royal_musings | OPEN POST - lets do this thing

Les grinned. "You know, the guys have said that once or twice to me too. Normally after I get mad that they ran off a guy I may be interested in," she said with a laugh, her tone teasing though. She had gotten upset once or twice in high school but truth was, after growing up in those early years without someone looking out for her... it reminded her that there are those who care about her. It made her smile though that he felt so comfortable enough to joke and tease with her like this. She wasn't sure that was typical.

She leaned into Dom but kept her gaze on the man in front of her. She watched Austin approach out of the corner of her eye as the crowd gathered around them. Les could tell that he was amused and knew exactly what he would be telling Blake later back home. "Uh huh, sure you weren't," she said with a smirk, watching the different emotions flick over his face. Luckily for him she wasn't the one racing him, she was pretty sure she could take him if she were. She really enjoyed beating men like him on the road.

"Good, it looks like we have a great race shaking up, ladies and gentlemen," she said, her tone a little louder for the crowd around them. "I for one am looking forward to it."

"And were they right to do it? Because I truly believe most of the times that I drive away horrible people," he says, believing it. "Though, I can admit to you..." Not to Mia but to her. "That sometimes it's just jealousy. I can't imagine anyone wanting to lose you. No more than I want to lose Mia," he says, which is the God's honest truth and he knows it. For him, and sure for her boys.

He's also not thinking about how good this feels. Someone new that he's content with like this. It's definitely nothing he's known before. Certainly not this quickly and easily.

Dom laughs when she announces the race, cornering him even more, making sure that he can't find a way to back out without losing face more than losing the race would be. "You think we can be up on the line next?"

"Uhmmm. I mean, yeah? Sure?"

Les tilted her head a little as she considered the many guys they had run off. Admittedly, several of them were jerks and ultimately not worth her time but she could see that jealousy part as well with her guys. "Well I will tell you that... for many of them? Yes, they were right to drive away," She admitted with a little smile. "To be completely honest, I probably have also driven away many girls who have come into their lives because of that jealousy thing you just mentioned." Was she necessarily proud of that? Not entirely. Well, okay, not just the jealousy thing. Many of them simply wanted them for their fame or their reputation and she definitely didn't get behind that at all.

This was completely new territory for her - outside of her guys, she hadn't felt this at ease with another for a very long time. Someone who related to her on this level - not this easily at least. It felt... damn, but it felt good.

Les knew she didn't have much sway here but habits were hard to break. She could see Austin laugh out of the corner of her eye and sent him an amused smirk before turning her attention back to Gary. "Hm should we have someone hold onto the pinks in the meantime? If I have them, I might be tempted to take both cars." Les was teasing of course but she as not an unbiased party. "Or should we go on the honor system. You know, honor amongst racers, that sort of thing?"

Dom just about beams when she admits that there had been several of them run off. He truly does believe he's been doing the best for Mia all these years. Maybe he's made some mistakes, but in the end, it's all been about doing what's right for his sister. He's glad someone has done the same for Les.

He pauses at that, smirking. "Oh, I don't doubt Mia's done the same." And he wonders if Mia will manage to run off Les. He hopes not, though he's believed one thing through the years. "Maybe if you're able to run them off, it says something about them and their ability to handle being with you." He does believe if they can't handle Mia, how can they be with him?

Dom looks at Les with admiration and then tries to feign innocence. "What a great idea. I mean, you can definitely have mine. I don't see why not," he says with a grin. "What about you, Gary?"

Because yeah, he suspects the asshole might bolt if given half a chance.

If you were to ask Austin, or any number of the other guys, they always had Les' interests at heart. They didn't want to see her hurt by some guy who thought he was God's gift to woman because he owned a suped up car or a motorcycle. They wanted what was best for her and for Abby. Perhaps they erred on the side of over protective but it truly was because they cared.

