Archive of Our Own

Nearby Tag’s kart, Chief was mindlessly cleaning some of his old tools. The kart was fixed for the most part, the mechanic just needed to do some final touch ups…

Well, that was until he got distracted by how uncomfortably mucky his tools had gotten. Nothing a quick wipe down can’t solve…right? Soon, that ‘wipe down’ became cleaning almost every tool in his bag. He huffed, ashamed that he had even gotten distracted to begin with. At least the kart’s condition wasn’t a matter of hurry and Chief had plenty of time to dawdle away….

He quietly hummed a faint memory of a tune, lowering to a pause as he noticed Tag approach the pits. Observing their distant wander, towards a pile of tires, from the corner of his sight.

They looked tired. No. Stressed… maybe even ‘deep in thought’?

Truthfully, he couldn’t read them at all - especially once they chose to hide their face behind the safety of their palms.

Mindlessly, his hand continued to scrub one of his wrenches. He had found himself now staring towards the kid’s general direction; as if he was trying to clock what was on their mind with some kind of mental telepathy. Obviously, it wouldn’t work. Yet the Chief would have done anything to avoid needing to ask about someone else’s ’problems’ (as much as he was greatly intrigued in whatever was making them sulk around). Soon enough, he built up the courage to put his cleaning supplies aside and stroll over.

“What’s on your mind kid?-“ he asked, confused at the odd tone that left his mouth. It sounded almost… concerned. Quickly, he added, “Not that I really care and all…but I can’t help but notice, you’re looking awfully…well…awful.” 

Tag didn’t shift, his head locked to the refuge of his hands. Chief wouldn’t expect a huge sob story from that kid, of course, they barely ever spoke to begin with; however, he hoped, just hoped, they would say at least something. Even a grunt would ease his impatient anticipation! 

“Didya have a rough day?” He crossed his arms, brainstorming the typical ‘teen’ brooding causes, “Some racer call ya names or somethin’? You know, most mods that do that, typically, are just projectin’ their own insecurity junk onto ya. It ain’t all true.”

Despite giving him the time to ramble, Tag shook their head in denial.

“Lost your kart keys? Can’t find yer MRC license?”

Tag shook again. Chief grumbled. At least they hadn’t lost something important…

“Had a fight with yer ma? Going through an early existential crisis ? Just moody for no valid reason whatsoever?”

Tag shook his head again. Chief was stumped. He would list through plenty more scenarios but, frankly, it would take way more time to get nowhere.

“Well kid, unfortunately, I ain’t no mind reader. If I were, I by sure wouldn’t be talking to you right now.” Chief felt his eye twitch a little as he said that, “So either you need to confess, or I won’t be helpin’… that’s if I plan to help to begin with!”

They sighed, finally unraveling their face and looking up towards him. They looked exhausted, worry clung to their gaze. Chief blinked, his mouth opened to unconsciously quip, quickly interrupted by Tag’s sudden, unexpected voice. 

“You ever had feelings?” They ask, vaguely blunt in tone.

Chief stared for a moment, utterly confused.

What kind of question is that? Of course he has feelings! Just because he’s a stern grump who ‘hates everything fun ever’ doesn’t mean he’s emotionless… was this some kind of jab at his personality?!

His brow furrowed.

“Of course Tag! I ain’t some kind of no feeling-robot, now, am I?” He replied, hinted with defensiveness. “I have feelings!-“

“No.” Tag responded, cutting the other mod’s rant short, “Feelings for someone… like… you know… romantic stuff?”

Chief lurched back, stunned and, quite possibly, uncomfortable… He opened his mouth before looking down at the ground, his teeth gritted, not exactly sure how to respond. Tag was a slightly taken aback by this reaction. Perhaps he worried them with his over exaggerated grimace-

“I ain't the ‘lovey dovey’ type, kid. Never have been. Doesn’t interest me in the slightest.” He admitted, averting his gaze to a nearby shelf, “I’m just content with karts, racing, and maybe the occasional dance. Romance ain’t something I ever cared to know much about.”

Tag nodded, looking to the floor to their side, processing something. Slightly more self conscious, Chief scratched his arm.

Did he really just admit that?

Why would they deserve that information anyway? What if they use it against-

“I get that.” Finally, he responds, “I know everyone is different to that sort of thing.”

Chief felt himself relax a little, letting go of a breath that he hadn’t even processed that he had been holding.

“It’s just, I have and… I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do.”

