Chapter Text
Of course it happens when Fernando is abroad. He’s in Spain this time around, enjoying ice cold brew under warm Madrid sun, when his phone vibrates with an incoming call from Mark. Time freezes for a second then, because Mark never calls about anything, he only texts. His mind first jumps to Lance, but everything regarding Lance he receives from Jenson, so that leaves only one thing open. Fernando knows that their last shipment from Columbia fucked up even before Mark says it and he knows who’s behind it even before Mark hesitantly suggests some names. ‘We are not sure who exactly is it,’ he says, voice rough from screaming and ordering boys at the deck around. ‘I’m on it though.’
‘I know who,’ Fernando says, transfixed at the water drop sliding down the glass. ‘I’m flying out today. Prepare everything.’
Something twists in his gut, something he hasn’t felt in a long time. It’s a desire to hurt, twisted and dark, bubbling on the surface, ready to snap out at Fernando’s permission. It’s always there inside him, hidden deeply in the roots of his heart. Life has been fairly easy lately and he almost forgot about this venomous monstrosity he has inside; but he should’ve known, of course. Should’ve known that good things don’t last. Paradise is a myth, in the end.
=+=
Sergio smiles when ice cubes clink in his whiskey glass – he dreamt of this. Of having enough power to execute something like this. Of having the courage to go against someone so strong. Of doing it with a knowledge that he can. Life taught Sergio many lessons but he firmly learned one – if you’re not going to do it, someone else will. Too many lost chances not taken due to his insecurities, too many great possibilities missed due to his inexperience – Sergio learned how costly lack of confidence can be. It took some time for him to grow into a man he is now, but patience is a virtue and Sergio excels in. He is a God’s favorite, in his personal opinion. Cradled gently in his arms, Sergio suffered but never to the point of breaking. Sergio hurt but never till he couldn’t take it anymore. Sergio lost but not as much as he could. If that doesn’t make him favorite, then what does?
‘Patron.’ Sergio nods, signaling one of his men that he can come closer. ‘Three shipments from Columbia were blocked, one stolen. We let other two reach the port, just like you asked.’
Sergio smiles, taking a sip of his whiskey – he dreamt of this. Of having big enough presence that your men listen to you without any doubt. Of having his own men, loyal and fierce. Of commanding them to go against someone strong for him and watch them do it. Sergio is nothing but patient: he knows that life is a game of waiting and he knows better than anyone that good comes to those who wait. He plans everything down to the smallest details, analyzes perfect timing, gets ready for it in an obsessive manner. Like a hunter, he waits unmoving in the shadows, unseen by his prey. He pounces when he needs to, at the most perfect moment, when no one expects it from him. And Sergio waited a long, very long time for this. Taking mighty Fernando Alonso down is as ambitious as it gets, but Sergio sees no point in stalling. Why enter anything if not with the intention to be the best? If the first place is taken, his only option is to take it back, he was not born for a second or god forbid third place. Sergio will claw his way to the top with blood on his hands and it’s not his fault that life doesn’t have other options of reaching the peak.
‘Perfectamente.’ Sergio says with open pride, watching as his men nod, happy to please him. He loves when everything goes according to the plan he so carefully constructed. There’s one thing missing though: ‘And Lancito?’
‘One minute, patron. He’s almost- he’s here.’
Sergio smiles, placing his glass of whiskey back on the table – he dreamt of this. Of having a pretty, kind boy come over to him with a sincere smile and open heart. Of knowing that someone out there cares about him genuinely, selflessly and with no ill intent. Of opening his soul to a feeling he only ever heard of, a feeling he thought he’d never learn the truest form of in this life. He watches as Lance steps out of the car, watches how he smiles at the sight of him, watches as he thanks his driver and greets two guards who come up to him. Most perfect, polite boy ever.
‘You said you’d call, and you didn’t!’ Lance exclaims, pointing at him in fake offence.
Most perfect, bratty, spoiled boy ever. Sergio is so in love that it hurts, sometimes. ‘Perdon, guapo.’ Sergio meets Lance in the middle of the staircase and stops few steps above, not missing the chance to stand taller than him at least like this. ‘But I got you here, that’s better than calling, right?’
Lance rolls his eyes, but his lips widen in a beautiful smile that Sergio wants to kiss – he can’t, though. And that’s where his dreams don’t come true, because in his dreams this boy is his. In his dreams Lance comes to him out of love, the kind that makes his heartbeat faster, the kind that makes it hard for him to breathe if Sergio is not near. But in reality, Lance comes to him also out of love, but a different one; the kind that makes his eyes sparkle with awe in admiration, almost hero-worship style, the kind that makes his hugs feel familiar instead of intimate. Lance looks at him with a love that is very different from which Sergio has for him, but it’s alright. Just like everything else in this life, love is also a game of patience. And Sergio always wins in it.
‘I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me,’ Lance says, turning serious. He looks at Sergio with gratitude written all over him: ‘I thought my dad was joking when he told me that you agreed to take me under your wing and teach me everything about the business.’
Sergio goes down one step and squeezes Lance’s shoulder in what he hopes is a reassuring way, not the overly affectionate one. ‘Year ago, when we met you told me that you don’t want to learn it from your father, because you want to see the other way. I promised to show it to you, remember?’
Lance’s eyes widen and he stares at Sergio like he’s a wonder. Sergio is sure that he is mirroring this gaze right back at him, because between them two, Lance is the real wonder. ‘I do. I just… I just didn’t think that you remembered it, too.’
Sergio softens and he doesn’t hold his desires back, he lets his hand travel from Lance’s shoulder, up his neck and pause at the side of his face, cradling it. If only Sergio could lean in and kiss him. ‘Of course I remember, Lancito. I remember everything about you.’
