Work Text:
1. a date in istanbul
"Come on... Whose idea was this?" Kimi insisted, the small smile turning a bit knowing on his face. His eyes were brilliant in the dim light of the open air restaurant's lanterns and Sebastian felt his stomach flutter even before getting properly tipsy from the raki in his glass.
The sea breeze was cool as it danced around them and Sebastian squirmed a bit in his seat not because he felt cold, no. His wildly beating heart was already burning him with the amount of love that filled him with every beat of it. He just didn't want to admit out loud that he had gotten some external help to arrange this beautiful night out."
"Britta's work?" Kimi guessed correctly and giggled at the way Sebastian's shoulders slouched a bit in defeat.
"Yes..." Sebastian couldn't help but pout like a forlorn child. He averted his eyes onto the dinner table and played with the ornate copper ice cup that his raki glass was nestled in. "I'd never be able to find this place by myself otherwise." He confessed.
Kimi watched him, aware that it had actually been the younger man's idea to celebrate his birthday early in a different place to create another new memory together. So, it really didn't matter who had found this quaint little fish restaurant by the sea side that overlooked a spectacular Bosporus view... Or who told Sebastian that taking the steamboat in the evening and watching the shores under the slanting rays of the sun and seeing that beautiful little tower in the middle of the sea would be so breath taking... Or having a walk through the narrow streets of Istanbul where no one recognized them and where they could watch the lights and sit down for a cup of coffee made on hot sand would feel this enjoyable...
"It doesn't matter..." He said, adoring Sebastian with the same lovelorn expression that he only reserved to him.
Sebastian looked back at him, his sea blue eyes filled with question and tentative hope, breath bated.
"It doesn't matter whose idea this was as long as it was you who wanted me beside him and would hopefully want me for many more years to celebrate this together..." Kimi reached over the table and held onto Sebastian's hand, lacing their fingers.
For a moment, Sebastian couldn't take his eyes away from their clasped hands, assurance and love were almost palpable just like the warmth flowing into his skin. He smiled wistfully and tightened his hold before gazing back into Kimi's eyes. "I always want you..." He whispered, captivated by the moment, his expression soft. "There's not a single moment I stop wanting you..."
Kimi was aware Sebastian meant this as a romantic declaration, but he couldn't help being himself and smirking in mischief, "Well..." an eyebrow rising at the other man's way, he whispered. "I am choosing to hear this both romantically and naughtily."
Sebastian laughed a little, cheeks colouring at his husband's bluntness. "That is a given..." He agreed, but then sobered again, holding Kimi's eyes decisively. "And also I want to be together with you until the end of our days..."
Kimi could only nod and bite on his lower lip to contain his smile from turning ridiculously sappy. "I wouldn't want it in any other way." He breathed and gave a reassuring squeeze to their hands like a silent promise.
He took his glass and twirled the milky white drink in it for a second, urging Sebastian to take his, too. "Then, we'll drink to it." He held out the long glass in a slanted way and Sebastian clinked the bottom of his own glass against Kimi's like the way the locals toasted their drinks.
"To many happy returns, dearest..." Sebastian congratulated, his smile soft and gentle.
"Together and always, Sebby..." Kimi added. And they drank without taking their eyes off of each other as if they were drinking in their promise.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
2. of apple pancakes and cool mornings
For Kimi, there was nothing better than waking up in his own bed to the heavenly smell of his husband making apple pancakes for the two of them.
Never in his life had he ever been a morning person. If left to his own devices, he'd sleep the whole day away and the alarm clocks were his worst nemesis. Only one thing was capable of waking him up on his own like he'd done today and that was the breakfast Sebastian would make for the two of them in their own kitchen. He'd wake up as a happy man and even though he wasn't particularly religious, he'd always send a prayer of gratitude up to the heavens for being able to open his eyes for yet another good morning to enjoy with the one he loved.
