#7363

He and Marc shared a look on the podium, an easy one to miss if you're only someone in the crowd, it's the one where he basically said 'I know you're rushing to your brother later, so please let me follow since he's my partner too' and Marc understands. After all the celebration ends, he packed his essentials and met the older Marquez’ near his personal jet. It’s pitch black already.

The flight back to Madrid was a quiet one, he glanced at his left, Marc is awake, doesn’t say anything though, he’s looking at the midnight’s sky, staring sounds more fitting actually. Pecco decided to check on his phone, maybe he’ll find news about the surgery, or even better, a text from the man himself.

Nothing from Alex, all his notifications are all still flooded by congratulatory messages, some asking about his plans for the one week break. Thinking he will respond to them later, he opened his social media, finding gresini account had posted about the result of Alex’s surgery. At the same time, the jet landed and Marc rushed to get their stuff, he stuffed his phone back after reading the news, feeling grateful the surgery had been successful.

“We have to go home first to get the car, if that’s okay with you,” Marc had said. Pecco nods.

So they arrived at the Marquez’s big white concrete block house, Pecco still hasn’t get used to the sight of it, but he’ll learn, for the sake of Alex. (He still thinks Marc’s taste is weird though, however he wouldn’t say it out loud).

He stepped inside’s Alex’s bedroom, occasionally theirs on some weekends, finding it in it’s clean state, untouched, signalling the emptiness that has been occupying it before. The room hasn’t changed much since his last visit, one thing that caught Pecco’s attention was the new framed photo on the bedstand. He walked towards it to get a better view of the photo, Alex must have placed it when left.

It’s a picture of them, from the clothes it must have been from Marc’s birthday, they took a big family picture that day but he doesn’t remember having an exclusive one with only them two. They weren’t looking at the camera, so it made sense why Pecco doesn’t remember the moment. Even so, he remembers the awful joke Alex made when this photo got taken, that was why his smile is very visible in this one. The fact that Alex had thought of putting this beside his bed, among of the other family pictures, it warms his heart. He placed the photo back to it’s original position.

He heard Marc’s knock on the door, “Let’s go.”

Pecco slept on the way to the hospital, it wasn’t far but the Marc had decided to let the night air in, and that somehow put his eyes into rest.

He woke up right when they arrived, Marc had parked the car near to the entry, considering there were almost no one at these hours.

They entered the hospital, the white walls and cold air surrounded them instantly. Pecco looked down the hall while Marc talked to the receptionist. He heard a door opening at the end of the hall, someone left the room, a doctor he assume, no there’s someone else behind.

His eyes immediately lit up, it’s Alex. They’ve been only apart for some hours but it did feel like a lifetime.

“Missed me?” Alex and his stupid grin, how he had missed that.

“I was worried, how was it?” He looked at the stitch on Alex’s left hand.

The doctor looked at the three of them, “It had been successful, you can come back tomorrow’s afternoon for the first check up,”

“Speedy recovery, Alex.” He nodded at the man, before leaving them three.

Pecco switched the driver role on the way home, beside Marc needing a rest, he will share the front seats with Alex.

“So, who won?” Alex asked, he glanced at his boyfriend, whose eyes are focused on the road ahead.

He chuckled, “Why do you even bother to ask, you know who,”

Alex smiled, “That bastard.”

It’s another three minutes of silence until they arrived, Pecco parked the car in the garage as Alex tries to wake Marc up. The man quickly said good night to them as soon as they stepped inside, clearly not wanting his sleep disturbed again. Now it’s only them both in the comically large house, Pecco took a quick look on his phone, it’s almost 3 AM.

Alex yawned beside him and he decided that it’s time for them to rest too, the weekend had been exhausting, add the injury to the list too.

They argue a lot, he admits, they make up fast too, not that they usually let it goes on race weekends. Misunderstandings happen. Normally, Alex or he, will approach the other later. However, this time it's different, he had avoided trying to understand his partner's view, and they have to work tomorrow. Which means, they won't find much time to see the other, considering that they haven't told anyone about their relationship, for safety reasons. Not even the brother, yes. Plus they have to focus on the championship that's going on.

–

Great. Pecco is ignoring him. He doesn't understand, it's not a big thing, they can just talk it out, no need leaving him behind in what's-supposed-to-be-their-house (they haven't talk about it yet).

He sighed, put on his helmet and walk to his bike, he will—no they will solve it later. Now it's work hours.

