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Ollie didn’t know when his feelings for Kimi started to become romantic. The shift from platonic to romantic was so sudden. As if one morning he woke up and had started to see Kimi differently. It was almost as if Oliver had been shot by Cupid.
But oh lord did he feel like a hopeless romantic. When Ollie woke up, he would imagine waking up with Kimi in his arms. Hell, Ollie even imagined going on romantic dates with the younger. Fantasizing about planning their future. They could have a cat and a golden retriever. Kimi often says Ollie acts like a dog, and Kimi acts like a grumpy cat in Oliver’s eyes. The two could spend the rest of their lives together peacefully, without any dangerous racing and risking their lives.
But Ollie knew better then to spend all of his time pining and wishing he could be with Kimi. He had still gotten up in the morning to share the last couple of races with Kimi as his teammate. Ollie felt almost unstoppable with him by his side.
It felt like just yesterday Ollie asked Kimi if he loved him while recording a Prema video. Looking back on it, Kimi’s reply was all he needed to confirm he didn’t like him back.
Even then, Oliver had a weird feeling in his chest. He didn’t understand it then. But now Ollie understands what he felt all those months ago when he officially met Kimi for the first time. Ollie knows now that he loves Kimi deeply. Oliver understands just how much he would give up for Kimi.
It took him so long to figure out. Figure out that he wants to spend the rest of his life with Kimi after just a couple of months together. But Ollie believes Kimi is too good for him.
“Lighten up mate! He likes you as much as you like him!” Dino exclaimed, hoping to cheer his grim friend.
But Kimi could never like him.
Even after they got so close. Even after Ollie had driven them both to their hotel for the weekend. Oliver playing whatever crappy love song he could without Kimi even acknowledging. Just the two of them singing along to Taylor Swift after the “Shakespeare or Taylor Swift Challenge” Prema made them film. The almost intimate moment would always be cherished in Ollie’s heart.
The rays of sunlight dancing along Kimi’s features beautifully. The music turned down slightly as they both admired different views. Kimi’s eyes widening in awe as he watched the beautiful landscape ahead of them. Ollie watching carefully while driving on the straight road, surrounded by fields of flowers. The beautiful scene widening both of their eyes. But Oliver was more focused on Kimi the whole time.
The scene was perfect. Like straight out of a movie. Ollie had said it’d be perfect for a date.
“Forse dovremmo andare ad un appuntamento qui” Kimi blurted. His voice sounding almost breathless, like he himself couldn’t believe he said that.
Ollie could feel his face deepening. His cheeks turning a deep crimson as he slowly translated the sentence into English. Replaying it in his head a billion times. Trying to figure out if he heard wrong. Trying to see if his translations were incorrect.
Ollie looked over and saw Kimi looked completely unfazed. He looked completely normal. Like he didn’t even say anything meaningful whatsoever. Just a quiet little chirp or something. So Ollie’s translations must’ve been wrong. Oliver definitely heard wrong.
‘You idiot. Of course they were wrong!’ Ollie reprimanded himself.
The drive hadn’t turned awkward at all. Ollie just felt a tad embarrassed after. But surely Kimi didn’t notice whatsoever, right?
Looking back on it, Kimi definitely noticed. Which brings us back to present day, where Ollie is grabbing lunch with Dino Beganovic. The latter trying to convince Ollie that Kimi did in fact like him back. (Though he’s failing horribly at that)
“Fuck” Ollie gasped.
Oliver was definitely not sly. Not sly whatsoever. The two teammates hadn’t spoken much since that moment. And Ollie didn’t blame the Italian much. He definitely didn’t like Ollie back at all. The British man just ruined their friendship, right?
Well, Dino seems to think quite the opposite. Like he’s dead set on convincing Ollie that Andrea Kimi Antonelli *definitely* had a crush on him. Though Ollie is shutting him down and drowning in his own sorrows.
“You just have to try mate!”
Ollie internally scoffed. What did Dino want him to do? Go up to Kimi and confess? Tell Andrea he loves him because he “definitely” likes him back. Yeah right.
“Don’t give me that look! You just have to give it a chance, yeah? At least talk to him. You guys have been more distant and it’s killing both of you.” Dino stated, as if it’s a known fact everybody knows.
But Ollie knew that was a horrific idea! Besides, they haven’t been distant. I mean yeah, they’ve been talking less, but they still talk. Mostly in passing, but still talk! (It’s not like the two boys have to travel the world together, attending F1 races from behind the scenes)
“We’ve still spoken to each other Dino. You make it sound like we’re both depressed because we haven’t talked in years.” Ollie says in response.
“Nonsense! You’ve been giving him sad puppy dog looks. Like you got ran over Ollie!” Dino yelled in response, gaining weird looks from the other people sat in the surrounding booths. Dino didn’t seem to notice, just trying to get his point across.
“Fine. I’ll ask him if he wants to grab something to eat while we’re in Vegas.”
And that’s why when Ollie eventually departs, ending his and Dino’s little hangout, he’s a lot more stressed than he previously was. Because he needs to ask Kimi before he thinks it though and chickens out. Which might be why he grabs his phone and dials Kimi’s number.
It’s picked up on the first ring.
“Hello?” The Italians voice comes from the other side. He seemed… nervous. I mean, he and Ollie hadn’t spoken or called each other much. Maybe that’s why?
“Hi Kimi.. Uhm.” Ollie started to bite his nails trying to figure out what to say.
“Would you like to go out?” he blurts. Instantly regretting that sentence as a whole.
“Well like.. Not like go out out, but like go get Dinner when we’re in Vegas- if you don’t want to you don’t have to! I uhm. That’s fine. It’s cool whatever but uhm, yknow if you’re free. We could also just hang out in your hotel room. That’s cool. I’d like that. Anything with you I’d like-“
Ollie was grateful Kimi cut off his rambling right then before he said something stupid.
“Yes! I uhm.. yeah! Yeah. I’d love to hang in Vegas.” Kimi cleared his throat before continuing.
“I fly in Tuesday evening, if you wanna hangout that night?” He seemed excited enough? So maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea.
“Yeah, yeah! I’m fine with that. I could just meet you at your hotel and we can go from there!” Ollie rejoiced. The pair exchanged more information, like a time and what hotel the Italian was gonna be staying in, before Kimi’s dad was heard in the background calling his name.
They quickly said their goodbyes and hung up
‘I need to thank Dino’ Ollie thought sarcastically.
Although Ollie had been doubting what Dino said originally, Ollie supposes he has to thank Dino for giving Ollie the courage to speak to Kimi. Especially after what happens during the following days in Vegas.