Chapter Text
A woman was flirting with Liam. A fan apparently, praising his race, saying how wonderful he was, offering pity eyes to Arvid because poor kid, not even being able to start the race, it must feel so frustrating, especially with such a good result for his teammate... Talking about him like he wasn't there. It made Arvid livid. It made Arvid want to commit at least 3 different crimes at the minute, including kidnapping, or worse, arson. Is it actually considered kidnapping if it's saving your teammate from a hookup you don't approve of?
And then she crossed the line. Arvid would never. But she did. She touched Liam's forearm with her pointy nails and doe eyes and said :
- Oh my god, you're so funny, Liam! And you have great hair and obviously...great performance...
SHE WINKED AT HIM. EW!
How are you still single?
Arvid's legs reacted before his mind could. He inched closer to his teammate. He couldn't let Liam go home with that woman. Not with these awful jokes and pointy nails, what if she hurts him? Yes that's it, he's doing it to protect his teammate's back! Out of pure concern for the team's performance. Nothing else.
Liam felt a new warmth on his left side, he knew it to be Arvid, the poor guy was standing behind him watching the whole conversation, probably bored out of his mind but too introverted to go talk to someone that isn't on his team. Being the only rookie on the grid will do that to someone. A literal rookie mistake, though, because Liam could count at least 4 women who wanted nothing more than to take a bite out of him. Arvid wasn't really one for physical touch, which is why their sudden closeness worried Liam. Was he not feeling okay? Did he need to step out?
- Are you alright? asked Liam, completely turning his back to the woman shamelessly flirting with him.
- Yes, yes, just tired.
- Okay.
As Liam turned back to apologise to the woman, Arvid offered her his best GET OFF OF MY MAN'S BACK glare, hoping she would take the hint. Liam wasn't his man, he knew it, but he had to protect him. Out of... What was it again? Team spirit?
- Oh. Oh. I'm sorry-
Liam, ever so nice, reassured her :
- You have nothing to apologise-
- No, really, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were together-
Arvid leapt at the occasion. For the team.
- Now you know. Bye.
The brunette left quickly, with a quick sorry and a smile to both Arvid and Liam. Arvid was really happy. Liam wasn't. Sure, he wasn't really feeling her vibe but it was still nice to get complimented after a good race weekend! What was Arvid thinking?
- What was that about, mate? Now she knows what?
- Nothing, I'm just- Arvid couldn't blame it on the alcohol, the only drink he had was the one Liam poured him. They both knew it.
I'm tired, all the stress of the day, the DNS, it got to me, I guess, I- I need sleep, I'll go find a cab and go back to the hotel, have fun, mate!
Arvid clapped his teammate's back and faked a small smile for good measure. As he started to leave, he could hear Liam calling after him.
- Arvid!
Arvid kept zigzaging through the crowd. Liam finally caught up to him and stopped right in front of him, blocking the way out. He saw Arvid's jaw tensed, his fists now closed, head down as he looked everywhere but at Liam. He knew there was something wrong.
- Arvid, mate! What's going on?
- Nothing, don't worry about me, you-, Arvid finally looked at Liam. He tried to put on a brave face.
you should have fun, you know, celebrate, go back to your little flirt!
- Is that what this is about?
- No! Arvid answered. Too quickly. Was he...jealous?
- Did you know her? Was she an ex or something?
Arvid's eyes glued themselves back on the sticky floor. Liam took it as a confession. Arvid was holding back his.
Shit, Arvid, I didn't know, I wouldn't have flirted with her if I knew! I'm sorry, Arvid, I swear I didn't know, you're so private about all this!
Liam looked at him with so much guilt. He looked almost as guilty as Arvid felt. He shouldn't have acted like that, he knew it, what was he, Liam's guard dog? He didn't have the right to, he wasn't his boyf-. No. Oh no. No no no no no... He couldn't. No!
- No, no I just-, I-
He paused, fighting what needed to be said, what needed to get out...
I need to get out. I don't feel good. I need some air.
Lying was his best option. It seemed more believable than the truth. More believable than saying he couldn't bear to keep seeing that woman's dark lustful eyes like a predator waiting for the right moment to attack her already vulnerable prey ; couldn't bear to hear his teammate's laugh, his loud and obnoxious laugh, in answer to the lousy jokes and poor attempts at flirting the woman could muster ; couldn't bear to stop following that singular bead of sweat go from the blonde's temple down the line of his throat without wanting to lick it clean off-
He just had to lie.
He went past Liam and got out. But sadly for him, Liam was a very considerate teammate, so he followed Arvid, not without asking a glass of water to someone, probably the sweet barmaid with almond brown eyes and dark brown curls, oh how he wished he could look like her, just for a day, maybe Liam would look at him differently? His type was brunettes right? Maybe Liam would like him as a girl? The barmaid wouldn't get jealous over a stupid fan, no, she wouldn't, she would be cool, she would be nonchalant-
- Arvid? Are you alright?
Arvid realised at that moment that he had been staring at his teammate for quite some time. His very nice and caring teammate standing over him, handing him a glass of water, because he thought Arvid was sick. Which he was. Sick of these thoughts, sick of always feeling like a kid that Liam had to take care of.
Arvid took the glass and downed it.
- Oh, easy there, kid!
- Don't call me kid.
Liam didn't think his teammate's voice could ever be that cold. He was usually so warm, full of joy, and his smile! His smile could light up any room he walked in! Now he sounded like the stone bench he was sat on and gripped so tightly.
I know what I'm doing, Liam. It's probably just- I don't know, nerves! I didn't drink that much.
Liam's silence made it worse for Arvid. Did he not think him responsible? Did he think he couldn't take care of himself? He didn't need anybody, certainly not Liam!
I'm responsible, I am! Okay! I'M NOT A KID ANYMORE!
- Nobody says you're a kid, Arvi-
- No, nobody says it but everybody knows.
Silence fell between them. You could hear the distant thud of the bass when security opened the door to let people in, smell the smoke of cigarette still lingering in the air, feel the cool breeze of a spring night.
You could, but Liam couldn't. All he could focus on was his teammate, Arvid, his rookie, who always seemed unshakable (Liam envied that about him). But now, all he seemed was miserable. He had closed his eyes, both hands supporting his weight on the stone bench, the surface cool and grounding to the touch.
He was now breathing evenly, that at least should have reassured Liam. But it didn't. Arvid still looked sick, like he needed to throw up something ugly, something wrong and bad for him, something his body rejected but his mind desperately wanted to keep.
They sat there, Liam waiting cautiously for the dam to break, Arvid on the verge of everything, none of them moving.
Arvid felt a drop. Then two. Then a lot more. It looked like the rain announced for the race finally decided to show up and wash the worries away off of our two teammates. And it did just that.
Liam stood up, carefully, like you would to not scare away a wounded animal, and offered his hand to help the brunette stand up. Arvid took it and started running. It surprised Liam but he ran with it.
Both arrived to their hotel drenched and in a giggle fit. The receptionist, an 80-year old woman named Margaret fully dressed in lilac tones, made two very dry and very appreciated towels appear out of thin air and gave them the keys to their respective rooms with a warm smile for the two chaotic but endearing young adults.
The lift ride and the walk to their adjacent doors were still silent, not charged, but more of an understanding. That they will talk about it. But not tonight. They separated with a smile, a real one this time, and both fell into bed.
And if Liam reread the last message Arvid sent him until he fell asleep with the memory of a warm hand in his and an even warmer laugh in his ears, then no one had to know.