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Okay so it had been a couple of days since the Elevator IncidentTM, as Lando had been calling it in his head, and he was still yet to Oscar face to face again. They had been texting each other frequently, half over his admittedly bullshit plan to sue the building owners for 2 million pounds, but also half to just talk. Lando had discovered that Oscar is a horrible texter, which was simultaneously adorable and annoying.
Despite being younger than Lando, the Australia lawyer texted like his 60 year old colleagues. He used perfect grammar, including full stops and everything, refused to use any kind of slang or short hand and worst of all, he left Lando on delivered for hours on end. Lando, as dramatic as he is, decided to take it personally, even when he knew it was because Oscar spent a lot of time in court where phones aren’t allowed. How dare Oscar have a real job.
It was driving Lando slowly insane. If he was any less sane and had any less self respect, he would set up camp outside of Oscar’s door to wait for the other man to return home from work, his sleep schedule be damned.
Oscar, to his credit, had expressed genuine remorse at not being able to arrange a time to meet with Lando. If Lando was in a kind mood, he understood Oscar’s busy schedule. While, of course, he had no idea what it meant to be a lawyer, he had watched Legally Blonde enough times to know that it was a rather demanding profession.
But Lando was itching to see him again. Subtle flirting through text messages was no longer cutting it for him. He needed to see Oscar in person, needed to count the freckles on his face, needed to press kisses to the moles on his neck. It was unnecessarily cruel of the universe to drop the perfect man right into Lando’s lap and then immediately deprive him of all contact.
He was beginning to sulk about it. Even Max had noticed that something was off with him during a late stream last night. Lando had refused to say anything though. It was a silly thing to be so caught up on, especially since it wasn’t like Oscar was actually ghosting him. Their lives just didn’t line up very well, that’s all.
It had been so long that he was now at the point in the week where he had to brave going out to purchase groceries if he didn’t want to live off of instant ramen and microwave meals for a week. And as much as Lando hated going grocery shopping, he knew that the Maxes would scold him to hell and back if he didn’t make sure he had actual food in his house.
So he got himself up and dressed at around midday to take the small trek down to his local Tesco. It was relatively quiet inside the supermarket as your average adult was at work at 12:49 on a Friday. Lando was not an average adult which was why he dumped 5 packets of duck spring rolls into his basket. The 70 spring rolls probably wouldn’t even last him three days.
Because he did have to be a responsible adult on occasion, Lando did make sure to include a couple of packets of frozen vegetables, if only to avoid a lecture from his friends. Lando also added a few packs of sugar, flour and a carton of eggs. He had promised his chat a baking stream a while back, and while Lando wasn’t the best baker of all time, he did enjoy making a couple of cookies with his stream.
When his basket was getting too heavy for him to carry, Lando headed to the self checkouts, though not without dumping a couple of Monster energy drinks over the top of his actual shopping. The worst part of grocery shopping in Lando’s opinion was having to lug whatever he bought back to his apartment. Lando didn’t have a car and the journey wasn’t long enough to justify paying far too much for the London taxi fare. Which meant he had to endure a 10 minute walk from the Tesco all the way back to his apartment.
It was a little embarrassing to be seen lugging his groceries back home, especially when everyone else living in his building had delivery men do all the work for them. Lando never saw the point in paying that extra fee for something he could do himself. Plus, the exercise was good for him.
Getting into the empty lift was a blessing for Lando. It was a little hot outside and he had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead. Luckily for him, at this time of day, the foyer of the building had been practically deserted and there was no one to judge him for his four grocery bags filled with mostly frozen food.
The journey up to his floor was uneventful. The lift worked perfectly and there was no cute lawyer for Lando to flirt with. He was twitchy by the time the lift arrived at his floor. When he stepped out into the corridor, the first thing Lando noticed was that Oscar was standing outside his door. It was incredibly strange for Oscar to be home at this time of day.
