Work Text:
Daniel had asked us to come to his house in California for a post-season party. So, during the first week of December I was in the United States.
Most of the drivers of the season were drinking and talking in his living room. Alex and George were hugging each other while talking to Sargent, who was drinking beer. Charles and Pierre had disappeared a while ago, probably snogging in one of the many bedrooms Daniel had in this house. Tsunoda and Zhou were playing air hockey, screaming at each other, mostly insults but still very friendly. Hamilton, Vettel, Kimi and Bottas were drinking beer, laughing at each other next to the big door that led to the big garden. Piastri and Lando were on the other sofa, both with unknown drinks on their hands, playing Guess Who drivers version.
“What are you doing here?” Daniel appeared with a glass of wine on his hand, a broad smile on his face.
“Well, you asked me to come.” I said, making him laugh.
“No Max, I mean, alone.” I looked at those pretty curious brown eyes of his.
“Well, I didn’t want to interrupt anyone’s game or conversation, so I just stayed here.” I took a quick sip of my beer, the third one of the night already. “Besides, Charles and Pierre disappeared when I went to the bathroom, so I would advise you to clean one of the rooms.”
Daniel let a howling laugh out, making his Adam’s apple go up and down quickly. I could just laugh at it as well trying not to stare.
“I’m sure they will be here soon.” He took a sip of his wine. “But I’m here to save you for a while, Charles made me promise to wait for him.”
“Why is that?”
“Well…” He scratched the back of his head.
“Hey!” Checo’s shout was loud, making almost the whole room look at him. “Who wants tequila shots? It’s the good stuff, not the bad ones that you all know.”
“Who can say no to that?” Said Daniel, pulling me by my hand to where Checo was. I try not to focus on how his hand was soft on mine, making me warm in my insides.
Really trying not to think about how I wanted his hands all over me.
Really trying.
Minutes later we were all doing shots. Daniel kept putting more and more on my shot glass, but when I was on the third one I was feeling tipsy.
“Daniel, no, c’mon, are you really trying to get me drunk?” His laugh invaded my ears, making me smile at the sound.
“Well, you are staying over anyway, you could drink a bit more.” He had his third shot as well, making a bit slip off his mouth and drip down his neck.
“Close your mouth mate.” Charles' whisper made me jump.
“Fuck Charles.” I looked at the monegasque who had a smile on his face, pink cheeks and a hickey on his neck. “Maybe you should tell Daniel which room you fucked so he can get it desinfected.”
Both Charles and Pierre got even redder and Ricciardo laughed loudly by my side. I placed my glass on the counter, grabbing my beer once again and Ricciardo did the same. Then, I felt one hand on my waist, just slightly but still there making me shiver and melt to his touch.
“Finally, I was waiting for you Charles.” The younger one first looked confused but then seconds later he opened a big smile.
“You got it?”
“Yeah mate.” and I was confused. What the hell were they talking about?
“I’m gonna grab Lewis, Bottas, Sainz and Lando. Don’t know who else wants a bit.” The Ferrari driver separated himself from the French one, kissing his cheek.
“Ask around, I think I have enough.” I looked confused at Daniel, who had a smile on his face. Charles then left, going first to Lewis who opened a big smile while Vettel put on a serious facade. “Are you coming?”
I looked back at the Australian who was waiting for an answer, with a hopeful look. I didn’t know what to say, simply because I didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. Don’t know if it was the drinking that made me confused or if I’m just stupid.
“Where are you guys going?”
“Just outside.” He smiled. “You can totally just stay there, not do anything if you don’t care about the smell.”
Smell?
I smiled and nodded, I just wanted to stay close to him.
And Daniel’s grin just opened more.
He led me outside, with Pierre by our side. Daniel’s outdoor garden had a round fireplace in one corner with some wooden chairs around, a big square structure holding some lights up making the place more cozy and comfortable. When we got there, he lit up the fireplace making the cold night feel a bit warmer. I sat down on one of the chairs crossing my legs, Daniel got one of the chairs putting it closer to mine, sitting down a second later.
“So it’s true Daniel?” Hamilton asked as soon as he got closer.
“Yeah, I just need to roll it up, but we are good to go.”
Oh.
Wait?
Am I too drunk or am I really listening to it right?
Daniel soon took a small bag from the inside pocket of his jacket. When he opened it up, I saw the green leaves and the rice paper. I looked at all the drivers that came outside, all sitting down on the circle, some of them grabbing chairs from the table near the barbecue place.
“You really don’t need to do it if you don’t want to, it’s fine.” Daniel said it quietly. I looked at him, who was focused on rolling the perfect weed cigarette. His hands worked perfectly, trying not to make it too big, but still with a lot in it. When he put it close to his mouth, liking it shut I stopped breathing.
Hamilton gave Daniel a purple lighter with the number 44 on it, making him smile. He placed it on his mouth, lighting it up, soon giving it back to the last season champion making the tip redder, breathing it in. The smoke soon came out of his mouth, giving me an image of Daniel that I never saw before.
Making me stop breathing once again and staring at him, just thinking about how hot he looked with a cigarette between his fingers, how his lips were surrounding it and how the smoke came out of his mouth.
Never thought I would be attracted to a guy smoking.
He passed it to Pierre, who was sitting on his left with LeClerc on his lap. Both of them smoked a bit and passed it to the person next to them, who was Lando. All of them engaged in a conversation which I wasn't paying attention to because I was nervous. Each minute another driver smoked a bit and gave it to the next, and I had to think what I had to do.
