royal_musings | OPEN POST - lets do this thing

"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."

"Thank you. I am anti obnoxious. I have to deal with these idiots, after all. I don't need more," Mia says, though she's smiling widely and looks happier than she has in a while. Not that anyone but Dom would have noticed that, but he does.

"Can we make it a different song? So it changes every time and she never knows?"

"I will gut you," Mia says, smirking as she drags a single nail down her brother's chest.

Les laughed and nodded. "Now that, I completely understand," she said with a wide smile.

"I wonder if I should be offended by that," Leon snorted before chuckling and looking over at Austin. "Hey man, I'm going to swing by the parlor sometime. I'm thinking of another tattoo soon and want to talk over a couple of ideas. Cool?"

Austin nodded. "Yeah, of course. You have our number, give us a call and we'll work out a time. Or we can get together sometime to talk it over - doesn't have to be there."

Les grinned and took a moment to just watch the interaction between Mia and Dom then Leon and Austin. She was glad to hear that they were getting some decent business. They'd been open here in LA for a couple of years now but they did great work and had been nominated for a few local awards - both back home and one here in LA. "Maybe while I'm in town, all of us - your group and the three of us can get together. Do some kind of barbecue and just hang out."

Dom enjoys having them around, thinking that there is a lot of hope for them having new friends around here. Friends that could work with them in business, and spread out between two cities. It's a nice thought, one that has never worked out before. Mostly since they're into things they can't always have others around for. Not others they aren't sure they can trust implicitly.

He looks at Leon who looks to Mia. They both nod.

"Let me talk to the others and see what they think and we'll see what we can make happen," he says, figuring that's a good start. "I think getting everyone together would be a good idea though."

She knew that Austin would likely say something later about it being "too soon" for any talk about getting all of them together and normally she'd agree. This was out of the ordinary for her too. If she was the one being asked something like that? She'd have balked and said no. But her gut told her that these people? These guys were... like home.

So far, her gut hadn't lead her wrong.

She nodded and gave them a smile. "Of course, no pressure at all," Les said, feeling Austin squeeze her side gently.

"I have race coming up, you good," he asked, looking at her with a smile. The protective side of him hoped she stuck around Dom but he trusted her and knew she could take care of herself. It was a hard habit to break.

"Of course. Go smoke 'em," Les said with a grin, knowing what he wanted to say but didn't and thankful for that.

Leon grinned. "Good luck, man."

Dom's attention is mostly on Les, curious about her. The guys had been here for months and never brought it up. He had been thinking about it, but he knows Les pushed him to agreeing to it. Not because she asked, but because she was there. He wanted her to stick around for a while.

He claps Austin on the shoulder. "You got this."

And he believed he did, though he's curious to see how he does the run. He looks to Les. "You want to get a good spot to see this?"

"Thanks, guys," Austin said and pressed a quick kiss to Les' head before heading back toward his car.

Les kissed his cheek and watched him go before turning to look at Dom with a smirk. "Hell yeah. It's been several months since I last saw him race. I might be biased but he's damn good," she said.

It wasn't the first time it was crossing his mind but Leon could see the tides changing in the family - simply by Les being here. It was sure going to be interesting these next few weeks. "Then let's get an up close and personal view." He definitely wanted to see this.

"Come on then," he says, patting Leon on the back. "I guess I should have been listening to you sooner," he taunted, but he's in a good mood, smiling as he puts a hand to Les' back, moving to guide them all through the crowd.

He's used to the way things are, people clearing out for them. He doesn't even think about it twice anymore, but he's glad for it that he doesn't have to wedge their way through the crowd to find a place on the edge of the crowd with a good view.

Leon chuckled and sent Dom an amused smirk. "Would it have hurt you," he asked, his tone teasing as they make their way toward the front. He was used to this, the way people made way for them. He'd seen Austin and Blake race before, a month or so ago and he had been impressed. But it wasn't him that need impressing.

Les smiled at the feel of his hand on her back and walked along side them toward the front. She was used to that back home but hadn't expected it here. She was thankful for it, it meant she could have a good view of the race when they started off. Her arm slid around Dom purely out of instinct as the two cars lined up on the track. She was interested to see what new tricks he had up his sleeve - if he'd learned anything new and different since being in LA.

Austin pulled up to the line and watched Hector then taking off as soon as they were given the green light. Unlike Dom's race, thankfully there wasn't a burst tire or any other number of problems. It was a close race at the start but his opponents car was no match for his and he cleared the line well before the other guy.

One of the reasons that Dom knew he'd never leave LA for long was this. Their place in the city. Their family here. It felt good knowing that they had worked and scraped and made their place in this town. It's knowing they're respected and loving that it is truly and wholly a place where they own the world.

And now it's sharing that world with another. He knows that's part of the appeal. Not just showing off, because he can't pretend he isn't entirely showing off but it's also wanting to show off his city, of this place, and not just their place in it. He wants her to see this place like he does, just as magical as it is.

He settles in with an arm around her shoulders, cheering and yelling for the race with a grin.

Laughing when he wins, looking down at Les. "Glad he won. I'd hate to have to pretend I don't know him."

