ells

So now Oscar is using his new key to come grovelling for ramming into Alex and ending his race. No matter that he already apologized right after the race, via text but only for lack of opportunity. By the time Oscar had finished his own Sunday - pointless as well - Alex had already been done with media and barricaded himself in his driver's room, busy leaving Oscar on read.

So, that's how they get here: Monday evening. Oscar, lingering sheepishly in the entry way. Alex, on his back on the couch, staring at the ceiling, feeling all sorts of conflicting things.

“Is it alright that I used the key?” Oscar says.

Alex shrugs. “Sure. I didn't say it was for emergencies only or anything.”

“Feels like an emergency anyways.” Oscar's voice is closer now. Alex can see him moving closer out of the corner of his eye.

“Me being mad at you is an emergency?” Alex says. It's supposed to be a joke, mostly, but-

“Yes,” Oscar says plainly and Alex finally squints against the overhead light to look at him. There's a smile tugging at the corner of Oscar's mouth, but his eyes are serious.

“I'm not actually mad at you. You know that, right?”

Oscar shrugs. “Figured it was worth checking.”

Alex sighs. Honestly, what is he supposed to do with this guy. “Come ‘ere,” he tucks at the corner of Oscar's shirt until Oscar lays down half on top of him, half squished between the couch cushions and Alex's hipbone.

“Ouch,” Oscar huffs and wriggles until he likes his spot, starfished and one leg between Alex's. He's like a dog sometimes, like this.

Alex lets his hand card through Oscar's hair. It's dry and knotted. Airport hair, surely.

“Did you come straight here?”

“Mhm,” Oscar hums in confirmation. He's halfway to dozing already, for sure, switch turned from guarded to cozy. Like a dog.

“You know, I already told Sky that it was an unfortunate mistake. And that I don't blame you. I mean, you could've saved yourself the trip.”

Oscar's breath is tickling Alex's collarbone where he's tucked Oscar into his armpit. Slow and steady. Cool, calm and collected.

“Yeah no, I saw that,” Oscar says. “Still had to- you know. Had to make sure you weren't chatting shit.”

“Do you always check up on someone when you crash into them?” Alex gasps, fake horrified, fully over it now. “Don't tell me you turned up on Lando's doorstep like this last year.”

Oscar lifts his head, disgruntled. The hair on the side of his head that Alex has been teasing is already a mess. One of these days Alex'll get it to stand like a Mohawk, no products.

“Like what?” Oscar says and loses half the sentence in his battle with the Australian accent.

“Looking lost and apologetic and, like. Hm. Submissive and breedable?” Alex tries and gets a whack to the chest for his efforts.

“Rude,” Alex says and catches Oscar's hand in his. “First on track abuse and now, what. Domestic abuse?”

“I like the domestic part of that,” Oscar murmurs and curls his hand inside Alex's. “Sounds kinda nice.”

“He likes the domestic part of domestic abuse,” Alex whispers to the ceiling, incredulous. “Can you believe this guy?”

Oscar shakes in his arms with silent laughter. “Christ, not like that. You know what I mean.” Then he's quiet for a moment and Alex feels Oscar's hand leave his to sneak up his ribs. Splayed, possessive. He gets it. Sometimes those words shake him too, for a second. Domestic, boyfriend, emergency contact, home.

“I wouldn't, by the way. Follow up with anyone else.” Oscar's lips press to Alex's collarbone, dry and light. “For some reason I care more when it's you.”

“Jury's still out on why,” Alex says but Oscar shakes his head.

“Nah. Jury's pretty sure they figured it out.”

It's too much to do this so soon. Christ, they haven't even turned off the big light. Everything is bare and open.

Alex brings his hand back up to Oscar's head and squints against the light. “You owe me dinner,” he whispers. “I'll choose where.” Monaco is always pricey, but if Alex plays his cards right, he can really make Oscar's wallet hurt. Or at least make him pretend it does. He'll know the right moment to ask.