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The weather in Silverstone is a bit cold, usual for the period but they have seen better times. The sky is full of clouds but luckily for them rain is not on the radar.
It is only Thursday but the paddock is already full of team members running here and there. Mechanics already putting the car together, engineers studying the track and journalists scouting around in hope to get the best rumors.
The morning has been packed with media activities and the afternoon is not gonna be any better. Press conference and meetings with the fans has been programmed since the beginning of the season so they must be respected and done.
The fan zone in Silverstone is a lovely place, full of life and fun. The fans are everywhere and everyone is enjoying their time there with pit stop practices, quizzes and exclusive experiences for the luckier ones.
And between the various activities there is the one that attracts most of the people: the drivers meeting.
A set up has been created where attendees could listen to their favourite drivers discuss their season, with the possibility to interact with them through some questions asked directly to the athletes.
~~~~~~~
Kimi can already hear the fans screaming in anticipation. The Press Conference is taking place right that moment, with a group of chosen drivers that doesn't include him. George and Lewis (the home's favourites) and Alex in the first batch; Ollie, Arvid and Max in the second one.
The GP organization has thus decided to schedule meeting in the fan zone at the same time, so that the drivers who are not to be with the journalists will be having a chat with the fans.
Kimi is expected there alongside both McLaren drivers Norris (another home hero) and Piastri.
As he leaves the Mercedes motorhome with a member of the team who has the task of accompany him around, Kimi waves at the people who are already given access to the paddock. A photo here, an autograph there and finally he gets to his intended destination.
Lando and Oscar are already there waiting for him and both turn to greet him in a friendly way. Lando, the most touchy one, gives him a quick hug while Oscar offers him a pat on his back. They seem to be quite happy, the desire to forget the last race week and start anew is evident in their features.
Kimi smiles at them, they are good people whom he is very comfortable with. They joke around but they can be very serious when needed. Too bad the fans sometimes don't understand them, they deserve a lot better.
"Are you ready guys?" the interviewer asks them.
They all nod so she goes off on to the stage in front of the people to announce them.
As their names are pronounced the crowd starts screaming with joy and the moment they step up to meet everyone the noise gets even louder. It is a colorful group, supporters of many different teams and drivers, and as Kimi spots his own, he waves happily at them, earning an excited response.
The Mclaren audience is the loudest, welcoming their favourites with massive cheerings and many signboards.
Once the love shower ends and the crowd has finally quieted down the questions start, Kimi being the first addressed.
"Welcome to Silverstone Kimi! How are you? Are you happy to be back in here?".
"First of all hi everyone! I'm feeling pretty good! The weather is quite chilly but the warmth from the fans makes it better! As for being back in Silverstone, it's definitely a great thing, let's just hope it goes better than last year!".
An amused laugh comes from the crowd and the Mclaren drivers join them, making fun of the italian. Kimi is smiling, enjoying the attention and the funny atmosphere.
"We all hope that for you Kimi! But let's go back being serious. Since the start of the season you've been breaking records after records. Tell us about it".
"But it's more fun when everyone is having a good time! Anyway, I'm happy for my achievements, I've always known that there was the possibility to rewrite some of them due to my age but dreaming is one thing and reality is another. So all I can say is that I am truly glad and grateful and I will do my best to keep it up."
An applause and some timid cheers follow his words and Kimi thanks the fans for their appreciation. He knows there would be a lot less support here, given the fact that he is in "enemy territory".
Then it is the turn of the McLaren's drivers and they both get their fair share of questions, the answers always met with jubilations, especially on Lando's side.
After some more talks it is finally time to interact directly with the present people. Many arms rise up in hope to be chosen.
The first one is a little kid who asks nothing but for the chance to have a hug from the defending world champion, to which Lando glady complies. The following question comes from a fellow italian who asks Kimi if he plans to teach Oscar a bit of italian given their distant common origins. Oscar can only laugh and deny because according to him he is hopeless, if not only for a couple of words.
More serious and funny questions keep coming till they eventually reaches the last one.
The one fan is a girl in around her twenties and apparently a Mercedes supporter. Mercedes cap, Mercedes t-shirt, Mercedes painted nails. There has been only one detail which should have rang an alarm bell in Kimi's ears: a headband with the GR63 logo that stands out proudly.
"Hello" she seems quite shy "I have a question for Kimi.."
Her body language suddenly changes. A sly smile appears on her lips but, unfortunately for the drivers, she lowers her head for them not to see..
"Do they hurt? Her knees, I mean.. Your mother's, you know, when she's with Toto?"
