Doc looked over at the man sleeping in the seat beside him. the trip to his home town, Thomasville North Carolina, was 35 and a half hours from Radiator Springs Arizona. it was late and Doc had told the younger to rest so when they got to Cotter Pin he wasn't tired. he wanted the younger to be awake to meet his friends Louise, Junior, River, and Smokey. they had about 45 minutes before they got there and he debated if he wanted to wake the younger just yet. he decided to go ahead and wake him. he reached over.

"Monty, hey, baby. wake up." Doc said, shaking him. Lightning jerked up and mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Hud?" he ask.

"hey we got about 45 minutes. okay? so just start waking up." Doc said. Lightning nodded and stretched.

"how long was I out?" he mumbled, leaning against Doc, trying to blink himself awake.

"about two hours." Doc said. Lightning nodded and rubbed at his face.

"I need more sleep." he mumbled.

"we're just going to stop in for a bit at Cotter Pin and meet the gang, then we'll head to the hotel. okay?" Doc ask. Lightning looked at the clock, 9PM.

"okay, as long as it's just for a bit. if I pass out in there, I won't be happy." Lightning frowned.

"you'll be fine Monty." Doc assured. his lover was extremely hesitant and nervous to meet Docs friends, but had sprung the trip on Doc as a surprise. Doc had mentioned wanting to video call his friends and, while Lightning could help him, his friends had no idea how to set it up. so Lightning had suggested they make the trip to see them so he could set up the video app on their computers, and so Doc could see his friends in person for the first time in 50 years. it was all Lightnings idea, but he was still nervous, nearly terrified. he cuddled to Docs side, they all know Doc was his crew chief and he was openly gay. they didn't know Lightning was gay, except Smokey, who Doc had told weeks ago they they were together. "don't go back to sleep." Doc warned.

"m'not." he huffed, stretching again. Doc chuckled softly as he drove. Lightning looked around and paused, smiling a little.

"look at you up there on that billboard." Lightning smiled. "welcome to Thomasville, home of the 3 time piston cup winner, number 51, the Fabulous Hudson Hornet." Lightning read. "thats cool." he smiled.

"yeah. it is." Doc smiled. it was quiet a moment and Lightning looked over at Doc.

"you pay them to put that up?" he ask. Docs gaze snapped over to him.

"no. I didn't." Doc huffed. Lightning laughed at him and cuddled to his side. he looked up when Doc parked and tensed slightly. Doc shut the Hornet off and looked over at him. "you ready to meet them kid?" Doc ask.

"not really, but I'm going to do it anyway." he muttered, unbuckling. Doc smiled at him and got out with him.

"don't panic." Doc snorted.

"it's like meeting your family." Lightning muttered. Doc laughed and ruffled his hair.

"yeah well, I already know your family, only fair you meet mine." Doc chuckled. Lightnings family was in Radiator Springs, he didn't have anyone else.

"you introduced me to my family." Lightning huffed.

"come on." Doc murmured, leading him inside. Lightning followed him hesitantly.

"well I'll be. Hud you old sonuva bitch!" Smokey grinned getting up from the table to hug Doc. Lightning quickly stepped out of the way, a small smile on his face.

"hey Smokey." Doc chuckled. he stepped back and motioned to Lightning. "Monty." Doc said. Smokey reached for the younger mans hand to shake.

"nice to finally meet you kid." Smokey chuckled.

"it's nice to put a face to the name I've been hearing for years." Lightning said. Smokey lead them back to the booth where the other three were waiting.

"Hud!" Louise grinned getting up and hugged him.

"hey Barnstormer." Doc smirked, hugging her. "you still hang out with these guys?" Doc ask.

"someone gotta keep Junior and River in line." Loiuse chuckled.

"how are you Louise?" Doc ask.

"never better Hud." she smiled. she looked over at Lightning. "hey it's Huds boy." Louise smiled, stepping away from Doc. Lightning smiled awkwardly at her. "you have no idea who any of us are do you kid? you're barely 20." she laughs. Doc snorted in amusement.

"don't get him started." Doc muttered, heading to sit with Smokey.

"26 actually, Miss.Barnstormer." Lightning said. "the lady who made headway for female racers everywhere." Lightning said, shaking her hand. "Midnight Moon and River Scott. should I list fact on them too?" he smirked. Louise grinned at him.

"just call me Louise honey. Junior move over, it's Huds boy!" Louise grinned, pulling Lightning to the booth. "he already reminds me of you Hud." Louise laughed.

"what are doing Hud?" Junior ask curiously.

"kid and I came down because he is going to set up that video call thing so I don't have to keep coming back every few weeks to see you guys." Doc said, moving so Lightning could sit beside him. he waved awkwardly at the other two.

