.
“About?”
“I mean if I was given something by one of the best racers in the league, I'd also be upset if I lost it.”
“I didn't get it from a legendary racer, I got it from my Appa.”
“Who just happens to be Minsu Kim.”
Buddy rolled his eyes, “Whatever.”
“I don't think you realise how lucky you are to have a pack stacked with the best racers of their generation.”
Yeah, lucky. Buddy didn't roll his eyes but he desperately wanted to. His pack was just his pack. No matter how good of a racer they were, Buddy had shared a pack nest with them, that took a lot of shine off of a person. The hero worship of his family had always made him squirm with discomfort.
He shook his head, trying to dismiss the emotions. He didn’t want to get into it, not in some random hallway with the sting of defeat, “Where did you even find it?”
Rider nodded towards the back, “Out in the parking lot, maybe it fell out of your pocket or something?”
Or probably when Buddy had fished out his phone from his bag, it had fallen out. He'd been rushed this morning and had shoved most of his stuff in his bag. Even if it had been Rider who found it, at least he'd know it was-
“Wait,” something just occurred to him, “how did you even know it was my necklace? It's not visible when I race.” In fact Buddy usually had the necklace under his shirt, and he had a small collection of similar chokers that were currently on trend.
Rider blushed? “Uh, I've got to go. P’Mark is probably looking for me.” He stumbled to turn around, “See you next time.”
“Wh-” He couldn’t even get a word out as Rider practically ran off. Buddy was left blinking in the hallway, his mood now having done a complete one-eighty.
Alone again, he no longer felt the need to actually be alone, not after all of that. Pushing away from the wall he walked back to the X-Hunter section.
Appa had an arm wrapped around Dad and Buddy could feel Dad's elevated heart rate. Taro was talking with them, and noticed him first.
“There he is.” Taro pointed.
He went right to Dad, burying himself into Dad's neck. Except for rare cases his Dad always smelled minty fresh, clean but not overly sharp, with a hint of spice. Buddy couldn’t remember when Dad didn't also smell like Appa, at least a little bit.
Dad was quick to wrap his arms around him, that mint scent wrapping around him. Buddy turned his head into his dad’s neck, as if he were a tiny pup still reliant on their parent’s scent, seeking the familiarity for comfort.
A hand scratched his scalp and he knew it was Appa. He looked at him over Dad's shoulder, “I'm sorry about the race.”
Appa frowned, “Why are you sorry?”
He reluctantly pulled away from Dad, “I didn't do well.”
Appa huffed an amused sound, “Buddy you're going to have bad races, that's inevitable. This wasn't even that bad, you didn't crash.”
“Don't even joke about that.” warned Dad.
Crashes were no joke and Buddy knew that motorcycle crashes were worse because he didn't have the protection of a car if someone ran into him. Dad had never not supported him, but that didn't mean he liked Buddy's chosen career.
“My point is,” Appa amended, “it wasn't even that bad of a race, and even if you came last there's nothing to apologize for. There will be more races.”
Buddy nodded, feeling a bit better. Appa was always supportive but Buddy still didn't like the idea of letting him down somehow.
The brain was stupid like that.
Appa let his hand drop, “Why don't you get changed and we'll get some food?”
Buddy nodded, happy to get out of the bulky racing suit.
Outside the other teams were also packing up, and Buddy could see Da(image) across the parking lot, their signature electric yellow colour like a beacon that drew the eye.
He spotted Rider talking with what Buddy thought was their team leader, and as if Rider could feel Buddy's gaze, turned and caught him looking. Rider startled, quickly turning back to the person he was talking to.
Appa slowed down his steps to match Buddy's, “What's up?”
“Rider's being weird,” he turned away from watching Rider climb into the team car to his Appa, “he talked to me in the hallway after the race. Didn't even gloat or anything.”
Appa slowly nodded, “Maybe he just wanted to make sure you were okay?”
Buddy scrunched up his face, “Why would he care?”
This time Appa laughed, throwing an arm around Buddy's shoulder and pulling him in close. “Sometimes I forget how much like Kenta you are.”
Now Buddy was really confused, what did Appa have to do with Rider? “What?”
Appa shook his head, “Nothing. Let's get some food in you, you’ve got to be hungry.”
He was tugged forward, forcing himself to put this day behind him. He had his necklace back, it didn't matter how weird Rider was being. He had bigger things to worry about. Like if he could convince Dad to get ice cream after dinner.