Kimi looks at her strangely, not really sure what she has just asked, confused by what she may have meant, the language barrier suddenly not helping.
Not even a second later something hits the left side of his forehead, just above his eye, and he turns around abruptly. A nauseous smell fills his nostrils and he feels like vomiting. Some liquid is falling off his short curls and slowly dropping to the ground.
"Bet she's good at her job since you're getting favored a lot! Shame on you, you privileged child! You don't deserve to be on top! George for the win!!" screams another voice from the left barricade.
Silence falls on the crowd.
Everyone seems to have forgotten how to breath or how to behave.
Lando, on the other hand acts immediately.
"I can't fucking believe it! What the fuck did you just do?! What a disgrace! Security get these two awful people out now!!".
His tone is very serious, his expression a thunderous one. His fast and sharp mind has caught what was happening in real time and he is very pissed. He knows how shameful people can be but to this point he was not ready.
Kimi is still shaken. He rises a hand to touch his face and that is when he recognises it. Someone has thrown him a rotten egg...
Someone has.. thrown him a rotten egg and insulted him.. no not him-
His mother.
The hidden accusation and the clear diffamation towards a member of his family.
His beloved mom, the most important woman in his life. The one who has supported him since day one and who has made sacrifices to even just be by his side. The one who has always been there to hold him through bad times and cherished him in his success. The one who has dried his tears and helped him smile.
Do her knees hurt..?
Her knees...
His mom.. on her knees.. for-
How dare she accuse his mother to-
How dare-?!
HOW DARE SHE!?
Kimi is livid. His face morphs into pure anger. He doesn't care about the egg, that is nothing at the moment, just an inconvenience. What is important now is that she has dared to-!
He turns around with the goal of confrontation but instead of the crowd his eyes meet Oscar's ones. His brown irises are warm but his gaze is unreadable. The Australian grabs Kimi's trembling hands and holds them in his palms, trying to ground him.
Oscar has gotten it pretty fast, just like Lando, and the moment his teammate has spinted into action he too has moved. Given their relationship, their mechanism is an oiled one, so they have acted in synchrony. Lando taking the attention away from the italian to give it to the offending people and Oscar to take care of Kimi in the immediate.
"Kimi calm down" comes a discreet but firm command from Oscar.
Around them chaos has erupted. The crowd has completely lost it, boos and bad words are flying around. And while they are almost all directed at that fans in particular, some of the people present are not happy about it. There are a lot of children and mothers are angry at the words that are reaching their young ears. The host of the meeting is struggling to bring back peace until finally a group of security guards shouts in an imposing and authoritarian way to stop with all the fussing.
Everything happening around thou is going completely over Kimi's head. His sole attention is on Oscar, the only one who is keeping him from lashing out.
There is a loud buzz in Kimi's ears, probably due to the harsh way he is grinding his teeth. He feels so mad, so ready to throw hands but Oscar is holding him down. His fingers enclosed around Kimi's fists and his figure standing between him and the roaring crowd.
The Australian's lips are moving, he is talking to him but the teenager can't listen, the noise in his ears too loud.
Suddenly a shove from the side breaks them both from the moment. Lando is gripping their arms to bring them with him.
"The show is over, come on. Let's leave".
They literally drag Kimi's body along with them as he is not really cooperating. Down the steps first, then towards the paddock.
The PR members that have escorted them are waiting at the access and fastly hush them inside, trying to cover the dirt on Kimi's shirt and hair.
The earlier tumult has attracted a curious group of journalists and team operatives who are trying to understand the cause of such event.
Whoever happenes to walk by would see an unusual picture.
Kimi Antonelli, flanked on both sides by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The italian's face lowered to the ground while his companions use their bodies to shield him away. The scene is pretty bizzarre if one doesn't know the reasons. But an attentive eye would catch the way Lando's hand is cradling Kimi's head in his shoulder to protect him, or the way Oscar's arm is embracing Kimi's back to keep him near.
An attentive eye would catch the hardened gaze of the older guys, watching every move around them and giving cold stares at anyone who tries to get close.
As they proceed through the paddock they unwillingly attire more and more attention. Luckily for them the entrance to the Mercedes hospitality is near so they swiftly enter without obstacles.
The people inside gets taken by surprise by the presence of the McLaren drivers. It is not normal, drivers from another team are not allowed into the hospitality if not previously invited. Looks are exchanged and questions start to rise. Some members get up to alert their principals, al least to make them aware of Norris and Piastri being inside.
