Work Text:
The bell above the door jingled, ringing through the shop beneath the whir of drills and chatter of the men and women inside. Kazuko was in her office. As much as she loved owning her own shop, she found herself drowning more in paperwork than in the bikes and cars she preferred.
She could overhear one of her employees greeting the new customer. The customer’s voice was muffled, but she caught the mention of a motorcycle, and surprisingly, her own name.
Footsteps approached her slightly open office door, followed by a knock as the employee stepped in.
“Hey, boss. This one is asking for you.”
Kazuko nodded, grateful for the excuse to step away from her desk. She stood, stretched out the stiffness in her shoulders, and headed for the main room.
She saw the boots first, scuffed and heavy like they’d been through rubble and raised hell on every kind of road. Then came the legs. Long, steady, wrapped in dark denim, and a carabiner sat on the left side on their belt loop. Interesting. And finally, the customer’s face, or well, their helmet. Glossy black with a silver stripe. Clearly cared for. The figure stood taller than Kazuko, a leather jacket slung over their shoulders, patched and worn, unzipped just enough to reveal a black tank top stretched over a sharp collarbone and just a hint of cleavage.
Hot.
Hot as fuck.
Kazuko swallowed hard and cleared her throat as she approached. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, the biker removed her helmet in one smooth motion.
Long locs, black and white, tumbled over her shoulders. Kazuko caught the glimpse of an undercut before it was buried beneath those locs. Her features were bold and striking, hooked nose, piercing dark eyes, and two silver studs just underneath her bottom lip.
Kazuko forgot how to talk. Totally blanked.
Then the biker's voice broke the silence.
“Kazuko, correct? I’ve heard much of your work, and of this establishment.” She spoke, low and confident. “I’m Gumi.”
She held out a gloved hand, the knuckles studded with tiny spikes that curved almost like cat claws. Kazuko blinked, then fumbled her way back into motion, taking the hand quickly. “Oh! Uh, yeah! Yeah, that’s me! Kazuko.” Her voice cracked. “Sorry. I’ve met plenty of bikers, just not one who’s so…uh…” She trailed off.
You can’t just say 'sexy', you idiot.
“…Nevermind. How did you hear about us?”
If Gumi noticed Kazuko’s attempt to cover up her flustered state, she did a damn good job pretending not to.
“My usual mechanic has taken a temporary leave. He mentioned that should me or my gang have issues, you were the one to see.”
Kazuko nodded. Her eyes wandered over Gumi’s jacket, large letters ran down one arm, spelling out 'Alleycat'. Probably a road name. Her gaze continued downward until she realized she was still holding Gumi’s hand. She let go fast, heat rushing to her face. She tried to play it cool.
“Well, you came to the right place! I grew up fixin bikes. Pull your ride around to the garage and let me take a look at her.”
Gumi gave a nod and turned, heading back through the door she’d entered. Only when the door swung shut behind her did Kazuko finally let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Dammit, pull it together. Can’t go making googly eyes at every hot biker chick who walks in here.
She shook her head, still warm in the face, and made her way toward the garage as the deep rumble of Gumi’s bike echoed from outside.
When Kazuko met Gumi in the garage, the sight of her bike was almost enough to make her drool.
It was a beauty. Shiny black with purple rims. The frame was sleek, but solid. Polished chrome peeked through the dark body. On the rear fender, an emblem shaped like an angry, hissing cat was painted in sharp white. Chains hung from the handlebars, along with black feathers and a scrap of sheer black cloth. Not just decoration, Kazuko could tell. It meant something.
And the cherry on top? The smoking hot babe who rode it in like she owned the damn world.
Gumi parked with practiced ease, kicking the stand into place before stepping off. She came to stand beside Kazuko, who was still clearly in awe, her eyes sparkling as they roamed over every detail.
“Wow." Kazuko breathed. “I’ve seen a lot of bikes, but this one definitely takes the cake.”
“Thank you.” Gumi replied, watching her. “I trust you’ll be gentle with her.”
Kazuko looked up with a grin. “Gentle’s not really my thing, but for her?” She gave the bike an appreciative once over. “I’ll make an exception. What's the trouble?"
Gumi leaned against a pillar in the garage, her arms crossed. "She revs as usual, but lacks in acceleration."
Kazuko walked around the bike, squatting down to inspect the transmission and clutch cable. She gave the lever a squeeze, feeling the tension. She glances up at Gumi. “Like she’s trying to move, but not really catching?”
