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Chapter Text

"Charles?"

Arthur had been on the phone with Charles for a while. Yesterday, Charles had his four-year anniversary with Pierre and he wanted to know everything about how it went, and whether his surprise for Pierre worked. Which, by the way, succeeded and he has seen pictures. Arthur had never seen the couple so happy together.

But now it was time to ask Charles for his help.

"Yes Art?" He asks and looks at the screen.

"Are you free tomorrow?" Arthur asks and he sees Charles frown, before he nods.

"Yes, why?" He asks.

"Can you help me with my date? Lorenzo would help me first, but he needs to do some work now." He said in quick succession and looks at how big Charles's eyes got and how Pierre appeared next to his brother with his mouth open.

"Date?" The couple said at the same time and Arthur give a nervous chuckle.

"Yes, a date." He confirms.

"With who? Who is she? Do I know her? How long did you know this? Why did Lorenzo know before me?" Charles asks the questions one after the other.

It's not a she, it's a he.

But Charles doesn't know that.

Arthur hadn't told anyone, except Lorenzo, that he's gay. He wants to tell his brother about it face to face, and not with a phone call.

Lorenzo wasn't meant to find out yet. He found Arthur freaking out after the boy Arthur likes asked him out. Arthur couldn't keep his mouth shut and told his oldest brother the true.

"Arthur? Don't leave me without answers!" Says his brother, and Arthur sighs.

"I will tell you tomorrow, I want to say it in your face, not a phone call away, please?"

"Of course, if that's what you want, sure. I will help you tomorrow. What time should I be with you?" asks Charles.

"In the afternoon? We're going out for dinner," Arthur tells the two boys.

"Can I come too?" Pierre asks and Arthur nods. "Please? You can help me if Charles freaks out." Arthur says, and his eyes widened at his own words.

He wasn't supposed to say that.

"Freaking out? Arturro, what do you mean!" Charles was already freaking out now.

"Nothing, sorry, please, I will tell you tomorrow." Beggs Arthur and he hear Charles sigh.

"It will be fine Arthur, no worries. We will see you tomorrow Arturro." Arthur smiles at the words from Pierre.

"Thank you, I'll see you tomorrow." Arthur said and the tension left his body when he sees Charles giving him a smile.

"Goodnight little bro, love you"

"Good night, love you both." And Arthur hung up.

Ever since Charles and Pierre met in karting, they have always been together. Not as boyfriends yet, but as best friends, it was only a matter of time before they realized that they liked each other. Arthur grew up with Pierre by Charles's side, so Pierre was often at their house. Pierre feels like a big brother to him too. He always helped him if his brothers couldn't, he was always there for him, even when he couldn't talk with his brothers or parents.

Back in school, Arthur was being bullied really badly. Pierre helped him. Pierre convinced him to tell his parents and brothers. Pierre had gone to him after a long time when he noticed that Arthur wasn't so happy anymore as before. Arthur was also taken off karting at the time because it cost too much money, and because Charles was already far and really good, they had to postpone his karting career. But back to the bullying story, so Pierre came to him and said he saw something was wrong with him. Pierre asked if he wanted to talk, and that he would keep it a secret from his big brothers and parents if Arthur really wanted to.

After talking, and telling him everything that bothered him. Pierre took him in his arms. The conversation, and Pierre's words, helped Arthur to tell his family so with Pierre by his side.

Pierre had always been in his family, with or without a relationship with Charles.

Arthur lies down on his bed and sighs, he puts his left arm over his eyes. He's been waiting for this moment for so long and he's not quite sure whether to be excited or nervous. He feels both to be honest. He is going to tell Charles the secret he's been carrying with him for several years now, and as a bonus, he gets his first date with the boy he likes.

Mick Schumacher.

Mick and Arthur quickly developed a good friendship when Arthur joined Prema in 2020. The way everything feels safe when he's around Mick, how easily Mick can make him smile and laugh or make all his nervous feelings go away before a race, Mick had tricks for everything.

Now Mick drives for Haas in F1 and Arthur couldn't be more proud of him. Mick had come to Arthur with the news before it was announced. They spent the evening together in Mick's hotel room, watching movies together in bed with snacks to celebrate together. Arthur loves their movie nights.

This was the first time that Arthur fell asleep in Mick's hotel room. He usually goes back to his own hotel room, but that night they both fall asleep. Arthur woke up in Mick's arms, his head resting on his shoulder and Mick had his arms wrapped around Arthur. When Arthur woke up and saw where he was, he felt too much tension build up in his body. How would Mick react when he woke up? That was the first thing that went through his mind. But when he looked up, he saw that Mick was already awake, and the boy was looking at him with a smile while he was busy on his phone. He let Arthur sleep while they lay cuddling!

Since that day, Arthur had been sure of his feelings for Mick, he had always been in doubt, but after that moment, there was no doubt anymore for Arthur. The only question was whether Mick felt the same for him.

Arthur didn't dare to say anything for months, and they started walking around each other. The contact they had became less and less and it broke his heart.

Until the Hungary GP, this was the race before they have summer holidays. They were increasingly in touch again, and Mick broke the ice and asked Arthur out on a date.

They had sat down together in the grass, far away from the paddock. They had lunch together, and were talking about Arthur's sprint race and how Mick's qualifying went. Until Mick took Arthur's hand and looked very nervous in his eyes.

It was so sweet, and Arthur couldn't have been happier. Mick feels the same way!

Arthur is taken out of his thoughts by the sound of his phone and he takes it from his desk. He is smiling when Mick's name appears in his image.

Mick: I will see you tomorrow. I can't wait to see you. ❤️

Arthur smiles at the message.

U: Can't wait, see you tomorrow x ❤️

He's again taken out of his thoughts when he sees that Mick is calling.

"Hi," said Arthur.

"Hi, how are you?" Mick asks and Arthur chuckles.

"Nervous." He admits honestly.

"Hey, it's just you and me, you don't have to be nervous. It's me, old same Mick." Arthur hears the soft tone that Mick has in his voice, he knows that Mick has a smile on his face.

"Yes, I know, thank you."

"Were you already asleep?" asks Mick.

"No, I was going to but I can't," Arthur says, and looks down at his blankets and pulls them closer.

"I just had Charles on the phone, and I'm just thinking about how he's going to react." He explains and hears Mick make a noise.

"I understand Liebling." Arthur feels his cheeks redden at the nickname Mick gave him.

"I will see, I mean he's my brother. Lorenzo already loves the idea of you and me, so Charles wouldn't be worse, right? You and Charles are good friends, no?" asks Arthur.

"We are, and of course he will go all protective mode, but I'm ready to get the talk from your brothers." Mick laughs and Arthur laughs with him.

"Thank you," said Arthur.

"For what?" asks Mick.

" To call and to change my mind off somewhere instead of tomorrow and Charles," said Arthur.

"No problem. Go to sleep, okay? I will see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, good night." said Arthur. "Good night." Mick replied to him and the phone call was put down.

Arthur puts his phone back on his nightstand and rests his head on his pillow.

Tomorrow will be a good day.

♡♡♡

"Tell me everything!" Charles grabs his wrist and pulls him to the couch and Arthur laughs. He hears Pierre close the door behind them and then sits down next to Charles on the couch, with Arthur on Charles's other side.

"I want you to help with my clothes, I don't know what to wear!" Arthur started to bully Charles. He knows this is not what Charles wants to hear.

"Yes, sure, who's your date? Do I know her?" Charles asks, and Arthur nods and swallows. He feels his hands shaking and looks at his hands. He wants to say it, but nothing comes out of his mouth, until he feels Charles grab his hand and he looks up.

"You do know him," Arthur says, and he sees the couple's facial expressions change.

"Him?" Charles asks and Arthur nods.

"I'm gay." He says and Charles gives him a hug.

"Arthur! I'm so proud of you for telling me." Charles says in his ear, and Arthur smiles. He wasn't afraid of this reaction either, he hadn't expected anything other than to be supportive about him being gay.

His eyes make contact with Pierre's, who gives him a big smile and squeezes his hand.

"So who's the lucky guy?" asks Pierre, and Arthur goes out of the arms of Charles.

Arthur looks at Charles, and then the nervousness sets in again.

"It's Mick." And then there was silence.

"Schumacher?" Charles asks after a while, and Arthur nods.

"Non." Charles says and Arthur's eyes widen.

"Excuse me?" said Arthur.

"That's my friend, Arthur. What the hell are you thinking!" He gets up from the couch and Arthur looks at Pierre in panic.

"Charles, calm down." said Pierre.

"Non! Arthur, comment peux-tu être si stupide!" Charles runs a hand through his hair and walks back and forth.

"How can you be so studpid." Charles repeats himself but then in english.

Tears fill Arthur's eyes and he leans back on the couch, in the corner, making himself as small as possible as he watches an angry Charles. He wants nothing more than to disappear now.

"Calmar," Pierre says and grabbed Charles's arms. "Calm down." He repeats himself and Charles tries to get himself out of Pierre's arms.

"No, Pierre, I will not calm down. Arthur, you're not dating a friend of mine!" His voice is so loud and Arthur starts to tremble more and more and feels the panic rising in his body.

"Why not? It doesn't matter." Arthur's voice is soft, but it was the wrong thing to say.

" Doesn't it matter? You crazy? Mick is a friend of mine, one of my best friends. You don't date someone else their brother!"

"That's bullshit Charles," Pierre says and gets an angry stare from Charles.

"You're suppose to take my side," Charles says and Pierre shakes his head. "Not if you're talking nonsense." says Pierre.

They're fighting because of him. Arthur feels the first tear rolling down his cheek.

"Stop." His voice trembles and is soft, the couple can't hear him.

"No, I won't allow it that Mick is dating Arthur, it's gross." says Charles.

"Charles." Beg Arthur.

"Shut it! Arthur, you are calling Mick right now and say that you have changed your mind and you don't want to date him." says Charles.

"You're being so unfair right now." Pierre said and his heart breaks when he looks up at Arthur.

"Look at your brother Charles, Arthur likes Mick, look how happy he was and look at him now. You are being fucking unfair." Pierre lets go of Charles and walks towards the younger Leclerc.

He sits down next to Arthur and puts his arms around the boy, he presses Arthur against him and the first sob leaves Arthur.

"Charles, please listen." sobs Arthur.

"No, you listen to me. This won't happen, I won't allow it! You call Mick and break this off, you fucking hear me?" Charles screams.

Arthur flinch. He doesn't know the man who's standing in front of him, neither does Pierre.

"Charles."

The door closes with a loud bang, and Charles is out of the house.

Arthur gets out of Pierre's arms and gets up from the couch. He wants to walk towards the door, but then stops himself and turns back to Pierre.

His breathing is heavy, as if someone is squeezing his throat and he can't take any more air. His body is trembling and it feels like his legs could drop out from under him at any moment.

"Arthur, hey, Arthur, you need to breath." Pierre stands in front of him and presses his chin up with his finger. "Listen to me, please Arturro, breathe."

Pierre begins to panic as he sees the younger Leclerc collapse under his sight. He kneels down by Arthur, who has his head tucked between his legs, and his hands press his head down. With all the strength Pierre has, he tries to free Arthur's arms and when he succeeds, he presses Arthur's head up, so that his airways are clear.

"Breath with me Arthur, In and Out." Pierre starts doing breathing exercises and after a while Arthur starts following him. "Good boy, in and out, good job Arthur." Pierre holds Arthur's hand to his chest and his other hand takes Arthur's. "I'm here, your not alone. I'm here."

"Lorenzo." Arthur sobs and Pierre looks at his phone on the couch.

"Keep your breathing like that, in and out, I will grab my phone and call Lorenzo, okay?" He squats down, and as soon as he sees that Arthur can hold himself up, he stands up completely and walks to the couch and grabs his own phone, and walks back to the boy on the floor.

He sits down next to Arthur. The younger boy soon leans against Pierre and rests his head against Pierre's shoulder. Pierre starts breathing in and out again and squeezes his eyes shut for a moment with relief when he hears that Arthur is following him again. Arthur is alert.

"Hello?" Lorenzo's voice comes through the phone and soon a sob leaves Arthur's lips as he hears the voice of his brother. Pierre put an arm around him.

"Enzo?" asks Pierre.

"Yes, I'm here, is that Arthur? What's happening?" asks the eldest Leclerc brother when he heard the sob on the other side of the line.

"I will tell you, but first I need to know where you are." says Pierre.

"At home, I will leave soon with the boys." says Lorenzo.

"Okay, Arthur needs you." said Pierre.

"Pierre, you're acting weird, tell me what's going on, what's wrong with Arthur?" Pierre heard the panic in Lorenzo's voice.

"Arthur told us about Mick. Charles didn't react well and is super mad. Arthur almost passed out from his panic attack, please help me." A tear ran down Pierre's cheek, the pressure became too much.

He has Arthur here in his arms, while Charles is walking out somewhere, and Pierre has no idea what his boyfriend is up to.

"Charles stormed out after yelling at Arthur. I don't know where he's going or-" a sob leaves his lips as he hears Arthur's soft sobs in his ear. "I don't know what to do."

"Okay, Pierre breath, you need to breath, we can't have you both going into a panic attack. Do you want me to go after Charles, or do you want me to come to you and Arthur?" Lorenzo asks and Pierre hears a lot of movement at the other end of the line, probably Lorenzo packing his things to go to them.

"Help Arthur, he needs you. I will go and find Charles. Arthur really needs you right now, Enzo." says Pierre.

"I'm in the car, see you in 10, okay. Keep breathing Pierre, I will come to you both." Says Lorenzo and then hangs up.

"Lorenzo is coming, Art." He puts his hand on Arthur's cheek and wipes away his tears.

"Shall we move to the couch?" Asks Pierre and Arthur strengthens his grip on Pierre. "Don't leave me." he sobs.

"I won't mon chéri, but the floor is not comfortable," Pierre explains, and then carefully gets up, with Arthur in his hold. Pierre walks to the couch and drops himself softly on the couch and takes Arthur with him.

He sits up and feels Arthur pressing his head between his shoulder and neck. The younger Leclerc is now between his legs, but he doesn't care. Charles is always cuddly when he's sad, and so is Arthur.

Arthur's body is close to his and Pierre runs his hand over Arthur's back and his other hand is in his hair. Arthur's breath is still stuttering, but it's calm.

"Lorenzo is coming." Says Pierre again, and felt Arthur nod.

"Okay." Arthur said softly.

♡♡♡

The door opens and soon the eldest Leclerc appears in the room. When his eyes fall on the two boys on the couch, he sighs softly.

"Oh little brother." He sighs softly. He sits down on the couch next to Pierre and with his thumb he wipes away the tears that are still on Arthur's cheeks.

"He fell asleep, I didn't know if I had to wake him or let him sleep after a panic attack like that." Pierre said and Lorenzo put a hand on Pierre's shoulder.

"Let him sleep, he needs it. Thank you for staying with him," Lorenzo says and Pierre gives him a sad smile.

"I don't understand why Charles is so mad. Mick is such a lovely boy, I know that for sure. He's really sweet." Says Pierre and Lorenzo smiled.

"I know, and I know how happy he makes Arthur."

"Can you take him over? I want to look for Charles." Asks Pierre and Lorenzo nods.

"I didn't expect this from Charles." Lorenzo said and gently pushes Arthur off Pierre, who quickly climbs off the couch so that Lorenzo can take his place, carefully placing Arthur back on his chest.

"Me neither. Enzo he was so mad. I've never seen Charles that way, yes after a bad race, but not like at Arthur or anyone aside from racing." Pierre explains.

"What exactly happened?" Lorenzo asks.

"So it started with Arthur saying he was gay, Charles was really sweet. But when Arthur said that his date was Mick, he got really angry. Charles said that Arthur couldn't date Mick, that friends couldn't go after someone's brother. He told Arthur that it was gross that he want to date Mick." Summarize Pierre, and Lorenzo's mouth falls open.

"How can he- if I see him I swear-" Lorenzo sighs and leans his head against his little brother's head.

"After Charles left, Arthur immediately went into panic mode and wanted to chase him, but then he stopped. The color had gone away from his face and I thought he was going to collapse. He fell to the ground and just gasped, it was so scary."

"I'm so sorry for not being there." Says Lorenzo and Pierre shook his head. "You couldn't have changed it." He said.

"Again, thank you for staying with Arthur. I know it's hard because Charles is your boyfriend but-" Pierre interrupted Lorenzo. "I'm so angry at him. And I would never leave Arthur like that, he needs me more then Charles did, that prick." Pierre says and then his eyes widened.

"Sorry, I know it's your brother." Pierre apologizes.

"No, you can call him that, he's an idiot for reacting like that." Lorenzo says, pressing a kiss against Arthur's hair as the boy leaves a hiccup in his sleep.

"Do you have the number of Mick?" Lorenzo asks and Pierre nods.

"Will you send it to me? I won't let Arthur go on a date when he's in this state. Maybe Mick wouldn't mind coming over here and watching movies or something with Arthur." Lorenzo explains.

"I think that's a good idea." says Pierre.

"Oh also, sorry Pierre, but don't let Charles come back, unless he's sorry and changes his mind. If he's mad, I don't want him to come. Arthur can't handle that right now. Usually when they argue, I want them to do it right away, but I don't think it's a smart thing, for now." says Lorenzo.

"I won't. Charles needs to cool down first. I'll keep you posted." Pierre says, and Lorenzo nods.

"Please, I want to know if he's okay. I may be angry at him, but he's still my little brother."

♡♡♡

"Mick, hi, you speak with Lorenzo, brother of Arthur." Lorenzo introduces himself as Mick picks up with a questioning "Hello?"

"Hello, is everything okay?" Mick asks and Lorenzo smiles at the concern in the other boy's voice.

"No, not really." Started Lorenzo. "Uhm, I don't think that Arthur is in the right place to go on a date tonight. Did you know that he was going to tell Charles about you two?" He asks.

"Yes, I knew that. He was panicking last night about that. Please tell me if it went okay?" Mick askes.

"No, sorry but it didn't. I don't know the whole story, but Arthur had a major panic attack, he's asleep right now. Maybe you can come by and be with him here at his home. I'm so sorry but -" Lorenzo was interrupted.

"Oh no, is he alright? I do want to see him, if that's okay," Mick says, and Lorenzo smiles.

"I think Arthur really likes having you here. I'm sorry for your date, I don't know if you had something planned?" asks Lorenzo.

"Yes, but that doesn't matter. We can go on a date another time. I think it's more important that Arthur is okay." A smile appears on Lorenzo's face and he becomes warm inside. Mick really cares about his little brother and it gives him so much peace to know that Arthur has found someone who really cares about him.

"Do you have his address?" Lorenzo asks.

"Yes, I will be there in a few minutes. Thank you and see you later," Mick says, and the conversation is stopped.

Lorenzo puts his phone down and looks at the sleeping boy's face. "You found a good one, little bro." he says, stroking his hair.

♡♡♡

"Charles!" He screams at the boy who's in their garden, lying down on the ground.

Charles sits up and lies back down again with a sigh when he sees Pierre walking towards him.

"Sit down." Pierre says, and sits down opposite Charles's body.

"No." Charles says, and Pierre sighs and grabs his arm and pulls him up.

"I want you to look at me and explain to me what the fuck that was." Pierre says angrily, and looks at Charles's tearful face. At this moment, he doesn't feel sorry for his boyfriend, not after what he did to his own little brother.

"What do you want me to say?" Asks Charles.

"Why are you so mad, you can't leave the house like that Charles, your brother had a panic attack, are you out of your fucking mind!" Pierre screams at Charles.

"Is he okay?" Charles asks, and Pierre sees the tears burning in his eyes.