Les gave him a bright grin. "I'm sure she has," she agreed with a laugh. She wasn't worried about Mia, to be completely honest. If Mia didn't like her? She'd understand, she herself didn't care for many women who came in and out of the guys' lives. "That's a good point." She paused. "It's not necessarily just jealousy. Many of them also were just there for their reputation and what fame they have in the city. That doesn't roll with me. They're good guys and I'll be damned if I let some skank traipse in their life just for five minutes of notoriety." She felt she could really relate to Mia so far and if that was the case, she was sure that Mia would likely think the same way. Luckily, Les didn't care one iota about whatever fame or reputation Dom had. She enjoyed his company so far and could honestly relate to him. It was... new.

Oh he would definitely run if given the chance but by now, most of the people who'd come to the party were gathering around them. It wasn't often these days that Dom raced but when he did, you could sure as hell bet it would be a turn out. Les watched people whisper and talk to each other, some texting friends who weren't there yet and laughed. "What do you say, Gary? Trust me with the pinks?" There was no way the man could back out of this now. It was, honestly, sometimes better to race and lose than to agree then back out of a race. Especially with someone so influential in the scene as Dom was.

She watched the other man pale and then nod, mumbling something about how screwed he was before walking around the car to the glove compartment. He walked back over and handed her the slip.

Dom can't think of the last time he's thought about Mia not chasing off some girl. If he had to think about it, it would be way back when they first met Letty. She'd not taken any of it, and in the long run she'd become a friend and a confidante, and a team mate. She's definitely a friend of theirs, and she hadn't let Mia chase her off.

He's starting to realize he doesn't want her to run off Les either.

Laughing though, Dom gives her a look. "You sure you aren't Mia," he says with a snort. "I think I've heard her say that in so many words," he admits, loving this casual talk between them while they're cornering this guy over his car. Like they don't care how he sees things or what he wants. He finds it amusing as much as he's enjoying the way the talk is going.

Dom hears that, but does his best to look innocent as he gives her shoulders a squeeze and then walks over to his car to get his. Bringing it back without prompting and handing it to her.

"So, we ready to do this?"

Les laughed at the question and shook her head. "Nah, I'm starting to think that we are very alike though," she said, giving him a grin. Was that a good thing? Did guys really want to like girls who were like their sisters? Was that a thing? That thought made her pause. Yeah, okay, she did want Dom to like her.

She took Gary's pink with a nod. The moment Dom moved away after that squeeze to her shoulders, she missed that comforting weight of his arm, and watched as he walked over to his car. Oh, she would definitely have to take a close look at that car later. She took Dom's pink with a nod then sent them a smirk. "Fantastic, I think we're ready. Let's roll."

She watched Gary stare at the two of them then shake his head. "Any last words before the race," she asked with a bright grin, looking at Dom then at Gary. "If not, then let's do this."

"Not too alike," he assures her quickly with a grin. He needs not to think that. "Some people are just raised in a certain lifestyle and it shows,' he points out, because that's all it is. He definitely isn't thinking about her like Mia, even in that short term. She's fun to talk to, and it's been a while since he's been this comfortable around someone so quickly. Almost frightening, in the best possible way.

Dom sees that look, and he can't help himself. "Hey, if you want, we can just call this off..." And as Gary perks, he continues. "And I'll just keep the car."

Gary groans, turning to head back to his car, grumbling under his breath. Dom winks at Les. "Guess we're racing then."

"That's fair," she said with a grin, glad for that because she really did want Dom to like her and not at all be reminded of his sister. "And it does makes a lot of sense." She really couldn't wait to meet Mia and hoped she'd show up soon. Les was sure she was going to be surprised.

She barely held in her laugh when Dom corners Gary even further and sends him a wink. "Alright, here we go then," she said, raising her voice again. "Good luck," she said to Dom, not that she thought he'd need it. Gary winning this race was fairly slim to none.

Les felt Austin walk back up to her and wrap an arm around her. "You've been here for a few days and already you're making waves. I cannot wait to tell the guys back home," he said with a grin, watching one of the regulars move toward the line to wave them off. They hadn't come to the party and race tonight so she could make said waves or 'get in with the Toretto Family'. They had come because it was in their blood. But, it also demonstrated the kind of woman that Les had grown up to be, who could hold her own with a man like Dom Toretto and the LA race scene, if their conversation was anything to go by. "They'll be so proud."