Gumi nodded once. “Pricesly. As if she hesitates."
Kazuko clicked her tongue. “Sounds like clutch slip. Could be worn friction plates. Lemme check the cable tension first, just to be sure.”
She crouched lower and slid a hand under the bike’s clutch housing, giving the lever a few firm pulls. Then she adjusted the clutch cable, watching how it responded.
“Cable’s a little loose." She muttered, mostly to herself. “Could tighten it up, but honestly, if she’s slippin this bad, you’ve been ridin her a little too hard.” She said it casually, focused on the bike, until she heard Gumi chuckle low in her throat.
“That might be true." Gumi said, clearly amused. “I assure you, I’m great with aftercare.”
Kazuko blinked, then registered her own words, and immediately felt her ears burn.
“I, uh…Oh! Right, the bike." She fumbled, eyes glued to the clutch. She grabbed a socket wrench, desperate for a distraction. “I mean, aftercare’s important. For machines. Obviously. Not that I was, y’know...implying anything.”
She coughed and muttered under her breath. "God, Kazuko, get a grip.”
She could feel Gumi watching her, and knew she was being teased. Of course she noticed that Kazuko found her attractive. Hell, how could she not?
“I’ll, uh, take a look at the plates and swap em if needed.” Kazuko said, finally standing upright. “Shouldn’t take long. You can wait in the front if you’d rather.”
Gumi hummed. “Not that I doubt your skills, but I believe I’ll stay and watch."
Kazuko nodded, giving a small smile. Makes sense. She's just being protective of her bike. Still, the way Gumi leaned back against that support beam, arms crossed and eyes sharp, made Kazuko feel like she was under more pressure than usual.
Kazuko crouched back down beside the bike, using her socket wrench and setting it into place. The faint click of metal against metal gave her something to focus on, something other than the tall, smug biker hovering behind her.
She loosened the bolts on the clutch cover, careful and practiced. The casing came off with a soft clunk, revealing the clutch basket underneath. Bits of grime clung to the edge, nothing awful, but it told her this bike had seen its share of heat and grit. Definitely time for a new set.
“So, Kazuko.” Gumi began. “Do you ride?”
Kazuko grabbed a rag, wiping away some oil as she inspected the plates. “Nah. I’d love to though.”
“What’s stopping you?”
“Motion sickness.” She said with a short laugh, easing a plate free with practiced hands. “I’ve built some badass bikes, just never got to test em out myself.”
Gumi made a thoughtful noise, then the soft shifting of leather followed, she took a few steps closer, circling Kazuko and her bike.
“That’s a shame." She said. “You’d look very nice on a bike.”
Kazuko looked up, and froze. Gumi’s gaze wasn’t subtle. It roamed with purpose, drinking her in from head to toe. Kazuko was solid, broad shouldered and chubby, with muscle lining her arms indicating her strength. Her tank top hugged her, and the jumpsuit tied around her waist was worn with stitches and stains in various spots. Her hands are rough, clearly capable, and moved with calm confidence over the tools.
When Gumi’s eyes reached her face, they lingered. Kazuko’s jaw was square, her cheeks faintly dusted with a permanent blush. Pink hair poked messily out from under a beanie, and her sharp eyeliner had smudged slightly from sweat. She was handsome, in the kind of way that didn’t try to be.
“Very nice." Gumi said again, her lips tugging into a smirk.
Kazuko’s throat went dry. She stared for just a second too long before coughing and quickly looking back to the bike. “Thanks…I gotta admit, you look good on yours.”
The moment the words left her mouth, she almost regretted them, but Gumi let out a warm, low laugh that made Kazuko’s stomach flip.
“If you ever feel adventurous," Gumi said, stepping a bit closer. “I’ve got room on the back.” She tilted her head slightly, voice smooth. “I think you’d look right where you belong. Arms around my waist, pressed up close..”
A beat passed. Gumi added. “I ride smooth.” She then walked around again, returning to rest against the pillar behind Kazuko.
If they weren’t surrounded by Kazuko’s employees right now, she might’ve pushed Gumi against that pillar and given her a ride of her own. She needed to focus.
Gathering the plates from Gumi’s bike, Kazuko stood and faced her. “I’ll go measure these and make sure the new parts fit. She’ll be running like she used to in no time.”
