Heat 2
Greaseball laid in bed, right on the edge of sleep. Dinah was curled up in her arms, her head resting on Greaseball’s chest, her breath tickling Greaseball’s skin. Greaseball envied how easily Dinah could fall asleep. Like she just plops her head down and closes her eyes and bam! She’s dead to the world for the next eight hours. Greaseball always took a little longer, it took her mind awhile to wind down and stop thinking. Some nights she doesn’t even really sleep. Just lays there wide awake with her eyes closed, patiently waiting for an acceptable time to get up.
Rusty’s question really got her thinking, why does she race? What she told Rusty was the truth, it just didn’t feel like the whole truth. Considering where she came from she should hate it. The way the marshals worked her and the others, sometimes to death. The horrible things they’d say to her to push harder. Her brother died racing, she should despise it, but she just can’t. While she does remember those awful things that’s not what sticks in her mind. Sometimes that was goes through her head before a race, but everything changes the moment her wheels hit the pavement.
What she remembers is racing with Flamestack. The jokes they told each other, the tricks they pulled off, the semi-friendly rivalries they had with trains from other stations. She remembered the joy they’d feel as the crossed the finish line together. It was their only true taste of freedom back in those days. Now she gets to share that joy with Dinah. Greaseball couldn’t help but smirk. Despite everything they did to her, they’d never take that joy from her. She races because she loves it, because her brother loved it, because Dinah loves it. These thoughts helped settle Greaseball’s mind as she slowly feel asleep to the melody of Dinah’s breathing.
Dinah was usually up before Greaseball and today was no different. She was cleaning her helmet and getting their gear ready for the race when Greaseball finally crawled out of bed. Dinah always thought she looked so sweet right in the morning. With her drowsy smile and half lidded eyes. She stumbled over to Dinah and basically plopped down in her lap for a good morning kiss. It was soft and sweet, but a little too quick for Dinah’s liking.
”good morning baby.” Greaseball muttered
“Good morning sleepyhead.” Dinah replied with a smile, nuzzling into Greaseball’s neck and gently rubbing their cheeks together. There really was something special about the feeling of Dinah’s skin on Greaseball’s. It was therapeutic and healing almost. For a while they just snuggled each other, enjoying a small second of peace while Greaseball woke up. Though after a little longer Greaseball stood up with a sly grin. Dinah knew what was coming, a sort of pre-race ritual they started. So they pulled each other into the bathroom and pulled out their makeup bags. They always do each other’s makeup before a race. NOT for good luck, Greaseball doesn’t believe in luck. Just because it’s nice.
”So what are you putting on my face this time?” Greaseball asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
”Well…” Dinah smiled as she set up her brushes, “I thought I’d shake things up a little, you aren’t allowed to peek until I’m done!” She answered sternly, Greaseball laughed.
”Oh yeah? And how exactly would you stop me doll?” She smirked as she pulled her in close and started kissing her. Greaseball could taste coffee on Dinah’s lips. Her hands wandering all over Dinah’s back, she heard an excited giggle escape from the dining car. When she pulled back her cheeks were burning bright red.
”I could give you something else to look at?” Dinah gave a suggestive wink. Greaseball let out a small groan.
”Man, what are you trying to do to me doll? Get me riled up right before a race. That ain’t fair!” Greaseball gave her a playful slap on the shoulder. Dinah giggled.
”Maaaaaybe, I think it gives you an edge.” The two laughed together and Dinah gave Greaseball a quick peck. “Anyway we really should get ready, we gotta be at the track by 11:30 and you know I hate being late.”
”Yeah okay, let’s do this!!!” Greaseball
By the time they reached the track everyone else was already there. Pearl waved then over excitedly, a surprised look on her face when she saw them. Pearl and Rusty seemed to do a double take when looking at Greaseball’s face. “Greaseball… do you have… pink hearts on your face?” Pearl asked.
”Dunno, Dinah did my makeup and we were running a little late so I didn’t get a chance to look in the mirror.” Then Greaseball glanced over at Dinah “Pink hearts?.” Dinah blushed and nodded, Greaseball wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. Nuzzling her nose “You’re so fucking cute!”
”I just thought painting you with my colours would be a nice change for once. Besides pink and black look really cool together.” Dinah rambled a little, a bashful smile on her face.
”You never cease to surprise me GB!” Rusty joked “I thought you’d never be caught dead wearing pink.”
“Nah man, it’s not my favourite colour but neon pink is badass.” Greaseball responded. “Makes me think of the strongest woman I know.” She smiled glancing at her girlfriend.
”geeze I think Dinah’s finally rubbing off on you.” Rusty laughed “you were never this lovey dovey before”
”Actually she was always like this.” Dinah jumped in. “She just never let you guys see it before.”
”Awww that’s actually so cute” Pearl said loudly drawing attention from the other engines around. Greaseball cringed a little at the attention.
”Yeah, yeah just don’t go around shouting it from the rooftops and junk. I got a reputation to uphold.” Greaseball said running her fingers through her hair. The others laughed at that.
”aaahhh yes my big, strong, diesel engine.” Dinah smiled patting Greaseball’s head.
”CONTROL, CONTROL RACE TIME IN FIVE MINUTES ALL RACERS TO THE STARTING BLOCK!!!” With that Greaseball and Dinah bid their farewells to Rusty and Pearl before heading to the start line.
After all the drama and stress of the past couple days it was nice to have a good clean, fun race. Greaseball and Dinah got in so good natured teasing with Bobo and Ashley. Had a fun little tussle with Blue lighting and Porter during the second lap. They got to point and laugh at Green arrow, who tripped and fell flat on his face during the final stretch. He got right up again and finished in third so he was fine.
Of course Greaseball and Dinah won, there wasn’t any doubt about that. Seeing Hydra gloating to Pearl was a particularly special highlight. Chanting “I knew it, I knew it.” While doing a little victory dance. Complete with a bunch of spins, which would have been cool if… Hydra had finished them facing the right way.
”Greaseball!!!” He shouted seeing the duo “Thanks for winning that race for me!”
“Didn’t do it for you but… sure.” Greaseball shrugged.
”Well thanks to you guess who has two thumbs and is racing with Rusty in the finals?” Hydra paused for a couple seconds, pointing to himself with his thumbs “This guy!!!” He said dancing around like an excited kid. Greaseball peeked over at Pearl, who gave her a nervous shrug. While Greaseball’s got nothing against Hydra, him being in the final race instead of Pearl throws a bit of a wrench into their plan. That’s something they’ll have to talk about.
”Oh wow congratulations Hydra!” Dinah jumped in quickly, though Greaseball could tell she was thinking the exact same thing.