"No thanks to you." Pierre says, and Charles sighs and looks at his hands.

"It's wrong for Mick and Arthur to date." Says Charles.

"Why, explain to me Charles, so I can understand you, please." Pierre's tone is calmer, he wants to know what is going on in his boyfriend's head.

"Mick is my best friend, Pierre. You don't date your best friend's little brother. It's wrong." says Charles.

"But why is it wrong?" asks Pierre.

"It's my brother, that's enough reason. You don't fuck your best friend's brother. He was flirting with my little brother behind my back?" Charles acted as if he had been betrayed by Mick.

"You know how sweet Mick is, you know how close he and Arthur are. You never found a problem in their friendship." says Pierre.

"It doesn't matter if Mick is sweet for Arthur, I don't want it, I won't support their relationship. They being friends is okay, I know how much Mick helped Arthur in Prema, and I'm thankful for that, but I should have known that he was trying to fuck Arthur, and not to help him as a friend."

"Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? You didn't know that Arthur likes boys. And it shouldn't matter. Yes, if Arthur likes a guy who's terrible as boyfriend material, we should warn him. But Mick is not a bad guy, Arthur is an adult babe, he can decide for himself who he wants to date. That's not your job to do. Your brother is getting in a relationship for the first time! You saw how nervous he was about this date, you ruined it for him.", Pierre says, and Charles doesn't look him in the eye, he looks everywhere except at Pierre.

"I don't care if Mick's a nice guy, I don't think he is, otherwise he knew that he shouldn't have gone to my brother." Snaps Charles.

"You're a terrible brother Charles." Pierre says, and he sees the pain in Charles' eyes as the words leave his mouth.

"Hope you're happy, Arthur had a big panic attack, almost passed out because of not getting enough air. Lorenzo is with him right now and his date is canceled. You did it, you ruined your brother's night. I hope you're happy" Says Pierre, and then gets up and walks back in, leaving a defeated Charles outside.

♡♡♡

"Hi" Mick said as Lorenzo opens the door.

"Hi, come in." Says Lorenzo and closes the door behind Mick. They already know each other, Mick is often with Charles during the races, and he has seen the boy during Prema with Arthur.

"How is he?" Mick asks and takes off his shoes and puts them down with all the other shoes.

"He's still asleep. He's very restless in his sleep." Lorenzo says, and Mick looks at him.

"Do you mind if I'm here? If Charles-" Mick runs a hand through his hair and Lorenzo cuts him off.

"Honestly Mick, I have no idea what exactly happened. I don't know what Charles thinks. But what I do know is that I've seen how happy you make Arthur. I know how much he was looking forward to tonight. That's why I thought maybe you could come by. Going on a date tonight might be too much for him. I have no idea what he's like when he wakes up, but if you're here, you'll still be together tonight and I know then that Arthur isn't alone tonight." Lorenzo explains.

"Alone?" Asks Mick.

"I have to leave for work soon. Pierre is after Charles. I wanted to call our mother, but if you don't mind staying the night, I'd be very happy if you stay here with Arthur. And I think that Arthur would be very happy too," Lorenzo says, and Mick nods.

"No, of course I want to stay the night if that's okay." Replies Mick and Lorenzo nods. "I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't like the idea." Laughs Lorenzo.

"I will grab us some dinner. What do you like?" Lorenzo asks.

"Pasta is always good." Mick and Lorenzo nods.

Mick walks into the living room, and his eyes fall on the younger boy on the sofa. "Oh Arthur." He sighs and sits down next to Arthur's head.

His hand runs through Arthur's hair, Arthur's face is restless. Occasionally his face contracts before relaxing again.

Mick wants nothing more than to take Arthur in his arms now, but he's afraid of Lorenzo's reaction. Yes, Lorenzo supports them, but would he like it if Mick immediately took his brother in his arms and lay down with him on the couch?

"I got you some water, I didn't know what you like to drink." Lorenzo explains as he walks into the living room, and puts two glasses of water on the table.

"Water is all good, thank you," Mick says, and Lorenzo gives him a smile.

"So, maybe you can tell me something about yourself. I know you as their friend, but tell me something about you." Lorenzo asks, and quite easily the two boys began their conversation.

♡♡♡

Arthur lets out a soft groan and Mick looks down. Arthur had moved closer to him, his face against Mick's hips, who had put his arm around the boy.

"Arthur?" Lorenzo gets up and squats down in front of his brother.

Slowly, Arthur opens his eyes, and looks around until his eyes fall on Lorenzo. "Enzo?" His voice is raspy and painful. Arthur is startled when he feels a hand on his back and then looks up, where he meets Mick's eyes.

Suddenly, Arthur shoots up and looks confused at Lorenzo. "What?" Arthur was so confused.

"Calm down, how are you feeling?" Lorenzo puts his hand on Arthur's arm and helps him sit up. "Alright I think, just tired." Arthur says and looks at Mick.

"Our date!" Startles Arthur when he thinks about it and looks at the clock. "Hey, Arthur No." Mick stops the boy from getting up.

"We can do it another time, no worries." Mick says, and Arthur nods and looks at Lorenzo again.

"Is Charles okay? He ran out, Enzo, he was so mad." Arthur says softly, and Lorenzo sits down next to him.

"Pierre is with Charles, they're at home. He told me that he's still mad but safe at home." Lorenzo explains, and Arthur nods.

"When did I fall asleep?" He asks.

"You fell asleep on Pierre's lap. He had moved you two to the couch and soon you were asleep. When I arrived, Pierre explained everything, and then he went to look for Charles." Lorenzo explains.

Arthur looks at Mick, who gives him a soothing smile and takes his hand. "It will be okay, just give him some time." Mick says, but Arthur looks back at his own lap.

"Arthur, look at me please." Lorenzo says and gives a gentle squeeze of Arthur's hand that he is holding.

"I will talk with Charles, he has no reason to react like that. Otherwise he has to explain very well why he thinks he has the right to be so angry." Lorenzo sees Arthur nodding, but it seems like he isn't quite listening to Lorenzo's words.

"I called Mick to ask if he want to stay with you. I need to go to the airport soon. Will you be okay?" Lorenzo asks, and Arthur looks him straight in the eye.

"Right, you need to leave." The boy says softly.

"Hey, no worries, I'll be back in a few days and we will have a movie night together, okay? I hate to leave you like this, but I have no choice," Lorenzo says, and pulls Arthur into a hug.

"Enjoy your time with Mick, okay? No worries about Charles, he won't come tonight. Take your rest and call me if there's something wrong." He press a kiss on Arthur's hair and let go of the hug.

"Thank you." Arthur says softly, and Lorenzo nods.

"I love you. And take rest, I know how hard panic attacks can affect you, so no funny business." He says to Arthur, and the last part also to Mick and the two boys give him a chuckle and shake their heads.

"Love you too, Enzo." Arthur says, and Lorenzo gives him a big smile and one last hug.

"Will you be okay?" Lorenzo asks.

"Yes, I promise." said Arthur, tightening his grip around his big brother.

"Tell me when you've landed safely, okay?" asks Arthur. "Will do." Lorenzo says, and then stands up.

"Mick, again, thank you for taking care of my brother." Says Lorenzo, and Mick gives him a smile.

"Don't worry, thank you for your trust."

Lorenzo smiles and looks at Arthur, who is looking at Mick. Lorenzo sees the way Arthur is looking at Mick, and he feels himself getting warm inside.

His little brother will Okay.

Chapter Text

"Charles!" Mick yells when he sees Charles walking farther up in the paddock. The summer break is over, and this weekend they have the Belgian Grand Prix. Today they have media day and from tomorrow they start with free practice sessions.

Mick sees that Charles looks up at his name, but when his eyes fall on Mick, he sighs and looks forward again. That's how he wants to play it, Mick thinks.

With a sprint, he runs to Charles and grabs his arm.

"I want to talk to you." says Mick. Charles looks at him angrily and tries to pull his arm out of Mick's grip.

"And I don't want to talk to you, so let me go!" Snaps Charles.

"This is about your brother, we need to talk about this!" Mick says and Charles stand still.

"You need to stay the fuck away from my little brother. I don't want to see you near him, do you hear me Schumacher?" Says Charles and it hurts Mick that Charles is calling him by his sur name.

"Listen to us, just hear our story and then decide!" Replies Mick and Charles let out a laugh.

"Your story? You guys haven't even been on a date, you don't have a story." And Charles walks away after that.

Mick stops and watches Charles walk away. He wants to be patient with Charles, for Arthur, but he makes it very difficult for him.

"You won't even listen to me." Schreams Mick to Charles, who ignores him. Mick sees the people looking around him, but he tries to ignore it.

With a sigh he turns and walks towards the Haas garage. How can a person be so subborn?

Mick knows that Arthur hasn't heard anything since Charles walked out the door. Mick stayed with him for days after the incident and they spent a week together during the break. Mick loved every second of them being together. They cooked together, trained, did some sim racing, went on several dates and ate a lot of goodies. Arthur had a hard time that week. Every time he checked his phone to see if Charles had sent a message or called, but for a week there was radio silence.

Eventually, Arthur's sadness turned into anger. He told Mick that if Charles wanted it this way, that was fine. If Charles chooses to leave and doesn't give him a chance to explain everything, it's done for him. Arthur is mad at Charles and has also said he's not going to give up on Mick because Charles doesn't have it his way.

Mick sits down on a chair and puts his head in his hands as he sighs. He wants nothing more than to explain everything to Charles to show him that he has no wrong intentions towards Arthur. He understands very well that Charles has to get used to the idea that Mick is now Arthur's boyfriend, but the reaction Charles gives now is ridiculous.

Mick feels a hand on his shoulder and looks up. His eyes meet Sebastian's and he gives him a faint smile. "Hi Seb."

"Hi, how are you." Seb sits down next to him and Mick shrugs. Sebastian knew everything from the start. Seb is the one who helped him figure out what his feelings are, and finally, how to ask Arthur out. He knows how Charles has reacted. He was calling Mick that evening to ask how the date had gone. And Mick was so happy that he could lift everything out of his heart.

"He won't listen to me. I tried to talk to him but he's just mad. I want to keep trying for Arthur, but I'm getting really tired of his attitude," Says Mick and Seb nods.

"Charles isn't the most simple person to talk to when he's angry." Replies Seb with a chuckle. Seb knows best how difficult Charles can be, since they've been teammates in Ferrari.

"I don't understand why he's so mad. He knew that I'm good friends with Arthur, and that didn't matter. But when I fall in love with his brother, it's a big problem." says Mick frustrated

"Falling in love?" Asks Seb, and Mick's cheeks turn red.

"I.. uh- I.." Sebastian is laughing at the reaction of Mick and takes both of his hands in his own.

"I'm happy for you Mick, you deserve someone wonderful in your life. I know Arthur a little bit, and I see how much happier you have been since you asked him out." Mick smiles at Seb's words and pulls him into a hug.

"Couldn't have done it without you." He whispers in Seb's ears and he feels the grip Seb has on him strengthen.

"You know that I'm always here for you. Even if it's midnight or I'm miles away, I will always be there for you." Seb takes Mick's face in his hands and smiles before letting go of the younger boy.

"Where's your boy?" Seb asks as he looks around at the paddock.

"No idea. I thought he had to do something like an interview and a debrief with his team in the morning."

"I see. And are you? busy schedule today?" Mick shakes his head.

"It's alright." Mick says and Seb nods and looks at his watch.

"I need to go, I will see you at the press conference," Seb says and quickly gives Mick a hug. "See you." Mick replies as Seb walks away.

♡♡♡

"Hello." Mick startled and turns around, a smile is on his lips when he sees Arthur. He is wearing a large hoodie with shorts.

"Cold?" Mick asks and walks towards him.

"A Little bit," Arthur says with a chuckle, and goes into Mick's open arms. He puts his head on Mick's shoulder and presses his nose into his neck. Mick's aftershave makes him feel safe.

"You good?" Mick asks and hears Arthur sigh softly.

"It's hard to see Charles walking past me without even looking at me. It's like I don't exist anymore for him." Mick hears the pain in Arthur's voice.

"I'm sorry," Mick says softly, and Arthur lifts his head from his shoulder and looks him straight in the eye.

"Non, Mick, listen to me! It's not your fault. If he wants to be like this, it's his fault and not yours. I like you, and I don't want to lose you because he doesn't like the idea of us two together." Arthur puts his hands on Mick's neck. Mick's arms wrap around Arthur's waist and pull him against him.

"I like you Mick, please don't forget that, this fight with Charles, isn't your fault. I loved the last few days of us together. Yes, I was sad because of Charles. But I also haven't feel so happy in a long time ." Arthur gave him his beautiful smile that Mick fell in love with.

Mick presses his forehead against Arthur's, pressing him even closer to his own body. "I like you too, boyfriend." Mick laughs and Arthur's cheeks turn red.

In the week they spent together, they made it official. After their second date, they walked a stretch of beach and Mick asked Arthur if he wanted to be his boyfriend. The moment was beautiful, with the sunset and the sound of the sea. They sat down around the sand and watched the sun go down, with Arthur in Mick's arms.

"I love that sound." says Arthur

"Which?" Mick asks confused.

"Boyfriend, I'm your boyfriend, and your mine. Your official mine." Arthur replies and his nose strokes Mick's cheek.

"Me too." Mick's voice was trembling as Arthur's words hit him.

His eyes meet Arthur's and a smile appears on his face. His lips caress Arthur's. Mick can only focus on how Arthur's fingers move down his neck, through to his shoulders and down to where his arms are still wrapped around Arthur's waist.

Nothing happens, the two boys don't talk anymore but are just touching each other and they are breathing the same air.

♡♡♡

It's Friday, which means free practice.

The first free practice of the two will start in an hour. F3 has just finished driving and Mick walks to Prema's garage. His boyfriend was the fastest in free practice f3, and Mick has to say, his boyfriend did a really good job.

In the distance, Mick saw that Arthur was still talking to his engineer.

"Mick, how are you?" Mick looks up at René's voice and smiles.

"I'm good, and you? Good car you have again this year!" Compliments Mick and René nod.

"I know we did a good job. It's a good season. Drivers are okay, and the car is great, so it works." says Rene.

"You here for Arthur?" Mick looks up at René's question.

"Yes?" Mick answers in a questioning way and René laughs.

"I know, I knew since 2020 that something would happen between you two." René puts a hand on his shoulder and Mick looks at it with a frown on his face.

"Knew what?" Asks Mick.

"I'm not stupid, I know Arthur and I see how love sick he is for you. Always looking at his phone with his terrible heart eyes. And instead of going to the Ferrari garage, he goes to Haas. It's not hard to tie everything together." Rene explains. "And Arthur left his phone open and saw a message from you. Your name has an heart after your name. So I knew for sure then." Rene laughs.

"Wait, you had a feeling since 2020?" Mick couldn't even concentrate on what René was saying after that one sentence.

Rene smiles again. "It was sweet how you took care of Arthur when he joined Prema. You had never done that, you were always sweet, but it was different with Arthur. First I thought it was because Arthur is Charles' brother, but you two were always very different together than friends normally would do or act around each other." Rene explains.

"I didn't know since the beginning of this year." says Mick dumbfounded.

"That's because you have to examine your feelings for what it is, and open yourself up to it. That's different than how I see you communicate together. You and Arthur were always different together than with your other friends," René says and Mick looks at Arthur in the distance. Their eyes meet and Arthur gives him a smile.

"Arthur has always been different for me, that's right." Mick mutterd.

Mick sees Arthur laughing and then saying goodbye to his engineer. He walks towards us and René puts a hand on Mick's shoulder. "I will leave you two," he says with a wink.

"Good job today, Arthur." René says as the younger boy stood in front of them. René slaps his shoulder twice and then walks away. "Thank you." Arthur says after him.

"Hey you." Arthur says as he turns to Mick, and the older boy laughs.

"Hello, you did a good job out there." Says Mick and puts his arms around Arthur's neck. They're in the garage, and the press doesn't come here, so they can do this.

"You think so?" Asks Arthur, and Mick nods and presses Arthur closer to his body.

"I think you were amazing out there, and I can't wait to see what you can do in qualifying." Praise Mick his boyfriend.

"I hope so. What are you doing here, don't you have to get ready?" Asks Arthur and his fingers caress Mick's arms.

"In a few minutes. I had some time to see you, so I took it." Grins Mick and press a kiss against Arthur's nose.

"Come with me." Says Arthur and takes Mick's hand in his and pulls them out of the garage. Into the motorhome of the Prema drivers.

"Nobody's here." Says Arthur with a grin and Mick grabs his hips and pulls the boy against him. Their lips meet and Arthur wraps his arms around Mick's neck and holds his head close to his own.

Mick's lips moves towards Arthur's neck. Mick smiles at the little moans that Arthur is making. He hears how much the boy tries to stop them, but it isn't working.

"Mick." Say Arthur softly.

"I won't go too far, no worries." Says Mick as confirmation for Arthur and looks him in the eyes. Arthur has a smile on his face and then nods. "Okay." Says Arthur softly, and then strokes his nose against Mick's cheek.

Mick knows that Arthur hasn't done anything with other guys yet. They discussed this together. Mick had shared the bed with boys before. He remembers how nervous he was for his first time. His partner from then, gave him all the time he needed. And Mick wants to give the same to Arthur, because he knows how nice and safe that felt.

Mick presses his lips back on Arthur's neck and presses soft kisses against it. He knows he can't leave hickeys, not so smart for a race week to do that.

"Hands off my brother." Mick feels Arthur pushing him off and Mick turns and comes face to face with Charles.

"Fucking unbelievable how I want to speak to you, and see you almost having sex with Mick. Great." Snap Charles.

"We're not having-" Says Mick, but Charles interrupts him. "Shut up."

"Charles calm down, please." Says Arthur, and steps forward.

"You want to talk?" Asks Arthur and Charles let out a laugh.

"I was going to ask if you had already made up your mind. But no, otherwise you wouldn't be here with him." You can hear the disappointment in Charles's voice.

"No, I already told you that." Snaps Arthur and Mick looks at him.

"I don't know what you said to my brother, but it worked to get him away from me, congratz Mick." Says Charles and Mick's heart broke.

"I will never take Arthur out of your life, Charles. That I have a relationship with Arthur is not with reasons behind it, except the feelings I have for him!" Mick took a big breath. "I don't want to take him away from you, I hate that you guys are fighting because of this. I see how Arthur is missing you and hurting because of this. But Charles, that's not my fault."

Arthur puts a hand on Mick's back and steps forward. "You're ruining this Charlie, not me, and not Mick. You are pushing me away, you make me choose between you and the boy I like. Give Mick a change!" Say Arthur.

"No, Arthur, and don't blame this on me. You choose Mick above your family, pressing us away so you can be with Mick. You're ruining our family here Arthur!" Screams Charles. When he finished talking, you could see the terror on his face through his own words.

Tears burn in Arthur's eyes. He has his hands in a fist and takes a step back.

You're ruining our family.

The words hit hard for Arthur. He felt something heavy land on his stomach and his chest began to ache.

"Get out." Say Arthur weakly. He's voice is soft and Mick couldn't almost hear him.

"Arthur!" Says Charles.

"No, get out. You know how much I love you and our family! How dare you to say that I'm ruining-.... fuck Charles." A tear fall down Arthur's cheek.

"Maybe you should think about it again. Think about it if Mick makes you so happy that it's okay that your losing your family." Says Charles and then leaves. The door closes behind him with a loud bang.

Mick looks wide-eyed at the door and then at Arthur. Another tear falls down his cheek and Arthur aggressively wipes it away. "Fucking asshole." Sobs Arthur.