"Think they'll help me get that mustang I've had my eyes on then?" Les asked with a smirk, it was her version of asking for a pony. She didn't hear his response as they made their way closer so she could get a good view of the race. There was so much chatter going on around them knowing this was definitely going to be worth watching.

Dom is amused with the way the night has one. He knows he wouldn't have pulled it off without Les there by his side and he figures he's going to owe her for being there for him. She's been an interesting turn of events on the night, and he's curious to see where things go. If she stays around.

Getting his car lined up, loving the Dodge he'd brought out for the night and pulling up the line. On the safe side, because while he hopes the idiot doesn't take out the car he wants, he's definitely not having him wipe out into Dom. He'll do whatever he can to avoid that.

The lights go and he's off the line in a blink. He can barely hear the roar of the crowd behind him as he looks in the mirror.

And watches the Impreza buck left, then right, and then it's spinning. He shifts, ignoring it before he slows down, taking the line.

Thankfully the car ends up spinning, and coming to a stop dead in the middle of the road, the tire Dom had noted blown out, and thankfully it's the only obvious damage on the car.

Les watched as the cars took off and the moment the Impreza took off, she got a feeling their instincts had been spot on. She was thankful that Dom had been on the other side of the hazardous driver and made it over the finish line. "Well, at least he didn't hurt anyone when his tire blew," she mused to Austin. It was dark but she could imagine Gary's face was twisted up with frustration.

With everyone's attention on the race between Dom and Gary, no one noticed the car driving up and parking next to Austin. Nor did anyone notice two figures stepping out of the car and making their way over to where the crowd gathered.

"Looks like we missed the show," a female voice said behind them.

"And here I thought we were going to be the show," another male voice said.

Austin turned to face the new comers and grinned. "You know Dom, he likes to make a show all on his own. I wondered when we'd see you, where are the others?"

"They're not gonna make it tonight. Thought they'd stay in. Knowin' Letty, she may come later. Austin, my man, good to see you," Leon said, walking closer and giving him a handshake. "For now, it's me 'n Mia."

Les turned to face the two, studying them for a moment as Austin spoke to them. Yeah, 'no ties or close friends' her ass.

Austin chuckled and nodded. "Hey, Leon and Mia - this is Blake and my pseudo little sister Les. She's hanging out with us for a few weeks from San Francisco. Les, this is Leon - I did a tattoo for him a few weeks back, and Mia."

Dom finished up the track before circling around and parking the Dodge. He hadn't expected anything less than he had done, that he had finished the race maybe with a good time and the pink on the Impreza. A pink he gets to collect from Les, who he's looking forward to seeing.

Coming around the crowd, he sees that Les and Austin have picked up some company. Namely company that he knows well.

He stands there for a minute, letting the crowd part around them and watching them as Mia steps up.

She shakes Leon's hand, giving him a wide smile as she looks to Les. "So glad to meet you. The boys have been talking about you a lot, and all of it good," she teases. "Glad to see these guys have someone keeping them in line as well."

Because she knows she's the one keeping Leon, Dom, and the others in line. Someone has to.

Austin shook Mia's hand and chuckled. "She definitely keeps us in line, even from three hundred miles away," he said giving Les a teasing smile. He was glad the two of them were here - it allowed him a chance to introduce part of his family to them.

Les rolled her eyes with a laugh. "You and Blake definitely need it. I'm just lucky he had the late shift tonight otherwise I'd have to keep both of you in line," her tone was teasing though and she gave Mia a smile. "I'm very glad to meet you as well. From what I can gather, you and I have a lot in common." She reached out a hand to shake Leon's hand then Mia's.

"It's good to meet you, Les," Leon said with a grin, shaking her hand. "Your man Austin and Blake do killer work."

Les laughed and gave Austin a teasing grin as she answered. "They're decent, I guess." Truth was, they did great work - they did both of her tattoos although they were on the smaller side. She looked up and met Dom's eyes. "And there's our winner," she said with a grin.

Mia smirks at him, giving him a look. "Is that what you call how you've been the last few weeks? In line?" She's not outing anything he's done. Hell, she doesn't know what he's done, but she can bet and she is more than willing to taunt him and leave him answering questions to Les. As he should be.