"oh great. I never did figure out how to get that on my computer." Junior said.

"thats what I'm for. he couldn't figure it out either." Lightning chuckled pointing at Doc.

"its good to finally meet you Monty." River nodded at him. Lightning smiled at him.

"like wise, all I ever hear about is you guys." he grinned.

"funny cause all we ever hear about is you." Smokey chuckled. Lightning smiled slightly. he was still uneasy, but more relaxed, leaning forward against the table. Doc sat forward a little and rested a hand on the youngers leg gently, hidden under the table so no one would see, rubbing his leg gently with his thumb. he wanted to comfort the younger man, not embarrass him or anything.

"so Hud, lay it on us. the kid is yours right?" River ask, raising an eye brow. that was a loaded question, but Doc knew what it meant. Lightning looked over at him, curiously. Doc nodded.

"yeah, he is." Doc said.

"he looks it." Louise smirked. Lightning looked over at Doc for an explanation. Doc rolled his eyes and reached down, taking his hand gently. it dawned on the younger and he shrugged one shoulder, almost leaning away from Doc at all the attention.

"tomorrow we'll swing by your houses so he can set this stuff up for you guys." Doc said.

"yeah n'it a little late for you guys after a 30 plus hour drive?" Junior ask.

"kinda. he fell asleep on the ride, had to wake him up just so we could come inside." Doc chuckled.

"shut up old man, you would've fallen asleep too if the person driving was as boring as you are." Lightning huffed.

"I am not boring." Doc said, rolling his eyes.

"well you sure don't do yourself any favors. you just sit over there silently and drive. you don't do anything." Lightning huffed. he rolled his eyes before looking around the table. "I don't get it. how can you guys be friends after all these years and I can't get Chick off my bumper long enough to make any friends." Lightning muttered. Junior scoffed in disgust. Lightning looked over. "what?" Lightning ask.

"Chick Hicks." Junior huffed. Lightning looked confused.

"you guys know that asshole?" Lightning ask.

"we've always watched races, we started paying more attention when Hud became your crew chief. usually its you two all over the tv, but they have caught several times of that asswipe harassing you." Smokey said. Lightning frowned.

"I didn't realize they caught that stuff on camera. I'm vein but I don't watch every race I'm in." Lightning muttered.

"what do they have?" Doc ask curiously.

"a lot of shit has been caught on camera. like the time he ran over the kids foot." Smokey said.

"yeah 2 years ago. thats right. race was over and Chick came at me with the car. got my foot when I jumped out of the way." he mumbled.

"and they caught him knocking three of your teeth out with his helmet." Louise said. Lightning frowned, gently running his tongue over the teeth Chick had knocked out over a year ago.

"yeah that was a nightmare and a half." Doc muttered.

"oh and that time Hud beat the hell out of him because he flipped your car." River grinned. Doc heaved a sigh out of his nose, but there was a slight smirk on his face.

"and I'd do it again." Doc smirked. Lightning rolled his eyes.

"you already have." Lightning said.

"huh?" Smokey ask. Lightning snapped his mouth shut, squeezing Docs hand.

"what do you mean kid?" Junior ask. Lightning looked at Doc, frowning.

"damn kid, you gotta tell everyone?" Doc ask.

"sorry Doc." he mumbled.

"whats he talking about Hud?" Smokey ask.

"part of the reason we came on such short notice was because Chick blew through Radiator Springs. roughed the kid up pretty good, so I broke his nose." Doc said.

"and two fingers, his ankle, and three ribs." Lightning mumbled.

"damn Hud." Louise said. Doc frowned and glared slightly.

"hit tore through my town, hurt my people, destroyed the Stanley statue, and Monty's Chevy." Doc said.

"the 95." Lightning said. "he rammed his stupid car into my race car and destroyed it." Lightning muttered.

"he got out to beat the kids ass as I came rolling into town. can't help the Hornet rolled right over him." Doc muttered. "minor break failure." he smirked slightly. "let me up kid." Doc said. Lightning let go of his hand immediately and scooted out of the booth. Doc got up.

"the hornet outside?" Junior ask.

"yeah." Doc said looking at him.

"shit, let me out Smokey, I gotta see that thing. I haven't seen it since '54." Junior said.

"me either." River grinned. Smokey got up and let the other two out.

"I'm going to the bar to get me a drink, but I'll meet you two outside in a minute." Doc assured. they nodded quickly and headed out. Lightning laughed and sat back down. he sat awkwardly with Louise and Smokey.

"that is something." Smokey said. Lightning looked over at him.

"hmm?" he ask.

"it sure is." Louise chuckled. Lightning looked confused.

"what?" he ask.

"he loves you kid." Smokey said.

"I know that. we've been together since-" Lightning tried.

