overdrivetattoo | For Nico @ LA Race Night

For Nico @ LA Race Night

Back home in San Francisco, Saturday nights meant race night.

Well, any night was race night if you were wanting it enough.

But the real party, the turnout was Saturday night. Any time after 9 p.m. and it was on.

L.A. was no different.

No, that was a lie. It was a little different in that they weren't at the top of the food chain.

Yet.

They were getting there. They were making a name for themselves outside of Overdrive Tattoo and the guys who were at the top were also decent friends/contacts with Don and Ricky back home. But in this business and in this game, the people you knew was important, but it was more important how you drove your car.

They just did what they always did - show up, race and win more often than not.

Austin and he had made LA their home over the last couple of years and while it was hard to not have their makeshift family around them all the time, it was nice to see how far they could come on their own. Mostly on their own.

There was always new people coming out each weekend. Some wanted to see what the whole (illegal) fuss was about and never came back. A few enjoyed the easy score of some of the girls and even a few guys, enjoyed the party atmosphere but didn't race. There were others who wanted to show off which either went one of two ways - either they were beaten eventually and never returned or, and these were Blake's favorite, they got the bug and started returning as much as they could.

That had been him. That had been a lot of them.

When he comes along a new flashy car in the lineup, Blake whistles low. "Beautiful car," he says, glancing over at the man and can't help but notice how beautiful its owner was as well.

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"Yeah, that would've gone right over their heads," Blake says, chuckling.

He glances over at the man and grins. He had been sure when he offered it that the man would already have someone in mind or some place in mind for his education and didn't think he'd take him up on it. But he's glad that he did. While they don't have the set up that the guys back home do, they'd found a decent place with a garage that they could do most of their own repairs out of. Whatever they couldn't do, they'd made friends to borrow some shop space when they needed it. And in return, Austin and he did tattoos and artwork for them.

"You know, I don't hear that too often. They usually come to LA for Hollywood and to be 'in the scene'," he says. "Yeah, I'm more than happy to teach you. What I may not know, I know people who do. Guess you could say, cars and racing have been in my blood since high school."

He was excited to teach someone. It's been a while since he'd been able to share his knowledge like that with anyone. Les and Abby back home were probably the last. And, Blake could admit to himself, he was attractive and had a sense of humor - it would be too easy to spend time with him.

"I'd say so. Great to meet you, Nico," he smiles. "How about this, you and I race tonight and we can see where your skills are?"

"Worked beautiful when I was involved in fencing. And sword fighting," he admits, sounding more amused than that he's trying to show off about what it is he's done in the past.

He hadn't expected for it to all go this well, this quickly. Finding someone that he finds interesting, and positively handsome, and he can't help but to be more than excited about the possibility of this becoming something that could put Nico on the path he's been hoping for.

Nico did laugh at that. "I'm a bit different then. I decide on things I'm interested in, what I want to learn, and then I go somewhere and I make it happen. I've raced a bit on F1 tracks and a bit some motorsport in England. Street racing appeals though because it's taking all of that and making it something positively beyond all of that. Including..." He gestures at the McLaren. "Building your own car rather than a commercial or prebuilt racer. L.A. seems to be the place to learn all of that."

His smile is positively radiant. "I'd love it. I win, you teach me. You win, you teach me... and it's yours," he says, patting the race car. "Seems only fair."

Fencing and sword fighting? And F1? Who even was this guy?

Blake shakes his head with a laugh. "Is that similar to waving a white flag though," he questions, raising an eyebrow. "I know next to nothing about either except what movies show me."

Would a man like this who has been all over the world it appeared even be interested in someone like him? Did it matter? They literally just met. Honestly, why was he even thinking like that?

"You've had a very exciting life so far it sounds like," he says with a grin. "Street racing takes all of that to the next level with danger and the slightly illegal factor," he smirks then glances at the McLaren. "You chose a great city though. LA and San Francisco both have great racing scenes." But maybe he was still slightly biased about his home.

He blinks when Nico says that but can't help but admire that smile for just a moment. "It's a deal then, though the car is unnecessary."

Would he love to have a McLaren in his collection? Of course!

Blake reaches into his back pocket for his wallet and takes out his business card that also includes his personal cell phone. "I'll give you my business card - it also includes my personal cell on it."

"No one expects you to challenge them to an old fashioned duel. Though it's amusing to see the look on their face when you do," he point out, sounding amused and definitely looking it as the corner of his eyes crinkle thinking about it. "It's a definite challenge. A slap to the face without causing damage."

He gives Blake a long look, speculative. "Do I not look like someone that's interested in slightly less than legal? As for the right city, given you're the one I met, seems to be the best place I could have chosen."

That look turns almost wicked. "If you have the McLaren, then I can always find you. The tracking is still on my phone," he points out in a playful, teasing tone. He smiles, offering his hand for the card. "Let's make it easy."

He pulls out his cellphone, texting the personal number on the card.

