Chapter Text
Jorge was packing his stuff in his motorhome, partly angry, partly frustrated, partly sad. Obviously he wasn’t in the perfect condition for testing, but his team dismissing him like this because he was completely useless has been like a punch in the stomach.
He really was trying to do his best to show that he didn’t want to give up, but Puig was constantly reminding him how a failure he was for HRC and that was driving him mad.
A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. He wasn’t in the shape of having company but he went to open the door to find his former team-mate smiling at him.
The Spaniard let Valentino in.
“I was preparing my bag…”
“I know, I heard the news. Let me help you so that we can go then.”
“Where?”
Jorge was confused.
“My place. Don’t say a word, just finish and come with me.”
The HRC rider rolled his eyes. Vale was so annoying when he acted like this but for sure he had something planned to cheer him up and the only thing he wanted was taking his mind off all the bad feelings.
****
When they arrived at Vale’s home in Tavullia, he was already feeling better. Like he suspected, someone else was involved in his ‘kidnap’ and was now waiting for them at the door.
To his surprise, Dani hug him immediately.
“Sorry but Vale is on his big brother overprotective mood again.”
Jorge chuckled.
“I don’t know why he doesn’t act like this with Luca.”
“Because he doesn’t make me worry like you do.”
The Italian was smiling warmly and Jorge felt extremely moved even if he didn’t want to show it. It seemed crazy but two of his worst enemies on track had become his family during the past couple of years, the brothers he’s never had, the only ones who could fully understand the way he was feeling.
Even when he thought he’d destroyed his friendship with Dani, Vale had always been there to try to make them fix it and in the end, things went back as they were before Jorge decided to accept HRC offer.
He’d be lost without them.
“I’m afraid you have to stay here the whole weekend.”
Dani winked and Jorge sighed dramatically.
“Three days with you two who are not able to keep your hands off each other for more than five minutes? No thanks!”
He made a disgusted face that made the other two laugh.
“We swear we’ll behave and save our public displays of affection for the bedroom.”
Valentino had his right hand on his heart and looked serious but Jorge perfectly knew that that promise won’t be kept and he’ll have to face kisses and tender looks between the two older men for all the time he’d stay there.
He rolled his eyes.
“I don’t believe you.”
“And you’re right not to but please, stay? We only want to make you forget all your problems for a couple of day. Would you let us?”
Dani was so sweet that Jorge could never deny a thing to him nor he could to Valentino, who was really acting like a caring older brother to him.
“Ok, but if I witness too much tenderness I’ll leave, ok?”
*****
On Friday night, the three of them were sprawled on the sofa trying to decide what to watch on TV when Vale received a message. He smiled and slid the phone to Dani while Jorge was focused on the movie list from which to choose.
The former rider left out a ‘Finally!’ that made his fellow countryman turn to him with a quizzical look but Dani made a gesture with his hand that it was nothing serious and Vale chuckled.
When the movie has just started, someone rang the intercom making Jorge snort while Dani was hardly suppressing a laugh and Vale immediately stood up to answer, like he was waiting for that person to arrive.
The HRC rider froze on his spot when he heard a too familiar voice greeting him.
“Hola, Jorge.”
He was afraid to turn his head and find out it was just a dream but Dani stood up and moved away from him to greet the other man.
After some other seconds of shock, he found the strength to turn and Maverick was smiling shyly to him, making his stomach twist and turn in response.
“I guess you two need some time to talk, Dani and I will go in town to have a drink with the guys of the Pizzeria. Ok?”
Jorge nodded.
“Thank you, Vale.”
The Italian hug his younger team-mate, followed by Dani and the two left with a smile.
The older man wasn’t able to stand up, he was sure his legs wouldn’t support him. They weren’t on speaking terms since the crap that happened in Barcelona, not a single message even when Jorge had his accident in Assen. And now Maverick was seated only a meter away from him…
“I’m sorry. I know it’s not enough to just say it but… I’m truly sorry. I acted like a terrible person, the worst possible boyfriend ever…”
Jorge shook his head, a knot on his throat.
“You had all the rights to be mad at me.”
“No! I mean, I had but that doesn’t justify the way I acted towards you. You apologised and I ignored you. When I heard you had two fractured vertebra, I felt so bad… a part of me wanted to run to you but the other one was still angry and to silence both I decided to focus only on the race.”
“It worked, you won.”
“Yeah, but it didn’t feel completely right. I thought you’d send me a message to congratulate but you didn’t and that convinced me that it was completely over…”
“I thought you didn’t want me to… I was so proud and happy for you and it broke my heart not to be there to celebrate with you.”
Maverick felt tears appearing in his eyes. He made so many mistakes just because he wasn’t able to express his feelings, if he’d had enough courage to face Jorge after Barcelona instead of ignoring him, they certainly wouldn’t have lost all that time apart.
He wanted to it right, this time, he wanted the older man to know exactly how he feels and why he acted like an asshole, beg for his forgiveness and start again because he’s sure Jorge needs him now, more than ever.
“I’m an idiot. I let my pride take control, I focused only myself when I should have been there for you. When I saw you were on holidays with Tony… I was furious with myself because I was jealous, because I couldn’t get over you even if I tried.”
“Mav…”
“No, let me finish. I miss you, Jorge. I miss having someone to talk to who understands the way I feel when nothing works on the bike, I miss our fun rides on our mountain bikes, I miss falling asleep in your arms watching something on TV, I miss the feeling of perfection you make me feel when we make love. I realised it when I saw you in Silverstone. I know it’s a lot to ask but… would you forgive me and take me back?”
Now the tears both have tried to keep at bay were falling form their eyes but Jorge managed to smile. That was definitely the best thing that could happen to him in this horrible time he was facing. The older man jumped on Maverick kissing him with all his strength.
It was messy, wet and salty but they didn’t care.
“I love you, Maverick.”
The younger rider’s eyes widened for the surprise and Jorge was astonished too. He never said it to someone who wasn’t his mother or his sister but it came out so naturally… and not a bit scary as he would imagine.
His heart was beating like crazy because he was afraid he’d gone too far, but his boyfriend smiled and after kissing him softly on the lips he said the words back.
“I love you too.”
*****
Dani and Vale received a picture of the two lovebirds smiling.
“I guess it’s better if we go sleeping on the sofa bed at the Ranch and leave them alone…”
“I don’t have the slightest intention to sleep!”
Valentino looked at his man raising an eyebrow.
“You didn’t want to do anything last night not to disturb Jorge, but tonight, you’re all mine.”
Dani made that sexy smirk that the older man knew was reserved only to him and that drove him crazy every time. Because the small Spaniard may look like an angel, and he certainly was, but he could also be a devil when he wanted.
Vale brought him near and kissed Dani, lifting him up to seat on a low wall so that they were at the same height to kiss him easily.
“I’m always yours.”