Work Text:
It's quiet in the building when the clock hits 8 PM.
Suspiciously quiet, Oscar thinks to himself, previously have been writing down the plan of events for yet another week, but by the time he finished, he felt that something’s wrong.
Even if there’s no reason for his worries, Piastri still makes sure to check one room, another, third and fourth, every single time counting kids and checking lists of sleeping ones. He settles down only when the night guard finally comes and they do roundabouts together - Oscar feels like it’s his 5th one for the night.
The walk back to the counselor's nests, unofficial name for the place they lived in, was somehow.. boring and dim. He was so tired his back and legs were aching and deep inside there was some strange feeling - he wanted quiet, wanted some space, just something to ease the sadness of the half of camp time’s coming.
Suddenly, Oscar thinks about how Lando would surely know what to do to cheer him up. He definitely would’ve brightened up the mood a little.
Still, Piastri gets his headphones out of the pocket of his denim jacket, plays a random playlist and stops in his tracks at the steps near the houses - so (not) convenient that his phone starts playing recently added Frank Ocean’s song, recommended by Lando when they walked back together after late night’s team meeting. Norris catched up to him at the exit of the main building, carefully handed him an AirPod and slyly smiling said something in the lines of, “you’ve never listened to this type of music before and you’ll never listen to it again, Osc, so..”.
So Oscar acted like he was annoyed at his workmate and replied that his own music is, at least, listenable and doesn’t make you depressed.
So Oscar, when they parted in their rooms at night, added most of the songs of their sudden walk together in his playlist.
So Oscar started thinking about him when listening to it.
So Oscar thinks about Lando right now, again.
God damn it.
Oscar pauses the song and wipes at the bridge of his nose.
It’s just professional deformation, Oscar thinks - they spend so much time together, it's completely okay for previously unemotional Piastri to be attached to someone all of a sudden.
It's definitely just professional deformation, Oscar tries to convince himself - the fact that Piastri, who can’t tolerate physical touch and keeps everyone the length of his hand, allows his workmate to be hugged and slept on his shoulder, is completely okay and normal.
It has to be just professional deformation, Oscar reminds himself - that’s exactly why they live through Piastri’s first panic attack together on the job, and that’s exactly why Lando carefully caresses knuckles of his hand, making him hold a bracelet, softly pleading to count pomegranate beads out loud, and to answer which smells can he smell around them.
Okay, fine - now he has to think about it.
Oscar genuinely doesn't get it and does not want to know what that means, if it even has any meaning, and even more he does not want to ruffle through cause-effect relations - Oscar wants his pay on Monday evening and to call his mom as soon as possible when kids are sleeping to discuss possible trip to Melbourne on his break.
Near the camp counselor’s house he meets Lando - he’s sitting on the steps with his legs crossed and inspecting something closely in his hands, turning to the setting sun from time to time. Only when the shutter made a sound and echoed through the evening silence, did Oscar understood - the camp counselor had an old film camera in his hands. A bit rough and definitely been through much, but in Lando’s mighty hands it felt almost alive.
Oscar smiled, involuntarily.
Last week the whole team of camp counselors was playing “secret friend”. Lando, as he said himself, won the most awful toss and had to buy a present for the most strict and grumpy counselor - Norris was pretty funny when complaining he had no idea what to get her.
But in the end, of course, he made it.
As always.
To catch himself thinking about Lando and how good, really good he is as a counselor felt weird and somehow embarrassing. But still - kids adore him, reach out for him, he gets on with them really well, creates some kinds of games-stories and is always ready to just help-talk. He even gets on well with every other counselor - laughs loud and enticing, jokes really funny (and silly sometimes, but still!), supports everyone no matter what they do.
Oscar, again, just looks at Lando - curly hair, turned gold by the burning sun and messed up by wind, tanned skin, smelling like the sea, sun and some unbelievably nice fragrance.
Oscar just now realized that he’s standing there and staring at Lando.
This thought along with everything that was going on got Piastri, for some reason, smitten and blushing, suddenly he acknowledged this new, hidden deep down until now, simple truth - he was in love.
So in love, he felt like a kid.
And it was damn scary.
“Osca-a-ah!”
“Hey, Lando,” Oscar waved at his workmate and continued to climb steps to the house, “been here for long?”
