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It was weird, for all of them to be on the same track the same day, even though it had already happened in Austria and the special dinner they all attended afterwards, although Valentino can't help but think that this is different.
What wasn't weird, he thinks, is that they all decided that the end of this season was somehow unique for the exact same reason.
“You know, I'm actually surprised you’re here” Lorenzo told him in his usual smug self
“Jorge…” Dani mumbled, touching his arm as a warning
This situation is a ticking time bomb anyways, Vale thought, just his luck that the elevator decided to shut down when all four aliens were in it, at the last race of the season none the less. It has been a shitty season for his boys, or at least, one in which the bads outnumbered the goods (he forced himself to think of Pecco's sake, because he cannot handle the fact that he was relieved when Marquez won). Vale ignored Jorge, he was never worth his time anyways, and kept pretending to play on his phone, although he could feel the glare the mallorcan was sending him through the other side of the elevator.
It must have been kind of funny from an outsider's perspective, four of the greatest riders of this sport all of them in different corners of an enclosed space, at least in the beginning since Jorge and Dani seem to have a pull for each other, and not talking to one another. Just wonderful. Casey sighed loudly, putting his phone down and looking at Valentino as if he wanted to tell him something, though it seems he decided against it, instead looking upwards and inhaling.
They have already called for help, but since the race started not too long ago, he doubted they would be here anytime soon, everyone was probably already enjoying it.
“I'm just saying, Marc is here so I thought you wouldn't be, since you are head on in ignoring him” Jorge smiled “ but you do seem pretty comfortable speaking about him when he is not near”
It's obvious he is talking about the video he himself posted on his Instagram story where Valentino can be heard talking with Dani about Marquez. He clearly remembers how Dani was trying to dissuade him, trying to tell him that that incident with the other wasn't the only reason why he lost that championship, that other factors were more important, and how Luca looked at himwith concern after he showed him the video.
“Listen” Casey started "we're probably going to stay here for a while so it would be nice if you all not fight each other”
“He is the one provoking me!” Vale defended himself
“ I'm not pointing any fingers” Casey said while raising his arms in defeat, and then mumbled “but he does have a point” Because of course Casey has to say this, when has he not voiced his thoughts as if he were some kind of moral compass?
“Not you too” Vale protested, putting his phone down and glaring at Casey
Jorge laughed again and Vale jaw tightened, why was he being so insistent today? he barely could stand Jorge on a normal day and now he is acting as if he personally attacked him “It seems you are the only one who is blissfully unaware of your little obsession”
He didnt, he didnt, he didnt have an obsession, he was just pointing out that Marquez, even after all this years, is a danger, something that everyone should note and take into account
- ··
After Mandalika, the boys and him began the traditional video calls they started doing this season after finishing every race. It was something silly Vale came up with to somehow cheer up the group, knowing a tough season was coming up.
Vale looked at Bez, he was touching his shoulder, probably because it ached “ You ok Bez? “ he asked, The question wasn't about the physical pain, he already knew everything about that, it was more about the face Marco was making; thoughtful, regretful. The other Italian looked at him before avoiding his eyes once again “yeah i just…. I just talked to Marc earlier and–”
Vale frowned before interrupting him “Did he bother you? Don't worry I know how to deal with Marquez” He spat the name with disgust, he swore if the Spaniard complained or accused Bez of doing it on purpose… Vale was ready to say more, to insult Marquez so Marco wont feel like it was his fault, when he saw Pecco biting his lip and glaring at him “what?”
Pecco didn't say anything, instead, Bez answered “no no he actually told me that he understood, that I shouldn't beat myself over it” he touched his hair, still avoiding his eyes “ He said that I made a mistake, but that's ok because I took accountability for it and it wasn't intentional”
Of course Marquez would say that, of course he would say the only thing that should be important is the intention behind the act “ Thats nice of him” Luca said, smiling with his usual kindness “ Its very good he isn't mad about it, he could have made this more difficult if he went to the press” he said before he looked at Vale, probably said that on purpose then. That's another thing Valentino needs to worry about, his brother's jabs at him about Marquez had become more frequent, probably because of the stories that Santi and the rest of the Honda crew kept telling him
Bez smiles then “ Yeah! he was super patient with me, I mean, he seemed bummed out after his injury but…..”
Vale turned down the rest of the conversation after that, he could only think about Marc's behavior after the whole ordeal. If he kept thinking about it for the entirety of the day, it's not anyone's business, not even close to an obsession though. When has he ever obsessed over things he can't have?
…
“Why are you so insistent about him today? Vale murmured, now looking at Jorge “Not only you, but everyone suddenly likes him, saying how much they always cared for him” he laughed, everyone that criticized Marquez in the past, saying that he was gonna kill himself on that bike, now professing their love to him? So stupid, Valentino did it first and looked where that got him. Maybe that's why it bothered so much, everyone singing praises to the spaniard, it just wasn't fair, Because he did it before anyone else, he knew since the beginning what everyone is now realizing.
Jorge frowned at him, not willing to let this go for some fucking reason “He just won the championship after an amazing comeback, not everyone is as blind as you, you know, most of us can put our diferences behind and admire this”
Valentino scoffed sardonicly and that was what set Dani off. “You have to at least admit that Vale, if you want things to work out between the two of you—” “ Who says I want that?” The Italian interrupted “After all the things he has done, he should be coming to me, not the other way around”
Now it was Casey's time to scoff “ Valentino please” He seemed actually amused by what he just said, but also bewilderered, as if couldn't believe Vale's blindness “ You have to be delusional if you think that after everything you have said he is going to take the first step"
“After everything I have said? He's got you all fooled!” the italian argued “Marquez only plays nice for the camera! Like in Argentina! he came to apologise only when people were around, he never came to me afterwards”
“You mean when he had one of his worst races ever but still came to talk to you despite the high tension only for Uccio to basically evicted him while insulting him, not to mention, you did went on a media rampage 5 minutes later” Dani deadpanned
Vale smiled and let out a weak laugh “Please Dani, you out of all people are going to defend a dangerous rider? That's not how you acted with Simoncelli” It's a low blow, and in all honestly, Vale is the last person that wants to use his friend as if he were nothing more than a cheap way to win an argument, but he never seems to think clearly when that argument is about Marc.
