How To Fix a Mechanic (BoyxBoy)

9

A/N: Hey guys omg I'm SO SORRY I took my sweet ass time updating this, I've been hella busy and I kinda lost motivation but I'm back! I've finished my other boy x boy story Let's Go so I should have more time to write for this one. ANYWAY LEMME SHUT MY ASS UP CHAPTER NINE *Super Mario voice* HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOO

Manny was sitting in his boss' office, trying to remain stoic. He'd had an idea that weekend while watching a car restoration show and he hadn't been this excited in a long while. Admittedly, he didn't even want to think about the reason why he was so excited, or it would only result in another internal scolding.

The door opening made him jump, Carlos strolled in with a tea towel draped over his head.
"It's hotter than la salsa de mi madre." He complained. "What're you doin' here Manny?" He slumped down in the chair behind his desk.

"I wanted to ask if I can use the shitty white car. Been sat in the yard for a while." He said simply. Carlos sucked his teeth.
"That piece of shit is beyond help Medina. I'm getting it canned next week." He sighed.
"I thought it'd be a good restoration project for the kid, it's not like anyone will care if he fucks it up." Manny countered.

Carlos sat back in his seat, fixing Manny with a calculating look.
"Y'know I thought the kid was a bother to you." Manny shrugged, not wanting to reveal anything.
"I like teachin' I guess." He reasoned.

They sat in silence for a while, and just as Manny was getting uncomfortable under Carlos' scrutiny, the older man rolled his eyes.
"Ah screw it. If you can get him to make the engine run by the end of this week, he can do whatever he wants to it." He relented, then waved Manny off. "Now get to work."

Manny made a conscious effort to keep the smile off his face as he made his way out into the yard. It was pathetic, but he was anxious to tell Joe that he'd scored him his own restoration project. It had taken months before Carlos had given Manny the beaten up low rider which was now his beloved car.

Pushing all thoughts of Joe and the car to the back of his mind, he began finishing the repairs on the windscreen wipers of a sedan.

*

Joe had had a particularly shitty day. He'd been late to school because his parents had forgotten about his deceased bike and from then on, just about everything had gotten on his nerves, but what had really put the icing on the cake, happened during phys ed.

He'd been in the locker rooms with his friends on the soccer team after practise and as was customary, they were messing around and laughing as they changed. They were currently discussing a boxing match they'd watched the night before.
"But you gotta admit, the guy had an awesome physique." Said one guy named Tyler.

"Dude that's so gay." Snorted another named Charlie, who Joe didn't particularly like.
"How is it gay to compliment a guys physique?" Tyler argued, an offended expression on his face that didn't sit well with Joe.
"Well, I was watching the tactics, you were watching his... Physique." Charlie teased, eliciting a laugh from the other boys excluding Joe who was getting angry.

"He said he had an awesome physique, not that he wanted to fuck him." Snapped Joe. The guys all turned to stare at him in surprise, he was normally the peacemaker of the group that everyone liked.
"Wow chill out Joe. Anyone would think you're a fag too." Charlie sniggered, elbowing the guy to his right.

"So if you admire someone's physique, you're gay. If you defend someone for being accused of being gay, you're also gay. Nice logic Charlie." Joe replied, cold sarcasm evident in his tone. The others were watching the less than friendly exchange with intrigue. Charlie narrowed his eyes at him, not liking the way he was now being targeted.

A slow smile spread across his features.
"Aw, Joe's getting mad because we're picking on his boyfriend." The others laughed, but it was more of an uncomfortable sound. Confrontation never went down well where Charlie was involved.

Joe was ready to punch the dick in the face, anger boiling up inside him like an active volcano. But he knew the second he did that, the game was up. He'd probably be kicked off the football team, since no straight guy wants to change with a gay guy. He'd probably get picked on until he went to college.

So he kept his mouth sealed shut, faking a smile.
"Whatever Charlie." He sighed and went back to changing and the conversation switched to the game they were playing next Thursday.

Unfortunately, Joe's mood did not change, which led him to be standing outside the gates of the mechanics, wondering whether he really wanted to go in or go home and punch something... Then maybe cry. He sighed, running a hand over his face as if trying to wipe away the fear, embarrassment and sadness he felt. Did his friends really think like that?

"Joe?" His head snapped up to see Manny, leaning out of the entrance with a concerned expression in his dark eyes. Joe's heart lifted a little.
"Hey, sorry I'm late I was just... Taking a minute." He explained, trying desperately to make the smile on his face seem genuine.

Manny looked as though he was going to say something, then seemed to think better of it.
"I uh, I did something." Manny said lamely. Joe could have laughed.
"That's unusual." He joked, nearly laughing at the irritated look manny shot him.

"No I mean I- you know what, cut the jokes and come with me." He instructed, going back inside the gates. Joe didn't hesitate to follow. Manny was taking long strides to the far corner of the yard where the mechanics rarely ever worked since the music didn't reach out there. He came to a stop next to the white car Joe gad changed the tyre on.

Manny stared at Joe expectantly, as if he expected him to have figured it all out.
"What?" Joe said slowly. Manny pursed his lips then gestured to the car.
"I asked- The boss said if you can get the engine to run by the end of the week, it's yours to restore." Manny explained. Too much of the statement was sticking in Joe's mind.

Firstly, the fact that Manny had asked. Secondly, he had a car to restore. Thirdly, Manny had asked. Joe allowed a full-blown grin to spread across his cheeks, all the bad feelings and worries the day had brought had been thrown out of his mind. He power walked over to Manny and threw his arms around him in an impulsive action.
"Thanks Manny." He said.

The man's body was stiff in his arms, clearly uncomfortable with the close contact, but Joe didn't care. What Manny had done for him, was nicer than anything his other friends had done for him. He pulled back, the embarrassment of his actions catching up on him. He felt his skin flush red.

Manny's eyes were everywhere but Joe, his expression bashful.
"It's nothin'. Thought it'd more fun than watching me do everything." He reasoned, then finally glanced at Joe.
"This is awesome." The blond laughed, a real genuine laugh. And to his surprise, and relief; Manny smiled.