It was chilly in the shadowy part of the room; so, leaving the bed was a bit of a difficult task he dreaded. Looking around, he tried to locate where his thick zip up hoodie was, but it wasn't on the armchair he'd left it on last night. Instead, Sebastian's oversized fluffy cardigan was there and he smiled languidly, reaching out for it. He pulled it on his shoulders and caught a whiff of Sebastian's scent enveloping him, his smile turning fonder.
After a short visit to the bathroom where the cool tap water mercilessly woke him up further, he went down the stairs to find Sebastian.
Their kitchen had huge windows and a door that opened to a patio into their backyard, so it was well lit and warmed up with the autumn sun. The bright interior was both homely and welcoming, especially with the sight of Sebastian in his hoodie.
"Morning, hoodie thief." He greeted, his voice hoarse with sleep but amused.
Sebastian looked back at him with an easy smile of his own and reached out to kiss him on the lips chastely. "Can't help it, it is warmer than my cardigan."
Kimi returned the quick kiss and even placed another one on the other man's stubbly cheek. "I think it's time to turn on the house heating." He hugged Sebastian from behind and rested his chin on his shoulder, careful to not hinder the younger man's movements.
Without thinking, Sebastian leaned back into him and continued cooking the pancakes on the griddle. "Snuggling to you for warmth is better, but if you insist…" He trailed off and rubbed his cheek to Kimi's.
"You know you don't need any excuses to snuggle with me, Sebby." Kimi tightened his hold for a second and placed a lingering kiss on Sebastian's nape.
Ticklish, Sebastian tried to wiggle away from him a bit, but he was still smiling. "I like the cool autumn weather at night and in the morning." He argued, "Gives so many opportunities to wear cozier and warmer clothes."
Kimi almost snorted at the romantic notion. "But what if my ass freezes over while I am trying to make love to you and my dick shrinks away in the cold?" He asked and even before he finished his question, Sebastian burst into peals of laughter. "No laughing! Won't you feel responsible?" He went on arguing, deliberately acting petulant so that he'd get to watch Sebastian's mirth.
In between his laughter, Sebastian managed to turn around half way in his hold and ask. "For what?"
"For the orgasms we could have but lose because you refuse to turn on the heating…" Kimi answered, managing to look completely serious and making Sebastian laugh more.
"Dearest, I'd get you hot again in no time, no worries." Sebastian assured, calming down a bit. "And if you can't get it up anymore, the drawer on your side is filled with toys, so…"
Kimi immediately refused. "No toys for you other than this one." He glanced at his own crotch in a pointed and meaningful way and Sebastian lost it again.
"Okay, okay!" The younger man wheezed, trying to calm down. "We wouldn't want it to shrivel away in the cold and fall off, god forbid. I need it in working condition for the next half century or so."
Kimi narrowed his eyes at his husband in mock anger and let him have some more fun at his expense. Then he smelt it. "But before that... Your pancakes are burning, Sebby."
Sebastian immediately turned around and gasped. He quickly took the griddle aside to flip the pancakes to see if they were really burnt beyond salvation. "Ah… These went too brown." He lamented.
Kimi placed another kiss on his nape to placate him. "They are not too bad. I will eat them." He reached for a service plate so that Sebastian could stack them on it. But the younger man shook his head and took two from the already made batch and transferred them to Kimi's plate. Then, he put two browner pancakes on his own, thus sharing the darker ones between them.
Kimi smiled at the gesture. Neither he nor Sebastian would let the other solely have the overcooked ones; so, sharing them was the best solution as they both didn't like wasting food. "I would eat them all, you know…" He murmured offhandedly, the overcooked pancakes reminding him of something similar but different. "Since I was the one who made you forget them on the stove with my dick talk."
Sebastian giggled at the wording, but he was already pouring out the last of the batter. "No way… We share everything. Good and bad and burnt alike. That's what this means." He showed him his gold wedding ring proudly.
His heart giving a sweet ache at Sebastian's words, Kimi marveled how their minds were also somehow seemed to be connected as he, too, had been thinking just the same thing.