Mick walks over to him and pulls him into his arms. Arthur burrows his face in Mick's neck, wraps his arms around Mick's torso and hugs him tightly. Mick returns the hug by putting his arms around Arthur's shoulder's and pulling the younger boy closer. Arthur releases a shuddery breath and Mick places a hand on his neck to calm him down.

"You're not ruining your family, Arthur, he has no right to say that." Mick whispers and presses his face into Arthur's hair when he feels tears running down his neck.

Arthur doesn't say anything, his grip on Mick doesn't get any looser, maybe even stronger. Afraid that Mick will leave soon too. "I'm so sorry Art."

"Not your fault." Arthur whispers to Mick's neck.

♡♡♡

Furious, Arthur walks through the paddock, on his way to the Ferrari garage. He's so done with his brother and all the bullshit that is happening.

How dare Charles to speak to him like that! Lorenzo and his mother like Mick, told him that they are proud of him. Charles is the only one who's not okay with it, and in that way, ruining their family. It's not Arthur's fault.

Arthur's hands are in fists and he has the hood of his hoodie pulled over his head so that no one can stop him as he storms through the paddock.

Free practice has ended, already an hour long. During that time, Arthur has tried to calm himself, but his sadness turns to anger and he can't stand it anymore. He wants Charles to know how he feels, how much pain his brother is causing him.

All he wants is to talk with his brother, having Charles to listen to him and scream everything out.

Arthur walks on to Charles's motorhome and opens the door without knocking. When he steps in, he sees Charles sitting on the couch, his phone in his hands. He had taken off his racing clothes and changed to jeans and a Ferrari shirt.

Arthur closes the door behind him with a bang and Charles is startled by the loud noise. His eyes meeting Arthur's, who takes off his hood and runs a hand through his hair.

"I'm so fucking done with you." Snaps Arthur and Charles stands.

"What do you want?" Asks Charles.

"I want you to do fucking normal. I want my brother back!" Screams Arthur and claps the hand away from Charles, who puts it on Arthur's shoulder.

"Don't fucking touch me." Growls Arthur, and Charles take a step back and held up his hands.

"I fucking hate you for reacting like this. I always thought that you would be my biggest supporter and that you would help me, everything is so new for me and I needed you Charles." Arthur took a big breath and bit his lip. "To help me through this. I'm so scared of all these changes. And now I'm scared to ask Maman or Lorenzo things, because I don't want them to be disappointing in me like you are." Arthur's breathing is heavy.

Charles wants to talk, but Arthur interrupts him. "No, let me talk."

"You have no idea how much you hurt me over the last few weeks. I don't understand why you think it's wrong for me and Mick to date. I don't understand why you are so mad at me for following what my heart says, like you always said I should do!"

"If your only here to scream at me, just go Arthur. I don't have time for this shit." Says Charles.

"You don't have time for me? Good to know. Glad to be so important to you that you don't have the time to even listen to me." Says Arthur and shake his head.

"I hate this, I don't want to be angry with you, and I don't want you to be mad at me. Charles your my brother, and it hurts that you won't support me through this."

"I don't want to help you when you make stupid mistakes that you're eventually going to regret." Charles snaps.

"I won't regret having a relationship with Mick." Says Arthur, and Charles laughs. "You will, believe me."

"Fuck you." Says Arthur, and Charles looks at him with hate in his eyes.

"Take that back." Snaps Charles and Arthur takes a step back.

"I can't even talk with you anymore without having a fight. Your my brother Charles, and I hate that we're fighting. I want you to accept my relationship. To give us a change. To give me a change."

"I won't accept it. It's wrong for Mick to date my little brother and for you to date my best friend, or my old best friend." Laughs Charles with pure hate in his voice.

"Why? Why is it wrong? I can't see why it's wrong. You can't be happy for me, because you think it will go away? Everything always has to go your way, otherwise it's wrong." Screams Arthur.

"You don't get to say that because it's not true!" Screams Charles back.

"No? You don't like it that I am in a relation with Mick, you don't like it that I'm not listening to you when you say to break up with Mick. You say that I'm tearing up our family but your doing that, Charles!"

"Stop it! You're the one dating the wrong guy. Because of you, we can't even be together without arguing. If you hadn't chosen Mick as your fuck buddy, none of this would have happened!" Screams Charles.

The door opens with a bang and the Leclerc brothers both watch an angry Pierre storm in.

"Everyone can hear you two screaming outside. Are you out of your fucking mind!" Screams Pierre and closes the door behind them.

"Sit down and we're going to talk without your screaming." Pierre presses Charles on the couch and grabs Arthur's arm and puts him on the other side.

"What's going on?" asks Pierre.

"Charles is being unfair." Say Arthur.

"Am I? You came in hear and started screaming at me as a little kid." Says Charles.

"Because I'm mad at you. You told me I'm ruining our family. How did you think I would react?"

"You told him that he's ruining your family? Charles!" Pierre says with disbelief.

"He is, Pierre. Look at us, we can't even be in the same room without having a fight." Replies Charles.

"Because your not listening to me."

"I have no reason to listen to you. Everything that ever comes out of your mouth makes no sense, Arthur."

Ouch, that hurts.

"All I ever wanted was for you to be happy for me. For you to help me get through this relationship I have with Mick because I'm terrified. I've never had a relation in my life before. And I'm so scared of falling in love. I need you to tell me that everything will be okay! I needed you from the start and you weren't there. I'm falling in love with Mick and I'm so scared to fuck this up, or that Mick will find someone else he will love more than me. I'm getting insecure and your not helping me." Screams Arthur again and stands up from the couch. "I need you and you just pushing me away." Sobs Arthur and turns his back on the two boys, he doesn't want them to see him cry.

"Falling in love? Really, Arthur? And I thought it couldn't get more stupid." Says Charles, and Arthur's heart breaks.

"You know what? I'm done with you Charles. Fuck you, I don't want to see you anymore." Sobs Arthur, and gets out of Charles his motorhome.

He runs out of the paddock towards his car and steps in. He drops his head on the steering wheel and lets the tears fall. Ugly sobs leaves his body and he pulls his legs towards his chest, making himself so small as possible.

He lost his brother.

Chapter Text

"Mickey?"

"Hmm?"

Mick opens his eyes and Arthur lifts his head up on Mick's shoulder to look at him. Arthur's hand strokes Mick's belly. The couple has been in bed for a while, but Arthur can't fall asleep. His mother called him this morning to ask if he and Mick would like to come to Monaco next week for a family dinner. So that she can meet Mick, and we'll be together again after a long time. That means that Charles will be there.

"What's wrong?" Mick puts his hand on Arthur's cheek and rubs his thumb back and forth.

"Maman calls." Begins Arthur and grabs Mick's other hand. "She wants a family dinner next week, so that she can meet you.

"And you don't want that?" quietly asks Mick, and Arthur shoots up and leans his upper body with his arms.

"Non, no Mick, it's not that!" He says quickly and rolls over to his stomach so he can get a good look at Mick.

"I would love Maman to meet you. I'm sure she's going to love you. It's Charles, he will be there and I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

Mick gave him a small smile and grabbed Arthur's chin to press a kiss on his lips.

"I want to meet your mother, I know how important she is for you." Mick says, and Arthur lies closer to him again. "And for Charles, I will do everything for him to accept me. I really like you, Arthur, and I think that Charles needs to see that. He thinks that I only want to fuck you, but that's not true. I want him to see that I really mean my feelings for you. I understand that he's mad, he's protective of you." Mick rubs his thumb against Arthur's lower lip.

"I don't understand why he's mad. He needs to stop being protective then, because I'm not a child anymore. He has no reason to be mad at you, or to think that you're only here to fuck, that shows how little he does know you and me." Arthur is getting mad again.

"Calm down." Says Mick and puts an arm around his boyfriend's waist. Arthur puts his head back on Mick's shoulder and looks at the wall.

"He hasn't even bothered to contact me. He didn't even come after me when I walked out of his motorhome. He doesn't want to talk with me. It's not because he's protective of me, Mick. He doesn't stand behind it, and if Charles doesn't stand behind something, he shows it until he has his way." Says Arthur.

"Well, this isn't for Charles, this dinner will be for your mother, Liebling. Let's focus on that, okay. I need to make sure she likes me, and accept me as your boyfriend. Charles just needs to warm up to the idea of us together."

"Your sweet, did I tell you that?" Arthur asks and Mick laughs but a blush comes to his cheeks. "I don't know, did you?" Jokes Mick and Arthur grabs his face with his hands and presses kisses to Mick's face. His forehead, nose, between his eyebrows, cheeks, chin, corners of his mouth, jawline and last but not least, on his lips.

"You're the sweetest person someone can ever meet." Arthur says between the kisses and Mick puts an arm around Arthur's neck. "Too much talking, more kissing." Mick says, pressing his lips back on Arthur's.

♡♡♡

"How about this?" Asks Mick as he comes out of the bathroom door, wearing today's 4th outfit.

"Babe, I already told you that you look beautiful, you don't need to try your whole closet, it's my mom, she would love you if you came in sweatpants." Arthur says, but Mick didn't pay much attention to him when he looked in the mirror.

"The blouse doesn't match the jacket." Sighs Mick.

Arthur gets up from the bed and walks over to Mick and stands behind him. He puts his arms around Mick's waist and kisses Mick's shoulder, and looks in the mirror.

"You look absolutely beautiful." Says Arthur, and Mick puts his hands on top of Arthur's.

"You think so?" He asks.

"I know so. This blouse and jacket are perfect," Says Arthur, and turns his head to press lazy kisses on the bare skin of Mick's neck.

"I want to look good to your mother. I'm really nervous." Mick sighs and Arthur smiles softly at Mick's shoulder before he hooks his chin on Mick's shoulder. "Really, didn't notice." Arthur jokes but tightens his grip around Mick when he feels an effort.

"You look beautiful Mick, I know that your nervous. I would be too if I meet your mom. But I'm sure that mine will love you. I mean, how can she not love you? Look at your face." Arthur grabs Mick's face by his cheeks and squeezes his face. "What's not to love."

"Simp." Laughs Mick and Arthur feels Mick relax in his arms and a small smile appears on his face.

"I really like your outfit, I mean it. I'm not just saying it because you change your clothes every time. I like this one the best." Says Arthur and Mick press a kiss against his cheek.

"Thank you." Mick mutters against Arthur's cheek.

"I'm going to shower, now that your done." Arthur said, poking in the side of Mick, who let out a yelp and Arthur laughs.

"Couldn't you have said that before." Mick says and gave Arthur a wink.

Arthur lets go of Mick and now he's the one letting out a yelp as Mick slaps his ass when he walks past him. Arthur can still hear Mick laughing as he closes the bathroom door behind him. He leans against the door and closes his eyes.

Let's see what the thought brings Arthur thinks before getting himself ready.

♡♡♡

"You ready?" Arthur asks Mick when they arrive at his mother's house.

Arthur takes the hand of Mick who is sitting in the passenger seat. "It will be okay, I'm here with you." Arthur said and Mick gives him a little smile and then takes a deep breath in and out.

"You're right. Let's go." Mick said, giving Arthur a final squeeze before letting him out and the two boys getting out of the car.

Arthur opens the door and they step inside together. "Put your shoes here." Arthur said to Mick as he starts to take off his own shoes and Mick follows him.

"Mom." Arthur yells, and the kitchen door opens. A beautiful looking woman is walking in the hallway. She has a big smile on her face and opens her arms to Arthur.

"Tutur, you're home." She whispers in his ear and he wraps his arms around his mother.

"Missed you too Maman." Arthur says, as his mother took his face in her hands.

It's been two months since Arthur came home. This is the longest time he has been away from his mother to date. Because he still lives at home, they are always at home together when he is not racing. Or they go to the F1 race together for Charles. Now he has not been home for a long time and he has missed his mother so much, especially the past few weeks. His relationship with his mother cannot be described in words, she is everything to him. Arthur lost his father at a young age, and ever since then he has kept everyone he loves close by. It is only when you have lost someone dear that you realize how important the people around you are. That is why Arthur has always struggled to be away from his mother for a long time.

Charles and Lorenzo were always gone when Arthur was younger, Charles was pursuing his career in Formula 1 and Lorenzo was at university and had a dorm room. Arthur had not yet started his career at that time, it was only in 2018 that everything started up again for him. Because of this, Arthur had been alone with his mother for years, following her when they went to races or wherever.

Arthur will never love someone more than he loves his Maman.

"So, go introduce him." Says his mother as she looks over his shoulder at Mick. Who is still standing by the door and there is a smile on his face as he watches the mother-son moment in front of him.

"Yes, of course. Maman, this is Mick, my boyfriend. Mick, this is maman." Arthur grabs Mick's arm to bring him closer.

Mick wants to shake his mother's hand, but she laughs and pulls him into a hug.

"Hello Mick, I'm Pascale. I'm glad to finally meet you!" Mick's cheeks are red and Arthur bit his lip to hide his big smile as his mother looked him straight in the eye as she hugged Mick.

"I've heard so much about you." Says his mother, and Arthur leaves an embarrassing groan.

"Only good things, I hope." Mick jokes and puts an arm around Arthur's waist and pulls him closer when he smiles.

"Of course, I can't wait to find out if everything is true that he's saying." She says, and Mick looks at Arthur.

"What have you told about me?" He asks Arthur who starts to blush.

"That's for you to find out." murmurs Arthur.

Maybe this didn't go so bad, Mick thought as they walked into the living room.

Lorenzo and Pierre were sitting on the couch, talking together as they walked in.

"Hello." Says Arthur as his big brother pulls him into a hug. "How are you Arturro?" And tangles his hair. Arthur knocks Lorenzo's hand away from his hair. "I'm okay, you?" Arthur asks and Lorenzo just gives him a nod.

"Hey Mick." Lorenzo says and they shook hands. "Hi." Answer Mick back.

Arthur looks across the room and out the windows, but he doesn't see Charles in the living room. He is startled when he feels a hand on his arm, and his eyes meet Pierre's.

"Hey Art." Arthur puts his arms around Pierre as the older man pulls him into a hug. "He's upstairs. But leave him alone, don't let him ruin your day." Pierre whispers in his ear and Arthur nods.

"Thank you." Arthur says, looking into Pierre's eyes.

"I'm so happy for you Art, you have no idea. I'm happy that you and Mick are working together." Pierre says, and they both look to the back where Lorenzo is talking to Mick.

"Me too, he makes me really happy." Arthur says and looks back at Pierre, who gives him a smile. "Good to hear, I was so scared that Charles would ruin it all for you. Glad that you and Mick are okay." Pierre mumbles and Arthur nods.

"How are you?" Arthur asks and Pierre shrugs.

"It's hard, I'm so happy for you and he's ruining it. It makes me sad how badly he talks about you and about Mick. I've no idea what is happening to him, but this isn't the Charles that I fell in love with." Arthur saw the tears burning in Pierre's eyes. But Pierre shakes his head and the tears are gone.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to ruin your relationship." Says Arthur with regret in his voice.

"You didn't, Charles did." Says Pierre softly.

"But it's not the time to be sad, this is our family dinner and we all should be happy. Let him sulk upstairs, it's his own decision." Pierre says, and removes his hand from Arthur's arm and continues towards Mick.

Arthur continues to watch Pierre and Mick strike up a conversation with Lorenzo. It hurts to see Pierre like this, knowing he's the reason. He is ruining the relationship between Pierre and Charles. He's splitting them up, it's all his fault that Pierre and his brother are fighting. Guilt flows through his body and he has a heavy feeling in his stomach, it hurts.

Arthur never thought that this could go so wrong. Sure, he had expected that Charles might have to get used to the idea of Arthur and Mick. But the fact that such a quarrel came out of it did not cross Arthur's mind. He never thought that his relationship would tear his brother's one apart.

His gaze falls on the stairs and Arthur begins to doubt. Otherwise, will he go upstairs and see if he can talk to Charles? But what if the conversation doesn't go well again? He doesn't want to ruin this for his mother. This is the first family dinner with Arthur's boyfriend. It had never happened before, not even with girlfriends.

"Arthur, can you help me in the kitchen?" His mother asks and Arthur snaps out of his own thoughts and nods. He sees the three other boys in the room looking at him with concerned looks on their faces, but he ignores them and follows his mother.

"How can I help?" Arthur asks and his mother grabs his arm and they walk to the table, where he is pushed into a chair by his mother. She sits down next to him and takes his hands.

"Are you okay, Arthur?" Asks his mother, and at her question his eyes fill with tears.

His mother is there, and everything hits ten times harder.

"I was saying your name and you didn't react. You kept looking at the stairs." His mother knows why he was looking that way. And his mother knows very well what is going on inside his head.

"I miss him." Arthur says softly and looked at his hands, which his mother is holding.

"I know, and I know that he miss you too." she says, and Arthur shakes his head.

"He's not contacting me, since I walked out that door I haven't heard from him. He let me go, he didn't even come after me. He doesn't bother Maman, and I'm done with it, everytime we try to talk about it, but it always ends up in a fight. I'm tired of trying." Arthur explains, and his mother nods.

"I tried talking with him. He's mad, Arthur. And no, I don't understand him, but I won't choose one side. I love you two so much and it hurts that two of my sons are fighting."

"Sorry mama. Maybe I shouldn't have come here." Whispers Arthur and his mother squeeze his hand.

"Stop, I didn't know that it was this bad. The way Charles got mad when I said you two are come. It hurts." His mother says, and Arthur feels the tears burning in his eyes.

His mother is disappointed in him, he's hurting her.

"Arthur snaps out of this." She snaps her fingers in front of his face and he looks up.

"We will talk, the three of us okay. Maybe it will help." she says, and Arthur nods.

Maybe it ill help.

♡

♡♡

It didn't help.

"He's a spoiled brat. You gave him everything because he's the youngest and now he thinks that he can do everything he wants!" Screams Charles and Arthur look at the ground.

"That's not true." Whisper Arthur.

"Talk up big boy, can't hear you." Snap Charles.

"Don't talk to your brother like that, Charles." Say their mother.

"I said that it's not true! I'm not acting like a spoiled brat, I don't think I can do everything I want and think I can get away with it." Arthur Scoffs and Charles laughed.

"You know what they say about the youngest, they get everything they want."

"You're being unfair right now. I know you are mad, but this is going too far." Arthur says and gets up from the bed. "I've tried to talk to you so many times now, and it always ends up being the same. We argue and one of us will walk away."

"You have to do one thing, and everything will be okay then." Charles says, and Arthur swallows.

"Breaking up with Mick wouldn't fix this. I really like him and I won't break up with him for you!" Says Arthur, and Charles stood in front of him.

"But you should, you should pick me above your whore." Snaps Charles and Arthur is getting mad again.

"You are the one ruining everything! You can't even give Mick a change. I see how unhappy Pierre is and it breaks my heart. I try everything to talk with you and only hear the same things out of your mouth!"

"Because of you, everyone is sad. You know that! Me, Pierre, Lorenzo, yourself and Maman. You are ruining our family Arthur, because of that boy."

"Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc, You're going to apologize for those words right now!" Maman screams and Arthur's eyes widened, she never screams.

"No." Charles really dared to say that.

"I'm so disappointed in you. How can you say that to your little brother? He found love for the first time and you are treating him like that? I really thought you would be happy for him, even more than Lorenzo and I were when he told us."

"Mom, listen to me," Charles says.

"No, you listen to me. It breaks my heart how you are treating each other. You're brothers, and yes a fight can happen, but this is getting too far. Charles, what did Mick do to you so that you can't be happy for them, and don't say that best friends don't date the other's brother." Asks Maman and Charles sit down on the bed.

