Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

(As Thanks to Aboudi_Salim for leaving a review and for reaching 50 PS, I am posting another chapter. Thanks and keep the love and support flowing, it keeps me motivated. For every 25 PS I will upload another chapter as long as I have them completed.)

Guldrin's week went by in a blur of noise, grease, and the infectious adrenaline that seemed to permeate everything at the Toretto garage. The early mornings were marked by the shop opening, setting the tone for each day with engines roaring to life, tools clanging, and Vince's occasional jabs at the crew. Guldrin absorbed it all, bouncing between tasks, from helping Jesse clean carburetors to wrestling with Vince over who could fix a cylinder head faster. Vince would act annoyed, of course, but it was hard to miss the grin he tried to hide when he won, and even more so when he didn't. Not to say he didn't help out at the café, Mia had taken to teaching him all she knew about the ins and outs of the shop, how to price, cooking, cleaning, stocking, he did practically anything.

Dominic, with his unspoken authority and stern expressions, kept a close eye on Guldrin. Dom was protective in his own way, subtly steering the young newcomer into learning both the car work and the importance of loyalty within the crew. Guldrin respected him immensely, feeling a strange familiarity with Dom's no-nonsense approach and fierce dedication to those around him.

The days turned into a steady rhythm of labor and laughter. Each morning, Guldrin made sure to sign in to his system, earning daily rewards for staying active in his role as a young "apprentice" to the team. He learned that signing in to the same place multiple times gave a multiplier. Each sign-in rewarded him with small, useful items: spare parts, repair kits, or tiny increases in his mechanical skills. His favorite reward of the week was an old-school set of impact sockets, which he used to help Jesse work on the brakes of a heavily modified Mazda RX-7. That day, Jesse walked him through the specifics of tuning for handling and balance, breaking down the theory and practice with enthusiasm that was infectious. No one questioned where he got these tools since Dom and Mia were paying him to work, so they assumed he was buying them. By the end of the day, Guldrin could practically feel his proficiency increasing, the system rewarding him with subtle stat boosts that he only noticed but that made a tangible difference in his work.

By the middle of the next week, Guldrin found himself almost calling Dominic, 'Dad' and Letty, 'Mom' but he hadn't made the mistake yet and felt immersed in the Toretto family's world… His world… Mia brought him snacks from the kitchen while he worked, laughing when he'd wolf them down as if he hadn't eaten in days. Dom continued to test him with various car repairs, explaining that if Guldrin wanted to be part of this world, he had to "earn his stripes." Vince took it upon himself to drill Guldrin on car terminology, half-jokingly treating him like an apprentice mechanic and half-expecting the kid to stumble. But each time, Guldrin surprised them all with his persistence and ability to pick things up faster than anyone expected. Letty even took him for a ride, something which Guldrin enjoyed immensely, and Letty loved the looks he made.

As Thursday approached, the crew's anticipation grew palpable. Word had spread of an upcoming street race that would gather some of the best racers from across the city. Brian's undercover work was nearing a tipping point as he prepared to join Dom in this high-stakes race. 

The Toretto crew was buzzing, checking cars, and making last-minute adjustments. Dom was going to race the Mazda 7 which they had been working on, but instead, through an odd turn of events, Dom had brought his charger from home and he and Guldrin had been fixing it together. What better way to showcase their work, than to race it instead? For Guldrin, it was an eye-opener, the sight of gleaming paint, modified engines, and the feverish excitement in everyone's eyes. It felt like he was about to cross into a new world, and he couldn't help but feel both exhilarated and a little nervous.

Brian, meanwhile, was watching Guldrin closely after each part's delivery, still trying to piece together the boy's origins. Guldrin had become a quiet enigma to him, someone who seemed to fit in perfectly while simultaneously carrying an air of mystery. And as the crew revved up their preparations, Brian couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was going to bring more than just answers about Dom's crew. He suspected Guldrin would be part of it somehow.

Finally, the night arrived. Guldrin could hardly contain his excitement, which he masked with a calm demeanor as the crew gathered, each dressed in dark clothes and ready to blend into the shadows of the underground race scene. Jesse gave him a playful nudge, pointing out cars and explaining their significance, while Leon teased him about not knowing "real speed" until he saw Dom race. Vince had his own way of hyping things up, smirking as he assured Guldrin that this wasn't "a kid's playground." Both Leon and Vince split off leaving Guldrin with Letty, Mia, and Jesse.

The street was alive under the night sky, a neon-lit strip packed with the whoosh of fast cars and the raucous laughter of a hyped-up crowd. Music pumped through speakers, while people, many with adrenaline-fueled grins, others dressed to impress in barely-there outfits, mingled around the lineup of modified cars. The smell of burnt rubber filled the air, and there was a vibe so electric you could almost taste it.

Guldrin, wide-eyed and visibly buzzing with excitement, was taking it all in with Mia, Letty, and Jesse. As they wove their way through the crowd, Mia noticed the groups of women posing by the cars and flashing flirty smiles at any guy who looked their way. She glanced down at Guldrin, a bit alarmed. He was still pretty young, and she didn't want him distracted by what he might not quite understand yet.

