Chapter Text
Belle had never had sex before. She wished she could say that she was stretching the truth and that she had at least done something, but no. She’d get to the bedroom part with some engine very easily. She’d done that part. A lot. But then the narcolepsy kicked in. Of all the times for her to pass out, it was always just as she was about to have sex. She didn’t stay asleep for long as whatever train she’d been trying to hook up with would wake her up, some more gentle than others. But there was always the annoyed and offended look on their face. And narcolepsy apparently wasn’t an excuse for randomly falling asleep on someone who wanted to have sex.
“Belle, have you tried taking your medication before you try getting a hook up?” Dinah asked her when she returned to the coaches shed after another disappointing night.
“I do!” She told her and Tassita as she flopped onto the couch dramatically. “For some reason sex is the only time it doesn’t work.”
“Honestly, any train that’s kicking you out because of a medical condition is not one worth sleeping with.” Tassita said.
“I don’t want to sleep with them.” Belle said. “I want to have sex.”
“Maybe you need to be in a relationship with someone first, so that they can be understanding of all this.” Dinah gestured vaguely at her.
“Starlight, you sound like Rusty.” Belle rolled her eyes. “Just because you’re happy in your relationship doesn’t mean that everyone else needs one.”
“Sorry Belle. I really don’t know how to help you.”
“Maybe you should bring up the narcolepsy before it gets too far.” Tassita suggests.
“If only I don’t fall asleep first.”
-
The Racing Championship of the World was starting to become a lot this year. First Rusty decided to throw himself in the ring with the diesel’s, then Control announced that Pearl would be joining their yard, and then a very attractive electric engine showed up for the race. It was overwhelming.
“You looking to race?” Belle startled for a moment, when she realized that one of the engine’s was talking to her. He was tall, silver with red accents and pretty cute.
“Um, sorry, I didn’t catch your name.” Oh that was embarrassing.
“Silver Bullet. So, are you looking to race?” He asked again.
“Well if there’s an engine in need of a partner I’m happy to help.” She batted her eyelashes at him, as he seemed to like it. The fact that he didn’t just give her a standard engine smirk was a good sign.
“I’m in the first heat, and I could use the help from a sleeping car.”
“Hmm, let me think about it.” She faked looking deep in thought. “My schedule is free, so it seems I will be racing with you.”
“Great!” He gave her a big grin, and started skating off, but quickly turned behind. “It’s Belle, right?”
“Yes it is.”
“Oh good, that would have been embarrassing.” He then skated off to get ready.
“Were you flirting?” Dinah came up behind her, Tassita joining on the other side.
“He’s cute. Plus, he might be fun.” She saw the two of them share a look. “What?”
“Honey, we love you…” Dinah began.
“But maybe you should take a break from trying.” Tassita suggested.
“I have a good feeling this time. I’ll only pass out afterwards.” They didn’t look convinced. “Did you get an engine Tass?”
“Yeah, Orange Flash.”
“They seem kind of loud.” Dinah pointed out.
“I’m willing to deal with it for a race or hopefully two.” He said. “No need to question Dinah.”
“Oh shut it.” Dinah gave him a smack on the arm. “You’re just mad she stopped racing with you.”
“No, you two dating has stopped me from being obligated to race with my sister. It is the only thing I like about your relationship.”
“Tass, you gotta get over it.” Belle said.
“How would you feel if I was dating your brother?”
“Weird, considering you don’t even like engine’s.”
“Speaking of him,” Dinah said. “I think I know who he’s asking to partner with him.”
“It’s been five minutes and he’s already over the moon for Pearl.” Tassita said.
“Ugh, if he gets with her he’ll be even more on my ass about being in a relationship.” Belle complained.
“Or, he’ll be so distracted he forgets about you only trying to have sex and not being with someone for at least two months.”
“I like that. That’s more likely with him. I hope they make out by the end of the night.”
“Dinah!” Speak of the devil, Pearl came racing over to the four of them. The look on her face was concerning. “I need your help.”