The rooms freezes for a moment, out of the corner of his eyes he could see Casey straightening, and Jorge now has an outraged expression on his face, its funny, the mallorcan also wasn't fond of Simoncelli either, he couldn't care less about that though, right now, Vale is set on Dani, whose hand has left Joge´s arm and is now looking at him weirdly. That's probably because he doesn't talk about Marco often, it always hurts too much, looking at his memorial in Tavullia and at his father's disappointed face that he always uses when Vale is near him nowadays. “ You have changed” Paolo told him in 2018 “ Why?” Valentino didn't understand, he hasn't changed at all.
Dani kept looking at him before answering, sensing the carefulness of the situation “ I didn't like Simoncelli, not because he was aggressive, Casey was also that kind of rider and I never had any problems with him” he paused before continuing ”Marco was aggressive, but he didn't measure that aggressiveness, he was just chaotic, I never once said that he was a bad man or that he intended for other people to crash though.”
“Still, Marc is different, while he does search the contact like Marco, his style is more calculated, he doesn't take the risk if he isn't sure there's a chance, Simoncelli just took the risk without thinking, he was chaotic chaos, Marc was calculated chaos” Dani finishes “But that's not what this is about isn't it?”
Dani and him never really had any confrontations, they always got along well, but right now, when he is looking at Vale as if he could see right through him, he is getting on his nerves "because you defended them both, didn't you Valentino?” Vale didn't like where this is going, he should have considered Dani a threat before talking back at him “Instead of asking why everyone suddenly likes a dangerous rider, maybe you should ask yourself why you suddenly dislike dangerous riders, even better, why did you decide that was a good quality in everyone but in Marc”
The room got even quieter, Casey staring at Valentino, analysing him, while Jorge looked at Dani with something aching with adoration. Vale exhaled, thinking slowly about his response and then smiled “ You said it Dani, Marquez is calculative, aggressiveness is ok if you are racing for yourself, he doesn't, everything he does, he does it with intention”
He really thought that was it, that Dani would not dare excuse Marquez obvious careless tendencies towards others riders, he is wrong, becsuse the spaniards eyes narrowed “ Intention” Dani doesn´t smile, he never does under pressure, always careful not to be mocking during tense situations “Intention that you of course know all about right? All mighty Valentino Rossi knows which aggressive riders do it on purpose and which one doesn't" He never would describe Dani's eyes as cold, but right now there's something very uncomfortable about them.
Vale keeps on smiling “ You were always on his side” He tries changing the direction of the conversation, he didn't like at all how everyone was looking at him “ You always talked to the press with that boring neutrality of yours but it was always obvious who you liked more, just like right now” He knows he is being unfair, out of everyone, Dani was the one who tried and defused the situation in 2015. He didn't care about fairness right now, he just wanted Dani to back off
The Spaniard also seemed to sense this, because he sighed and looked away “it's always like that with you Vale, you always have to take sides, that's why this sport it's like this, so divided it's almost painful ever since Sepang" and it's always about Sepang isn't it?
But Dani is right about that he supposes, the Sport has been divided since Sepang.
…
“What the Fuck are you even trying to do” Cruthlow sneered on Valentino´s face, he seemed angry, as if Vale had personanlly slapped his wife and spitted on her face right after
“huh?” he replied, looking at him with boredom, he had much better things to do than talking with the Aussie, like, for example, going to race direction and complaining about the ridiculous penalty they have decided for him.
“Can’t you see what your actions are leading to?” Of course Cal would blame him, he has always defended Marc whenever he got the opportunity, honestly he didn't know if this is because the Australian genuinely liked Marquez or if it's a fraternal thing, Cruthlow always had a soft spot for kids.
Vale does too, but there has to be a limit somewhere
“ My actions aren't doing anything he doesn't deserve” The Italian dismissed, already trying to leave before Cruthlow graved his arm “ Not only to him Vale, don't you see the friction?”
He is looking at Valentino with desperation now, trying for him to see, he shouldn't try that hard then, because the italian has seen it already, the way Marquez doesn't go far from his motorhome, how Lorenzo is only talking to Dani now, and how Iannone is spreading his word to everyone who would listen. He knows all this, he still needs to go to race direction.
Cal stares at him, and lets his arm go slowly, realising that Vale knows, and he just doesn't care. He seems troubled “ You are Valentino Rossi “ he settles on saying “ you are a 36 year old man, you have 20 years of experience behind your belt, you… you have to be better than this, if not for Marc then for the sport”
“I'm doing this precisely for the sport, it's important that Marquez doesn't go unpunished, and if race direction doesn't do it then…” Vale responded while turning around “He will have to deal with some kind of consequences at the very least”
…
“You know, it can't even be discussed at DANZ” Jorge said scratching his neck “2015 I mean, Its some sort of taboo”
“Well you seem to love talking about it don't you?” Vale gibed, moving now onto Jorge "Because at first, I thought it was all about you and winning the title that you sided with Marquez, but you seem to be more on his side the more time passes” Is easy to rail the mallorcan up, easier than Dani, who seemed to get sharper the angrier he got, but before Jorge could defend himself-
“ Ok Ok I think this is getting-” Casey Started
“Why are you even saying anything? You werent even there but it seems you still took time to fucking tweet about it!” Valentino interrupted, and maybe he hasn't had a fight with Casey in a long time because he should know better than to lash out at him.