He took that hand in his and placed a reverend kiss on the ring. "In laughter, in tears and in burnt breakfasts, Sebby…" He whispered, his eyes full of adoration and amusement.
In return, Sebastian quickly kissed the tip of his nose and grinned. "And even if the cold air freezes off our bums and shrinks our dicks, dearest." He laughed at his own joke.
Kimi rolled his eyes and smiled at the younger man's antics, unable to believe he had somehow managed to fall for and marry the biggest dork ever.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
3. angels' share
The first month of the summer heat was mild and their fruit garden was flourishing so well. Sebastian was quite proud of his handiwork. Well… He should have said their handiwork, as he couldn't deny how he had practically bribed Kimi into helping him out in the garden many times with promises of kinky massage sessions. His husband had always been a hard bargainer and eventually Sebastian would just give up and give in, because it meant fun times for him, too. He snorted at the thought of their arrangement in amusement. At least, their efforts were bearing their fruits abundantly, pun intended.
The fruit trees had been planted in a way that they'd flower and then yield fruit one after another through the summer right into the autumn. So, the first ones to bloom had been his sour cherry trees along with the apricots.
He especially liked these two fruits a lot, because making jams and compote from them was both easy and the results were always foolproof and tasty.
When he'd deemed the fruits were finally ripe enough, he'd made the preparations to make his jams and compote. He had worked hard and picked up basketfuls of cherries and apricots, enjoying his task immensely. So, when some of the sour cherries had disappeared, he didn't think much of it.
"I gave a big basket of it to the old lady down the road." Kimi had told him while he was helping him with pitting the apricots and stemming the cherries.
Sebastian had approved of the gesture, because their neighbor lady was a very talented cheese maker and would always send them some of what she'd make for herself and her family. "That was a nice thought." He had even praised Kimi, not aware of the cautious gaze of his husband trained on him.
Then again another day, he found himself frowning at his bed of strawberries. He could swear that there had been lots of ripe ones ready to be picked just a few days ago. But now, there were only the growing white ones with just a few pinkish red strawberries hiding among them as if they were mocking him.
He'd rubbed and scratched at his beard in deep thought and tried to remember if he had told Kimi to pick them up. Funnily enough, if he had done that, the strawberries should have already been in the kitchen, right? But there were neither strawberries nor Kimi in sight.
"I heard the starlings love strawberries… Maybe they have been eating the ripe ones?" This was Kimi's guess as he seemed quite nonchalant about the vanished fruits. "Painting stones in bright red to make them look like strawberries can help, they say."
Sebastian blinked at his husband in a bit of disbelief. "Who says that and how do you know about it?" He asked, unable to believe that Kimi of all people, who never moved a finger for garden work unless bribed with kinky sex, would know something obscure like this.
"Here…" Kimi showed him his phone screen, then. "These stones will trick them into thinking your crop is actually inedible and stony …" He explained as if it was the most natural thing to know.
Sebastian could tell that for them to be effective he'd needed to have prepared and scattered those stones in the strawberry bed long ago. Before the flowers had turned to fruit...
Giving up on trying to make sense of Kimi's sudden interest and knowledge on strawberry farming, the next day, he had gone down to the local hardware store and bought some bird-resistant cloth. With that, he'd meticulously netted the strawberry bed.
He had not been aware of the crestfallen look Kimi had given to the fruits when he'd finished his work. Fortunately, thanks to the netting, he was able to harvest enough fruit to make a few dozen jars of jam from them. Sebastian had been proud of his growing rows of jars, but Kimi had looked on at his collection with disappointment.
The summer slowly but surely turned into autumn with Sebastian and Kimi still working on the fruits and flowers in between their races. Handing out most of the jam and the compote to the people of the paddock, Sebastian was happy to hear the compliments and the pleased faces he got to see.
"Feeds your praise kink, doesn't it?" Kimi had offhandedly commented once with a knowing smile on his face.