“Since 7PM, I guess,” he shook his shoulders, cold of august’s evening wind, “kids got tired after our little trip, we even skipped the evening meeting for today”.
“You’re shaking. Aren’t you cold?”
“Nah, it’s fine, I just..”, Lando turned his head at Piastri and met his attentive look, “I just. You’re going?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Tell me to stay, please.
Piastri shakes his head, awkward movement in trying to get his hair out of his face and the sudden thought - Norris is only looking at him for a few more seconds, sly, and smiling at some silly thought in his head.
Stay with me, please.
“Okay, I get it, not gonna stand in the way! See you, Osco.”
And Oscar slammed the front door right this second.
His legs buzzed with tiredness and his head, an alarmed beehive, was full of thoughts. Pine fragrance, stuck in the counselor's nest, was mixing with the smell of kid’s paints, coming out of bright drawings chaotically hung up on walls. Oscar’s tired eyes glanced at his bed, but instead of well-deserved rest he sat down at the table, his true friend waiting there - unfinished camp counselor’s diary.
In the dark, dim table light casted at Piastri’s face and pages messed up with his writing. Actually, everything was going according to plan and expectations: games, events, swimming, meetings. And still deeply inside, gnawing at him, sat an uncomfortable feeling - feeling of a missed opportunity.
Maybe I’m not interesting enough?
Maybe my games are boring?
Maybe I don’t pay enough attention to shy ones?
Maybe we don’t talk as deeply in meetings?
Maybe…
Thoughts scattered around like annoying flies, no chance of focusing - unmoving, he was staring at something on the wall and let out involuntarily sigh.
Maybe.. I’m just a bad counselor?
Oscar still remembered how exciting the first days felt - everything was new, breathtaking, full of unending possibilities. And now, in the middle of this road, he only felt the bitter taste of disappointment and doubt.
Lando probably always has enough time.
He always has the right words, the right ways to cheer kids up.
Why the fuck can’t I be the same?
Oscar dropped the pen and wiped at his tired eyes.
The answer was always there - Lando was born to be a leader, the center of attention, someone who got life bubbling up around him. Kids who got in camp for the sseconf-third time undoubtedly were trying to get into group of someone known to them - Max, George, Charles.. and Lando, of course it’s fucking Lando. They knew and loved him, it looked like they were in awe of everything he does, and not without a reason - he knew what he did and did it sincerely.
And Oscar..
Oscar just tried to be a good counselor?
Was acting like he’s a good counselor?
No, of course he was a good counselor - kids loved and respected him too, always came for help or shared their worries, and when the parent’s day came they dragged their elders all the way through the camp to make them meet the responsible, attentive and caring Oscar Piastri.
But is it actually enough?
Is it enough to just meet the expectations?
Shouldn’t I be something more than just “good”?
He casted a glance at the diary's page, an unfinished phrase there - he felt his throat close up.
Time flew fast. And now Oscar suddenly discovered that the middle of the time in camp is already gone, the next thing awaits - finishing line, goodbye fires, tears of parting ways and empty buildings. His heart felt weak at the thought and only got sadder, like that day is going to be tomorrow and kids are packing their things already.
Kids are gonna go away and everything is gone.
The usual routine is going back - work, worris, studies.
We’re going to move away, and then Lando won't ever-
Oscar’s expression darkened, tiredness and irritation rising - he just needs to get ahold of himself. There’s another half of the camp time ahead of him.
He has to make the last days unforgettable for these kids.
He just has to.
If not, then why is he even here?
“You messed up a date in here,” Lando whispered when he quietly got to the table, looked through Oscar’s shoulder and pointed at the wrong number, “it’s not big, but it’s gonna show up in a report and Zac will definitely make it a fucking bother”.
Oscar nodded in thanks, covering up the mistake.
“Why aren’t you sleeping yet?” he asked, not even looking away from the papers.
Lando made a quiet noise.
“I’m here for my jacket,” he looked around to show that he isnt just fucking around, but actually is looking for his jacket, “but if I’m already here, why not help. And to be honest, you look shitty.”
Oscar sighed and relaxed at the back of a chair, closing his eyes.
“I think I’m a bad counselor,” he mumbled like he confessed something awful-scary, and not just some conscious thing about his job.
Lando got tense right away.