One of the PR member that was with them leeds the way to Toto's room. The trio doesn't stop for a chat, going straight toward the indicated direction. They need a calm place, somewhere away from wondering eyes and too flashy voices. They require Kimi to cool off, to set his mind back in the right state and to be with the ones who care for him.
Once they are finally behind closed doors Lando and Oscar release the youngster, urging him to sit on the available chair.
Lando grabs a towel behind them and cleans Kimi's forehead from the dirt. Once deeming him persentable he crunches down in front of him.
"How are you doing?".
Kimi shakes his head with bitterness. His anger has not diminished, on the contrary, the frustration of not doing anything is getting at him, making it nearly impossible to see reason.
He only wants to confront that girl, to dare her to repeat her words. He is seething-
"Look at me Kimi".
It is difficult to comply with such a storm taking over his thoughts, but he tries his best to listen to the English man.
His eyes are bloodshot from rage.
"I know it hurts, I know it very well. But I need you to calm down for me."
"How can I calm down when she-!.. when she said-!".
"I've heard what that idiot said. And again I know it hurts. It's the worst feeling when they bring our families into this."
"They can insult me all they want, hell, they can throw whatever the fuck they want at me! But they shouldn't fucking dare to bring my family into this! Cazzo!".
"They shouldn't. Everything they did is very wrong and there will be consequences."
It is Oscar this time. His tone controlled and decisive, just like him.
From the side he leans his hand on Kimi's shoulder and squeezes in a reassuring way.
"But for consequences to take root they will need to talk to us to understand what truly happened. And for this you have to be level headed and with a clear mind. Otherwise you will not get the justice you deserve and they the shit that will come at them. So listen to Lando and try to let go of all that anger".
"..it's difficult.."
"Breathe with me Kimi" says Lando.
His hands are on the italian's knees, gently massaging them in an attempt to distract Kimi from his thoughts when the door suddently opens and Toto storms inside. His eyes are a mirror of unanswered questions and his stance is rigid. At his tail there is Bono, Kimi's race engineer. They must have been called by their fellow team members.
"I want to know what happened. Tell me everything."
~~~~~~~
George is standing outside of the FIA building chatting with Alex about their families and friends, meanwhile waiting for Max to finish the press conference. The home race weekend is always a demanding one, with a lot of PR activities to carry out to please sponsors and supporters. In a moment he will have to go to the fan meeting alongside Alex and Carlos, since he was busy with the press before and couldn't go with Kimi.
"They are gonna scream so loud once you come on stage, their home hero just won in Austria!" jokes the Thai "I will lose my hearing!".
"I hope so, you'll stop be annoying that way."
"Whaaaaat? George I thought you loved meee!" Alex sobbs fakely, mimicking a slow, dramatic fall. His best friend is always a joker and he truly hopes he never changes.
"He does, but his love language is violence" comes a voice behind them. Max has finished with the media and has reached the duo, a cheeky grin painting his lips.
"You speaking about me? Really? That's rich coming from you!" replies George with a perplexed expression.
"Oh baby you know I'm speaking-"
A loud noise stops Max mid-sentence. A group of journalists pass right in front of them, running wildly inside the paddock. Whispers and notes are being exchanged, some phones hastily taken out from their pockets. No one is paying any attention the three drivers, not a soul realises that George Russell and Max Verstappen of all people are sharing a close space and are chatting like good friends.
"What the..?" the trio looks between each other confused. Something is odd.
Kathia, the member of the Mercedes PR team who partnered with George for the day, comes around the corner.
"George we need to go. Please follow me" her tone is hurried, something is troubling her.
"Kathia something happened?" there is a strange feeling pooling in George's guts "what is the media doing behaving like that?"
"We will discuss behind closed doors."
Something has definitely happened. Secrecy is not unusual in the paddock but something inside him told George that this is not the normal occurrence.
"I advise you two to go back to your hospitalities as well. Your team will be glad."
"We have to meet the fans in 10 minutes, I'm not sure I'll make it in time" says Alex thoughtful.
"The fan meeting is cancelled."
George looks at her with surprise. Max shifts beside him and crossed his arms, his expression strange. Alex is confused.
"Cancelled? Why?" the Mercedes driver asks for an explanation.
"There was.. an inconvenience."
"Was anyone feeling unwell?"
"...no. George we need to go NOW."
She doesn't wait for him to follow, she knows he will.
"Go, I'll see you later" reassures Max with a smile "let me know if you catch what's going on."
