Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Gov sighed heavily as he stood in the pit wall٫ watching his two drivers٫ Florida and Louisiana٫ joke around before the race. It was the first race of the season and he swears they're already planning on fucking with him.

"Hey Gov!" Shouted Georgia٫ one of the engineers٫ "Where do you want us to put the wet weather tires?". He was standing next to North Carolina٫ one of Louisiana's tire changers. They're standing near the tires and Georgia looks a bit annoyed. Probably asking the question to end an argument.

"Where the tires always go٫ the tire rack in the garage!" Gov shouts back. Watching as Georgia gives North Carolina a pointed stare as he begins to move the tires. North Carolina just rolls his eyes and helps Georgia move the tires٫ not happy at having lost the argument.

Gov just sighs softly as he turns around to look at the team minus the drivers as they finish setting everything up. Something tells him this season is going to be a lot.

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Florida was already filled with adrenaline just from sitting in the car٫ he swears if he looked at his hands right now they would be shaking. He wouldn't have it any other way٫ the rush of the race was like a drug he couldn't do without.

Looking to his side he sees Louisiana٫ his partner both in driving and life. Louisiana looks as calm as ever. The eye of the hurricane that is Florida.

"Hey Louie!" Florida hollered٫ "Dinner on the winner?". Florida always loved making a game out of things٫ it was his second favorite thing next to messing with Gov!

"Sure sha٫ just don't start pouting when you lose." Louisiana answered٫ you could hear the smile in his voice as he says it٫ confident that dinner won't be on him tonight.

Louisiana raised an eyebrow as he heard the rev of an engine pull up on his other side. He turns to look at Nevada٫ one of the drivers for Haas.

"Are you guys already planning stuff to mess with your coach?" he questions٫ knowing the hell they like putting the man through each season. In their defense it's really funny to see him try to run damage control.

"Of course!" Florida said cheerily. Louisiana shook his head as he laughed slightly. In truth they have yet to plan anything but rest assured after this race the game is on.

"Sha we always got something to piss the man off٫ it's how we show our love." Louisiana said smoothly٫ with Nevada's presence here that means the race is starting soon. His theory is proven correct whenever Nevada's partner٫ Arizona٫ pulls up.

Arizona just waves at Florida and Louisiana٫ not really one for talking on race day. With both Haas and Mclaren lined up all they have to do is play the waiting game for the others.

It's not long until both Texas and California pull up٫ the other drivers catch the tail end of a argument. Probably California bugging Texas about his impulsiveness on the track.

New York and Michigan are the next one's pulling up٫ unlike the other drivers they aren't that close but they'll indulge each other sometimes with conversation. Today however isn't one of those days٫ evident by the silence between the Mercedes drivers.

The rest of the drivers finally pull up to the starting line that all the drivers really start getting antsy٫ first race of the season. All the drivers have yet to see how their opponents have evolved since they last raced.

The clock begins the countdown

10...
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GO!

All twenty of the racers shoot off down the track٫ they all want to be the one on the podium. Only three will make it there today.

At the end of the race standing on the podium is Florida٫ Nevada٫ and Indiana. In the respective order. For some unknown reason the drivers usually forget how good of a driver Indiana is٫ until race day that is.

Florida has that shit eating grin on his face as he beams at Louisiana. Having won their earlier bet. Louisiana just laughs softly and shakes his head while he claps for his partner. Even though he got 5th he'll never not be happy for Florida.

"Good race guys٫ great way to start the season." Gov says as he and the other head coaches walk out of the pit wall to congratulate their drivers and give them feedback. Even though he's only Florida's and Louisianas coach the other drivers wave hi to him. I guess that's what happens when your drivers are known for pranking their head coach at each race.

Florida's turns to look at Gov and he and Louisiana begin to walk over. "I almost forgot how good winning felt over the off season!"
Florida remarks as he stands next to Gov٫ he hasn't seen him as much this season for some reason.

"Sha you ain't forget nothing." Louisiana laughed as he stood on Gov's other side. Gov is wearing more simple clothes then he usually does on race day. Just a brown shirt with the Mclaren logo on it and jeans.

"Did you enjoy your break? I decided to be nice because I'm obviously your favorite driver and not prank you this fine day! Can't promise anything for next race though!" Florida joked٫ grinning at Gov who just rolls his eyes.

"For some reason I don't trust that you haven't done anything today." Gov remarks٫ having played this song and dance before. Never has there been a single race that these two haven't done anything to mess with him.

"Wowwwwwwwwww" Louisiana and Florida say in sync٫ something they do a lot. Just as that finally ends Gov hears a loud sound coming from the garage. He sighs softly as he slowly turns. Finding himself faced with the entire pit crew covered in silver glitter.

"I'm making you clean that up." Gov muttered as he runs his hands over his face٫ hearing Florida snickering behind him.

"But I won you the first race of the season!" Florida tries to defend٫ it falls flat though as he's still giggling at the sight of Georgia and the twin Carolinas just standing there covered in glitter. Alabama and Mississippi somehow free of glitter begin to try to clean up the prank٫ already groaning at all the glitter in the crevices of the tires.

