hi star! writing this was so much fun! thank you so much for this prompt!! 🙏 hope you enjoy.
(and for that prompt I finally managed to complete the challenge I set upon myself. it's not terribly long! sorry...)
this is also not beta read whatsoever. I apologize for mistakes.
***
tell me what's on your mind
~ 1.7k
(set in 2024)
Lando presses his lips together. He's never been good at maintaining his brain to mouth filter but lately it's been getting worse. And he blames all of than on one Oscar Piastri.
Oscar who had been so shy and also, well, cute in his rookie season. Lando had long since admitted to himself that he found the other cute. He was also sweet and respectful and he liked to make himself small. Even though he was taller than Lando.
But then he had started to open up, to answer to the jokes and innuendos Lando sent his way. He started to initiate conversations. About racing at first, about their shit car and even shittier strategy calls. But then it started to change. They still talked about the car but what they also talked about now were favourite meals and childhood memories and experiences during karting in their teenager years. About crushes and emotions they both thought they weren't allowed to have.
And this is where their conversations have led them now. Somewhere outside a small club in the sweltering heat of Singapore. The team had dragged them both along, to celebrate a double podium and Lando refused to go without Oscar so they all settled on something small for once. And as soon as the situation inside allowed him to, Oscar had fled outside. Away from people. And Lando followed.
The club was on the third floor of a three-story building and somehow Oscar has found a window opening to a small balcony that wasn't visible from the street below. This is where he had hidden, sat on the ground with his back against the wall, and this is where Lando had found him only moments later.
He's climbed outside, careful not to spill his still full glass of something he's picked up from the bar earlier. It looked rather pretty, all sparkly and orange and, well, kind of fitting for a papaya podium. And he also thought he deserved something pretty.
And since then he has sat next to his teammate, sipping his pretty drink and exchanging words and anecdotes. And somehow their conversation has drifted from the sweaty heat of Singapore to the sweat sticking on their skin and Lando's mind had run away with that thought in particular.
And not the only pictures in his mind were Oscar, in his bed, skin sticky with sweat but for a whole different reason.
Just like he had admitted to himself that Oscar was cute, during their second season as teammates, he'd had to admit to himself, that somehow Oscar has managed to now look scorchingly hot. He's grown, not only in height, but his shoulders are wider and his thighs thicker and his arms seem to be so much stronger now. And Lando still hasn't decided if he'd rather have Oscar pin him against the nearest wall and fuck him senseless or if he wants to bite and suck bruises into the flesh of the younger's thighs and make him come with his lips around his cock and his fingers buried in his ass.
"…and I don't know, Lando. I don't even know how someone would pick a random stranger to take home just to fuck. That's not…that doesn't feel right. Without any feelings, you know?"
Oscar's voice, or rather, his name on Oscar's lips, brings Lando back into the present. He blinks at the younger, wants to say that he himself is no stranger to Oscar now, barely stops the words from tumbling out and takes another sip of his drink instead.
But apparently, that only makes it worse.
"But there are feelings involved," Lando adds, looks at Oscar and wants him to know what exactly he thinks. "If only you could see what's on my mind."
Oscar raises an eyebrow at him. Lando snaps his mouth shut. He did not just say that. He doesn't even want Oscar to know what's on his mind. Only, he does.
He takes another sip.
"Yeah?" Oscar prods. His lips are twitching as if he tries to hide a smile. "And why's that?"
"Well, I don't know…" Actually, he does know. "No, that's wrong. I do know."
What?
Now Oscar raises both eyebrows, clearly amused.
"How much did you have to drink?" He asks instead of investigating further into what Lando had hinted at. He takes the glass out of Lando's hand and sniffs at the contents.
"Ey," Lando protests weakly.
"I think that's enough for today," Oscar decides and puts the almost empty glass on the floor out of Lando's reach.
"But it's so pretty," Lando whines. Whines. Where the hell has that come from?
Oscar chuckles and if it wasn't so dark and if Lando wasn't so drunk he could have sworn that Oscar was blushing. But that's Lando's departement. Lando is the one to blush whenever Oscar is around. Oscar with his strong arms and even stronger thighs and…
"How much have you been working out, lately?" Lando asks, puts his hand on Oscar's bicep and squeezes lightly. God, someone help him. This isn't normal. Not even for his drunk-self. What was in that drink?!
But now he can be sure that Oscar is blushing. Lando smiles. "A lot?" He doesn't take his hand away again.
Oscar chuckles but it's breathy as if he tries to contain any thoughts. Or noises. And apparently Lando is way past that.
"I think it looks good on you. Being all strong."
Oscar's blush grows more prominent, now definitely visible even in the dimmed light around them. Lando wants to see how far down it spreads. He wants to tug on Oscar's shirt and—
His hand moves before he can stop it. It's not only his words spilling out of his mouth before he can stop them but his actions are running away from him just as fast. In this case, it's his fingers trailing up Oscar's bicep, over his shoulder, carressing over Oscar's pulse point, before they settle on the collar of Oscar's shirt.
The younger doesn't say a word but he also doesn't tell Lando to stop. If anything, Lando thinks Oscar might even lean into the touch.
"You look so good like this," Lando whispers. Even in the darkness, those words feel like a secret. Only meant for Oscar's ears even though tonight everything seems to tumble out of Lando's mouth. Without him able to stop it. "So good. Makes me wanna feel how strong you really are."