“What’s wrong?” Dinah asked, taking her hands.
“I’ve been asked by two different engine’s to race with them.”
“Oh my Starlight.”
“And I don’t know which one to choose. I don’t want to make anyone upset, or either to lose, I just…”
“Pearl. In this case, I think you’re gonna have to follow your heart.” Based on her tone, Belle was pretty sure she was trying to say that Pearl should partner with Rusty.
“Follow my heart?” And based on her response, Pearl did not get it. “Right, follow my heart.” She then looked lost in thought, skating off to figure things out.
“Rusty’s about to get his heart crushed.” Tassita suggested.
“Which means he’ll be too sad to nag me.” Belle loved her brother, but he could be overbearing at time’s.
“Don’t let Momma hear you say that.” Slick skated by singing, and Dinah gave her an annoyed look. She never did like Slick, mostly due to her being Greaseball’s ex who never actually got over her.
“Great, she’s a tattletale.” Belle mumbled.
“Heat one is about to begin!” Control called.
“That’s me!” Dinah said, quickly grabbing her helmet.
“And me.” Belle did the same, and the two raced to their places with their engine’s.
“Ready to win.” Silver Bullet asked as Belle pulled in behind him.
“As I’ll ever be.” She excitedly replied.
“In track 4, it’s the Silver Bullet with Belle the Sleeping Car!” Control called.
“Clear my track,” Silver Bullet called to the audience as they skated forward, Belle right behind them. “I’ll be victorious, watch me take the lead, clear my track!” Dinah gave her a quick squeeze of the hand for good luck as she passed her, before both of them coupled up to their respective engine’s.
“Go!” Control yelled, and the engines sped off. Belle held onto the Silver Bullet shifting her weight in time with his speed, but they were in fourth. Electra and Greaseball were fast and Blue Lighting was no slouch either. At least until she crashed and Greaseball was pushed further back, putting the two of them in second. Then Electra ran out of power and it looked like the two of them might win.
And then Belle started to feel tired.
Oh not now. She briefly removed one of her hands to bite it, as this normally would keep her awake a bit longer. It seemed to work, but that didn't mean her partner wasn't going to make a wrong turn, and crash. That's when she felt a pain in her ribs and passed out.
-
“Hm, she seems fine aside from the bruising.” Belle slowly woke up as she realized she was now in the repair shed. Quickly sitting up and almost knocking out a repair truck. “Well that was fast.”
“Let me guess, the crash wasn't that bad.” She commented.
“You have some slight bruising on your ribs,” the repair truck said. “Ice it and you'll be fine. Also eat something because you passed out too fast for anyone's liking.”
Belle just rolled her eyes at the truck. This is why she just went to her usual repair truck. They never needed to take guesses as to why Belle wasn't conscious.
“I'll keep it in mind.” She said through gritted teeth. She then got off the bed and walked out, not even waiting for the okay from the truck. When she stepped out Silver Bullet was there. “Hi.”
“Hey. Everything all good?”
“I'm okay. Just some bruised ribs.”
“Oh that's good. Did I do something?”
“Huh?”
“I've never had a coach pass out on me before. Did I do something during the race? Was I too intense?”
“You didn't do anything. I'm prone to this, though that is the first time it's happened during a race. To be fair I've never crashed before.”
“Oh, got it.” He didn't seem annoyed, but pretty considerate. “There's a bit of time before the next heat. Don't know if you planned on watching it, but there's enough time for us too…I'm gonna be honest I'm bad at innuendo and wordplay. Wanna go back to my shed and hook up?”
“Oh thank Starlight you're being direct.” She grabbed him by the face and kissed him. Getting behind him and coupling up like before. “Lead the way.”
He took her back to his shed and for a few minutes, things were going well for Belle. He was being nice, he was kissing her where she wanted. He wasn't pushing and shoving her like some of the engine's who she left or kicked out before she had the chance to fall asleep on. He even said sorry when he brushed her bruised rib on accident. She had leapt onto him and wrapped her legs around his hips for purchase, and he backed her against a wall for support. She thought that this was it, that this was actually happening, she might not fall asleep.
