08 Nine Flights

"Why not?" JP held the shirt a little protectively. but Dandy snatched it right out of his able hand. "Hey!" He glanced at the bathroom door then heard the running water. His eyebrows raised. "I'm not from this planet anyway-" He looked into the bathroom to see the water running from bloodied to clear. However, the stain remained, he smiled and took both the towel and wet shirt. "I can see it and its all that matters."

He placed the towel-shirt combo under his arm and changed the heights on his crutch to make it seem like he needed it there. "Let's!" he followed Dandy out, looking back for a moment to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything.

The Bellhop stood outside with his cart, "I'm here to collect your...luggage?" He didn't see any at all.

"That's us. We're the luggage." JP pointed at himself and Dandy matter of factly.

–-

Dandy leaned on JP playfully and thumbed at himself.

"I got some baggage, but we make it work!" Dandy laughed, having to switch up the joke in his mind. Unlike around the boys, Dandy tried to keep his insensitive jokes to himself. He knew that it wasn't something to make fun of, but god he had to let it out. Even if it was a jab at himself.

Dandy then raced over to the cart and grabbed onto the gold-painted metal frame. He was already inside and waved to JP.

"Come on, baby! Let's go!" He shouted, his foot down and already ready to have them scoot and drive away from the unsuspecting bellhop.

–-

JP hopped onto the cart with a grunt, and held tight in case that bellhop tried to pull him out. "I ain't coming loose!" He saw the key for the cart was still in "Go go go!" He slapped the seat that Dandy sat in.

–-

"AH HA HA HA!!" Dandy shouted, flooring the bellhop's cart. The hovering contraption was cruising down the hallway. Admittedly, not very fast. Dandy looked down at the speed, noticing that the electric power cart had only one set speed. "That ain't gonna fly," Dandy frowned, he looked back at JP.

"Hey, I need ya ta drive," he said as he took his hands off the wheel and started to move back. "I'll make this puppy go a little bit faster by pushin' it. Take us to the stairs and then we're on our way ta gettin' banned, baby!" Dandy beamed. He was all-in on the idea of getting into trouble with JP. With QT, he couldn't have fun like this. But with JP.

He felt like this guy got him.

–-

The Bellhop raised his hands up, "Wait! You can't take that!" and he ran after the duo.

JP switched seats rather smoothly and he looked down at the panel of the luggage cart. "Hey what the hell.." He furrowed his eyebrows. It was nearly under 20 miles per hour! "I can run fast than this!" but could he? he had never measured. Of course with a push, the hover cart picked up speed and kept the speed due to not being in contact with the floor. This was more like it!

He glanced up for signs of a stairwell and drove the bellhop cart with down it, it picked up even more speed on the downslope. "Ohoho-hooooo! You better hold on tight because there's a whole lot more of those stairs!" He loved being behind the wheel again, even if it was a bellhop cart.

–-

Dandy ran behind the cart, pushing it much faster and further and the set speed. Once it was fast enough that he couldn't keep up, Dandy jumped onto the back of it, hanging onto the rails. He looked at JP, hearing him cheer and telling him to hold on tight. The alien hunter grinned, his tight getting gripper on the rail. He looked over his shoulder.

"See ya on the flip side, baby!" In the heat of the moment, Dandy flipped off the bellhop and leaned towards JP, helping him control the cart with his weight. JP's joy and excitement over something like this kept Dandy smiling.

This was what he was planning since he handed the wheel off to JP. For him to feel the thrill of racing, even if it was just a bellhop cart.

–-

The bellhop saw them disappear down the stairs with the cart and immediately went into a room to call for help. The guy fro the news and his boyfriend were stealing a cart!

Lucky for them the whole ride down the stairs was a spiral and the increasing speed made it feel more and more like a rollercoaster spiraling. JP felt himself leaning harder and harder toward the left side of the cart to keep it in line as the forces of nature wanted to push it out to the right side railing. "W-wait what are we going to do when we run outta stair!?"

–-

"We're gonna blast outta here, baby!!" Dandy shouted as they were quickly approaching the end of the stairs. "There's a door right down here, right?? We can just plow through that and make it to the road! Who needs a cab when we got this baby??" Dandy was loving this action and helped JP with leaning.

–-

JP saw their last stair step from the top of the last flight. That was the tile floor of the lobby and he could hear the sound of people talking down there too! He blinked and they were already at the lobby's floor hurtling past people who only barely manage to jump out of the way. Suitcases and bags went flying as they crashed through a tower of someone's luggage. The bellhop cart even pushed a coffee table out of the way.