And, okay, what the hell? Where did that just come from? How does Lando stop it? How does he switch his brain to mouth filter back on because this is getting embarassing.
But Oscar doesn't seem to think that way. He may be blushing still but he does lean into Lando now, their shoulder brushing and his skin hot underneath Lando's fingers.
"Yeah?" Oscar whispers and fixes him with his gaze. Lando feels incapable of moving. "Would you want that?"
Maybe Lando doesn't want to take his words back. So instead, he just nods. He follows his heart's wishes and lets his fingers slip underneath Oscar's collar, just barely, but enough to touch more skin than fabric. He moves his hand from the other's pulsepoint to the back of his neck, dipping just a bit lower underneath the shirt.
And finally he finds an answer to Oscar's question. "Yeah." It's only a breath. "So much."
And then his brain short-circuits. Because Oscar is moving as well. It's the younger's hand that wraps around Lando's thigh that has him see stars. It's like the sparkles from his drink have returned. Oscar wraps his fingers tighter, digs them slightly into Lando's muscles and Lando moans.
He honest to god, moans. It's quiet. But Oscar has definitely heard it, judging by the surprised look on his face.
"Tell me," he whispers then. He's so close. So so close Lando can see the freckles on his skin even in the dim light. He wants to kiss him so bad—
"I want to kiss you," Lando mumbles. His eyes flicker down towards Oscar's lips and he uses the hand that's still wrapped around his neck to pull the younger closer. Oscar moves along with it, slowly but surely. Their eyes meet just before their lips do. And Oscar's eyes are so dark. So pretty. So sparkly.
Lando closes the distance and Oscar meets him right there. Their kiss is not calm. Lando pulls the other even closer and traps him against his body, keeping him from moving away again. And Oscar?
Oscar lifts his hand off of Lando's thigh and wraps his whole arm around his legs. He pulls Lando close with ease and manhandles him so that his thighs are now lying on top of Oscar's. He's almost sitting in the younger's lap now.
Lando moans into the kiss. "Fuck," he mumbles against Oscar's lips "Just like that." And he means it.
Oscar chuckles into the kiss and breaks it with the sound.
"What?" Lando's head spins. He doesn't know where he ends and Oscar begins. He just wants to tell Oscar so much. So so much— "You're everything, Osc. I want you so bad. And not just now. Not just, you know…"
Oscar moves away a little to be able to look at him better but Lando refuses to let him go. But apparently so does Oscar. Because the younger's hand now slips from Lando's thighs to his arse and dips into his back pocket.
"Not just like a one-night stand?" Oscar finishes the sentence for him and grins.
"Yeah," Lando sighs and pulls him closer again. "That."
Oscar kisses him again and leans so close, he presses Lando against the wall behind him. And isn't this everything he's wanted?
When Oscar's other arms slips around Lando's waist to stead them both, Lando finds more words to say to the younger. "Please, Osc. Please fuck me."
"God, Lando," Oscar chuckles incredulously. "You can't just say things like that."
"Why not?" Lando nips on Oscar's lip. "This is exactly the direction we're heading in."
And it's true, they do. But—
"I'm not fucking you on some tiny balcony right next to a singaporean club," Oscar states, voice strong enough to keep Lando from arguing. It doesn't stop him from whining about it though. "Come on, Lan. Let's get out of here. There's a comfortable bed waiting for us back at the hotel, alright?"
And isn't that something to look forward to?
"Please," Lando sighs before he draws Oscar back into a kiss. "I'd love that."
And it's true, he does. Oscar just chuckles and kisses him back.
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Satellites - A Star Wars story by @mintraindrop and me :D
Chapter 5 - Sanctuary
sneak peek:
"Please tell me that this is not what I think it is." This time it's Lando asking the question and Oscar knows that it's exactly what Lando thinks it is. The stereotypical architecture, different towers and domes and the sheer size-
"It's a Sith Temple," he only whispers, confirming what the low mumbles in Lando's mind were asking.
"We can't go in there," Lando says and looks at Oscar, finding his gaze.
"But look at it." Oscar points rather unneccessarily towards the overgrowing plants and cracks in the staircase. "It's abandoned. Apart from an animal or two. You know that. I know you do."
"But it's a Sith Temple."
Hello there, long time no see! we are happy to report that chapter 5 is here, and yours now 🙂↕️ we promise it was worth the wait!
so, it's a little bit different from previous chapters, since we are now outside canon. this specific place was mentioned in comics, there is a whooooole bunch of lore and politics we decided to disregard for the sake of our plot.
also, if any of you understand how this complex is meant to look like, please hit us up cause we couldn't for the life of us figure it out. Crisa and i came up with a layout that we are using in this fic ("maps" linked below).
we hope you enjoy, and only get a liiittle bit mad at us by the end 🫣
Lando releases a breath he didn't know he was holding and the sound that gets carried with it is nothing short of embarassing. Something strangled and high-pitched. A whine rather than a moan. He closes his eyes and hides his face in Oscar's neck. It should be uncomfortable and it makes his rhythm falter. But Oscar must feel the same, the need to be close - even closer - because his arms wrap around Lando's back, keeping him right there.
Lando can only move so much now; his thrusts aborted. He's only really rocking his hips back and forth, not giving either of them nearly enough friction. He feels hot all over, sweaty and his fingers are starting to cramp where he digs them into the flesh of Oscar's thigh. He's keeping the younger's leg bent at the right angle to hit his prostate with every small move.
He knows he is, because Oscar makes all those pretty little sounds. And he squeezes involuntarily around Lando with every thrust.
