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The group rented a 9 person car, for there mini roadtrip.
Only Ivan and Jakov have a driver license to able to drive the car.
But it´s not a problem, it´s not a long drive to there Airbnb if they swith places a few time no one will get too tired.
It’s 3:30 a.m. The highway stretches endlessly ahead, empty and silent under the dim glow of scattered streetlights. Ivan grips the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road.
Beside him, Lovro stays alert. Every so often, he presses a snack into Ivan’s hand or lifts a drink to his lips, small, quiet acts to keep him awake.
In the back, everyone else is asleep. Tired from there jobs and finals.
A loud bang shatters the silence. The car jerks violently to the side. Tires screech. For a split second, everything feels like it’s slipping away, but Ivan tightens his grip, heart pounding, and forces the car steady.
He guides it onto the emergency lane, bringing it to a rough but controlled stop.
Everyone jolts awake in confusion, voices overlapping.
Ivan turns immediately to Lovro. He lifts his hand and cups Lovro’s face, grounding himself as much as checking him. “Are you okay?”
Lovro blinks, still startled, but nods quickly. “Yeah… yeah, I’m okay. Just” he exhales shakily, “just al ittle starteld.”
His eyes search Ivan’s face. “Are you okay?” Ivan nods, I am good. like the cool guy he is.
Jakov runs a hand through his hair, still half asleep, his voice rough. “What happened, Tomas?”
Ivan exhales, glancing back at the dashboard. “I don’t know… it’s saying something’s wrong with the front right tire.”
That’s enough to get everyone out of the car. Doors open one by one, the cold night air rushing in as they step out onto the empty roadside.
Ivan, Jakov and Mario walk to the front right side.
“Yeah… that’s not good,” Jakov mutters. The tire is completely flat. Stuck deep inside it is a massive screw, the metal catching the faint light.
Mario groans, dragging a hand down his face. “Please tell me you two know how to change a tire.”
Ivan nods immediately. “Yeah, I know.” Jakov gives a quick nod too. “Me too.” You have to take a exam on it, to get your license.
Lovro thinks in himself, that will problably be the reason he will fail his driver test in the future.
Mario lets out a relieved sigh. “Okay… good. Because I absolutely do not.” This makes everyone chuckle.
Ivan straightens up, already shifting into focus. “Alright. Let’s get the spare out.”
Jakov moves toward the trunk. “I’ll grab the jack.”
The girls huddle a little off to the side, lighting cigarettes, as they try to keep the cold from creeping into their bones.
Near the car, Lovro stands close, holding up his phone, the flashlight beam steady on the wheel. “Hold it there?” he asks Ivan softly.
“Yeah, that’s perfect,” Ivan replies, already gripping the spare tire, ready to move as soon as the car is lifted.
Jakov is crouched by the jack, jaw tight, cranking it a few times.
Nothing. The car barely shifts.
“Come on…” he mutters, trying harder, putting more force into it. The metal creaks, but the car doesn’t lift. “This isn't fucking working.”
Ivan sets the spare down and steps in. “Let me try.”They switch places. Ivan takes the handle, gives it a firm turn. Then another. Still nothing.
He exhales sharply, frustration creeping in. “Yeah… it’s not lifting.” Mario tries but it's still not working. "What a piece of shit"
Lovro leans back on his heels, shaking his head. “It’s probably broken.”
For a moment, no one speaks. The cold feels sharper now, the situation heavier.
Lovro lowers the light slightly, looking between them. “So… what do we do?”
Ivan glances down the empty road, then back at the useless jack. His mind is already, trying to figure a way out.
“We might need another car to stop,” Jakov says quietly. “Or call someone.”
Ivan nods slowly, it´s probaly there only option.
It's like the universe heard there conversation, a car stops. A van pulls over in front of them. The side reads something about plumbing, the paint a little worn. The engine cuts, and a middle-aged man steps out.
Slight beer belly, an unkempt mustache, worn overalls, he looks like someone’s dad who’s been doing this job for years.
The girls autmatically take a few step back but the guy doesn't even pay attention to them.
Hi kids car trouble? Do you kids need help?. Mario point's at he flat tire. "we tried to change it, but the car jack isn't working" he tells the man.
The man crouches down, giving the jack a quick look before letting out a short chuckle. “Well, that thing looks ancient and that’s coming from me.”. his laugh makes evryone ease there tension.
No worries, I got you kids. Let me get my tools, you will able to to be on the road in no time.
His gaze lands on Lovro, it stays a little bit longer if you would pay attention to it. Unfortnualty no one does.
