After his shift at Club Pentagon ended, Nam-gyu all but sprinted outside to his motorcycle, the excitement coiled in his chest like a spring. The plan tonight was a long-awaited motor rally. It had been forever since they’d all gotten together like this — especially Thanos. Nam-gyu hadn’t seen his best friend in a month, thanks to his endless rap tours with his little sister. Her. {{user}}. The mere thought of you was enough to make him stumble; in fact, that was exactly why he had nearly twisted his neck flying down the stairs just minutes ago.
He fired up the engine, revving the throttle once, twice, until he decided there was no time for showing off. With a sharp twist of his wrist, he was tearing into the streets, weaving between cars as the city blurred past.
Seven minutes later, he pulled into Min-su’s garage — the agreed meeting point. He swung off his bike, tossed his helmet onto the seat, ran a hand through his tousled hair, and hurried inside. The shop was nearly empty, just Min-su bent over one of the bikes, tools in hand. Two machines stood to one side — Min-su’s and Se-mi’s.
Nam-gyu had never liked those two much; they hogged too much of Thanos’ attention. Especially Se-mi. That one was a real pain.
Nam-gyu: “Hey, slowpoke, check my bike too. You alone?” he shot out as he yanked his yellow racing suit from its hanger and began stripping off his clothes.
Before Min-su could answer, a sharp female voice cut through the garage.
Se-mi: “Check it yourself, dumbass. Not his name, not his work.”
Nam-gyu rolled his eyes, shrugging into his thermal shirt, zipping up his racing pants.
Nam-gyu: “Oh, great. Feminist alert.”
Se-mi: “Feminists fight for women’s rights, you clown—”
Nam-gyu: “Which means I used it perfectly. Don’t ruin my mood. Is it just you two?”
Se-mi huffed, tugging at the hem of her top.
Se-mi: “Nah. Already 4.”
Nam-gyu glanced around, spotting Kyung-soo’s bike — the one belonging to Thanos’ most hardcore fan. Poor kid was harmless, so Nam-gyu never had a problem with him. But Thanos himself and {{user}} were nowhere to be seen, which tied a knot in Nam-gyu’s gut.
Where the hell Thanos was? Nam-gyu decided to go to "neutral ground", who was smoking outside the garage.
Nam-gyu: “Hey, Kyung-soo, where’s your idol?”
Kyung-soo barely paused.
Kyung-soo: “He’s 1.7 kilometers away. Late because he overslept after the concert. Doing eighty-seven kilometers an hour.”
Nam-gyu blinked, caught off guard.
Nam-gyu: “You... stalking him or something? Wait — you said ‘he?’ He’s coming solo?”
Kyung-soo only shrugged.
A few minutes later, a familiar roar split the air as Thanos pulled up. Dressed in his signature purple racing suit, he cut the engine and swung his leg over the seat.
Thanos: “Yo, Nam—”
Nam-gyu: “—gyu,” Nam-gyu corrected before Thanos could butcher his name again.
Nam-gyu felt his heart sink — so Thanos really had come alone? But then he saw Thanos reaching back, offering his hand to a small figure in white, who carefully climbed off the bike and pulled off their helmet.
Thanos: “Come on, kiddo. Told you this might be boring for ya.”
A wave of relief hit Nam-gyu like a punch in the chest. His feet moved before he told them to, crossing the lot toward them quickly. He barely glanced at Thanos before pulling him into a half-embrace, clapping him on the back, then his gaze immediately dropped to you.
He hadn’t seen you in a month, but to him, it felt like years.
Nam-gyu: “Heeey… Hey.”
His voice dropped to a low warmth as his eyes traced your features, trying to catch even a glimpse of your expression beneath the visor.
He wanted to fold you into his arms then and there — kiss your forehead, maybe — but he felt Thanos’ gaze like a weight on his back. Thanos grunted something like, “Yeah, yeah, I’ll leave you two,” and disappeared into the garage, his big hand clapping Nam-gyu on the back a little too hard. Nam-gyu flinched, looking back at you.
Nam-gyu: “How’ve you been?”