The Australian frowned at the unexpected angry reaction but did not hesitate to answer (when had he ever hesitated to answer?) “ Well Valentino when you see something like that live and FIA favoritism gets to shine-” “ Favoritism? he was the one who got away with that kind of riding” Vale snapped, his chest was pounding, he probably should stop before saying something stupid “why are you defending him? you could barely stand him months before Senpang! It's because you hate me more right? you all united because of me-
“Aragon, 2015” Dani interrupted his paranoia, making everyone look at the smaller spaniard “ I didn't think about it until Sepang you know? But that's the main reason why I didn't defend you”
“What?” Casey asked “ You won that race didn't you? what about it?”
“It isn't about what happened in the race” and the Dani explained
…
“Ah Vale, such a great race don't you think?” The Spaniard smiled at the approaching Italian “ really intense, just what the sport needs” Dani laughed, but stopped as soon as he saw the others expression “ is… there something wrong?”
Vale looked at him, all seriousness until he seemed to remember he was talking with someone, and smiled “ yes yes amazing race…. eh listen Dani I wanted to speak with you” “Im actually in a hurry to-” “ Perfect perfect its just I wanted to ask you something” he kept on smiling, it's kind of pissing Dani off.
“ Why did you ride like that?” Vale prompted
“I… What?”
“yes yes, listen we both know you aren't a contender to winning the championship, so why try so hard? It wasn't necessary at all and we both wasted valuable time” The Italian insisted, seemingly unaware about Dani's bafflement “ allora, I have always liked you but this is a bit much you know?”
“You… You are upset about me competing with you?” He isn't understanding anything right now
“Allora of course not, but it seems a bit excessive because I don't know if noticed but you aren't competing for the title this year so-”
“ So you are upset because I didn't let you win” Dani doesn't need reminders on how his year is going, he also doesn't need Valentino demanding answers on why he wants to win a goddamn race “Im a rider Vale, they pay me to win races and to get as many points as I can, I'm not going to let you pass just because you are fighting for the title, I also want to win”
He honestly can't comprehend how Vale seems to have difficulty grasping such a basic racing concept “I understand that Dani, but you still didn't have to ride like that” Why was Valentino talking to him in disappointment? What the fuck is even happening right now?
Dani is about to ask if the Italian has hit his head during the race when someone yelled at him to hurry up. He mumbles a goodbye and finally escapes that odd conversation
….
“Damn Valentino” Jorge whistles, putting an arm over Dani's shoulders “imagine asking a rider why he wants to win a race, thats just sad man” And Vale will kick his ass-
“Desperate” Casey whispered, having some sort of realization “ you were desperate, it's just like I said; your ambition outweighed your talent” he is looking at Vale as if he is starting to finally understand him “ but this is not about ambition, it isn't so novel, this is about desperation”
´Desperation?’ Why does Casey have to be so theatrical about everything? always saying and doing stupid things only to leave without explaining, he is about to voice this until “ eh, its a little bit about ambition also” Jorge shrugged " you know when I first heard that I thought it was so stupid, you can´t use your talent without the ambition to guide it you know? but after Valencia I realized something"
“For Marc and his talent, winning is about being the best, for you, Winning is about being above everyone else” oh so now Jorge has decided to be the one saying stupid things now, is this some new Casey epidemic or something? his thoughts must be evident on his face because Jorge just chuckles “ the fact that you don't see it it's probably part of the problem, you were always unaware of small details”
“Desperation and a great ambition” Casey Proclaimed “ a match destined to failure”
And that- made him deflate, because, well, Destined to failure, that's what he had set himself up to in 2015 didn't he? He remembers the words Doohan said to him after ‘ you lost on your own accord, you let this get out of control Valentino, this is the result’ (The Aussie seemed really disappointed when he told him that, it's still something that the italian thinks about from time to time)
Dani seemed to sense his inner turmoil because he next addressed him softly “You know… I always wondered Valentino, about the ranch” or maybe the small asshole only wanted to get advantage of him to get more information “Nothing happened at the ranch” The italian Complained tiredly
“Why are you being such an asshole about this? Jorge argued “ are you in denial? because we all know that you, surprisingly, aren't a complete dumbfuck most of time yet you are insufferable every time Marc comes up”
That's not entirely accurate, he is only an asshole about things he cannot control, although, if he thinks about it, that's exactly the category Marquez falls in; he has never been what Valentino decided he would be. But the ranch, it has always been different because, well
“ I don't even remember most of it” Valentino admitted silently, defeatedly, after a pause “It- I mean when he appeared with his bike and a few mechanics and technicians I thought it was weird but he did just finished a race at Misano but its not like he used the bike he brought to compete at Misano, so yes it was weird but I also didn't send him any rules or something so- yes weird and Uccio wouldn't stop complaining especially after he broke the track record but- “
“ But it wasn't something I kept thinking about, it… it was only important after 2015, until then, I barely thought about it” Valentino slowly realized. God, He doesn't remember most of it, he only remembers Uccio cruel words but he can't recall anything else (in reality, he did remember how enamoured he felt, how Marc looked so pretty in bed, calling for him to come)
Sometimes all of that feels like a fiber dream
“So it didn't begin in 2014 then” Jorge said, he seemed really invested in this “it's funny everyone always said that 2015 started in 2014”
“ I don't know, maybe? I don't think…”
“I always thought the important part started at Phillips island” Casey cuts him off. That's a very Stoner thing to do, interrupting Vale as if he knew better, it makes him grit his teeth “the people at Honda told me that after the race, at those celebratory parties they used to make, you went to Marc and talked to him” and why is everyone such a fucking gossip God.