And then she was unconscious.
Her sleep was then abruptly interrupted by her landing on the floor. “Ow!” She looked up at Silver Bullet who looked pretty pissed. “What the hell?”
“Seriously? That’s all you’re gonna say.”
“Look-”
“You fell asleep. While we were making out. I should have listened to the other engine’s.”
“I can-What do you mean the other engines?” He didn’t say anything as she pushed herself off the floor. “What are they saying about me?”
“Oh you already know. That you get bored easily.”
“Bored?”
“Yeah. I asked them about you, and they all knew someone who you got bored of and fell asleep on. Before anything could even happen. I thought I was at least exciting enough to keep you interested for a night, but I guess you must have some really high standards.”
“I’m not bored, I’m narcoleptic.”
“At least you can admit it.” He rolled his eyes at her, and that was how it always ended. With the stupid engine not caring at all that she had a condition and instead just not wanting anything to do with her.
She didn’t even dignify it with a response, instead just walked around him and out the shed door and stomped back to the championship track. At least maybe she’d catch the tail end of the race, and not have to think about how her stupid condition stops her from doing what she wants.
“Momma has secured a place in the finals!” Control’s voice could be heard from where she was. What? When did mama enter? She quickly skated to the track, joining Dinah and Tassita.
“What happened?” She asked.
“Momma decided to enter and she won after an injury and a fight.” Tassita commented.
“Neither of those involved her.” Dinah pointed out the bandage on Tassita’s arm.
“I’m fine.” Tassita continued. “Never race with an engine more concerned with noise than winning. But Momma’s exhausted, that next race would be even worse for her.” Belle quickly became afraid. That was her mother, she should go down there and check.
“No mama!” Rusty was by her and yelling. What was he doing?
“She’s trying to get Rusty to take her place in the next race.” Dinah told Belle. It was then that Greaseball and the other engine’s showed up, and Belle did not even want to look at any of them. Especially not her stupid former racing partner.
“That engine sure goes slow!” Greaseball yelled at her mother and brother.
“I hate diesel’s.” Belle gritted out. And then Electra rolled in. With their shiny exterior and drama, oh, that’s the kind of engine she would prefer. None of the loud noise of a diesel. She got stuck wondering about if there were other electrics that Tassita had to snap in front of her face to get her unstuck.
“You know they’re insulting your brother right now?” Tassita commented, when Pearl rolled up, and yeah, Rusty was not having a good night.
“I will take Momma’s place!” Rusty finally yelled.
“Oh no.” Belle couldn’t help it. She didn’t exactly have faith in Rusty or his optimism and this was just getting him more attention from the other engines. She rolled down, but Momma stopped her before she could reach Rusty.
“Mam-” She began.
“I know. Give him a minute to himself.” She then grabbed Belle and pulled her to the side, leaving Rusty alone.
“Mama, he’s not going to win, and he’ll be crushed, and we’re gonna be the ones dealing with the fallout.”
“You need to have faith honey. And even if you don't, one race is not going to crush your brother's spirit. He just needs to be reminded of that every once in a while.” Belle wasn’t exactly convinced, but that didn’t seem to bother her. “Come on darling, take a rest. How was your race?”
“It was fine till it was bad. I nearly fell asleep and then I crashed and did fall asleep.” Belle sat down annoyed. “And then I fell asleep again and my partner hated it. Turns out no one cares that I can’t help it and just think I get bored easily.”
“Oh honey. It’s alright. When the right engine comes along they won’t care about any of that.” Momma assured her.
“Yeah, well I’ll tell you this much. I am done with diesel’s, they’re all jerks.”
“You know what I say about diesel?”
“It’s for unbelievers.”
“Exactly. Don’t need a train like that around do you?”
“No mama, no I do not.”