Chapter Text
Lance watched as Esteban strode away from him, seemingly confident on where he was going, watching until he vanished from sight. Lance spun around heading back into the stalls, he had no idea what to get Esteban – he’d been thinking about it for the whole trip but hadn’t had any inspiration.
Esteban meant to the world to him, he deserved everything Lance could ever give and more. When Lance wasn’t with him, he was counting down the minutes until he’d be able to see him again.
Stopping still in the middle of the road he finally had his inspiration. Looking around, all he had to do now was find the perfect one – and fast. He only had an hour after all. A quick google showed several different shops he could visit – not a surprise he was in Geneva after all, and he set off heading for the first suggestion.
The first shop turned out to be too upmarket and Lance knew Esteban wasn’t a fan of the flashier things money could buy. The second one was also too high end – the sales assistant snootily turning her nose up when Lance tried to explain he was deaf and with only a half-hour to go until he was meeting Esteban, Lance was beginning to panic.
Sure, he could go with the second part of the gift, but he wanted to give Esteban something tangible and something he could keep on him at all times as a reminder. Heading back towards the stalls Lance was close to giving up and close to tears after another horrible encounter when he accidentally jostled a random man. He just wanted to give up and get some cuddles from his boyfriend when he saw the stall. On the edge of the square, it wasn’t as brightly lit as the other stalls and the items didn’t look as flashy, but it was the right objects and Lance figured one look wouldn’t hurt.
Stepping closer, he gave a weak smile to the woman behind the stand. He saw her lips moving but because of the lighting, he wasn’t able to fully see what she said. Motioning to her that he was deaf Lance braced himself, half-expecting another horrible reaction and was pleasantly surprised when she smiled wider and opened her arms in an inviting gesture. Feeling encouraged Lance pulled his phone out and typed out his message explaining what he was looking for. The woman grinned again, pulling out a box from under the stand, proffering it to Lance.
Lance felt his eyes widen as he took in the item – it was perfect, even the inscription was perfect. “Thank you, thank you, thank you” Lance signed, muttered it as well, tears glistening in his eyes.
The women smiled kindly at him, taking out a pen and paper and writing a careful message – Sometimes the things we want come to us after hardship and struggle. This gift was the one you were looking for and you didn’t give up – you earned it, don’t waste it.
Lance let the tears fall from his face, it was almost the perfect metaphor for his relationship with Esteban and he couldn’t wait to share it with him.
Present brought and philosophical advice gained, Lance wandered back to his meeting piece with Esteban a spring back in his step as he made his way through the crowds.
His good mood suddenly dissipated, heart sinking when he spotted Esteban with a girl. Esteban himself looked uncomfortable as the girl was pressing herself closer to him as they took a picture. Lance felt anger wash over him – he was used to fans wanting pictures with Esteban, and he knew that Esteban didn’t mind but this was over the top. Starting forward he abruptly stopped, even if he wanted to go over and get her away from the person he loved, he couldn’t. He couldn’t risk Esteban’s career like that just because he was jealous.
He felt someone smack into his side, sending him stumbling forward. Turning around to see what happened he groaned when he saw that is was somehow the same guy he’d bumped into earlier. Stepping back, he held his hands up in a placating manner as the man began to gesture wildly and Lance could tell me was shouting at him. Lance tried desperately to calm the man down but found himself being shoved backwards, just managing to stay on his feet from the harsh push.
“Please I…” Lance started, forcing the words out of his mouth but they fell silent as he saw the man’s expression change, and a second later Esteban was stood in front of his shielding him from the man’s view. Esteban took a step towards the man, and Lance could tell from his posture that unless Lance did something this could get ugly fairly quickly.
Grabbing Esteban’s arm, he pulled him back, taking the other man by surprise and managing to pull him away and through the parting crowd. Once they reached a small side street, Lance let his hand fall away. He could tell Esteban was ranting, and Lance bit his lip as the emotions threatened to spill over. He didn’t want to be here in this random street, he wanted to be back at his house cuddled under a blanket with Esteban. Finally feeling his tears break free and slide down his cheeks, he dropped his head into his hands, hiding his face. Seconds later Lance felt Esteban engulf him in a hug pulling him close to his chest. For a brief moment, Lance let himself enjoy the hug, loving the soothing feeling of Esteban running his hands down his back and pressing small kisses to his hairline -but then he pushed away, keeping Esteban at arm’s length.