Because he did do that, but only because Uccio was so insistent that he just had to know. If he were more honest with himself, he would admit that he didn't notice anything strange during the race, not even when his friend showed him the lap times at first, having had to explain the problem with a graft and big words so Vale would understand the impact of Marquez's actions.
And that's something he remembers in great detail, the way Marquez stared at him and told him in a very serious manner that he had helped no one, that he had won the race.
“ Ah yes the paddock back then was wild” Jorge reminiscents “ everyone was talking about things they thought were warning sighs, Iannone in particular” the spaniard doesn't hide his distaste, and it's different from the one that Jorge used to have for his rivals, because Iannone was never truly a rival, no, it's a distaste someone only has for people they genuinely think are cruel.
“ I always guessed that you talked to him before the press conference" the spaniard snorted “ you know, because he repeated all the thing you were accusing Marc and me like he was reading a script, maybe because you asked to if he wanted your help to get rid of all the italian mobs hm?” Honestly fuck Jorge, he always liked rubbing salt on the wound too much.
The worst part of it? He is absolutely right, he did talk to Iannone about that, he did offer to defend him from the angry Italians fans that wanted to crucify him. After all, if the Spaniards have united, the Italians should stick together no? (He ignores the fact that Dovi gaped at him the entire time he was explaining this)
Jorge smiled cruelly and seemed to be ready to spill more of his thoughts when Dani patted his arm, shaking his head and asking him to stop, and for some fucking reason he does listen to Dani, that doesn't make Casey stop though.
“So you planned it, you knew the power you had over the fans, you went to that press conference knowing what would happen”
And why can´t Casey just shut the fuck up?
…
“Hardwork only wins until talent starts working hard”
Sometimes, Vale thinks that Casey should write a book or something, because he obviously loves to come up with bland phrases.
They are at the ranch, trying to unwind after a long day of riding when Casey decided he wanted to be mystical. He always hated when the Australian did that, he himself preferred a simple mean comment attached to a smile, while Casey loved the cryptic nonsense. He doesn't even let Vale respond before he starts talking again.
“its something I've come up with, since Marc is winning his ninth and all”
“ Tst, everyone is always talking about Marquez nowadays” It's such a stupid thing to say because of course people are talking about him, who wouldn't?
“Do you call him that in your mind?
“what?”
“ Do you call him only by his surname in your mind?”
What does that have to do with anything? he wants to ask, why would he even want to know? Why are conversations with Casey always so confusing? When he intends to voice all of this, the other rider interrupts him again.
“ It must be difficult to be attached to someone like that and not being able to call him by his name” he stops before continuing “ It also must be hard for him, to have so much talent and win so much only for people to keep circuling back to you”
“ It's not the same for him I think, you already had a well established career before him, but he has never known a career without you in it”
“Has someone ever told you that you should just shut up? Valentino said meanly. He doesn't really know what to say to all that, its better to me mean and call it a day
“You worked really hard in trying to destroy his reputation, only for him to come back stronger, talent is like that you see, it only loses when it isn't interested in winning or “ he looks at Vale “ when ambition eats it whole”
…
Casey has never been afraid to call him out for his bullshit, that's how he knows he isn't going to let this go.
“ You always do that, playing your stupid ass mindgames on people, using the press in your favor” the Australian accused “ I told you remember? I said to you that someday someone would not to restrain themselves or be pushed back by you, that they will push as much as you do”
At that, Jorge laughed “ that is a very Marc thing to do, when pull comes to shove he will push way harder” why is he speaking with fondness? Jorge used to hate that about Marquez, criticizing him whenever he got the chance “That is what happened at Sepang no? you expected him to fall back”
“ Allora, well he only seems to push harder when it's about me hm?” Rossi seethes, tired of everyone attacking him “ Like in Valencia”
“ Please Valentino” The Mallorcan mocked “Marc didn't have the pace to pass me, even less once Dani started bothering him” Said rider was nodding along with Jorge, looking directly at Vale as if that would make him understand.
´I had problems with front end, I have had them since the beginning of the year’ ‘ I could only pass him during turn 6 but I didn' t get the opportunity with Dani’ ‘ I was following the same strategy as in Assen and Indianapolis, or even Phillips island´ “Someone… that did all of this to me, what they made me go through during those weeks, why would I help them?’
Lies lies lies
(You still wouldn't have won the title even if Marquez passed Jorge)
“ And besides, with everything that had happened, why would he want to?”
“The lap times-”
“Why is it always about the lap times with you?” Casey exclaimed “Before 2015 no one gave a shit about the lap times! Now everyone is obsessed over them, saying ‘he slows down here so he must have done that on purpose!’ people are looking at things that have happened since forever and saying they are weird! This is what racing is now, numbers and numbers of lap times without taking into account any context!” He is breathing heavily, this must be something that bothers him a lot then.
“Valentino, have you considered that maybe you just weren't fast enough?” Dani asked, he is tired now, and in all honesty Vale's own sudden bravado is also coming to an end “that this feud you started with Marc is just pointless?”
That isn't true, it can't be, because if it is true, then all of this has been for nothing, he gave up his relationship with Marquez for nothing and he ruined both of their reputations for nothing. It can't be, It just can't.
