Baby, just say ... yes? | Landoscar <3

This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

Italian Grand Prix – part one

Oscars pov:

"Lando, stop taking pictures of me. We wanted to talk about who could be the blackmailer, remember?“ Lando put his camera away, revealing the cheeky smirk on his face. We both sat in my drivers room before third practice was about to start.

"Your concentration-face is just so cute but okay, continue maxplaining eh I mean oscplaining to me.“ I rolled my eyes but secretly loved it. I missed the constant teasing mixed with sweet compliments.

"So, I think us using burner phones is a good way to communicate about any hints we see …“. We were already using them since the last race, originally to share ideas about the blackmailer but it turned more into asking each other about our day. Four weeks apart without any real contact were apparently too long. Now that he is a part of my daily life again I wonder how I could even bear it.

"… but we should also be careful in other areas. For example your camera: First of all, we shouldn’t post pictures of each other on social media at the moment, especially on your jpg account. Second of all, we don’t know who could get hold of your camera, you have a  big team and the paddock is chaotic. Do you have any other pictures on there?“ I looked at him closely which I didn’t dare to do the past weeks. His curls felt so soft the last time I touched them I wondered if they still are.

"Oscar, are you listening to me or do you only listen to yourself? I even praised your points". "Sorry", I mumbled and shyly looked to the floor. "And yes, I have some photos on there, mainly me crying …“ Now I met his eyes in shock. I feel very guilty sometimes for being the one who put him in this misery. I think there are still unresolved things between us.

"… but otherwise only one photo of you, topless and smiling, showing me your bunny teeth.“  And just like that I felt less guilty. "Your strongest ability is being mean to people, isn’t it? You should give lessons.“

He stood up and walked through my room, "Ha I think you wouldn’t need them, Mr. Lando-is-so-unlucky-he-will-never-win.“ A smile was still on his face but it looked bitter now.

"Lando, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said it. Not just because it’s awful to use an insecruity as an insult but also because I don’t think that way about you. The win is in the air, trust me and trust yourself …“. His expression softened, the smile reaching his eyes and  before I could get lost in them I spoke again with way less seriousness in my tone.

"… but remind me, what was the thing you said in the interview just before that?“ It sounded more amused than accusing because I don't really blame him. When he confessed his feelings for me he said I’m far from being boring and that was more sincere than everything we both said in this damn interview, it was just the hurt that twisted everything.

Lando scratched his head while looking at everything except me, "Ehm yes, that was wrong, clearly. Ehm can I just repeat what you said? You know, using insecruities is awful bla bla bla. But what really matters is that I’m sorry too okay? And by the way I really love your bunny teeth … hey stop laughing at me!“

I laughed at the way he apologised like a five-year-old being forced to. But my karma hit instantly as he threw himself at me and pinned me on my lounger. When our laughter came to an end I realised how close he was to me. I tried to keep my mind on the topic we originally started this conversation about.

"Very nice of you to like my teeth but you should transfer those kind of photos to somewhere safe. So I hope you understood what I said about being careful, maybe we should  focus on suspects now and … can you stand up please … do you hear me? Lando?!“

He looked somewhat … hungry, his face still hovering above mine. "What? I think we should …“ and his face came even closer. I avoided him, moving my head to the side. "No, nuh uh, we should focus now. I couldn’t be relaxed with everything going on anyway.“

Lando raised an eyebrow, "Believe me, I could make you relax“, he said suggestively. Just one second I thought about it but I quickly gathered myself. "What an offer but I have to decline“ and with that I gave him a little peck on his cheek like he did so many times by me and swiftly freed myself from him.

It must have been a little much for him in too short a time because he fell with his face on the lounger. "Ouch, damn Osc. Brutal.“ I just ignored him and continued, "I think it would be best to divide the suspects into three groups: staff – from our team and other teams, media people – from sky sport, etc. and drivers – this might be the most unlikely group and –"

"Why most unlikely? The blackmailer has your number but just some media and staff people do. Most of the media people also didn’t stay in the same hotel. On the other hand almost all drivers did and they have your number.“ All that did he say while still laying face down on the lounger.

"Are you okay Lando?“, I asked only half-serious.

"My lover rejected me.“, he whined.

"Stop being so dramatic. Who among the drivers could be the blackmailer?“ It felt much easier to think about the whole thing together. "Ha I almost certainly know who it is“, Lando said smugly.

"You do? And why didn’t you say it earlier? Who?“ He drove me crazy again already. Finally he looked up and sat straight. "I said almost certainly not completely certainly. But think about it, who saw us last before we went in the stairwell. Who always looks at me with suspicion? I know he doesn’t like me much and I overheard your conversation during the drivers parade in Hungary. He wasn’t too happy that we made up so he decided to use the video he made of us in the stairwell. Because of jealousy – as a friend or more – he made you break up with me, seems pretty clear to me.“

Lando looked as proud as if he just pleaded his case in court and the things he said made sense but I didn’t want to believe that a good friend of mine would do such a thing to me. "You think it’s Logan? I don’t know ...“

"You have to admit that it sounds plausible. Do you remember strange or suspicious things he said to you?“ First I didn’t dare to think about it because it felt like a betrayal but the possibility that Logan might be the one who betrayed me made me search through my memories. In agony I remembered something.

"After I broke up with you he asked me over and over again if everything was okay although I gave him no reason to. I’m pretty good at hiding my emotions, you know that. And when I told him I had to do an interview with you he just guessed that we fell out again.“ It was painful to admit all those things to Lando but it was even more painful admitting it to myself. This second I’ve lost a friend.

"Oh Oscar, don’t be sad. After practice we will talk to him and then we will see, okay?“ I just nodded. Lando stepped forward and pulled me into a hug which I desperately needed.

He drew a circle on my back – our signal – and I already felt better.