This Road

Darling Your Mine

There was nothing bland about Christmas for the crew of the famous race car Lightning McQueen.

For the team, Christmas was decorating the tree, giving gifts to your friends and spending time with those you cared for.

It was also, apparently, one massive, notorious party.

Somehow the Fabulous Doc Hudson had found himself there, wrapped up in it all, with his husband, Sally, Guido, Luigi, Filmore, Sarge and Mater. Flo had stayed at home in order to welcome the visitors that came flocking into Route 66 at this time of year.

The party was less joyous than other celebrations the 'Rookie' had attended, instead it was filled with the apprehension of violent rivalry. All the best races and their crew had assembled in this shining establishment where loud music was blared, lights flared and, of course, all drinks were entirely free.

Sheriff, looked at his husband with an expression of blatant concern as Mr. Fabulous's hands wrapped around another pair of drinks. He handed one over to Sheriff who frowned but took it anyway.

Beside them, Franseco Bernoulli (dressed as a polar bear with the words 'McQueen is slow and on the naughty list' written on his ass), Sally (dressed as a blue elf) and Lightning (dressed as himself because, and I quote, 'he was already red enough') exchanged what could only be mistaken as friendly banter.

"Take it slow, Rookie," Sheriff winced. Doc shock his head.

"I," he said and his hands flaunted out beside him as he talked, "Am a racer. Their will be no going slow,"

Sheriff who hadn't known what racing was until 3 (or was it 5? 6 even) years ago and was still unaccustomed to parties like this said, "Then what happened when we had those two art thieves drive off with paintings," The rookie scoffed and took another two drinks from a waiter passing by.

"I don't know," he said, taking a sip, "What happened?" Sheriff turned to him, one hand held a drink, the other was on his hip.

"You," Sheriff leaned forward so that his breath pressed against Mr. Fabulous's skin, "went slow," The Fabulous Hudson Hornet stared, "It wasn't my fault. The road was bumpy," Sheriff raised his glass to his lips, "Here's to," and he drained it in one gulp, "The self proclaimed Fabulous Hudson Hornet being brought low by the bumpiness of a road,"

The rookie chuckled, "Touché," he said, "Touché,"

With that, Sheriff reached for the Rookie's hand and held it, he announced, "Come on. Let's go see what the rest of the party is like," and led his husband away.

The place was packed with food, but the Rookie wasn't hungry, and lights, which both Sheriff and Doc happened to adore. They walked slowly through everything and as they were passing by a display with a little car rowing over a pretend field, a group of threadbare news reporters approached.

Mr. Fabulous shock his head, he had had enough of paparazzi, after all he wasn't even technically in racing anymore.

"Your the Fabulous Hudson Hornet," a miniature girl with short black hair called, her eyebrows knitted together in a look of abundant spectacle, "The one who crashed. The one who never came back," Anger flared in the Rookie, I did come back,' he thought, 'I did. It was your world that didn't want me,'. He wanted to punch her but luckily Sheriff took his hand.

"Can I get a photo?" The girl asked. The Rookie rolled his eyes, to Hell with it. The girl, and others around her, poised their cameras but just as the shutter began to close the Rookie grabbed Sheriff by the collar.

He pulled his husband gently towards him. The angry policeman's breath was wrought and stank of alcohol. Mr. Fabulous pressed his head against Sheriff's.

And he closed his eyes.

The next morning, the photo and the interview that followed; 'Where do you want to be in the holidays? Wherever my partner is,' was printed out on the front page of the daily newspaper under the red heading 'Bachelor Doc Hudson in town and looking for partner,'.

Sheriff walked in to find Mr. Fabulous sitting there, his eyes wide, staring at the headline. Seeing Sheriff there, he exploded into maddening desperation.

"Bachelor Doc Hudson? Bachelor?" He found the photo and practically shoved it in Sheriff's face. Surrounded by a floral border, Doc held Sheriff lovingly.

"How thick are they? Can they not see the obvious heart eyes I'm making at you? I have never made better heart eyes in my god damn life and this," Sheriff flung himself down onto the couch beside Doc and took hold of his hand.

"Damn. We've finally found someone thicker than you," Sheriff sighed and drew the paper closer towards him, scanning over the article.

"If I brought this to Sally, she'd probably have them in court by tomorrow but they'd so easily be able too justify their actions that it'd be pointless," The Rookie put the paper down, he was being childish he knew that now, but still...

"I just want the world to know that you are the only person I will ever want," Sheriff put his hands on Doc's cheeks and kissed him quickly.

"Darling," he said, "They'll find out soon enough,"