“ You are so obsessed Valentino, on everything being his fault, that you act like a madman” Dani continued while Vale spiraled “ It just so happened that other people are starting to notice it”
They dont they dont, there isnt anything to notice
“People started to notice sooner, at least among old riders” Jorge intervened “ like in 2018, when you didn't shake Marc's hand, Dovi was so confused”
…
“I don't get it” Andrea said, walking out of the conference room. And, well, Jorge doesn't really understand it either, it's difficult with those two
“ Don't try too hard” he sighed “ Better not to think about it if you don't want to lose your mind” He should search for Dani so he could get his input about this, so he knows what to say when some reporter inevitable asks him about this
“No, I just- He is Valentino, the one who is always in control with the press, the one who is so good at playing mindgames, he is supposed to be better than this” Dovi explained “ Like, Im not even saying he has to be nice, we both know that he can't be with Marc, but he is supposed to be in control, that´s why he is famous for”
“Yet he walked into that press conference and ended up looking like a liar, because he said things were good and then refused the handshake, he let his feelings get the better of him, that isn't like Valentino at all”
“Valentino is never himself when Marc is around” Jorge remarked, because someone who is control wouldn't have lost his nerves and kicked someone off the bike
“ You didn't see his face” Jorge assumes he is talking about Marc, because he did see Valentino's face clearly, the mocking and hurt expression he wore before he scoffed and shook his head “ He was smiling in such a painful way, it seemed to hurt him, smiling I mean”
That's something in which Vale and Marc are the same; the smiles, the way they always choose to smile over serious things, and yet, even while being the same they are different. Because Vale's smile is more sardonic and there's no exception over the always smiling rule, while Marc does seem to know when a smile is too much, choosing then to put on a more blank face.
“It reminded me of 2015” And Jorge knows exactly to what moment Dovi is referring. He recalls how Valentino was openly mocking Marc, loudly for anyone to listen, and how Marc looked, with his hand together and a tearful expression, he almost looked like a child. It reminded Jorge of himself.
“Everyone laughed” Dovi murmured
Jorge remembers that one press conference where Valentino kept interrupting him, How Dani was between with that awkward expression of his. He recalls how Valentino laughed sarcastically, always mocking, how, despite him having the last word, he still felt as if he went to the lion's den. How, despite him obviously winning that discussion, Valentino was always in control and ultimately, he was the one who got blamed.
That's probably how Marc felt moments back
Huh
…
“Izaskun said she noticed the obsession from the beginning,” Jorge added. That was the nice lady from DANZ wasn't she? Valentino liked her, she always asked all sort of questions with such care and empathy, its weird finding that nowadays “She told me she knew since the press conference at Sepang”
“Wasn’t it a taboo?” Valentino muttered
“ Yes, but Izaskun is friend not a coworker, besides she was kind of tipsy when she told me”
…
Izaskun has only been in this sport for five years, much less than most of her colleagues, but she considered herself pretty educated on the motorcycling world, most importantly, she knows a lot about the riders on it. That's kind of her philosophy after all, the rider is the most important factor of this sport, so it has to be the part she has to understand the most about.
She thinks that's why most riders seem to like her; because she tries to comprehend them.
That being said, she was still a bit confused about whatever is happening right now, because Valentino Rossi is saying awful things and throwing awful accusations at a rider that's literally three centimeters to his side, and everyone is laughing. It's a strange laugh she must say, because every single reporter is kind of confused right now ‘He is joking right?’ she heard someone chuckled. He has to be, but it really feels like he isn't, because it came out nowhere , because he stopped mid sentence as if to order his thoughts, it didn't feel like a spontaneous joke at all.
Jorge is speaking now, but all she can see is how Marc is staring at the Italian with a smile while the man in question is avoiding his gaze (he has been doing that since he entered, she notes). The mallocan finishes by saying that he didn't feel like Marc was helping him, and the other spaniard is now nodding, as if he was reassuring himself that he indeed did not do that
They asked Iannone about it next, like a shark smelling blood and is now searching for the real meal, and he repeats what Rossi said with a nervous laugh, he talks about facts and data like he had all of this memorised. She looks at Marc, who is still smiling tightly, even as the conversation in the press conference deviates to Iannone's nickname.
And then someone takes the bait
“Marc, did you help Lorenzo?”
The question makes it feel more real, the humor of the situation is now disappearing, and while the room seems to slow down, Marc is quick to answer. But nobody actually cares about whatever he wanted to say after that.
It's barely five minutes later when everything goes to hell, because Valentino is quick to go to a small group of reporters and for some inexplicable reason he now has a stack of papers with what seems to be all the laps times from different races and-
What 's going on?
She and her cameraman are near, trying to listen to what's obviously a very important deal because apparently Rossi is completely serious and that is very plain to see as he speaks like someone who is telling their children a story, but instead, that story is a whole recollection of events since the beginning of the season (did he just mention 2013?) and the Italian is now mocking Marc loudly, comparing him to Biaggi and doubting that Marc was even a fan in the first place
"I'll be damned…” her coworker said
She starts looking around her, and she is not surprised to find chaos, not only around Rossi but everywhere in the room. She can see a very dumbfounded Nick Harris talking to an equally nervous Honda employee, a lot of reporters talking to each other while comparing notes and then, she sees a blank faced Marc Marquez being pulled away from all of it.
“Marc!” she said, going towards him, he surprisingly stops, looking kind of relieved to see a familiar face “Marc what… what is he saying?”
He just gawks at her. He looks scared, he looks like a kid “ I don't know Izaskun”
And that only worsens things, because if Marc is as lost as them, then that means that Valentino is out of control, that means that he didn't try to solve this privately, that means… that means that he is throwing Marc to the hyenas.
The rider seems to realise this as well “ I don't know what to do” It's a quiet admission and Izaskun doesn't really know what to do with it, so she lets Marc be pulled away again.
