Whumptober #29: Flying Finish tag

Not what I was planning on writing, but last night I finished Dick Francis's Flying Finish and it got me by the neck and before I knew it I was writing a tag. Also, the scene that dropped into my brain after I finished the book worked pretty well, with a bit of tweaking, for today's Whumptober prompt.

No. 29: "I only sink deeper the deeper I think."
Scented Candle | Troubled Past Resurfacing | "What happened to me?"

Homing Instinct (2332 words) by Sholio
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Flying Finish - Dick Francis
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Henry Grey (Flying Finish), Patrick (Flying Finish), Gabriella Barzina (Flying Finish)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Aftermath, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Whumptober 2023
Summary: Aftermath for "Flying Finish," because the book ended too soon.

This probably doesn't stand on its own very well, and spoils a neat twist in the climax. That being said, if you like the idea of a book about a lonely, emotionally distant pilot/jockey (look, it's a Dick Francis book, okay) being adopted by friendly smugglers who smuggle for good and noble reasons, plus lots of airplane hijinks, have I got the book for you.

(Also, I now know enough about loading racehorses on airplanes for transport that I feel like I need to write a Biggles fic about it.)