Turns out, work hours aren't that nice either. He fell off the bike, scrapped his arms on the gravel, which still stings but he's back on the bike, no bones feels broken so it'll be fine, he thinks. He still need to get into Q2.

The practice session goes on, a few minutes left, and Alex is able to go fastest, P1. Unbelievable, considering that he just fell and Marc has been so strong. He saw the name under his, it's Pecco. He wondered if he noticed that too, if they weren't fighting he knows that his boyfriend would be annoying about this, as if it's the main race, not everyone can experience having a 1-2 with their partner, Pecco would say. How he missed him already.

—

The "Mr. P2" title keeps following him, it seems. He had started from P4, overtaking Pecco in the early laps, until Fabio crashed while battling Marc. Of course they're back on the typical podium. The crowd is chanting Marc's and his name, but the only thing he felt is Pecco's eyes on his back. One more day. One more day and they'll be fine again.

—

The engine is roaring underneath him, his team on the left side waiting, already celebrating. It is happening. His first ever MotoGP win. Euphoria rushed over his body, he went on another lap after being handed the Spanish flag, savoring the moment. Alex arrived in parc ferme later, receiving hugs and many affectionate slaps from the his family and the team. He is a championship leader now.

He averted his eyes, and it looks like Pecco had finished his interview, they locked eyes as the man approached him. Pecco gave him a light hug, "Congratulations," Alex patted his shoulder, "Thanks," voice too small he's not even sure if Pecco heard him.

They walked to the cooldown room, side to side, with Fabio in front of them. They arrived at the room, the TV playing some highlights from the race, until Fabio turned his head towards Alex, "How was the-?" he gestured at Alex's arm.

"It's fine, just a few bruises," he shrugged his shoulders, Fabio nodded.

Now Pecco is confused. Did he miss something? From what he conveyed from the conversation, Alex has bruises that probably came from a crash in one of the session they had completed. The more he thought about it, he felt horrible. Not only he had let his emotions got the best of him, he might also be the last person to know about his own boyfriend's "injury". A small misunderstanding shouldn't make him disregard Alex's whole existence.

Someone called their name, it's time to get on the podium.

Pecco heard Alex's name being called for the first position, he looked to his right, Alex is waving to the crowd, his eyes are tearing up. He lifted the trophy, kissed it, hold it close before putting it down, the Spanish anthem is playing. Pecco stole some glances to look at Alex, who’s singing along, pride slowly filling his heart. He knew, always, that this day will arrive, he never doubted Alex’s ability even if he’s harsher with himself. He felt lucky to share this special podium, to be up here with his lover.

The melody ended, he grabbed the prosecco bottle near and starts spraying it at everyone, it is obviously more targeted at Alex, no one would realize the dynamic shift between them, they are all celebrating. They clinked their bottle, drank some of the leftover champagne, he can still feel the energy beaming from Alex, his smile hadn’t fade even after the photographer finished taking the podium photo.

—

Gresini sure do take their party time seriously, it had been an hour since Pecco had sneaked into Alex’s motorhome, well he already gained the access since they got together, but calling it “sneaking in” gives more surprise element into it. He gets it though, first win is always special, especially with a team that treats you like a family.

He gets up when he heard steps outside, that should be Alex.

The door opened, Pecco immediately cups Alex's cheeks, pulling him into a kiss. Alex's hands finally found their way around Pecco's waist, drawing him closer. Their gazes are still on each other eyes as they break apart, waiting someone to start talking first.

It's Pecco who interrupted the silence, "Ah congratulations, again, for the win, also I'm sorry for being a shitty boyfriend, and I've missed you," he blurted out.

Alex blinked three times before he burst into laughter, Pecco looked at him awkwardly, he thought that Alex would still be mad at him.

"You're so tense, thank you though for saying that, I was preparing to still be ignored actually," he teased.

Pecco wants to roll his eyes, but then he remembered again about the injury. He wrapped his hands around Alex’s hand that he assumed to be the one that's bruised.

"I know what you're thinking, I'm fine now, they'll heal overtime," Alex said, trying to reduce Pecco's worry.

"I should've been there for you."

"You were busy too okay? And if it's something big I'd have someone delivering the news to you, so no need for the stress, I'm here right now is what's important."

That did ease Pecco's mind, he nodded, Alex smiled from his reaction, "Well I'm still sticky from all the champagne so if you let me-" he gestured at the bathroom's door.

Pecco let go of Alex's hand, "Yes you can of course, I'm sorry,"

"No need to apologize for that, I know you have missed me so much," Alex teased him again.