The garage was Sekh's sanctuary, a space that felt more like home than anywhere else. A glossy black race car sat in the center, its sleek lines a testament to countless hours of work and an unrelenting pursuit of perfection. Tools were scattered across the benches, and the air was thick with the smell of grease and rubber.
Sekh stood by the open hood, her hands smeared with oil. Her loose-fitting work shirt and men's trousers made her look more like a mechanic than the fierce racer she was. Her fur-lined jacket hung from a hook on the wall, and her golden-yellow helmet rested on a nearby shelf, gleaming under the harsh fluorescent light.
When the door creaked open, she didn't look up. "If you're here to borrow tools, grab what you need and get out."
"I'm not here for tools," came Sun's voice, steady but tinged with hesitation.
Sekh froze for a moment before slowly turning to face him. He stood in the doorway, his black jacket zipped up to his collarbone. His expression was serious, more so than she'd ever seen before. "What do you want, Sun?" she asked, leaning against the car. He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. "I need your help." Her brow furrowed as she crossed her arms. "With what? And don't say it's another one of your 'ideas.' Last time, you almost set the pit on fire."
"This isn't about a stunt or an idea," he said, his voice firm. "I want you to train me." Sekh blinked, caught off guard. "Train you? For what? You already had my father start to teach you the ropes. What could I possibly add to that?"
"I need to race," Sun said, stepping closer. "Not just to compete—to win. Anonymously. I want to get into the circuits, get close to the people who know what happened to P'Oh."
"Alright," Sekh said, her voice sharp and commanding. " Now tell me why I shouldn't regret it." Sun stopped pacing and turned to face her. "Because I have no choice," he said. "Oh's in that hospital bed because someone sabotaged him, and no one else seems to care enough to find out who. You're the only one who can help me survive long enough to get answers."
A single overhead light glowed over the room, illuminating the sleek vehicles that lined the walls and the tools scattered across her workbench. Sun still stood a few feet away, his expression resolute. The car racer had heard his plea, and now her dark eyes searched him, dissecting his words and determination.
"You think racing's going to give you the answers you want?" she said, her voice sharp and steady. "That you'll just ride into the circuit, poke around, and magically figure it all out?"
"I don't think it'll be easy," Sun replied, his voice unwavering. "But I know I can do it if I have the right skills—and if I have you in my corner." Sekh laughed sharply, stepping away from the workbench and wiping her hands on a rag. "Racing isn't just about speed, Sun. It's about control, endurance, reading the track, and reading your opponents. You screw up, and it's not just your race that's over—it's your life."
"I know the risks," he said, stepping closer. "But if I don't do this, P'Oh might never get justice. And if I'm going to do it, I want to do it right." Sekh shook her head, throwing the rag onto the workbench. "You don't get it. This isn't just about risks on the track. The world you're trying to step into? It's ruthless. People don't just play dirty—they destroy you if you get in their way. You're not ready for that."
"Then make me ready," Sun said, his voice rising. "Teach me how to survive, how to fight back. You're one of the best racers I know. You've been through it all, and you came out on top. I need you, P'Sekh." Her lips tightened into a line as she leaned back against the workbench, her arms crossed. "Do you even know what you're asking me? To train you, to vouch for you in the dark part of a world I've been trying to distance myself from? And for what? A hunch? A feeling?"
"It's not a hunch," Sun said, his jaw clenched. "Someone sabotaged Oh's bike. I know it. And no one else is doing anything about it."
"Ra is," she shot back. "Aset is. They're doing everything they can."
"It's not enough!" Sun's voice cracked, and for a moment, the pain beneath his determination surfaced. "I can't just sit around and wait for answers, Sekh. I owe Oh more than that." Sekh's gaze softened, but only slightly. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Sun, you're like a little brother to me. I've already lost too many people to this world. I don't want to lose you, too."