Dom smirks at Les' comment as he comes up, knowing she's been keeping him in line as much as anyone but he's not offering that.

He grins wider. "Hey, was there any doubt? I just hope he didn't mess up Mia's car with that flat."

Mia's head snaps up. "Wait, my what?"

"Oh, I am definitely going to like you," Les said with a wide grin, looking at Mia.

Austin gasped in mock surprise, giving Mia a teasing affronted look. "Hey now, I am always in line," he said before laughing. He wasn't and he absolutely knew that. It wasn't always possible to make it down but Blake and he always tried to call Les and the others on Sunday during family dinners. It felt then they weren't that far apart which was important. They were part of their family and although they lived further away, they would be there ride or die.

"Now that is bullshit," Les said, pointing a finger at Austin with a laugh. "You two are the absolute worst - especially now that you live here." But honestly, she wouldn't have them any other way. She was really glad she had chosen to come up for a few weeks. It gave her a chance to hang out with them and meet the friends they were making.

She looks at Dom with a laugh, handing over both pink slips that she had been holding. "Your winnings," she said. "I didn't doubt it for a minute. He really was a hazard; we're just lucky he didn't damage anyone when it blew."

Leon laughs and claps Dom on the back. "Finally trading in that car she's been milking? 'Bout time man."

It's like watching his own people talking to one another. His family and how they act towards one another. Maybe that's why he likes them around. They understand, they live the same way. It's not something you find in everyone, and especially not in a group of people. He figures they might just keep them around.

And not just because Les is pretty cool and hotter than she has any right to be.

Taking the slips from Les with a laugh, he holds one of them out to Mia. "You'll need some new tires and an alignment from hell, but the car looks awesome. Les approved of it," he says, throwing her under the bus.

"I like my car," Mia argues, nudging Leon in the ribs. "And I didn't even get to pick it out? Which one is it?"

Because she needs to know how bad this is.

Dom points, and she looks at it, still looking grumpy, except... "You are doing whatever I want to that car. Do you understand me?"

"I approved once it has a face lift. The outside leaves a lot to be desired but the frame is solid," Les said, elbowing Dom playfully as he threw her under the bus. She laughed when Mia mentioned Dom doing whatever she wanted to the car. "It could look badass when all said and done. Really. We were doing the car a favor."

Austin was glad with how easily Les was slipping into the vibe here. He knew she was only here for a long visit (at the moment that was), but it made Blake and him happy that she got along as well as she was with Dom's family. It really was like being back home. Teasing and joking with each other in that way only they could. In the time they've been here, they didn't try to be anything more than they were to the Toretto family. Simply because they knew how tight knit they were, and that was purely because their family was just as much. He could only imagine what would happen if the two families ever merged. LA and San Francisco would have one hell of a group on their hands. "You know, I told him that," he said with a smirk. "Gary is a decent kid but definitely didn't prepare for a race with Dom tonight."

Leon wrapped his arm around Mia's shoulders with a laugh. "Girl, you know it's on its last legs," he teased her. "Who is ever prepared for a race against our man?"

"I'm going to try to be but I am definitely not racing for pinks," Les said with a laugh.

Dom looks side eyed at Les, smirking. "I've been told by some people that you might be an expert on making an outside match the engine I put in it. I mean, if that's a true rumor, you could help me turn this into Mia's dream. Then Mia can trust you that I won't ruin it," he says with a grin.

Mia snorts. "No one is prepared," she agrees, but she's looking at Dom and Les, even as she nudges Leon in the side before wrapping an arm casually around his waist. "Les, if you help him on it, and by that I mean supervise him and not let him screw this up, then I guess I'm okay with this," she says, knowing she's playing matchmaker but she can't help herself. "You'll be in town that long?"

Mia arches a brow at that. "Oh? When is this race?"

Austin laughed, seeing exactly what was going on but not saying a word.

Les gave Austin a look at his laugh before turning to Dom. "Oh you have, have you," she asked with a grin. "Luckily, it is a true rumor. Paint and detailing is my specialty."

