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It was funny how it all started. Whatever was going on between Vert and Shirako.
It’d been a few months since Vert joined Teku. He and Kurt already knew each other from World Race and, sure, they’d formed a solid friendship, and Nolo was closest to Vert in terms of age, but it was Shirako that drew Vert in. Made him nervous, even.
He was a great driver. During Vert’s initiation--a race against the rest of the Teku--they had all been evenly matched. But in the final leg of the race, Vert found himself neck-and-neck with Shirako. And it wasn’t just the thrill of the race that lit a spark in Vert’s chest when the other racer looked over and smiled.
“See you at the finish line,” he’d said in his low, cool voice. Then they both floored it. Vert had never enjoyed a race as much as that one.
So, after a few months of kicking it with the Teku, wrapping the Deora II in their signature logos, and immersing himself in the techno world of his team, Vert found himself sitting next to Shirako on a cliffside, legs dangling off the edge, waves coming in rhythmic and slow below them. The night sky stretched before them, mingling with the sea until the two were indistinguishable. It was quiet here, secluded. The rest of the Teku were busy tonight, and Vert and Shirako had grown bored of cruising up and down city streets for any Metal Maniacs. So, here they sat, leaning on their hands, fingers entwined with the grass.
Presently, Shirako’s headphones sat around his neck, music playing.
“Are you ever not listening to music?” Vert asked, playfully swatting at Shirako’s shoulder--something he found himself doing a lot.
Shirako looked over at him and smiled, like Vert already knew the answer. “My favorite artist put out some new music today.”
“Is it any good?”
“Everything he does is good,” Shirako answered. “He’s a genius. It’s like he’s making music knowing that I’m listening to it. Whenever I’m racing, his music just fits.”
With every new sentence Vert’s smile grew. “I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you say at once.”
Shirako laughed, low and breathy. He reached for his headphones. “Wanna give it a listen?”
“Sure.”
Vert expected Shirako to hand him the headphones, but instead he placed them on Vert himself, his head filling with the beat of the music. The other boy’s fingers grazed Vert’s hair for a second, their faces close before he pulled back. Vert adjusted the headphones. Soon, all outside noises were gone.
Vert nodded his head in time with the beat. While it wasn’t the kind of music he’d seek out himself, he found that everything Shirako listened to struck him deep, made him want to dance. It was impossible not to tap his feet or nod along. He smiled as a funky, seventies-sounding sample came in, and when he looked up, he found Shirako watching him, smiling back.
“This is awesome,” Vert said, although he could hardly hear his own voice.
Vert was just barely aware that Shirako was closer than before. Then their lips connected, and Vert’s heart leapt. He couldn’t believe what was happening.
Shirako pulled away, eyes wide, like he’d just screwed up. And of course he’d think that. Vert’s face was hot and sweaty, and he sat there, frozen.
“I’m sorry--”
“No! I just--” Vert took the headphones off, heart racing, searching for words.
At a loss, he leaned forward and kissed Shirako on the lips. It was just a peck, but Shirako gasped and grabbed Vert’s shoulder. The other boy pushed himself away from the cliffside and stared over it.
What did I just do? Vert’s mind raced, mortified.
“I almost fell,” Shirako said.
“Oh.”
They were silent. Vert looked at his legs, still dangling over the cliff.
“So that wasn’t me,” he said.
Then they met each other’s gaze. Shirako’s look of fear melted as he laughed. Vert laughed, probably harder than he should’ve, as the tension inside him dissolved. His face was still red with embarrassment.
When their laughter died down, Shirako stood and held out his hand. “Come on.”
Vert took his hand and stood. They were close to each other, still smiling. Shirako ran a thumb along the back of Vert’s hand. Then he stopped, looking conflicted.
“I didn’t freak you out there, did I?”
“No. I mean, I was surprised, but…” Vert trailed off. Saying “I liked it” felt clunky and wrong. Same with “That was nice.” He settled on, “I kissed you back, didn’t I?”
Shirako let out a breathy laugh. “You’re cute.”
Vert didn’t think he could blush anymore than he already did. Not until Shirako leaned in closer, eyes on Vert’s mouth, his voice low as he said, “You’re even cuter when you’re wearing my headphones.”
He leaned in again, and this time Vert was ready. He closed his eyes and let Shirako kiss him, soft and careful. Vert kissed him back, and when they separated they both wore giddy smiles.
They didn’t go any further. Shirako tugged Vert in the direction of their cars before they separated. “Got time for a race?”
His heart racing, feeling weightless, Vert followed. “Always,” he said.