The next time she sees him, he is claiming that Valentino Rossi kicked him off the track
…
“I didn't kick him” Valentino is kind of surprised he isn't yelling at the accusation, it seems that this what has been more tiresome than he assumed
“no one is saying you did” Dani stated calmly
“I do” Jorge said, he earned a slap on the back of his head from Dani for that “ouch! ok ok…”
“I didnt kick him” he repeated, he didnt he didnt he didnt
He wouldn't do that (right?)
It all would be easier if he could fucking remenber something from that day, but the only thing that comes to mind is the feeling of despair and betrayal and hurt.
He wouldn't kick him
“Sometimes when you are on a bike going 300 km/h, you don't really think about doing the rational thing” Casey said carefully “ his set up was shit, you didn't have the pace, so you both were put in a situation where you had to battle for the same position, and we all know how Marc is”
Because Marquez wouldnt fuck off, if he couldn´t manadge P1 or P2 then he was gonna give his all for P3, just his luck that Valentino was already there. And he got desperate didn't he? seeing Dani and Jorge so far away while he was losing time battling Marc but he just wouldn't stop.
He was supposed to be on his side, he was supposed to be a friend (more than that) so why wasn't he helping? Why was he being an obstacle? Why why why
Why
Marquez was just so close, he wasn't letting him go (he didn't mind having him close before, he doesn't know what changed)
“I don't think it was only your fault” Casey deflated “He was set on you, riling you up”
And suddenly Jorge was standing up “ No” he said, ignoring Dani's pleas to calm down “Im sick of that” he seemed mad all of the sudden, walking towards the Italian menencly, which forced him to also stand because he wasn't going to be intimidated by Jorge of all people.
“Im sick of people babying you, Sick of people blaming him or saying ‘oh yes Vale did a bad thing but that's fine because Marc wasn't letting him go’ no, that's not how it works” he is pointing his finger to Vale's chest, pushing him against the wall “ You were the one to publicly humiliate him, you were the one who encouraged all the media frenzy, the insults and the toxicity, you were the one who couldn't deal with the pressure, you are the one who can't move on and you are one who kicked him off the bike!
“I didn't-!”
“you did! you admitted you slowed down on purpose so you could run him wide”
“Yes but-”
“You looked at him three times, slowed down and then accelerated again once he was on the ground!”
“That doesn't mean-”
“you said you wanted to kill him-”
That stupid fuckass documentary
“No one has enough strength to move a bike!” he managed to say
“Its not about strength and you know it! It's about balance during high speed! You kicked him, Valentino!
“Thats enough Jorge” Dani said sternly, he was now standing up, trying to move Jorge away from the italian
He didn't kick him, Marquez just touched his leg and he reacted, it was all his fault for making Vale love him and then looking at him as if he were nothing, everything was his fault. He was a cruel man with a cruel smile and a cruel face. If he weren't cruel, then why did he smile like that during that race direction meeting? Marquez likes when he is in pain thats why
Marquez with his cruel smile and pretty face and contagious laugh and-
Oh how he misses that laugh
…
When Uccio and he drink, they usually get loud, a very annoying kind of loud. Today though, it's nothing like that.
Probably because Vale is retiring
He looks at his best friend and remembers how much they have aged and fought together. It makes him nostalgic of better times, when all he had to worry about was how he was gonna celebrate his next win. Uccio seems pensive, it has always amused Vale, the face his friend makes when he is thinking, it makes him look more uptight than he really is.
“I realized something at qualifying today” His friend said, Vale hums urging him to continue “ He isn't going to be there during your last race”
Uccio doesn't need to specify who he's referring to, and there was also no need to point out that, because Valentino already knows, he has been thinking about it a lot.
“But you already knew that, no?” the other italian seems to know him well after 40 years together “ I have seen you search obsessively for news about him, it's really pathetic” Yikes, Who needs enemies when you have Uccio
“You miss him” and maybe Vale its a lot more drunk that he thought, because he doesn't even try to deny it
He does miss Marc, from the carnal things to the more lovey dovey ones
“Was the sex really that good” Uccio frowned, moving the content of his cup to the sides
“Best Sex ever man you cannot even imagine” Vale laughed harder at the disgusted face his friend made
There's another pause before Uccio starts speaking again, this time softer “I think we have made a mistake Vale”
“I don't want to hear it” He said rudely, he really didn't want to hear it. His friend sighs, but decides not to push it, knowing his friend will tell him whatever he wants. He does look disappointed (why is it always disappointment?) and that makes Vale deflates “ I just, its my last race and he won't be there, it feels like he is again showing his indifference” He isn't being fair right now, Marquez is literally dealing with a very serious injury right now but it still feels like that, like he is indifferent towards him, like he couldn't care less
“That's also pathetic, the fact that it only bothers you his indifference and not everything else”
“Always so insightful my friend thank you” Uccio snickers at his response but doesn't say anything else.
His friend always had a weird relationship Marquez, because it always seemed that Valentino's best interests were opposites with everything Marquez related, so it's weird seeing Uccio´s change of heart towards the spaniard, he doesn’t even seem to like him still, but nowadays, He sees Marquez as more of a necessity and not an inconvenience for Vale.
“Sometimes, and only sometimes, I found myself wishing to go back” He ends up drunkly confessing “Back when? I don't even know, but always with him”
He was very happy before Marc arrived at his live, before he knew the other existed, but now that he has tasted what it felt like having him by his side, he doesn't think he could as happy without him again
…
“But we all know that the kicking it's beside the point” Jorge mumbled still glaring at Valentino “ Kick or not, it's the after what's important”
“Its the fact that you wanted to destroy him”
He did want that at the time, he had wanted to end Marquez, to make him feel every awful bit of betrayal that Vale had been feeling since Australia (In the back of his mind, he could hear Sete's voice after Qatar 2004, saying he was too vindictive, that he poisons everything that dares not to follow his plan) Maybe he has always been a bitter old man.