Sebastian had almost gone red but was quick to turn his embarrassment into playful irritation. "You never praise me for the garden work or for the things I make with the fruits… So, it's only natural I would look for other means to satisfy it." He'd provoked his husband on purpose.
The way Kimi had slowly turned towards him with a raised eyebrow and glinting eyes made him giddy with anticipation, so he'd kept his facade on.
"Ohh?…" Kimi had grinned almost wolfishly at him and tipped his chin up gently so that their noses almost touched. "So you want to be praised some, huh?" He'd whispered against Sebastian's lips, making him shiver visibly.
Sebastian could only nod. Kimi's lips had firmly closed on his mouth, then, and he'd sighed softly at the way Kimi was trying to devour him.
After a while, Kimi had fallen a bit away and hotly promised. "Then, I will worship every inch of you tonight, Sebby. Let's hope the hotel room is soundproof."
Sebastian's smile was wistful. "But we have Quali tomorrow." He'd reminded and Kimi was quick to reassure him.
"It will be about you, not me… So, nothing will feel uncomfortable the next day, love."
And the best thing about it was that Sebastian was sure of it.
-
As the number of the jars slowly but surely dwindled, their garden was already bare. Any remaining colours were in all the hues of yellows and oranges and reds. When the leaves had still been hanging on the trees, it had been a pretty sight. But right now, it mostly looked bleak to Sebastian.
After running a few errands in the city, he was driving back home. It was the middle of the afternoon and Kimi had to be at home still. He was returning earlier than he had planned, so surprising his husband was going to be fun. Maybe together they could prepare a late lunch and enjoy some movie or something.
He parked his car and took out the stuff he had bought, bringing them to the front porch. When he opened the door, the soft tunes of some oldies pop song greeted him, coming from the kitchen side of the house. He set his purchases aside near to the door and took off his coat, curiosity urging him on. Kimi seemed to be doing something there and he wanted to see it.
Silently, he passed through the hall and then approached the kitchen door, his feet stalling him at the entrance.
The autumn sun was in the kitchen and creating a dream-like warm atmosphere, the radio playing a nice tune with Kimi working with huge jars of what seemed to look like fruit juice. There were a few fancy crystal bottles on the counter and some round but smaller ones that looked simpler. Kimi was pouring one of the fruit juice jars through a big drainer and into a new jar, humming to the tune with his back to him, wearing his oversized cardigan, but… It smelt a bit funny.
"Dearest, is that wine?" He asked, scrunching his nose at the sweet alcoholic smell and made Kimi jump at his voice.
Miraculously, Kimi didn't lose his grip on the huge jar and after a beat of hesitation, he slowly turned around and faced him with the look of a man who had been caught red handed.
They blinked at each other, holding gazes, Kimi still pouring out the liquid, Sebastian still looking back at him, waiting for an explanation.
"Not wine, liqueur…" Kimi corrected sheepishly.
Sebastian nodded, an eyebrow raising, his lips pressed into a thin line. It was so easy adding two and two together about where some of his fruits had ended up in. "Those are my cherries, I presume." He observed with a frown. "And the drained jars on the table are my strawberries, huh?" He guessed correctly.
Kimi knew he should at least pretend to be a bit sorry; so, he was biting on his lower lip to stop himself from bursting into peals of laughter at their ridiculous situation. He nodded, his mirth was so evident in his eyes that he averted them back to his task and finished draining out the sour cherry liqueur.
"You are a thief." Sebastian accused. He wasn't going to deny that he was a bit angry, but finding out Kimi was sneaking around like this behind his back like a little kid was also funny. "And also, you are a liar."
Setting aside the drain, Kimi looked back at him and literally giggled in glee. "Yep, a thief and a liar I am..." He accepted so easily, his speaking pattern a bit strange.
Sebastian took a deep exasperated breath, but it was fond. "You are drunk, aren't you?" He put his hands on his hips like a mother scolding her naughty child.