George nods and promises the same to Alex, then falls in step with Kathia. She is silent the entire walk back to the hospitality. George doesn't ask her anything else but he keeps a close eye on their surroundings.
A crowd has just gathered in front of the Mercedes facility trying to get a glimpse of the inside.
"The hell..?" murmurs George in disbelief.
Kathia guides him around the structure, throughout small passages in order to avoid people. As they reach an emergency door in the back someone opens and let them in. They have finally arrived at their destination.
Inside the hospitality is a silent turmoil.
People are keeping away from the windows and tables have been placed in strategic positions to avoid the obstruction of the way.
"And what are they doing here?" George is surprised by the presence of some members of the McLaren team. It is not making any sense. Why are they here?
Unless..
"Kathia" dread fills him "what happened at the fan meeting?"
Her silence lasts too long. She takes her phone out of the pocket, does a quick search and holds it in front of the driver.
"Look yourself and be the judge."
It is video posted on X from a famous motorsport page. The caption writes "Disgusting behaviour."
The author of the video was in the crowd of the fan meeting while on stage there were Lando, Oscar and Kimi.
Something seems to be off, as there is utter silence and the drivers are oddly standing still. Suddently his teammate turns, as if something has hit him on his head. A distant scream could be heard, the last pronunced words clear: "... you privileged child! You don't deserve to be on top! George for the win!".
Then the video stops as chaos started to erupt.
George is not feeling well. What he has just watched is like punch in the stomach. The whole situation is not truly understandable from the tape but he feels like he has seen enough. And heard enough.
"I was not there but I've been told that there is more. The video didn't catch the entire scene. There is both a before and a after."
Just as George thinks. His mind starts working like crazy, analizing the scenario. That's why there is such a crowd in front of the hospitality, the video must have gone viral. And also that's why they didn't want George to be seen and stopped to be asked questions he couldn't give an answer.
But that still doesn't explain fully the presence of the Mclaren team.
"Why are they here?"
"I've heard Lando and Oscar brought Kimi back here. They-"
"George!"
She is cut off by Marcus, his racing engineer. He is coming straight from the hall towards them, wearing an unreadable expression.
"Sorry Kathia, he must come with me. You ok George? Are you aware of what happened?"
"Briefly. I just watched a video and Kathia was explaining me a bit" the brit follows his engineer in the direction of the back rooms "please tell me what happened".
"We're still trying to get every point of view from the scene but in short Kimi has been attacked both verbally with insults and physically when a guy decided to thrown him a rotten egg."
"Are you serious?!"
"Unfortunately yes."
"Is Kimi ok? Where is he now?"
"He has been hit right above his left eye but he's not hurt. It's just the shock of the gesture. I'm bringing you to him, he's with Toto and others."
"Fuck.. I.. I don't know what to say. It's absurd.."
"Yeah I get it. I was at a loss of words when they told me."
They are just two steps away from the room when the door opens. It's Andrea Stella, the Mclaren team principal, the one who gets out, followed by his driver Oscar Piastri.
As George makes eye contact with him, the Australian's eyes widen slightly.
"George."
"Oscar, Andrea."
"You're gonna get inside? I don't think that's a good idea" Oscar looks skeptical, his eyebrows rising a little.
His body language is on defensive mode. His gaze scans George, from head to toe, but there is no judgement just precaution.
"We have finished here. It is possible that we will meet later this evening with the FIA and the management of Formula 1. George it's better for you to stay inside the hospitality for the time being" says Andrea in his strong italian accent and with a nod he walks past them.
Oscar moves to join his team principal when George grabs his wrist to stop him.
"Oscar what happened?"
"They will fill you in. But if you truly plan to enter there then know this, I'm not sure Kimi will be happy to see you."
With a scroll of his arm the Australian frees himself and with a last sharp look he leaves after Andrea.
George watches him disappear behind a corner and with a sour taste in his mouth he turns back to Marcus, who's expression is a bit annoyed at the exchange.
"Let's get inside George, our judgement is the final one. Let them be."
The engineer opens the door. The scene that welcomes them is not an ordinary one. Toto is standing in the middle of the room speaking firmly with a couple of members of the FIA, his figure tall and almost menacing. On his right side Zak Brown is listening intently to the spoken words.
Sitting on a chair against the wall is Kimi, head low and arms leaning on his knees.
Beside him, with a hand on the italian's shoulder, stands Bono, his expression unreadable. Lando is also there, his back to the door and his posture tired.
He's the first one who reacts when George gets inside, followed by Zak, Toto and the FIA duo. Kimi doesn't even look up.
