Because I'm scared to say the truth - Landoscar

·Chapter 5·

   Oscar followed Lando along a small, hidden path behind the house where they were staying. It was hard to navigate; trees had grown thick, making the trail difficult to see, but the Brit seemed to know exactly where he was heading. Lando paused every now and then to wait for Oscar, who appeared to be battling against nature.

   The boys walked until they reached a cave, its entrance a small hole in the ground. Lando jumped in first, turning back to help the Australian down. Oscar sat on the edge and let himself fall into Lando's arms, who caught him and pulled him closer.

   The Aussie looked up and saw Lando staring at him. When Oscar met his gaze, he got lost in Lando's aquamarine eyes, almost forgetting to breathe. The Brit quickly turned away, closing his eyes so Oscar wouldn't see the tears forming.

   The path was illuminated by orange crystals that glowed in the darkness of the cave.

   Oscar stopped, mesmerized by what he saw. He started to worry about where Lando was taking him and wondered if he should turn back while he still knew the way. In that moment, he lost sight of Lando. Panic began to rise, and he called out for him, hoping he would come back. His heart started pounding, and his breathing grew heavier. Suddenly, he felt two arms wrap around his waist, pulling him close to the other's chest. Lando rested his head on Oscar's shoulder, his lips brushing against his ear.

"I'm here, Oscar," Lando's soft voice whispered.

   Lando pulled him closer by the waist and turned him around to face him. He took Oscar's hands and placed them on his waist, then brought his own arms around the aussie's neck. He gently pulled him closer until their foreheads were touching. Oscar's heavy breathing was the only sound between them. Lando raised his head, capturing Oscar's lips in a soft kiss. The Aussie didn't resist and deepened the kiss, making it more passionate. Neither of them pulled away, the kiss growing increasingly hungry, expressing all the words they had never said to each other. After a few moments, they finally parted, their foreheads resting against each other again, both breathing heavily.

"I never wanted to hurt you..." Lando gathered the courage to tell Oscar.

   Lando took Oscar's hand and guided him toward the exit of the cave. At the end, the Aussie saw a ladder leading outside. Lando let him go first, and Oscar was captivated by the view in front of him: a small lake with turquoise water, surrounded by cliffs covered in plants, and a small waterfall whose sound completed the scenery.

"I found this place when I was little and wanted to be by myself. I've never brought anyone here before," Lando said, almost embarrassed.

"Why am I here, then?" Oscar tried to ask, but Lando quickly changed the subject.

"Do you want to jump in?" Lando was now fixated on him. Without waiting, he began taking off his clothes, leaving only his boxers on, and jumped into the water. He turned back, waiting for Oscar.

"Not today. I'll take my revenge when I have a swimsuit," Oscar replied, his face turning red.

   Oscar sat on a rock, watching Lando enjoy himself in the water. He started thinking about the kiss, their journey here... about the last few years when Lando had made his life a nightmare. Yet, here stood another version of Lando, one who cared for him, who took care of him. It was hard for Oscar to let go of everything, but he wanted to give him a chance, to let himself be vulnerable in front of Lando, Oscar wanted him to hold him forever.

   Coming back to reality, he couldn't see the Brit anywhere. Panicking, he stood up and started calling out for him, but there was no sign of him. He quickly took off his clothes, remaining in his boxers, and jumped into the water. Struggling to find him and keep himself afloat, Oscar realized one crucial thing: he didn't know how to swim.

   Lando quickly emerged from underwater, grabbing him and lifting him to the surface. Oscar instantly clung to Lando's neck, wrapping his legs around the Brit's waist.

"Are you okay? Why did you jump in if you can't swim?" Lando asked, clearly worried but trying to make sure Oscar was alright.

"I didn't see you, and I thought something had happened to you. You scared me!"

"You're from Australia, and you live in England—both are surrounded by water!"

  "That doesn't mean I know how to swim!" Oscar started crying, and Lando held him tighter, resting Oscar's head on his shoulder.

  "I'm so sorry, Oscar..." Lando relaxed. "If you want to leave, I understand... I'll take you home as I promised," he said while carrying Oscar out of the water, still holding him in his arms.

  "I wanted to leave..." Oscar began, standing in front of him and looking into his eyes, "but I changed my mind."

  "Why?" Lando asked.

Oscar leaned in, brushing his lips against Lando's in a way that sent a thrilling pulse between them, each kiss deeper, each touch more deliberate. Lando's fingers tangled in Oscar's hair, pulling him closer as he nipped gently at Oscar's lower lip, savoring the response it drew. Their mouths moved in sync, exploring and teasing, each kiss an unspoken promise, an invitation to lose themselves in each other.

Lando's hand traveled down, his fingertips leaving a trail of warmth along Oscar's neck and collarbone, pausing to feel the quickened beat of his pulse. He planted soft kisses along Oscar's jawline, trailing down to a spot on his neck that made Oscar shiver. Sensing the reaction, Lando focused there, leaving a mark that sent Oscar's head tipping back, his breath coming in soft gasps that only encouraged Lando more.

Guided by the moment, Lando's hand traced down Oscar's chest, fingertips brushing lightly across his skin before settling on his chest. His thumb circled slowly, teasingly, until it found its way to Oscar's nipple. He rolled it gently, watching Oscar's face for every reaction, every gasp and shudder. Oscar's hands gripped Lando's back, pulling him even closer, his voice breaking into a low moan that filled the space around them, leaving them both lost in the electric pull that neither of them wanted to escape.

   They finally pulled apart, both breathing heavily. Oscar let himself fall into Lando's arms, and they hugged each other as if it was the only thing they knew.