Chapter Text
Another great day serving the best customers in the world. The 28 year old sighed as he kicked the side stand down and killed the engine. Please forgive me for my sarcasm.
It had started as a way to save money for his moving away fund; that’s why he took the job. If you wanted to raise kids, or have a quiet life, or even just ignore the world for a while, rural Aragón was perfect. If you didn’t, and you desperately wanted to find a life that left you excited to get up in the morning, it wasn’t. And Dani had been unexcited to get up in the morning for too long. What happened? At what point did I forget how much money I said I was going to save? At what point did I not pack up my house and go? He walked in the door, pulling his gloves off at the same time, and nodded at his manager. “Morning, Alberto.”
“Morning. You’re on time.”
“I’m always on time.” Don’t start this conversation today. “You’re just not always here to see it.”
“Uff. What got you in a mood today?”
Just pick a reason, one of many. “Nothing, sorry. Not had a great weekend.”
“Crashed again?”
“No. Well, yes – but it wasn’t my fault. Someone took me out at the first corner.”
“Ah. Well…there’s always next weekend…”
But if you say that forever, all you’re doing is waiting. “I guess.”
“Well what might cheer you up is that we’ve finally given that job to someone. He starts today.”
“Oh? So I get my free time back?”
“Hopefully. Have to see how he gets on.”
“What’s his name? Did I meet him when you were interviewing?”
“I don’t think so, and…” The manager checked the paper in front of him to jog his memory. “Marc.”
“Marc…?”
“Marc Marquez. Great name!” The older man smiled and then noticed the look on his employee’s face. “What?”
“If it’s the same Marc Marquez…then yeah, it’s a great name. For a great rider.” The expression on his face said more than the words themselves and when Alberto responded, he made it clear he’d heard the negativity in that.
“You know him from racing..?”
“I do.” Dani nodded before glowering and looking outside as another bike pulled into the station. “Intimately. From Turn 1, on Sunday.” Speak of the devil...
“Oh.” Oh dear. “Well, I’m sure he apologised, right?”
“He did.” The younger man nodded and shrugged. “After he’d won the race. 4 hours after.”
Oh dear. The manager tracked his new employee’s progress across the asphalt towards the door before looking back at Dani, who was doing the same. “Well I’m sure he’ll remember you and-“
“Wouldn’t count on it. The kid’s like a local superstar. All smiles. For the camera. Not so much when you’ve dared to get in his way and threatened to ruin a perfect streak. Bruises included.”
Marc reached the door and pushed it open, smiling at his new workmates and oblivious to the conversation, not feeling any of the Monday morning blues of his new colleague. “Morning!”
“You’re late.” Dani looked at him, overtly much more aggressive than he’d intended, and shrugged. “On your first day.”
Ouch. “Hmm…only a bit, though? Got stuck waiting for my brother to get out the shower.” He flashed him a prize-winning smile and felt it freeze and start to fade as he got nothing back. Huh. That usually works.
“Always an excuse.” The older biker shrugged again and then moved off to start actual work, not bothering to introduce himself. I knew you wouldn’t remember. “Just be on time tomorrow.”
Marc nodded at him, looking to Alberto for an explanation, or another comment about his timing, finding neither and only an apologetic smile in their place. Welcome to your new job. The people are a delight.
“Ok, where do you want me to start?”