“Kids told you that? Show me who said that, I’m gonna talk to them. Overall you shouldn’t even pay that much attention, they’re ki-”
“No,” Oscar smiled at Lando’s serious voice and shook his head, “I just feel like this because..”
Because I’m constantly comparing myself to you, Oscar wants to say, but words get stuck in his mouth and he gets quiet the second he feels heavy but caring hands on his shoulders - fingers massaging slowly and extremely careful, scared to cause more damage to tense muscles.
“You need to breathe,” Lando’s voice was still so close and sounded so tender, almost embracing Oscar, and so he took a deep breath, moving back, closer to him, “Let’s go, I have something to show you. And then we’re going to deal with all the worries in your head together.”
“Let’s go,” Oscar called back.
“Won’t even ask where we’re going?” Lando chuckled quietly, tugging on the hoodie Oscar threw at him.
“I won’t. Fully trusting you myself into your arms”
If Oscar turned back at him a second earlier, he would probably see a bit of blush on Norris' cheeks.
Sunset painted sky in pastel colors - shades of pink, orange and purple casted at the calm line of the sea. Sound of waves, mixed with the shallow voices of sleeping kids, made this peaceful atmosphere.
Oscar rolled his eyes out of tiredness and nice anticipation of rest and laid back on the pier. Lando mirrored his motions and stared at the sky - they laid in silence, listened to the sound of waves and enjoyed the summer wind of august. Seemed like when you’re running for little kids all day long, managing to also get things done yourself, this type of rest is the best relaxation.
“Worried?” Norris asked, when the other counselor finally sat up too.
How did he know?
Lando, looking at the questioning and embarrassed look on Piastri’s face, just nodded at the water and laughed - Oscar followed his eyes and only then did he notice how strong and uneasy were the waves this evening.
“So the saying is true after all, water does feel everything,” and the boys got quiet again, leaving space for the constant noise of the waves.
“Let’s swim,” Lando suggested suddenly a bit later when the sea got more calm.
“What, like in clothes?”
“Yeah,” he dived in and immediately got up, smiling, “come on, Osco, do it!”
Oscar, after thinking about it for a while, also jumped in - he didn't want to lose his orange counselor’s tie amongst the waves while doing something dumb together, something that the head counselors probably wouldn't like.
When he got out he saw Lando holding onto the pier with one hand - laughing, they dived in again together, but when he got up he couldn’t see him anywhere and started looking around.
Suddenly someone’s hands hugged him from the behind - Lando jumped on him, dragging him back into waves. Oscars really tried to turn around, but in the strong hold of these hands, all he could do was cast a quick glance at the counselor's face, immediately noticing the attentive and even pleading look of hazel eyes.
His heart skipped a beat. Some sort of squeak got out of his throat, overshadowed by the sound of a coming wave.
“What are you doing?”
“Your hair looks funny when they’re wet, did you know?”
Watching the basic questioning look on Oscar’s face, Lando’s soft smile only grew bigger, and so he swam closer to the counselor, threading fingers through his hair, trying to get it look right. His palm rested on his cheek, making the guy in front of him feel uneasy and look around his workmate’s face.
“Stop worrying, mate, we’re gonna get drowned in the waves,” Lando chuckled quietly, suddenly becoming even closer.
“You’re right,” Oscar said right into his lips.
And his lips were salty.
They say when you turn off one of your receptors, the other one starts working better - Oscars thinks it’s an undoubted truth and that is why he kisses with closed eyes. Salty, but soft, desired and caressing lips - Piastri wasn’t brave enough to touch his face, only the hand that holds his chin.
They both fell into the water. Lando grabbed Oscar’s shoulders, got him closer to himself and their eyes met - he saw something new there, something looking like determination and want.
And Lando can’t reject these eyes, he thinks, before kissing him again.
Oscar’s lips turned to be sweet, despite salty sea water clinging to skin. Soft and tender, like he dreamed of it for a long time.
Lando’s lips were soft and warm, despite the cigarette he smoked earlier. Oscar felt some tingling on his skin, like electricity.
The time stopped - in this moment there were them, the sound of waves and this kiss.
“It’s okay,” Norris stops his worries with clear and gentle words and annoying understanding.
“Shut up,” Oscar whispers hurriedly and tugs him closer by his wet shirt’s collar, colliding into open in surprise lips with a messy kiss.
Getting up they both were short of breath. There wasn't a lot of air, but lots of spilling out emotions.