"Mick said they were just friends. That he would never like someone else their brother. He lied to me mom, he lied right in my face." Charles says and Arthur now also sat on the bed.

"You lied to me too." Charles looks at Arthur and for the first time in a long time, they made real eye contact together.

"You said you two were friends." says Charles.

"Because I didn't know how I felt about him, Charles. I didn't even know that I was gay, or that I like boys. Mick has always been special, but I didn't know what those feelings were." Replies Arthur and Charles sigh.

"You can't have feelings for him." Answer Charles, and Arthur put his head in his hands.

"Why not? Charles explain to me why I can't like Mick. But now without that best friend happening." Arthur asks, and Charles shook his head.

"No, because that's the reason. You can't date your best friend's little brother, it's wrong." Arthur had the feeling that there were more reasons, but Charles wouldn't tell him.

"Charles, he's my age. If it was a big age different, it shouldn't have mattered, but you know what I mean. We've been through so much time together. He helped me in Prema. It just happen." Arthur explains.

" It doesn't matter. He should have known he shouldn't have picked you as a victim."

"Victim." Cries Arthur and stands up again. "You need to hear yourself, that's bullshit. I'm not a victim, nor that he only picked me to fuck me. We didn't do a shit in that regard, Charles. He's very sweet with me and patient, because he knows I'm not ready yet. He's so nice to me, does everything at my pace and I do the same with him."

"He's using you Arthur, for god's sake," Cries Charles. "He doesn't like you, he wants to make him jealous."

"Making me jealous?" Asks Arthur confused.

"Making who Jealous?" Asks Mom at the same time as Arthur speaks.

"You know who I'm talking about, Arthur. Don't be stupid." Says Charles.

"You're just making things up. Charles, that's so low!" Arthur gets up and leaves the room.

He walks outside and drops onto the grass. He takes a deep breath, in... and out... in... and out.

Charles is not making any sense. How dare he put someone else in this without any reason. Why would he say that Mick is making someone else jealous? It's not true!

I'm sure he's lying. I know Charles. He's doing everything so that people will believe him. He will do his best so he can break me and Mick apart, even for the dumbest reasons.

"Artie?" A body lay down next to him and Arthur turns his head and his eyes meet those of his big brother.

"Why can't he just listen to me, Enzo?" Says Arthur sadly.

"I don't know.... Are you okay?"

"No, talking doesn't help, it's only getting worse when we talk." Explains Arthur.

"I heard." Lorenzo told him and Arthur nods.

"You sure that Mick isn't making someone jealous with you?" Asks Lorenzo softly.

"I'm sure of that, Enzo. I don't even know who that will be. I believe in Mick and in us together." There was silence when Arthur had spoken.

"I really like Mick, Enzo." Says Arthur and feels how his brother takes his hands in his own.

"I know, and I see how much Mick adores you." The two brothers make eye contact.

"Mick has been sitting on the couch the whole time and looking at the stairs to see if you would go down. Pierre tried to talk with him, but he was so distracted," Says Lorenzo.

"When you guys started to shout, Mick was walking back and forth. He asked me if he should walk upstairs. I advised him not to, because Maman was upstairs with you." Talk to Lorenzo further.

"Really?" asks Arthur.

"It was sweet to see, he really wanted to be there for you, to help you. I see how much he likes you. He wouldn't do that if you mean nothing to him."

♡

♡♡

"Charlie?" Pierre knocks on Charles's old bedroom door. Pascal had told him that Charles wanted to stay in his bedroom.

Pierre gets a "No." as an answer.

"I'm coming in." Tells Pierre his boyfriend, and opens the door.

"Why would you even listen to me?" Sighs Charles softly and Pierre gently slaps him on the thigh.

"I want to be here for you too, so be kind to me."

"To tell me how sweet Mick is to Arthur?"

"No, but also yes. But right now, I want to be here for you." Pierre lies down next to him on the bed and puts an arm around Charles's waist. He presses his face against his boyfriend's neck and kisses it.

"I love you." Pierre mutters to Charles' neck.

"I love you too." Whisper Charles.

"Talk and I will listen." Says Pierre.

"Nobody listens to me. They're only getting mad at me, even you." Says Charles.

"No, 'cause I don't understand you and the reason you have for not supporting Mick and Arthur." Pierre runs his hand over Charles's back.

Charles lets out a big sigh and gently squeezes Pierre's hips.

"There we go." He sighs and then sits up in bed.

"He's using Arthur, Pierre. I know that for sure!"

"How do you know that Charles?" Asks Pierre, keeping his voice as calm as possible.

"We all know he likes- ugh." Charles gets up from the bed.

"Like Arthur?" Asks Pierre.

"No!" Cries Charles, "he's making him jealous with Arthur. Mick doesn't give a damn about Arthur."

"Charlie-" Charles interrupts him. "No, I don't want to hear that. I know that Mick doesn't like Arthur. And he will break Arthur's heart really badly. Don't say that I'm wrong because I know that I'm not!" Says Charles

"Why, Charlie, if you see the way Mick is looking at Art-"

"Stop!" Screams Charles and presses his hands against his ears.

"I don't want to hear it. Pierre go the fuck away." Says Charles, and Pierre's eyes widen.

"Excuse me?"

Charles lets out a deep sigh and falls back onto the bed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I need to be alone. I don't want to hear anything about them. I just want silence, Pierre." Explains Charles, feeling bad about what he just said.

He sees that Pierre nods. He lies back on the bed with his back to Charles and leans closer to him until he feels Charles's body behind him. He takes Charles's arms and wraps them around his waist.

"Silence." says Pierre softly.

Charles tightens his grip around Pierre and presses his face against Pierre's back. He closes his eyes and intertwines his legs with Pierre.

Charles closes his eyes and inhales Pierre's scent. It'd been a long time since the couple had been in bed like this. They were both somewhere else or they were arguing and Pierre was sleeping on the couch.

♡♡♡

Arthur found himself behind the piano. He plays some random tones and songs. He doesn't notice how Mick is watching him through the doorway. Mick sees the sadness in his boyfriend's body language. His shoulders are low and he is slightly bent over. He sees Arthur's hands trembling as they play the piano. Arthur's head is bowed and he closed his eyes. The only thing Arthur really pays attention to is his piano.

Mick knows how much Arthur loves music, making music. He sees how his boyfriend relaxes when he is busy with music.

Mick smiles as their eyes meet. Arthur tries to give him a smile back, but Mick knows it's a fake. Arthur sits more to the side on the stool and Mick takes a seat next to him and puts a hand on his leg and rubs it.

He lays his head on Arthur's shoulder and presses a few kisses. Arthur continues to play the piano and the two boys say nothing.

Mick turns his head so that he is with his cheek on his shoulder and he can watch Arthur play. His fingers move over the keys of the piano, Arthur's body moves with the notes he makes. Mick has his arms wrapped around Arthur's waist and holds him close.

"Beautiful." Says Mick, when Arthur is done. He feels the younger boy pressing his face into his hair and Mick presses a kiss on Arthur's neck.

"You okay?" Asks Mick softly and feels Arthur shrug.

"Honestly, I have no idea how to feel." Says the boy softly.

"That's okay, I understand that you're feeling a bit confused." Mick hears Arthur sigh and he runs his fingers over the keys again.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Asks Mick, and Arthur shake his head.

"No."

All Arthur can think about is whether it might be true with Mick after all. What if he's trying to make someone jealous? What if he doesn't like me, but really someone else? What if I lose him too if he manages to get the other boy.

Tears fill Arthur's eyes and he aggressively wipes them away with his hand. Why does he have to cry so much? It's unbelievable what a crybaby he's become lately.

Maybe it's better for Mick to find someone else who can love him, who can give him a nice family time without arguing. Arthur can't give him that now.

Yes, he likes, maybe even loves Mick. To be honest, he doesn't want to think about the word 'love', it would hurt too much if Mick finds someone better.

Mick can do so much better than him. What can he give Mick that others can't? Nothing really. Everyone can give Mick the same as he does now and probably even so much more.

There must be a reason that he never had a boyfriend or girlfriend, right? There must be something wrong with him that he never had one. That's called a blessing of having two brothers who are so much more prettier than him.

The ugly duck in the family.

No talent.

Can't speak normal English.

The one people always make fun of.

Not good at racing, he still makes too many mistakes.

He's a mistake.

Maybe he really is.

"Arthur, baby snaps out of it." Arthur looks up and sees the concern on Mick's face.

"What were you thinking about?" Asks Mick, and Arthur shake his head.

"Nothing." Arthur returns his attention to the piano and starts playing again.

Mick put his hand on Arthur's back. He lay his head back on Arthur's shoulder. Mick realizes that Arthur doesn't want to talk about it.

Mick kisses Arthur's shoulder and listens to him play. Arthur's shoulders are tense and the song he just played flawlessly now only goes wrong. A frustrated sigh comes from Arthur's mouth and Mick puts his hand over his boyfriend's.

"Art?" Mick asks softly and Arthur slams his hand on the keys of the piano hard and Mick jumps away.

"Sorry," Arthur says and puts his head in his hands.

"Talk to me, please. I see you're having a fight with yourself in your head. And you're drawn into yourself." Mick puts a hand on Arthur's thigh and squeezes it gently.

"I just want everything to go back to normal. It wasn't a good idea to have a family dinner now while Charles and I are arguing, we're ruining the whole atmosphere." mumbles Arthur.

"I understand, I'm sorry that I put you in this situation," Mick says, and Arthur looks up and shakes his head.

"No, Mick, this isn't your fault. You can't help this, and neither can we. Charles doesn't make any sense why he's mad."

"I know, but we can't change that if he won't listen." Says Mick and Arthur Nods. "Yeah." Sigh Arthur.

Mick puts his hand on the keys and starts pressing the keys randomly and Arthur laughs. Mick smiles. The plan succeeded in making Arthur smile a little smile.

"What are you doing?" Laughs Arthur and puts his hand on top of Mick's.

"Teach me!" Says Mick and give Arthur a big smile.

"Okay, let me show you and then you will try." Says Arthur, and Mick put his hand off the piano.

"Okay."

Mick follows the fingers of Arthur, but it's all going too fast for him. "Again" says Mick. Let's say that Arthur played it around five times till Mick tried it, and it still went wrong.

"No, Mick.. Okay, wait." Arthur puts his hand over Mick's again. His fingers are crooked on Mick's. "Follow my hand." Says Arthur, and starts playing the piano.

"And now you."

Mick plays it almost perfectly.

"I did it!" Laughs Mick and took Arthur's hand in his own.

"It was only a few keys." Laughs Arthur, and Mick give him a shove to the side with his own body.

"Rude!" Says Mick pretending to be mad.

"No, you did a few keys. Amazingly, I'm proud of you." Says Arthur sarcastically and laughing while he kiss Mick's cheek.

♡♡♡

The dinner is awkward. Charles is sitting in front of Arthur, and he's looking everywhere but his little brother. His eyes don't meet the ones of Arthur or Mick.

Arthur pretends not to hear Charles, but it hurts to hear Charles sigh, roll his eyes or talk over them when Mick or himself are talking.

And he knows that Charles is doing all this on purpose, otherwise you'll just be quiet.

"So, do you think you can win it?" Asks Pierre to Arthur when they are talking about his F3 championship. He is currently in 3rd place with 2 races to go. But the points between the top three are very close.

"I don't know. I need to try my best and need to finish above them." says Arthur.

"That's the whole point of racing." Snaps Charles, and Arthur rolls his eyes.

"I know that, dipshit." Answer Arthur back.

"Boys." Sigh their mother.

"Sorry," Says Arthur, and leans back in his chair. He looks at his thigh as Mick puts his hand on it.

"I will cheer for you, I know you can do this." Says Pierre and give him a smile.

"Thank you Pierre." Say Arthur.

"Why cheer up to something hopeless?" Says Charles.

"Charles!" Says Lorenzo and Maman together.

"What, Martins and Hadjar are really good" Says Charles and Arthur feels a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"So is Arthur!" Says Lorenzo.

"You should focus more on your own championshipship, Max is getting away from you in points." Scoffs Arthur and Charles is sending draggers to Arthur.

"Low blow." Says Charles.

"Says you." Snap Arthur.

"Boys, stop, please." Says Maman with her head in her hands.

Arthur is looking down at the ground and squeezes Mick's hand as he grabs it.

In the background, he hears how Pierre, Maman and Lorenzo are in a new conversation.

"Deep breaths." Mutters Mick to him and that's when Arthur felt how shaky his breathing is.

"When are you guys flying to the Netherlands?" Asks Maman.

"Wednesday morning, we're flying in Max's plane, along with some other guys." Says Charles

"I'm flying, but then Thursday." Answer Lorenzo.

"But you have to be there by Thursday, don't you, Arthur?" Asks Pierre.

"I'm not flying with him. Mick, Callum, Marcus and I are going by car. They thought it would be fun to take a road trip and at the last minute I'm going with them, since I really don't have to get there until Thursday afternoon. We will be there on time, no time stress." Answer Arthur and give Mick a smile.

" There will be chaos, four guys in one car." laughs Mick.

"We will see, as long we will be there on time." laughs Arthur.

"We planned everything out. We will take shifts. Marcus and Callum, and you and me. It will be okay and we will have fun, that's for sure." Says Mick with a laugh.

"Callum and riding a road car, hope we make it out." Arthur jokes and feels himself calm down a bit.

"When do you leave?" asks Mama.

"Tomorrow, right?" Asks Arthur and Mick Nods. "Okay, so Tuesday."

"Good fun, it's beautiful to travel to countries by car." Says Lorenzo.

"Yes, and in one car with Callum and Arthur, right Mick?" Says Charles, and Mick frowns.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Asks Mick and sees how Pierre's eyes widen.

"You know what I mean." Charles gets up from the table, takes the plate of his and Pierre's. He walks to the kitchen and Mick looks at Arthur, who looks as confused as himself.

"I will talk to him." Says Pierre when Maman wants to go after Charles.

"Thank you dear."

Maman gathers the things together and Mick lets go of Arthur's hand.

"Wait, let me help you." he offers and gets up from the table. Maman gives him a smile but shakes her head.

"No please, your our guest. I am going to do it myself, thank you Mick." She says and Mick shook his head.

"Together we're done faster. And it's a small effort to help. At home I always help, I don't mind." Answer Mick and then grabs some things from the table and walk to the kitchen with Maman.

"He's really sweet," Says Lorenzo, and Arthur begin to smile.

"I know." Answer Arthur as he looks towards the kitchen.

"What did Charles mean, by you and Callum?" Asks Enzo

"I don't know." Says Arthur but in his head, he knew what Charles may have meant.

The person to make jealous.

But why would Mick want to make Callum jealous?

It makes no sense.

"You okay?" Asks Lorenzo and Arthur Nods.

"Yeah, just really tired." Answer Arthur honestly. "I can understand that." Says Lorenzo.

Lorenzo gets up and sits down in the chair next to him. He turns his body towards Arthur and grabs his hands.

"It will be okay, Charles needs time."

"How much time? I can't do this any longer, Enzo." Replies Arthur sad, and looks down at the ground.

"Everytime I see him, we fight. It hurts to see him in the paddock. He won't talk to me. He ignores me, like I'm not alive, like I'm not his brother anymore. His eyes won't meet mine, he doesn't say a hello when we walk past each other. He no longer comes to Prema after a race or before the race. In one snip, he's almost out of my life. It's because we're family, otherwise I wouldn't have seen him." Arthur says, and Lorenzo squeezes his hands gently.

"I'm sorry, I wish I could help."

"It's not like he would listen." Replies Arthur.

"Just know that I love you. And I will always be here for you. Don't forget that. I will be there for your last races. We will do this together, alright? And I will be there cheering for you so loudly, so you can hear me, and that you know how proud I am of you." Arthur smiled at the tears that burned in Lorenzo's eyes. Lorenzo is never that emotional, that's why it hits so much harder. "Cause I'm really proud of you about how much you grew this year. With yourself, with racing and opening yourself up to people. I know how hard it is for you to trust people, to have people close to you." Lorenzo finishes his words.

"Thank you, I don't know what to say Enzo. Just thank you for helping me all those years." Arthur didn't know how fast this conversation changed, but he didn't mind. It's been a long time since the brothers have been so honest with each other, to share what they think about each other.

"And no matter what the outcome is of the championship, I'm proud of you. You had a good year, a year you can be proud of."

Arthur stands up and hugs Lorenzo.

"Thank you. I love you"

"Love you too, little bro." Arthur laughs and tightens his grip. "I'm happy you're here for me."

♡♡♡

"This is my room." Says Arthur when he and Mick step into the room.

"Cosy," Says Mick, and walks around the room. It's not a big room, but enough to place the things in it you need.

"I'm still looking for my own house, but the prices are a little bit high." Laughs Arthur.

"Especially in Monaco." Mick says, and stands behind Arthur. He wraps his arms around his waist and rests his own head on Arthur's shoulder.

"I like your mom, she's really sweet." Mumbles Mick against Arthur's shoulder. Arthur puts his hands on top of Mick's, resting on his stomach. Their fingers intertwine and Arthur rests his head against Mick's.

"She likes you too." Arthur whispers.

"She does?" Asks Mick and Arthur smile.

"Yes, I saw it in her eyes. I know how her eyes react. The way she looked at you, at us, her eyes say it all.

"You have an adorable relationship with your mom," Says Mick.

"She's everything to me." Says Arthur, and looks at the family picture on his wall.

"Family is everything to me."

"It's the most important thing in life you can have. It's the reason to keep going." Says Mick. And Arthur look back and their eyes meet theirs.

"I like that."

"It's true, family is the one that matters," Says Mick.

"If Charles can think like that," Says Arthur softly, and Mick press himself closer to the younger boy.

"Sorry." Mutters Mick.

"Still, not your fault." Arthur bumps his nose against Mick's once, then twice, and the third time, he has start moving his head slightly to rub his nose against Mick's softly.

He giggled at him, the most beautiful giggle, and Mick couldn't stop himself.

“You're so perfect,” he says, and Arthur looks up.

"You're perfect." Says Arthur back softly. Mick smiles and presses a kiss against the other's lips.

Arthur lets go of the kiss and turns back to his old position. His back against Mick's chest. He feels Mick press a few kisses on his neck and then leans his chin on Arthur's shoulder.

Mick looks around and take a look in the mirror that's on the wall. He smiles at the sight. Even though he is a bit smaller than Arthur, it feels so good to hold someone around this way. Mick place a small kiss on the back of Arthur's neck. Then he looks back over Arthur's shoulder, looking at the two of them in the mirror.

This is the boy who he can trust his heart with. The one he can see himself getting old with.

"I would like to have you meet my family too, if you want?" Says Mick, and sees the surprising face of Arthur through the mirror.

"Yes, of course. I would like that too." says Arthur with a smile. Mick sees how Arthur is also looking in the mirror, and their eyes hold each other through the mirror.

"I can't wait for them to meet you." Says Mick.

♡♡♡

"Thank you for the dinner mom." Says Arthur when he hugs his mother.

"You don't have to go to your hotel, Artie. You have your room here, you and Mick can stay the night. She cupped his face in her hands and he give her a smile.

"I don't want to disturb Charles. He's staying the night too and I don't want to ruin your evening with Charles. You haven't spent so much time together in a while." Explains Arthur.

"This is your home, Artie, you still live here. You don't need to rent a whole hotel room to stay."

"I know that, but it was the best option. Maman, I'm ruining the atmosphere here, and I don't want that. Charles and I are not going through one door right now, we have to give each other space. And I won't give him that if I stay here." Say Arthur.