There was a blond man standing next to Oscar outside of his apartment. Standing too close. Lando instantly didn’t like him. The blond man was touching Oscar’s arm, leaning in too close. He made Oscar smile. A pit formed in Lando’s stomach. Surely he hadn’t misinterpreted his interaction with Oscar in the elevator and their subsequent texts. Surely this isn’t Oscar’s boyfriend. Oscar laughed loud and something the blond man said and Lando’s fingers tightened around the handles of his grocery bag. He wanted to make Oscar laugh.
As he grew closer, he could pick up the blond man’s distinct American accent. Lando’s lip curled up in disgust. Oscar could do so much better than some American. Lando wanted the other man gone, wanted him out of his sight. He wanted to disappear into his apartment and wallow alone in his sorrows with a fancy bottle of wine that a sponsor had donated to him. Lando didn’t even like wine, but it was the only thing dramatic enough to suit his current mood.
The only problem with that plan, however, was that in order to enact it, he would have to actually enter his apartment which would involve being noticed by Oscar and his guest. Lando really did not want Oscar to see him right now, especially if that encounter ended with Oscar confirming that the blond American was, in fact, his boyfriend. His heart couldn’t take it if that were the case.
The universe, however, still did not care for what Lando wanted because just as he shifted his grip on the grocery bag handle, Oscar’s gaze drifted from his guest to where Lando was stranded in the hallway. It hurt, sort of, to see the way Oscar’s face immediately lit up at Lando’s presence.
‘Lando.’ Oscar called out. Lando schooled his expression into a grin. To his surprise, when the blond man noticed him, his face lit up, even more so than Oscar’s had. He was handsome, though Lando loathed to admit it. He also, interestingly, did not look the type to work at a stuffy law firm like Oscar did. The Australian’s eyes zeroed in on the grocery bags in Lando’s hands. ‘Do you need help with that?’
‘No-’ Lando tried to say, but Oscar had started moving before he got a response. Lando was helpless to stop Oscar from grabbing two of the bags from him. Lando had no idea how he managed to move that fast. Meanwhile, his American friend stood back, his eyes narrowed. ‘You really didn’t have to help.’
‘I know.’ Oscar said simply as he walked alongside Lando to his door, carrying two of his grocery bags. American man approached them now, a grin on his face. Oscar shot him a look that Lando couldn’t decipher.
‘I don’t think we’ve met.’ The blond man said smoothly, his American accent permeating Lando’s skin. ‘I’m Logan, Oscar’s friend from uni. I’ve heard all about you, Lando.’
‘Logan.’ Oscar hissed, sounding almost embarrassed? Lando didn’t know what to make of it. He could tell that Logan was implying something, but he could quite figure out exactly what. Logan laughed Oscar off.
‘Yeah yeah. Go help your neighbour put away his groceries. I’ll see you another time.’ Lando didn’t even have time to say hello to Logan before he left. It was all very strange. But the American had introduced himself as Oscar’s friend not boyfriend, so all in all, Lando considered the whole exchange a win. Except for the fact that he was now standing outside his flat with two bags of his groceries in his hands and the other two in Oscar’s.
‘Fucking cunt.’ Oscar muttered under his breath and Lando couldn’t help his startled laugh. If the accent wasn’t enough to betray Oscar as an Australian, the cursing sure was. ‘Don’t mind Logan, he thinks he’s funny.’
‘It’s fine.’ Lando fumbled for his keys. ‘You really don’t have to help me, you know?’
Oscar turned to look at him, his brown eyes warm and unguarded.
‘I know. But I want to.’
And what was Lando supposed to say to that? It’s like Oscar knew the perfect path to his heart. Did they teach flirting classes at law school or something? With shaky hands, Lando managed to slide his key into the lock, forcing his body not to react at how close Oscar’s body was to his.
He entered his apartment first, fumbling for the lightswitch. It wasn’t dark inside, but it gave Lando something to do other than think about Oscar when the man was right there next to him. He led Oscar silently through his apartment to the kitchen area.