With a protective hand on his shoulder, Mia whispered, "Maybe you should keep your eyes on the cars, Guldrin. They're pretty cool, right?"

But Guldrin was already glancing at a particularly shiny imported car, where a couple of women in skin-tight skirts were striking exaggerated poses. His cheeks flushed as he tried to pretend he wasn't staring, though it was obvious he was intrigued. Letty, picking up on his reaction, smirked and elbowed Mia. Emily, who was resting sprawled out on his head, seemed to agree and covered his eyes half-heartedly with her paws.

"Oh, come on, Mia, let him look a little! Can't keep him sheltered forever," she teased, nudging Guldrin with a grin. "Hey, Guldrin, what do you think? Pretty wild scene, huh?"

He shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah… it's… really interesting," he stammered, clearly not sure where to look as he tried to keep his gaze from lingering on anyone for too long.

Letty chuckled, thoroughly entertained by his reaction. "Relax, kid. It's all part of the street racing scene. Fast cars, fast women. Everyone here's just here to have a good time." She leaned closer, her voice a teasing whisper. "I saw you checking them out, don't pretend you weren't."

Guldrin's face turned red, and he coughed, looking down at his feet. "Uh… I-I was just looking at the cars. They're, uh, really cool!"

Letty barked a laugh, giving him a playful smack on the shoulder. "Sure, sure, that's what they all say," she winked. "Don't worry, kid. Happens to the best of us."

Jesse, picking up on Letty's fun, laughed too. "Ah, don't worry, Guldrin! My first time out here, I didn't know where to look, either. It's, uh… a lot to take in." He gave Guldrin a friendly nudge. "Just keep cool. Next time, you'll be way more used to it."

Mia, giving Letty an exasperated look, shook her head and tugged Guldrin a bit closer to her, like a big sister keeping him out of trouble. "You guys aren't helping!" she chided, though she couldn't hold back a small smile at Guldrin's innocent surprise and reactions. She sighed, glancing down at him with a warm smile. "Alright, but seriously, Guldrin, remember why we're here. This is about the race."

Guldrin nodded, happy to follow Mia's lead, but still stealing a few curious glances. The scene was a lot wilder than he was used to, but being surrounded by Letty, Mia, and Jesse made him feel safe, even as his curiosity bubbled beneath the surface. He might not fully understand everything yet, but he knew he was in good hands.

After watching everything closely, Guldrin noticed a Green modified car roll up. Brian had arrived looking as collected as ever, driving his Eclipse with a casual confidence that masked his tension. Tonight, he would race Dom in a bid to earn respect, a move that felt half genuine and half driven by his LAPD directive. He needed an in, and this race for "pinks" was his way of establishing it. Dom agreed to race him, the stakes set as respect, the silent bond of trust necessary in their world, with Guldrin looking on from the sidelines.

The atmosphere was electric as the race lineup was called. The streetlights created a dim halo above the racers, casting shadows over the eager crowd and the glistening cars. Guldrin stood close to the sidelines with Mia and Jesse, his eyes darting between Dom's Charger and Brian's Eclipse. He could sense the tension, the unspoken rivalry between the two men. The noise from revving engines, the flicker of neon lights, and the pulsing beat of music all combined to create an atmosphere unlike anything he'd ever experienced. This wasn't just a race; it was a statement.

Jesse leaned close, whispering into Guldrin's ear, "Watch closely. Dom's not just fast; he's fierce. He races with everything he's got."

The stakes were high, and the competition intense, and Dom knew every eye would be on him, including Brian's, who had thrown down a bold challenge for pink slips. Tonight was about honor, reputation, and, ultimately, respect.

Standing just outside the pit area with Letty, Mia, and Jesse, Guldrin's face lit up with excitement as he took in the energy and spectacle around him. His senses were heightened; the roar of the engines thrummed through his body, and he was itching to be part of the action. The smell of rubber and gasoline filled the air, and to Guldrin, it was an intoxicating mix. He could hardly stand still, bouncing slightly on his heels as he watched the other drivers prepping their cars.

"Man, this is gonna be epic," Jesse murmured, his gaze focused on Dom's Dodge Charger, gleaming under the streetlights.

Guldrin turned to Letty, eyes bright. "Mo- Letty, can I ride with Dom? I want to see what it's like inside during the race!" He glanced over at the Charger with an eager smile, practically vibrating with excitement.

Letty seemed to catch his slip but laughed, shaking her head. "Kid, you've got guts, I'll give you that. But Dom's gonna be pushing that car to the edge tonight. Riding shotgun would slow him down and put you in serious danger." Her tone softened as she knelt down to meet his gaze, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You'll get to see plenty from the sidelines. Trust me, it's a lot safer here."

Guldrin's excitement dimmed a bit, but he nodded, understanding the importance of Dom needing every bit of speed and focus for the race. "Alright… but next time, maybe?"

"We'll see," Letty said with a small smile, tousling his hair. "For now, just stick with us and enjoy the show."