The older man returns with a small set of tools and a sturdier, newer jack, one that already looks more reliable than the one they had been struggling with.
Lovro steps back, lowering his phone. “You’ve got it?” he asks quietly. Ivan nods. “Yeah.”.
He didn't lie. It only took like a few minutes.
With the proper equipment, everything moves quickly. The car lifts without protest, the damaged tire comes off, and the spare is secured in place within minutes.
The man gives the wheel one last firm push, then stands up, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Tada,” he says with a small, satisfied grin. “All done.”
Relief spreads through the group almost instantly. Ivan steps forward, offering his hand. “Thank you, sir. We really appreciate it.”
The man shakes it firmly. “No worries. You kids have a fun trip.”
Then his eyes drift again, landing on Lovro.
“Hey,” he says, a bit more casually, “can you help me bring the tools back to my van? My back’s not what it used to be.”
Lovro doesn’t hesitate. “Of course.” He's been raised by his mother afterall.
Ivan’s gaze flickers between them, just for a second, but Jakov ask Ivan to help the spare tire to get in the back.
Ivan nods and walks with Mario and Jakov to the back.
The girls remember, that they want to get some snacks out of the back. Nora tries to remeber what everyone wants, but gives up, because they are all talking over eachother.
If you want something you get it yourself Nora says.
While thats happening, Lovro follows the man toward the van. He helps put the tools in the trunk. "Thank you for your help" Lovro says and he wants to step back to go back to his friends.
But then, the older man grabs his wrist and says. I know a way you can really thank me. Lovro can't move his legs because how starteld he is. ehh sir a really need to go. "come on honey" I did you guys a huge favor the guy says with a very sleezy voice.
The least what you can do is, use those pretty lips and than looks at his crotch. Lovro is embarrassed but manage to get some words out "stop i don't want to" But the older man doesn't listen, he keeps talking and grabbing him.
"I want those pretty eyes looking at me while you use you mouth". he grabs with his other hand Lovro´s waist. look at you such a beautiful slim waist made to be grabbed. Lovro is truggling to get out of his grip and manages to get his voice back and screams.
IVAN!!!
The scream cuts through the night, sharp and desperate. Back by the car, every head snaps toward the sound.
Ivan runs to the Lovro everyone follows. They see how Lovro is struggling to get out of the mans firm grip.
Ivan yells "do not fucking touch him" pushes the guy hard and makes the man stumble back. The older man puts his hand in the air to signal that he wasn't doing anything. "Ok OK guys I don't want to fight" he says nonchalant
I was just a little bit distracted by your friends beauty, you can't fault me for that.
Lovro is scared but also relieved Ivan and his friends are there. The girls all surround him, keeping him at save distance.
Vanessa is on the phone talking to the police. "The police are coming" she tells the group.
The girls guide Lovro to there car. They open the door and let's him sit on the car floor. Eva has on hand on his left shoulder caressing him and Nora has her hand on his back.
"Are you ok Lovro" Nora asks. But he doens't replay. Do you want something to drink Vanessa asks. He still doesn't answer. They don't know what to say. but then he wispers "I want Ivan".
Ofcourse Tina says. We will get him. Vanessa and Tina walks to the guys and look with disgust at the man on the floor. They tell Ivan "Lovro wants you, are you able to come".
Ivan looks at Jakov and Mario. Jakov immediately says "go, we got this". The police are all already on there way.
Ivan walks to the car and sees Lovro looking in to the distant with a glassy looking eyes. when they make eye contact. Lovro stands up and they collide with a hug.
Ivan moves him the other way, to give Lovro some privacy. "it's ok baby I got you, I am so sorry ". Lovro is trying to hide himself in Ivan's chest.
But he can't hide for long, the police arrives. Ivan sees Jakov and Mario talking to 2 male police officers. One female police officer walks to them.
She introduces herself. "Goodevening my name is Ana Zic, can I please talk to Lovro Devic? "
Lovro turns his head around, but doesn't move away from Ivan's arms. "Hi Lovro, I know something terrible happend to you, are you able to go to the police car and tell me about it"
You can even bring you friend but Lovro corrects her "he is my boyfriend". But ofcourse she corrects herself, do you want your boyfriend to come with you?
Lovro nods. Ivan walks behind the officer with one hand still around Lovro.
Ana tells him, don't worry, we alreay took older man to the police station. your friend, she thinks about the name, Jakov send the dashboard video.
We just need your statement for the police rapport and then you can all continue your fun trip. Lovro says "ok" with a whisper.
Ivan first sit in the passenger seat of the police car and lets Lovro sits between his leg.
She asks him if he can tell in his own words what happend. Another male officer is standing back but is listening and writhing in his notepad.