Clearing his throat, he stated, “can we go home now?”
Something in his voice must have given away his true feelings because Esteban’s face fell, his eyes going soft and he wordlessly held his hand out for Lance to take. Lance squeezed their hands and the two walked quietly back to the car.
“Maybe I should…” he saw Esteban start to say but Lance cut him off,
“No, I’ll drive,” he signed, carefully placing his bags in the backseat before getting in the front. There was a pause but then Esteban got in his side, keeping his bags in the footwell.
Despite stating that he wanted to drive, Lance couldn’t stop his mind from wandering as they drove back. He had to force himself to concentrate on the roads, as ever paying extra attention to his mirrors. He could see Esteban was watching him, but he didn’t look over.
Pulling up outside the garage he tossed Esteban the house key and signalled for him to go ahead. From the corner of his eye, he could see Esteban hesitate, opening his mouth but then thinking the better of it and shutting it again. Once the car was parked, Lance sat still for a minute. God, how had their day gone so badly wrong so quickly? This morning in the shower was one of his happiest moments, the intimacy they shared bonding them on a new layer. Even the shopping trip had started well, Lance just hated other people.
He knew that not everyone would be so quickly accepting of his impairment but sometimes coming face to face with it pushed him over the edge. It hadn’t happened in so long, all the activities they’d done this week inclusive by Esteban’s doing. Thoughts turning back to his boyfriend Lance shook himself trying to dislodge his bad mood. Esteban was only staying for another day; he didn’t want to ruin it by wallowing in self-pity. There were always going to be people who didn’t understand but luckily Esteban wasn’t one of them. And that’s what truly matters.
Heading inside the house, he briefly dwelled on the change of feelings he’d experienced during Esteban’s visit. He knew he liked the other man before he came to visit, wouldn’t have been dating him otherwise but now his feelings had grown – into love. It was a scary realisation but at the same time it felt so right, and he hoped Esteban was feeling the same.
Entering the house, he looked for clues about where Esteban was, not seeing the lights on in the kitchen or living room – the places they’d been spending the majority of they’re time. At the top of the stairs he spotted a soft glow, the hall light wasn’t on but by the looks of it, his bedroom light was.
Taking the stairs two at a time, he hurried upstairs pausing momentarily but then gently pushing the door further open, heart-melting at the sight.
Esteban had placed the monkey and the Pink Panther on top of the duvet, snuggled next to each other on the bed. Esteban himself was sat facing away from Lance, he hadn’t looked up, but Lance was sure he knew that Lance was there. Stepping forward Lance could see Esteban twisting something round in his hands but wasn’t able to get a closer look because Esteban suddenly glanced over his shoulder and when seeing Lance shoved the present back into a bag.
Hesitantly Lance moved to sit next to him, smiling when Esteban wrapped his arm around him, holding him close. Seeing the pen and paper from that morning resting on the side table Lance leaned over, careful not to break contact with Esteban, and picked it up. Smiling at his message from the morning, he turned the page and began to write. He hunched over slighting trying to hide his message from Esteban until the last moment.
Shifting back slightly when he was done so he could see Esteban in full, carefully studying his face. Esteban just looked concerned and held up a finger before Lance could show him the paper. “can I just….” Esteban paused slightly as if waiting for Lance to cut him off before continuing, “Can I just check, are you okay? That guy didn’t hurt you or anything did he?”
At Lance shaking his head, Esteban let you a sigh, a little smile gracing his lips, “good.” He leaned forward and Lance closed his eyes, smiling himself when Esteban’s lips touched his.
Sighing into the kiss, Lance reluctantly broke the kiss, handing Esteban the note and watching his face.
…………………………………………………………….
The relief Esteban felt at Lance affirming that the mad guy in town hadn’t hurt him was palpable and he sighed, leaning forward to kiss Lance. After a second, he felt Lance pull back and the pad of paper being pushed into his hands. Eyes flicking from the paper to Lance’s face, he saw a little bit of fear in his eyes, prompting him to take Lance’s hand in his.
