Biker Mice From Mars - Breaking The Habit

The Power Of Love

The day had started fairly normal, well, as normal as life could be when you shared a roof with three furry Martian bikers.
After shutting down yet another one of Limburger's schemes, the guys had picked Kiwi up for a well-deserved trip to the lake to celebrate their victory.

It was far too cold for swimming, of course, but that wasn't the point.
They had planned to light a small fire, roast some hotdogs, and toast a few marshmallows.
A simple, quiet evening.

Or so Kiwi had thought.

The mice were still buzzing with leftover adrenaline from the fight, and as she had learned by now, hyped-up Martians translated directly to painfully loud music.
So loud that she was grateful for the helmet protecting her ears from permanent damage.
Still.
It was intense, to say the least.

"Ha-ha! We nailed the big cheese good today!" Modo bellowed over the roaring speakers.

Throttle nodded, a grin tugging at his lips.
"You said it. Let's celebrate, mouse style!"

"Aaaoooow! Hotdogs!" Vinnie howled.

"...and heavy metal!"

"Root beer!"

"...and ROCK AND ROLL!"

Kiwi rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling.
Their excitement was contagious, heartwarming, even.
For once, even Throttle looked completely at ease, that usual little furrow between his brows nowhere to be seen.

"Oh man," he sighed contentedly.
"It just doesn't get any better than this."

Vinnie, however, had his own definition of contentment, and unfortunately for Kiwi, it was much louder and far more dangerous.
Without warning, he let out a triumphant howl and slammed his hand down on the accelerator.

Kiwi yelped, tightening her grip around his waist as the bike surged forward.
She peeked over his shoulder, instantly regretting it when she saw the car parked dead ahead.
"Vinnie, no, don't you dare..."

Too late.

Using the car as a ramp, Vinnie fired his jets, launching them into the air.
The bike spun through two full somersaults before it began to drop back down.

"AAAOOOWWW!"

"AAAAAAAARE YOU CRAAAZY!?" Kiwi screamed at the same time, her eyes squeezed shut as she clung to him for dear life.

But her grip was slipping, and with a terrified shriek, she flew off the bike.
Luckily, Vinnie's tail whipped around her waist, yanking her firmly back into the seat just before they landed.
The impact rattled her teeth, and her head slammed against his back.
Her fist followed right after.

"VINCENT VAN WHAM, DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH OR SOMETHING!?" she yelled, landing another punch for good measure.
"NEVER DO THAT AGAIN! EVER!"

As had somehow become an infuriating habit, the white-furred Martian wasn't the least bit impressed by her outburst.
Not even close.
Instead, he threw a glance over his shoulder, that stupidly arrogant yet annoyingly charming smile tugging at his mouth.

"Sorry, doll," he snickered, voice drenched in mischief.
"Guess I might've slightly forgotten you were riding with me..."

Goddammit, that smile.

She didn't know how he did it, but that smile...
Ugh.

After punching him one more time, Kiwi adjusted her helmet, her cheeks burning redder than his bike.
"Just warn me next time, will ya?"

Vinnie's grin only grew wider, naughtier, or some such, and he shot her a wink before facing the road again.
"Sure thing, sweetheart."

Yeah, right.