Ivan gives lovro's hand a squeeze to encourage him and a kiss on the back of his head while telling him "I am here baby, tell them what happend".
Lovro tells her how there car got a flat tire and this older man told them he could help and then he asks me to help me bring his tool to the truck.
but than he started pulling him and making dirty comments about him. "You are doing really good" Anna says. Lovro tells her the whole story.
While that is happening, Jakov and Mario are talking to the girls.
They feel really bad for Lovro. Mario looks likes he want to say something but doens't know how.
Tina ask him " is there something you want to say". Mario and Tina haven't been dating for long. But she is able to know when he is uncomfortable.
"uhm" he coughs, everyone looks at him. Last week Filip called me to talk and I went. Jakov looks at him with a little bit disappointment.
Ok what I am going to tell you, you aren't allowed to tell anyone. He looks at everyone, especially Ivan. That made the group pay attention to him.
Mario begins
Filip feels really sorry about how he handeld Lovro coming out. He told me the reason why he was so mad. He wasn't digusted with Lovro, but didn't know how to express his feeling.
He has been in love with Lovro a long time. everyone gasp. "Filip is gay?" Jakov asks. He doesn't know what he is Mario says. But the reason he got really mad was, because he was really jealous of Ivan.
The way he talked about Lovro, I can't discribe it. He was telling that Lovro was first his friend and if anyone who has the right to be with Lovro it would have been him. How he should be the one and not Ivan to kiss him and touch him.
That made the group a bit uncomfortable. doesn't that sound a little toxic? Eva asks. the group nods. Tina asks "what did you tell Filip". I told him, that it's to late, that he is already in a relationship. But he didn't want to accept it.
Jakov asks is it me or does everyone love Lovro. That made the group chuckle. But than they start thinking.
I am being serious. I don't mean in love but you just can't help but love the guy, no matter what he does.
Eva start, it's true. Lovro tried to break me and Jakov. I told him to stop being a brat he said "NO". He never apologized and I still love him.
"He apologized to me" Vanessa says, but to be honest I was never mad at him. If he hadn't apologized I would still be his friend.
Does that make me sound pathethic Vanessa laughs. Everyone says "no, your not". It's impossible to be mad at this guy.
Jakov than asks has he ever paid for anything? That made the group really burst in to laughs. "O my god" Mario says. we always pay. but to be honest, I never minded.
Vito always pay for him, Nora says with a laugh. I heard his boyfriend’s ex, despite everything, paid for his coffee and even apologized to him.
He is a legend Mario says. Thats nothing Eva says. Even Ema his ex was paying for him and offered a free picture form her art exhibition to him.
I am starting to feel sorry for Ivan, Jakov says. That man is never going to win a argument when Lovro has those blue ocean eyes.
the group agrees "and" Vanessa says "he will always be paying, thank god Ivan's comes from a rich family".
"I don't think Ivan minds it a little bit, like us at all "Mario says
They stop laughing when Ivan and Lovro walks back to them. Ivan is still has a arm around Lovro. Ivan starts talking. The police has the rapport. We can go now.
and I talked to Lovro he says he still wants to continue the trip. He isn't feeling well now, but he will. The group senses that Lovro doesn't want to talk.
“Jakov, do you mind driving the last hour to the Airbnb? I want to sit next to Lovro in the car,” Ivan asked.
“Of course, it’s not a problem,” Jakov replied.
One by one the group sits in the car. Ivan sits behind the driver seat, in the middle Lovro and next to him Vanessa. It's a quiet drive. The girls are trying to get back to sleep.
Jakov and Mario are watching the road tentatively.
Lovro puts his head on Ivan shoulders and almost all his body weight. But it seem not to be enough for Lovro.
Ivan than unbuckeld his and Lovro seat belt and helps Lovro in to his lap. He takes Lovro shoes of and let Lovro put his head on his shoulder.
Lovro clings to him, fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt, trying to steady his breathing but it comes out uneven, fragile.
Vanessa makes a aww face to Eva behind him. Singnalling how cute they look. But then they hear silent sobs muffled by Ivan shoulders.
Eva’s eyes well up instantly, and Nora presses her lips together, blinking fast. The earlier lightness is completely gone now, replaced with something protective, heavy.
Jakov turns the music a little bit, to give Lovro and Ivan a little bit privacy. Ivan keeps caressing Lovro back and whispers "it's ok baby", you don't have to be embarrassed.
"everyone in this cars loves you". after allot of sweet and gentle words from Ivan, Lovro falls asleep and only wakes up the next morning in bed with Ivan's arms around him.