"Baby," Lando breathes and lifts his head enough to mouth along Oscar's neck. Leaving kisses and soft bites in between ragged breaths and whispered nonsense. "You're so good to me. Look at you. So so good."
Oscar responds in pulling him closer still. In squeezing deliberately around him and carding his fingers through his hair. The movement almost to soft in comparison to everything else.
Lando's rhythm falters again. He's close. So close. He wants to wrap his hand around Oscar's cock, stroke him in time with his thrusts and make them both come. But he can barely move as it is. Oscar's legs and arms around him, not letting him go.
Another thrust. Harder this time. Lando feels Oscar's cock twitch where it's trapped between their stomachs. Oscar whimpers and an almost unintelligible word leaves his mouth. If Lando wasn't so close he wouldn't have heard it.
"Lan." It's barely more than a breath. The name hidden in between layers of arousal. Lando wraps his fingers tighter, bending Oscar's leg past the point of what is comfortable for the younger but he doesn't fight it, doesn't tell Lando to stop.
Instead, he sighs. It's almost a sob and Lando feels the younger's lips on his shoulder. Pressing very lightly. Oscar is so gone already, moving closer to the edge with every uncoordinated thrust, with every bit of friction against his cock.
"Lan," he repeats, all shaky and quiet. He wants to say 'babe', too, Lando can hear it in the way his breath catches around the first letter. But it drowns in another moan.
"I'm here," Lando whispers anyway. He starts lifting his head and feels cold where his skin is now missing Oscar's. But the younger doesn't let him go. He uses the hand in Lando's curls to keep him close.
"Don't," he starts, draws in a shaky breath, and tries again. "Don't go."
"I'm not going anywhere," Lando promises. He leans down to kiss the corner of Oscar's lips. And again. And a kiss to his open mouth. It barely counts as a kiss at all but they're so close. So so close.
Lando keeps going, moves inside of Oscar and feels him so hot, so tight around him. He's not going to last. So he tries again, untangling his other hand from the sheets.
"Osc," he whispers against the younger's lips. Lando's thrusts become deeper still, his dick dragging over the younger's walls, hitting his prostate dead on. Oscar can't answer, he's a mess of moans and breaths and shaky limbs. Almost too far gone after the two other orgasms Lando has drawn from him earlier that night. "Come on, one more. I know you can."
"Lan," Oscar breathes again. His eyes are closed, thighs shaking with the effort to keep them apart. Lando presses the tips of his fingers deeper into Oscar's muscles and knows he's leaving bruises. He wants to kiss them later. Maybe add another few.
"I know, babe," Lando murmurs and puts his hand on Oscar's cheek, wiping away a tear. "I know. You're so good to me. Come on, baby."
He kisses the corner of Oscar's lips again, murmurs another soft "Baby, my baby" and with the next thrust Oscar comes.
His body goes rigid and he's so quiet. Doesn't make a sound, only throws his head back and presses his fingers deep into Lando's skin. It stings and Lando is sure he's drawn blood. He fucks him through it anyway, doesn't miss any of the tremors that go through the younger's body and only when Oscar goes limp again in his hold does Lando allow himself to let go. He comes deep inside Oscar for the first time tonight, painting his walls white and marking him his with a bite mark on the younger's shoulder. An attempt to keep quiet, to control the shaking of his own body.
Lando doesn't roll off of Oscar afterwards, only lowers the younger's legs carefully down on the bed. He stays right there in Oscar's arms, too close, everything so hot and sweaty and glorious. He feels the way Oscar's chest moves with how laboured his breaths still are and holds him even tighter.
"So so good for me, baby," he whispers before kissing Oscar's cheek. And again, his lips a little closer to the younger's ear this time. "So good for me, Osc."
Oscar shivers a little but he nods either way. His voice is rough and cracks on the third word. "For you, Lan. Only for you."
The first text message comes in the moment Oscar kicks the door shut behind him. And while the sound of the whole endeavour echoes loudly through the stairwell Oscar doesn't really care. His hands are full of groceries and he believes that it's almost a miracle he managed to get home without dropping anything on his way.
At first he doesn't really notice his phone vibrating with the incoming message. He's too occupied with toeing off his shoes and carrying his shoppings into the kitchen. But on his way there, one text message becomes three. And when he finally sets everything down on the counter and reaches for his phone he's lost count.
- Osc
Of course it's Lando. There is only one person he knows that puts their stream of consciousness in about 50 different texts.
- babe
Oscar can't surpress the smile that creeps onto his lips and refuses to leave. He also can't do anything about the butterflies in his stomach. The fluttery feeling he still gets when Lando calls him babe. Or any pet name really.
- how r u?
- what r u doing?
- need to tell u smth
- so I come home from my run, right?
- and yk it's really cold out today
It is, actually. Earlier, when he went to go to the shops, Oscar kind of wished he'd taken his jacket with him. And that is saying something. At least that's what Lando would let him know if he'd said that out loud.
- but I was like
- yeah no problem. I'll take a shower and warm up and when I'm done the heater will have warmed up the flat
- but guess what?
Oscar can actually guess what's coming next.
- when I got out it was still cold
- and I checked I really did. but that damn thing must be broken!
- so I called that company
- yk, the one we contacted for your water issue a few weeks ago? when you couldn't get warm water? yeah them.
- and guess what they told me
That they can't come and fix the issue now because it's almost ten in the evening? That's Oscar's guess before he continues scrolling through Lando's texts.
