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It was one of those rare stretches before the season kicked off, when free time actually existed for more than a day. Oscar and Lando had been sent on a “team bonding” trip, courtesy of George, who insisted that they needed a break from the relentless media, race preparation, and F1 itself–and that he had a gift for them.
“So, George says we’re going to his farm,” Lando muttered as he leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the fields roll by outside the car window.
“And that it’s… educational?” Oscar shot him a look, one perfectly arched eyebrow carrying more judgment than any words could. “’Educational’ in George-speak usually means chaos, extreme embarrassment, or both. He struggles to pick one.” Lando laughed. “Great. Can’t wait to find out which one he picked for us today.”
“Also, you do realize we might leave with mud in places we didn’t even know existed, right?” Oscar said, tapping the steering wheel for emphasis. “Sounds like a challenge,” Lando replied. “Maybe I should have brought… oh, I don’t know… my race suit. For protection.”
Oscar snorted. “For what? Mud?”
“Protection,” Lando repeated.
“Or maybe just a good pair of boots and the ability to run away (from him) very fast,” Oscar said. “Yeah, because that’s realistic,” Lando said, rolling his eyes. “I can already hear George explaining how feeding the chickens is a life lesson in responsibility or something.” Oscar nodded. “Yeah, and he'd somehow make it sound profound.”
“Whatever this so-called experience is,” Lando muttered, “I don’t trust it.” “Aside from the team, you were also one of one’s that insisted we go” Oscar pointed out. “Yeah, well. I thought ‘farm’ meant… I don’t know. Standing around. Looking at stuff.” Oscar shook his head. “No chance. He’s got a plan. You can hear it in the way he said he had a surprise for us.”
Lando exhaled, leaning back even more into his seat. “Brilliant. So we’re definitely getting dragged into something.”
“Absolutely,” Oscar said. “Question is how bad.”
Lando glanced over. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” “Maybe,” Oscar admitted, a grin slipping through. Lando rolled his eyes, but he too was smiling.
By the time they reached George’s farm, the sprawling property was bathed in warm afternoon light. Wooden barns occupied the landscape, a few grazing fields stretched lazily toward the horizon—and apparently surprises.
From a distance, they could already spot George by the gate—pacing back and forth in small, impatient steps, like he’d been waiting longer than he’d admit.
Lando squinted, “He’s definitely been checking the road every five seconds.” “Minimum” Oscar replied.
The moment George caught sight of the car, he froze—then, far too quickly, tried to play it off. He turned and went for a casual ‘lean against the wooden post, like he’d been doing that the whole time’ type of pose, but his hand slipped. The lad wobbled, just enough to nearly lose balance, before catching himself and forcing the lean anyway, like that had absolutely been intentional.
There was a beat of silence. Then Lando burst out laughing. “Oh my—did you see that?” Oscar laughed too, shaking his head. “So smooth. Really convincing.” “Yeah, yeah,” Lando added, still grinning. “Completely natural behavior.”
By the time they pulled up and stepped out, George was already smiling like nothing had happened.
“There you are,” he said. “Took you long enough.”
Lando looked at Oscar, barely holding it together. “Yeah… we saw you.”
George waved a hand like their laughter hadn’t reached him. “Ah, you caught me! But let’s call it… dramatic flair.”
Lando snorted. “Dramatic flair. Right. You almost face-planted on the post.” Oscar grinned. “You call that casual?”
George spun on his heels, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. “Fine, fine. I’ll admit—maybe a tiny misstep. But focus!”
Lando glanced past him at the stretch of land behind the gate. “So… this is it?” George followed his gaze, then looked back at them with a spark of excitement that immediately felt suspicious. “This is it.”
“That doesn’t sound reassuring,” Lando said. “It’s a farm,” Oscar added. “How bad can it be?” George’s grin widened just slightly. “I’m glad you asked that before going in.”
Lando let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “See, that’s exactly the kind of answer that makes me want to get back in the car.” “Too late,” George said quickly, stepping in front of the gate like he might physically stop them. “You’re here now.”
Oscar crossed his arms, studying him. “You’ve definitely planned something.” “I always plan something,” George said, completely unapologetic. Lando pointed at him. “Yeah, and that’s the problem.” George clapped his hands once, cutting them off before they could press further. “Alright, enough doubting me. You’ll ruin the surprise.” “That implies there’s something to ruin,” Oscar muttered.
George ignored that, already turning toward the gate, practically buzzing with energy. “And for my surprise to you...” he said, glancing back at them with a grin, “I will allow you to meet yourselves!”
