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Sebastian had a problem.
Lewis would tell him that he’s being dramatic about it, but Lewis doesn’t know about this particular problem. Yet. he knows he’ll tell him eventually. He has to, if he wants to keep their relationship stable and happy the way it has been for years. He loves Lewis, and he doesn’t want anything ruining that, especially not a crush on his younger teammate.
Yep, Sebastian had a crush on one Charles Leclerc, and he wasn’t sure what to do about it.
The thing is, it’s obvious that Charles likes him back. He wouldn’t call himself big headed, but he’s always been pretty good at being able to tell when someone likes him like that, and over the two years they’ve been teammates, he’s watched Charles’ hero worship morph into something else, something dangerous. It’s dangerous because it puts his happy life at risk. Lewis would probably insist they talk about it and Seb has never been the best at explaining his feelings. He doesn’t want to talk to his husband about his pathetic crush on someone ten years younger than him. Even just thinking about it makes him feel gross.
He’d rather pretend there was no crush, even if that’s becoming increasingly hard to do when Charles keeps looking at him with those doe eyes and dimpled cheeks.
Lewis could tell something was bothering Seb, and he had a pretty good idea what it was.
He could see it in the challenge videos Ferrari posted of him and Charles, the way he’d lean slightly into Charles’ space before catching himself and putting some distance between them. It was strange behaviour, and Lewis only recognised it because Seb had done the same thing with him before they started dating.
Lewis loved Seb, but he has to admit that if it wasn’t for himself, the two of them probably never would’ve stopped pining. He was the one to make the first move, and he was the one to force the two of them to talk about what it meant for them. Because of that, he’s not particularly worried about Seb’s crush on Charles, because he knows his husband well enough to know he won’t make a move. Not that he’d ever think Seb would cheat on him anyway, it’s just a nice layer of protection to have.
The problem was that he could see how much the crush was eating at Seb, and he didn’t want that. He didn’t want Seb to feel ashamed of what he was feeling because he’d gotten it in his head that he was too old for Charles. Look, Lewis can admit that he’s let his eyes wander when it comes to Sebastian’s teammate. He’s not sure anyone would disagree with him if he called Charles attractive. He’s extremely attractive, and probably the only thing stopping Lewis from being in the same boat as his husband is that he just doesn’t know Charles that well.
It’s that thought that has him turning to google for advice, slipping down a rabbit hole about polyamory and how to know if it’s right for your relationship.
Charles would like to go on record and say that he hadn’t been trying to seduce Sebastian. He knew he was married, had seen the ring more often than not. He knew he and Lewis were very happy together. He wasn’t trying to come between that. He can’t help that he’s naturally a very flirty person, and Seb makes it so easy to tease him. He’s caught Lewis watching the two of them sometimes, but there’s no jealousy in his gaze, just soft understanding.
Charles wasn’t trying to break up the happy couple, he just sort of wanted to be included. Was that so wrong? Lewis and Seb were hot. He’d had more than one dream about Lewis’ hands on his hips and Seb’s tongue in his mouth, preferably at the same time. He wanted to get to know Lewis better, see if he made his chest flutter the way Seb did when he squeezed his shoulder. He wanted to be theirs, even if he was probably too young for them to consider that.
Maybe that was why he freaked out when Lewis approached him and asked him to dinner one day. Maybe that was why he spent extra long choosing his outfit even though it was just a dinner between colleagues. Maybe that’s why his hands were shaking when he arrived and saw Lewis and Seb already sitting down, sharing a bottle of wine with one extra glass laid out between them. There was a chair added to the table that put Charles between the two of them, and Charles was proud of himself when he only hesitated slightly before going over to join them.
Sebastian seemed just as confused as he was, as if Lewis had sprung tonight on him as well, which made Charles feel a bit more at ease. At least he wasn’t the only one in the dark here. The waitress came and took their order now the whole party was here, and Charles wondered briefly if she was confused about their situation too.
Lewis took a slow sip of his wine and cleared his throat, looking Charles up and down like he was dinner. Sebastian choked slightly on his own wine at the look, sending Lewis a confused glance over his glass. Whatever tonight was about, Lewis clearly hadn’t discussed it with Seb at all.
“You look good, Charles. Wouldn’t you agree, Seb?”
Sebastian flushed and nodded, avoiding eye contact with both of them completely. Lewis sighed and put his glass down, smoothing his hands over his lap like he was preparing for something.
“Charles, would you say that you admire Seb?”
Charles was the one to flush this time, and he nodded.
Lewis smiled at him and looked at Sebastian next.
“And would you say you feel the same about Charles, Seb?”
Sebastian didn’t answer right away, just stared at Lewis with wide, panicked eyes. Lewis softened and reached a hand out for him to take, stroking his thumb over the back of his hand and muttering that it’s ok. Eventually, Sebastian nodded, and Lewis smiled sweetly at him. It made Charles ache, seeing how soft the two of them were together. Lewis pulled back and took a breath, looking between the two of them.
“Now, I might have read this wrong, but it’s pretty obvious the two of you have feelings for each other,” Seb goes to protest but Lewis keeps talking, “And that is ok with me. I’ve been doing some reading on non-traditional relationships, and I think we can make it work, if you both want to.”
Seb opens and closes his mouth a few times like he can’t quite get the words out, while Charles just sits there in shock. He must be dreaming, there’s no way that Lewis just suggested the three of them date. Lewis reaches for Charles’ hand this time, bringing it to his lips.
“I know we need to get to know each other better before we’re on the same level as you and Seb, but I’m willing to try. I just need the two of you to agree.”
Sebastian finds his voice again after a few minutes, asking what Lewis gets out of this, Lewis laughs.
“Other than two hot partners? I get to see you relax, Seb. you’ve been so tense since you realised how you felt about Charles, and it breaks my heart. I think this will be really good for us.”
Charles clears his throat, gaining the attention of Seb and Lewis.
“I’m willing to try if you are, Seb.”
Sebastian takes a deep breath before nodding, whispering ok. Lewis beams at him and leans across the table to kiss his cheek, and Charles hesitates slightly before doing the same on the other side.
They still need to talk properly about what this means for them, but for now Charles is happy to take Lewis’ hand and sip his wine, smiling at Seb and basking in the smile he gets in return.