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“I did not miss the helmet!” Álex chirped, shaking his head vigorously, sending his slightly sweaty hair fluffing all over the place, a wide grin despite the irritated flick of his ears.
“You say that every year,” Marc huffed, rolling his eyes as he shoved back his own hair, darkened from the exertion.
“And every year my ears get cramped!” He declared, tossing the helmet down onto a bench in the garage to rub some feeling back into the offending ears.
Marc sighed, flopping back down into one of the camp chairs that had been propped by the garage. “Didn’t you ask for different custom vents in this one?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Álex stopped rubbing at his ears, the lightly speckled brown fur spiking up as they twitched. “They were good, but still, when they get pinned to my head…”
It didn’t take long to pack the bikes away, even with both of the brothers’ bodies crying out with exhaustion. The first proper training sessions after the winter break always carried a wonderful mix of exhilaration at the rush, and a bone deep ache from the physical exertion.
No amount of workout sessions and exercises could properly prepare for the strain of being back on a real racing bike, even if not the full spec MotoGP machines.
The Aspar Circuit was one familiar to both of them, and had long become a second home in racing, a fun track for training, for learning. It was a ground to work from, a beautiful start for each season in the gorgeous scenes of Valencia, clear skies and temperature in the low teens, warm for January.
The last day of their track training session; the brothers packed up in the early afternoon, ready to eat their body weight in calories and sleep off the satisfying ache.
Álex leant against the wall by the changing rooms, eyes tracing the visible section of track, as he waited for Marc to emerge freshened and redressed in casual clothes.
“What kept you man? Get lost or something?” He huffed lightly as Marc finally appeared, still buttoning up his jacket.
“Nah, had to make a quick call,” Marc hummed, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
“With who?”
Marc grinned up at him, “Surprise!”
Álex just rolled his eyes, knowing well that he’d not get anyone out of Marc if he was in this mood. Pushing his hair back distractedly, only for it to flop straight back into his face, Álex sighed again laboriously.
“I’m ready to go and sleep for like 16 hours.”
“No you’re not!” Marc chirped, and Álex shot him a needling stare out the corner of his eye.
“What are you doing, Marc? I don’t trust this.”
“Ah you should always trust me, it’s good I swear.”
“I’ll get it out of you on the drive.” Álex shook his head as the pair started the walk to where they had left the car parked up.
“You won’t actually! We’re not driving back together!” Marc’s catlike smile was even wider now, showing his glinting teeth, and his eyes had the mischievous twinkle that was not to be trusted.
Álex didn’t deign that with a response. He was tired and hungry and not ready to play one of Marc’s games.
That was until they arrived at the car park, a few cars scattered in places, Marc’s where they had left it. And a few spots over, a car Álex recognised almost as well as the silhouette leaning against it.
“You’re joking!” Álex spluttered, but he was already running, sore legs be damned.
Luca grunted as Álex crashed into him, practically jumping into his arms and knocking the breath from his chest.
“Luca! What the hell are you doing here?” Álex beamed so bright the sun could have shone from his face.
“Marc, he helped coordinate. I wanted to see you, it’s been too long.” Luca’s smile was devastatingly fond, eyes soft and crinkled as he brought his hands up to cradle Álex’s face.
“Bastard!” Álex called over his shoulder at Marc, who was doing his best older brother show of disgust at the affection.
“Yeah, yeah, fuck you too!” Marc shook his head. “I’ll see you back at home at some point, take your time, I can watch the dogs.”
Álex turned back to Luca with a brilliant smile, before leaning up a little to press their lips together in a sweet, chaste kiss.
“I’m all yours then!”
“I missed you ‘Lex,” Luca murmured, face pressed into Álex’s soft, caramel hair.
Álex tried to look exasperated, but couldn’t fight the blush and pleased purr that curled around his chest.
“You’re soppy.”
“I’m romantic,” Luca laughed, lightly tweaking one of Álex’s ears, and earning an offended smack to the chest.
“So what’s the plan, ‘Mr Romantic’? Gonna whisk me off to a secret getaway or something.” Álex blinked up at him, eyes wide and consuming.
“I’m not that good,” Rolling his eyes, Luca led Álex round to the passenger door, opening it courteously for him, and laughing at the dramatic swoon it earned.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Álex chirped, practically bouncing in his seat as he beamed, the exhaustion from the day’s training vanished.
“You said you missed me,” Luca huffed, cruising smoothly away from the track, but a proud little smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“I did.” Álex had no reservation declaring his affection for Luca, a never ending fount of love and sweet words, even when Luca struggled with his own.
Luca wasn’t great with words, had never found the comfortable ease with which Álex could spill his heart, even in a second language.
Things like this though, random visits, surprise dates, and little gifts, Luca gave all he had.
It was a comfortable silence as they both watched the scenery pass, the sprawling fields around the circuit painting a beautiful picture.
If either had a talent with a paintbrush, it was the kind of view to be immortalised in oil, and yet they settled for a shared memory.
The music was faint, set just low enough to hover on the edge of hearing. Álex only recognised after about 15 minutes that it was one of their shared playlists, one Luca had made on a secret weekend they had spent in Venice, hidden away like rebellious teenagers from their families and lives.