Les had only been in LA for a few days and although she had visited a few times before with the others, this was the first time she felt like she was truly experiencing the city. She was really excited to experience more of the city and the people. Maybe even Dom - especially if she was going to work on Mia's car with him. That feeling she'd gotten when he had his arm on her shoulders before, returned. It was a comforting weight and she leaned into him. She cheered just as loud as everyone else and laughed when Dom mentioned that. "God me too - it'd make the next few weeks really awkward," she said with a grin. She watched the two shake hands, exchange the money and Austin go park.

Austin grinned at another race well won and thanked everyone as they congratulated him after parking. He had been used to something like this back in San Francisco and naturally they knew it would take time for them to make the same impact in LA. There was something telling him that that may soon change with Les being in town.

"Congrats, Aust," Les said when he made his way over, leaving Dom's embrace so she could give him a quick hug.

"Thanks, Lessy. It's been a while since you've seen me race."

"Yeah because someone doesn't come and visit more," she teased him, releasing him and moving closer to Dom again.

It's turning into a good night. Not just the new car, but the friends that are racing, and being there with Les. It's been a long time since he's been there with any woman that wasn't a relative, or Letty who in many ways is family, but this is a bit different and the same at the same time.

It's been years since someone else has joined them, and now there's three people he could see easily fitting into their family. It's shocking, but there's a comfort there as well. A chance to have so much more in their lives and they all need that, want it.

"Well maybe that's because L.A. is more fun,' Dom teases, knowing he's likely starting a fight with that and definitely looking like he's enjoying that as well.

"I will agree with that," Leon said with a laugh. He was watching the way they were all interacting and was glad that Dom seemed open to bringing others into their family. If he was okay with anyone coming in? It would be those three.

Les laughed and arched an eyebrow. "Clearly you haven't had the full San Francisco experience," she said with a wide grin. "Because we are a lot of fun." Who wouldn't want to do half to he shit her and Abby could come up with spur of the moment?

"We visit," Austin protested with a laugh. It had been a goal of his and Blake's to try to get up there more. They'd become busy on the weekends and it was hard to find that balance being so new. It was perhaps a subject they'd need to discuss while she was there. They weren't the greatest at these 'deep talks' but he didn't want her or Abby to be upset at them. They'd been so close when they lived up there.

It's been so long since they've trusted someone else to be part of their group, to risk screwing up the dynamic of the group that they have. And then these guys had come into their lives, and already Dom is thinking about changing tat. Though he wants to ensure himself that it's not just because he feels this sudden, and really strong, attraction to Les. Sure, he could indulge in that and have fun and enjoy but that doesn't make it safe for the entire family. He has to look out for them first. For all of them.

"I'm not saying you're not a lot of fun," Dom says, laughing and holding up one hand. "I'm just saying it's not L.A.. I'll give you guys your quarter mile runs though. If only that if you had anything longer, you'd run into the water," he teases.

"But maybe I'll have to make a trip up the coast," he allows, glancing at Les.

It had been a long time since any of them had added anyone to their group as well. They had close friends like Keith, Maria (Keith's wife), and Mario but no one as close as the core eight of them. Les hadn't anticipated such an intense and strong attraction to Dom but now that she was here, she couldn't imagine not being around him. But still, she was going to keep it cool. It was early still and she wasn't going to create trouble for Austin or Blake, considering they were living here, or for her family back home.

"Uh huh," Les said with a laugh. "As if LA doesn't have the same issues with the water thing." She was amused though and honestly, the land they raced on back home was pretty great if you asked her. Course, she was a bit biased and grew up there so that was no surprise.

She grinned when he mentioned making a trip up. "Maybe you should. We'll show you around proper."

Austin wasn't exactly worried about any of that right now. Les was capable and could hold her own. She had a tendency to be blunt and straight to the point but it was a necessary skill when you spent most of your time around guys who didn't know what a hint was.

Dom wonders if he's rushing into this, thinking ahead too far. He's barely met Les and yet he wants to have this time with her, to bring her around the family, and make her and the boys part of it. Obviously they have their own people up the coast, and it's not like it could be one huge happy family in one city, but is it crazy to think about the idea of expanding, of helping one another out and see where things led to?

He's definitely willing to see.

"We'll make plans for it as soon as I can get away." From should, to will, and he can't help himself. "When's the best time?"

The moment Dom said they'd make plans as soon as he could get away, Les was shocked but... pleased as well. That was a surprise. She smiled before responding. "Summer is usually busy but perhaps this fall? Maybe September or October?"

October was her birthday month and although she wasn't one of those people who spent the whole month celebrating, it would make it special to have him come up and visit. Besides, Don and Ricky went all out at the races for their birthdays. She was also, low key, making plans of dragging some of them to a haunted location just to see what they could pick up.

Although he wouldn't show it, Leon was surprised, shocked and... sort of pleased to see that Dom was in the mists of making plans with Les and ultimately her family. It couldn't hurt. He'd met some of them during Race Wars some years ago and a few times since then, they were good people. He could honestly see them fitting in with them easily enough. Besides. Vince seemed to like them too and if Vince, Dom's closest friend, approved then they wouldn't have a problem.

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appreciatesagoodbody - 2020-07-30 04:28 (UTC) - Expand

OPEN POST - lets do this thing

I guess Austin had some thoughts. Lol!

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