He knew the street past those glass doors was a cross street. "Fuck!" was all he managed to say before he held his cast over his face and turned his face away from the incoming shattering of glass. He felt the gust of wind from cars they had just narrowly dodged.

–-

Dandy heard JP shout out and thankfully thought he shouted "duck". He ducked down, hiding behind JP's seat. Raising his head up, he saw that they were in the street, flying down the road and past the cars. They were being honked and swore at as they flew through red lights.

"So, uh! We have ta meet up with the old man at my ship, right?" Dandy called out over the sound of the wind. He was clinging onto the back of JP's chair, feeling them go down a hill, which, in turn, increased their speed. He felt himself being tugged back a bit from the force.

"YAHOO!!" Dandy cried out, still sporting that winning smile as they cruised.

–-

"Right!" Normally JP wouldn't give a shit about going this speed but this thing had no seat belts. No roll cage. No lights! No top! It didn't even have a clutch or anything! In fact, its braking wasn't strong enough to slow them down at all. It was meant to only break at low speeds inside the hotel. "You better hold on to me instead!"

At least the cart was small and JP could squeeze it between cars but turning? That was another story. It felt like a whip as the little cart swerved in a wide arc into their new direction. Red light, green light. JP wasn't paying attention at that. He was more interested in where they were going by the second and how not to crash. There were many more cars on the streets than in a race and dodging vehicles like this wasn't something he usually did.

–-

Dandy was clinging and shouting from excitement. He didn't even think about the roll cage, lights, or whatever else was legal to be on the road. This man was just having a thrill rushing past cars and seeing the world blur around them.

"WHOO!! Did ya see that one, baby??" He shouted out when he saw a car swerve away from their cart. Dandy looked back, seeing the car colliding with another one in the distance. "Oh boy-- Our bad!!" Dandy called out with his hand cupped next to his mouth. He looked at JP.

"Ey, JP! You doin' alright with steerin'? Do ya need me 'ta lean or something?" He asked. His grip remained on JP's jacket, clinging as he watched the challenges his boyfriend was having to overcome.

–-

"They'll be fine! I hope." JP laughed, not looking over his shoulder to see the collision happen behind them. "Its a little slippery and doesn't turn well. Just lean with me when I do!" He had remembered the highway the cab drivers had taken to bring them to Ironside and the hotel. He simply took them back.

JP looked up at a drone chasing behind them. "Hey, it looks like we might be on the news again. Can't wait to see it." He waved and flipped the drone off.

–-

Dandy looked up, a big smile on his face as he also joined in, flipping off the drone and laughing.

"How's THAT for settled down!" Dandy shouted, hoping the drone had heard him. Then, he looked back ahead of them. He leaned with JP whenever his body would, keeping in sync with him like a perfect sled team. These two did make a really great team, even if it was them creating chaos where ever they went. "How much further is it??" Dandy asked. His eyes were on the drone.

"I actually need ta get that thing off our trail," he said, looking around the bellcart. There was nothing to throw at the drone. He couldn't use his own boots or us JP's. The only thing he could think of that they didn't really need was-- "JP! I need my shirt!"

–-

"A few more exits." JP glanced at the exit sign that just passed. "We have time." He pulled toward the center lane just to confuse the people watching them. it'd look like they were going to go further. "You shirt? The hell with that idea." He looked up at the drone and attempted to spit at it's camera. He had the shirt wrapped in the towel safe and sound between his legs. "Take the towel and throw that."

–-

When JP spat, the spit went right into Dandy's face, making him wince.

"That almost got in my mouth!" Dandy barked and wiped it off his cheek. He then heard JP's idea, taking the towel instead of the shirt. "That works!" He leaned next to JP, grabbing between his legs. "Hello handsome~" Dandy teased with a little smirk as he touching JP's inner thigh. With a little laugh, Dandy grabbed the towel with one hand, unraveled the shirt from within and pulled it out into the open. Dandy thought for a moment about the idea of throwing it, mulling it over in his head.

Throwing it might have to be his last resort. But, he did have a better idea.

"HEY!! Get a shot of this!" Dandy shouted. He spun the towel next to the cart, winding it up, and then whipped it at the drone. He was attempting to towel snap the flying camera, wanting to knock it out of the sky without losing the towel.