- they can't come and fix it now!
- it's too late and I have to wait til tomorrow
- oh Osc! how am I meant to survive the night?
Oscar can't help shaking his head. His boyfriend can be overly dramatic at times but sometimes he just has to get things off of his chest. And Oscar has learned to just let him ramble on about stuff. Agree and make him feel heard. Because it makes both of them feel better. And Oscar really wouldn't have it any other way.
So when Oscar is at the end of Lando's messages he finally texts back.
- Hi Lando
Which is immediately interrupted by yet another message.
- hi babe!
Oscar stops himself from hearting the message and continues typing instead.
- That's not cool.
- Have you tried finding that small switch in the basement? The one that was the problem of my issue as well? Maybe your flat has something similar.
But Lando has an answer for that at the ready as well.
- did that. no switch out of order.
Well, that was Oscar's only idea for a quick solution.
- Guess you just have to wrap yourself in hoodies and blankets then. You've got enough of those.
- oi!
It's true. If there is something Lando has plenty of, it's hoodies and blankets. Because that man is always cold, no matter the weather outside. And no matter how many times he claims that he's "always running a bit hot". Oscar has the priviledge of knowing the truth.
So he tells him that.
- It's true. Surely you have enough blankets to survive the night.
With Lando's next answer Oscar can vividly picture him shaking his head no.
- those won't be enough
- it's cold Osc!
- It's not that cold, Lan. It's not winter anymore. And you can always make yourself a hot water bottle if it really isn't enough.
And yet…
- but my bed is cold
- It'll warm up. Promise.
And Oscar does picture Lando there, all cuddled up, hugging a hot water bottle to his chest and finally feeling warm and cozy. Maybe just his nose and eyes peeking out of the covers. His curls all messy.
Oscar's heart stumbles and he feels his cheeks turn red. He's so gone for Lando. To the point where he doesn't think it's normal anymore. But he keeps that thought firmly to himself.
Instead he wonders why no more texts are coming in. Lando usually doesn't just end a conversation like that. Maybe he's just put his phone aside to get the hot water bottle. And a selfish part of Oscar wants him to send a selfie afterwards. All cuddled up.
But that's not what Lando is sending.
- guess I'll just sit in bed
- alone
- cold
- by myself
- nobody to cuddle with
- all alone
And oh.
Oh.
Oscar takes a quick look at the groceries he hasn't put away yet. Then back at his text thread with Lando. It's an easy decision.
- Why didn't you just say so?
- didn't think it would be such a struggle to get this into your brain
- Fuck off. I can still stay here and take care of my groceries.
It's an empty threat, they both know it. Because there is nothing Oscar would rather do than go and cuddle Lando. Ever. So he just puts the few things into his fridge that need to be cooled while he's away and walks out of the kitchen. Back to where he's left his shoes strewn all over the place.
In the meantime he's gotten another text. Another two texts.
- no please don't
- please come over!
Oscar smiles and tries not to bolt out the door. To make up for lost time.
- Oh, I'm putting my shoes on.
- Don't worry.
He tries not to, but he can imagine the delighted smile on Lando's face.
- Be there in five.
Lando sends him a heart as an answer.
Oscar is just about to put on his second shoe when an idea strikes him. So he hopples into his bedroom, not wanting to take off his shoe yet again, and pulls his own big fluffy blanket from the drawer underneath his bed. The one Lando always chooses when he's sleeping over.
And finally, with both shoes on, Oscar steps out of his flat once more. Keys, phone and blanket close, he walks out into the artificially lit streets of Monaco. For any bystander it must look like he's on his way to a sleepover party and somehow, he guesses, that's exactly what it is.
Including the fact that the person he stays over at pulls him into a kiss the moment the door opens. And snatches the blanket out of his hands with hearts in their eyes. And pulls him into their room right after.
It doesn't take long for Oscar and Lando to arrange themselves. They just do what they always do. Lando pillows his head on Oscar's arm and hides his face in the crook of the younger's neck. And Oscar has to admit that the older's nose is rather cold. But he just pulls him closer as an answer. Wraps his free arm around Lando's waist and lets him tangle their legs together.
Oscar feels the fluffy fabric of Lando's socks against his feet and revels in the soft touches. He's deliberately chosen to not wear much - only a shirt and his underpants as opposed to the hoodie, pyjama pants and socks Lando has hidden himself in. He knows he'll get too hot during the night with the many blankets Lando has pulled from various places. And because he also knows that Lando won't let him go again until morning with the way the older is clinging to him.
And he loves everything about this.
"Thank you," Lando mumbles against his skin. And Oscar shivers when the heat of Lando's breath falls onto his skin. It makes everything better. More real.
From the tone of his voice Oscar can tell that Lando is far from actually drifting off to sleep but just content to lie there. Become one with Oscar's body.
Oscar pulls him closer still. He presses a kiss on the crown of his head and whispers, "Anytime."
"Love you." Another mumble from Lando. Oscar feels warm all over. And it's got nothing to do with the blankets.
"Love you, too."
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thank you for reading 🫶 cuddles are everything. oh how I miss cuddles.
this fic was randomly born this afternoon because I can't go without landoscar fluff. sue me.
🫥 invisibility - landoscar!
Make it cute, make it stalkerish, i trust you :))
from this writing prompts game
hi my dear!! thank you for this prompt 🫶 I apologize for the long wait but my brain just wouldn't wanna come up with something I could turn into words... but here we are.
hope you enjoy!!