Finally, Chief had the answer to their moping. Typically, he would brush them off by now, joke about it even…yet, oddly, he still wasn’t satisfied.

Chief tapped his fingers on the side of his arm, “Well… What exactly are you strugglin’ with? I ain’t one to give ‘love advice’ but I can try help ya. I suppose…”

Tag pondered for a second, “I guess it’s more that I’m not sure if it is a crush or not?” Their voice begins to spiral

“What if I’m just interested in them for a brief moment? I wouldn’t want to get their hopes up, only to crush them… What if, I’m suddenly not bothered in romance at all anymore? - I mean I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone over some stupid feelings when I don’t even understand how-they-even-work-in-thefirst-place!” They gradually gush out, slightly jumbled as if only now, at this very moment, these thoughts were put into words (backed up by the fact they took a deep breath afterwards).

It even stunned Chief for the brief moment as they weren’t exactly the type to talk that much (and that quickly!). His brain ticked as he tried to put their explanation into his own understanding.

“Hm… So you ain’t sure if it’s really a crush or just some kind of momentary ‘fixation’?” Chief clocked.
He had similar experiences, well, more for hobbies; like thinking being a roller derby champion was his life goal, putting all of his money and teen life into it, getting pretty good; until it turned out to just a phase; and, whilst he still kept the kit (just in case his mind ever got that spark again), it became another distant memory…similar enough, he assumed.

“Eh well, I say, you shouldn’t always jump into things you don’t yet know you’ll be committed to. Just take it slow, and don’t go immediately into spending all of your life savings- or holding hands, etcetera, whatever other crap lovers do. Take the start slow before you skate into someone at full force, might get a concussion.”

On second thought, maybe roller derby isn’t the right comparison…

“Uh… or just let those feelings fester a bit til you can’t hold it no more. That’s when you know it might be something serious…” hopefully he managed to save that somewhat comprehensible advice…

Unfortunately, Tag’s face instead twisted into confusion…or maybe he was just struggling to process what Chief meant. The older mod sighed.

“Not like, bottle it up fully, like unwanted emotions, but keep ahold of the feeling for the meantime and see how or if it changes, if ya get me? I ain’t too sure if I’m making much sense here. I ain’t the best mod to be askin’.”

“I think… I get where you’re coming from.” Although, their tone said otherwise. Chief huffed, a little impatient with his own explanations.

“What I’m trying to say is, don’t go into these kinda things til’ you know yer ready, kid.” Chief scratched the back of his head, not exactly sure how else to put it.

With that, a switch in Tag brain flicked on, lighting up their face. They nodded in understanding.

“Oh, wait, I get you! Thanks Chief.”

Chief resisted his own urge to smile back, satisfied he’d at least done something useful, but instead he blankly shifted his weight to his other foot, “Yeah yeah, you can count on me, I guess… unless you want flirting lessons.. I for sure will NOT be helping you there, sprinkles.”

The kid chuckled, they leapt up, suddenly wrapping the older mod in a tight hug. Something that must have come unconsciously from solely asking for their mother’s advice. Chief stood aimlessly.  

“Tag. You know I don’t like hugs…” he grumbles a statement even he still was barely sure of. 

Tag apologetically let go, ever so slightly disappointed, which Chief oddly shared. He glanced around for a moment before sighing and opening his arms instead. On second thought… He would let it slide, just this once - which always turned out to be every time, nowadays..

“Fine. Come ‘ere, quick, before I change my mind-”

Tag hugged back, before Chief could even finish. They seemed genuinely grateful for his mismatched advice…He pat their back a few time, gently, letting them drift back in front of him, back to the pile of tires.

Out of curiosity, however…

“Who’s this mod you’re dawdling over anyway?”

Tag recoiled, embarrassed . “Just some racer…”

“Some racer, Hm? You must think reeeeal highly of ‘em if you don’t even know their name.”

“I ain’t telling who…” Tag gave a slight pout, “You might use it against me… I don’t want to give you something else to tease me over…”

”Wow… can’t believe you think so low of me… as if…” Chief scoffed. Sure, that’s exactly what he would do…but he still wanted to know!

Tag rolled his eyes, he could see right through Chief as well. 

“Well… even if you don’t tell me who it is, I’ll keep my eyes out.” He followed up, a pinch of sternness in his tone, “And just you know, If they ever break yer heart, send em straight to me… I’ll knock some sense into em…”

Tag chuckled at the ‘joke’, oblivious to the fact that Chief was being dead serious.