"Come on, wuss! Dontcha just wanna get that feed about the new hot couple!?" He whipped the towel again at it. "Come on, baby! Get a li'l closer! Ya need ta get that good ol' money shot!!" Dandy attempted it again, missing the drone once again.

–-

"Oh shut up. I know you like my spit. Otherwise, ya wouldn't kiss me." He grinned and moved his knees apart for Dandy to take the towel.

The drone zoomed in at the thigh stroke and zoomed out to see Dandy winding the towel up. It moved back just in time but the next time it wasn't so lucky.

JP moved the cart over to the lanes to the right, giving Dandy the needed reach to knock the drone out of the air.

The drone spun and fell onto the highway. It fell apart, pieces and parts of its rotors flying everywhere.

"HELL YEA BABE!" JP let go of the wheel to raise up his arms in a cheer. They were two exits away and once they were off the highway, he let go of the accelerator. It took a while to slow down with such a weak brake. "That was bitchin!"

–-

Dandy couldn't believe he actually hit that drone out of the sky! He saw JP cheer, his heart pounding as they made it off the highway.

"It was so bitchin!" Dandy cheered, reaching forward to get a hi-five to JP. "I can't believe how cool that was! That was so insane! The way that you drove that cart? You just proved your the greatest racer out there! Ya don't need no special acceleration or somethin' that handles like a dream-- you just need those racin' gusts, baby!" Dandy was still standing on the back as the cart slowed to a stop in front of the chain-linked fence that housed the Aloha 'Oe.

Meow and QT were outside as if they were waiting for Dandy. Once they spotted Dandy and JP, they rushed over.

"You're back!!" QT waved his arms at Dandy. The waving was frantic, as if it was mixed with joy and fear. "What in the world are you driving??" Meow also looked at the cart and then at JP.

"I can't believe you're dating the Sweet JP," Meow smiled at JP and then back at Dandy. Dandy rubbed the back of his head, nearly blushing at the flattery. There was a little giggle that left him as he looked away from the scene.

–-

"A cart? We stole it from a bellhop at the hotel." He flipped out his comb to slick back any stray hairs and fixed up his jacket, "It's ours now. Help me take it up inside the Aloha Oe." He pointed at the yellow ship.

He winked at Meow, "We can talk a little once we're inside too. I bet you got a buncha questions." He looked at Dandy. "Let's hide before they see where we went. The Old Man should be coming by soon to check out your Little Aloha too."

–-

"You stole this from the hotel??" QT's eyes went wide as he looked at JP. Then, he looked to Dandy, his eyes glaring. "I can't believe you're getting JP into trouble!" He drove over to Dandy, arms out and ready to bap him.

"Eep!" Dandy ducked out of the bellcart and ran over to Meow. He stood behind him, using him as a shield. "You heard JP, QT! Go get that bellcart inside the ship!" He ordered. QT let out an aggravated sigh and went back to the cart. He grabbed it by the rails and waved to Meow, needing his assistance.

"Coming!" Meow called out to QT and then looked back to JP. "Yeah, we both do! We'll see you inside!" he said as he walked over to the cart, sitting inside and drove it over to the Aloha 'Oe to be taken up.

Dandy rested his hands in his pockets and walked over to JP. Standing next to him, he watched the boys take the cart up the lift and into the ship.

"So, uh," Dandy tilted his head towards JP. "Wanna go check out the Little Aloha with me?" He had a sly smile, knowing exactly what the answer was going to be.

–-

"Pssh it was my idea." JP waved his hand. "What do you take me for? A goody two-shoes? Well, guess what? I only got one boot." He climbed out and took his crutch. "Heh, I guess they don't know that much about me since I'm sure they mentioned my prison time in the recap of the race right?"

He watched QT and Meow drive the cart to the ship and get swallowed up into the belly of the ship. "you bet I do. Take me over there."

–-

Dandy moved his arm around JP's waist, leading him over to his dinged-up ride.

"I actually don't know if they even watched that race," he commented. "We were supposed ta watch it here live, but ya know. Kinda tardy to the party." Dandy shook his head and let go of JP. He then moved his hand to the Little Aloha. "Even if they did know about the prison thing," Dandy climbed up onto the hood and reached his arm down for JP. "They wouldn't've cared," he had a confident smile. Then, he blinked seeing JP with his casts.

"Oh right, hold up," Dandy jumped back down and grabbed JP by the waist. "Up ya go!" He said, trying to lift JP up onto the decorated red hood.

