Work Text:
Sonny's ribs ached with every shallow breath.
The door opened. Ruben Cervantes walked in.
"How are you feeling?" Ruben asked with his voice flat.
"Like I just hit a wall" Sonny rasped. "The doctors say–"
"I don't care what the doctors say." Ruben cut him off, tossing the folder onto the bed. "I care about the millions of dollars you just wrapped around a barrier. I care about the sponsors who are pulling out as we speak. I care about all of your past injuries."
Sonny blinked. "Ruben–."
"You are an aging driver who should have never been in that seat." Ruben's voice was calm. Too calm. "You've been a liability. I just didn't want to see it."
"That's not true." Sonny tried to sit up. "You brought me back. You said you believed in me."
"I said a lot of things." Ruben stepped closer, looking down at Sonny. "You're slow, Sonny. You're reckless. And frankly, you've been a distraction. The team needs to move on."
"You're firing me?" The words came out as a whisper.
"I'm saving you," Ruben said softly. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Sonny's forehead, a gesture that might have been tender from anyone else."You don't have anything left to prove. Go home. Be safe."
"Don't do this." Sonny's voice cracked. "Please."
Ruben's hand lingered on his cheek for a moment, then dropped. He picked up the folder and turned toward the door. Before he left, he paused, looking back over his shoulder.
"This is for your own good, Son."