They watched each other not knowing what to say. Sunset went away, leaving a dim trace at the horizon - right now the world was full of color for the two of them.
Getting out of the water, shaking because of the cold, they quickly got into their clothes - in the dark it was obviously hard to fit into the sleeves, laughing was their solution to awkwardness. Looking at each other and holding hands, they ran to the counselor's house up the ladder bare foot. Every step echoed loudly, but they didn’t care: the main thing was the feeling of closeness and warmth.
Morning came fast.
Too fast, Lando thinks, before realizing it was the first time he actually slept through the whole night.
He woke up from the bright morning sun leaking through the window - judging by no alarm set by Oscar, it was his turn to wake the kids up today. Lando really tried to get up carefully to not disturb Piastri, until someone was snoring softly into his hair.
Trying not to smile uncontrollably, he turned around.
Oscar, with messy hair and almost closed eyes, looked at him with tenderness - suddenly Lando felt a strong wave of warmth covering him head to toe, and couldn't move his eyes away from the birthmark on his cheek, and the overall existence of Oscar Piastri.
Even though he really tried.
Really.
His heart, overwhelmed with softness, threatened to jump out and Lando couldn't reject it - he leaned in and left a kiss on Oscar’s head.
Oscar closed his eyes and sighed blissfully.
“Go,” he whispered, “they’re gonna destroy everything without you there.”
Lando smiled at him, got up and started dressing up. His head was a swirl of thoughts, memories of yesterday’s evening, their kiss in the sea, and tenderness he saw in Oscar’s eyes.
Leaving the room he noticed his jacket on the chair. Lando thought about it for a second - mornings in august were always cold and Oscar, forever cold, will definitely freeze without it.
Getting closer to the kids’ building, Lando thought that he’s not gonna be cold at the morning workout in 30 minutes.
Morning meetings under the burning sun got kids waving around their caps, bandanas and just hands, trying to create even just a little bit of cold air. Lando silently curses everyone who thought it was an excellent idea to do meetings at a place that has no cover. He thinks of starting a fight with Andrea or Zac at the matter of this, or to bring this up at the counselor’s meeting for the nth time.
“Girls and guys, I remind you all that our camp strictly prohibits queen’s and gypsy nights. Any other name to call this doesn't change the fact - your second to last night here must be just you sleeping in your rooms.”
Norris quickly glances at his group of kids - he’s got the younger ones and so he has nothing to worry about, just parent’s calls in the evenings.
Kids, as expected, are just standing there, everyone but few of them whispering to each other in confusion - they probably just don’t know what the queen's night is.
And just as he thought it’s gonna be fine...
Kids from the group of the older ones start to turn around and explain somethings fast, moving hands around - Oscar, whom kids decided to enlighten his unknowing ones, rolls his eyes and facepalms.
Lando’s eyes stay on Piastri for a while, just enough for George standing close jam his elbow into his side and whisper something in the lines of “obvious, my dear friend, you're so-o-o obvious” - Norris turns around to the counselor and whispers loudly, reminding him about some hang out until 3AM with some other counselor that has blue tie and silver ha-
George shuts him up right at this and tugs his cap even more than it was, covering face.
Lando chuckles and turns back around where Piastri stands - he carefully lifts up some girl on his shoulders, congratulating her on her birthday and saying many-many words.
Norris, basically, isn’t supposed to know and to want to know what wishes did he grant upon her and just smiles - Oscar can find the right words in the moment even if he doesn’t agree and doesn’t want to speak in their shared meetings.
Norris, basically, thinks that he has something to say to Oscar - at least how wonderful he is and how cool of a counselor he is, how proud he is of him, and how kids are already voting for him as the best counselor of this time in camp.
Norris, basically, thinks that he and Oscar have something to discuss today when the kids are going to sleep - Lando sincerely wants to tell how much he loves his smile, even if he always hides it behind his hand; how he supports every single idea he has; how amazed he is at the big and difficult path he had, going from a trainee in the group to a real counselor; how proud he is of him and loves him just for him existing, not for something special.
Lando, basically, thinks how later he has to fix Oscar’s tie, but then also notices one important detail, somehow unnoticed earlier:
Oscar stands in a similar jacket.
And, basically, that’s all Lando needs for his happiness today-tomorrow-next year.