‘You can leave everything on the bench.’ Lando offered, gesturing at the kitchen island. He didn’t want to take up too much of Oscar’s time, as much as he loved being with him. Oscar did as he was told, but to Lando’s surprise, he began unpacking the groceries as well. Lando decided not to comment on it, instead he began to put away the items from his own bags. They worked in silence for a few moments, only speaking when Oscar asked where something went. It felt very domestic to Lando and he resolutely ignored the flutter in his stomach at that thought.
‘Mate.’ Oscar said suddenly, his voice judgemental. ‘Why did you buy 70 spring rolls?’
‘Cause they taste good, duh.’ Lando defended himself. Oscar shot him an unimpressed look.
‘Doesn’t mean that you need 70 of them.’
‘Does too.’
‘Lando.’ Oscar’s words were a warning but his tone was playful. Lando stuck his tongue out at him. Oscar shook his head in mock disappointment. It was fun being with Oscar like this. Would it be a little strange if he were to press Oscar against his kitchen bench and kiss him senseless? Yes. Does that make it any less of a good idea? No.
‘Oscar.’ Lando parroted back, somewhat childishly. Oscar shook his head at him admonishingly, the little swoop of hair covering his forehead bouncing at the motion. Lando wanted to run his fingers through it. He inched closer to Oscar, trying to make it not seem obvious.
‘Surely your diet does not consist of 70 spring rolls.’
‘It doesn’t.’ Oscar looked relieved but Lando wasn’t done. ‘They’ll only last me 3 or 4 days. I would need over 150 to last me a week at best.’
‘Lando.’ Lando giggled at how genuinely concerned Oscar looked and sounded over his meal choices. ‘That cannot be good for you.’
‘Eh. Probably not.’ Lando shrugged. The spring rolls weren’t all that he ate, plus he exercised often enough to negate any of the unhealthy consequences his addiction may have netted him. ‘But what are you going to do about it?’
It was a challenge, silently suggesting something that Lando was unable to voice plainly.
‘You could come over and I’ll make dinner for you.’ Oscar suggested and Lando’s heart jumped in his. ‘As hypocritical as it is, I’m also not the best at taking care of myself, but I can make an effort for you.’
Now, Lando isn’t some sort of expert in the art of courtship. He may have had a couple of flings here and there but it wasn’t anything actually committed and certainly none of his past relations had been people he had wanted to pursue seriously. But the lack of experience in romance, that sounded pretty romantic to Lando. Nothing says “I love you and want to kiss you” more than offering to change your entire lifestyle just so you can cook dinner for someone.
‘I would like that.’ Lando replied in a small voice, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. Oscar smiled at him, warm and gentle. Lando wished that his camera wasn’t locked away safely in his bedroom as the sudden urge to capture the Australian on film to be preserved for eternity filled his body.
‘Once I’m done with my current client, I’ll have all the time in the world for you, Lando.’ Time for him, Oscar said. Not time for dinner but time for Lando. Oscar was a lawyer, he knew how specific word choices could imply a world of things, which meant he knew what he was doing. ‘I would love to host you.’
‘Yeah?’ Lando’s voice was nothing more than a whisper now, barely loud enough for Oscar to hear. He wished that he had something to hold, to channel his nervous energy into. Instead, his hands clutched the hem of his shirt, twisting it and untwisting it unconsciously. The way Oscar looked at him, the way his eyes crinkled in the corners, all of it sent butterflies fluttering in Lando’s stomach. ‘You really know how to make a man feel special.’
It was light and questioning, letting Oscar decide if he wanted to play into what Lando was suggesting. Oscar shifted closer to him and Lando itched to reach out and touch him.
‘Only you Lando.’ Fuck it, Lando couldn’t restrain himself anymore. He surged across the gap between them, hands grasping for Oscar’s arms. The Australian caught him easily and pulled him close.
‘Stop me if I’ve read this wrong.’ Lando breathed. Oscar didn’t move, just tightened his grip on Lando’s waist. And Lando, Lando leant forward to press his lips against Oscar’s.
