Racing For Love

Chase walks into the office, stopping in the doorway initially as he looks at the man sitting at the desk with a smile. He was certainly lucky to spend his time with this man as there were so many reasons to admire him. It was actually pretty amazing how far they'd come together, and what they'd been through to get to this point.

He makes his way into the office behind the desk, wrapping his arms around the shoulders of the man sitting at the desk. He lowers his head down to his shoulder, resting it there, before placing a light kiss on his cheek. He could tell it was felt by the smile that appeared on the face immediately. He never wanted to lose having that effect on him so easily.

"I never see you sitting here in the office," Chase comments with every drop of honesty. Normally when he made his way down to ABR, he would find Alex working on one of the racecars - sprint car during the summer, a bit of both in the fall, and the midget in the winter. If he was not there, then the focus would be on the drift car - strapping on a new set of tires, making a change. No matter what it was, there was always something in his hands. "What are you doing?" Alex moves slightly, allowing Chase to see the paperwork that laid on the table underneath his hands. 

"Is that a good enough reas-" Alex starts, as Chase just smiles in reading it over.

"Why am I not surprised? Actually, I thought you would've had it entered sooner. Normally you're the first person to send in your form." Alex chuckles as that was the case in past years. However, he had been a bit busy with other things - end of race season, sponsorship commitments, and oh yeah, actually getting the cars ready as he had to have a set of four this year. "I know how much work you put into this and I hope this is your year. You deserve to have your winning moment there. CJ and Jake are talented enough to make it happen for you." 

"Oh, so you're throwing Kevin and Briggs under the bu-"

"I didn't mean it like that as I'm sure they can get the job done, too. CJ and Jake just have more experience, have come closer, and well, I like CJ." Alex could only nod in response, as he heard about the conversations the pair had traded in relation to him. Although some of the events in the past year had been very unfortunate - and certainly unwarranted, it had been welcoming to see Chase become closer friends with CJ through it. 

"CJ likes you, too. He likes how you take care of me, treat me, and am there for me - all the reasons I love you." Alex then turns around, trading a kiss with Chase as they smile. He then turns back to the desk, continuing to fill out the Chili Bowl entry form that laid there. He almost wished he could just fill out one, and then photo copy for the others with just a few details changed. The process just seemed too lengthy as he'd rather be doing other stuff right now. "Briggs is looking forward to working with us this year, by the way. I almost have all four cars initially assembly done. It'll be take back apart, go over the parts, put back together. Then finalise the scheme and get them wrapped. Then throw in a quick test. In other words, you know where you'll be find me for the next mon-"

"And I'm okay with that, because I know how much this event means to you. I am ready to be here day and night by your side, supporting you, helping you. Hey, I can actually do some of the work with what CJ showed me last year." Alex nods his head, part of him proud of how Chase and CJ bonded together to help with that time. 

The other part, though, couldn't help but sigh in a reminder of what happened. He had been able to let it go for the most part and not think about those minutes here. He had been able to come in the front door, work on everything, and not have reminders. But yet the simple conversation and time of year couldn't help but bring a couple flashbacks to what happened.

"I look forward to having your help," Alex comments, hopeful the conversation would block out the flashbacks. "I always enjoy your company. We both know I feel better when you're around." Alex then pushes the papers away, knowing there was no way he would finish filling those out if the flashbacks took over. It was why he had to do what he needed to chase it away, spinning around to face the man behind him. "Your birthday is coming up. I need to make sure you're spoiled and taken care of." 

"The best birthday present I can get is sitting right here before me," Chase replies, as he takes his hands, holding them close to him. "No gift or present could compare to you. I just want you, Alex." 

"Is that so?" Alex questions as he pulls Chase down so Chase is sitting in his lap in the chair. "I guess I could spend the whole day spoiling you then." Chase wasn't about to deny the offer as the smile quickly crossed his face, but had a chuckle at a thought about it.

"I'm sure my mother and father would be so proud to watch that. I mean, it'd make for a great conversation at Thanksgiving dinner." Alex chuckles, but also knew it may not be as bad as Chase was making it seem. After all, Bill and Cindy had been okay with the relationship from the beginning. Cindy actually being encouraging of it surprisingly.

"You can just tell them that you got a feast of your own....."