Gumi nodded, humming in approval as she watched Kazuko walk off toward the nearby workbench, eyes trailing her all the way. Kazuko laid the plates out on the bench and grabbed her calipers, trying to focus on the measurements, but she could feel Gumi’s eyes on her like a damn spotlight.
“You always this good with your hands?” Gumi asked, her voice warm like she already knew the answer.
Kazuko’s grip tightened slightly around the tool, a breath catching in her throat before she exhaled slowly through her nose. “You askin about the bike or just fishin for compliments?”
Gumi gave an unapologetic grin. “Both.”
Kazuko didn’t look up, if she did, she was pretty sure she’d combust on the spot. “Well…I don’t half ass anything.” She muttered, trying to sound casual as she took the measurement. “Whether it's work or…anything else.”
“Good to know.” Gumi’s voice took an amused tone. Interest. Kazuko swallowed hard and scribbled her measurements onto a notepad, refusing to let her hands shake. This woman was going to kill her.
Kazuko took a steadying breath, more for herself than anything. Without a word, she walked toward the parts storage room. Gumi stayed where she was, gaze fixed, watching her walk away was almost as nice as watching her work.
In the room, Kazuko pulled open one of the labeled drawers and grabbed out a fresh set of plates, inspecting them quickly for defects. Kazuko took her sweet time, not because the job was hard, but because she needed a second to breathe. She double checked the size, then triple checked it, even though she already knew they were right.
She returned to Gumi and the bike, new plates in hand. "Parts look good." Kazuko said, kneeling beside the bike and pulling her tools closer. "Shouldn’t take too long."
Gumi didn’t say anything right away, just watched her work. Her gaze wasn’t invasive, but Kazuko felt it all the same, lingering on her arms, her shoulders, her hands as they moved with practiced precision.
Kazuko inspected the basket once more, then started fitting the new plates in, one by one, lining them with care and tightening the tension springs, her fingers smudged in oil and grease. For a while, the garage filled only with the soft sounds of metal on metal, tools shifting, and bolts turning. Despite the distraction, this was where Kazuko thrived.
Once the new plates were in place, she fitted the cover back on, and stood, wiping her hands with a rag. She turned to Gumi. “She’s good to go." She said, feeling more solid now that the job was done. “Wanna take her for a spin and see how she feels?”
Gumi pushed off the post and stepped closer to the bike. Kazuko watched as she crouched beside it. Gumi’s fingers brushed the edge of the clutch cover, trailing over the bolts Kazuko had just tightened. She nodded slightly, before giving a low, approving hum.
"You work clean." She said, rising to her feet again. "Not a smear of oil where it doesn’t belong. No stripped bolts. No loose screws." She met Kazuko’s gaze. "I’ve known my bike a long time. I can tell when she’s been handled right."
Kazuko crossed her arms, her pride fighting off the blush creeping up her neck. "I know, I know. I'm good."
"So," Gumi said, cocking her head. "what’s the charge?"
Kazuko smiled, shaking her head. “No charge.” She said. “First time customers get a freebie. Shop policy.”
Gumi raised a brow. “That so?”
“Mhm.”
Gumi let out a warm laugh. "Well, if that's the case. Allow me to return the favor another way, hm?"
Gumi stepped in close, too close. The air shifted. For a moment, Kazuko thought she was about to be kissed right there, her breath catching in her throat.
Instead, Gumi reached forward with a gloved hand, her fingers brushing deliberately against Kazuko’s thigh, right over the small pen clipped to her jumpsuit pocket. She plucked it free without breaking eye contact.
Kazuko blinked, frozen in place as Gumi gently took her forearm and turned it over. She uncapped the pen and wrote directly on her skin in neat numbers. Her phone number. When she was finished, Gumi slid in the pen right back into Kazuko’s pocket.
“Drinks. Lunch. Your pick. I’ll bring the ride." She said, stepping back and grabbing her helmet off her seat. “I ride smooth, remember?”
Kazuko could only nod, pink blooming over her cheeks. She watched as Gumi collected her locs, holding them up as she slipped her helmet back on. She turned back toward Kazuko, voice muffled now.
"Don’t wait too long to call. I’d like to see you again soon.”
With that, Gumi swung a leg over her bike, kicked up the stand, and turned on her bike. The engine purred, then growled as she sped off, kicking up dust in her wake.
Kazuko stood still, staring after her until the sound faded into the hum of the street. She looked down at her arm, at the numbers inked into her skin, then back at the road.
Only one thought made it past her lips, quiet, to herself.
“Holy shit.”