Lando’s kissed plenty of people before. He went through what the Maxes called his “slut phase” when he was freshly out of high school and had gotten around quite a bit. But none of his experience even began to compare to kissing Oscar. He was slightly shorter than the Australian, forcing him to tilt his head up as Oscar leant down. One of his hands slipped from Lando’s waist to cup his cheek as he leant into the kiss.
It felt good. It felt really fucking good. If you told Lando he had died in that kitchen, gone to heaven and was kissing an angel, he would have believed you. Because Oscar was really fucking good at kissing. It should be a crime how good he was. Lando pressed himself as much as he could against Oscar’s larger frame, trying to mold into his skin.
He could keep kissing Oscar forever, permanently meld himself to the lawyer if it were possible. Unfortunately for him, because the universe fucking despises him or something, that was not possible and he did have to pull back to breathe. Not too far though, Lando stayed firmly in Oscar’s arms. It would take a god to pry him out of them.
Oscar was watching him carefully, trying to gauge his reaction. His cheeks were flushed crimson and Lando really really really wanted to bite them. Maybe one day Oscar would let him.
‘Good?’ Oscar asked, his Australian accent as attractive as ever. Lando scoffed and whacked his chest playfully. His very firm chest. Nope, nope, not doing those thoughts right now. That was a later thought, a bedroom thought.
‘Good? You, you fucking bastard.’ Lando exclaimed. Oscar laughed at him and Lando felt his face flush even more. Oscar’s strong arms encircled his waist, holding Lando flush against his body. ‘You know what you’re doing to me.’
‘Yeah? And what’s that?’ Oscar prompted, sounding far too smug. He leant down and pressed a chaste kiss to Lando’s lips, effectively stopping him from forming any answer. Lando wanted to squeal in delight, but he was a man with a healthy sense of self-respect and held it in.
‘You know…’ Lando didn’t bother to finish his sentence, instead choosing to shut Oscar up with another kiss.
Sometime, and many kisses, later, they ended up on the plus couch in Lando’s living room (thank god Max Fewtrell had bullied him into buying actual furniture). He was tucked into Oscar’s side, resting his head on his chest. Oscar’s hand was buried in his hair, tugging on his curls on occasion in a way that made Lando melt.
The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, bathing the apartment in a warm glow. Oscar looked divine in the dying light. If Lando were a more pious man, he would be inclined to worship him. As it were, he was content to simply lie on Oscar’s arms for a while.
Both of their phones had been placed on silence and tossed carelessly somewhere out of reach. They were determined to remain as undisturbed as possible. Lando knew that Oscar was giving up his precious free time to be with him and he refused to waste it.
Oscar stirred from where he was dozing as Lando shifted in his arms. He hummed as he rubbed his fingers against Lando’s scalp, drawing a pleased noise from the Briton as Lando leaned into it.
‘Comfortable, Lan?’ The nickname was new. Lando loved it. He loved all the affection that Oscar gave him and he wanted everything that Oscar had to give. Lucky for him, Oscar was more than willing. Lando buried his head in Oscar’s chest, mumbling a reply. Oscar chuckled, warm, warm, warm. Lando’s never been to Australia, but he could only describe Oscar as being as warm as the Australian sun. ‘So clingy.’
It was teasing and Lando felt his ears warm. He was clingy and he was proud of it. Oscar clearly loved it too, seeing as how much he encouraged Lando to cuddle him. Oscar leant down and pressed a gentle kiss against Lando’s forehead. It was terribly domestic and incredibly sappy.
‘We’re going to have to move soon…’ Oscar said offhandedly. ‘Wouldn’t want my boyfriend falling asleep on the couch and hurting his neck.’
‘Boyfriend?’ Lando asked, lifting his head. Oscar faltered slightly.
‘Is that what you want?’ He asked uncertainly. Lando hummed and grabbed at Oscar’s chest.
‘Yes. Boyfriends.’
Boyfriends. Lando shivered at the word. Maybe the universe did love him afterall, with Oscar as his boyfriend.