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Kimi grips onto the bicycle handlebar and cycles through the streets of Amalfi, he uses his thumb on the bell to alert the pedestrians of his presence. Recently, George has come down to Italy for a vacation and is now staying at Amalfi coast for its geographical location perfect for the summer.
When Kimi heard of this, he took a train from his hometown Bologna to Amalfi to stay over at an Airbnb booked by George. He brought his bike alongside his carry-on backpack clinging onto his back throughout the whole journey. By the time he arrived, his back is already stiffened. Kimi didn't care, he only wanted to see him.
George looks to his left, squinting his eyes to spot Kimi in the crowd, no sight of him still. He turns to his right, seeing the restaurant they planned to meet eachother at getting packed with more people. He bit his lip and taps on his feet.
He hears a bicycle bell ringing from his left, he shifts his head and sees Kimi cycling his way to him. George lets out a faint gasp as his pupils largens, "Well, there you are. I'd think you wouldn't show up on time had you arrived later." said George. "You waited here for a while for me, huh? How long were you here?"
He contemplates on the amount of time taken from since he first came here up to the present time, "Maybe about five to ten minutes or so." he pointed out— he wished Kimi to arrive in a much later time so he could wait even longer.
"Oh my goodness! Are you Kimi Antonelli? The F1 driver?" a child ran up to Kimi, "Yes, I am." he smiled. "Wow! You're such a cool driver, I watched all of your races and wins. Can I get your autograph?" she asked.
Kimi and George stare at eachother, "Of course!" he answered. The child took off her Mercedes cap and a marker from her pocket, lending it to him. "Who do you want me to sign this to?"
George's gaze remain at the young champion, "No one in particular. Just for me." she answered. Kimi signs on the right side of the logo before handing the two items back. "Thank you so much! My friends are gonna freak when they find out." she turns her head to George, "You must be George Russell," the child called, "I hope you win for the next race, I'm rooting for you!"
His pupils dilate from her support, "Why thank you, I'm really flattered to hear that."
She nods, before running back towards her family.
"I told you that people love you," teased Kimi. George exhales, "You're right on that one."
"Okay, so there's this food that you need to try out, it's just down the street," he clasps his backpack on the right side of the backseat. "Hop on!" he then sat on his bike. Without questioning, George held his waist and sat on the backseat. Kimi pushes his left leg backward and began pedaling down the road.
Kimi tries to control his breathing when his touch from behind grew warmer, "How do you even manage to get through a crowd like this?" George raised his voice, making sure Kimi hears him from the deafning commotion of the crowd. "It's Amalfi! You'll get used to it the longer you're here." he replied, with his Mercedes cap blocking the sun from his face.
"It's nice to travel for vacation purposes instead of racing." confessed George.
The young man slows his pace and rests his leg afterward, "And…we're here!" announced Kimi, before walking towards the counter. George hops off from the bike and stares at the store name plastered on the shop awning.
"These— are called calmari cones, you know, calmari in a cone? Except, you can add more toppings on it or just order something specific on the menu!" he pointed on the menu above them. George reads through the prices and options available, he slowly nods as a response, "Not bad…"
They remain in line as the customer infront of them gets their order and walks away, "Hi, welcome! What can I get for you?" the cashier greeted. "Could I get a Fish and Chips?" requested Kimi, "What about you sir?" she asked George, and he froze for a moment after being asked for his order before he could even finish reading it. "What he said."
"Okay, two fish and chips…"
Choosing the same food? — Ha, how romantic.
***
George and Kimi approached next to the bike they were on, "I'm suprised you ordered fish and chips rather than the other stuff they have on the menu." Kimi pointed out. George widened his eyes, "Yeah, well I wouldn't want to take too much of your time." he admitted. The nineteen year old was about to take a bite, "You should worry more about yourself, George." teased Kimi.
He stares at his lunch, before taking out the stick and grabs a bite on the food. His pupils dilate from the freshness of the food, quickly swallowing it. "Woah, I never thought Italian food would taste this amazing!" exclaimed George. "One of the best in Amalfi, especially during the summer, tourists and locals would wait in long lines to eat these calmari cones." Kimi explained.
The two continue eating their lunch. While that, Kimi pauses for a moment to have a glance at him as he grins in satisfaction. George then looks forward, noticing his stare and Kimi rushed back to doing what he was before.
***
Kimi shifts his head leftward, bending down to have a look at the eye-catching pottery he hasn't seen since he was a child. "Find anything you like?" he asked. "Still need some time to look for one." answered George. After taking a quick lunch, Kimi brings him to the ceramics shop in Positano, exquisitely painted handmade pottery by Italian artistans.
Kimi didn't say a word, and walks to George, "It seems like you're having trouble at choosing our products sir, would you like me to reccommend something for you?" he requested in the tone of a store owner.
George raised one eyebrow, "What are you doing?"
"I'm here to assist you."
He sighs, letting out a smile. "Show me your best picks."
Kimi rushes to the place he last stood, where he saw a lemon painted plate on the shelf. He grabs the item and returns to George, "This is plate is part of our Blue Lemon collection, take a look— I think you would love them." Kimi handed it to him, George took the pottery and flips it around, in awe of its floral patterns with the lemon combined. "Wow, this is beautifully painted. I'll consider."
Kimi nods, "Great! Just let me know if you need any help." he answered. "I love how your voice grows to be more enthustiastic." smiled George, "You need the charisma for customers to come in, making sales aren't the only thing that's important." Kimi leaned closer.
"You know, you're already attracting many of the ladies. It wouldn't be a suprise if you began to attract men as well, I might as well be one of them."