–-

"Maybe you can show it to them when I take an early sleep tonight. I think I'll need it. Plus... I want first dibs on where I'm sleeping."

He watched Dandy climb up with ease and was about to try when he realized he wouldn't be able to. For a moment he thought they'd stay down on the floor but was surprised when Dandy grabbed him around the waist and pushed him up."Uh-whoa!" He waved his arms and got up onto the red hood thanks to Dandy. "You're strong..."

–-

Dandy let out a chuckle at that comment about his strength and climbed up on the hood.

"I lift a bit," he commented. Dandy hit a button in his communicator and popped the windshield up. "I gotta with the job I have, ya know? Some aliens are pretty hefty," he commented and leaped down inside the cockpit. Dandy offered JP his hand. "I think you'll get a kick outta this!"

He lead the racer inside, showing off the inside of the cockpit. The room was the perfect size for at least four people. Sadly, it was littered with Dandy's Playboy magazines and crushed up beer cans.

"He didn't clean up in here either. Son of a..." Dandy grumbled, looking around at the mess. He quickly moved his junk to a corner of the cockpit, under a counter-like space and kicked the cans to the other side. Then, he took a seat in the pilot's chair. He rested his arms on the handlebars of the ride.

"Well? Impressive, isn't it?" He beamed.

---

JP took a look inside. For a moment it seemed like he was looking at all the mess but then he spoke up, "Its so....roomy!" He sat in one chair, then the next, and the last one just to try them out. He then stood up and had a look at the controls.

"What the-" It looked nothing like the was used to driving. There were so many things to press and use. "It's fucking awesome!"

He reached around Dandy's shoulders and placed his hands over Dandy's. "Please let me drive this..."

–-

Dandy saw JP looking around, checking out the co-pilot's chair, the stools that raised from the floors. The alien hunter chuckled, glad to see JP so enthusiastic about one of his pride and joys. Then, he felt those hands on his shoulders and that little begging. Dandy squinted, a little pout-like frown as JP asked about driving his ship.

"I can't even drive 'em right now," Dandy sighed as he sat back in the co-pilot's chair. He spun it around, letting JP see him lounging. "This one, this baby, I've had him for a long while," he stroked the armrests and let out a dreamy sigh. "You have ta watch me drive him first. I can't just let ya jump in and go ta town on this guy. That's like me askin' for your Trans AM's keys," Dandy raised his eyebrows at JP.

Then he leaned in, hands together.

"Can I please drive your Trans AM once it's fixed?" He had a dramatic begging look on his face. "I need ta feel that ride and how they handle! Freakin', that Yellowline footage was amazin'! I need ta try them out for myself!"

–-

"Well obviously after it is looked at. Why would I ask to drive something that doesn't move?" JP looked around at other buttons. It seemed like a bunch of them weren't labeled at all. He sat down

Hold up. Dandy drive his Trans AM? Was he crazy!? "Hell no! That's how I make my money!" He crossed his arms into the shape of an X. "No way. Nu-uh. You can't drive the thing I need to keep us me working and you stuffed with good food." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not ready to retire just yet. I'm too old for the kid's menu and too young to die."

–-

Dandy couldn't help but laugh at JP's reaction. He was so against the idea and gave some pretty damn good reasons why Dandy couldn't drive his ride.

"Then it looks like you understand where I'm comin' from. This little baby goes into the Aloha 'Oe and allows me 'ta pilot her. With this thing busted, I can't get off this rock and back into space," Dandy rested his hands in his pockets, looking out the windshield of the ship. The thought of returning into space was starting to fill his mind. To see the stars, to travel around the galaxy.

Space. Space was his home.

Dandy looked back at JP, the back of his head rolling against the seat.

"You know, once our babies are fixed up, we could race for each other's keys," Dandy smirked. He sat up and rested his arms on his knees. "I promise I won't wreck your Trans AM. I know cars. But you don't know how ta fly my ship. Unless you got a history with motorcycles that I don't know about, I doubt you can pilot this bad boy."

–-

"Wait really? I thought this was a separate thing completely." Jp looked around once more. That was insane. A ship in a ship but the little drives the big one? Oh hell yea.

"Of course I know how to drive your ship. Do you think I only know how to drive cars? Pssh.." JP tilted his head back while keeping his eyes on Dandy. "I'll drive circles around you, buddy." He hoped that his bluff would fool Dandy. "You really think the future king of redline doesn't know how to drive all sorts of things?"

–-

Dandy gave him a look, one that showed that he wasn't impressed with that bluff.