"Couldn't you have done a less messy prank?"

"Nope!"

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Indiana had a winning smile on his face as he left the podium٫ holding his third place trophy. He knew he was a good driver٫ didn't make the win feel any less good.

"Thats my teammate!" Illinois cheered٫ running up to hug the other Alpine driver. "You just become a awesome driver every time you get behind the wheel huh?" Illinois is beaming at Indiana٫ overjoyed with the win even though it was only third.

Indiana just smiled airily at him٫ still high on the rush of the win. "Aren't I awesome every day? Or just behind the wheel?". Indiana begins to walk to their garage with their head coach waiting for them.

Greg is beaming widely at his racers. "You guys just always find a way to make me smile. A third place and a seventh on the first race of the season? Out of twenty drivers٫ you two beat 15 drivers." Greg just guides them into the garage where Kansas and Iowa are waiting for them.

"Do you think your car needs any repairs before the next race?" Iowa questioned٫ walking towards the racers. He claps Indiana on the back٫ his small congratulations.

"Should be good." Indiana replied٫ putting his trophy down on a random shelf. "Are we getting dinner tonight?" He questioned٫ it was a tradition last year whenever a racer got on the podium that Greg took them all out for dinner.

"I don't see why not." Greg answered٫ already beginning to walk out the door. "The Dakotas have a family dinner tonight so they'll be cleaning up." The racers and engineers followed their coach out the door٫ Indiana and Illinois stopping on the way to get out of their racing uniforms.

As Illinois went into his changing room he sighed softly٫ sure 7th was good٫ but it wasn't podium. Illinois began to change٫ happy to get out of the uniform even with how much he loved it. He put on his tank top and jeans٫ throwing on a jacket as he left to meet up with the rest of the team. Minus the Dakotas٫ they will be missed.

Indiana waved Illinois over to the rest of the group٫ all beginning to gather in their respective cars.

"We've decided on Oliver Garden." Indiana informs٫ closing his door and starting his car. Illinois nods and gets inside his own car٫ pulling out of the parking lot to follow the rest of his team to the restaurant.

On the way over Illinois begins to think over what he'll order٫ can never be too prepared٫ after a quick 5 minute drive he decides on the shrimp Alfredo. Easily one of the best options.

Illinois pulls into the parking lot with the team and they begin to make their way into the restaurant. Him and the rest of the team make easy conversation as they get seated and put in their drink order.

"I'll never understand why you believe thats okay." Indiana says as he watches Greg put a pickle in his root beer.

"I think it gives it more flavor٫ don't kick it till you try it." Greg defends٫ taking a long sip of the drink. Just then the waiter comes out with their food.

They quickly devour the food٫ making conversation whenever they aren't chewing. By the end of the night all the bread sticks are gone and half of their plates are left.

"I'm going to love having this a second time." Kansas announced as they leave the restaurant. "I can't wait until next week when it's Illinois turn on the podium." Kansas flashes Illinois a smile at that one before he gets into his car and begins to drive away.

The others also begin to get into their cars٫ slowly filing out of the parking lot one by one. Heading home for the night after an adrenaline filled night.

Chapter Text

New York began walking to his garage with Michigan٫ New York saw CDC giving them both a big thumbs up. The closer they got though the more CDC seemed to notice the unpleasant looks on their faces.

"Why the fuck are you smiling we got twelfth and fourteenth. It ain't exactly the best way to start the season." New York was salty. He didn't feel mad at Michigan٫ he hasn't done anything to earn his hate. He's upset at himself because he knows he could have done better. He always gets snappy whenever he doesn't think he's done good enough.

"Well... G-give yourself some credit!" CDC exclaimed٫ now moving back and forth on his feet. Trying not to seem nervous٫ trying to remain positive for his drivers. "It's only the f-first race! Y-you'll be back to the top f-five in no time!".

At that Michigan and New York share a look٫ Michigan sighing as he walks further into the garage٫ waving to Pennsylvania as he walks past him to change out of his uniform. CDC just shrugs at the look PA gave him٫ not knowing why Michigan is this quiet. He usually at least tries to interact with the engineers.

Speaking of engineers٫ there's a small crash that draws the attention of CDC٫ when he turns he sees New Jersey looking at Maryland as if he's the worst thing in the world as a car part sits broken on the floor.

Maryland at least has the decency to look a bit remorseful as he slowly begins to clean up the mess.

"I'll buy a new one of these." Maryland says timidly٫ beginning to carefully walk away with the broken part. New York just sighed as he walks into the backroom to change٫ just as Michigan walks out in gray sweats and a black shirt. New York just nods at him٫ he received a small smile back.

CDC just stares at the mess that is his team. He has a bad feeling this season isn't going to be the best this year٫ especially since Michigan's a new driver٫ he and New York haven't been able to connect like New York and California were before he left the Kick Sauber team for Red Bull racing with Texas.

He's worried that New York will always give Michigan a semi cold shoulder٫ and worse٫ that California won't try to fix what he accidentally broke.