***
look at me. please look at me and see me.
~ 4.4k
It's been a rough couple of days and all Oscar wants to do is disappear.
He is currently on his way back to his and Lando's shared flat in the UK. They've rented a place under the older's name some months ago, when it had been clear that the feelings they had for one another were becoming more and that they wanted to spent most of their free time together.
It was an inconspicuous flat, relatively close to the MTC but far enough to give them some distance from work and obligations and opinions. They just needed a space where they could be themselves and together, exist in each other's orbit and make this beautiful, exciting, fragile thing between them work.
But Oscar is on his own now, his mind is full while his passenger seat is empty. Lando is still occupied with some data sheets Will had given him after their last social media session and couldn't follow the younger right away. Part of Oscar misses Lando's company, the bigger part is glad to have a little time to himself.
He's had interviews and photoshoots and the social media team had been running around them to create tons of content for their various platforms. He's had talks with the team about the car and a whole extra day of filming with Zak earlier that week. Which, in itself, should have been enough to get him a couple of days off afterwards. He didn't get a couple of days off. Which is sad, because Oscar feels like he needs exactly that before the next race week starts.
He tells himself he's okay - he should be grateful, really - when he steers his car closer towards home. Grateful that Lando and him share most of their tasks. They are lucky that a big part of their schedules align and that they get to share fleeting touches, knowing looks and tiny kisses in between obligations and cameras. Nobody knows about them. Nobody is supposed to know. And they're trying to keep it that way.
They still spend as much time together as possible but after the days Oscar has had, he is glad that he gets to have some time to himself. He feels both guilty and relieved about that fact. It's a bit confusing if he's being honest. But it also feels like there had been more eyes and cameras on him today than during a race weekend - which is bullshit, but Oscar can't convince his brain to think logically at this point. So he makes himself take a deep breath when their driveway finally comes into view.
He pulls up right next to the entrance and leaves his car there. Usually he'd drive it around the house and into one of the garages they've rented but today he's too tired for that as well. He just wants to bury his head in a heap of pillows and not move until the next morning.
Gathering the last bits of strength he gets out of the car, unlocks the front door and watches his legs carry him up the stairs as if he wasn't in his own body but looking at it from the outside.
The next moments are only a blurr of movements and daily routine. Unlocking the door, setting the keys down into the small bowl on the cabinet right next to it, closing the door. He toes his shoes off and doesn't bother to put them on the shelf but rather underneath it just like he simply drops his backpack somewhere in the hallway to find again later. Or for Lando to clear away along with his own.
Oscar knows he should be taking a shower, rid himself of anything work that's still clinging to him. But he can't. He's too tired and overwhelmed and if he doesn't lie down immediately he thinks he's going to start crying.
So he shuffles into the living room and once the couch comes into view Oscar lets out a deep breath. He's made it.
He just flops down on it face first. Hoodie and jeans still on, hair a mess - probably. He doesn't care. Like he imagined only a few minutes ago, he just buries his face into the surprisingly comfortable throw pillows and hugs one close to his chest.
It's quiet and calm and there is nobody here. Oscar finds himself relaxing with every breath he takes. The stress is slowly - very slowly - starting to drain out of his body and he allows himself a tiny smile.
He is going to be alright. He just needs to disappear for a moment. He will be alright. He just needs a moment.
Oscar's limbs are all heavy and his eyelids droopy. He's just going to close his eyes for a moment. He'll be rested and happy again once Lando comes back. He can't wait for a kiss. But right now, he just needs to stay right here. He is just resting his eyes for a moment. It will just be a moment.
Right before he falls asleep, Oscar feels a strange sensation running up his spine. Something ticklish. Something he's never felt before. But he is already too close to sleep to think about it any further.
***
The sun is already starting to set when Lando leaves the MTC. It's been a day and a half. Hours that stretched far too long and he envied Oscar earlier. When he realized the younger got to leave in the afternoon while Lando had to sit back down at the engineering table with Will and go through page after page of data and things just didn't want to work out for them.
But that feeling didn't last long and he felt bad afterwards. Lando knows what kind of week both Oscar and him had so now that he gets to think about it for a moment longer the thorny feeling of guilt creeps up his throat.
He doesn't envy Oscar, no. He's actually happy for him. Happy that he got some time to himself, to calm down. That means they might cook some dinner together later when Lando's home. And their kisses might be longer than a quick peck that only says, I love you. I'm tired.
So Lando clutches his bag to his chest and all but sprints to his car as soon and Will lets him go. To try and not run into more work or somebody else that might need him for a moment.
And he does make it. He slides into the driver seat, starts the engine and is out of the parking lot faster than necessary.
Or, faster than necessary for other people. Him going a little over the speed limit is actually quite necessary for Lando personally. He needs to get home. To wrap Oscar in his arms and get cuddled in return. They both need this. Even though Oscar will probably usher him into the bathroom for a shower after only one kiss. Because Lando being all sweaty from his day bothers the younger to no end when he's already squeaky clean. Which is something Lando has grown fond of. Next to all the other tiny little things he's been allowed to learn about Oscar.
He smiles at the memory - or rather, at his anticipation - when he turns into their street.
Their street.
It has a nice ring to it and Lando wants this. Wants them to be with each other for the rest of their lives. He can see a future with Oscar and he wants to make this work. Their lives as drivers intertwined with their lives as a couple. As normal as anything.