"Have ya ever driven into space before, JP?" He asked as he placed his arms behind his head. "This kinda thing is built for it. It's a whole different level than whatever you've driven," Dandy was thinking more so about the Hawaiian Yankee that hid within the vehicle. That was the reason he didn't want JP's hands driving this. If he found out how to make him appear then he would never get his baby back!

"I'll let ya drive him, eventually," Dandy reassured him. "Just, give it some time. Just like how you'll let me drive your Trans AM~" He winked. "I know I can sway you, soda pop~"

–-

"Tch..." Jp turned his head away and closed his eyes. His bluff hadn't worked. "Ngh..I'll let you ride in my Trans AM but you have to sit in my lap the whole time." He spun his chair around. "I've ever only raced on land...or at least low height. Never in...space..."

–-

Dandy smirked at that and closed his eyes as well.

"Well I'll have ya know that I've done all three," he showed off three fingers to JP. "It's been a long time, but I've done it all, baby. Why do you think I get you so well?" Dandy then sat up, his arms resting on the rests of the chair. "I get the thrill of the race, the challenge, the winning, the girls," he looked at the handlebars of the Little Aloha, a little sad smile on his face. "They gave me a lotta nicknames back then. Loser wasn't a common one," he glanced back at JP out of the corner of his eye. "At least I didn't think it was."

Dandy then looked up at the ceiling, stroking his chin.

"Asshole and dirtbag were are at the top of the list... Lotta trash talk, ya know?" He shook his head, those vague memories coming and going in his mind.

–-

JP turned his seat around a bit. "Do you think me just a rookie then..if I've only raced on land.." He held the edge of the seat. "You'd beat me.."

"I only sometimes went for the girls but that was because after the races I was so excited you know? All that adrenaline going through your body." He looked down at the floor, "But girls weren't what I wanted. Not really."

–-

Dandy blinked, hearing JP talk like that. He'd beat JP in a race? He continued to listen, nodding as he leaned forward.

"You're still better than me, JP. You kept racing," he said with a smile. Then the comment about the girls made Dandy glance back at his magazines.

"With me, the girls were the big reason I did race," Dandy wanted to be completely honest with JP. "Mixed with the thrill of the race and, of course, the money," he let out a dreamy sigh. "Yeah to be admired like that. To have all those eyes on you and seein' you kickin' ass with your ride," his mind trailed off to the hazy past. The sounds. Remembering the crowds of people. The last one he had done was years ago, around the time he met his crew. He almost died in that race when he rear-ended that pretty boy.

Dandy escaped his reminiscing. If he kept at that for too long, he was going to fall asleep in his chair.

"JP," Dandy looked over. "Don't stop racing. Keep doin' what you love," he had a soft, almost sad, look on his face. "It's important to chase that dream you got with it, baby. A dream is what keeps people goin', ya know?"

–-

"I mean of course you would. The engine of your ship in this thing? How wouldn't you beat me? No matter how good I drive if your stove is better than mine then of course I'd lose." JP picked fight but when it came to racing he knew what it meant to be stacked up against competition like this.

"Believe me. I'm not going to quit racing. It gets me goin' like nothing else. Well besides you." He smiled and turned his seat back around to face Dandy. "Even when I become the king of redline, i'll fight to keep my spot as the best driver." He pointed at Dandy, "and then I'll become a racer in space and take ass and kick names there."

–-

Dandy heard that passion in JP's voice. The confidence he had about his ability to race and become the King of Redline. He had a sweet smile on his face.

"That's my man," he said softly and stood up from his seat. Dandy slowly walked over to JP and tower over him. Then, he turned around and sat on the racer's lap.

"You're my king JP~" Dandy said in a high teasing voice, batting his eyelashes and giggled. He leaned back, kissing on JP's jaw. Then, his voice went back to a more mature speaking voice. "I know you will be," he said sweetly. His hand moved to the other side of JP's face, caressing it slowly. He rubbed his fingers along those sideburns and closed his eyes. "I can't wait to watch every single one of those races, baby."

–-

"You bet your ass it is." He bit his lip. Beautiful. Perfect. This is what he wanted to have in his Trans Am going who knows how fast. Dandy grinding on his hard-on while the car vibrated the two of them against each other... He was snapped back to reality, "Oh you're not going to watch." JP hugged Dandy and rubbed both his hands all over the man's chest, "you'll race with me! The one in front tops to the week!"