"George, you're here. Good." Toto comes to him "tell me no one stopped you or asked you anything."
"Nothing, we made sure of it" Marcus answers for him.
"Toto I.. I don't know what to say." George searches for Kimi's eyes but he is still closed off.
"And that's what we will do. We will not say anything, not a single word to the media. We need to stop and think how to procede so for now we will be quiet. There is an examination going on. Later this evening we will act."
George nods. He agrees fully. It would be unwise to act before thinking of a plan. Communications are critical at this level of competition, even the smallest factor can change the perception or alter the facts. They can go from right to wrong in a span of minutes and they can't afford it.
"Mr. Wolff we are leaving. We will review every testimony and analize every proof. We will reunite in the evening at the FIA building."
"We will leave as well" says Brown "we gave what we could. Take care for the moment."
That said, they all reach the entrance and after a quick farewell they walk out.
Lando gives a last squeeze on Kimi's shoulder and moves to exit the room. On his way he halts in front of George, their eyes meeting.
"Be understanding and patient" he whispers to his fellow brit, his tone encouraging. As the Mercedes driver nods they exchange a pat on their back and Lando heads out.
They are finally only Mercedes, their team and trusted people.
Silence falls on the room, an atmosphere of anticipation filling the space. Everyone is calculating their next move. Toto seems on the verge of starting a conversation with all the group present when suddently a voice breaks the stillness.
"Can I speak with George? Alone."
Kimi has finally looked up. His eyes are a mix of tiredness, anger and frustration. His jaw tight and his mouth thin. His posture is too stiff to be comfortable and his whole body language speaks of a boy in a difficult moment.
It pains George to see him like this. Kimi is a radiant person, always full of joy and jokes. A presence you can't possibly miss in a room full of people. Since his arrival last year the team has started be more relaxed and less serious. His young energy combined with his character typical of the Southern Europeans has changed the whole group in a better way.
George and Max have taken him under their wing every since last season, and it doesn't matter if they are currently fighting for a championship, outside of the race track there is no competition.
That's why the brit doesn't like what he's seeing now. He will help to right the wrongs, because otherwise he knows their relationship will never be the same and George doesn't want it. Because if their bond cracks the whole equilibrium they've created will fall and Max will also be involved in the shit.
No, George can't allow that.
"Toto, everyone, please leave. I myself wish to speak with Kimi alone" says the brit, determined to achieve his goal.
"George, Kimi, I'm not sure it's the right-"
"Toto that's for the best. They both are mature and can talk like mindful people."
It's Bono that speaks. The most level headed person in the room and probably the one who has read the situation better than everyone else.
He looks at their team principal intently, as if they are having a silent conversation and then at Marcus, doing the same. The interaction doesn't last more than 10 seconds but it's enough to reach a mutual agreement.
"Fine. We will leave you two alone. But promise me to be civil and don't act impulsively."
"We will" answers George, followed by Kimi.
That said the engineers and boss head out of the room, Toto giving them one last look of warning and hope.
And then they are alone.
Kimi's expression has not changed, only he is not looking at his teammate, but searching for nothing in particular out of the window. George moves to lean against the wall, still standing up. The tension in the room has strangely decreased but the silence is stretching for too long. The older then decides to break it.
"I've seen a video of the fan meeting but I've been told that it didn't catch the whole interactions. Will you tell me what happened?" George asks in a gentle tone. He doesn't want to insist in Kimi reliving the event but he needs to understand the full picture.
Kimi sighs and takes his time to answer but eventually he does.
"It was a usual fan meeting, question from the host and from the fans. But then.." he stops a moment as if to carefully select the following words ".. then a girl asked something I didn't catch the meaning at first."
George sees Kimi clench his fists, his eyes turning dark and angry. He stands up and looks at George straight in the eyes.
"Do you know what she asked me George?" Kimi's tone is a mocking one, but hurt and rage are bleeding through.
"She asked if my mother's knees hurt from her being on her knees for Toto."
Blood runs cold in George's veins. He understands immediately, of course he does. The incident is deeper than he thought.
"Kimi I'm-"
"MY MOTHER George! They brought my family into this! My family!" Kimi raises his voice "what happens now? How far will they go?! Should I worry next time they'll bring in MY SISTER?!"
The fury is harsh, Kimi is seeing red. What he had managed to appease down before is exploding back again.
George on the other hand can't do anything but listen. He comprehends his teammate's anger, he would probably be the same or even worse if some random fan dares to insult his family right in front of him. But more than anything he empathise with Kimi's worry about his little sister. If they are capable to act so boldly they can do more. They need to be stopped now.