But they are not normal, are they? Though, isn't that exactly what makes all of this special? This very normal flat in a very normal and quiet road. The car in the very normal driveway and—
Lando steps on the brakes a little too harsh when he realizes that this is Oscar's car in the driveway. It shouldn't be a surprise. Lando had expected Oscar to be home. He may not have gotten an answer to his text yet but he assumed the younger was simply taking a nap. It wouldn't be the first time he'd gone without hearing from Oscar and finding him cuddled up in their bed later on.
But seeing his car right there when Oscar usually prefers to park it in one of their garages is a little bit concerning. Lando shakes his head. It shouldn't be concerning. Oscar was probably just so tired he didn't bother. But isn't that concerning in itself?
Lando drives up to the house and uses the small alleyway to get to the garages. He confirms with one quick look that Oscar's car is safely parked and not left there in a hurry. Must have been a conscious decision. Nothing to worry about.
So Lando just goes about his evening routine as usual. He parks his car, takes all of his stuff with him, locks the garage and finds his way into the building through the back entrance. He follows the staircase up to their small flat and when he opens the door everything seems to be just as normal.
But there is this nagging feeling inside of him. Telling him that something is off.
"Osc," Lando shouts softly into the flat as he closes the door behind him. "I'm home."
There is no answer so the older assumes Oscar has indeed fallen asleep. He even lets himself imagine the soft breaths that sweep over blankets and pillows, Oscar's eyes closed and features calm. Relaxed. Save. He continues to look around either way. To search for the younger and for things out of place.
Oscar's keys are in the little bowl by the door and Lando can see the shoes he's worn earlier. But they're just thrown carelessly underneath the shelf. Oscar must really have been out of it. A moment of quiet passes and Lando's anxiety is back full force.
"Oscar?" It's a little louder this time. No answer. No sound. Nothing moves. Lando removes his shoes and walks a little further into the flat. That's when his eyes find the younger's backpack in the hallway, just lying on the floor.
Neither of these things should worry Lando. It happens. Happens to him, too, when meetings are just too long and solutions nowhere to be found. He knows how it is. He does. Oscar usually just needs a hot shower and a nap and things are perfectly fine afterwards.
Lando lets his legs walk him towards their bedroom and that's when it hits him. There are no sounds. Not the sporadic droplets that usually continue to fall from the shower faucet even two hours after they turned off the water. There is no clean smell. Not the simple citrus one from Oscar's shower gel or the vanilla one from Lando's that lingers a little after each wash.
He opens the bathroom door, just to be safe. But it's unlocked and there is nobody inside. He walks into their bedroom but the bed is untouched, just like they left it that morning. No Oscar. He didn't take a shower and he didn't take a nap. None of this makes sense.
Lando combs his hand through his hair and tries to get rid of the heavy feeling in his chest. It doesn't work. Especially not when it becomes clear how unusual all of this is.
Oscar needs a shower, especially after hard days, and he prefers to take a nap in their bed. Makes it easier, is what he explained to Lando when they had just moved in together.
But today might just be an exception. It doesn't mean anything. It doesn't. It shouldn't. This is what Lando tells himself as the worry for the younger rises like bile in his throat.
He turns on his heels and walks back out into the hallway. This time, he checks the living area. A combination of living room and kitchen, some open floor plan that both of them loved when they first viewed the flat.
But there is no Oscar either. Not cooking dinner, not watching TV. The lights are off, nothing had been moved even a bit. And the most important thing? Oscar also isn't taking his nap on the couch. He is nowhere to be found.
Lando officially allows himself to panic.
"Where are you, baby?" He whispers more to himself than anything else. Oscar wouldn't be able to hear him either way. Because he isn't here.
But his shoes are and his keys and… Lando pulls his phone from his pocket and opens the chat with his boyfriend. His message is still unread. Of course. He's about to press call when his eyes drift away from the screen and fall upon an object on the coffee table.
He doesn't need to call Oscar. The younger's phone is right there.
Lando feels his breath coming in shorter gasps, he feels himself starting to panic. Did Oscar get kidnapped?!
That's stupid. Deep down he knows it's stupid. But his consciousness isn't catching up. Lando leans against the backrest of the couch, not able to sit down but needing to keep himself grounded somehow.
He goes back to the breathing techniques Jon has shown him so many years ago. Something to calm his mind through all the chaos. And it works, somehow. In and out and holding his breath. But Lando can't hold onto the calm for longer than a moment.
They will be fine. He just has to go through this logically.
Logically.
Jon.
Lando is still clutching his phone tight in his hand. This time when he searches for his trainer's contact he knows the other will pick up. Because this time it's not a phone without its owner around.
Jon does pick up after the second ring.
"Lando," he greets him, not a hint of surprise in his voice but maybe a tiny bit of worry. "What's—"
Lando doesn't let him finish.
"Oscar's gone," he starts and doesn't really finish anymore. "He's just… I can't find him. His car is here and his keys and his shoes and even his phone but he isn't. He was so— he must have been so exhausted. He came back before me so I thought he would just be taking a nap but he isn't. Not on the couch and not in our bed—"
Our bed.
"—fuck."
Lando presses his lips together, fighting the urge to keep talking and accidentially spilling even more than he already has. Nobody was meant to know. Not yet anyways.
It's quiet for a moment and the only things Lando can hear are Jon's quiet breaths and his own heart beating in his throat.
He's fucked it up. Oscar and him had talked about it and neither of them were ready for people to know. Even if those people were family - by both name and blood.