–-

Dandy's eyes shot open when JP mentioned Dandy joining him in the races.

"Whoa hold up!" He looked around and then back at JP. "You want ta go against me in a race? Like, for victory sex and cash?" Dandy felt those hands on his chest. "I don't think you understand how competitive I can get. I've used missiles and all sorts of shit in the past. Even whipped out the Hawa--" He stopped, staring off and bit his lip. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked at JP. Hoping he didn't catch on. But the way that he acted. Oh yeah. JP was going to notice.

–-

"Pssh-yeah." JP continued his massage on Dandy's pecs, "I get competitive too. Don't worry" Then he heard some words he really didn't want to hear. "WHAT? MISSILES AND-" JP ran his good arm's hand over Dandy's and pinned it behind his back, "Hell no! No weapons!" He pressed harder. "Huh, I bet that Hawa- whatever is some fuckin laser canon too. I can't believe you'd do that!"

–-

"AH!" Dandy felt his arm go behind his back and started to squirm on JP's lap.

"I-It was a death race, baby! A death race!" He gritted his teeth as JP pressed harder into his back. JP mentioning his baby made Dandy's brow furrow. Looked back at JP and huffed.

"The Hawaiian Yankee has dual pistol blasters, thank you very much!" He snapped. He could feel himself getting a bit heated talking about it. "He's one helluva mech and yeah! I did use weapons! I had ta blast myself through the racers with my missiles just ta have a fighting chance! And when I had ta whip him out? Two goons on my ass that wouldn't lay off! I had ta give them a li'l taste of a laser before they destroyed me and my mech!"

Dandy looked at the handlebars of his ship, looking determined while his arm was still pinned.

"Space races are death races," Dandy explained and looked down at the floor. "I don't do them anymore because I got the boys ta take care of," he kept his gaze away from JP. "I kinda... learned a lesson from my own wreck." He let out a sigh and then closed his eyes, relaxing against JP. "I won't use weapons durin' any race we do in the future. I don't even have money to restock my missiles." He had a little sad smile. "I only use the Hawaiian Yankee now for alien hunts or showboating. Nothin' else."

–-

"A mech? In here?!" JP couldn't believe that. That had to be a lie. There was just no way! "Well, you do know that Redline is a death race too right? And I'm not going to strap weapons just because the rest are!"

He eased his pin on Dandy's arm when he felt the man relax. Then he let go completely. "I'm sorry Dandy. I just hate weapons in races. I don't think its right. It ruins the sport and takes away the skill. I've dodged so many things coming my way due to it." He kissed Dandy's shoulder. "I won't buy you any missiles or ammunition. So don't ask."

–-

Dandy felt JP kiss his shoulder.

"I don't plan on it," he sighed with a soft smile. Dandy rested his head against JP's. "I could tell by the way you drove that cart today that you've had some practice with dodgin' whatever came your way," he grinned and shifted to moved his arms around JP's waist. "I still can't get over how damn cool you looked. To see ya laughin' and havin' a blast like that," he shook his head. "You're too damn cute, baby."

--

"You really think I'm that cute huh?" JP blushed, "Ok get off of me. We should see where I'll sleep and then call my Old Man to see where he's at." He hoped that the junker could snap his fingers and fix the Little Aloha just like that. In fact, he probably could. The old geezer and his four arms were like magic to machines.

–-

Dandy shifted a bit more first, sitting on JP's crotch and then tilted his head back.

"You're the cutest, soda pop~" He giggled and then leaped off JP's lap. Dandy had left the windshield on the passenger side, knowing that they weren't going to stay inside the cockpit for long. Helped JP out first, and then guided him off the hood of the car-like spacecraft.

"I think the only place we got for you to stay in my room. Either that or we can sleep in the lobby together," Dandy rubbed his chin, thinking out loud. "His room was pretty cramped but if QT did clean it for him, the floor would be perfect for them. The two of them on that tiger rug. Clinging to each other while the neon lights illuminated his room... He had to stop thinking about that and make it a reality. "Actually! My room is best! Come on, let's go!"

Dandy lead JP from outside the Aloha 'Oe, up the lift, inside the ship, and then up a shaft that went into the hallway. It's a bit hard to follow, but those two were finally in the main hallway that connected all the rooms together. Dandy beckoned JP to follow him, taking him to the end of the hallway and opening the door to his room. He glanced inside and noticed that it was a mess still. With an awkward laugh, he looked back to JP.