Lando tilted his head. “Wait—ourselves?” George waved a dismissive hand, already bouncing on the heels of his feet. “Animals! Your… animal counterparts! Follow me!”
Oscar groaned audibly, and Lando rolled his eyes, though secretly curious. They followed George to see what sort of animal the latter was so excited about. Animal that the lad referred to as themselves.
When they reached the area, two small creatures came into view, waiting like it’s their job to do. Lando squinted. “…They look like hotel lobby employees waiting for check-in…” Oscar snorted. “Yeah. ‘Welcome, sir. Please don’t ruin the place.’” George clapped his hands together. “So! Meet your… animal counterparts!”
One was a bright green frog, its eyes wide, chest puffed, and little legs twitching as if ready to spring at any second. Every so often, it hopped lightly, clearly brimming with energy. The other was a koala, lounging low on a sturdy branch. Its round, sleepy eyes blinked slowly, deliberately taking in everything, while its soft, gray fur practically glowed in the golden light.
Both racers approached instinctively, bringing themselves down to the animals’ level. Lando kneeled with one knee on the grass, hands braced lightly in front of him, while Oscar squatted opposite, arms crossed at first but leaning on his heels to study the koala.
“That… is supposed to be us?” Lando asked softly, nodding at the frog, which gave a sharp, indignant croak as it hopped in its place. “Yes!” George practically shouted. “Lan is—you guessed it—Lando! Energy, unpredictability, charm… and chaos all in one small, hopping package.”
“And Osc…” George gestured to the koala, who blinked slowly at Oscar, head tilting just slightly as if assessing him like a puzzle to solve. “…your sweet, cuddly, and slightly odd counterpart. Oscar!” “A koala? Really?” Oscar groaned.
And if you heard Oscar whisper, “And of course you named them Lan and Osc. How creative.” then George pretended like he didn’t.
The frog hopped towards Lando, pressing its tiny sticky feet against the ground. Lando stayed perfectly still, grinning. From the branch, the koala slowly climbed down, landing lightly beside the frog. It then extended a paw to gently rest on the frog’s back. The frog made a startled little croak, as if protesting, but the koala’s paw stayed lightly on the frog, a gentle, protective hold. The frog, now settled, just looked up and croaked softly, seemingly content.
Oscar, still crouched, folded his arms but couldn’t look away. “And you’re telling me this is… reflective of us somehow?” George leaned in, grinning. “Absolutely. Lan, chaos incarnate, impossible to pin down–well, I guess with Osc, pinning Lan down is possible, but that’s beside the point” Lando snorts at that. George continued, “Osc, here is gentle, and strategic. You two in animal form? Perfect chemistry. And yes… if animals could pick, they’d choose each other.”
Lando’s quiet laugh caught Oscar’s attention. “What’s so funny?” Oscar asked, curiosity edging his voice.
Lando tilted his head, eyes still on the koala gently holding the frog. “It’s… kind of mesmerizing, the way they balance each other. Look at them.” Oscar followed his line of sight, eyebrows raised.
Lando glanced at Oscar, then back at the animals. “It’s… pretty accurate. The koala’s totally keeping the frog in check… effortless control.” Oscar’s eyes flicked from the animals to Lando, a teasing smirk forming. “Are you… implying that’s how we are? That one of us keeps the other in check?”
Lando’s eyes widened, a flush rising on his cheek as he met Oscar’s gaze. “Yeah. And, well… in this scenario, it looks like you’re the one in control.” Oscar’s gaze sharpened, the smirk plastered in his face widened even more, showing his amusement. “Oh really?”
Lando let out a quiet almost nervous laugh, “Yeah… somehow it works.” Oscar’s smirk deepened. “Interesting. You think we’d work as a… pair, then?”
Before Lando could answer, George clapped his hands loudly, cutting through the moment. The sharp sound made both of them start slightly—Lando flushed, and Oscar shifted, just a bit awkward.
“Alright, alright! Enough flirting, boys!” George continued, sweeping a hand toward the animals with exaggerated flair. “Look at them! Perfect chemistry! and…” He leaned in, voice dropping for dramatic emphasis. “perfect mating pairs!”
Oscar’s eyes widened. “And you’re saying these two would… mate? Together? A frog and a koala?”
“Oh, absolutely.” George winked, grinning wickedly. Oscar went rigid, cheeks flaming, heat creeping up his neck. “That’s… not even biologically possible!”
George waved a dismissive hand. “Who cares about biology? Personality matters! Watch.”