But Oscar is gone and Lando needs to do something. Anything.
"Lando," Jon repeats, pulling his attention back into the present. He doesn't sound condescending or judgemental but just, calming. "Take a breath for me, okay? You can't help him if you panic now."
Lando does. It's always been easy to follow Jon's instructions. Maybe because his trainer knows what's good for him. And maybe Jon was never going to judge him for anything. Because he, and Oscar, are save with him.
Lando takes another breath and hears Jon's approval a bit metallic through the speaker on his phone.
"What now?" Lando asks. He cuts his trainer off and doesn't give him time to come up with a question about Oscar and him both. Together.
"You're sure he got there before you?" Jon asks like this is the most normal conversation for him.
"Yes." The word sounds harsh and tells Jon more about his emotional state than Lando would have liked but he just isn't in control of anything it seems. "I wanted to call him but his phone is on the coffee table. And his keys are here. And his backpack. He should be here. He has to be here!"
Lando feels himself growing restless with how long this is taking. Without Jon answering and telling him the way to get Oscar back. The fear inside him starts hurting, feels like a fist squeezing around his heart and making him dizzy.
"And you've checked every room? Called for him?" Jon asks and Lando feels himself growing angry next to everything else.
"Of course I have! What kind of bo— Who do you take me for?" He had wanted to say boyfriend. The word is sticking to his tongue, demanding to be spoken aloud. But Lando can't. This is not the time. He is just angry and out of ideas. "It's not as if he magically disappeared—"
Lando stops himself. It feels like an emergency brake before you hit a wall anyway. He hears Jon release a quiet breath at the other end of the line. Almost as if he just waited for Lando to come to this conclusion.
It would all make sense. All of Oscar's stuff is here, he definitely came home. And he was overwhelmed. More than that probably.
Lando has heard of simple magic making its way into the lives and bodies of people at random. He has felt it. Following strong emotions it was easy for magic to settle. But the most important thing? It wasn't something bad. It would wear off together with the emotions it's linked to. And if that was indeed the case, Oscar would be just fine. Lando just has to wait for him.
"Thank you," he breathes and Jon's answer is just a calming rhythm to his ears now. There's even a slight smile hidden in between his words.
"Anytime. But maybe it's safer if you'd still look for him. For anything Oscar-shaped. To me this sounds like he either morphed into something entirely else or he's caught in an invisibility spell. Something that's hidden him from the world for a moment."
Lando nods even though Jon can't see him. It sounds more and more like this is exactly what happened.
"When he's back he needs something that tethers him back into this world. Cold drinks, hot soup, physical touch. Something solid. Someone to hold him."
Someone to hold him.
Lando can do that.
And this last sentence tells him so much more than the words themselves mean. Jon knows how to assure him without making a big deal out of it. He's told Lando everything he needed to know. That Jon heard the emotions in Lando's voice and the way his heart beats for Oscar. That he now knows they are together and live together and that that's okay. More than okay. And that he understands they don't want to talk about this yet. All with one simple sentence.
"Thank you," Lando whispers again. "Thank you."
"You are very welcome."
Lando does go looking for anything Oscar-shaped the moment he ends the call. He steps carefully through their flat. From kitchen to hallway to bathroom to bedroom. His eyes are scanning the place as if it's the first time he's seeing it, to not miss any place - any thing - that could be his Oscar.
He looks for tiny things out of place, ripples in the blanket on their bed that might suggest Oscar sleeping there. Just not visible right in this moment. But Oscar still doesn't seem to be there.
On his way back out into the hallway Lando picks up Oscar's backpack. He's sure there must be a partly finished bottle of water in there somewhere and now that his pulse has calmed down and he himself has calmed down and his brain has stopped coming up with horror scenarios he finds himself capable of being useful again. He could do the dishes, clean the kitchen a little and maybe even start on a simple soup for Oscar. He can do soup. And Oscar might appreciate it.
His feet carry him back into the living area but he stops dead in his tracks just when he reaches the door.
There is a shadow on the couch that hasn't been there before. It's clearly visible on the soft blue fabric that Oscar really wanted to get but was too shy to say out loud. Lando likes the colour and he does so even more now because he can see the shadow slowly turning Oscar-shaped.
Lando puts the backpack down but doesn't approach his boyfriend. He's afraid that the other might just disappear again, so he waits. Standing very still and making no noise. He just watches Oscar. Watches the colours bleeding back into him like ink in a glass of water. Watches a shadow become a whole person again.
Oscar's eyes are closed, his mouth slightly open in a quiet exhale and he is hugging one of the throw pillows to his chest. Lando hadn't even noticed that one was missing. But what he does notice now is how relaxed the younger's features are, how content he seems to be. How he just looks like he's waking up from the most normal nap. Lando guesses he hasn't noticed a thing.
Instead of saying anything, of making himself known, Lando just stands there and watches his boyfriend wake up. He watches his mouth close and his eyelids flutter open. Watches him take a deep breath, hugging the pillow tight for a second before going completely lax. Oscar yawns. And Lando's heart aches.
But not because of fear this time. It's because of how much love he harbours in his chest and the fact that he doesn't know where to put it. Because he's afraid to drown Oscar in it.
As if Oscar was able to hear Lando thinking he turns his head and once his eyes fall onto him, he smiles. It's a quiet smile, still sleepy but real and Lando can't help but to mirror it.
"Hi," he whispers, afraid to pop the calm bubble they're in. Afraid having to watch Oscar disappear again. But the younger answers and everything feels alright again.