Would I be the only one that didn’t smoke? Would I try it for the first time? Would I cough if that happened? Would they all laugh at me? Would they just not care if I don’t do it? Would Daniel be upset if I don’t do it? Would he be upset if I do it? What would my father say if I did it? How would he react to it?
“Max?” Lewis had the cigarette in his hands, giving it to me. I looked at him, and at the thing between his fingers.
Fuck it.
I put it between my index and middle finger, trying not to let it fall and pulled it to my mouth, putting the tip in it. I inhaled a bit, feeling the smoke down my throat inflating my lungs. When I took the cigarette out of my mouth, I let the smoke go out with my anxiety and fears.
When I looked to my left, to pass it over, Daniel was with a penetrating stare towards me looking at every move I made, but soon smiled and accepted it.
Rounds later, some other cigarettes were rolled up, everybody was talking loudly and laughing during the conversation. Pierre and Charles stopped for a bit, just paying attention to each other. Lewis and Bottas were telling stories from their early days in Mercedes together and I just remembered how my first years with Daniel had been just the best.
We clicked right away, even though I was so young and stupid. Daniel helped me with everything my father didn’t, gave his full attention to me for a while just to guide me through the Red Bull garage and mechanics. Made me feel more and more comfortable with the team and with the way I drive. In just two years we became inseparable, where one was, the other was as well.
It made me remember about how he used to come around when we were at our hotel rooms just to watch a movie, talk about life or play video games, even though it was mostly me teaching him how to play.
And I remembered the first time I realized I was in love with him. Daniel had just told me he was leaving Red Bull and we had a fight about it. I thought he was leaving me, not wanting to hang out and be friends anymore. That night I cried to sleep. My heart ached for Daniel, missing his hugs, his laugh, his smile and his crooked nose. It also made me realize that I didn’t know how to live without him, without his jokes and his smell.
The next morning I apologized.
My head soon met Daniel’s shoulder, his arm met my waist hugging me and making me more comfortable and warm.
Everything was just so light, so funny. I laughed a lot looking at the two boys who were still telling stories about the LGBTQ+ bars they went to.
“So you are telling us that you went to LGBTQ bars and never even kissed each other?” Lando asked, who at one point sat down on Sainz's lap making him hug the younger leaving quick kisses on his neck, and even though it was dark, I could see that Bottas’ face was getting a bit red.
“Never said that.” Lewis answered and Lando laughed.”Oh, c’mon, who here never kissed their teammate? Or even thought about it.”
I could feel my cheeks get warmer by the second.
“There are some people here who just need to stop being stupid and just kiss already.” Charles said, and as soon as I looked at him I could see him staring at Daniel and I.
Daniel cleaned his throat making a noise, and I took his head off his neck. His hand was still placed at my waist, but I already missed the smell of his cologne.
“Well, maybe people just don’t know what the other one feels like.” Daniel said and Charles rolled his eyes. I looked at the curly boy on my left, the fireplace and the lowlights giving me a different lighting that I’m used to but it was still beautiful, the redness joining the yellow giving him a warm look. If I had Dan’s camera with me, that would totally be a picture I would take and keep.
“Or you are just blind.” Pierre’s voice echoed a bit since everybody was quiet for a second.
Daniel looked back. His eyes were magnetic, radiant and inviting. Daniel was the sun, giving me warmth, making me melt at his touch and by the way his crooked smile appeared on his face. It was genuine, affectionate.
His hands got on top of mine and he pulled me inside the house. I listened to Charles and Lewis saying "finally" making me and Daniel laugh as we went through the big doors. We rushed upstairs and got inside Daniel's room.
"Are you high?" It was the first thing the Australian asked when he closed the door.
"What?"
"Are you high? Or drunk? Or, I don't know, feeling weird?"
"I'm a bit tipsy but that is because we were sitting down and we ran up the staircase. Why are you asking me this?"
"Just want to make sure you really want this. And you'll remember this because if I wake up tomorrow and you don't, I don't even know how I'll feel."
I looked at the nervous boy in front of me, making me smile. I walked towards him, putting one of my hands on his cheek.
"Daniel." He looked at my eyes. "I've been waiting for this for so long, I won't forget and I'm not that high or drunk anymore." He smiled as I caressed his cheek.
I leaned in closer, making us breathe the same air for a couple of seconds. Our noses touched, slightly, before our lips were smashed into each other.
Kissing Daniel made me think the whole world had disappeared, and we were the only ones left. His hands on my waist was all that matters, my hands on his body were the best thing to touch.
It was soft, his lips tasted like tequila and weed, and we both took our time to just enjoy the moment. Enjoy the kiss that I've waited for so long. I opened my mouth a bit more, feeling his tongue touch mine.
Daniel Ricciardo was like coming out for fresh air.
Daniel Ricciardo was my shining knight saving me from whatever it was.
Daniel Ricciardo was the sun that kept me warm and comfortable for so long.
His fingers were grabbing me harder, my hands moved a bit to his hair pulling it slightly making him moan in my mouth. I wanted more, to get closer, to feel him everywhere.
He bit my lower lip as we separated from each other because our lungs were already claiming for fresh air.
"I don't think I'll be able to let you go now."
"I don't want you to." Daniel opened the biggest smile I've ever seen, making me smile as well.
Maybe I'll stay more than just a week in California.