Lance looks away, shy. He is not used to this kind of attention, which is criminal. When Sergio met Lance for the first time, he thought this boy was swimming with different contestants for his heart but learning that this wasn’t the truth both elated and saddened him. Elated because the less the competition – the better, but saddened because Lance is unaware of the effect he has on people and therefore has his own insecurities. Sergio thought that occasional glimpse of a hidden brat inside had to do with him knowing all of his charms, but he later on learned that the ‘give it to me, I deserve it’ attitude comes from being spoiled with love and attention from his family, not with him knowing how charming he is and expecting everyone to fall for it. And Sergio still fell for it, hard.
‘Are you going to keep me in your step all day?’ Lance asks cheekily. ‘I am eager to learn, you know.’
Sergio pats his cheek lovingly before he signals him to go, following behind closely. ‘It’s good that you are eager. It means you’ll learn twice as fast.’
Lance quickly gets rid of his shoes and comfortably moves towards the kitchen, knowing his way around Sergio’s house very well from all the times he’s been here. It somehow manages to warm Sergio’s heart more than it really should. ‘So I actually came prepared,’ Lance says, not even looking if Sergio is following him or not, knowing full well than he does. ‘Checked your site, read everything I could find. Wrote down some of my questions.’
Sergio is endeared. He is so hopelessly endeared that all of his feelings are out in the open for everyone to see on his face, but Lance is too busy looking for orange juice in his fridge. ‘I’ll gladly answer all of your questions.’
‘Got them on my Ipad,’ Lance finally turns. ‘Do you know that even in official articles you are called ‘Checo’ mostly?’
Lance grimaces at that and Sergio huffs a laugh. ‘You don’t like it?’
Lance shrugs. ‘I mean, no, I like it but like. Isn’t it weird? I call you Checo in front of everyone cause everyone calls you that, but I prefer Sergio.’ Lance tilts his head and stares at Sergio for a few moments, looking right into his soul. Sergio doesn’t know what he found there, but then Lance blinks, smiling. ‘Sergio suits you much better. It’s the real you.’
Sergio has half a mind of sweeping this boy into his arms and carrying him to his bedroom. Laying him on his Egyptian silk sheets and taking him apart gasp by gasp, moan by moan, making him feel so good that he’d forget it all about another man in his heart. How can Lance say things like that and not expect Sergio to have a soft spot for him? ‘You can call me Sergio in front of everyone too. I don’t mind.’
Lance looks surprised. ‘Really? Dad said that you built this whole image around ‘Checo’ and that no one calls you by your actual name.’
It’s true. It’s also true that Sergio is not about to deprive himself of the opportunity of hearing Lance say his name. ‘Really.’
Lance hums happily at that and turns to get his Ipad from the bag. Sergio watches him, lets his eyes take in every single detail of his appearance and it warms his heart that Lance obviously tried to clean up for him; Lance has been in this house enough times not to care, but it’s incredibly cute how he always tries to look good for Sergio.
‘I actually am more interested in the business development part,’ he says, gesturing for Sergio to come closer. ‘I thought- oh, sorry.’
Lance’s phone buzzes twice with two new messages and by the way his lips stretched into a wide smile, Sergio has no doubt who’s texting him on the other side. Still, he asks: ‘Good news?’
Lance types back the answer, not really looking at Sergio: ‘Yeah, it’s just my boyfriend. He’s saying he will return earlier than planned from his trip.’
Sergio is almost impressed – he’d never guess that Fernando Alonso is the type to think of anyone or anything else, when his latest shipment failed spectacularly. But apparently, he’s a good boyfriend. Or he is trying hard for Lance. Whatever it is, it leaves a bad taste in Sergio’s mouth. He’s amused, of course. He also is extremely annoyed.
‘Sorry for that,’ Lance hides his phone in the pocket, looking up at Sergio. ‘What was I saying? Right, so logistics-‘
‘You never showed me your boyfriend,’ Sergio interrupts, trying to keep his tone light. ‘And your dad doesn’t know him as well. So secretive, Lancito. We all just want to know the man who makes you happy.’
Lance laughs but it’s a bit forced and he awkwardly scratches his chin, thinking of a way to exit this conversation. ‘It’s just a private thing for me, that’s all.’
Sergio clicks his tongue in mock annoyance, shaking his head. ‘Pity. I don’t know how he does it, by the way.’ Sergio stares at the boy intently, wanting him to know that he’s serious about this. ‘I don’t know how he keeps you private. From your side I understand, you’ve always been a more reserved guy, but if I were him, I’d show you off everywhere.’
Hook. Lance bites his lower lip. ‘If you were him? You’re eight years older than me.’
‘And? I take you with me to talk to all investors on all events, half of them think we’re together, Lancito. What does my age matter? I’d proudly show you off, I don’t care what anyone thinks. Most of them will be dying to be on my place, anyways.’
Line. Lance shakes his head. ‘Sergio, c’mon, don’t joke like that. This is ridiculous.’
‘Ridiculous is you staying with someone who can’t let himself be seen with you. Is he ashamed of you, Lance? I think you were raised in too much love to accept something like this.’
Sinker. Lance laughs awkwardly and turns the topic back to his questions.
Sergio takes a deep breath and smiles at Lance – he dreamt of this. Of having Lance willingly come to his house, seeking his company genuinely. Of having Lance in his kitchen, him feeling so comfortable in Sergio’s home like it’s his own. Maybe right now reality is not exactly aligned with his dreams, but patience is the key in things like that. All dreams come true after all and paradise? it"s not a myth. Sergio Perez knows how to make it into reality.