“Where are we going?” Álex asked softly, eyes flickering along the hedge line, fields seeming to stretch as far as he could see.
“You’re hungry?” Luca asked in place of an answer, and Álex nodded.
“Then we’re having food, not far now.”
Álex accepted the answer, settling back down with a quiet smile, and resting his hand between them.
Luca huffed a soft laugh, taking his hand gently.
“This isn’t practical in a manual car, ‘lex, unless you plan on changing gear for me?”
“I could do that,” Álex smiled sweetly up at him. “It’s worth it to hold your hand.”
Luca looked fixedly back at the road, steadfastly ignoring the hot blush rising on his face. Even after so long together, one innocent comment from Álex still flustered him as much as it had on their first few dates, shy and stuttering.
It wasn’t much longer before Luca was pulling down a side track off the road, the car rattling on the uneven ground, and Álex looking around curiously.
“Here, here we are,” Luca murmured, parking neatly in a small cleared area by the road.
“And where is here?” Álex still squinted around at the fields, looking pretty much the same as the ones they had been driving through for half an hour.
“Trust me.” Luca got out of the car with a soft grunt, stretching out his long limbs.
Álex followed suit, pacing a few times to get feeling back into his legs, shaking out his arms. He never did well sitting still for long, certainly not in any cramped space.
Luca’s car was nice, but it was always good to get out.
His little tail flicked irritably. Fur rumpled from being squished against the back of the seat, and his ears twitched around curiously, seeking any kind of sound that could give a clue.
“This way,” Luca called, hand outstretched and Álex bounced over to take it happily, tangling their fingers and swinging the clasped hand between them.
He didn’t really know what was happening, but he had Luca, so it would be good.
Luca led him along the hedge line bordering a field for a short length, before coming to an opening, and stopping.
“Go on,” He nodded at Álex, a little nervous now that this wouldn’t be as he’d hoped.
The nerves were uncalled for, as Álex gasped in delight, walking slowly into the field, Luca following at his heel.
“A meadow? How did you even know this was here?” Álex’s ears were pricked with delight, face shining and pink, and Luca ducked his head, abashed.
“I was looking around the area and reached out to a few people, this is part of a wildlife research project actually, but the students working here gave me permission to bring you. I think it’s going to be a study on how weather conditions can support different types of wildflower, especially over winter months, and the adaptability of species from different climates-”
Álex cut him off with a sweet kiss, glowing under the sun.
“You brought me to a wildflower meadow.”
“I also brought a picnic, I knew you’d want to eat.”
“You brought a picnic?” Álex repeated softly, eyes wide and adoring, cheeks flushed and pleased.
“Yeah, well, I thought it would be nicer than stopping somewhere along the way.” Luca shrugged, scratching at the back of his neck.
Álex took both of Luca’s hands in his own and kissed him tenderly, before resting their foreheads together.
For a few moments they just breathed each other’s air, the soft sound of wind through the grass and crickets serenading them.
“Let’s eat then, darling.” Álex kissed him again, before turning to locate a clear enough spot in the grasses to sit without disturbing.
He settled happily down on the soft blanket Luca spread out, watching fondly as the Italian carefully unpacked his bag.
A cold pesto and tomato pasta with mozzarella, of course, one of Álex’s favourite meals for Luca to make, eaten hot or cold. A selection of sliced meats and bread, a fresh garden salad, colourful and mouth watering, and finally a bowl of sweet fruits.
Álex shook his head, laughing softly. “I’ve not been starved, you made a feast.” Before Luca’s smile could waver though, Álex pressed his lips to his cheek.
“It all looks incredible, my love, thank you so much.”
Luca ducked his head, going to claim that it was nothing, really, but Álex quieted him swiftly by popping a mozzarella ball in his mouth.
They ate fairly quietly, just appreciating the peace of the scene. No urge to fill the air with music or shouted laughs as Álex was so familiar with, with Marc, and Luca with his academy.
When they were together, they could be quiet, the sweet symphony of each other’s breath, murmured words, the thud of a heartbeat when sleeping on someone’s chest.
Álex had missed Luca so much, not for the fancy dates, or gifts, or sex, although he loved those too, but for this. For the way his world could quiet when Luca was by his side, like a warm bedsheet muffling out the rest of reality.
The food was wonderful, everything Álex had craved after the intense training, and tasting better still eaten between soft giggles as Luca fed him, fingers licked clean of crumbs and playfully bitten.
Finally they were both full and sated, Álex’s mouth tasting of the peach juice he had licked from Luca’s hands, and Luca’s of strawberries, bitten from Álex’s lips.
Luca settled back to lay on the blanket, head pillowed on his upstretched arms, view a clear, pure blue above.
After a couple of seconds, the blue was interrupted by Álex’s face, throwing a shadow over Luca’s.
How could it really be a shadow though, when Álex shone brighter than the sun? Radiant skin with the faintest hint of freckles scattered over his cheekbones, big doe eyes sparkling, framed by dark lashes.
