Chapter Text
“How long has the check engine light been on this time,” Sun's question came with a tone he used when he was hoping you'd fix the problem yourself, a guiding tone a parent might use to encourage problem solving.
“Like a month but i don't see how it's any of your business,” you answer with a huff. “It's not your car.”
“No, it isnt my car,” he confirmed, voice even as you drove carefully. The rain had come quickly and out of the blue and now poured down in sheets, leaving your vision hazy. Your wipers swiped across your windshield diligently in a fruitless effort to clear your vision. “But I would hate for you to end up stranded on the side of the road because you didn’t take it in.” You don't answer him. It was a good point but you just didn't have time to take it in. Hell, today was your one day off and you were spending it running errands. He’d tagged along because he missed you. That's how little time you had, you had to hand out doing errands on your one day free. And now he was lecturing you, albeit gently and from a good place, but still.
“How am I to trust you to take care of me if you don't even take your loyal friend and mode of transportation in?” You can tell he's trying to lighten the mood but it still stings because you hadn’t thought of that.
“I just,” you sigh again, brows knit together in frustration at the whole situation. “I don’t have time. And like, what if it’s not anything big? What if its just a broken or loose sensor and i'm out forty bucks just for them looking at it?”
“I can check the computer,” he offers, one long arm sliding around the back of your seat. His passenger seat was pushed as far back as it could go and still he was scrunched up a bit. “See what the car needs. Itd be nice if it could just tell you what it needed. How you could take care of it. Like you or me.” There was a new tone to his voice, the gentleness gone and replaced with a slow casualness with a slight lilt to it that you'd come to associate with certain moods. You felt some heat in your face. You glanced sideways briefly to see he was facing forward with a more self satisfied turn to his smile.
“Are you even compatible with my car?” You question and you can see in your periphery that he's looking at you now.
“Oh I don't think compatibility is something you need to worry about. I’ll manage.” He says low, leaning in close to you so its almost a purr in your ear. You can feel your heart beating quicker and don't dare look his way or youll lose your resolve. This change in mood made no sense to you but also you didn’t hate it. You pulled up to a stoplight. The hand that was around the back of your seat slid around to your front and down between your legs and your heart hammered in your chest as he got so much closer to you than he reasonably needed what with his height. Your legs shifted apart on instinct to accommodate him.
“What are you doing?” You meant to be more forceful with the question as your foot held down the break but there was a slight stutter to your voice thanks to the heat growing in your core. Your hands were tight on the steering wheel. Your leg tingled where his arm brushed it.
“I’m taking care of you,” he answered and you could hear the smirk in his voice. “Won't you let me do that, dear?” You couldn't help it as your eyes flicked to his and you knew immediately that he knew exactly what he was doing. Both in terms of car maintenance and what his words were doing to you. He pulled back after a beat and retreated from your space, letting long digits ghost along your inner thigh as he sat them back on his own lap, a buzzing sensation left in his wake. He didn't say anything. Your heart hammered in your chest and you were so glad to be staring at the road right now despite not moving.
“The lights green,” he says cooly after a beat and you glance in your rear view mirrors to see no one behind you, thankfully. When you press on the gas, it's a little harder than necessary. He holds back a laugh.
“So,” you let out the shakey sound and cleared your throat. Your passenger chuckled. “So what's the light on for?” You asked, trying to sound nonchalant, to sound like he didn't affect you the way you both knew he did. He hummed lowly and you immediately dreaded asking because he was far too clever to let his toying with you go.
“You need oil,” he answers and his hand is placed gently on your thigh. “You know, proper lubrication is important for many things.” He ghosts his fingers higher and you can feel yourself reacting despite your efforts to remain calm. “Especially the engine. You’ve heard of well oiled machines. That lubrication is necessary to keep those pistons thrusting.”
“Oh god, stop,” you breath, face hot. Your legs twitch a bit and your heart is pounding. He removes his hand from you immediately.
“Too much?” He asks, genuine concern in his voice as he gives you space.
“Car talk shouldn't be hot, Sun,” you declare, embarrassed.
“Well,” he chuckles, relieved and his tone returns to the flirtatious lilt he'd been using before. “You are dating a machine.”
“Stop flirting while I'm driving,” you request, a small smile on your face. “You said yourself you don't want me stranded on the side of the road. If we crash because you get me all excited, that's on you.” You warn lightheartedly. His hands don't return to your person.
“Alright, I suppose I’ll behave.” He folds his long arms over his chest before tacking on “until we’re home” at the end.
“Oh I’m gonna be so fucked when we get home,” you laugh, still flustered.
“Language,” he answers as a gut reaction before smirking. “But yes, that is the plan.”