deadbeat motorsport fan

Most people assumed it was because of Pol. Since Aleix was known to be protective of his younger brother, many people just assumed he knew all the hiding spots because he spent a lot of time looking for Pol whenever he was upset.

But, that wasn’t the case.

When Pol was upset, he always chose to hide in the family motorhome. He would lock himself inside the trailer and sulk for a while until Aleix or their parents dragged him out to get ice cream or something else to cheer him up.

No, it was Aleix who liked to storm off when he was upset. He knew he had a bad temper and that sponsors wouldn’t want to back an “temperamental” rider.

So, when he was upset after a race, Aleix would sneak out to a hidden area of the track to vent out his frustrations. He would scream until his lungs hurt and punch and kick whatever was in sight, far away from prying eyes.

Then, he would walk out like nothing had happened.

Due to that, he had a pretty good idea of how most tracks in Catalonia were set up.

So, when the eldest Marquez brother would make a run for it after a bad race, Aleix could find him pretty fast.

It wasn’t a job he particularly enjoyed. After all, Marc was a brat after he lost a race and it was always a hassle to drag him back to his parents.

However, Aleix really liked Roser and Julia. They were very kind people and always looked out for him and Pol whenever they could.

Plus, Roser made the best macaroni ever.

Besides, even if Marc was a brat, Aleix begrudgingly had a soft spot for him. He was like another Pol, though he could be way more childish at times.

Then again he was two years younger than Pol. Which might explain why Marc could be such a baby at times.

So, when Roser tiredly asked him to look for Marc, while trying to comfort a whiny Alex who was about to throw a tantrum if he didn’t get his brother back soon, Aleix quickly agreed to help.

It didn’t take long to find Marc. Aleix knew that while Marc could fit into most hiding spots due to his small size, he liked to stay close in case Alex came looking for him.

Today, Marc had ended up hiding in a tiny pocket of his garage, hidden behind some bikes set aside for repair. Aleix spots him curled up into a ball, his tiny body shaking from the force of his sobs.

Now, in Aleix’s personal opinion, he didn’t really get why Marc was acting up today. He had done pretty well, except for a minor fuck up that cost him the win, though Marc did finish third.

Still, Aleix leans over the bikes and offers Marc a small smile.

“Hey kiddo.” Aleix said, knowing how much the younger kid hated that.

Sure enough, though he initially jumps at his voice , Marc quickly looks up and aims a glare at Aleix.

Though, with the tears on his face, Marc just looks like a kicked puppy.

“You’re a kid too!” Marc complains.

“I’m thirteen. So I’m a teenager.” Aleix said in response, walking around the bikes to sit next to him, “And I’m not the one hiding from everyone, which is kid behavior.”

Marc sniffles and sits up reluctantly.

“I’m not hiding…” Marc mumbles.

“Well that’s not what Ms.Roser said.” Aleix said.

Marc winces. “Mom is looking for me?”

“And your dad. Though they have their hands full with Alex right now.” Aleix confirms.

Marc looks worried when Aleix said that.

“Is Alex okay? Is he hurt?” Marc asks.

Aleix shakes his head. “He’s fine. He’s just upset that you’re hiding from everyone again.”

Marc winces at that and draws his knees up to his chest, before hugging his legs.

“I don’t want to make him sad. I’m just… sad.” Marc mumbles.

“Well, do you want to talk about it? Or do you want to go to Ms.Roser?” Aleix asks.

Aleix prays for the latter. But, Marc ends up shaking his head and leaning against Aleix.

“Can I talk to you Aleix?” Marc asks.

Aleix stifles a sigh before nodding.

He wants to go hang out with his friends, not babysit Marc.

But, Aleix knew that he couldn’t just walk away now without feeling bad. Clearly something was bothering the kid.

“Yeah, sure.” Aleix said.

Marc is silent for a moment. Then, he speaks.

“Do you think I’ll be as good as you are one day?” Marc asks quietly.

Aleix blinks at him, sure he misheard that.

“Huh?” Aleix asks.

Marc sniffles and looks up at Aleix. His eyes were still filled with tears and he looked even younger than his age than he usually did. If Aleix didn’t know better, he would say that Marc was 5 years old instead of 9.

“Everyone says you’re gonna do really well, even race with Rossi one day.” Marc sniffs, “And… And I’m scared… What if I… I suck…”

Aleix reaches out to wipe his tears instinctively. He hated seeing any of the younger kids cry, especially Pol and Marc.

“Hey hey,” Aleix soothes him, “Don’t cry, it’s okay Marc. You’re a great rider!!”

This doesn’t help though. Instead, Marc cries harder.

“But I messed up!!! I lost!!!” Marc starts full on sobbing as he finishes his sentence.

Aleix gives up on wiping Marc’s tears and just hugs the younger kid in an attempt to calm him down.

“It’s okay… It’s okay…” Aleix murmurs. “You’ll do better next time.”

Marc sniffs again and wipes his nose on his sleeve. Aleix tries to ignore that bit.

“I wanna be the best though…” Marc mutters.

“Well, you will be!” Aleix said, adding ‘After me and Pol’ in his mind.

He didn’t think saying that would make Marc feel any better.

Marc looks at Aleix in surprise. “Really..?!”

Aleix nods, forcing a smile to his face.

“Of course.” Aleix promises. “I bet you’ll even be better than Valentino Rossi!”

Marc lets out a gasp. “But… But Valentino is the best!!!”

Aleix starts wiping at Marc’s eyes “And you’ll be even better. Promise! You just gotta keep trying!”

Marc sniffs, but he starts to smile now.

“Okay! I.. I’ll be the best MotoGP rider ever!” Marc cheers.

Aleix sighs in relief as he tugs the child closer.

“Yeah!” Aleix agrees, “Feeling better now?”

Marc nods, smiling brightly. “Yeah! Thanks Aleix!”

To Aleix’s surprise, Marc lunged forward, wrapping his arms tightly around his torso.

“You gotta wait for me then! Imma race you in MotoGP and win!!!” Marc grins.

Aleix lets out a small oomph as he barely catches the kid. But, his lips were twitching as he hugs Marc back.

“I don’t know… I might beat you.” Aleix teases.

Marc sticks his tongue out at him. “Nuh uh! You just said I would be the best! So that means imma beat you!!”

Aleix grins back at him. “You can’t win all the time! Maybe I’ll sneak in a championship here or there!”

Marc pouts at that.

“Nope!” Marc declares, “I’m gonna win all of them!”

Aleix snorts, though he ruffles his hair.

“Sure Marc. Anyway, do you want to head back to your parents and brother now?” Aleix asks.

Marc hesitates, but nods.

“Yeah. I wanna make sure Alex is okay.” Marc said.

“Good. Let’s go.” Aleix sighs.

Aleix moves to get back on his feet. But before he can, he feels Marc tighten his grip on him.

Aleix looks down curiously, only to see Marc giving him a sheepish smile.

“Thanks for finding me Aleix.” Marc said.

Aleix can’t help but smile back at Marc as he hugs the kid back.