His pupils dilated, mouth left agape forming a smile. Kimi tries to find his words, "Hm?" hummed George, Kimi shifts his gaze to the floor with warmth creeping onto his cheeks. "You're turning red." he teased, pointing at the young man. "N-No I'm not…" Kimi shields his face.
"Don't shield your face, it looks adorable on you." his hand reaching out to him.
Kimi bursts out in laughter, "Sure." he gives him a smirk before walking off to the other side of the store.
George watches him walk away, feeling fluttered of the ample time they spent together.
***
Kimi continues to pedal through the streets, on their way back to Amalfi. George bought his first souvenir after a day of staying in Italy, which is the plate suggested by Kimi himself; now packed and placed on the front basket of his bike.
"Do you like the view?" he raised his voice, "Oh yeah! The sea is looking beautiful today." replied George. On their right, is a scenic view of the vast ocean, with tiny boats scattered around along with people swimming near the shores.
"Here we go!" Kimi exclaimed, the bike moves slightly downward.
"Woah!" George clings tighter on him, and the young man laughs in return, "You're scared that easily?" he questioned, "Gosh— be careful with the road!" exclaimed George. Even when the impact has passed, his head remains against his back and his arms around his waist.
***
The two lunged forward and jumps into the sea water, the seabed and tiny fishes are just beneath them, rising from the water and catching their breaths. George exhales, "The water felt cold for a minute—" he admitted. "Thats's Fiordo de Furore for you!" replied Kimi. They took their time to head down to the small beach known as Fiordo de Furore between the cliffs to head for a swim in the crystal clear waters, perfect timing to be in the summer.
Suprisingly, there weren't as many people the moment they arrived when they believed the place would be packed because of the season.
"Mate, the water is quite deep here." announced George, their feets barely touching the seabed. Kimi stares at the left side of the cliff, before looking back at him, "Come." instructed Kimi, the two swims to their left until their feet touches the ground, now the length of the water have reached their chest. "We'll be fine here." he reassured while leaning his left shoulder on the rocky wall.
George watches the other people enjoying their time in both the waters and land, there were more of them on the other side from where they're located; while Kimi remained unfazed of the others and sticks his gaze on him. George pays close attention to a couple leaning onto eachother while sitting near the shores, the woman leans onto his arms while watching what her lover is reading.
He remembers the playlist he listened to on repeat, filled with songs made for love in the summer— and it suits for couples like them very well. "What do you think of your time here… in the coast?"
George stares back at Kimi, "It's exceptional, I never thought it would be as beautiful as this." his voice softened. "Huh, guess I'm a great tour guide." the young man crossed his arms with a grin. Before long, a small wave rushed behind Kimi as it washed all over his face. "Ah—"
George snorts and lets out a laugh, Kimi groaned in return; feeling his eyes burn from the seawater despite having it closed. He rubs his eyes with his palm, "Here, let me help you." George held his wrist so he could wipe the spare water on his cheeks. Kimi was left agape, eyes widened from his immediate action.
The senior driver froze, realizing what he is doing. He shifted his other arm that is on Kimi's face, yet the gentle grasp on his wrist remain. George softens his gaze, trying to make sense of how he should respond.
Kimi takes a glance at the water, unable to hide his faint smile before he returned his gaze on him.
The realization drops onto them when their hands grazed eachother in the waters. George licked his lips as the songs he listened to that's fitting for love during the summer grew louder in his head.
George releases a shaky exhale and leans closer, "Are your eyes getting better?" he examines while turning his head from left to right.
Kimi nods in reply.
He smiles out of relief, before turning to his left and dips his head into the water as he ascends again. He catches his breath and rinses his face a few times. While Kimi is left ruminating with the closeness they experienced.
***
George crossed his arms, sitting still on the bed. The outside has gone dark, the appropriate time for hidden thoughts from the back of a person's mind to be at the front of it. In some way, from the moment he held his wrist; the expectations of how they should act around eachother dissipates.
Why must it be challenging for vulnerability to exist in the background? There will be nothing had there been no trust, yet he trusts Kimi; so much.
He moves the blanket out of his way and walked to the door, slowly opening it and taking a peek seeing if the young man have fallen into his slumber. Kimi moves his body around, getting himself comfortable to head to sleep in the sofa bed. George booked an AirBNB near the seaside, which provided a bedroom with a sofabed in the living room.
George tipped toed closer to the sofabed, taking a glance at him and pauses.
By that moment, he was already deep asleep.
-
George held onto the handlebar Kimi's bicycle while walking up the road hill, with a towel wrapped around his neck and wearing his carry-on backpack. Kimi walks behind him, with his beach towel wrapped around his body and cap sitting ontop of his half dried hair. From the start of their walk to head back to the villa, barely any words were said.
Now this could stem from many reasons: tiredness, awkwardness, or there was nothing to say.
"Hey, I really appreciate you holding onto my bike and backpack for me."
George slows down and comes to an abrupt stop.
"Even when you didn't have to…I really hope you know that."
"The villa is right up ahead," he turns around, "You need to rest once you take a shower."
George then looks forward and continues hiking upward, before Kimi rushes to walk next to him.
-
His eyes remain on Kimi's resting body, as he kneels down to the height of the sofa and gets a closer look at his face.
He is too young to be facing such expectation from the world, yet he ended up here with him anyway. The time he spends with him might be the only time Kimi could release the pressure from the media. Every minute counts — pondered George. And he would do anything to make sure the time spent in the summer together is worthwhile.
George stood up and walked back to his room. He leans on the closed door after shutting it, and heads to slumber, anticipating for the imperfect yet memorable tomorrow.