Chapter Text
Of course he had to know Francesca would choose something like Ibiza for the first part of the summer break, she’s 24… and of course half of the MotoGP riders have to be there too, considering they’re her same age.
In all honesty, Valentino has loved this kind of holiday in the past, but now he feels the need to do something different. He wouldn’t mind to be on an island, but he’d choose a less crowded place and surely not going from a party to another every night.
But he couldn’t say no to his girlfriend without starting an argument that, now, was the last thing he needed.
The group of friends with them were all from Francesca and Valentino cursed himself not to have insisted in going to Formentera with Pecco and Domizia, at least he’d have one of his boys with him…
That afternoon, he refused to go to one of the most popular beaches where a party on the sand will follow, with VIPs of various kind that he probably doesn’t even know. With the excuse of wanting to see Wimbledon, he managed to have some time on his own.
He took the rented scooter and reached a panoramic point where he set on a bench to just enjoy the view and think in silence, with the only company of the cicadas and the light breeze between the maritime pines.
The Italian was so lost in his world that he didn’t hear someone approaching.
“Vale?”
He sighed, his moment of peace ruined by…
“Alex Rins?”
“Hi! That’s a coincidence!”
Valentino wanted to laugh but he was relieved it was him, amongst all the people he could meet, the one disturbing his quiet afternoon.
“Yeah, you can say that.”
“Can I seat there with you?”
The younger rider looked hesitant and Vale nodded. He really didn’t want company but he couldn’t dismiss him without sounding rude and he had no reasons to be like that with him.
“I… wanted to apologise properly for what happened in Austin, I never had the chance to do it, so…”
Valentino chuckled. When Davide Brivio met him in their hotel and asked him for some help with a very wasted Alex, the last thing the older rider could imagine was to end up sleeping with him. It was nothing sexual, just him wanting to be sure the Spaniard was fine after the celebration of his first win in MotoGP went out of hand.
“I don’t remember how I celebrated my first win the top class but I probably did something similar, no problem.”
“I don’t think you acted so recklessly and stupidly… most of all, I don’t think you kissed your idol making a fool of yourself immediately after by throwing up in front on him…”
“Do you remember this?”
“Painfully clear, yes…”
Alex was blushing and turned his look to the ground, avoiding Valentino’s amused gaze. He thought the other man didn’t even remember that moment because he never mentioned that when he woke up with the worst hangover of his life the morning after.
“Don’t worry, you may not believe it but I’ve been 23 too.”
The Italian winked and the Spaniard could relax. The memory of that kiss has replayed in his mind every night since April because he might have been drunk to his bones but, fuck, he has wanted to do it for years. All the other stupid things he did that night were blurry, but the softness of Vale’s lips was unforgettable.
He was grateful the older rider never brought out the subject when they met during the following races, but that kiss was the reason why he actually tried to avoid him as much as he could. He didn’t know if he was able to handle a conversation about it.
“I do! I acted like a teenager and I probably would have drowned in the swimming pool if it wasn’t for you. You’ve been really nice and I wanted to thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
They smiled and then turned their look away again. Alex was nervous. How couldn’t he? He was seated only a few centimetres away from the man he’s had the hugest crush on since when he realised what that could mean, he could feel the heat of his skin, he smelled his scent and he wasn’t prepared…
Valentino stood up, breaking that moment of embarrassed silence.
“I have to go now. It’s been nice to meet you, Alex.”
He gave his hand to the younger rider, a warm smile on his face. Alex took it.
“See you around, maybe?”
“Maybe.”
Vale winked again and the Spaniard’s heart missed a beat.
*****
A couple of evenings later, Vale has been dragged to the umpteenth party but it really was too crowded for him and the music definitely wasn’t his favourite. He left with an excuse, knowing Francesca could come back home with her friends so there was no need for him to stay.
He was taking a walk to enjoy the beauty of the night, some music coming from the ‘chiringuito’ on the beach, few groups of people laughing there but it was a more peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly, a ball hit his shoulder.
“Hey!”
He bent down to take it from the floor and when he stood up, Alex Rins was at his side, apologising.
“I’m sorry… oh, Vale.”
“I’m starting to think this island is smaller than what I thought.”
The Italian chuckled and the Spaniard blushed. He didn’t seem able not to do it when he was in front of Valentino. Luckily it was dark and he wished the older man wouldn’t see it.
His friends called for Alex from the beach soccer field they were playing in and Vale smiled.
“Con I join you?”
The younger rider was surprised. He wasn’t sure that could be a good idea… one of his friends knew about his feelings towards the Italian and Alex was worried something could slip out and that would be even more embarrassing than talking about the drunken kiss.
