Chapter Text
Driver couldn’t stop thinking about Lars. Now that he has realised his feelings for the other man, he can’t get him out of his head. It took all his strength to not just show up at Lars’ home uninvited every time he drove by after work.
He resisted until Thursday, when none other than Lars’ brother showed up at his work. “Hi, I’m looking for Driver,” He heard a voice behind him ask one of his coworkers who replied with his bay number. Why would Gus be here? Was something wrong with Lars?
He walked around to the front of the shop to meet him, not able to wait until Gus found him. “Hey, man, Lars asked me to come see you on my break.” Driver’s worry must have shown on his face as Gus quickly continued, “He’s alright, don’t worry. Well, he’s sick right now, but it’s just the cold. He won’t make it to the lake tomorrow, though.”
“Can I come see him after work?” He didn’t want to wait until after work, but he couldn’t just drop everything and run. The thought of Lars suffering alone in the garage made him desperately want to, though.
“Sure, if you want, but he’s probably a bit contagious. We’ve been keeping our visits short because of Claire, so maybe keep your distance,” Gus said with a shrug. “I better get back to work; hope I didn’t bother you.”
“It’s alright, thanks for telling me. I’ll drop by later.”
Once Gus was gone, Driver let out a sigh of relief. Lars just had the cold. He could go to the shop after his shift and get him some things to help. He’s not quite sure what to get; he rarely gets sick and whenever he does he just powers through it. Lars shouldn’t have to, though. Lars deserves to be taken care of.
With that in mind, through the rest of his shift he would occasionally pause to add items to a shopping list he started in his notebook. By the end of his shift, the list consisted of tissues, hot chocolate, tea, soup, cough drops, cough medicine, a nasal inhaler, pain killers, a hot water bottle, and something sweet. He isn’t sure what Lars likes and what he doesn’t, but he figures if he buys the wrong kind of something he can just get more before he goes home.
After work he drove straight to the store and grabbed a cart, knowing he was likely going to go a little overboard and would need more than a basket. He made it through most of the aisles fine, but when he got to the sweet aisle, he was stood there for a couple minutes trying to decide what Lars would like when he was tapped on the shoulder.
Spinning around, Driver came face to face with Mrs Gruner. “Hi, son, are you ill? That’s enough cold medicine for a lifetime.”
“No, ma’am, it’s for Lars. He’s home sick with the cold, so I thought I would surprise him,” Driver was a humble man, but he couldn’t help feeling pleased at the proud look on Mrs Gruner’s face.
“Oh, what a lovely boy you are. I’ll leave you to it then. Give Lars my love,” He gave her a polite nod as she went to move past, patting him on the arm as she did so. “His favourite is fruit and nut. In case you were wondering,” she said with a wink, before walking out of the aisle entirely. Driver, embarrassingly, felt his face heat up.
The rest of his time in the store was, thankfully, uneventful. He didn’t realise until he was in the car that he hadn’t thought to change, so he took a detour to his apartment to do so. The smell of grease and gas wouldn’t help Lars. And if he sprayed a little extra cologne before leaving, that’s no one’s business.
By the time he got to Lars’ house, he began rethinking his decision. What if Lars wanted to be alone? Driver certainly didn’t like being around people when he was unwell, so why was he assuming Lars would want him there?
He was brought out of his spiral by a knock on his passenger window. To his surprise, Karin was stood there, waving to him. Rolling his window down, he greeted her, “Gus told me Lars was sick, so I brought a few things for him if that’s okay.”
“Gus called me earlier saying to expect you. It’s really nice of you to come by. I was just coming out to check on him, but I see you have that covered.”
Driver didn’t know what to say, he wasn’t used to the praise people in the town were giving him just for befriending a man. Karin didn’t expect an answer, though, as she headed back to the house with a smile, probably having to get back to Claire.
No going back now, he thought. He just hopes Lars wasn’t told about Driver coming by; he wanted to surprise him.
He got out of the car, bags in hand, and knocked on the door before he could change his mind. It took a few seconds, but he eventually heard shuffling coming from inside. Lars didn’t open the door immediately, instead he pulled back the curtain on the door’s window and stared in shock as the sight of Driver, clearly not having been told that he would come over.
Lars’ shock gave Driver time to take a good look at the other man. His eyes were wide, but he could see the sleep clinging in the corners, probably having just woke up from a nap. His hair, usually combed neatly, was a mess, yet all it did was add to the adorableness that was Lars Lindstrom. He couldn’t see much of what he was wearing, but he could see the several layers peeking out his jumper over the top of the window. He hopes it isn’t too cold in the garage.