"Kimi I'm very sorry."
"She was a fan of YOURS George. I want, no I demand you to do something! I will not stay silent after what she said and I will not witness you staying silent either."
"I will not stay silent. The whole team will not. All I can do at the moment is tell you that I am sorry and that I'll take actions." George says firmly. He needs Kimi to understand that he's on his side. After hearing the missing part he has been shocked by the audacity of some people and the italian has yet to tell him about the video. He is aware that what happened is bringing bad light to his whole fanbase and thus he's determined to correct such behaviour and restore his supporters' fame. Because in the end he is also a victim of what has happened. His image is tainted because stupid people who have him as their favourite driver decided that it was worth attacking his teammate to elevate him.
"Promise me. Because if you don't I will lose all my respect for you. I know what happened has very little to do with your fanbase but it still came from one of them. What if others tries to emulate?"
"I will address them directly through my social medias. We will agree on how to move with the communication team and we will handle what comes next."
George moves from his spot against the wall to stand directly in from of Kimi. He grabs his shoulders and hold tight.
"What did i told you in Mexico last year? That we're in this together, we'll help each other out. I will correct and educate my fans. I will take actions against those who offended you, because I know that they didn't just speak ill but also attacked you physically. And that's unforgivable."
"I don't care about the egg or the remark, that is nothing compared to the diffamation of my mother. They can throw at me whatever they want but no one touches my family."
"I understand, but everything they did, from start to end is unacceptable."
Kimi frees himself from George's grip and walks towards the window. He doesn't get near the glass because god knows how many journalists are waiting to catch a glimpse of him. He turns away from his teammate to avoid being seen, as a single tear falls down his cheek. The weather outside is the same as the morning, cloudy with a slightly chilly temperature. The grey sky reflects his inner world. He's more sad than angry now. He feels like he has not been able to protect his family from the toxicity of some. And all because he's fighting for the championship.
His mother is paying the price of him being a talented driver with the strongest car. His mother, surely his father, and probably his sister will become target of diffamation just because he is winning. Is it truly worth it?
Oh how he wishes to be wea-
"Hey, get out from this racing mind." encourages George right next to him.
Their shoulders are touching. Or more like Kimi's shoulder is touching George's bicep, given the height difference.
The brit is not looking at him but just like Kimi he's watching the sky a step far from the window.
"It's not good to get lost in there. We start to think wrong things and convince ourself they are true. It's not healthy."
Silence falls once again in the room. The noises from the outside creates a background melody that accompanies the atmosphere.
Kimi is silently crying, freeing himself of all the packed emotions of the day. There is no tension between them, there never was since their wish to be alone has been granted. George has always been a safe space for Kimi every since the last season. Someone who has looked out for him and helped him when he most needed. Someone who has decided to take care of him, alongside his lover Max.
George deserves to hear it.
"..I'm sorry. You didn't deserve my lashout."
"It's ok Kimi. You've just been offended in the most unexpected and sick way. You have nothing to apologize. You took it well for the circumstances."
"Only because Lando and Oscar were there. They avoided an escalation."
"Than when you've recovered we will go and thank them."
"Yes.. we will."
...
Suddenly George's breath gets punched out of him when a pair of incredibly strong arms encircle his mid section from a side. Kimi is hugging him as his life depends on it.
George adjusts his position to allow a comfortable hug and leans his head to rest his cheek on top of the italian's curls.
There is no need for words.
They stayed like this for about 10 minutes, one basking in the presence of the other, when George decides to speak.
"Reset Kimi. We have a race weekend in front of us. And be ready cause I'm going to bring it home."
"You'll try you mean."
"Try? I'll-"
George's ringtone interrupts their exchange. It's Max.
Probably he's been made aware of the whole situation but he's been waiting to hear words from his lover.
"It's mama duck, probably wants to check on his duckling. It's ok for you if we talk with him?"
"Yes.. it's ok. And stop calling me a duckling."
George smiles and picks up the phone call, ready to hear Max fussing over the little one. He already knows how Max can be when someone of his close circle is exposed to unpleasant situations. He's truly a mother hen deep down, even if he denies it. Kimi is in for another round of overprotectiveness and George couldn't be happier. After the day he just passed he deserves it.
Outside the wind has started to pick up, probably it will rain late in the night. For now though they are safe here, in this room.
Together.
As Max voice starts to fill the quiet space George closes his eyes and listen.
They are going to be ok.