Ascension - Book Eight - Man x Man

Extra - The Mechanic (M)

(One shot suggested by one of you awesome readers! Enjoy, I've been dealing with some mental health issues and I'm hoping to get back on a schedule. Any more one-shot suggestions would be appreciated for when I'm feeling like this! This chapter is a little more.. graphic.. than usual. Enjoy. )

Brushing the sweat from my brow with the back of my sleeve, I press the button to lower the lift and settle the car back into the concrete. My heart flutters at the thought of the tall, dark man coming in just a short time to pick up my good work. "That should do it." Pleased with the finished product, I couldn't say it was the most professional job but it was something I'd been able to do entirely on my own.

Thanks to Marcello's connections, I'd been able to ease my way into an auto body shop in my spare time, and working on cars was something I immensely enjoyed. Here I was not a Royal, I wasn't damaged goods, I was only a young man wanting to learn a trade. Truthfully, the car was most of the reason why I was able to get the job in the first place.

A stick shift was not common and most of the work for auto shops nowadays consisted of government vehicles and rebuilds on war machines that required little finesse or creativity. I'd taken the car in to attempt to upgrade some of the slowly aging parts but most of the pieces hadn't been manufactured in quite some time.

 It took multiple attempts, and an aged master adept in metalworking to create the molds, to rebuild all that would be needed to bring it back to where it had been when it was built some hundred odd years ago. Only this strange, ill-tempered man could find a pristine machine made for speed, only he could have a car that couldn't be repaired.

"Must be nice to have money. He doesn't even seem grateful, he hardly says a word when he comes in here. I know he's Marcello's friend but it doesn't mean we don't deserve a bit of gratitude. This thing has been a huge pain in the ass." Peter grumbles, sighing in appreciation as I start the engine.

 Rumbling to life, I rev the engine with a thrill of excitement coursing through my veins. "It's a gorgeous car." For a gorgeous man.

I'd had the car for some weeks now, attempting to make it perfect before it was returned.

"When did you stop liking money? He pays his bill." I respond, satisfied with the purr of the mechanics working in unison. I think of the tiny smile at the corner of the man's lips, pleased with the improvements. "Besides, it's been nice to learn on. This is going to be a great avenue to some new opportunities."

Peter opens the door to sit beside me. "You know, it's been nice having you here. You're a quick learner, and you're small enough to reach the tight places. Maybe we should visit making this a permanent position."

It had become a passion, and while I didn't particularly like to drive, I loved the process of improving the machine. Working with my hands, doing physical labor, was something I'd found peace in.

"You sound like you want to offer me a job when this internship is over." I snicker, it was nice to speak to another man who didn't find me attractive. So painfully heterosexual, I didn't have to concern myself with Peter in the least. This was a safe place, I didn't have to worry about my appearance or what anyone thought of me."I want to make these. I want to create vehicles just like this one, better even."

I wanted to make everything that might make him give me that boyish grin, light up and drive like a wild man loose for the first time. My heart quickened at the thought of him seeing my work, I quietly imagine his reaction as I fill out the finishing paperwork. 

"Well. Make a business model. Let's hear it."

"Really?" I try not to choke on my shock.

Swallowing, I glance up through the windshield as the owner of the vehicle enters the shop, ignoring the sign that clearly stated no entry.