"I know, but-"

"Maman, it's for the best. Sorry." Says Arthur softly and feels the tears burn in his eyes. How much he wants to stay for the night. To be with them while they have a movie night.

First movie night without him.

Without having the family complete.

"Artie." Arthur hates the tear that runs down her cheek. It breaks his heart.

"I will see you in Monza, right? You're going to be there?" Asks Arthur with a lump in his throat.

His mother nods.

"I don't want to ruin everything for Charles, maman. I can't stay here and knowing that it's hurting him. He needs space and me too. However much I hate it, it's necessary.

"I understand, but it's hard." She whispers and Arthur hugs her again.

"I hope that everything will be okay soon. I will try my best." Say Arthur.

"I love you." Says Maman, and Arthur tightens his grip.

"Love you too, mommy." Whisper Arthur.

They let go and Arthur feels a hand on his elbow. Lorenzo then pulls him into a hug.

"See you in a few days." Says Enzo and press a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Take care of yourself, please. And tell me how the journey is, okay? Enjoy, distraction will do you good." He then said and Arthur nods.

"I will do." said Arthur.

"Can you say goodbye to me to Pierre.... And Charles?" Arthur wants nothing more than to walk upstairs and talk to his big brother to make everything right.

But it won't work.

And that hurts to know.

"Will do." Says Lorenzo and Arthur Nods.

"Thank you."

Chapter Text

We are in beautiful Monza.

But this time, Italy wasn't so beautiful for Arthur.

Monza is the final round of the Formula 3 championship. Arthur is behind the championship by one point. He was leading the race, everything looked perfect for him, he finally would get his first championship.

It didn't happen.

His engine failed. He didn't get it in 7 or 8 gear and Victor Martins overtook him in the last corner, and there went his championship.

Arthur tried his best to be happy for Victor, but all he was feeling was disappointment. His season had ups and downs, and he tried so hard to see it all fading away with Martins fading away in the distance toward the finish line.

Lorenzo takes him in his arms and held Arthur close. And even when Arthur knew that Charles wouldn't be there for him, he was still looking and hoping for his older brother to come to him and give him a hug, but he wasn't there.

He's now in the drivers' room in Prema's garage. He asked Jak and Oliver to leave him alone for a minute. It was all Arthur want. Silence. Nobody here with him, for him to see the pitty in their eyes. He needs to think about what happened and give it all a place before he can go out there again.

He was glad that the team gave him the space and not put him in debrief immediately. He doesn't know if he can handle it right now.

There is a soft knock on the door and then it opens. Arthur was opening his mouth to tell the person to leave him alone, but his mouth shut when he see Mick.

"You okay, Tur?" Asks Mick and Arthur stands up from the sofa he was lying in and hugs him tight.

"You okay?" Mick asks again and the younger boy press his face into Mick's neck.

"Just hold me please." Arthur's voice broke down in the sentence and he tightened his grip on Mick.

♡♡♡

Mick and Arthur had taken place on the couch where Arthur had been lying before. Both boys lay on their sides, their foreheads resting against each other. Arthur rests his body against Mick's and closes his eyes and focuses on Mick's arms wrapping around his body, holding him tightly.

Mick's hand strokes Arthur's arm, hoping to calm his boyfriend down a bit. One hand of Arthur is on Mick's chest and makes little drawings with his finger over the shirt to distract himself.

"Lorenzo said you didn't want to see anyone, but I had to see you." Explains Mick and press a kiss against Arthur's cheek.

"Thank you for not listening." Whispers Arthur and their eyes meet.

"I don't know how to feel." Says Arthur, and presses his face closer to Mick's.

"That's okay. You can be really disappointed, sad, angry. Whatever you feel is okay." Says Mick and intertwines their fingers together.

"I really thought I had the Championship Mick... And then the engine." Arthur let out a sigh.

"It's not fair. You did such a good job the whole weekend, you really deserved it. Spa and Zandvoort weren't so kind to you, but you turned it all around." Says Mick, and Arthur feels the tears burning in his eyes.

"The last lap." Whispers Arthur and Mick press a kiss against his forehead.

"I was screaming so hard for you in the Haas garage. And then it was screaming in a bad way." Says Mick, and tries to make the last part a joke, but it didn't work.

"I don't know if I feel mad at the team, at myself or at fate for not standing at my side." Says Arthur and looks Mick in the eyes.

"You did everything you could. You kept Martins behind you for so many laps, sadly, he got you at the last corner."

"I should have tried harder, keeping the door closed."

"How? Arthur, you were riding in six gear, Victor in eight."

"To try better, be where he wanted to overtake me, I gave him the room to do so."

"You didn't. Stop pushing yourself down. You did such a good job, the whole race. It isn't fair that this happened to you, you almost had it with the engine problem." Mick didn't like the way Arthur was talking so badly about himself.

"I'm proud of you. What you did this weekend was unbelievable. You were behind the championship with the points and you said you couldn't make it anymore. The comeback you had here is crazy. From p8 to p1 in the sprint . From p5 to overtaking everyone and leading the race till the last lap. You are an amazing driver, Arthur, with or without a championship." Mick wipes away the tear that ran down Arthur's cheek.

"I'm so proud of you. So unbelievably proud." Says Mick and a sob leaves Arthur's mouth.

"Stop." Sobs Arthur and press his head against Mick's neck. Mick puts his arms over Arthur's shoulder and squeezes him close.

"Sorry, I mean it's good." Whisper's Mick in Arthur's Ear.

Arthur takes his head off Mick's shoulder and looks at him wide-eyed.

"I know, baby, I know." Says Arthur and puts a hand on Mick's cheek.

"You're so sweet, Micky, I-" Mick kisses Arthur's lips.

"Thank you for being here." Says Arthur when they pull apart.

"I mean it, every word."

"I don't deserve you." Arthur still had Mick's face in his hands.

Mick moves his hands to Arthur's wrists and grabs them.

"You do, don't sell yourself so low. You deserve everything in the whole world." Mick looks at the tear running down Arthur's cheek.

"I wish he had been there with Lorenzo." Says Arthur when he grabs Mick's hand again.

"He should have been there." Answers Mick.

Arthur shakes his head. "Sorry to keep bringing him up." Say Arthur softly.

"No, don't be sorry. You miss him, I know you're mad, but I see how much you miss him."

"It's just.... I know he has to focus on his own race, and that he won't look at F3. That's a lie because he was always looking.... Why am I trying to make amends for him? " Ask Arthur and Mick let out a chuckle.

"You don't have to do that. He should have been there, even when he's busy, even when he's mad. He will know how much it hurts to lose a championship. He would like you to be there for him. He should be there for you now. You're still his little brother Arthur." explains Mick.

"But he's mad, so he won't come."

"Yeah, maybe I can talk to him-"

"Mick, no." Say Arthur.

"Why not? It's been weeks Arthur, he should let this all go and listen to you, to me!"

"You will fight again. Mick, every time we talk with him, it ends up bigger than it already was. I have already lost him as my brother. It hurts that we have to visit our family separately, because we can't sit in one room anymore. I don't want it." Explains Arthur and Mick Nods.

"I understand, sorry. I just feel bad that you two don't talk when you need him or just in general." Response Mick.

"And that's really sweet, but sometimes it's better to not see each other, even when it hurts so badly." Says Arthur.

Mick sighs and presses Arthur back against him, Arthur's head against his chest and he runs a hand through his hair.

"It will get better. I don't know when or how, but it will be." Whisper's Mick in Arthur's Ear.

"Sorry I wasn't there for you at the podium. I mean, I was there when the race finished. But when I saw you with Lorenzo, I didn't want to ruin you two's moment. I knew you really needed your brothers right there, that's why I wasn't there." Says Mick and intertwines his fingers with Arthurs's.

"Thank you." Whispers Arthur and looks up as far as he can from his position. "I am happy that Lorenzo was there. I saw him when I got out of my car. The first thing I thought was that I needed to hide against him. I didn't want to be there, Mick."

"Hugs from your siblings are always good medicine to relax."

♡♡♡

"Charles." Lorenzo walks into his younger brother's motor home.

"Hi." Charles was sitting on his couch, but judging by his facial expression, he wasn't calm.

"How is he?" Asks Charles and Lorenzo frown.

"Arthur, how is he doing?" Says Charles when he saw the confusion etched on his face.

"Oh, yeah. He doesn't want to see anyone." Lorenzo sits down on the couch next to Charles.

"Of course he is disappointed. He got out of the car and he went straight towards me. I knew he wanted to walk away. Seeing him on the podium was hurting me so much, you saw in his face that he didn't want to be there." Explains Lorenzo.

Charles looks at his hands and picks at his nails. His leg moved up and down nervously. Lorenzo sees him thinking and with a sigh Charles runs a hand through his hair.

"This fucked up situation." Charles sighs and stands up straight.

"You can go to him and just pull him in your arms. He needs us Charles. He lost the championship in the last corner."

"I don't think he wants to see me." Says Charles, and stands in front of Lorenzo.

"You don't know that. Put this all aside and be there for him." Says Lorenzo.

"Where is he now?" Asks Charles and Lorenzo bite his lip.

"In Prema's motorhome with Mick." Says Lorenzo softly, knowing that Charles wouldn't like that answer.

"Of course," Charles sighs and sits down on the couch again.

"Yes, of course. Arthur needs his boyfriend right now." Says Lorenzo slightly angry.

"You said he didn't want to see anyone!" Says Charles.

"Yes he doesn't, but I sent Mick in there. I knew that it would help him. You know how good hugs are from your boyfriend when your sad Charles. You do that all the time with Pierre." Says Lorenzo.

"That's different!" Groans Charles.

"How's that different?" Asks Lorenzo.

Charles stays silent.

"Exactly." Lorenzo sighs and Charles looks at him angrily.

"Pierre is real with me, Enzo. I know that Mick's heart isn't with Arthur, so no, he doesn't have to be there! He just wants everyone to think that he is a good boyfriend. Show him that he is a good boyfriend."

"Who is he? You're always talking about the guy Mick is trying to make jealous, but you never say who it is!" Says Lorenzo.

"Because it doesn't matter. I know it, Mick knows it. And Mick knows why I'm mad at him for dating Arthur. He's using him. Why do we let our little brother be used, Lorenzo!" Says Charles.

"Charles, he isn't- okay stop. Did Mick tell you that he wants someone else?" Asks Lorenzo.

"Not with words, I see how he looks at the boy."

"That's not a good reason," Says Lorenzo.

"It is! He's always with him, they are always together when they have the time!" Screams Charles and stands up.

"Don't scream at me! I listen Charlie, I try so hard to understand you but I don't! I don't understand why you're mad at Mick. I don't know who the other guy is, because I don't know Mick's friends." Lorenzo runs a hand through his hair.

"You know how hard it is that my two little brothers are fighting and can't be in the same room without fighting? I miss us, Charles. I miss the three of us playing tennis and things like that! I want so many things and I have no idea how to help you two!" Lorenzo says everything that's on his heart.

It hurts so much that he has to see his brothers separately. Having to tell how the other is, because they don't want to see or speak to each other, but then want to know if they're both okay. His brothers make their lives a lot harder than it has to be.

"Why don't you tell Arthur who the boy is? Tell the whole story without letting pieces out! Your story is confusing, Charles. I don't understand it and he doesn't. He doesn't know who the guy could be. He trusts Mick, and you should do that too. Or at least talk with Mick about this and let him explain everything without getting mad at him." Tries Lorenzo, but Charles shakes his head.

"I don't want to see Mick nor talk to him." Says Charles

"Charlie, talk to me then. Explain everything to me, please. I want my two brothers back." Says Lorenzo and the tears burn his eyes.

"No."

♡♡♡

"I have to go soon." Mick whispers in Arthur's ear, who nods against his chest.

"I know." Arthur says, pressing a kiss against Mick's neck. "Thank you, I really needed this."

"I know, and I'm happy you let me," Says Mick. They have been lying on the couch for an hour now. Arthur fell asleep for a few minutes, but at the same time, it was too short to really call it sleeping or napping.

"We still plan to have a week in Italy after today?" Asks Arthur and Mick Nods. "I booked this beautiful place. In the photos it looked like we had good privacy there, so that should be perfect." Says Mick and Arthur smiles.

"First little vacation together." Smiles Arthur and Mick Nods. "A week for ourselves." Mick kisses Arthur's forehead.

"A few more races and the season will be done for you too." Says Arthur, and puts his head next to Mick's so they can look at each other.

"Or last, if I don't have a seat for next year." You can hear the doubt in Mick's voice.

"They would be stupid to let you go. Another team will get you. They would be stupid as well if that didn't happen." Say Arthur.

"There's so much happening, it's unbelievable. Still can't believe it that Seb will retire after this season."

"Me neither. F1 will lose one of the best," Says Arthur, and holds Mick closer to his own body.

"The best." Whispers Mick

Because of the knock on the door, Arthur pulls out of Mick's arms and sits up on the couch, Mick does the same.

The door opens and Arthur's eyes widen for a second as Charles walks in.

"Hi." Says Arthur softly

"Hey," Says Charles, and he looks at Mick.

"Can we talk, alone?" Asks Charles and Mick is standing up, but Arthur grabs his arm.

"No."

"No?" Asks Mick and Charles together.

"Whatever you want to say, you can do that with Mick here. He's not going anywhere." Says Arthur, and Mick notice the panic in his boyfriend's eyes.

Arthur wants anything but to be alone with his brother. He doesn't want to be alone when Charles walks out the door angry again. And maybe Mick can hold both of them in hand if they start arguing again. Everyone can hear them now. The walls aren't really walls here.

"Artie, maybe it's good that you two speak alone." Says Mick, and turns Arthur around so they face each other and he grabs Arthur's hands in his own.

"Speak to him, tell him how you feel and keep yourself calm. I know how much you want to speak with Charles, open yourself for it." Mick squeezes his hand.

"Don't go." Arthur begs and looks deep into his eyes, eyes begging for Mick to stay.

Mick looks to the side where Charles is standing with an angry look at Mick.

"You can do it, no worries."

He looks Arthur deeply in the eyes before letting go of him and heading out the door.

"What do you want?" Asks Arthur, but he didn't look his brother in the eyes.

"I'm sorry for your championship." Says Charles, and Arthur looks at the floor.

"Never supposed to be mine, so yeah..."

"What do you mean? Arthur, of course, you deserve one. You're a great driver." Says Charles and Arthur Scoffs.

"Yeah? You still think that." Say Arthur.

"Don't bring yourself down" says Charles.

"Stop speaking so nice to me when you just shot knives with your eyes towards my boyfriend!" Says Arthur angry, and looks his brother in his eyes.

"This is about you, not Mick. I'm here for you and what a shit day this has been for you!" Says Charles.

"So we can be like a family when it's about things like that? But you can't even look at me all the other days when Mick is around?"

"Don't be like that." Sigh Charles.

"Like what? Ignore that Mick is my boyfriend to keep you happy?" Asks Arthur and looks at him angry.

"Mick is part of my life. I really like him, Charles. Why can't you accept that? Why can't you accept that I have a boyfriend, that Mick is my boyfriend!" The tears burn in Arthur's eyes again.

All he wants is to be with his family. Having everyone around him and watching a comedy movie.

"I can accept you having a boyfriend, Arthur. Mick isn't the right one for you!"

"Why not!" Cried Arthur and sits down on the couch. "Go, please, I don't have the energy to do this."

"Listen to me." Charles sat down next to him on the couch.

"Mick liked someone else before you. And now, all of a sudden, he really likes you and are you together? Arthur, he's using you to make the boy jealous." Says Charles.

"Who's the boy?" Arthur looks up at Charles with teary eyes.

"I can't tell you." sigh Charles.

"No, of course you don't. You make this up!" Says Arthur

"No, I don't want you to be miserable! It will hurt you to know who it is!" Says Charles

"Tell me!"

"Stop it! Stop. Arthur, you need to stop this, believe me when I say it's better for you to find someone else!" Charles begs.

"No, because I believe that Mick likes me too."

"He doesn't." Sigh Charles.

"You said you were here for me and not Mick. I really don't want to talk anymore Charles. My day is bad already, so please, leave me alone. I can't do this." A tear runs down Arthur's cheek and it hurts Charles to see his little brother like this.

In reflex he pulls his brother into a hug. He squeezes it close to him and leans his chin on top of Arthur's head.

"Next year you will beat everyone." Says Charles.

"We'll see." Mumbles Arthur against his chest. He squeezes his eyes shut and squeezes himself closer to Charles. He's not sure he wants Charles his hug, but at the same time, this is all he needs and wanted. For a moment, everything feels normal again.

"We will do this together, alright? We will find a way to get you to leave Mick without having a fight with him and everything will get better." Says Charles and Arthur press his hands and get out of the embrace of Charles and get up.

"You really fucking serious? You're unbelievable. Get the fuck out!" Shouts Arthur and opens his door.

"Arthur-"

"Leave!" Angry tears are rolling down his cheeks.

"Listen-"

"No, I really thought- Fuck you." Sobs Arthur and grabs Charles' arm. Without resisting, Charles has him kicked out of the room and watches the door close in front of him.

♡♡♡

The race for Mick is going perfectly.

Literally perfect.

He's P4! He started in seventh place, but due to a crash in the first corner he moved up to p4. He boxed a few rounds ago for new tires, mediums. Lewis Hamilton is in front of him, Mick is in his Drs zone. He's pushing so hard, this is his chance to get his first podium.

To prove to everyone that he can race.
And he did it in the last corner. Mick overtakes Hamilton and pushes his throttle as far as possible. In his mirror, he sees that Hamilton is driving next to him. All Mick needs to do is to stay in front after the two corners.

And he did. Hamilton is behind him and he tries to accelerate as much as possible, braking late in the corners so that he stays ahead of Hamilton. The Mercedes is much faster than his Haas, but Mick will give it everything to fight for third place. All he needs to do is keep doing it for another 10 laps.

For 10 laps, he sees Hamilton behind him in his mirrors. Does he see Hamilton trying to overtake him in the corners that he can, or on the straights. Mick has never had such a stressful race as this before. He's fighting for his first podium and Hamilton is not making it easy for him.

With 5 laps to go, Mick makes a brake error in the corner, and the lead he had built was gone. Hamilton is next to him and Mick closes the side door. Hamilton goes to the other side and they go through the corner together, Mick on the inside and Hamilton in the outside corner. Mick stays in front and pulls away.

He got his first podium!

"YEEESSS! WE DID IT! OH MY GOD- NO WAY". Mick hears his team cheering on the other side of his radio while he himself is yelling.

Hey did it!

"You did it Mick! Enjoy this moment." Says his race engineer Gary.

"Thank you, you too, boys." Says Mick and slams his steering wheel. He fucking did it!

He stops his car at number three and leans his helmet against the steering wheel before getting out of the car.

When he has climbed over the halo, he jumps out of the car with a jump. He hears his team cheer and jumps into their arms. He gets hit on his helmet, back, arms and no idea where else, and Mick doesn't care.

Tears are in Mick's eyes, it feels so good to have his first podium, first podium for Haas. He sees all the happy faces on his team and it feels so good, what they have been fighting for years has finally been achieved

But then his eyes fell on him.

Arthur stands between the Ferrari and Haas people, right in the middle. There is a big smile on his face and his gaze is focused on Mick.

Without thinking, Mick runs his way and puts his arms around his boyfriend, who grabs him tight.

"You did it! Mick, I'm so proud of you." Arthur yells as Mick pulls back and lifts his visor up. Their eyes are focused on each other and Mick gives him a big smile before turning away again.