Once Lars managed to get over his shock, he opened the door, just enough to peak his head around without inviting Driver in, and asked in a mumbled voice, “What are you doing here? Did Gus tell you?” He didn’t sound mad, at least, just confused.
“Yeah I, uh,” He held up the hand that carried the bags, “I brought supplies.”
“Oh, thank you, but you shouldn’t be here. I’ll get you sick…” Driver knew Lars wanted him there; he could see the disappointment in his large, expressive eyes.
“I’ve got a strong immune system,” He shrugged, “I’ll leave if you want, but I’d rather stay.” He would never do anything Lars didn’t want him to.
Driver could see the hesitation on Lars’ face as he weighed the options in his head, but he soon gave in and opened the door fully, letting Driver inside.
The garage was a lot messier than Driver had seen the last time he was there, with tissues littering the area and various blankets and jumpers laying on the bed and couch. There was also a rather large collection of mugs on his bedside table; likely drinks Karin sent over for him. Driver would clean up once Lars got comfortable again. He was glad, though, when he noticed the space heater in the corner.
“Sorry it’s a mess. I’m really not a messy person, I promise,” Lars said in a rush as he closed the door, voice sounding slightly muffled from being ill.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m not judging.” He kept his face open as he said that, making sure Lars could see he’s telling the truth. Driver has always had an expressive face; he can shut it down when he needs to, but he didn’t want to do that around Lars.
Driver went straight for the small kitchen area to sit the bags on the counter. He’d have to check with Lars about what he bought, but first he wanted to give him the chocolate Mrs Gruner told him to get. He didn’t know what to say, so he just turned to the man, who was about to go through the bags, and offered out the chocolate silently.
“For me? This is my favourite…” His voice was barely above a whisper as his eyes darted from Driver to the chocolate he had taken in his hands.
“I ran into Mrs Gruner again.” He shrugged, ducking his head to hide the blush that was no doubt fighting to make its way onto his face. “Look through the bags. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so if you need anything else I can go back.”
Lars gave him a smile, small but sincere, and turned back to the bags. Driver was struck with the thought of how easy it was to be with him. Even when it was awkward, he never felt out of place or unwanted.
The medicine was fine for Lars, thankfully, and he assured Driver several times that he didn’t need anything else, before shyly saying his company was more than enough.
“I’ll make you some soup if you want to rest or go for a shower or something?”
“I’ll have a shower, I think. Thank you, Driver.” Lars walked over to his wardrobe and grabbed some clothes, almost identical to the ones he was already wearing, and moved towards the bathroom before Driver stopped him.
“Casey. My name is Casey.” He didn’t know why he told Lars; all he knew was that he didn’t like the thought of Lars not knowing. If he couldn’t tell him his past, he could at least give him his real name.
“Okay, Casey,” he said, giving him a soft smile before shuffling the rest of the way to the bathroom.
It was then that Driver realised how comfortable he felt there. Sure, he felt quite comfortable at dinner, but this was different. He didn’t usually like being in other people’s homes, feeling too much of an outsider to relax, but it was just so easy being with Lars. He would often find himself missing his life before; the exhilaration, the freedom, the driving. But being here with Lars, if he was given the choice, the decision would be easy.
Driver started tidying up the room, knowing the soup would only take a couple minutes in the microwave. He managed to pick up the tissues, take out the bins, and make the bed before he heard the shower turn off and he started the microwave. He tried to tell himself that he was tidying to help Lars, but the real reason was that he needed something to do to keep his mind off the thought of Lars naked in the next room with only a drywall separating them, fully trusting him in his home.
By the time the man was out, hair dripping over his forehead, Driver had finished the soup and was washing the dishes. “You didn’t have to do all this,” Lars said with a gasp, seeing his much cleaner living area.
“I know. I wanted to,” Driver shrugged. He had always been protective of people he cared about, but no one had brought out his caring side like Lars had.
Driver turned back to the dishes in front of him, expecting Lars to walk over to the little table where he had sat his soup, but before he did, he spoke up, “You’re very kind, Casey.” He said it like it was the easiest thing in the world – he may as well have been telling Driver the weather. Driver savoured the moment before returning to the dishes; It was only a matter of time before Lars saw him for who he really is. He didn’t know how long he could run from his past.
Lars filled the silence with mindless chatter as he ate, his voice groggy and a little stuffy with his worsening cold. He was done his soup by the time Driver had finished washing the dishes, when he tried to wash his own bowl, “I can do it, Casey. You’ve done enough.”
Driver was worried for a second. Every time he had heard someone says he had “done enough” they meant he fucked something up. But he knew Lars; even if he had done something wrong, he wouldn’t say that. He could never be so cruel. “I want to help you. I like helping you.” They stared at each other for a long moment, neither man backing down, but eventually Driver saw Lars’ shoulder drop and his face morph from a stubborn frown to gentle understanding. He knew Driver was telling the truth. This wasn’t pity.