Looking down he started to read the note;
Esteban –
The most frustrating thing about today was trying to find a present that represents how much I care about you. It took the whole hour you gave me, and I had some pretty annoying encounters while I was doing it. But at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter because you’ve never treated me any different and I did manage to find a present :)
The truth is, it was extra hard because I realised that I love you. Xx
As Esteban got to that part of the note, Lance repeated the phrase, a soft ‘I love you’ coming from Esteban’s right. Speechless for a second, he turned to face Lance reaching up to cup his face.
“I love you too,” Esteban whispered, seeing Lance’s face break out into a smile.
“I love you; I love you” Esteban repeated, his words overlapping with Lances as they both declared their feelings.
They stayed like that for a while, just holding one another and whispering confessions of love in each other’s ears before they pulled apart.
“come on we still need to decorate the tree,” he signed smirking at Esteban confused look. “I love it when you screw your nose up like that when you get confused,” smile growing but also a sad feeling also present. “I wish you could understand me,” he signed.
“One day, I’ll get there, I promise,” Esteban added, lightly kissing Lance’s nose.
Lance crinkled his nose as Esteban kissed it, the touch tickling. Flinching away from the touch, he quickly scribbled down his message telling Esteban about the tree and pulled him to his feet. The two racing each other downstairs giggling like teenagers as they revelled in their love for each other.
The tree decorating shouldn't have taken as long as it did. Esteban tying Lance up with the tinsel and Lance hitting Esteban in the face with a bauble (several baubles in fact).
They ended with Esteban on Lance's back just about managing to get the star on top without knocking the whole thing over, Lance screeching from below him as he saw the tree wobble, moving to try and steady it but not taking into account the added weight, sending both Lance and Esteban (but mercifully not the tree) to the ground.
Laying in a heap under the twinkling light made Lance feel like he was under the starts, which sparked a new idea. Pushing himself to his feet, he pulled Esteban up behind him, moving over the settee, gathering up the blankets and gesturing for Esteban to follow him.
They walked out onto the back terrace, the view showing Lake Geneva on one side and the snowy hills all around. The moon and starlight bounced off of the white snow, illuminating the countryside. Esteban wrapped Lance in one of the blankets, doing the same with his own and they curled up on the swinging bench, Lance tucking his legs up and Esteban using his to gently nudge the swing into action. The small movements, the calm night, a warm body next to them combined with the emotional events of the day, led to them falling asleep beneath the stars.
…………………………………………………………………….
The next morning saw Esteban startled awake, siting up abruptly as the overhead light switched on. His confused mind struggling to function and process what was happening. He remembered falling asleep outside with Lance but now he was back in their bed, and Lance was holding a tray, the scent of croissants filling the air.
"huh.. What.. Wha happened?"
Lance set the croissants down at the end of the bed, handing Esteban a mug of coffee before climbing back into bed with his own. Carefully balancing his mug between his legs, Lance signed "I carried you back, you fell asleep"
"Is it bad that I find that incredibly hot?"
Lance just smirked, his face softening as Esteban signed "I love you", instantly returning it.
It being Esteban’s last day in Geneva, they decided on a PJ and film day, lugging the duvet downstairs into the living room and building a mini pillow fort on the floor.
They spent the day working through various Christmas films - Lance being outraged that Esteban had never seen elf (Esteban honestly thought he'd never seen Lance so angry) - while eating takeaway pizza. Cheesily feeding each other bites, attempting to be romantic but Lance was too mischievous, occasionally just smearing it onto Esteban face causing a mini play-flight/kissing session. But that was as exciting as the day was.
That was until the time came to exchange presents.
Following dinner, they returned to their pillow fort, each clutching a carefully wrapped present close to their chests.
They sat down, crossed legged and facing each other, nervous smiles playing on their faces.
Lance takes a deep breath, holding out the present with one hand and taking Esteban’s hand in his other. “I love you,” he signed, “I hope you like it.”
“It's from you, of course, I’ll like it.” Giving his hand a comforting squeeze, he retracted his hand and turned his attention to unwrapping his gift. In typical Lance fashion, the gift was absolutely covered in Sellotape, not a single inch of the wrapping paper-free.