Kimi gave it a thought and then shook his head. "Just tipsy!" He declared funnily, caressing the newly drained jar of sour cherry liqueur like he'd caress Sebastian's back after a good session in bed. It didn't escape from the younger man's eyes. "But it turned out so good, Sebby! Come and drink some with me." Kimi showed him all four ten liter jars proudly.
Shaking his head at Kimi's antics, Sebastian approached and took a large glass from their cupboard. Handing it to Kimi, he watched as the other man poured him out a very generous serving from one of the strawberry jars. Still unable to believe how Kimi had fooled him into believing he had given away his cherries or how the starlings had feasted on his strawberries, he shook his head. "I would have given you these if you'd asked, you know." He was still displeased about Kimi's sneaky ways, but the liqueur smelt heavenly and Kimi was still smiling that crooked smile of his.
"Lies... You wouldn't give me any. Your mind was consumed with the thoughts of how to enlarge your empire of jams and compote." Kimi refuted and made Sebastian snort at his claim. "And also… I needed something more out of our garden care arrangement."
Drinking some of Kimi's homemade strawberry liqueur, Sebastian faked getting offended. "So, fucking me in all those aerobic poses wasn't enough of a bargain, huh?" He sounded in disbelief.
Kimi was enjoying himself too much for his own good. "You always give away all the fruit to everyone else and their grandmothers, but nothing to me. You need to learn to share with your husband first, stingy!" He half joked half accused.
Sebastian almost sputtered his drink onto the mischievously grinning man's face. "You call me stingy? And that's why you sneaked around like this?" He was laughing, too. "What a bad excuse! Just say that you are a sneaky little jerk who likes making me flustered."
Kimi was nodding again and biting on his lip. "I am a sneaky little jerk and I like making you flustered…" He accepted again so easily, making something warm pool in Sebastian's loins at his ready obedience. "But you weren't supposed to see this mess. Coming back earlier like this…" He complained.
Enjoying his growing arousal, Sebastian berated again, drinking some more. "How shameless… Sorry for foiling your plans like this. But I would find it out eventually even if you'd manage to finish before I'd come back." He pointed out.
Kimi shrugged sheepishly. "I was thinking of getting you drunk and then sexing you up as compensation?" He made it into a question as if asking if the younger man liked the idea.
Sebastian certainly liked it. "You are doing it now, too." He swirled the glass in his hand and drank the last dregs of the liqueur in it.
"Is it working yet?" Kimi blinked at him, hopeful, and his enthusiasm made Sebastian chuckle.
"Yes, yes… I am getting there." He took the ladle from Kimi's hand and poured some from the sour cherry, too.
Kimi suddenly seemed quite meek, watching him taste test his handiwork. "I just wanted to make something to hand out to our friends, too." He confessed, picking on at the edges of Sebastian's cardigan sleeves by pulling them over his hands. "I even bought bottles for it." He pointed at the counter.
Now that Sebastian gave a closer look at them, he saw there were small shapes blown into the glass inversely. "Are those... skulls?" He asked both bewildered and amused.
Kimi shrugged again, playful. "Presents for the spooky season..."
Well... Sebastian had to admit that it was genius. And the liqueur was actually quite good. Especially the sour cherry one packed a punch. Kimi had to have poured more vodka in it than the strawberry one.
"Are you mad at me?"
At the tentative question, Sebastian focused back on Kimi and considered if he should make his husband feel a bit sorry about all this sneaking around.
Kimi was looking back at him in expectation, hands making sweater paws with the sleeves of his cardigan. It was a cute sight and the drink was getting to his head. "Yes, I am mad at you." He played, frowing down at the other man.
He watched Kimi's eyes go wide before he'd avert them as if he was disappointed with himself for upsetting Sebastian. The docile sight of his normally fiery husband did things to him and spurred him on. He tipped Kimi's chin up to himself and held that questioning gaze. "You need some punishment and I will make you repent for your crimes, dearest." He declared and couldn't help but smile sharply a bit at the way Kimi's expression turned into aroused anticipation.
