Chapter Text
Dani didn’t thought saying goodbye to Vale would be that difficult, when he had to leave for the first race of 2019 season in Qatar.
He knew that they couldn’t be there together as a couple, being a Muslim country. Actually, he wasn’t even sure if KTM would allow him to be with Valentino in all the other races where they can show up together.
His boyfriend had no doubts about it, he wanted Dani on his side, in his box, under the podium if he ever gets to be on it. They both have waited for the moment they could finally be open for so long, that Vale now can’t stand the idea of not sharing every moment together. Honestly, it was a relief when Dani decided to retire and they came out as a couple, because the stress of hiding their love was becoming hard to face and Dani was tired of faking no joy whenever Vale was on the podium and pretending to be happy for his teammate.
Now that everything is going to start again, and he’s not there, it’s… strange. He would lie if he’d say he’s not missing the paddock atmosphere, the adrenaline of being on the bike, the meetings with the fans. But it was his choice to leave. He could have stayed, there were opportunities to do it, but the way Honda treated him after all those years left a wound in his pride that he was sure couldn’t heal if he stayed in MotoGP.
His lover supported him in every possible way. He still remembers the rage and the curses Vale had towards Puig and Honda for throwing him away like garbage, the options he started to propose to Dani right after, the arms always willing to hold him tight when he needed just to stop thinking and relax. When finally Dani made his choice, Valentino understood he just had to accept his decision and be by his side.
If it was possible, their love grew even stronger after that.
Tears are appearing in the corners of his eyes while he remembers all the loving messages he’s received, both for celebrating his career and for having had the courage to come out in a world where homosexuality was a huge taboo.
He forces them back because Stefania has come to seat next to him. He’s grateful not be alone. His parents and his brother couldn’t come to Tavullia and of course the guys of the Academy where all in Losail, but his ‘mother-in-law’ was always there for him, for both of them.
Dani has loved Stefania since the first time they met, in that same house, almost nine years ago. He came there to visit Vale during the summer break in 2010 season, to see if he was recovering well from the injury during practice session in Mugello. Valentino always jokes about that having been the best accident of his life, because it brought them together. But Dani still remembers how worried he’d been at the pain on his beloved face. The first thing he did after winning the race on Sunday, was going to visit him at the hospital, and that’s when everything started.
Stefania was the first one to notice something was going on between them and while Dani was helping her to prepare ‘lasagne’, she thanked him to make her son that happy even during this tough moment. That made him realise that, maybe, his feelings for Vale weren’t one sided and gave him the insane courage to kiss him first.
“Are you ok?”
Like every mother, she always worries about people around her.
“Yes, it’s just strange but I’ll get used to it.”
The race starts and he tries to focus on it and not on the turmoil of emotions he’s feeling. Lap by lap, one feeling becomes stronger than the others… fear… for every overtake Valentino makes in his usually incredible coming back from his fourteenth starting position.
Rossano jumps on his lap and he begins to caress him, to take his hands busy because they were almost shaking. Luckily Vale hasn’t to deal with Marc, which would make him feel more nervous, but anyway, a contact, a wrong move can always happen and he’s not sure on how his heart will react if Valentino crashes.
He seems unable to stay quiet and Stefania notices.
“Now you know how it feels to see things from the other side.”
She smiles lovingly at him and Dani feels his heart tightening. That’s how his mother, and all the mothers and fathers and sisters and brother or every kind of relative feel while watching the one they love doing something they perfectly know could end in the worst possible way.
“How do you deal with it? How could you do this for 24 years now?”
“You only have to think that he’s doing exactly what he’s always wanted to do and that makes him happy. Actually, in my case, I have to say ‘they’, not just ‘he’”
Two sons, both motorcycling riders… his admiration for Valentino’s mother is increasing after seeing how calm she looks even if he now knows how she should be feeling inside. He has to face this for only a race, she has to do it for two.
“It’s not easy and I didn’t took well this whole thing at first, with Luca it has been even worse than with Vale. But loving someone more than your own life means you have to able to sacrifice something for their happiness. So I gave in part of my heart and mind sanity to let them live the life they wanted.”
“You’re so strong… it’s crystal clear why both your boys love you that much.”
“I’m a mother, it’s natural instinct. Basilia is as strong as me, she always supported you.”
“Yes, my family has always been there, I’ve been lucky. And now I’m lucky to have you here to suffer with me… thank you, Stefi.”
She puts the cup with the tea on the table and takes Dani’s face in her hands, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. Then they finish to see the race with Stefania leaning her head on the Spaniard shoulder and they made a deep sigh when it was over, with Vale safe and sound in his box after a great performance. He would get used to this, but for now, seeing things from the other side seems more stressful than being there.