"How about you call your old man first and while I get my room ready for ya, eh?" He sweated, a bit dumb grin on his face. Dandy pulled out his phone and handed it to JP.

–-

"Well I had hoped we'd be in your room." He said as Dandy helped him down. "I'd hate to have to sleep in the lobby where your friends can just walk by." He followed Dandy through the ship as best as he could with his crutch. It was a little complicated when your injuries were both on the same side. Before they got to the bedroom they stopped.

"Right. I have to do that." Jp took the phone and called up Old Man Mole. While he talked, he wandered around the hallway. He told the old man about his crash and the race and how he had been in the hospital. But he didn't mention his Ex at all. He knew the old man was too busy for tv and that he got his news mostly from the papers. So the coverage of himself with Dandy would take a while to filter through to him.

When he hung up he looked around to realize he didn't recognize the area very well. Where had he walked to..?

–-

Meow was out in the hallway, noticing that JP was about to head into his room.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" The feline scurried over to the racer, sweating a bit. "You don't want to go in there, that's my room!" He winced and looked down the hall towards Dandy's room. "I guess he's finally cleaning his room, huh?" He sighed and looked up at JP. "Come with me, he'd probably prefer you to stay in the lobby," Meow smiled, leading JP back into the room where he and Dandy first bonded.

"I got to see the Yellowline race last night after you and Dandy left," Meow explained. He had a little smile, as he closed his eyes. "That's pretty smooth, revealing who you are through something like that," Meow chuckled as he gestured over to the table. QT was sitting there, looking over a magazine when the two showed up.

–-

"Sorry. The doors all look the same to me! I didn't mean to intrude." He walked with Meow back to the lobby, "how'd you like the race? I didn't want to really say who I was out of fear that uh...you guys would freak out. I wanted to be treated like a person. Not a celebrity or something." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked to Meow. "But not that you know, it's fine. Right?"

–-

Meow and QT looked to one another and then to JP.

"The race was really cool! Your crash was honestly the highlight for us!" Meow cheered, and then stopped. He cleared his throat. "I mean, it sucks that happened to your car."

"It is amazing that you even survived. When I saw you, I could have sworn I had seen you before," QT blinked and then showed an ad on his screen. It was for Yellowline and it featured JP's face among the other racers. "We came here to watch Yellowline. I was about to tell Dandy that we had missed the race, but then I saw him crash the Little Aloha. The fuel tank sensor has been wonky on it and he ended up running out of fuel, I suppose," QT sighed. He then got back to what he was talking about. "I didn't say anything, because there was already so much going on. Between me and Meow dealing with the man towing the Little Aloha and Dandy bringing you on the ship..." QT rubbed his finger against the yellow metal plate on his screen.

"There wasn't really any time to say anything," Meow finished QT's thought. "Dandy not knowing who you were might have been for the best," he added, looking a little nervous. QT nodded and leaned in.

"He gets really jealous himself and someone cooler than him is in the same room," QT explained. "He's a very prideful guy and when someone comes into our life that looks like they can one-up him: he gets super defensive."

–-

At the mention of his crash, he winced a little. "Yea, I don't know how I managed to survive but here I am!." He let his head hang for a moment. "I rather have my car destroyed than not see another day." He lifted his head back up and saw the ad. "Hey, that's me. Look how serious I am there."

Jp leaned in as well to hear the whisper. "Dandy gets jealous? ...but I'm the jealous one. He talked to some lady and damn if I wasn't going to hit him." He thought a bit more but couldn't remember a moment where his boyfriend had gotten jealous. "Will he get jealous if I talk to another guy?"

"By the way, I didn't really catch the names of you two. Or maybe I did and forgot. Can you tell them to me again?" He held out his good hand to QT first since he had the longest reach, "I'm James Prince and you?"

When he got QT's name he did the same to Meow and held his hand out to shake the Betelgeusian's hand.

–-

"I am QT! I am a vacuum cleaning robot and I'm an alien hunter!" QT sounded so confident as he shook JP's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, James!" Meow was next, shaking JP's hand.

"I'm Meow," he said with a cute smile. "I'm an alien hunter and I also help navigate for our hunts," Meow explained. Then, they circled back to the topic of Dandy.

"I'm surprised it was only one lady," QT looked as if he was thinking with his digital eye closed. He looked back at JP. "I guess the best way to let you know what you're getting into is by talking to his closest friends. Which we are," he shrugged and started to speak about Dandy.