"You won't," he said, stepping closer. "Not if you train me. Not if you help me be smart about this. Please. I need you." She stared at him, her dark eyes narrowing as she weighed his words. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken fears and unyielding resolve. Finally, she exhaled. "As much as I want to tell you to back off and leave this to my father and the cops, I know you won't. So fine, I'll train you. But I'm not going easy on you." She pushed off from the workbench. "If I do this, you have to listen to everything I say," she said, her voice low and firm. "No cutting corners, no arguing. If I tell you to stop, you stop. Understood?" Sun nodded quickly, hope flickering in his eyes. "Understood."
"And you'd better be ready for hell," Sekh added, her tone sharp. "Because I'm not going easy on you. If you think for one second that you can half-ass this, I'll walk away, and you'll be alone."
"I won't let you down," he said.
She held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded toward the motorcycle parked in the corner. "First lesson starts now. Get that bike stripped down and back together before sunrise. If you don't know your machine inside and out, you won't last a second on the track."
Sun blinked. "Wait, tonight?"
"Did I stutter?" she said, arching an eyebrow. "You wanted this. Now prove you're serious."
He sighed but moved toward the bike, rolling up his sleeves. "Fine. Let's do this." Sekh looked at the ambitious young racer. "Sun," she added, her voice softening. "This isn't just about skills. If you're serious about going undercover, you must learn to hide in plain sight. That means controlling not just your bike, but yourself. Your emotions, your reactions. Everything." He nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. "Whatever it takes."
"Ok," she said, grabbing a plain white helmet and tossing it to him. "Oi, P'Sekh! You couldn't give me a cooler one?" Sekh sighed. " Do you want me to go back on my agreement?" Sun shook his head quickly. "No, no! You know what? This one is just fine!" Sekh walked towards the track and the bikes in the pit lane.
"Good! Because the first lesson starts now."As he knelt beside the motorcycle, Sekh grabbed her jacket from the hook and slung it over her shoulder, watching him with a faint smirk.
"One more thing."
"Yeah?"
"If you crash and burn, I'll kill you myself," she said, her voice laced with affection and warning. He grinned, glancing up at her. "Wouldn't expect anything less." She shook her head, the faintest smile tugging at her lips as she walked to the back door to leave. "Alright, little brother. Let's see if you've got what it takes."
"Got it."
—On the other side of town—
The sterile hum of the police station filled the air, punctuated by the murmur of voices and the occasional shuffle of paperwork. Ra sat at the head of the long conference table, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on Officer Nathamon, who was flipping through a stack of papers. His loyal assistant, Toh sat to his right, his tablet open and his fingers poised over the screen, ready to log every detail.
Nathamon, a no-nonsense investigator with sharp eyes and a no-frills attitude, laid a photo on the table and slid it toward Ra. "This is Asyut Raksakul also known as the "White Wolf". He's been in the game a long time, and not all of it above board." Ra picked up the photo, his jaw tightening as he studied the smirking face staring back at him. "What do we know?"
"Enough to know he's slippery," Nathamon said. "He's been tied to two previous 'accidents' that worked in favor of certain racers, but nothing ever stuck. Complaints disappear, witnesses recant, and investigations stall."
"Sounds like he's got help," Toh said, his tone neutral but his gaze focused.
"Exactly," the officer replied. "Someone higher up is pulling the strings, and Asyut is just the middleman. The problem is, we don't know who's above him yet. But if I had to guess, it's a sponsor or a team owner with deep pockets and no morals that want control over all the circuits."
Before Ra could respond, the door opened, and Ma walked in with commanding grace. Her tailored coat swept behind her as she moved, and her sharp features radiated an air of authority. Behind her, Keh followed silently, their imposing figure a constant reminder that Ma wasn't just any judge—she was someone who knew how to play the game and win.
"Khun Ma," Ra said, stood, took her hand and pressed his forehead to the back of it respectfully. Toh bowed at her and Keh.
"K'Ra," Ma replied, her tone smooth. She glanced at Nathamon, then Toh, and finally back to Ra. "I take it this is about Oh." Ra gestured to the chair across from him, and Ma sat gracefully. Keh stood behind her, their sharp gaze scanning the room.
