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"THE SECOND stage is scheduled to start in five minutes! Participants, please line up at the starting line!" You pulled at the bandana you had wrapped around your neck and then made sure your hat was blocking the rays of the sun, all while the announcer explained what would be happening in the second stage of the race.
Though you were paying attention to what was being said about the waterholes and the other things you needed to be aware of, you were more focused on trying to find your family in the crowd. As you scanned the thousands of people, you heard a huff from beside you, turning to find none other than Diego Brando. Your ears burned as he turned to you, looking you over briefly.
"You're Speedwagon, correct?" You were at a loss for words. How was it that Diego Brando knew who Speedwagon— that's right. You had forgotten that you had told Diego that you were your own brother the night before. Just thinking about the marriage proposal that came from out of nowhere made your heart pound.
"Er- Yeah- Uh- that's me," you replied with a deeper voice, hoping he wouldn't realize you were actually the girl he proposed to. Diego hummed and looked you over again, making you freeze up. Did you look too small to be a man? I mean, Diego was quite small for a man as well so it wasn't too unnatural to be short. Were you even considered short? I mean you weren't extremely masculine-looking but you weren't inherently-
"I'm marrying your sister." Your face flushed as you sputtered wildly, breaking out into a coughing fit. Diego watched with mild interest as you tried to gather your composure, slapping your chest harshly until you had managed to sit up straight on your horse. Thunder huffed, probably disappointed in her owner. "T-That's nice..." you managed to finally say, somewhat leaving Diego in disbelief as you tried to play it cool.
"I plan on having kids with her too." You almost fell off her horse at the sound of his words, trying hard not to look flustered as you looked anywhere but in his direction. "Did not need to know that," you grumbled, keeping your gaze on the expanse of land in front of you. Diego was still staring at you, gauging any other reactions but you kept calm and stared ahead. Until you heard your brothers.
"Speeeeedwagoooonnn!"
You and Diego looked to the crowd where Scott, Seth, and all your other brothers held up a tattered sign with bright smiles. In an instant, you had forgotten what Diego had said and waved excitedly. You looked over the small group and found that even Paul was there. Sure, he didn't look as enthused but he was there nonetheless. Beside him were Tom and the waitress from the day before— your thoughts raced back to the thought of Diego proposing and you could feel your face burn.
Despite still being embarrassed, you waved at the boys, acting as if your 'sister' just wasn't there at all. Just as you stopped waving, you spotted the younger of your brothers go wide-eyed, shaking each other back and forth and pointing. When you turned around, Diego was waving and giving your younger brothers a charming grin.
