Chapter Text
"Hey, what are you still doing here? I thought you'd already left because you said bye like 2 hours ago." Michael walked up to Lando, sitting on the floor in a quiet corner behind the paddock on Saturday evening. The closer he got, however, the more he realized that the other was definitely not okay.
The older man had already noticed the change in Lando's behaviour over the whole week. Ever since that incident after the football match at Wembley, he hadn't been the same. He was always on edge, didn't want to be touched but also didn't want to be left alone.
He was clearly still scared and traumatized.
Lando quickly wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his oversized hoodie.
"Yeah yeah, I wanted to leave ages ago, I just... I couldn't..." he bit his lip and lowered his head in embarrassment. He didn't want Michael to see him crying. He felt so stupid for not being able to walk to his own car because he was too scared. His teammate's trainer surely thought he was a pathetic little child now.
"Hey, it's okay!" Michael quickly sat down next to him on the cold floor but then hesitated, not sure if it was okay for Lando if he would touch him or not.
"Do you want a hug?" he therefore asked and opened his arms invitingly.
Lando almost immediately threw himself at him, burying his face in the crook of Michael's neck, who gently put his strong arms around the smaller man's shaking body.
"Shh, it's okay. I'm here now, I won't let anyone hurt you ever again, I promise.", he whispered and Lando pressed himself even closer, breathing in Michael's comforting scent.
For a few minutes, they just stayed in this position, holding each other, before Michael spoke up again.
"I don't know if you knew, but I was at the game, too. I was probably still celebrating while it happened. I felt so bad when I heard about it from the team the next day. If only I would have left at the same time, so I could have been there to help you. It all probably wouldn't have happened then, I'm so sorry."
Lando lifted his head from the Australian's shoulder and looked up at him. "It's not your fault, Mike! You don't have to apologize."
"I know, but I still feel bad. I really don't like seeing you like this. The thought of you being attacked and hurt scared me so much. Especially when I was so close while it happened. You didn't deserve to be treated like that and I hate seeing you suffer now because of those assholes. I wish I could just turn back time and protect you." Michael whispered and tried to swallow the lump in his throat.
"I'm not hurt, you don't have to worry about me." Lando objected weakly.
"But you're also clearly not okay. I miss your goofy laugh and your cute little smile. Haven't really seen them yet, this weekend."
Lando blushed but a little crooked smile spread across his face at those words from Michael's mouth.
"See? That's so much better." the Aussie returned the smile.
"Now, it's really getting cold here, do you want me to walk you to your car?", he added, as he saw Lando shiver slightly.
"If... If you don't mind it, that would be great." the Brit admitted, breaking the eye contact and looking down at his hands, nervously fidgeting in his lap.
Michael got up and offered Lando his hand. "I don't mind it one bit. I'm actually really honoured and glad that you trust me and I would do anything to see you comfortable and happy again."
With a grateful smile, Lando took his hand and let Michael help him get up from the ground too, but didn't let go of his hand as they made their way towards the car park.
He gave Michael a nervous side glance from time to time, not sure if it was okay for the older man, that he was still holding onto his hand tightly, but as if he could read his mind, Michael only gave him a reassuring smile and gently brushed his thumb over the back of Lando's smaller hand to calm him down.
When they reached his McLaren, the Brit slowed his steps a little, so he could hold Michael's hand just for a little while longer.
He tried not to show the reluctance on his face when he eventually had to let go of the personal trainer's hand, to take his keys out of his pocket and get inside his car.
As he already had one foot inside his, Lando turned around again and pressed a light kiss to Michael's cheek. "Thank you so much!", he murmured before turning around again and quickly getting into the driver's seat.
As he drove away, he could see Michael still standing there with a smile on his face, waiting until he had left the car park safely.
And if Lando's heart was beating a little faster than it normally would, that was surely not just from being scared anymore.
-
Walking to the car together, quickly became their thing and they developed a little routine.
Every race weekend, Michael would wait for Lando to be finished with his duties at the end of the day and accompany him to his car, or rather the car the team had given to him for that particular weekend.
Most days Lando tried to take as much time as possible while gathering all his stuff so there wouldn't be as many people left in the paddock. Because that meant the parking lot would most likely be deserted so it would be safe to hold Michael's hand again without getting any weird looks.
However, when he hung behind once more after the race on Sunday, he did not expect Daniel out of all people to see right through him.