"Someone sabotaged his bike," Ra said bluntly. "K'Nathamon's been digging into Asyut Raksakul, but he's just the start. We need to find out who's really behind this." Ma leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "And what do you expect to happen when you find them? Do you have a plan, or are you hoping sheer force of will gets you through this?"
"Plans come after we know who we're dealing with," Ra replied.
"Hmm," Ma hummed, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You're walking a fine line, Ra. Asyut and whoever he's working with won't hesitate to protect themselves, and they've got resources most people can't even fathom. Are you sure you want to pick this fight?"
"I don't care about their resources," Ra said, his voice low and steady. "Oh's in that hospital bed because someone wanted him out of the picture. I'm not stopping until I know who—and why." Nathamon cleared her throat. "With Ma's connections and Keh's... expertise, we might be able to push some buttons and force Asyut to show his hand. But it's risky."
"It always is," Ra said, standing. "If Asyut is hiding something, we'll make him slip. And when he does, we'll be ready."
—A week later—
Sekh stood at the edge of a private track, watching as Sun zipped past her on the bike. His form was solid, his movements controlled, but she could see the flaws—the hesitations in his turns, the moments when speed overtook strategy.
"Lean into the corner, not against it!" she barked into the comms. "You're fighting the bike instead of flowing with it!" Sun adjusted, his movements becoming smoother, but it wasn't enough for her. "Again!" she shouted.
Hours passed, the sun dipping low in the sky as Sekh pushed him through lap after lap. When he finally pulled into the pit, his arms and legs were trembling with exhaustion. "You're killing me, Sekh," he said, pulling off his helmet and wiping the sweat from his brow. "Good," she said, tossing him a water bottle. "Because the track doesn't care how tired you are. It'll chew you up and spit you out if you let it."
Sun took a long drink, then leaned against the bike, catching his breath. "You're brutal, you know that?" She smirked, leaning against the pit wall. "You haven't seen brutal yet. Tomorrow, we'll work on your reaction time. After that, we'll get into strategy—how to read your opponents, how to anticipate their moves."
"And then I'm ready?" he asked, his tone hopeful. Sekh's expression grew serious. "Ready for what? To race? Maybe. To survive in the circuits you're aiming for? Not even close. Those people play dirty, Sun. And they don't just want to beat you—they want to own you. If you're not ready for that, you'll end up like Oh, or worse."
"I'll be ready," he said, his voice firm. "I have to be." She studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. But remember, this isn't just about speed. It's about endurance. You've got the fire, kid. Now, let's make sure it doesn't burn you alive."
–☀︎–
Sun glanced at the custom car parked in the corner as they packed up for the night. "You ever think about racing bikes instead of cars?" he asked.
Sekh snorted, tossing her jacket over her shoulder. "Cars are my world, Sun. They're faster, meaner, and they don't tip over when you lean too far. But bikes? They're personal. Raw. If you screw up, there's no cage to save you."
"Sounds like you're scared of them," he teased. "Scared? No," she said, smirking. "But I'm smart enough to respect them. And if you're going to race them, you'd better do the same." Sun laughed, climbing onto his bike. "Thanks, Phi. For everything."
She waved him off, watching as he roared out of the garage and into the night. Her smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of worry. "Don't get yourself killed, little bro," she muttered under her breath, heading back to the car to prepare for another day of training.
—Another week later—
The private track buzzed with activity. Sekh stood by the pit, stopwatch in hand, her piercing gaze following Sun as he whipped around the bends. His bike growled as he leaned low into a turn, the tires skimming the edge of the asphalt. "Keep your center steady!" Sekh barked into the comms. "You're drifting too far out—control the line!"
Sun adjusted, his movements growing tighter and more deliberate. On the straightaway, he opened the throttle, the bike surging forward with a roar. Sekh watched, her lips pressed into a thin line. He was improving—slowly—but she wasn't going to give him an inch until he was ready.
