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Liam adores his life, and is never taking the opportunities he is given for granted. But there is one thing he adores maybe even more than racing on top.
He opens the door to his apartment, happy to come to silence that doesn’t feel unoccupied. Just weeks ago he had pressed a key in his partner’s hand, telling he should come and go as he wants.
Arvid is in the living room, a blanket covering his legs, doing probably something school-related on his laptop. Liam loves watching him growing a little more comfortable spending time in Liam’s apartment without Liam. Arvid is safe here.
Arvid wants a connection, Liam had been happy to learn that. He sees Liam’s wealth, but he is noticing Liam first. A little while ago he had trusted Arvid with a credit card. It’s not easy with classes, and a not so well-paid part-time job, and if he could ease the burden a bit, Liam wanted to do that. The purchases had been very mature and sensible, weekly groceries, and some hygiene things, and occasional treat, a coffee, or a smoothie when he was out in the city.
They have been spotted in public, the fans making comments about Liam and his unknown ”bro”. He doesn’t read the rumors, but is aware of the buzzing and the curiosity outside his circle. Arvid had taken it well, understanding that for Liam things weren’t so simple, and the two of them needing to look like ”bros” in public didn’t mean he was ashamed. It meant he was protecting Arvid, his career, and himself.
Arvid looks up, putting the laptop away, and spreading his arms.
”I have missed you.”
Liam can’t always be physically present, but he had been positively surprised by how well they worked, when both of them were putting the effort in, and treasuring the time, when connection didn’t mean only a face on a phone screen. Sometimes he has little insecurity, thoughts saying that it would be so much better and easier for Arvid in a different kind of relationship, but Arvid stays, and shows he feels protected and cared for with Liam and doesn't want to go anywhere.
He sits down, and embraces Arvid tightly.
”Kitten”, he is murmuring, and pressing his face in Arvid’s hair, breathing in the clean scent of his shampoo lingering. Liam doesn’t want sex right now. He just wants this easy closeness.
”Why are you always calling me kitten?”
”I can quit if you don’t like it.”
”No, no I didn’t mean that at all. I’m only curious. It’s cute.”
”You are my kitten, aren’t you? So soft and beautiful, but fierce too.”
He had been biking, and not paying enough attention to traffic. Liam had ended up crashing into Arvid who was just walking from class to home, minding his own business, and not expecting one worried F1 driver asking if he was still alive, when he lay on the street, confusion clouding his wide, dark eyes.
Liam had accompanied him to the hospital without wondering if Arvid even wanted him around. From the hospital he had taken Arvid to recover in his own apartment, still not worried of the possibility that this beautiful stranger would take it as a honest kidnapping. Arvid needed to stay off his feet for a few days, and Liam was dutifully playing nurse, always keeping his phone close, prepared for any worrying medical complications.
Arvid had no idea who he was, and that was refreshing. The next time he was at home, Liam had bought him a dinner, and they had stayed up late, talking on his balcony.
”Let’s drive to beach tomorrow?” Liam offers, still holding his arm around Arvid. He knows several good, less popular spots, and they could surely have a peaceful picnic.
”I’d like that”, he responds a little sleepily.