Giving Lance a withering look, the other man giggling in response, Esteban attacked the edges of the tape trying to find a weak point. Every time he managed to pull a little bit free, it split as he pulled harder leaving him with little slithers of Sellotape stuck to his fingers.
“arghhh” he groaned, dropping his head to his chest in despair. Gently placing the present down, he stormed to the kitchen, grumbling as he routed around for some scissors. Coming back into the living room, Lance still had a shit-eating grin on his face, blinking innocently as Esteban flopped back down next to him.
“Problem?” he signed.
“Not at all,” Esteban replied, easily slicing a gap in the paper with the help of the scissors. Placing the scissors on the table, he pulled the remaining paper off, revealing a small wooden box. Glancing at Lance he saw that his confident grin was now replaced with a nervous one.
Flashing a reassuring grin, Esteban opened the small box, mouth falling open as he took in the gift. Nestled in blue velvet was a small brass pocket watch, the watch face visible – the front covering having cut-outs showing the numbers and arms. The outer edge was engraved with a delicate pattern. Flicking the pocket watch open he admired the fine craftsmanship, the watch created in a such a way that the inner mechanisms were showing. The soft ticking noise becoming the background noise. As he caressed it, his fingers felt something on the back, prompting Esteban to turn it around – tears springing to his eyes as he read the inscription;
Le temps que vous passez avec votre véritable amour est un temps qui n’est jamais perdu.
Words failing him, Esteban could do nothing but stare at Lance, tears rolling down his face. Lance swiftly moving forward and tugging him into a hug. Esteban buried his face in Lance’s neck, letting himself be comforted. Sniffing loudly, he sat back, catching Lance in a kiss.
“I’ll use it to count the seconds until we can see each other again,” he whispered touching his forehead against Lance’s, eyes shut as Lance kissed him again before leaning back.
“Look underneath” he signed, gesturing to the box.
Esteban tenderly lifted the blue velvet cushioning, setting it to one side and taking out a small envelope. Slipping his finger under the join, he opened it tipping it upside-down and gasping again as a plane ticket fell out. Turning it over he saw that it was in Lance’s name dated for the 30th December.
A small note accompanied it written by Lance’s hand – My turn to visit you. Can’t wait to see in the new year with you. Love Lance.
“You’re coming to Evreux?” he asked, wide-eyed, breaking out into happy laughter as Lance nodded.
“I can’t wait – I’ll start counting now,” he said gesturing to his new watch – carefully placing it back into the box, caressing the lid as he placed it to one side.
“My turn,” Lance signed, grinning happily, reaching for the neatly wrapped present Esteban was handing him.
Eagerly ripping at the paper, carelessly throwing it the side he hummed in contentment as he stroked the velvet box underneath. Gently prizing the box open he felt his heart skip a beat as he took in the silver bracelet within. The slightly darkened silver standing out against the black casing. The two silver rods twisting in the centre, making it perfectly simple yet timeless and classic. Lifting it out in awe Lance spotted an inscription on the inside, running his finger over it reverently.
L & E 11/12/18 – Forever xx
The date of the Brazilian GP, barely a month ago, the day when Esteban finally asked him on an official date.
“I wanted it to be simple enough that you can wear it always, and I’ll always be with you.”
“It’s perfect,” Lance signed, slipping it on his wrist beaming at the perfect fit, the inscription resting just by Lance’s pulse point – ironic because Esteban always made his heart beat faster.
Reaching his hand out, Lance pulled Esteban to their feet before resting his hands on his shoulders as Esteban rested his on Lance’s waist.
“I love you” they whispered, simultaneously, grinning at each other.
In the background, the songs changed, and the soft notes of “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” started playing. Esteban beginning to sway to the tune, softly singing as he gazed at Lance. Lance, keeping his hands-on Esteban’s shoulder rested his head against his chest as the two danced side to side to the sound. Lance listening to the vibrations in Esteban’s chest from his singing, as the two twirled around the living room, Christmas tree twinkling in the background, snow falling outside, both completely and utterly happy.
Through the years
We all will be together
If the Fates allow
So, hang a shining star
Upon the highest bough
And have yourself
A merry little Christmas now.