When Sun finally pulled into the pit, he killed the engine and tugged off his helmet, his face slick with sweat. "Better?" he asked, panting slightly. "Marginally," Sekh replied, not looking up from her stopwatch. "You're still relying too much on instinct. Strategy beats speed. Remember that."
"Yeah, yeah," Sun muttered, grabbing a bottle of water. "Strategy this, control that. Have you ever thought about saying something encouraging?" Sekh raised an eyebrow and playfully swatted Sun's head. "You want encouragement? Don't crash." the younger racer rubbed the spot on his head, but before Sun could retort, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"She's always been a charmer." Tah strolled toward them with smudges on her cheek, her grease-streaked overalls tied around her waist, leaving her in a fitted tank top and her blue hair in two French braids. "And it looks like the fledgling is still learning to fly."
She carried a toolbox in one hand and a mischievous grin on her face. "Tah," Sekh said, her tone softening ever so slightly. "What are you doing here, Phi?" Sun looked toward the mechanic
"Brought you the parts you asked for," Tah said, looking at the taller woman and setting the toolbox on a nearby bench. "And I wanted to see if you were running this poor kid into the ground yet." Sun, leaning against his bike, smirked. "She's trying her best. But I've got more stamina than she gives me credit for."
Sekh rolled her eyes but didn't reply, too busy rummaging through the toolbox. As she examined a part, Tah stepped closer and, without warning, pressed a quick kiss to Sekh's cheek. Sekh froze for a moment, her ears turning red, but she recovered quickly, focusing intently on the part in her hand as if nothing had happened. Sun's grin widened. "Well, well," he drawled, folding his arms. "Am I interrupting something here? You two got a little secret romance going on?" Sekh shot him a warning glare. "Sun, don't."
"Oh, come on!" Sun said, his laughter bubbling up. "This is gold. The Lioness and the Mechanic? Does Ra know about this? Wait, let me guess—definitely not." Tah chuckled, leaning casually against the bench. "Oh, K'Ra would lose his mind. His precious heiress daughter sneaking around with a 'lowly mechanic'? Especially his own employee? Imagine the horror."
"Tah," Sekh warned, but her voice had no real heat. "Relax," Tah said, smirking. "Your secret's safe with me, of course. And probably with this one, too." She jerked a thumb toward Sun. Sun held up his hands. "Hey, I can keep a secret. Besides, this is way more entertaining than watching her yell at me all day."
Sekh groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Both of you are impossible." Tah leaned closer, her tone playful. "You love us for it." Sekh didn't respond, but the faintest smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Sun caught it and grinned. "Oh, she's smiling. That's rare. We should mark this day on the calendar!" Sun chuckled, shaking his head. "You know, Phi, I didn't think you had a weakness. Turns out, it's a mechanic in grease-stained overalls." Sekh sighed, turning back to Sun. "You've got one more hour of laps before we call it a day. Go."
Sun chuckled, sliding his helmet back on. "Anything to get out of here before the lovebirds start making out." Sekh pointed toward the track. "Now, Sun."
He laughed as he revved the engine and shot back onto the track, leaving the two women behind. Tah watched him go, then turned to Sekh, her smile softening. "He's getting better."
"He's stubborn," Sekh replied, her eyes following Sun as he rounded the first turn. "But he's got potential. If he doesn't get himself killed first." Tah reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Sekh's face. "He's got you watching his back. And if K'Ra finds out about us, well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Sekh sighed, but there was a warmth in her gaze as she looked at Tah. "Father's going to have a heart attack."
"Probably," Tah said with a grin. "But it'll be worth it." She lifted onto her tip-toes and kissed the taller woman before looking back at the track. Sekh wrapped her arms around her mechanic's waist, and a faint smile crossed the lion-like woman's lips before turning her attention to the track. The two of them stood in comfortable silence, watching Sun sped around, his determination evident in every move. She couldn't afford to show it too often, but Sekh's heart was as fierce as her racing—steady, determined, and unshakable.