"The number of times I've been challenged to a good ol' fashioned duel I can count on... exactly zero fingers," Blake admits with a laugh. This guy, Nico was so different than any other man he'd ever met. Even the guys that come in for tattoos and he had to admit, it was interesting.

And kind of hot.

His mouth curls up. "Maybe but you look like someone who would fit in on a runway too," he says with a little shrug.

When Nico admits that he'd be able to find him if he had the McLaren, he blinks and is unable to help the flush creeping up his neck. "Knew there was a real reason there," he smirks, not even denying that there was some small part of him that liked the idea.

Blake pulls out his cellphone from his back pocket, opens it, and saves the contact. "Now you don't have to track the car if I win," he teases. Did he hate the idea? No.

"Well, I'm not challenging you to one. I rather like you already and skewering you with a foil seems to be a horrible idea in my book," he admits with a playful smile and wink.

Nico's silent for a moment, considering that. He stares at Blake for a moment and then types something new on his phone without a word and then turns the phone around.

"No runway but I did some modeling for Versace one fall collection," he admits.

A brow arches then. "If? So you think I have a chance?"

"Good because with something like that, I would have no chance at winning," he admits with a grin, enjoying this more than he'd anticipated when he came over. Then it sets in that Nico said he rather liked him already, that was good. "I'd also like to not be skewered - that would put this relationship/friendship off to a rocky start."

He blinks when Nico shows him the phone. Damn.

"You are a man of many talents it seems."

And it was hot? Yeah, it was hot.

"There's always a chance but I won't know until I see you behind the wheel and see where your skills are on the streets," he says with a grin. He was always cocky and knew he'd do well but with Nico's history in F1, it did make him cautious. But F1 and street racing were different so really, it could go either way.

"Good thing we're sticking to racing then," he says cheerfully, not in the least worried about how things are going to turn out. Hell he's delighted in how well Blake seems to be taking it all. He's never been one to hide how he lives his life, and he just has no desire to start now. If he's going to make friends here, he wants it to be who he is.

Or the self he's lived as for so long.

"Oh so many talents," he drawls, realizing that he's flirting. Honestly and not just for kicks. Well, hell.

"Then let's do this and see who wins and then maybe see where the rest of the night's going to go. Maybe you'll let me buy you a drink."

"Good thing," he agrees with a chuckle. Although Nico was outside of anything he thought he might be interested in, he couldn't help but find himself... well, interested. Even if it only was a friendship that they ended up with, more friends were good.

He slowly smirks. "Yeah? Good to know," he says and briefly glances the other man over before raising his gaze. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Let's see how the night goes, hm? You ready to do this? I can go get us on the line if so."

"Let's start with the race and see how it goes," he says, grinning, not looking at all bothered about losing the race or where this might go. Just focusing on the other man, curious and wanting to see how things go. Much more beyond the race than during it.

"Get us on the line and let's see how this turns out."

It isn't long to get them on the line. Blake with a reputation, and Nico driving a McLaren. He holds his own, not doing bad with a stock car but he never had a chance. Not against Blake and his car.

He's pulled off to another area, away from the racing after he loses and waits for Blake to pull in near him.

"Well, I'll be interested in seeing what you do with her now that she's yours."

Nico didn't do too badly and he's certain the McLaren helped with that despite it being a stock car. But with his car and his years behind the wheel in street racing, it was no match.

Still, he could have done worse. He's seen much worse.

He loves racing. As much as he loves doing tattoos and getting tattoos. It gets the adrenaline pumping and to race against someone as attractive as Nico... well it's been a while since that's happened. He parks near the other man and gets out.

"Are you serious? What's the insurance on that thing anyway," he asks with a laugh. He may have some money saved and his family back home could probably help... and while he didn't necessarily care about everything being on the up and up, it was still something he should think of. "You just want to be able to track me," he can't help but tease him.

He hadn't been sure about what this city was going to be like but now, with how things are going, he's enjoying it. Even if it means turning over a six figure car. Already he's thinking that, perhaps, it's going to mean learning to do something else entirely and find a better car and a better chance the next time.

"Depends on your record. It was a minor fortune when I signed up in California," he admits with a nod. "And actually, if I wanted to do that, I'd just ask you out for dinner tonight. I mean it's late, but I saw a diner down the road open when we came through. If you're interested."

"How about this," he says after a moment of consideration. "Keep the car and you buy me dinner at this diner. And maybe allow me to drive your fancy car on occasion."

Blake wasn't ashamed of who he was and where he's come from. He's damn proud of how far all of them have come through the years. But, he was well aware of how much he couldn't afford it.

At this time.

"Then we can talk about this new car that we're going to build for you."

He'd text Austin later and let him know to not expect him until later but that wasn't out of the ordinary.

Nico seems to consider that for a moment before giving a nod. "I can work with that, if only because you're being too kind."

How many would have taken the car and run?

He lights up though at that, head canting slightly. "I'd like that a lot. It's one thing driving whatever you can buy but another driving what you put your time and effort into."

And he appreciates that. Maybe more than others might. "Want to drive us then?" He asked, holding up the keys.