He turns away with a heavy heart. All he wants is to share this moment with Arthur, but he can't. Not when all the cameras are pointed at them. He looks back for a moment and Arthur give him a smile.

"Micky!" Mick laughs as Kevin picks him up and wraps his arms around his teammate's shoulders. "You did it! Congrats." Kevin puts Mick back on the ground and Mick pulls his helmet off.

"Thank you." Kevin walks away and Mick's eyes focus on Seb standing by his side and opens his arms when Mick has his attention on him.

"I'm so proud of you. You deserve this so much, your mom and dad are so proud, I know that for sure." Mick tears at Seb's words. His mother and Gina are not in this race, and how much he would have liked to have them here now.

"Enjoy every moment up there, take it all in." Seb gives Mick's hair a quick ruffle before he leaves.

He is called for the interview and puts his things on the table and walks towards the interviewer.

A smile returns to his face as he is cheered on by the fans.

"Mick, your first podium, what a drive!"

"It's unbelievable. In the beginning, I was hoping for a top 5 finish. But P3, Lewis gave me a really hard time." Mike laughs. "I loved every second of that. Fighting so hard for position, this is what I would like to do every race." Says Mick.

As he walks away, he sees Max walking his way with a big smile. He puts an arm around Mick's shoulders and presses their sides together.

"Congratulations. I'm really happy for you! When GP told me you were p3 I thought he was joking, you did it with an Haas, unbelievable mate." Max says and Mick gives him a smile.

"I didn't expect this to happen." Laughs Mick

"Me neither, buddy." Laughs Max and walks away towards Charles.

Charles doesn't give him a look. He has clearly seen Mick's car and his belongings, but completely ignores the German.

Mick expected a reaction like this when his race engineer told him that Charles is P1, Max is P2 and himself in P3.

Personally, he would have wanted to go up to Charles now and congratulate him on his first place after so many races, but I don't think Charles will appreciate that.

Mick walks towards the cool down room where Charles and Max are already standing. On a table is a bottle of water and Mick grabs it and looks at the screen where his catch-up move with Hamilton is shown.

"Good overtake." Says Max and Mick laughs.

"I know right, fighting with him was fun." Says Mick.

"He gave you a hard time?" Asks Max, and Mick nods and swallows his water.

"He was close for so long. His Mercedes was so much faster than my car. I made a mistake later in the race, and he was next to me again." Laughs Mick and looks at the TV where that moment played.

"You guys have a lot of pace again.", Says Max to Charles who just nodded.

"Guys." A man came to pick them up to walk to the stage. They are all waiting with them in a small hall. When Mick looks up, his eyes meet Charles ones.

"You really had to hug him right in front of my eyes." Mick's cheeks heat up at Charles's words.

"Just happend." Says Mick Back.

"Right." Scoffs Charles and looks away, he clearly doesn't believe him. Mick turns himself around so that he has his back to Charles and the stage in front of him.

He will not let Charles ruin this moment for him.

♡♡♡

With the trophy and champagne bottle in his hands, he walks back to Haas' garage where his team is waiting for him.

With a big smile, Mick walks towards them, he sees his team ready and they start clapping and cheering when he comes into view of them. Mick sprints for the last part and runs towards his team. He's received again by hugs and claps on his back.

They take the team photo and Mick smiles as Kevin squats next to him and puts his arm over Mick's shoulders.

Everyone cheers for the photo and Mick runs off as champagne opens again and is sprayed all over them.

Mick sees much too late that Kevin is running towards him with a bottle in his hand. With his hand, he grabs Mick's arm as the younger boy wants to run away and holds the bottle above his head, and Mick is now really soaked with champagne.

"Asshole." Laughs Mick as Kevin let him go.

"I had my chance, can't let that go, mate." Say Kevin.

Mick looks at Kevin, still standing in front of him, as an idea shoots him inside. Kevin is already here in his clean clothes, fresh from the shower, judging by his wet hair.

With slow steps, Mick moves closer to Kevin, who realizes what the German is doing.

"Mick, no!" Screams Kevin and wants to run away, but Mick is faster and presses himself against Kevin and hugs the Dane. His arms around Kevin's neck, Mick's smile widens when he hears Kevin sigh and wraps his arms around the younger boy his waist. He's dirty and sticky again, so he might as well give a hug back.

"Proud of you." Kevin says, as he let go of Mick.

"Thank you, teammate." The 2 boys laugh and Mick puts his hand on Kevin's shoulder.

"Thank you for being a great teammate." Says Mick and Kevin looks surprised but then smiles big.

"You too, Micky." Says Kevin and give Mick's hair a quick ruffle.

"Your lover boy is inside the garage." Whispers Kevin in Mick's ear, who's eyes are getting big and looks up to Kevin, who smiles and gave him a wink before walking away.

Mick walks into the garage and scans the room looking for his boyfriend's familiar face.

"You looked beautiful up there." Mick turns and smiles as Arthur stands behind him.

"I always look beautiful." Jokes Mick and Arthur nods in agreement. He looks across the room, and sees that no one is really looking at them and hugs Mick.

"That's right." Answers Arthur and then let the other boy go so they don't get the attention from the team.

"Podium looks good on you." Praised Arthur.

"You know that your sticky now from all the champagne." Asks Mick.

"I don't care."

"I have to do media. Will I see you later?" Mick asks as he puts his stuff down.

"Can I wait for you in your motorhome?" Asks Arthur and Mick nods.

"Yes of course. Come with me." Says Mick and they walk towards his motorhome.

On the way, Mick realizes how difficult this must be for Arthur. Before the race, he had a disappointed Arthur in his arms, and maybe now he has to pretend to be happy because he has a podium.

Arthur's head isn't in it at all to be happy, and Mick is beaming here.

Mick had a good weekend while Arthur had the nightmare weekend for every driver.

They get into Mick's motorhome and he turns around when the door closes.

"Sorry, I'm all happy while you had a shit weekend and-"

"Mick, stop." Says Arthur and puts his hands on Mick's chest.

"Yes, this weekend sucks for me. But I'm so happy for you, I'm so proud! Don't let me change that feeling. You should be happy and celebrate." Arthur gives him a smile and Mick nods.

"Okay, but don't hide your feelings for me, okay."

"We'll talk when your back, okay?" Arthur puts his hand on Mick's cheek and strokes his thumb back and forth.

"You sure you are okay?" asks Mick and Arthur smiles and nods.

"With you, always.", Says Arthur and press a soft kiss on Mick's lips.

I love you.

Mick's eyes widen at his own thoughts. He lets go of Arthur and steps back.

"Great, I will- yeah." Mick points to the door and walks towards it.

"See you later." Mick exits the motorhome, leaving behind a confused Arthur.

Did he really just think that? Did he really love Arthur?

♡♡♡

"Seb!" Shouts Mick when he is done with his media duties and sees Sebastian further up. Seb smiles as Mick runs up.

"Hey- Are you alright?" The smile fades off his face when he sees Mick's face. The younger boy has a worried look on his face and restlessly runs a hand through his hair and looks around.

"Mick, breathe!" Says Seb when he sees how fast Mick's chest rises and falls. He grabs Mick's arm and drags him to his motorhome. Mick has to leave the paddock.

"No, I need to- Seb." His voice is shaky and you can hear the confusion and sort of hopelessness in his voice.

"Shh, we're going to my motorhome, alright?" Says Seb and Mick nods but then shakes his head.

"Arthur is- no I don't... Seb, I don't know." Sebastian's heart breaks when he hears Mick talking like that. He hadn't seen him so panicked in a long time.

"Is Arthur in danger?" Asks Sebastian, and Mick shook his head. He wanted to make sure nothing happened to Arthur that made Mick like this and maybe he had to go back to his Arthur.

"We're almost there," Says Sebastian and still pulls Mick along. Mick looks around restlessly and then grabs his phone again, only to put it back in his pocket. Seb gets nervous because of him.

"Okay, we're here." He opens the door and guides Mick inside and makes him sit on the couch.

From the fridge, he takes a bottle of cold water and hands it to Mick.

"Drink something and breathe deep in and out," Says Seb.

After a few minutes, Mick finished the bottle and stares straight ahead. Seb sees that he is deep in thought and with one hand on his knee, he tries to get Mick's attention.

"You ready to talk to me?" Asks Seb to give Mick the room to say no if he doesn't want to talk.

"I think I love him." Says Mick and he panicked again.

Sebastian gives him a smile, he knows exactly what the younger man means.

"That's beautiful, Mick." Says Sebastian in the hope that Mick will see it positively too. He knows the panic Mick feels. The fear that someone doesn't feel the same and you don't want to feel anything like love at that moment.

"Is it?" Asks Mick and Seb nods.

"Are you not happy that you like Arthur so much?"

"I- I don't know." Mick looks so confused.

"That's okay sweetheart, love can be scary." Says Sebastian.

"What if he never like me that much? I can't handle that, Sebbe!"

"Breathe, please." Says Sebastian as Mick regains his rapid breathing. He squats in front of Mick and grabs his hands.

"You and Arthur are absolutely adorable together. The way he looks at you, Mick, he feels the same. I'm sure of that." Seb saw the twinkle in Mick's eyes.

"He does?"

"I saw how he looked at you when you were on the podium. Like you hung up the moon. He was only looking at you, following you everywhere with his eyes. It was really sweet." Says Seb with a smile on his face when he thinks back at it.

The younger Leclerc looked so in love in Sebastian's eyes.

"He said something really sweet before I did the media. And I thought 'I love you'. I wanted to say it to him and I panicked, walked out of the door and went to the media." Says Mick and Seb squeezes his hand.

"You don't have to say it to him immediately. Wait for the perfect time." Says Seb and Mick nods a little. "Yeah." Comes out of his mouth.

Sebastian sits down next to Mick on the couch and puts an arm around his shoulder. Mick leans against Sebastian's body and rests his head on Seb's shoulder.

"Find out for yourself exactly what you feel. Then you know for sure that the decisions you make are the right ones. Love has no time."

♡♡♡

Mick opens the door to his motorhome. He closes it behind him again and his eyes fall on the sofa where Arthur has fallen asleep.

A smile came to his face and he takes off his shoes. Arthur lay on his left side, his head resting on his own hands. Carefully, he climbs over Arthur and lies down behind him. He feels Arthur begin to move and Mick wraps his arm around Arthur's waist and presses his body close to him. He pushes his nose into Arthur's hair and lets the scent penetrate.

"Mick?"

"Did you sleep well?" Asks Mick, and Arthur turns in his hold and rests his head against Mick's chest.

"Wasn't supposed to fall asleep." Arthur yawns and Mick strokes his hair.

"Thank you for your kind words. And I'm sorry about how I reacted and left." Mumbles Mick, and he feels that Arthur tightens his grip.

"Did I say something wrong?" Asks Arthur.

"No, I reacted wrong. It was so sweet what you said, and I'm happy that you feel comfortable around me and trust me enough that you can be yourself. I have the same feelings as you, Artie. I've never felt so comfortable with someone, it scared me a little." Explains Mick, and Arthur looks up and their eyes meet.

"I'm happy to hear that. And I do feel comfortable with you." Says Arthur and Mick press a kiss against his forehead.

"We can go if we want, I'm all done." Says Mick and Arthur puts his head next to Mick's so they can get a good look at each other.

"And where are we going to celebrate?" Asks Arthur.

"Celebrate?" Asks Mick

"Your first podium. We are not going to the hotel and sleep. We are going to celebrate this, and it will be good for us too. To get away for the night. Away from racing and life, just us having fun and having a great night. " Say Arthur with a smile.

"Are you sure? Arthur, I understand that your head is not in the right place to celebrate." Says Mick. He can see that Arthur was tired, dark bags under his eyes. And he's had a rough night, he's lost something he fought so hard for.

"I want to. Mick, what should I do then? Lay in bed and be grumpy because I lost the championship? You have your first podium in Formula 1, Mick. We can celebrate it." Says Arthur and Mick smiles.

"I didn't expect you at the podium." Smiles Mick and Arthur puts his leg between Mick's legs.

"I saw you on P3 and I needed to be there. I saw Ferrari and Haas standing side by side, so I thought I'd go right in there. People think I'm there for Charles, but I hoped you'd see me too , even if it was just eye contact. I wanted you to know I was with you and I'm cheering for you."

"When I saw you, I had to hug you." Laughs Mick "I'm happy you were there. To spend this with you."

"You looked so good up there. Never saw you so happy." Says Arthur, and Mick looks at his eyes and then his lips.

"Because of you." Says Mick and Arthur press a kiss against his cheek.

"Me?" Asks Arthur.

"I was happy because you were there too. You made it perfect for me, like everything was supposed to be like this." Says Mick and Arthur smiles.

"Maybe it is."

♡♡♡

"I didn't know he was going to be here?" Says Arthur, and looks at the other side of the room.

Charles was dancing there with George, Alex, Lando and Carlos.

"Do you want to go?" Asks Mick, and Arthur looks at him with big eyes.

Does he want to leave? Why does he always have to leave so he doesn't see his brother?

They are here with Marcus, Callum and some other F3 guys who have joined them.

"No, this is our night. I'm not letting him ruin that." Says Arthur and turns his back towards his brother.

Arthur sees how Mick looks at him, but with a big gulp he drinks his beer. "You want another one?" He asks Mick who nods.

Arthur and Callum get more beer for all of them. Mick had to keep reminding himself not to cling to Arthur. No one else knows they're together, and they're in a public place, so they have to be careful anyway.

"How did you get Arthur to come? He was miserable." Asks Jak and Mick looks at him.

"He was asking if I was going out and wanted to join me. He didn't want to lie in bed and be sulking." Laughs Mick and Jak nods.

"Sound like Arthur." He says, and focus his attention back on Oliver. He looks at the two boys and then frowns and taps Jak again.

"How did you guys get in? Your 17, right?" Asks Mick them and they start laughing.

"Fake ID does it all, mate." Says Oliver

"Watch out, watch out, beer!" Callum shouted, with a laughing Arthur after him.

"Arthur, walk faster, you slow dog." Maybe Callum already had too many drinks.

"Mick, help me. Save me from him." Says Arthur and, pressed himself between Mick and Dennis.

"You need to lose a little Leclerc." Laughs Callum and presses a glass of beer into his hands.

"Can we do a round of shots?" Says Marcus.

"We just started, we have the whole night. Keep it down a little." Says Dennis and puts an arm around Arthur's shoulder.

Mick listens as Dennis asks if Arthur is okay. He smiles and starts his own conversation with Marcus.

He's happy that Arthur has a friend like Dennis. Someone who will always look out for him. He knows that Arthur is close with Dennis since they were teammates in Prema.

He sees how Arthur is being pulled away by the Prema boys.

"You and Arthur got close, no?" Mick looks up at Marcus's voice and nods.

"Yeah, we've gotten pretty close."

"Two Leclerc's at your side. Good luck with that." Laughs Marcus and Mick is forced to laugh along with him. As Marcus knows what's going on, they wouldn't be laughing.

"I see the way you look at him." Whispers Marcus and smirks when he sees the shocked face of Mick.

"You don't have to tell me, but maybe you should be a little less clear." Says Marcus and Mick his cheeks start to glow.

Arthur laughs with the guys and he pushes back the shot that was ordered.

"How are you feeling?" Asks Jak and Arthur sighs.

"Can't we talk about it? It happened and I'm here to have fun." Says Arthur and the boys nods.

"So to change the subject, you have to tell us something?" Asks Dennis with a smirk on his face.

"What do you mean?" Asks Arthur.

"Don't lie, you know what I mean. Mick?" Arthur eyes widened at the mention of Mick's name.

"What about him?" Asks Arthur and he's trying so hard to act normal.

"Oh please, I see the way you look at him and to mention how he looks at you." Laughs Dennis.

"Mick Schumacher?" Asks Jak and Oliver gasp.

"Your fucking Mick Schumacher?" Screams Oliver and Arthur put his hands on Oliver's mouth.

"Can you shut up!" Says Arthur and hears the other laugh.

"Oh your whipped." Laughs Dennis.

♡♡♡

Charles had seen his brother come in with all the other boys and looks at Pierre.

"What's he doing here?" Asks Charles.

"Who?" Asks Pierre.

"Arthur, he's here with Mick and the other boys."

"So? He's 21, baby, he can go out and have fun." Says Pierre and puts his arms around Charles his shoulder.

"Mick certainly forced him here to celebrate his podium." Says Charles and Pierre sighs.

"Seriously? Charles, come on, you don't have to find a reason for anything to blame Mick."

"You didn't see him this afternoon, Pierre, he was broken because he lost his title. Now he is suddenly here celebrating."

"He's looking for distraction, and that's good for him. Charles, please, we are here to have a good night. Don't ruin it for yourself or for them." Says Pierre.

"I want to talk to Arthur.", Says Charles, but Pierre grabs his arm.

"No, leave him alone! Charles, why do you need to make a problem of this?" Pierre is really starting to lose patience with his boyfriend.

"You know how much it hurts to see that Arthur was at the podium for Mick and not for me. Mick hugged him right in front of my eyes. That's a really shit thing to do." Says Charles, and you hear the pain in his voice.

"I know, and I'm sorry. Talk to him about that another day, alright? We're here to have fun." Says Pierre and Charles breathe deep in and out.

"Your right." Says Charkes and leans closer to Pierre.

"I always am." Laughs Pierre and Charles gasp and give him a gentle push.

"You're not." Says Charles and laughs when Pierre pulls him into the crowd to dance.

♡♡♡

They ignored each other all evening. Arthur's eyes often fell on his brother, same with Charles, but they both look away when their eyes meet.

Mick has put an arm around his shoulder and together they laugh at their friends. The couple didn't drink as much as the others. Arthur is not a big alcohol fan and Mick didn't want to get drunk.

Mick missed this, going out and just enjoying the music and each other's company with friends. Everyone has a good time together, and it makes him happy to see that.

"Can we go home in a few minutes?" Whispers Arthur in Mick's ear, who nods. It's now around four o'clock in the night and his feet are hurting him.

"Good plan." Says Mick.

"No you can't go!" Callum presses himself against Mick's body and wraps his arms around him.

"Mick is staying with me, Arthur." Laughs Callum. And both boys know that he's joking.

"You bring him back to the hotel then?" Says Arthur and Callum frowns.

"Do you share a hotel room?" Callum asks, and Arthur looks at Mick in panic.

"My hotel room has a water leak and Mick said I could stay with him overnight." Says Arthur lying.

"You can also stay with me if Mick is mean to you." Says Callum and Arthur laughs.

"So I can help you in the morning when you wake up feeling miserable? No thank you, I am staying with Mick."

"I want to stay with Mick," Says Callum, and press a kiss on Mick's cheek. Callum is too drunk.

"Okay, get off me." Laughs Mick and pushes Callum aside.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom, and then we'll go." Said Mick and Arthur nods.

But the way to the bathroom is quickly interrupted when Mick's arm is grabbed.

"What are you doing?" Asks Charles and Mick frowns.

"What do you mean, you grab my arm." Says Mick and shakes his arm free from Charles's grip.

"You are really flirting with him while Arthur is in front of you."

"What do you mean?" Asks Mick.

"You know what I mean and I can't believe that I was right. You're terrible Mick. Can't wait for everyone to see what kind of person you really am." Snaps Charles and storms away, leaving a confused Mick behind.

♡♡♡

Mick and Arthur arrive back at the hotel and soon they both plop on the bed.

"I don't want to move anymore." Sigh Arthur and Mick laughs. "I know that feeling."

He turns to his side and places a hand on Arthur's stomach, who looks at him. Arthur lies with his back on the bed, his hands under his head and he looks beautiful this way. His hair is tousled, a blouse with the top buttons unbuttoned.