"This man loves to flirt with women," QT began. "The fact that he's dating a man really does go outside the norm for him. He always has his eyes on ladies. Whether it's in his magazines or while he's out," he rubbed the back of his head. "Wow, it's really awkward talking about this. It really seems you don't know."

"Yeah. He doesn't," a familiar voice chimed in as the boys turned. They saw Dandy in his usual outfit. Blue letterman jacket, red shirt, black pants, and those brown boots sporting those massive steel-toed soles. "Could you two, I dunno, not talk shit about me for once," he growled as he stepped in closed. His composure was very different than the happy-go-lucky one JP saw while it was just the two of them.

"Are these two botherin' you, baby?" Dandy asked, standing between his crewmates. The two looked anxious as Dandy kept an eye on them.

–-

Jp looked up with about as much anxiety as QT and Meow since he was part of the talk as well. "No. Of course not." He even felt a little worried because Dandy was aching different all of a sudden.

"Can I go see your room now?" He stepped forward, getting between Dandy and the other boys. "That's why you came by right? To take me?"

–-

Dandy had a feeling something like this would happen. The boys would run their mouths in front of JP, talk as much as they could about how they saw him, and then play it cool. He reached for JP's good hand and lead him away from the boys.

"Yeah I'll show ya my room," Dandy said as he opened the hallway door. He looked stone-cold, his gaze aggravated as the door opened. Dandy lead JP down the hall and to the last door at the end. Once it opened, there showed a brightly painted room decorated with Hawai'i memorabilia, little random nic-nacs, a tiger rug, and so many other neat little details. Against the back was a bright magenta couch and hanging above it was a hammock with blankets laying in it.

"I want to apologize for those two," Dandy sighed, moving to sit on his couch. He rested his elbows on his knees and rubbed his forehead. Dandy patted the seat next to him. "They're practically my brothers so they feel like they can just run their mouths about junk," he rested his head on his hand. "Did they say anything I need ta explain better? Or like, debunk?"

–-

"They asked more about me and I then asked for their names." JP shrugged trying not to make it a big deal. "They're just trouble makers like you n me. But who cares. Look at this room!" He looked at the posters of the bikini babes and the tiger rug. He took a seat on the couch. "Is the net where. You store things?" Of course, he was referring to the hammock.

–-

When JP spoke, Dandy could feel himself at ease. He thought he heard them talking about his faults to JP, but it seemed like maybe he hadn't. Strange. When JP mentioned the net, Dandy looked up.

"You mean my hammock?" Dandy asked with a little smile. "I sleep up there most nights," he stood up and stepped on his couch. Tossing down the blankets to the floor. Dandy showed JP how he climbed into it. As it swayed back and forth, Dandy got into position and laid down. He looked down through the net and grinned. "See? Once your all healed up, I'll bring you up here ta try it out for yourself!" He then started to sway it back and forth, rocking and smiling at JP.

"We'll just sleep on the floor in here tonight, though," Dandy said as he tried to stop the hammock with his foot against the back wall. Once he was stable, Dandy climbed back down onto the couch, nearly getting his foot tangled in the net.

–-

A hammock? Interesting. He wasn't sure how comfortable that would be but he assumed it could be aright. Dandy sure thought so from the looks of it.

"Watch out!" He reached out on instinct when he first noticed that sight struggle. There was no way Dandy could get jacked up while he was. "I think the floor is a better idea. You shouldn't get hurt there."

–-

Dandy noticed JP's reaction to try to catch him. It was cute for sure, and thankfully he didn't have to follow through to catch Dandy.

"A waaaay better idea," he agreed as he put the blankets back on the couch. "Did ya get a hold of your old man? How long will it take for him ta get here?" Dandy sat back on the couch. Maybe they could kill some time while they waited. How far away was he, anyway?

–-

"OH be said he was close by nothing more than that." How close was close anyway? A few miles? More than a few? He had never even seen that ship of his move when he thought about it.

He opened his mouth to speak when a loud sound reverberated through the Aloha Oe. Not just a sound but a song. It specifically was a fog horn like rendition of La Cucaracha. It made Jp nearly leap out of his seat in surprise.

"Hey JP, Where are you? That's not your ship is it?" The Old Man's voice boomed through his ship's loudspeakers. Then came his laugh. "What's the machine you need me to look at?"

"We better go and meet him." JP got to his feet. "He will need the keys to the Little Aloha." He hopped out of Dandy's room and down the hall to wait at what he had learned was the lift of the ship.