Truth was, as much as Blake wanted a new car, especially one as hot and as expensive as the McLaren, he hadn't come out tonight to race and get a new car. At least not tonight. If he was to teach Nico about everything, he wanted to see what he was working with. Dinner with the handsome man was just an added benefit.

And driving said hot and expensive car.

"It's true," he agrees with a grin. "It's nice to see the fruits of your labor in a car."

He pulls out his phone again, shoots off a text to Austin before tucking it back into his pocket. He locks up his car, glad it was in a valid parking spot that wouldn't be towed so that it'll be fine there for a couple of hours until he got back.

"Definitely," he said, taking the keys from him with a smirk before walking to the driver's side.

The car is, in his mind, utterly Blake's but that is something for them to deal with later. Not now but later on he'd find a way to make that true. When the time came.

Now though was time for them together. Time for them to spend some time getting to know one another.

"Lead on then and we'll see how the night goes," he says with a bright smile, moving around to the passenger side of the McLaren. "And if you want to take some time to get there and try her out, lets go for it."

Blake was excited to get to know Nico a bit more. He seemed to have lived a fascinating life so far if what he said was true, of course. He didn't know many people who knew sword fighting or fencing or who had driven in Formula 1.

His mouth curls up at the offer. "So you'd be fine taking the scenic way," he asks, sliding into the driver's seat and adjusting it as needed. He had to get the full experience after all, right?

Damn. Was there ever a time before when he'd been behind the wheel of a car like this?

He turns the car on and listens to it.

Nice gets into the passenger seat, doing his seatbelt up. "I'm new to this city but it's going to be home for a while. Show it off to me?"

Because he wants to see Blake's face as he drives it, but he also just wants to spend the time with him.

Settling in, half turned to face Blake and not caring about the city despite what he'd said. He'll learn it one day but right now he's here for the man beside him.

"How long have you been in town," he asks as he pulls out of the parking spot and heads in a direction that will eventually lead them to an even better diner that he and Austin went to often enough.

It's only been mere seconds and he loves the way the car handles. He speeds up and runs through a yellow light.

He glances over at Nico with a smirk. "So sword fights, fencing, F1, street racing and modeling, is there anything you haven't tried yet?"

"Less than two weeks, honestly. I've visited from time to time, but decided this was it for a while and came in to lease a place. It's my first real night out since then."

He settles in, half turned to watch Blake more than the road.

He takes that question seriously, considering it. "Never been to Antarctica. Swear one day I'll do the Iditarod. And I really want to microlight over Victoria Falls one day." He knows there's more but that's the ones he's thought about."

"Oh wow," Blake says, keeping one eye on the road but glances over at Nico. "Then I was lucky enough to be here tonight and run into you."

There were the occasional times that he and Austin chose to keep the shop open late on race nights but usually, they could be found here. Just like they had been back in San Francisco. He found himself really glad that Nico was staying for a while.

"Is it completely ridiculous that I'm not sure what Iditarod is," he asks with a laugh. "But, going to Antarctica and Victoria Falls both sound amazing."

"I think I may well be the lucky one," he points out, sincere in his tones when he says that to Blake. "I'm definitely counting it as something maybe more than luck."

Because how easily could he have missed Blake in a moment that night and not come to this moment between them? And the excitement of what he's going to learn.

"No, no it's not. It's a dog sled race in Alaska. Like the Indy 500 of dog racing." He pauses before adding. "Be careful or we may go to Victoria Falls and try it."

Blake grins. "Yeah, and what would you call it," he asks, looking over at him as he runs through another light, his speeding increasing as he moves in and out of traffic. He didn't drive too crazy, mindful of his passenger and not wanting any danger to come to the man.

He was glad he'd taken a walk down the row of cars and spotted the McLaren. Otherwise, he may not have met Nico.

"Ah, in that case, sounds pretty great. And cold," he grins, finding himself driving toward the area of their shop. He laughs at the comment about Victoria Falls and sends a look in his direction. "Yeah? I'd do it."

Nico laughs as Blake blasts through the light, moving easily through traffic. He was used to driving and there was something fun about riding along with a skilled driver. "How long have you been doing this? Driving like a professional?"

A professional street racer but still.

"Might be why I haven't done it. I love doing wild things, new things, but I also don't love being cold." He falls silent then, considering the other man for a moment before getting out his phone. He starts sending a message to someone. "Do you have a job you would need leave from?"

Hey, he's taking that as a we should do this comment.

He chuckles at the question and takes a sharp but controlled turn. Why not show Nico where he works? "Since I was... fifteen? Sixteen? Somewhere around there. I wasn't very good at it then but you know what they say about practice," he grins, sending him a teasing wink.

"Fuck, I feel the same damn way about the cold." He watches Nico pull out his phone and ask that question then barks out a laugh. "I do, actually," he says and motions to the decked out tattoo shop coming up ahead to the right. "I run this place with my best friend," he says, coming to a stop out front. "Did the murals and everything on it."

Blake pauses then grins. "I'll have to get a passport if we're going to Africa. I've never been out of the country. Except to Mexico."

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