“What’s up? Am I too old to play with you?”
Vale faked an angry expression and Alex immediately tried to make up.
“No, no! Of course you’re not too old. It’s just that… they’re… sometimes they can be very stupid and maybe you can have a wrong impression.”
The Italian laughed.
“I live most of the year with a group of brats like them, trust me, nothing can impress me. Come on, Alex.”
He jumped on the beach reaching the group of friends waiting for Alex, who was still standing looking at the scene. He prayed nothing embarrassing would happen to ruin the magic of having Valentino there with him.
Things went even better than what he expected, Vale getting along well with his friends who were all clearly excited to have him there playing beach soccer with them. When the match ended, they took something to drink and chatted for a while, laughing.
Then the older rider stated he should go and greeted everyone warmly. Alex walked him to his scooter, where they stopped, one in front of the other. The Spaniard’s heart was beating too fast, it had been a wonderful night and he never thought this could ever happen.
“Thank you, Alex, I’ve had a lot of fun!”
“Me too… are we going to meet again? I mean… I know you’re here with your girlfriend and your friends but… maybe we can do something like this another evening?”
Alex bit his lip. Probably that was too much to ask. He couldn’t read the expression of Valentino’s face but he didn’t seem bothered by his strange request. He didn’t even know how it came out, honestly, he didn’t drink a single drop of alcohol that night…
“Let’s see if it happens again. We’ve met by chance twice, we have this proverb in Italy, it says ‘there is no two without three’. If it’s meant to be we’ll meet a third time.”
It wasn’t the answer the Spaniard wanted to hear… but it wasn’t a refusal either. Valentino wanted to leave it all to fate, which was strange because he didn’t look like the type of person who believes in destiny. Maybe it was just a nice way to dismiss him without being rude… his brain started to overthink.
The strong spark when the Italian’s hands grabbed his shoulders brought him back to reality. A reality made of two blue eyes that seemed to be looking deeply into his soul, two thumbs drawing circles on his collarbones while warm and strong hands were basically keeping him up from melting on the ground. They were close, really, really close, like that night in Austin. And every single muscle in Alex’s body was screaming to do it again, to kiss Valentino.
But the older man was faster and placed a light kiss on his lips, sliding his hands down the younger’s arms and intertwining their fingers.
“Goodnight Alex.”
He kissed him again and then wore his helmet and disappeared, leaving an entranced Alex behind.
*****
The following days, Alex was a complete mess. He tried not to show it to his friends, they went on doing the usual things, having fun but he couldn’t stop thinking about what happened that night. One morning he decided to do some mountain bike along a path that the owner of the place where they’re staying suggested him. Cycling usually helped him to relax and free his mind when he needed it, and that was actually the case.
He was feeling better, the path was great, surrounded by Mediterranean brush, no one around until he ended in a small beach that wasn’t too crowded, due to the not so good weather that day. He parked the bicycle and took off the helmet.
“Hello, Alex.”
The familiar voice made a shiver run down his spine. He turned and found Valentino, wearing only a swimwear, smiling brightly to him.
“That’s not a coincidence… you knew I’ll come here?”
The Italian shook his head and threw Alex a swimwear and a towel.
“Change into this, I’ll wait for you. The water is perfect and there’s almost no one around.”
It took a couple of minutes for the Spaniard to register what was happening there. Apparently, Valentino has decided to go to that unknown and secluded beach right that morning when Alex decided to stay on his own. And he said it was a coincidence, which Alex was quite sure was a lie but how could he know where he was heading? Did he spied on him? No… he was alone on the mountain bike path, Vale couldn’t have followed him there…
He changed and joined Vale in the sea.
“You’re wondering how I’m here.”
Alex nodded.
“It may sound strange but I dreamt of you last night. I don’t remember all the details but I’m sure that I was waiting for you on a beach and you arrived with your mountain bike… so I asked to the householder about cycling paths that end on a beach and he gave me this address.”
“Are you serious?”
“I wasn’t sure I’d find you but you came and I guess that means it was meant to be, we were meant to meet again.”
The younger man took a deep breath and disappeared into the water, sure he wouldn’t see Valentino standing in front of him once he surfaced. But the older man was still there, looking at him with an amused expression and a super sexy smile.
And Alex couldn’t help it… he jumped on him, crossing his legs around his waist and made they lips met, followed by their tongues. It was messy and salty but definitely more appropriate as a first kiss than the drunken one in Austin.
“You dreamt of me?”
Alex asked smiling against Vale’s lips, immensely happy for that unexpected turn of the events.
“Yes, and not for the first time… I didn’t know it back then but Davide made me a gift asking me to take care of you that night and I for sure don’t want to waste it.”