It didn't solve anything in the end, because Vale still couldn't escape the frustration and the gut-wrecking despair that lingered even when the season ended, that still resurfaced when Marc’s arm got injured and everyone thought his career was finally over. He guesses that's also part of the problem, how he didn't enjoy Marquez's injury at all, how he was worried sick and still didn't have the balls to call or leave a message, did anyone? He remembers hearing that Dani did
“Valentino?” He heard someone say, he had probably spent too much time in silence
“Did you call Marquez during his time injured?” He asked looking at Dani, he seems confused at the sudden change of subject, and beside him, Jorge put on an indignant expression on his face at being ignored
“I called him to ask how he was but that was that, then, months after, he called to ask something”
…
Marc didn't call, that's something Dani learned early on, not because he didn't want to talk or anything like that, but because it was important to him to be with other people and speak with them face to face. So that's why it caught Dani by surprise when he saw his number on his phone.
“Marc?” Dani inquired gently “Is everything ok?”
“I have to ask you something” straight to the point of course “How did you know you had to retire?” It's funny, the way he phrases the question, ‘Had to retire’ not wanted, probably because Marc could never imagine a life where he didn't want to ride. Even so, it's still something unusual to ask, most of the time this is a conversation you'll have with family, not with the test rider of a rival team.
“ Marc, What's happening? He tried to sound approachable, the other sounded like he needed to relax
“ My family is telling me to stop, they said that I don't have to prove anything, that I should retire because all of this isn't worth it, all the pain and suffering… it's not worth it anymore” he could barely listen to him by the end of his rambling
“Marc…”
“I don't know what to do Dani” It reminded him of 2013 when the younger had just finnished practice and told him with shiny eyes that he copied his riding style, asking him if he could help so he could adapt it to his own. Back then he thought it was endearing, seeing how a rider similar in build tried to copy his style. It's then that Dani realised that whatever he is about to say, it's going to be important for Marc's future choice, that this isn't 2013, right now Marc has to take a very important decision and he thought Dani could help. It makes him think, understanding the role that Marc has given him, he needs to be careful with this.
“Ok listen, I'm gonna ask you two important questions” hearing Marc humming, he continued “ Do you still love this sport?”
“Yes” without a doubt
“ Do you think that if your arm heals correctly, and I mean real good without all the bullshit you tried to pull before, that you would win again?” This is a very important question for people like Marc, who only can feel contempt if they win.
The other seems to think about this more carefully, but the answer was obvious from the beginning “yes”
…
Valentino closed his eyes and put his head on top of his knees, Márquez must have felt so alone and he didn't do anything because he still had his head up in his ass, God he is an asshole. Maybe the Spaniard didn't even notice, considering they hadn't talked properly since 2015, so there was the possibility he wasn't expecting anything from Vale. That thought only hurt more.
“Not many people were there for him at that time” Dani added “ He focused so much on winning since 2015 that he just, forgot everyone else in the paddock”
That's something that was made apparent during Marquez injury time, the way he seemed isolated from the rest of the riders was impossible to ignore even when it was never talked about. It almost looked as if Marquez was someone from another time, an old glory, despite being closer in age to the newer riders and the old ones. Pecco told him that in Marquez documentary, which he obviously didn't watch (he wanted to), the Spaniard mentioned that only Aleix and Fabio went to visit him (‘Wasn't Pol's motorhome next to his? He didn't visit him?’). The older Espargaró was somehow a surprise, Vale didn´t know the two of them had a close relationship, although Fabio was a more predictable option, the Frenchman had constantly expressed his admiration towards Marquez.
…
“ Why Marquez and not Valentino though? Aren't you a Yamaha fan?” he heard Pecco tease
That makes Vale frown, he was supposed to meet up with his academy boys 20 minutes ago, all of them should be there already, so why are they talking in English? and who the fuck is a Marquez fanboy.
“Its not like I dislike Valentino or anything, I just have a deeper connection to Marc” French accent. Quartararo
“Deeper connection?” Bezz snickers “Come on man, be serious”
It's no surprise that Fabio prefers Marquez, he has been very vocal about it and has never talked or behaved badly towards Valentino so it doesn't really bother all that much, french people will forever be a mistery. However, talking about having a ‘Deeper connection’ with Marquez does make a hot feeling travel through his spine and bile come up to his throat. Those two have a good relatioship, they are always complemeting eachother and Marquez's father loves the frenchman.
“I guess I have always related to him a bit more when I was a kid” He relaxes, that makes more sense actually
“Everyone wanted to be Rossi when they were a kid” Franky chimed in
“Well yes, I did too, at least at the beginning"
That gets Vale's attention, because saying that he only wanted it at the beginning means that something happened that made him change his mind. The others seem to have caught this as well, too obvious to let it pass.
“What, did you become his fan when he did the floss? the tone Bezz uses is burlesque, making it clear he found that ridiculous while a laughter from the others follows the comment
“No no, I suppose it was in 2015” Fabio must be very brave or very stupid to mention that year in a room full of italians “ I was 16 maybe, in my room scrolling through twitter because who wasn't back then with everything that was happening, and I came across that video of Valentino insulting him while Marc was beside him and I just, I don't know, I looked around my room and I saw all the poster I myself had about all my idols and imagined how I would feel if the man I looked up to started saying all those things”
The room fell silent after that monologue, giving Valentino time to think about what the Frenchman said. Would he have done the same if it were Bez or Pecco? the situation, although not the same, would be similar enough, making him a little uncomfortable. It doesn't really sit well with him, comparing the two cases. It makes him wonder if his students feel that way as well, if they agree with him even on things they don't believe just because they are afraid of Vale.