"You know, if you'd just ask him on a date, you could do a lot more than just hold his hand and you wouldn't have to waste so much time pretending you're still doing important shit in here." A smirking Daniel was leaning against the doorframe.
"W...What?" Lando was startled. He hadn't expected his teammate to still be here. He normally always left the track as soon as he could.
"Michael. You should ask him out." Dan repeated, the knowing smirk still not leaving his face.
When Lando simply continued to stare at the Australian in shock, he elaborated. "I know the two of you have been sneaking around each other for quite some time now. You seem to really like him and he definitely likes you. Where's the problem? Just fucking date each other already!"
"He... he likes me? But..." Lando stammered and felt the blush creeping up his neck.
"Of course, he likes you! Did you really think he would wait for hours and hours on end every weekend just because he's a nice guy? Michael is the nicest person I know but that would be too much, even for him."
"But...but why", Lando mumbled, "why didn't he say anything?"
Daniel sighed. "He's terrified to scare you away or hurt you in any way. Especially after what happened at the football match. I don't think I have ever seen him so upset before. That's why he hasn't made a move yet. Your feelings and your well-being are more important to him than his own. He's got it bad for you, mate."
Lando just continued staring at Daniel, his brain and mouth not able to form words anymore.
"C'mon, let get out of this goddamn hellhole now. Michael's already waiting outside." The Australian gave him a light slap on the back and held the door open for him.
"Hey, you okay? Good race." Michael immediately looked up and put his phone away when he saw Lando leaving the building.
"Yeah, thanks." The Brit smiled and walked up to him but stopped about a metre in front of him and then just stood there awkwardly because he suddenly remembered Daniel being right behind him.
"Hey, you're my trainer! You're supposed to say that to me, not him!" Daniel complained in an absolutely exaggerated overdramatic way that left no room to even consider taking him seriously. Not that the giant grin that his fake pout had to give way to after only a few seconds wouldn't be enough indication for that already.
"Shut up", Michael laughed and flipped his best friend off before turning to Lando again and pulling him into a hug.
They had hugged a few times before, so Lando should have expected and even looked forward to it, but they had never hugged in front of anyone else, let alone Daniel. His teammate's presence made him nervous and insecure.
Michael seemed to sense that he was uncomfortable because he immediately let go of him again and called over his shoulder "Man, what are you even still doing here? Isn't Max already waiting for you?"
"Oh nothing Mikey, I just had a little chat with Lando here. But don't worry, I'm off now!" Daniel winked and added "Simp" before he left the two of them for a bit more privacy.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." Michael scratched the back of his head in an awkward manner.
"No no, it's fine. Can we... can we try again?" Lando asked, opening his arms a little.
Michael smiled "Always." before he gently pulled the McLaren driver into his arms again.
This time, Lando's only focus lay on Michael again. He nuzzled his face into the soft fabric of the Australian's hoodie and breathed in the comforting scent. He never wanted to let go of him again, so he pressed himself even closer.
Michael chuckled "Are you cold?" and wrapped his arms a little tighter around him.
Lando shook his head the best way possible with his face still buried next to the McLaren Logo on Michael's chest. "No, I just really like hugging you."
The older man pressed a soft kiss to the top of his head and almost whispered "I really like hugging you, too."
Lando had to take a few deep breaths and gather all of his courage before he was able to look up into Michael's face. "Do you...do you think you'd like kissing me, too?"
Mike's eyes widened for a second, clearly shocked by Lando's unusually direct question. But then a gentle smile spread across his face.
He leaned down a little to rest his forehead against Lando's, the tips of their noses almost touching, but not quite. "I'd love to."
Lando could feel his warm breath against his skin and suddenly remembered Daniel's words "He's terrified to scare you away or hurt you in any way. That's why he hasn't made a move yet. Your feelings and your well-being are more important to him than his own."
He realized that Michael wouldn't kiss him without permission. He would never overstep his boundaries like that. He would make sure, Lando was comfortable and happy at all times.
At this moment, he also realized, just how much he actually trusted Michael.
Usually, it took him years to develop new friendships and be able to let others close. But with Michael, it was so easy. In only a few short weeks, the Australian had shown him so much kindness and understanding and therefore snuck his way right into his heart.
"Please," Lando bit his lip nervously "Please kiss me."
Michael smiled and gladly complied, gently pressing their lips together.