Chapter Text
Electra always knew this day would come, as much as they hoped it wouldn’t. Realistically, you couldn’t raise a child, even a blind one, around racing and expect them to *not* want to race. Electra had just hoped that Hydra wouldn’t be one of those kids. Electra was stupid to hope that.
Hydra was 10 years old but still small enough to need to (and want) be on someone’s shoulders for races. Usually it was Killerwatt who did the heavy lifting as Volta was usually Electra’s racing partner and joule and wrench couldn’t lift Hydra even if they wanted to. Hydra *loved* feeling the wind as the racers sped by and loved the horn that Electra sounded when they passed. He’d always thought about racing, was trying to speed by the time he made it to his wheels. His parents had taken him on some rounds of various practice tracks but it just wasn’t enough anymore.
“AND ELECTRA AND VOLTA TAKE FIRST PLACE WHAT A RACE!”
The announcer called and Hydra and the remaining components raced to the finish line to greet their mates and congratulate them. Hydra scrambled down from Killerwatt’s shoulders and his head whipped around, listening for his Papa’s familiar electrical buzzing. After locating it, he zipped between other trains’ legs before smacked (happily) straight into Electra’s legs.
“PAPA PAPA THAT WAS COOL!”
He yelled as he was scooped up into the engine’s arms. Electra held him tightly as the others joined them.
“Was it? I think we need a little work, hm?”
“Didn’t beat your record this time.” Wrench replied, “you were .02 seconds slower than your average best.”
“Still super fast though—“ Hydra was about to say something else when there was the distinct sound of camera shutters and he was quickly set down and surrounded by his family. Electra didn’t want Hydra in the media. Racers and their children were already treated like animals in a zoo, they couldn’t bear the thought of how Hydra would be treated being blind on top of all that. Killerwatt’s signature growl came through.
“No questions, Electra would like to get to the locker rooms to destress.” He said gruffly, pushing through the trains and humans alike. Hydra stayed close to Electra, he couldn’t *see* the cameras but his eyes still perceived the flash and he hated it.
Once back inside the locker rooms, Hydra sat on a bench, kicking his feet.
“Papa?” He spoke
“Yes, my Universe? What can I do for you?” Came the smooth reply.
“I wanna be just like you when I’m bigger.”
“Oh? How so?”
“I wanna be a racer!”
Hydra couldn’t see Electra’s face grin then instantly go pale. Hydra wanted to be a racer. *hydra. Their baby. Their starlight. Their reason for living wanted to be a racer.*
“I don’t know, my starlight. Racing is a dangerous sport and—“
“But you do it!” He insisted “I can too! I wanna show that…that I’m more than just my blindness.” Tears welled in his eyes.
Electra was instantly kneeling and pulling their son into a hug.
“Oh, starlight, I’m sorry. I just…I worry about you, you know that. And you know I haven’t had the easiest time as a racer or someone in the public eye. I want you safe more than anything. But…if racing is really what you want then we’ll start you on some light training ok? We’ll figure it out together. I promise.”
Hydra wasn’t sure if he was crying tears of frustration at being blind or happiness that his Papa was going to help him. Probably both. Once Electra was finished cleaning themself and Volta up from the race, everyone coupled and were on their way home. Hydra was ecstatic that they’d agreed to let him practice for racing.
Electra was terrified every single possible terrible thing that could happen to Hydra during a race flitted through their mind like a horrible movie reel.
Master, you’re overthinking again. We can all hear it Wrench spoke through the datastream that didn’t include Hydra (they had a separate one with him in it as well as individual ones). She was right, of course, but they couldn’t help worry for the train that was their universe.
I’m scared for him. He replied, what if something goes horribly wrong? What if we can’t save him? I can’t let my boy get hurt.
He won’t if we have anything to say about it. Killerwatt, ever the voice of reason. Besides, he hasn’t even done a race yet. And you know the junior circuits are the gentlest. Just let him get a taste, we’ll be right there making sure nothing goes wrong. And think about it, once he’s big and strong you can ditch Volta to race with Hydra. Wouldn’t that be a sight huh?
The offended noise that came from Volta’s end was amusing. Electra relaxed. They knew their components would never let anything bad happen to their family. Hydra was exhausted by the time they returned home and Electra was all too happy to tuck him in and read his favorite book as the little hydrogen tanker fell asleep. Safe and sound.