"no Monty. Hud used to beat anyone who touched the Hornet. if they left finger prints on it he'd slam their face into the hood." Smokey said. Lightnings eye brows shot up. "so he's really gotta love you to slam his car into someone for you." Smokey chuckled.

"h-he didn't do it for me. he did it because Chick destroyed the town. Docs more protective of Radiator Springs than he is the Hornet." Lightning said. Louise smiled at him and patted his hand.

"kid, look at me." Louise said firmly. Lightning looked at her. "he loves you more than he loves that car. he would trade that Hornet to keep you safe. he brought you to see us. there's never been a man he's brought to see us. he told us many years ago what he was, after I came out too kid. I brought women around, he never brought a single person to see us. never, Monty. he never brought anyone to see us. but he brings you to us, admits you and him are together to us. he lets you call him Hud. thats a private thing. he's got it bad for you." Louise explained.

"she's right kid." Smokey murmured. "I've never seen that old grump so happy." he added. Lightning looked over at him.

"happy? no way. he was happiest when he was racing." Lightning said shaking his head.

"he loved racing, he love winning, but he was always so grumpy, but you kid, you make him happy." Smokey said. Lightning shook his head.

"I've never seen him happy, he's always so grumpy and withdrawn, I mean I've seen him smile like three times." Lightning said, confused. Smokey smiled and stood.

"come with me kid." Smokey said. Lightning looked hesitant, but got up and followed him.

"what about Hud?" Lightning ask.

"don't worry Louise will tell him what happened. she'll tell Hud that we left for my garage. its just down the block kid." Smokey said, leading him away. Lightning followed him. Smokey was one of Docs friends, he could trust him.

they walked to Smokey's garage.

"Hud loves you kid. he's had a hard life. a gay man in the 40's and 50's, a famous race car driver, a horrible accident that ruined his career, his life." Smokey said. "the wreck broke his body and his Hornet, and the no more racing broke his heart to the point he just disappeared. cut himself off to Radiator Springs.... didn't talk to any of us for 50 years... but then one day kid," Smokey said, opening the garage. "the letters started coming in, and every one of them was about you." Smokey murmured, flicking on the lights. Lightning stared at the wall of memories, pictures, news paper clippings, and letters.

"w-woah..." Lightning murmured. Smokey smiled slightly.

"Hud loved racing, but you... coaching you and training you... you're the best part of his life kid. I've never seen the old grump so happy." Smokey said, watching the younger man walk into the garage. he followed after him. "I have pictures of me training him, being his crew chief. his as a younger man, but the first time I ever seen a picture of him smiling, was when he sent me this." Smokey said, pointing at a picture on the wall. Lightning looked at it and he smiled.

"I remember that. the first win I ever got." Lightning murmured.

"s'ain't a walk down memory lane. s'not why we're here." Doc said, his voice coming in from behind them. both turned to look at him, he gave them both a half smile. he walked over and threw his arm around the youngers shoulders and pulled him close to his side, it was the closest to affection in front of another person.

"we should get to the hotel, I'm freaking tired." Lightning muttered.

"let me grab my laptop real quick and let you put that thing on in it." Smokey said, walked into his house. Lightning turned to face him looking up, smiling.

"enjoying my friends?" Doc ask curiously.

"Louise is a lesbian and she's pretty nice. Smokey is pretty cool, gotta lot of pride for you coming backing to talk to them again. he's proud that you've been sending letters and got back into the scene. haven't really talked to River or Junior, but they don't seem bad." he shrugs with a smile. Doc smiled and wrapped his arms around the younger. he chuckled and rest his forehead against the youngers.

"they wanna race you." he chuckled softly. Lightning looked shocked.

"me? but I didn't... I don't.... the 95 is in Arizona." Lightning said.

"not for long. Macks sending it over. we'll pick it up in the morning. they got it all fixed up." Doc murmured. Lightning smiled.

"sounds good." he murmurs. he leaned slightly forward. "I know how you are about PDA, Smokey's watching us." Lightning said, voice just barely audible. Doc's eye brows shot up a little and he let go, shoving the younger away and shaking his head.

"you are crazy kid." Doc muttered, looking over the wall. Smokey smiled slightly. Lightning made an account and downloaded the program. the two left, heading for the hotel.

Lightning laid on the bed stretching tiredly. Doc smiled and watched him. meeting his friends had gone well, really well. he'd been worried and nervous, but thankfully it had gone well. Doc laid on the bed with him and held him close.

"come here baby, get some sleep." Doc murmured, kissing his head. Lightning mumbled at him, closing his eyes. Doc smiled, and yawned, letting his eyes fall closed. he was glad the younger had suggested coming home, it was amazing. he was happier than he'd been in a long time. he smiled slightly and let himself fall asleep.