He closed the distance between them and softly placed a kiss on the parted lips, making Kimi forget how to breathe. "Now be a good boy, go up to our bedroom and wait for me." He told him in a low voice and watched Kimi all but scurry away up to their room like an excited puppy.
He grinned at Kimi's retreating back before turning his attention to the ruined kitchen.
Kimi had done such a messy job with red and pink spots decorating the floor, the table and the counter. Another addition to his list of crimes.
A cleaning was in order, but a very aroused and a very obedient handsome man was waiting for him upstairs right now. So, Sebastian just screwed the lids of the liqueur jars closed and after finishing his drink, he went upstairs to do some more screwing of a different kind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
4. home magic
Sebastian's backpack felt like a sack of bricks that pulled him down at every step. He was so damn tired and irritated that for a moment, he seriously considered leaving all his luggage behind and just going and finding his car in the airport parking lot and driving home like that.
It had been a particularly horrible race and this time, he had not been able to take the same flight home with his husband. He had to attend to an emergency meeting with the team before he'd leave for good and it meant a three hours delay for his schedule. Kimi had to be already at home and he couldn't wait to get back to him.
When he was finally able to drag his weary body out of the Arrivals and into the parking lot, he began searching for the keys of his car everywhere. His patience had already been running thin, so he tried to not think of the worst case scenario and searched. Frustrated and irritated immensely, he looked for them in every pocket on his clothes only to remember that he had tucked them into his backpack along with his tickets, paddock pass and passport.
He couldn't believe he had lost almost five minutes in searching for something he had just placed in there himself. Literally throwing his luggage onto the passenger seat, he got into the car and waited for a few minutes to calm himself down. He took a few deep breaths and directed his mind onto pleasant things, like how Kimi had to have already turned on the lights of their front door facing the garden and thus turning their house into a welcoming home. It had to be warm, because they had turned on the heating via the house management app and he hoped Kimi had made them some coffee… Or some tea… At this point, anything hot would do, honestly.
His earlier frustration settled down a bit; so, he ignited the engine and carefully drove off. He was deliberately slower than usual, because he was aware that if he'd started to go faster, he'd speed and speedy driving was the last thing he'd want to do. He'd like to be home safe. So, to distract himself, he rolled down the passenger seat window a bit to get some clean air in.
It was the middle of the autumn and the evening was blanketing the city. The air was cool and crisp, but not yet in a way that would chill him to his bones. That was winter's job. The trees were already shedding all their dead leaves, the streets were filled with the decaying gold.
In the countryside, the dramatic change was even more visible. It had to have rained today, because the roads were wet and the headlights of the cars were reflecting on the tarmac like a mirage. He followed them through the settling mist that heralded the coming of the night. When he reached to the village where their home was, the sun had already disappeared and only its reddish orange hue was remaining on the western horizon, the east was already dark blue.
Just as he had hoped, the front porch was lit in a welcoming way and the sun powered fairy lights in the garden beckoned to him. He parked his car and only had the patience of getting his backpack out. His large luggage could wait until tomorrow.
His house keys already in his hand, he opened the door and entered, leaving his bag aside before he shut the whole world out for the safety and the comfort that waited for him inside.
Having heard the car and Sebastian entering, Kimi quickly appeared in the hallway to greet him.
The sight of his husband immediately soothed Sebastian's ruffled feathers and he opened his arms so that he could return Kimi's hug.
Kimi embraced him to himself, not minding the cool air that hung on the younger man's clothes and skin, shivering against him. "Welcome home, love." He whispered, his voice a bit hoarse but pleased and happy.
"So good to be back, dearest." Sebastian took a huge whiff of Kimi's scent by tucking his face into the crook of his neck, rubbing his cheek on the sensitive skin to hear him giggle.
And giggle Kimi did, getting ticklish. He tried to wiggle out of the younger man's arms, but Sebastian didn't let him go; so, he relented to his fate for a while longer.