Leon chuckled and watched the play between the Toretto siblings and Les, this was definitely an interesting twist for the evening.

"Yeah, I'm in town for a few weeks, we can get it knocked out in that time," Les said, looking at Dom then at Mia, getting a feeling she knew exactly what was happening here. She was glad that at least it didn't seem like Mia was going to attempt to run her off, that was promising. "I'll make sure he doesn't screw it up. Our race is next weekend."

"This I want to see. We are definitely coming early for that," Leon said with a wide grin.

"Oh. Now I need a babysitter when I'm just looking out for your safety from the goodness of my heart," Dom says, his hand to his heart and sounding utterly and completely put upon. Poor him, right?

Mia was having none of it, rolling her eyes. "You scammed me a car."

"No, I targeted the right person. What do you think I've been doing all my life studying these things, like how people handle things and the way they take care of their cars?" And hinting at the things they've been looking into as of late, unlawful things they're all excited for and think they might be able to pull off. They've even got some cars they're working on for those jobs. Specifically for them.

Mia looks to Les. "Don't let him turn this ins't something stupid," she says, as if Dom would but she's not letting Dom think he's getting away with this.

"Remind you of someone familiar," Austin leaned over, whispering into Les' ear as he slung his arm around her shoulders casually.

Les laughed and gave him an amused look, her arm wrapping around his waist. "Oh definitely."

Leon grinned and watched the interaction. For two of the people who weren't part of their regular family, it felt very... comfortable. He could only imagine what the others would think if the Toretto's brought them home at some point. He liked Austin and Blake when he went in to get his tattoo (and truth be told was already thinking of another).

"I promise, at the end of it, you're going to have one sweet looking car and without shit tires. Maybe we can discuss colors soon - if you have a preference, that is," Les said. She could tell though that Mia had no doubt at all about Dom's skill or that he would truly do something stupid with it. She recognized the tone for what it was.

Mia is seeing it too, has seen it between them. Which is why maybe they're good to have around. People that understand their life and their family. Not everyone gets them, gets how close they all are and why, so meeting those that will understand is good to her. Exciting.

Then Les is offering to help fix the car the way Mia wants and he loves that too. Even if he's not playing that easy for them with this.

"Hey. No no. You're supposed to be on my side of this," he says to Les, smiling at her. "Do not let Mia get away with not getting exactly what we decide to make her," he points out. "I'm thinking lime with orange dots. Not even stripes."

Whatever tension Austin had left in his shoulders as he watched the interaction between all of them. He hadn't been that concerned when they came tonight that there would be some dislike but he hadn't been completely sure at the response. He shouldn't have because if anything, they were more like Dom's family than anyone else here at the races. It again made him wonder what would happen if the Toretto's and their family back home met.

"You're colorblind aren't you? That's the only reason you would think those two colors would go well together," Les said with a laugh, her tone teasing though. "Now, if we're going for obnoxious, there are other ways to do that." She was surprised with how the night was turning out. Surprised but very happy. She liked these guys and felt at ease with them. Dom even more so which was a happy surprise. She hoped she would run into him again sooner than later after the night was through.

"What? How can you say that. There's whole teams with colors like that," he says, laughing though because he just can't help himself. How could he?

Though Les goes on and he busts up laughing even as Mia splutters.

"Hey! Do not encourage him!"

And yet she is and he's happy to go along.

"I will defer to you then, Ms Les," he says, giving a shallow bow. "I will trust your obnoxious ways."

"Oh no, now don't encourage her," Austin said with a laugh, shaking his head. "She will do it just to prove she can!"

Les nudged Austin playfully with a laugh. "Hey! I resemble that remark. But since this is not my car, I suppose we'll keep the obnoxiousness to a minimum. How do you feel about a horn that plays a song every time you honk at someone? I'm sure we can get something custom made like "this is the song that never ends." She simply couldn't help herself to play along even further with Dom.

Leon burst out laughing. "Hell no - I think we'd tear it out within hours of installation."

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I'm simplifying the race area cause we can in our world

Why our world is the best

For. Sure.

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I guess Austin had some thoughts. Lol!

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