"Hi," Oscar hides his face partly in the throw pillow. It muffles his voice but Lando hears him perfectly well. "Missed you."
If Lando puts every effort into stopping his lip from trembling at that, it's only for him to know.
Finally, he steps closer. He sits down at the end of the couch, close to Oscar's feet, and wraps his hand around the younger's ankle. Only soft pressure, trying to ground him.
"Missed you, too." And then, "You scared the shit out of me, you know?"
Oscar's face turns into one of confusion. "I have?"
Lando nods and his voice is just a whisper when he explains. "You were gone when I came home. Just missing from the face of the earth. You were hidden in an invisibility spell."
It takes a moment for the words to register but slowly Oscar's confusion morphs into understanding and his eyebrows raise towards his hairline when everything clicks into place for him. "Oh."
"Yeah…" Lando lets the word fade out because he doesn't know how to continue. Because he doesn't want to overwhelm Oscar again.
"I'm sorry," the younger mumbles and shuffles a bit closer. Lando tightens his hand around Oscar's ankle and lets his thumb rub slow and careful circles over his skin.
"Don't be sorry. Please." Lando catches Oscar's gaze and looks at him, tries to convey every emotion into something that Oscar can feel. "I understand. And now I understand even more how exhausting this whole week was for you. I didn't notice. I am sorry, Osc. I should have taken more care of you."
"Lando," Oscar starts but interrupts himself. He sits up, leaves the throw pillow to tumble unceremoniously off the couch and leans forward. Right into Lando's space. He covers his hand with his own and Lando feels warmth seeping into him, making him feel whole again. "It's okay. You've had the exact same exhausting week. It might be the other way around next time. I'm sorry I scared you. I didn't mean to."
Lando looks at him then. Really looks at him. At the way his face is open and his eyes all warm and the tiny smile on his lips is real. From this close Lando can see all his freckles and feels the sudden urge to kiss every single one. He has to remember that thought for later. For when they're both less fragile.
"I know you didn't." He only answers. Then he pulls Oscar into a kiss. His hand lies protectively on the younger's neck, holding him close and steady. Grounding him. And Oscar lets himself be held. Lando feels him go lax against him, feels Oscar press himself closer and Lando can't stop holding onto him. Doesn't want to let him out of his arms again.
They stay like that for long moments. Just feeling each other close, feeling each other breathe. Their kiss is slow, more lingering against one another than real movements. Just feeling the other exist.
"Come on," Lando whispers against Oscar's lips after what feels like an eternity. "Let's get some food into you."
Oscar stops for a moment. His eyes shift down on himself and then back up to meet Lando's eyes. The older just waits. "I need a shower first."
Lando smiles. "I know."
***
Lando is in the middle of cutting the last of the vegetables for their soup when he hears the shower stop and the bathroom door open a minute later. The sweet smell of his own shower gel floats through the flat and he can't surpress the fond smile from creeping onto his lips. Then he hears Oscar's feet shuffle across the floor and finally feels him close. Feels the warmth of his body once he stands right behind him and feels the butterflies in his stomach when Oscar wraps his arms around Lando's waist.
"Hi baby," he greets him and Oscar's arms tighten around his body.
"Hi Lan." The younger's voice is muffled from where he's pressing small kisses against his neck but the words register perfectly well. He feels Oscar's breath on his skin and leans a bit deeper into the embrace. Oscar holds him tighter.
Just when Lando puts down his knife and turns around in Oscar's arms to capture his lips in another soft kiss he finds himself wishing to stay in this moment. And thinking that he wouldn't mind some other type of magic coming for a small visit. Some magic that could stop time for them. If only for a bit.
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Who put the mistletoe there? They don't really know anymore at this point. And it's not as if that was the only one. There are mistletoes guarding every doorway now. There even is one hanging in front of their bathroom mirror.
The first was gifted by the old lady from the building across the street, the second bought by Oscar at the local market. They lost track soon after.
So they don't actually know which one of them put up this exact mistletoe. But it's a tradition, Oscar guesses. Kissing the other person when standing underneath the same mistletoe.
It apparently is also one of Lando's wishes (read: demands) right now. And it's christmas. So who is he to deny him anything?
When they kiss, Oscar tries to come up with a plan to leave all the mistletoes hanging exactly where they are for the rest of the year. But then Lando nips at his bottom lip, presses himself that tiny bit closer and every one of Oscar's remaining thoughts go flying out the window.
He happily kisses back and presses Lando against the nearest wall.
~~~
Happy Christmas to everyone who celebrates.
Happy Wednesday sometime in december to everyone else.
tag list and landoscar without the text under the cut
magical realism; tattoos that give you magical abilites; ghosts exist in this world; slow burn; hurt/comfort;
Lando practices magic, Oscar doesn’t (doesn’t want to have anything to do with it; he has his reasons) but needs Lando's help because a ghost kind of attached itself to his soul.
***
this is literally an idea born from a dream and a song (and a tiktok but we wanna keep this mystical)
for anyone interested, I got my notes down, started a dictionary for this au, a playlist as well and almost finished with the chapter overview (which in itself has over 13k words now, pls don’t come at me)
coming to you this autumn on ao3 🍂👻
edit: here's the masterpost if u wanna have a look
and here's the playlist if you wanna go and have a listen. the song that inspired all of this is Carol of the Bells by X-Ray Black (yes, that remix has spooky vibes.)