He doesn't want to think about it anymore, so he enters the room
…
The four of them quieted down after that, seemingly in their own heads. Vale appreciated the much needed silence, it was nice and it gave him space to reflect about everything the others told him, it seems that once again he needed people to tell him when he was being a complete douchebag. It's something hard for him to admit, and he isn't sure he can't concede half the accusation they are throwing at him, he still thinks that Marc rides to over the edge, that it's still undeniable that he raced too hard against him during Sepang.
People blame him a lot for talking so much about Marquez during Podcasts, but they don't seem to care when the Spaniard does that too, although admittedly in a more relaxed manner, the principle is still the same. They are bound together, and when Marquez retires, he´ll also see how important they are for one another.
Not only because of the sport, after all, it was never about the sport anyways, but on a fundamental level, Marc and Valentino, Rossi and Marquez, tied together despite never fighting for a championship. That's why Uccio never really understood them, he always tried to compare Marquez to his other rivals like Biaggi or Stoner, Vale himself tried to do that various times, it is not the same though, it has and will never be the same.
Because he was never in love with any of them
That's what all of this hurt so much, the feeling of betrayal and the indifference he was later given. Vale longed for the other, he wanted to be someone to him, not only the one whom he shared his bed with, but someone who he shared his mornings also. He wanted Marquez to stop thinking about winning for a second and just look at him, not as Valentino Rossi 9 times world champion, he needed Marquez to see him as him. But he didn't, he only cared about winning, not about the unwritten rules of riding or about Vale's feelings. Sometimes he thinks that Marquez only got hurt because all the media and fans hate instead of Vale harsh words. It makes him sick, the fact that Marquez may have thought about all of that with Valentino as the cause and not as the problem itself.
He could still see the Spaniard blank face when he went to yell at him after Sepang, he looked at the italian without any king of emotion on his face before he walked away without responding to all of his accusations, and it's just not fair, how Marquez can disregard him so easily, while Vale could never attain such apathy. It's not fair at all.
God, they had been so good before 2015, so many kisses they shared while in bed and movie nights that made his stomach warm simply by remembering them. Even in 2018 after the hate sex they had after Termas, he could still see how beautiful the other looked asleep, with not indifference but with calmness on his face, as if they were lovers waiting to start the day. He missed his Cackle when Vale would inevitably burn the toast and its just- Does it even matter anymore? Holding a grudge for something that happened 10 years ago and has only brought him pain? He yearns for soft skin that he would touch during lazy morning sex, for a cat like mouth and dear eyes that stared direcly into his after comming. He longed for the tired giggling that would be pushed against his neck after grabing his waist and for the kissing that would eventually be ruined from smiling too hard.
“Do you think that we could work out? he whispered. He starts hearing a small muttering from Jorge and Dani, clearly discussing what he just asked before responding, the shorter man glaring at the malloran before he sighed and nodded.
“ ok listen, Dani and I hated each other, we said terrible thing to one another and we let it stay like that for years” Jorge explained “But look at as now”
“Its not the same” Vale objected, and it really isnt, neither Marquez is as understanding as Dani nor Vale is as direct as Jorge, it would be a miscommunication mess.
“Thats not the point” Dani rebutted “Even if both of you are too prideful to take any kind of blame, you could still tried to understand him and viceversa, thats what love its all about; loving each other through all your differences”
“It's going to be difficult, and it would all be dependent if both of you are willing to do it, if you both are ready to forget, but isn't it worth the try?”
He honestly doesn't think Marquez would want that, he'll probably do the imposible to ignore Vale at all cost.
“Since when have you been afraid to get what you want” Casey taunted “Now you'll only have to do it without being complete asshole”
***
They didn't have to wait long before someone finally came and got them out, allowing them to continue with their day. The race apparently finished not too long ago, so they still could get there in time for the podium celebration, which was good since Bezz and DiGia both managed to score P1 and P3 respectively. Casey went his own way after arriving, patting passive-agressively his back and telling not to fuck up, while Jorge and Dani kept telling him how to act in a more “decoroso” manner and less like he wants to choke just by seeing Marquez, which, ok rude.
They left shortly after, Jorge with his hand on the small of Dani's back, saying that they rented a room in a fancy Valencian hotel so they could spend ‘quality’ time together, that makes Vale put on a disgusted expression that Jorge laughs at, earning a middle finger. It makes him happy that both of them figured it though and by the looks of it, it seems their relationship is going well.
He walks though the paddock for a while, congratulating the people from his team and stopping to chat with Bezz, who seemed really happy to see him, telling him all about his victory today (‘Oh I saw Marc earlier!’ ‘Really? Where was he?’ ‘Talking with Francesco’) It's late by the time he reaches Pecco's motorhome, entering so they could analyse what went wrong during the race. He seemed pretty bummed out, but glad the season over and hopeful for next year.
“Is Maquez inside his motorhome?” Vale wondered, trying to sound natural
He didn't really succeed, because Pecco gave him a weird look "I don't know, maybe he is with his brother, maybe he is not, you should see for yourself”
So now he finds himself at Marquez's door, not having the guts to knock. He probably wont even be inside anyways, he is injured so he must have left already, why wouldn't he spend his time in his motorhome when he didn't even race? he stresses, it would be so stupid. What was he even thinking, even if Marquez was inside he'd probably close the door in his face and shout at him to go away, and if his brother were there he would most likely punch Valentino. Why was his motorhome even set up? The guy isn't supposed to be at the paddock and they still keep it? this is exactly why no one takes this sport seriously anymo–
“Valentino?” Said a familiar voice behind him
He feels his heart racing as he turns around
“Marc”