The fawn ears poking up through caramel hair were constantly alert, twitching cutely with every soft sound.
Álex cocked his head, nose scrunching, bunny like, and Luca’s face split into a helpless smile.
“You’re going to sleep now?” Álex asked, a bit of a pout to his lips.
“I’m tired, It was a long drive and now I’m full. Join me?”
Álex considered for a couple of seconds. “Soon! There’s something I want to do.”
Luca nodded, eyes sliding closed, letting his body sink weightless into the ground.
Álex bounced up, conversely energised by the meal, ears and tail pricked.
He sprung through the meadow at what could only be described as a frolic, pausing and retracing every time a different colour caught his eye.
The light breeze was enough to ruffle his hair, ears flicking against the tickle, but the sun was still gently warming, a promise of the mild spring to come.
Álex wondered if there was much wildlife around, the image of rabbits and young fawns jumping through these same grasses. Although, his own footfall was likely to startle them away.
He wound his way back to Luca with armfuls bursting with a rainbow of flowers, sinking down onto the blanket.
Álex took the time to watch Luca. He did it so often, and yet it was still a marvel to trace the planes of his face, as if carved from marble. Soft hair falling across his forehead, long eyelashes fanning across his skin. Such peace and tranquillity written in his countenance, the picture of an angelic calm.
Yes, Álex would never tire of looking at his Luca.
When Luca finally awoke, it was to faint birdsong, Álex’s quiet humming, and an unfamiliar tickle on his skin. He blinked his eyes open slowly, adjusting to the daylight, though the first traces of orange were starting to stain the skyline,
Finally his eyes focused and settled on Álex sitting cross-legged, long limbs folded up neatly beneath him, completely surrounded by wreaths and chains of wildflowers.
A frown on concentration creased his face, and his tongue poked just slightly out between his lips as he focused.
The delicate crown of cornflower blue was carefully set on Luca’s head, and he only then realised that he had been completely draped and adorned in the garlands.
“Having fun?” Luca asked, voice soft, but it still made Álex startle.
“Ah! Yes, I am. Do you like them?” He asked hopefully, and Luca melted. Sitting up as carefully as he could, so as not to disturb the flowers, he kissed Álex, tongue still tasting of strawberry and peach.
“I love them. Beautiful, ‘lex.”
Luca took one of the prettiest, a chain of golden yellows and sweet daisies, hooking it over Álex’s ear.
“Pretty.”
Álex flushed at the simple compliment, a pleased little smile on his lips.
“Come on, lie with me for a bit, we’re nearly out of daylight.” Luca lifted an arm, and Álex tucked himself underneath it like he belonged there.
The crystal blue became smudged in pinks and oranges, as sweet as the peaches, and the thick scent of wild flowers curled around them like a blanket.
As the temperature dropped, Álex pressed closer into Luca’s side, nuzzling into the warmth. Luca gently scratched and petted at Álex’s ears, doing his best not to disturb the flowers.
When the sun had fallen to barely peak over the horizon, Luca sat back up, carefully packing away the remains of the food and gently rousing Álex.
With Luca holding the bag, and Álex arms laden with flowers, they made the steady walk back to the car. Álex lingered at the entrance to the meadow, a sad, longing look cast back, and Luca squeezed his hand.
“It’s not going anywhere, we will come back. Don’t you want to see how it looks in the summer?”
“Yeah,” Álex softened, smiling back at Luca, before starting to string his flower garlands along the hedge line. By the time they reached the car, the only ones left were Luca’s blue crown, and the golden chain over Álex’s ear.
“Beautiful, Álex, beautiful,” Luca looked back at the rainbow of colour left along the side of the road, magical in its innocuity.
Álex fell asleep almost the moment Luca started the ignition, driving as smoothly as he could manage to avoid bumping his precious passenger. The roads wound, twisting and scenic, the journey back to the small town where Luca had booked a hotel flying past with the beautiful sunset.
He made an attempt to pick Álex up from the passenger seat to carry him inside, but after almost dropping him once, Luca had to gently shake him awake with a sheepish smile and an apologetic kiss.
Álex needed half supporting on the way up to the room, the exhaustion of the day all settling over him at once.
“Okay, now I can carry you,” Luca scooped Álex up into his arms, Álex giving a startled yelp and slapping at Luca’s arm indignantly. He just laughed fondly and dropped him onto the big bed, Álex snuggling in readily.
Luca undressed him and tucked him in under the blankets, Álex mumbling faint protests that he was perfectly capable of doing it himself, all while laying prone.
“Lucaaa, I don’t even have any sleep clothes-”
“Oh you won’t need any, I’m warm enough for both of us, no? And I have plans for the morning, if you’re not too sore from your training?”
“I will probably be aching a little,” Álex lamented, “You will have to do most of the work.”
“Don’t I always?” Luca laughed delightedly, showering Álex’s face in kisses until the Spaniard pushed him off, creasing in giggles.
“Let me sleep, amor, I am so tired. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“I know you will be. Good night, my sweet thing.”
The flower crowns sat on the nightstand, royal blue overlapping with golden yellow, fragrant in the darkness.