Mick rests his head against Arthur's shoulder. "You had fun tonight?" Asks Arthur and Mick nods his head.

"Did you?" He lifts his head and watches Arthur's reaction.

"I did. It was good to let everything just go and be with friends again." Says Arthur and smiles at Mick.

Mick leans forward and press his lips against Arthur's ones. Arthur puts his hands in Mick's hair and presses his face close. Mick hangs over Arthur and places his legs along Arthur's body.

Mick moves his lips to Arthur's neck and with his other hand he unbuttens the blouse.

"You have no idea how badly I wanted to kiss you all night." Whispers Mick against Arthur's skin.

"Mick", Arthur whispered, and Mick cradled Arthur's face in his hands and press their foreheads together. They are breathing the same air and Mick hears how hard Arthur breathes in and out.

"Relax." Says Mick and presses kisses from Arthur's face, to his neck, to his shoulder and down over his chest.

"Your beautiful." Whispers Mick and looks up where their eyes meet.

Mick blows a small raspberry on his stomach and it makes Arthur softly giggle.

"Let's get ready for bed." Says Mick, and gets rid of Arthur. The younger boy gives him a smile and sits up. He grabs Mick's chin and presses a soft kiss on his lips.

They don't have to talk. Their eyes say enough.

Chapter Text

Our holiday turned out differently than expected. Pretty soon from Italy we flew to Switzerland for a funeral of a friend of Mick's family. We then decided to stay together and Mick showed me a few beautiful places in Switzerland.

Today we are walking in the woods. Arthur is in the car with Gina while Mick is on the motorcycle because he was giving Sebastian Vettel a little visit before coming to us. Angie runs a bit ahead of us with Mick following her and behind that Arthur, Corinna and Gina walk together.

Arthur could not receive a warmer welcome than from the Schumacher family. Arthur found out that he and Gina have a lot in common. They have already spent some hours together on the manage of her horses. He cooked with Corinna. Arthur always helped his mother when he could in the kitchen. He likes cooking and learning how to cook. It was fun to learn from Corinna. It's easy to talk with them, they are such nice people, honest and always open.

Mick loves watching his boyfriend and mother cooking together. It's a relief how easily Arthur has been welcomed with open arms, as if he's been part of it for years. The only thing a bit unfortunate about his boyfriend and mother cooking together are the embarrassing stories his mother tells Arthur about him, and Arthur absolutely loves them.

Arthur is taken out of his thoughts by Angie, who jumps on him with her paws. Arthur immediately squats down and hugs the dog close.

"You're having fun, girl?" Laughs Arthur when Angie licks his face.

"Jealous Brother?" Laughs Gina and puts her arm around Mick's shoulder. "Your dog is licking his face, bet you want to do the same." She jokes and Arthur goes bright red.

"Gina!" Shouts Mick and Corinna.

Gina laughs and pinches Mick's cheeks. "I'm joking little bro. But don't tell me I'm wrong." She winks and Corinna let out a big sign.

"Leave your brother alone, you don't have to joke about their relationship every time you get the change."

"But mom, they are so easy to joke about." She laughs and squats next to Arthur with Angie.

"And it's not bad. I mean, I'm jealous that Mick found Arthur and not I. He always gets the best ones." Says Gina and Arthur smiles.

"That's sweet." Says Arthur, and Gina give him a smile.

"If you and Mick break up, I won't let you go, that you know that."

"Hands off, Gina." Says Mick, and the older Schumacher laughs.

"Don't worry Micky." Says Gina and squeezes Arthur's cheek. "He's all yours."

♡♡♡

When they start walking again, Mick takes Arthur's hand and gives him a smile.

"I love the woods. Sometimes you forget how beautiful and soothing nature is because of our job. I really love the woods." Says Arthur, and Mick nods in agreement.

"It's beautiful." He's looking at Arthur and when the younger boy looks up to him and sees how Mick is looking at him, he laughs and shakes his head.

"You are unbelievable, Schumi, that was so bad." Arthur laughs and Mick leans against his shoulder.

"I didn't lie!" Mick says, as if he hadn't said anything wrong.

"It's a terrible cliche," Says Arthur, and Mick laughs.

"Maybe a little bit. Couldn't let it go" said Mick, and press a kiss against Arthur's cheek.

"I really like it that we can just walk around, nobody coming to us because they recognize us. We can really just relax and be together." Micks Mick and Arthur Nods.

"Maybe one day." says Arthur, and Mick smiles.

"Do you want to come out?" Asks Mick

"Well, not right now. But yeah, in the future. You don't?" Asks Arthur with doubt in his voice.

"I want it, yes. Not now like you said, but I would love to help young people to send them the message that you can be yourself, you can love whoever you want, you can be happy no matter what. I want to help them." Says Mick, and Arthur looks at him with a big smile on his face.

"I wish I had some role model in the racing world who could come out and give that message. You would help so many children with that. When your ready of course," Says Arthur and squeezes Mick's hand.

"I hope I will help them."

"You will."

" Have you spoken with your family yet?" Asks Mick and Arthur Nods.

"Maman called and Lorenzo sent a lot of messages. I sent him some pictures of our little trip. He loved the view we had in Italy."

"It was beautiful. We have to go back there again when we have the time." Says Mick, and Arthur nods in agreement.

"We have to house to ourselves tomorrow. So we can have our pool day without my mum joining us." Laughs Mick and Arthur leans against him as he laughs.

Every time Mick and Arthur want to lie by the pool, Mick's mom always joins them or has chores for the boys that make them get up. They do the chores with love for her, but after being interrupted three times, Mick is slightly annoyed by it. He hasn't had a day alone with Arthur, something he longs for. Just being together, swimming and talking nonsense by the pool, without your mother around.

Mick loves his mother, she's the most important woman with Gina in his life, and he would do anything for them. Look, him and Arthur are in a good relationship, but Mick can still learn so much about Arthur, and the other way around.

Mick sees Arthur in his future. Maybe it's a little soon to talk about that, but he really likes him. The way Arthur makes him feel, he never felt like that. Arthur makes him blush so easily, the way he feels warm inside when Arthur laughs, he loves to see him so happy. Mick was never a person who printed out a picture to look at or let it stand on his nightstand, but he did it with Arthur. It's their first picture together as a couple. Arthur is lying on Mick's chest while Mick hides his face in the boy's hair when Arthur takes the picture. He's in love with this one, and can look at it for hours.

It feels like Mick has a matter to come home to, the feeling of missing someone and you can't wait till you see the person again. Mick love this feeling but hate it at the same time.

"What are you thinking about?" Asks Arthur when Mick is done staring.

"You, my family, you," Says Mick with a chuckle.

Arthur moves his arm to Mick's waist and presses their bodies together. He runs his nose along Mick's cheek and then rests his head on Mick's shoulder.

"What about me?"

"That I lo- I really like you." Says Mick and his cheeks are glowing red.

"You like me." Arthur pokes Mick's side and the older boy laughs.

"Stop it, Dummkopf." Laughs Mick and Arthur gasp and push Mick away.

"What did you call me?!" Asks Arthur, and Mick laughs harder.

"Dummkopf." Mick repeated himself.

"What's that? It sounds insulting. Dumkof" Says Arthur

It makes Mick laugh harder.

"No Art, you idiot." Says Mick

"Idiot? Excuse me!" Arthur stands still and looks at Mick with an open mouth, causing the older boy to laugh again. He steps in front of Arthur and wraps his arms around his neck. Mick press his lips against Arthur's.

"You're my Dummkopf."

"It's idiot, isn't it?" Asks Arthur, with a serious face and Mick breaks Lauging and rests his face against Arthur's shoulder.

"Maybe." Mick lifts his head so they can look into each other's eyes. Their noses brush together and Arthur's arms sneak effortlessly around his waist. Mick reaches his hand up to cup Arthur's cheek. Then Mick presses his lips on Arthur's.

"Your lucky I like you." Say Arthur.

"Am I?"

"Yeah, your one lucky guy."

"I am." Says Mick, and press a soft kiss against Arthur's lips, who parts his lips when Mick let go.

"Tease." Whipster Arthur.

"It's only the beginning."

"You done fucking each other?" Shouts Gina from further away.

♡♡♡

Mick puts on his motorcycle jacket and opens the saddle.

"Art, take this." Says Mick towards Arthur and holds out an extra pair of gloves.

"For what?" Asks Arthur, but takes it anyway.

"Ready for a sweet ride?" Mick gave him a big smile.

"What? No." Says Arthur, and returns the gloves to Mick and takes a step back.

"Arthur-"

"No way I'm sitting on that thing, you want me dead?" Says Arthur dramatically, and Mick laughs.

"Oh my god, babe, no." He walks around his motorbike and stands in front of Arthur and takes his hands.

"I've never had an accident, it's fun, I swear."

"I don't want it. I don't like motorbikes, Mick, you know that."

"You can hold me, Arthur, give it a try!"

"No, Mick, I will drive with your mom."

"Please." Mick puts on his pout.

"Mick." Sighs Arthur.

"Just a little bit, and if you really don't like it, I'll stop. Please, Arthur, I know you're scared, but I'm sure you're going to like it." Says Mick and looks into his eyes.

Arthur gives a deep sigh and Mick starts grinning when Arthur takes the gloves again.

"Your not going too fast."

"I promise." Says Mick, but Arthur didn't believe Mick as far as he could throw him.

"Mick, no jokes, I really need you to take me seriously here because I'm shitting myself." Says Arthur, and Mick see the fear in his eyes and hug him.

"I promise to drive carefully and not go too fast. Squeeze my legs if you want to stop, I'll drive straight to the side." Says Mick and Arthur nods.

"Alright." Comes trembling from Arthur's mouth and Mick gives Arthur another hug.

"You will like it, I promise." Whispers Mick and Arthur Nods. "We'll see." Replies Arthur.

Mick walks to his mother's car and takes out the extra motorcycle gear and helmet.

"You planned this!" Says Arthur and Mick nods.

"Of course, I really wanted to ride with you." Says Mick, and gives Arthur the clothes.

Mick himself puts on his motorcycle pants and turns on the engine.

"Ready?" Asks Mick when Arthur stands next to him.

With Mick's help, Arthur gets on the bike with Mick sitting in the front. Arthur's legs are pressed around Mick's body when he sits as close as possible to his boyfriend. His arms go around Mick's waist and he holds his own hands tightly.

At first, Arthur is very tense on the bike, clamping himself tighter around Mick, and he doesn't look to the side. His head with the helmet rests on Mick's back. Only after they drove for a while did Arthur dare to look up and see how fast they were going on the highway.

"You okay?" Screams Mick

"Yes." Arthur screams back and feels Mick place his hand on his for a moment and squeeze it before gripping the steering wheel again.

Arthur rests his head on Mick's back and looks at the view.

Maybe riding a motorcycle isn't so bad when he can sit so close to Mick.

♡♡♡

"I told you it's fun." Says Mick, when they walk into the house and clear out the stuff in the closet.

"Maybe you were right." Say Arthur.

"Maybe? I was," Says Mick and pokes Arthur's side.

"Where are your mother and sister?" Asks Arthur.

"They send a message saying they went on to the stable, the foal was born." Says Mick

"Really? That's fast, wasn't it supposed to happen in a few days?" Asks Arthur and Mick Nods.

"You want something to drink?"

"No, I want to shower, I feel gross." Says Arthur and Mick let out a chuckle. "You are."

"Why are you always so mean?" Laughs Arthur when he follows Mick towards the kitchen and pushes the older boy onto the kitchen table.

"Your too easy, you put the words right in my mouth." Laughs Mick and grabs Arthur's face.

"I wanted to take a bath." Says Mick, and Arthur looks at his mouth and then his eyes.

"You want to join me?" Ask Mick "I understand if you don't want it, maybe bit soon."

"We've been together for months, Micky."

"Yes so? If you're not comfortable with it, you shouldn't feel pushed."

"If you don't mind, I will join you." Says Arthur, and press a kiss against Mick's lips.

"I wouldn't have asked then." Whispers Mick against his lips and takes the bottom one in his teeth and bites softly.

"You coming?" Mick asks when he moves away from Arthur and goes towards the stairs.

When they are both changed and the bath is filled with a bath bomb, Mick gets in first. He sits against the edge and looks at Arthur who is still busy in the mirror.

"You look handsome, stop." Says Mick when the young boy is fixing his hair. "You are going in bath anyway, your hair is going to get wet? Why do you care to fix it."

"I was thinking about getting some hairlights in my hair again, what do you think?" Ask Arthur completely ignoring Mick.

" What colour?"

"Blond." Answers Arthur

"You would look hot as a blonde." Says Mick and Arthur grins.

"You think?"

"Yes, now step in." Says Mick, and Arthur puts his phone down on the sink.

Mick spreads his legs as Arthur pushes his knee to the side to make space. He sits in the bath, close to Mick and rests his head against Mick's shoulder. The older boy immediately leans his head against Arthur's and wraps his arms around his boyfriend.

"I can ask my maman to dye my hair. She's a hairdresser, so she can do that."

"Think about it before you regret it." Says Mick and Arthur look up as far as they can and their eyes meet.

"I've always wanted some blond hairlights to see how it fits. Maybe one day I will go fully blond."

"Not too light, right?"

"No, the dark blond."

"We'll see," Says Mick and press a kiss against Arthur's hair.

Arthur closes his eyes and focuses on Mick's hands massaging his head.

The water is nice and warm and Arthur lets himself relax against Mick's body. He grabs the hand that is still around Arthur's waist and presses a kiss on it.

"I know we have our day together tomorrow, but is it okay if I go with Gina to the manage in the afternoon?" Asks Arthur and tries to look up at Mick, as far as he can.

"Yes, of course. If you want to go there during the day, you should say so. We probably have another day when we can really spend the two of us." Says Mick.

"No, I want our day Micky. She said she's only going there at night since she's going out with friends. Plus, like I said, we finally have a day for just the two of us. I don't want to skip that." Says Arthur, and turns over so that he's facing Mick. He looks up at him, and Mick brushes the hair off of his forehead.

Mick let go of Arthur's body and place his hands on either side of Arthur's face. He press a soft kiss against his lips and traces the curve of his jaw with his thumb. They let go of the kiss and Arthur opens his eyes to meet Mick's ones.

He bumbs his nose against Mick's and had start moving his head slightly, rubbing his nose against Mick's softly and letting out a giggle. He place his head on Mick's chest before he looks up again.

"You're so perfect." Says Mick softly, while he still holds Arthur close.

♡♡♡

Gentle fingers ran along Arthur's arm, from his wrist to his elbow and back down, feathery light but still enough to stir him from his sleep.

When he opens his eyes, they meet Mick's ones who are staring at him.

Arthur grunted, his arms tightened around Mick. He huffs and turns his head to press lazy kisses against the bare skin of Mick's neck.

"Why are you awake?" Arthur rumbled, raspy and rough with sleep. He yawn and hooks his chin on Mick's shoulder. "It's still too early." He adds.

"You're really cute when your sleeping." Says Mick, and press a kiss against the crown of Arthur's forehead.

"Mick, it's seven AM. Why are you not sleeping?"

"Can't sleep anymore, I was trying to let you sleep. It's no punishment to lie still while you're still asleep in my arms." Says Mick with a little smirk.

"Creepy." Yawns Arthur and shut his eyes again. "Sleep, you need it."

"Okay, go back to sleep then." Says Mick, and Arthur opens his eyes again and tills his head up.

"You too, Micky."

"I will."

Arthur puts his head back on his shoulder and turns his body completely against Mick's. He lies half over Mick and intertwines their legs. He puts his hand on the other side of Mick's neck and he strokes the skin with his thumb.

Mick's arms tighten their grip around Arthur and he presses his face against the back of Arthur's head. Arthur's shampoo scent enters his nose and he closes his eyes.

"Sleep well." Whisper Arthur.

"Gute Nacht, Liebling."

♡♡♡

They have a short morning. How early they woke up, how late they woke up again after they both fell back asleep.

Arthur and Mick made breakfast together. We are not going to talk about what happened because Mick is no longer allowed to help Arthur in the kitchen. But they have had their breakfast at the pool and have already done some laps in the water.

Mick had taken a large blanked from the shed and put it on the grass so they could enjoy the sun. Mick has more patience to lie down than Arthur. The younger boy has already got up a few times to grab something or to take a swim again, sitting still isn't quite his thing.

He likes to be in the water more than lying down. His arms are on the side of the pool, so he holds himself up when they are talking.

"The water is cold." Nags Mick and Arthur laughs.

"You don't have to make excuses, you can also say that you don't want to swim with me." Arthur jokes and Mick raises his sunglasses so Arthur can see his eyes.

"You're a terrible human being sometimes, Leclerc." Says Mick, but Arthur smirks when he sees Mick standing up and he walks towards the swimming pool.

"Thank you, but you said you wanted to spend time with me and all you do is lie on the ground in the sun." Says Arthur and swims over towards Mick, who is sitting down on the edge of the pool with his legs in the water. Arthur pushes his legs to the side and stands between them, leaning his arms on Mick's thighs.

"I know." Laughs Mick

"Oh by the way, my parents brought their new house, they signed the papers." Says Mick and Arthur smiles.

"Congratulations Mick, is it the place your mother showed in the pictures?" Asks Arthur and Mick nods.

"They can arrange everything for my father to live there. And now they just have a lot more privacy than they have here." Mick explains. His hands run through Arthur's hair, and tries to style his wet hair a bit while he is talking.

"That's nice for them,", Says Arthur, and Mick nods in agreement. "But this means that you have to pack up everything with your stuff to be able to move."

"Indeed, they have to pack everything, they have just bought the furniture and would like to take it with them to the new house." Mick explains.

"How long have you lived here?" Asks Arthur and Mick sighs.

"Long, and if I'm honest, I don't want to leave." Says Mick, and Arthur takes his hand in his.

"I can understand that. I'm looking for my own house in Monaco, but it's hard. I don't want to leave home, you know. Yes, I want to have my own house and things like that, but it's still your home. I have lived there since a little boy." Explains Arthur.

"You're looking for your own house? You never told me?" Asks Mick surprises.

"I'm just looking." Says Arthur and Mick Nods.

"My mother said I could buy this house." Whispers Mick and Arthur look up in shock.

"That's amazing!" Says Arthur and Mick let out a chuckle.

"I know, but I'm not sure if I want to do that. I was looking for my own home as well. It feels weird to buy the house you already live in, but now with my parents."

"But it's beautiful. It's a great opportunity if you don't want to leave the house."

"I'm having doubts. We have very nice moments here in the house, but also fewer. Everything has changed since 2013." Mick runs his hand through the water and doesn't look Arthur in the eye.

Arthur rubs his hand over Mick's thigh.

"You have a strong family Mick, you have been through so much." Mick looks at Arthur and gives him a small smile.

Arthur puts his hands next to Mick's hips on the ledge and pulls himself up, placing a kiss on Mick's lips.

"I'm proud of you." Mumbles Arthur against his lips and then lowers himself back into the water.

Mick cups his face and chugs down to press their lips together again.

"That's really sweet, Art. Thank you." Says Mick softly and Arthur puts his hands on Mick's hips and gently pulls him forward into the pool.

Mick has Arthur escort him into the pool. His back is against the wall and Arthur leans against him while their lips do not leave each other.

Mick puts his arms around Arthur's neck and pushes his boyfriend a little closer.

Moments like this, Mick knows that what they have is real. Arthur is real, and his feelings for the boy are real. Those feelings are only getting stronger.

Sebastian was right, he really does love the boy he has in his arms. And all Mick wants is to be with him the rest of his life. He can picture himself getting old with Arthur. They have so much in common, so much of what they both want to achieve in life and what adventures they want to take on besides racing.