Mia stepped closer, holding a bottle of water and offering it to Guldrin. "You're going to have a front-row seat for the action, right here with the family. That's where you belong."

Jesse, who had been busy running calculations in his head about Dom's car specs and potential competitors, patted Guldrin on the back. "Trust me, little dude, you don't want to be in there. You'll feel it just fine from out here." He handed Guldrin a set of noise-canceling headphones. "Here, you'll need these for when Dom revs up that beast. Remember the first time he started it in the shop? You nearly fell over from fright." Guldrin blushed and put the headphones on, and everyone laughed.

A few minutes later, Dom walked over, already ready to go, giving the group a final, confident nod. "Stay out of trouble, kid," he said to Guldrin, who nodded back, trying to keep his disappointment from showing. Dom gave him a firm look, and a hint of a grin crossed his face. "And watch the start carefully. There's more to winning than just speed."

As Dom moved toward his car, the crowd began to part, and the atmosphere thickened with a mixture of respect and awe. Everyone knew this race was about more than just winning a pink slip. This was about proving who was king of the streets, and who commanded respect. A challenge was thrown down, and Dom was going to answer with fervor.

With Dom ready to race, Mia pulled Guldrin a bit closer. She knew he was feeling a bit deflated about not getting to ride with Dom, but she gave him a reassuring smile. "Trust me, this'll be one for the books."

Letty leaned over, pointing out a few of the competitors lined up at the start. "Check them out, Guldrin. You've got Dom in his Charger, Brian in his Eclipse, and a few others who've been after Dom's reputation for a while now. This isn't just about who's got the fastest car, it's about control, skill, guts, and the quarter mile."

"Brian's got some nerve, challenging Dom," Jesse chimed in, shaking his head with an amused grin. "Guy's been in the scene only a few weeks, and he's already throwing down for pinks against the king."

Guldrin's eyes narrowed as he looked at Brian's car. He didn't know why, but something about Brian felt off. Sure, he was charming and played his part well, but Guldrin had a feeling he was hiding something. His mind wandered to the strange questions Brian had asked him earlier in the week, and he felt a pang of curiosity, mixed with caution.

As they watched, the cars lined up, and Dom's Charger rumbled at the line, waiting for the signal. The crowd fell into an expectant hush, the air tense and charged. Letty pointed out some of the car specs to Guldrin, explaining the modifications Dom had made and how they would give him an edge over Brian's Eclipse, despite the difference in weight.

"You see that nitrous tank in Brian's car?" Letty whispered to Guldrin. "Dom knows about it. Brian thinks he can pull a fast one, but Dom's got the experience to handle whatever he throws at him."

The streetlights dimmed for a moment, and the starter moved forward, raising her arms as the drivers revved their engines in anticipation. Guldrin felt a thrill rush through him as he listened to the roar of Dom's Charger, a powerful beast ready to unleash its fury on the strip. Even through the headphones, he could hear the engines clearly.

The countdown began. Three… two… one…

A burst of sound exploded as the cars shot off the line, tires screeching and engines screaming as they tore down the street. The crowd roared, cheering as the cars surged forward in a neck-and-neck race for the lead. Dom's Charger rocketed forward with a powerful acceleration, with Brian's Eclipse at the back of the pack, the rest of the racers vying for the lead.

"COME ON DOM!" Letty shouted, pumping her fist in the air.

Jesse was almost bouncing on his feet, his eyes wide as he muttered calculations under his breath. "Dom's hitting it hard on the acceleration, he's got the lead on the straight, but Brian's pulling a move for the nitrous to make up for his lack of power. He thinks he's slick."

Mia squeezed Guldrin's shoulder as they watched, a mix of anxiety and excitement in her eyes. "This is where it gets real."

Brian activated his nitrous, and his Eclipse shot forward, catching up to Dom's Charger in a flash. The two cars raced side by side, leaving all the others in the rear, their headlights cutting through the night as they sped toward the finish line. But Dom wasn't about to be outdone. With a calm precision, he adjusted his grip on the wheel and activated his own nitrous at the perfect moment, unleashing the raw power of the Charger in one final push.

The Charger surged ahead, pulling in front of Brian's Eclipse by inches as they closed in on the finish line. The crowd erupted as Dom crossed first, taking the win and solidifying his claim to the streets. Brian slowed to a stop, the loss clearly written across his face, as he stared at Dom's taillights with a mixture of disbelief and respect.

"Hell yeah!" Jesse cheered, pumping his fist in the air as he high-fived Letty. "Dom just schooled him!"

Guldrin's eyes were wide with amazement, his heart pounding as he watched Dom return to the starting line and climb out of his car, exchanging a look with Brian. It was a silent message, a reminder that respect wasn't something given; it was earned.

Mia crouched down beside Guldrin, grinning. "See? Sometimes, watching from the sidelines isn't so bad, right?"

He grinned back, nodding. "Yeah… Dad's incredible!" He felt a surge of admiration and pride for the Toretto crew. He didn't know where he belonged before, but being here, surrounded by them, it felt right. He didn't even notice his slip of the tongue, but everyone else did.