The frog and koala remained on the ground beside the three humans, the koala holding the frog in its lap. The frog twitched and shifted, clearly testing the limits, trying to wriggle free and make a run for it. The koala, however, kept its paw steady on the frog’s body, coaxing it into stillness.
After a brief pause, the frog made another attempt, hopping slightly to the side in an effort to escape. The koala, again, responded with quiet precision, adjusting its hold and guiding the frog back into its lap with gentle, protective touches. It nuzzled the frog softly, brushing it carefully, and gradually the little creature gave in, settling under the koala’s unflappable attention.
George crouched beside them, leaning close to inspect the scene. “Look at that… truly lovely.” He then stands up, stretching dramatically. “Hmm… I should probably check on Max before he causes trouble.”
Oscar raised an eyebrow. “Max?”
George waved a hand dismissively. “Yes, Max. My pufferfish. Totally unrelated to that race car driver.” George playfully rolls his eyes, then grinning at Lando and Oscar. “Anyway, he tends to blow up if I ignore him too long. Can’t have an pufferfish lash out, no not on my watch.” With that, George wandered off, leaving Lando and Oscar just out of earshot.
Once George was completely out of view, Lando leaned closer to Oscar, voice laced with tease. “See? Even in animal form, I can’t escape your control… can’t get away from you.”
Oscar’s lips quirked into a faint smirk. “Oh, you don’t want to try,” he said, eyes glinting as they met Lando’s, the corner of his mouth twitching in a way that made Lando’s stomach flip.
Lando swallowed, trying to keep his composure, but the teasing in Oscar’s gaze made it impossible. “Really? You make it sound… inevitable.” Oscar leaned a little closer, lowering his voice so only Lando could hear. “Sometimes… being in someone else’s orbit isn’t so bad. Especially when that person knows exactly how to keep you in line.”
Lando’s grin faltered just a touch, heat creeping up his neck. “Oh really? And you’re implying you… know how to handle me?” Oscar’s smirk widened, deliberate and confident, the kind that left Lando both flustered and eager. “I think you already know the answer to that, don’t you?” Lando licked his lips nervously, chuckling, but his knees felt weak. “Maybe… maybe I do.”
The koala, as if mirroring Oscar, sat calm and unbothered, watching with quiet authority as the frog began moving restlessly again–as if tired of being caged in the koala’s embrace, testing the space. Each time it got too close to squirming away, the koala gave it a soft, playful nip. The frog made a sound almost achingly similar to a huff, before curling closer and surrendering fully, accepting his imprisonment. A dramatic one indeed.
Lando’s–who happened to see the scene unfold–eyes flicked between Oscar and the koala, “Terrifyingly similar” he murmured, smiling.
Oscar leaned back slightly, letting the moment hang, eyes sharp and teasing. “I prefer… effective,” he said, letting the words settle. “…but if you want to call me terrifying, I won’t stop you.”
Lando swallowed, a shiver running through him. “Yeah… well, maybe you like seeing me like this,” he admitted, voice uneven. “Caught off-guard, heat rising, realizing… you’ve got me figured out.”
Oscar’s smirk deepened, deliberate and confident. “Maybe I do,” he said, low and quiet. Lando’s laugh was shaky, a mix of fluster and amusement. “You’re terrible, you know that?”
Oscar leaned in, slow, deliberate, so close their breaths mingled, and for a heartbeat it felt like the world had shrunk to just them. Every twitch of muscle, every shallow inhale, the teasing weight of his presence—he could devour Lando with a glance, and the tension pressed tight in the space between. Then, voice low, deliberate, and dangerous, he whispered, “Oh yeah?”
Before the heated moment could stretch any further, George’s voice rang out from the aquaculture. “Alright, lovebirds! Hands off each other! This is a farm, not a love pub—go flirt in the mating shed if you must!” He waved a hand toward the far side of the yard, beckoning for them to come. “Now, come help me check on Max—he’s been acting jealous ever since you two showed up. Wants all the attention for himself, that one.”
Lando blinked, heat flooding his cheeks, while Oscar smirked, letting the tension linger a moment longer before he shook his head with mock exasperation. With a quiet laugh, both of them stood up from where they were squatted, wiping the faux dirt from their clothes. Of course, not without Lando scooping up the koala, holding it gently against his chest, while Oscar carefully carried the frog in his hands.
They exchanged a brief, amused glance, a private little spark lingering between them, before reluctantly turning toward George. Even as they walked, the teasing energy hummed quietly between them. Silent, playful, and unmistakably theirs—mirrored in the little creatures they carried: the calm koala, and the restless and unpredictable frog, just like them.