“Okay,” Lars said, his voice softening, “I’ll take the cups to the house, Karin brought them in for me.” Driver wanted to object, but he didn’t want to overstep. His cold isn’t too bad yet, it wouldn’t hurt for him to get some fresh air while he still can.
As Lars brought the cups back to the house, Driver decided to make some hot chocolate for them. He’s only had it once, years ago at one of his first foster homes, but Lars mentioned liking it one day when they were by the lake. Lars needed the comfort, and maybe Driver did too.
Once he was back, Driver convinced him to take some of the medicine he bought. It would make him drowsy, but it was getting late anyway.
Driver planned to drink his hot chocolate and leave, promising to visit after work, but when he told Lars, he shyly said he could stay longer. Talk for a while, maybe, just until he fell asleep.
He could see Lars wanted company, so he agreed. He didn’t mind going home late, he’d rather be here anyway.
He managed to convince Lars to get into the bed, choosing to take a seat on the comfortable chair next to him. He felt content looking at the other man like this; comfortable and safe in the warmth of his bed, with Driver watching over him.
“What was your childhood like?” Lars asked, suddenly jerking Driver out of his thoughts. “You don’t have to tell me, it’s just – you know so much about me. I’d like to know more about you.”
Driver considered saying no – he knows Lars would drop the subject easily – but he’s right. Driver knows so much about Lars, even if he doesn’t talk about his childhood too often either, he knows enough, but Lars barely knows anything about Driver. Everything he has told has been purposefully vague to give the feeling of information being shared without any real details being revealed. It wasn’t fair on Lars.
“There’s not much to say. My dad considered himself a real macho man, wanted my brother and I to be just like him. He got worse after our mom died. More violent.” Driver hated talking this much, especially about himself, but he pushed on, staring at the front door, unable to look at the man next to him. “One day he took it too far. He was going to kill me. But my brother shot him.” He heard Lars gasp, but it barely registered. “Court – my brother – was put in prison and I haven’t seen him since.”
He doesn’t know how long they sat in silence, but when he finally looked over at Lars, he was staring down at the blanked in his hands, blinking harshly. “I’m sorry, Casey.”
Driver just shrugged, not sure what else to do after he revealed things about him self no one alive knew.
“My dad, he was consumed with grief after I was born. Gus took care of me, but he had to leave for college. I spent most of my time in the garage after that; moved into it after he died.”
Then, unexpectedly, Lars reached and hovered his hand over Driver’s bare arm where it laid on his knees next to Lars’ bed. Driver nodded at the questioning gaze he was given, then felt a featherlight touch to his arm before Lars pressed down suddenly, the first real physical contact they’ve had. He knew how hard it was for the other man, how much even the lightest touch burned. Lars didn’t look uncomfortable now, though. If anything, he was more relaxed than he had been all evening.
“Thank you for telling me. And listening. I really like talking to you, Casey.” Driver hadn’t cried in a long time, but he came very close in that moment, almost brought over the edge by Lars using his name; no one had called him that in a long time. “We can talk more tomorrow if you want. I know it’s hard for you. I’m falling asleep, though.”
Driver couldn’t help but smile. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but he couldn’t. Lars understood, though, he always did. He just nodded and sunk deeper into the bed, eyes drooping as he struggled to stay away. Like he wasn’t ready for his time with Driver to be over.
Before he fully fell under and Driver made his way home, Lars opened his heavy eyes and softly asked, his hand squeezing Driver’s arm lightly, “Are we dating?”
Whatever he was expecting, it wasn’t that. The answer came easily though. “Yeah, if you want to.” He didn’t want to assume, but he doubted he was getting rejected.
Lars shut his eyes again and Driver assumed he was asleep until he let out a small “Mhmm” with a smile on his face.
All Driver could do was stare at him as he fell into a proper sleep, looking peaceful with a small smile on his face, despite the developing cold. He doesn’t know how long he sat there, but he eventually had to move his arm away, smiling when Lars huffed in his sleep and pulled his hand under the covers.
It was then, as he looked at Lars’ sleeping face, that he decided he was going to call in sick the next day. He, selfishly, wanted a full day with the man. Driver couldn’t resist the strong urge to protect Lars, to care for him until he’s well again. He’s always been fiercely protective to a fault, but no one’s brought it out of him like Lars has.
He knew in that moment that he would do anything for Lars. One day he’ll tell him everything, bare his soul and beg for forgiveness, but for now he would stay with him, guarding him as he slept. He’ll stay as long as Lars lets him.