Hugging Kimi tighter to himself, Sebastian felt a strange need to stay like this, unwilling to be parted from the other man's warmth and nicely smelling embrace. But he had to let go when Kimi warned him, his voice laced with amusement.
"Love, if you want to eat, you must let me go before the meat gets burnt on the stove."
Ah… Homemade dinner…
Sebastian slowly let Kimi go, but not before stealing a kiss from him.
Kimi had to step back away with a forlorn smile, because Sebastian was almost trying to follow his lips for more. "Go and change into something comfortable. Dinner will be ready when you return." He promised.
Though reluctant to part with him, Sebastian listened to Kimi and quickly shed his coat and disappeared upto where their bathroom was. In record time, he showered and dried his hair, coming down back into the kitchen in a pair of sweatpants and one of Kimi's shirts.
When he entered the softly lit room, Kimi was busy with the final touches of their simple but deliciously smelling dinner. Unsurprisingly, he was wearing one of Sebastian's t-shirts and that put a fond expression on Sebastian's face. Maybe it was high time to accept that while their jeans and sweatpants were sometimes one size bigger or smaller, almost all their t-shirts were the same size. So, keeping tabs on which one belonged to whom was unnecessary at this point. And Kimi looked good in anything he wore.
He wordlessly approached to see if he could help with anything and Kimi glanced at him with a soft smile. "Spaghetti Bolognese…" He showed him the pot of sauce and the boiling pasta, sounding apologetic.
Sebastian shook his head, absolutely grateful. "It smells heavenly."
Kimi pursed his lips a bit as he served the pasta on deep plates. "It is nothing much, but I made us mulled wine to go with it." He pointed at another pot and Sebastian took off the lid, letting out the nice scent of the spices and the orange Kimi had used.
Sebastian felt so lucky to be able to come home to this. He had even been thinking about what simple thing he could whip up upon returning and was ready to settle for some coffee and an omelette if Kimi had already eaten during his flight. Instead, he was greeted with a hearty dinner even though Kimi looked equally drained and sleepy.
Kimi handed him his generous share and he took the plate, biting on his lower lip with emotion, trying to suppress it.
Setting their utensils and napkins on the table, he directed Kimi to take his seat and took out two thick glasses and scooped up some wine into them both. He brought up the hot drinks and sat down close to his husband.
Kimi looked back at him as if trying to urge him to eat and getting the silent message, Sebastian took his fork and began his meal, feeling the other man's attentive eyes on him.
"Try the mulled wine, too…" Kimi urged and Sebastian did so, taking a huge gulp from it and savouring the spicy hot liquid travelling down his throat and warming him from his core.
"Perfect." He praised, genuinely loving the way it paired so well with the ground meat and pasta dish.
Kimi smiled at him and turned his gaze on his own food and only then Sebastian realized how Kimi had just begun eating after making sure Sebastian had gotten his first morsel and sip in. Something sweet ached in his chest at his realization and he had to blink at the way the moisture collected in his eyes. He willed his tears away for the second time and focused on his food and drink, sharing the silence with his beloved.
Silence with Kimi had never bothered him and he knew that Kimi also found some kind of solace in the way they sometimes just existed together like this. Their gazes would find each other over their glasses and their hands would find their ways to hands, fingers intertwining… It was soothing in a way nothing else could ever be and Sebastian cherished every second of it as they ate and gazed at each other, silently communicating their love.
When they finished their food and Sebastian collected their used dishes, he realized he didn't want to leave the coziness of their kitchen. He tried to put the used plates and the cutlery into the dishwasher, but Kimi was already pushing his sleeves back and running the empty pots under hot water.
"If it dries, it won't come off from the pots too well." Kimi was telling him as he soaped up a sponge.
Sebastian nodded meekly and took his place by his side, waiting for Kimi to hand him the scrubbed dishes so that he'd rinse them.
"We still have some wine left, don't we?" Kimi continued and Sebastian hummed, watching him work. "Maybe we can drink the rest while watching TV?"
Sebastian considered. He didn't want to watch TV, he wanted to watch his husband. He shrugged and agreed nevertheless. "Alright…"
But Kimi knew that look and that tone of voice all too well. He took a glance at the way Sebastian rinsed the pots off and he handed him the utensils, almost finishing. "Maybe I can give you a massage?" He tried again and this time Sebastian's eyes found his immediately.
"I would like that if you aren't too tired yourself…" Sebastian didn't want to inconvenience Kimi when he also had a terrible weekend.
Kimi huffed goodnaturedly. "If it is for you, I am never tired." He assured and rinsed his hands, too.
Putting the last item onto the drying rack, Sebastian reached for the little towel hanging on the side and took Kimi's hands in his, wiping them dry.
"Well, thank you, handsome." Kimi chuckled at him and returned the favour. But when Sebastian didn't let his hand go and kissed the back of it reverendly, his eyes widened in understanding. Sebastian needed a little bit more love and attention than usual after that wet race where he had made a mistake and couldn't forgive himself for it yet. "Was the meeting about the tyre choice?" He asked in a tentative voice and Sebastian thankfully shook his head.
"No, just sponsor stuff…" He explained. "About the tyres..." His sigh sounded dejected. "We took the risk together and we fucked up together…" When Kimi's hand turned in his hold and cradled his cheek, he couldn't help but close his eyes and nuzzle it.
"We all do that, love." Kimi assured gently and got closer, caressing Sebastian's head with his other hand when the younger man nodded. "You'll soon feel better… I promise."
Nodding again, Sebastian let Kimi pull him into a loose embrace and sighed at his caresses. "I will get over it soon." He whispered against Kimi's neck. "But now… Let me be like this for a while, okay?"
Kimi tightened their embrace. "Anything for you, Sebby. Anything you want..."
And they stood like that, tangled in each other's arms, Kimi rocking them slowly to a tune that only he could hear, placing little kisses into his hair as his fingers worked their magic on his tense shoulders.
Sebastian let Kimi take care of him. Running his hands on his back in gratitude and taking in his scent was all he could do. Then, he thought he should say what had been on his mind all evening. Kimi wholly deserved to hear it.
"Dearest... Thank you for making us dinner." He began and when he felt how Kimi was about to speak and downplay it, he shushed him gently. "Please…" He kissed his cheek. "You are tired, too. You might have spared yourself the trouble and eaten during your flight… But you didn't. And you made us some mulled wine even…" He chuckled ruefully. "And here I was down for a few eggs and a cup of coffee… You might have even been sleeping, but…" Here, he leaned a bit away from Kimi to look into his eyes. "But you stayed awake… Turned on the lights for me and welcomed me…" He placed a lingering kiss on Kimi's lips and held his dazed eyes. "Thank you for making this place a home, Kimi." He whispered.
Kimi's reaction was so beautiful. His eyes immediately filled with tears even as he was also smiling. His hands finally rested on the small of Sebastian's back, hugging him. "I had to see you, Seb." His voice was breaking. "You know I wouldn't be able to get a wink even if I was dying of exhaustion unless I'd see you." They had not been able to see each other much and talk after the race yesterday due to their team commitments. So, Kimi had really been worrying about him even though he was also good at hiding it.
"I know…" Sebastian kissed him chastely for a second, drying his tears with his lips before they'd fall. "Because it is the same for me… I'd do the same for you… I love you, Kimi." He leaned in for another kiss and Kimi readily lost himself in it when he deepened it enough to taste the spices of the wine on each other's lips.
"I love you, Seb." Kimi breathed out and blinked at him, searching his eyes. "And everything is going to be alright."
Sebastian believed him wholeheartedly and leaned his forehead against his husband's, finally smiling genuinely enough for it to reach his eyes.
"Yeah…" He agreed and tilted his head a bit to the side more, going for another sweet kiss. "Because I am home."
-
Fin...
Don't be stingy and give me a kudos or a comment 😉