"Move in with me." Whispers Mick, shocked by his own words. Arthur push his face back and look at him with wide eyes, probably Mick's face look like that too. But soon he smiles and grabs Arthur's face.

"If I buy this house, will you move in with me?" Asks Mick and Arthur is speechless.

"I know that we have not been together for so long, but Arthur, I know for sure that I want to spend my life with you. You are looking for your own place, so am I. Why don't we give it a try, together?"

Mick doesn't think Arthur's reaction is crazy, his words come out of nowhere. He's asking Arthur to move in with him if he has his own house. It can be their house.

"Mick." Whispers Arthur

"I'm sorry, stupid idea." Says Mick and let go of Arthur's face, but the younger boy grabs his hands.

"You ask me to move in with you?" Asks Arthur and Mick is only stating at Arthur's face, not knowing what to say.

"Mick, is it a joke?"

"No, Arthur, no." Mick puts his hands on Arthur's neck and holds the boy close.

"I know it was unexpected, even for me. But Arthur, I don't want anything else but to start my life with you, I want you here, here with me and the life we can make together." One hand goes through Arthur's hair.

"What we have feels real to me, Arthur. I know what I feel. Don't you feel the same?" Asks Mick.

"I do, god Mick, of course I do." Arthur leans his forehead against Mick's.

"I would love to start our life together. But I-" Arthur sighs and shut his eyes.

"That means I will leave Monaco." Whispers Arthur and Mick understand Arthur's reaction so much more.

"I didn't think about that, sorry." Says Mick and their eyes meet.

"All my life I've been so close to my family, I don't know if I can be that far away from them."

"Arthur, you don't have to do this. If you don't want to leave Monaco and your family, I would understand that. I never thought about leaving Switzerland, and you must feel the same about Monaco. Don't feel forced because of me, alright. I know how close you are with your family and being far away from them hurts. Of course you are away from them for racing, but this is different then." Again Mick grabs his face.

"Think about it, nothing is a wrong choice. This will be a big step for you, for us. If your not ready, that's okay. Don't feel forced to do something that will not make you happy, because I want you happy." Mick strikes his thumb over Arthur's cheekbone.

"And what if we live here, and I'm not happy?" Asks Arthur.

"You can go back to Monaco. I would never keep you here if you're not happy. I will travel a lot next year with F1. And you too, of course, but you will be home more than I do. It's important that you feel home and safe. Your family all lives in Monaco. I understand that this is hard. And you can always move in later if you want. You don't have to make the decision now."

Arthur smiles at Mick's words. He's so sweet.

"All I want is for you to be happy and to feel safe." Whispers Mick and Arthur press his lips against Mick's.

"Thank you. Can I think about it?" Asks Arthur and Mick Nods.

"Of course."

"Mick, please don't get me wrong. I would love to move in with you, but moving from Monaco towards Switzerland is a big step. All my life, I've been with my family, and Switzerland is not so far away, but they are not a 10 minute ride anymore and that is hard."

"I understand that, you need to think about it what you want. Don't think about me. This is your future, you need to think about it what you want. Take all the time you need. And I'm not sure if I'm going to buy the house, I will talk about it tonight with my mom." Says Mick and Arthur Nods.

"Thank you."

♡♡♡

"You have your own pony, right?" Asks Gina and Arthur Nods.

Arthur and Gina have just ridden together on the horses in the forest, and now they are cleaning the horses together.

"Yes, Al Capony. I've always loved horses and I got the chance to help with the manage near my house. I learned everything from them. It's a shame I don't have much time for horse riding or being with her. A friend of mine takes care of her a lot when I can't do it, I'm happy she's not alone." Arthur explains and Gina nods.

"When you are visiting Mick in Switzerland, your always welcome to come here and to ride a horse. I trust you." Says Gina.

"That's sweet, thank you." Says Arthur, but his voice sounds off and he stops brushing the horse.

"You okay?" Asks Gina when she notice.

"Do you know that Mick can buy the house from your parents?" Asks Arthur and Gina Nods.

"Mom knows that Mick is having a hard time leaving the house. He doesn't say it, but she knows because Mick doesn't want to know about the other house." Explains Gina.

"He ask me to move in with him." Says Arthur softly, and Gina her eyes widened and stopped brushing the horse.

"I'm sorry, what?" Asks Gina, and Arthur let out a chuckle at her reaction.

"If he would bought the house, he ask if I wanted to move in with him."

"Shut up! He did!" Gina is now standing next to him and gives him a hug.

"So you are moving to Switzerland?" Asks Gina and Arthur shrugs.

"I don't know." Whisper Arthur.

"Oh, I understand." She says when she sees his face.

"It's a big step, you know? I don't know if I can be so far away from my family."

"It's hard, I would never want to leave Switzerland if my family is still here."

"It's hard."

"Think about it. If you're not ready for it, then don't do it. It will only make you unhappy with the idea that your family isn't close." Says Gina and Arthur nods.

"Mick said the same. He's not pushing me or anything like that. He's really understanding."

"I hope so, otherwise I will speak some sense into him." Says Gina and Arthur laughs.

"Everything I have is there in Monaco. Family, friends, it's my country, you know."

"Yes, but it will always be your country. You have lived there for years, Switzerland can be a place you live, but your home can always be Monaco."

"True." Says Arthur softly, and starts brushing the horse again.

"Mick will be traveling a lot. And I will be home more often than him. If I have nothing here, no friends or anything I like to do, it would be hard then."

"You can always make friends, people are really nice here. And you are always welcome to come here. You can bring Al Capony too. I have a spot for her free in the manage. In that case, you always have a reason to come here. And I'm here too. I can take care of her when your away and we can do some horse riding together. I will be here for you, your not alone."

"Thank you Gina, that means a lot to me."

♡♡♡
Arthur is home for a few days. His mother has been ill for the past days. So he has been busy trying to help her with the housework, cooking and so on.

It feels weird to be away from Mick. After being together for two weeks, their bond has grown so much stronger and he misses him terribly. Because Arthur has been so busy at home and Mick has to race again, they now have short contact together, mainly in the evening. Arthur often almost goes to sleep when Mick has time to call. Now it has happened a few times that he fell asleep during the call and got terrible screenshots from Mick of him sleeping.

Yeah, Mick has a lot of embarrassing pictures of Arthur on his phone by now.

The conversation with Mick keeps running through his head, with of course, the decision if he wants to take this adventure to live in another country.

He wants to start his new life with Mick.

Getting their own house, their own new life together. Together with Mick he dares to try it. They regularly send each other photos with furnishings or furniture that seem nice to them. The list is so large that the overview is no longer there, but that's okay, they will figure it out.

The hardest part is that Arthur hasn't said anything to anyone yet. His mother doesn't know anything yet, while Mick is already busy buying the house. Mick made the decision with his mother to buy it. Soon he will officially receive the keys from the house. Of course, he already has them, but then officially on paper that the house is from Mick.

Arthur has been given time by Mick to think about whether he really wants this. So they do talk about how they want to furnish the house, but that is also more for Mick.

How is Arthur supposed to know if he is ready to live in another country, far away from his family. He is now at a maximum distance of half an hour from his family, and the distance will be so much bigger if he's moving towards Switzerland.

Arthur might be buying his own house with Mick and his family doesn't know about it and it's time that he's telling them.

There had been times where Arthur wanted to tell his mother, but each time he didn't dare. Sure, his mother will be happy that he has finally found his own home to live in. It will be difficult for her with the idea that her youngest is now also leaving the house. She often says this when they talk about houses. Arthur had already looked at houses with his mother and she was very closely involved.

What she would not like is that the house is in Switzerland and not in Monaco.

Today is the day Arthur is going to tell her. It has to happen now.

And that's how Arthur finds himself on the couch with his mother. They are watching a movie together with tea and biscuits and cookies -because he doesn't like biscuits - on the table. His mother is sitting upright next to him with a blanket over her, luckily she is feeling a lot better today.

His thoughts get too hard and he wants to throw everything out. He wants to talk to his mother and hear her opinion about this plan. He wants her advice on what to do next.

Stay in Monaco or move to Switzerland with Mick.

"Maman, I-uh, I want to tell you something." began Arthur.

"You nervous?" She asks and Arthur let out a chuckle and nods.

"Yes, I am."

"You can tell me anything sweetie, you know that." She takes his hands and rests their hands in her lap.

"You know that I was looking for my own house." Starts Arthur and his mum nods.

"You found one, honey?"

"I think I have found my new home." Says Arthur and pains starts to form in his stomach.

"That's amazing, Tutur! Is it the one I sent you last time?" She ask and Arthur shook his head.

"No, maman- you need to tell me and get this out of my head when it's a bad idea." His breathing is going faster than normal. From how cold he was a few minutes ago, how hot he now is.

"You're getting me." Says Maman, and Arthur is looking at the ground, before taking a big breath and looking back in her eyes.

"As you know, I was with Mick, in Switzerland. We were talking about getting our own house. He's looking for his own place, just like I am. He still lives with his parents, but now his parents got themselves a new home and Mick bought their old house. Maman he-" Arthur scrapes his throat and looking at his mother's face, the look she gives him, she knows where he's going with this conversation.

"Maman, he asked me to move in with him." Says Arthur, and looks anxious at his mother.

"In Switzerland?" She asks and Mick slowly nods.

"In Switzerland." He confirms.

Maman let go of his hands and put her own in her hair.

"That's a big step, Arthur." She says and Arthur swallows.

"I know. That's why I think it's important for me to know what you think." She looks at him with shock in her eyes.

"Do you want to live with Mick? You haven't been together for such a long time?" She says, and Arthur nods.

"I know, but this feels real, Maman."

"Let me ask it differently. Arthur, are you ready to live in Switzerland, leave your family and friends here in Monaco and start a new life there?" She asks, and Arthur looks down at the ground.

Is he ready for that? He already had this discussion with himself.

"You think this is a bad idea, no?" Arthur asks.

"I don't want you to regret this. Art, you will start a whole new life there, you need to make new friends and things like that. What are you going to do when Mick is on the road and you are home alone?"

Arthur looks at everything except her eyes.

What is he going to do?

"Sweety, you will always be welcome to come here. Just like with your brothers, your room will always be your room and your welcome whenever you want. But that's your home then, there in Switzerland. Do you want to leave Monaco for that?"

"I want to leave Monaco for Mick. He's worth it Mum. Home is wherever he is." Says Arthur, and finds the nerves to look at her again and tears swell up in his eyes.

Maman takes his hands again and her thumb strokes his knuckles.

"Mick is worth it Maman." Says Arthur softly and his mother press a kiss against his hands.

"What's your heart telling you?" Asks Maman and Arthur let out a chuckle and shrugs.

"Close your eyes and then feel what your heart is saying." She says and Arthur close his eyes.

He sees them, lying in the grass of their backyard. Holding hands and he sees himself looking at Mick. He has the biggest smile on his face. His ocean blue eyes are so bright in the sun.

"I want to try this with Mick. I want to find out what this next chapter is going to do for me. For me and Mick." Whispers Arthur and then opens his eyes again to meet his mother ones with tears in her eyes.

"Then you need to go to Switzerland, baby." A little sob came out of her mouth and a tear escaped Arthur's eye.

"I'm moving to Switzerland." Whispers Arthur and his mother hug him.

"I love you so much." Whispers Arthur in his mother's ear when more tears escape his eyes.

"I will let you go." Says his mother, and those are the words that let Arthur break.

"I'm sorry." Sobs Arthur and feels how his mother tightens her grip.

He's leaving home. Leaving Monaco, 578 kilometers away from his family. It's not too far away, but it isn't close. Leaving his friends. Leaving the comfort Monaco brings him. Leaving his safe place, his home.

This will hit harder than he thought.

"Thank you." Says Arthur when he looks his mother in the eyes.

"I want you to be happy, and if that is with Mick in Switzerland, I will support you through this." She puts a hand on his cheek.

"Just know that this will always be your home too, and you're always welcome to be here whenever you want. When Mick is on the road or whatever, this will forever be your home too." Arthur wiped the tear from her cheek.

"Thank you mama, je t'aime."

"Je t'aime, mon petit garçon." They rest their foreheads on each other.

"I can't believe that my little boy is leaving the house. My youngest will be gone too." Says Maman, and Arthur let out a sob.

"Don't say it like that." Cries Arthur. It hurts to hear her saying that he will be gone too, it sounds like saying goodbye.

"Your brothers have their own houses as well. All I had for years was you, Tutur. Let me be sad to think that I will be here alone. Yes, of course, I have you all around me, but it's different, Arthur."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry, love. It's called growing up. I'm so proud of you, and I can't wait to see your home in Switzerland." She wipes her youngest son's tears from his cheeks.

"I'm proud, Tutur, and I hope you and Mick will be happy in Switzerland." Whispers she in his ear and Arthur leans his head against her shoulder.

"I will miss you so much." Whisper Arthur.

"Hey, it's not that time yet. We're going to do everything these last weeks together. We're going to enjoy these last weeks that we live together."

Arthur had no idea how many minutes went by, but he held on to his mother.

"What's going on?" Arthur looks up at the voice of Lorenzo. He wipes the tears from his cheeks and looks at his mother, who gives him a smile.

"Why are you guys crying?" Lorenzo drops his things on the floor and sits down next to Arthur on the couch and puts an arm around the shoulders of his little brother.

"Those are happy tears, Lorenzo." Says their mother and puts her hand on top of Arthur's on his lap.

"Tell him, baby." Maman says, and Arthur looks at her and then at Lorenzo.

"I found my new home, my own house." Says Arthur, and Lorenzo's eyes widen and a big smile comes on his face.

"Really! Arthur, I'm so happy for you. Where is the house? Was it the one Maman send you?" Asks Lorenzo and Arthur shake his head and glance back at their mother, who gives him a soft smile and a nod.

"No, Lorenzo, I'm moving in to Mick's house." Says Arthur, and Lorenzo's eyes widen.

"He lives with his parents in Switzerland, no?" Asks Lorenzo and Arthur Nods.

"His parents got themselves a new house, and Mick bought their old house."

"In Switzerland?" Asks Lorenzo and Arthur Nods.

"I'm moving to Switzerland." Whisper Arthur.

Lorenzo's arm that is around Arthur's shoulders falls down on the couch.

"You're moving to Switzerland?" Asks Lorenzo and Arthur Nods.

"You're leaving us? You're leaving Monaco?" The eyes of Lorenzo are wide and Arthur's heart breaks.

"I'm not leaving you." Again, a tear fall down his cheek.

"Yes you are!" Lorenzo stands up from the couch and walks back and forth through the living room.

"No I'm not! Lorenzo, I will be here as much as I can. Switzerland is not too far away." Arthur also gets up from the couch and grabs Lorenzo's arm. They face each other and Arthur looks into his eyes.

"You won't be there whenever we want. I can't drive to your house in a few minutes to be with you. Your family is here, Arthur, not in Switzerland." Says Lorenzo.

"I know that, but I want to try this with Mick. And we have agreed that if I'm not happy there, I will move back to Monaco." Arthur grabs the arm tighter as his big brother tries to pull his arm loose.

"You are mad." Says Arthur and Lorenzo sighs.

"Yes and no. Arthur, I don't want to think about the fact that you live in another country. That you're not here with us, that I can't see you in a few minutes' drive. I'm happy that your trying this new chapter in your life. But I can't wrap my head around the fact that you will be so far away." Lorenzo pulls his little brother in a hug.

"I'm proud of you, and I hate you at the same time for doing this." Says Lorenzo and Arthur shut his eyes and press his head against Lorenzo's neck.

"Stay. Don't go to Switzerland." Arthur looks at his mother's voice and shock goes through his body.

She stands up and empties her hands on Arthur's arm.

"I don't want you to live in another country. Stay with me, with Lorenzo, Charles and our family. We can't miss you." Says his mother and Arthur let out a sob.

"You can't say that." Cries Arthur, and sits back down on the couch when his legs are about to give out.

"You-no, Maman." Arthur puts his head in his hands and feels arms being placed around him.

"Sorry." Whisper's Maman in his ears.

"You said-... No..."

"I'm sorry, I will support you through all this, but it's hard, Arthur. I know that this is what you want, and that's okay, but like Lorenzo told you, we can't be there in a few minutes and that hurts. We are always together in a few minutes' drive, all those years, and that will change now." She places a hand on Arthur's cheek and lifts his head so that they look into each other's eyes.

"I don't want you to leave Monaco. But I know that this will make you happy, being with Mick makes you happy, and that's the only thing that I want. I want you to be happy, and if that means I need to let you go so you can move to Switzerland, I can do that. But understand that this is hard for me, Tutur." Cries Maman and she pulls Arthur against her chest.

"I want you to be happy." she whispers in his ear and Arthur nods.

"Mick makes me happy, Maman." Says Arthur back and his mother smiles.

"I know, honey."

"I will let you go, but my heart tells me that I need to keep you here, safe with me." Sobs Maman and Arthur press his face against her neck.

"I understand that."

He understands, but it hurts at the same time. He knows that his mother will let him go and move to Switzerland, but she will be so sad when the day arrives that he's moving.

♡♡♡

It's a few weeks later and everything is arranged. Starting next month, it will be Mick's house and we will officially move into the house together. Sure, Mick already lives there, but we're going to change some rooms in the house together. This means shopping together and seeing how we want to set up everything. A lot of stuff all goes with Mick's parents to their new house, so we have to buy everything new and can really start decorating our own house.

Tomorrow I leave for Switzerland for a few days to see what we would like and to order furniture together with Mick.

Everyone knows except two people I have yet to tell.

Charles and Pierre.

He was given the opportunity a few times to tell Pierre, but in the end I didn't dare.

Tonight they're having dinner at Maman's and I was supposed to have dinner with a friend, but now I'm coming home earlier to talk to them, and he's really nervous.

No idea how Charles is going to react to this, he must already be annoyed that I come in, and then I tell them this news. But maybe he doesn't care at all and is happy that I'm moving far and far away from him.

I don't know how he would react.

He's is still in bed, a movie is playing on his television that he is not really watching.

His phone rings and he smiles when Mick's name appears with the request to face-time.

"Hello." answered Mick and Arthur smiles.

"Hi Micky." Says Arthur, and Mick give him a big smile. Just like Arthur, he lies down in his bed.

"How was your flight?" Asks Arthur.

"It was good. I'm jet lagged but yeah, I can deal with that." Laughs Mick

"You're flying around more than at your home, no." Says Arthur and Mick nods. "The last few years, yeah." Says Mick softly.

"How are you? You look tired." Asks Mick.

"Feel sick, like I could throw up. I'm so nervous about his reaction." Says Arthur and run a hand through his hair. "Couldn't sleep last night about it."

"I'm sorry you feel like that. I don't know how he will react, baby." Says Mick with a slight pout.

"We will see. I'm lying in bed all day and wait till I can go to my friend when he's back from work. And then wait till I can come home and tell them." Says Arthur, and lays on his side and pulls the covers up more against his chin.

"You can do this. Call me when you need me. You sure you don't want to call me when your telling them?" Asks Mick and he shook his head.

"No thanks. I need to do this on my own." Mick nods and now lies at his side as well.

"Can't wait to see you again tomorrow. Really want to hug you right now." Says Mick

"Since the two weeks we spent together, I have missed you more than ever. That's bad, right? We've been apart for a few months. But now the little holiday together has only made the feeling even more." Explains Arthur and see how Mick smiles.

"I miss you too, more than ever. I never thought how addicted you could get to the feeling that you can hold a person when you sleep, the bed is so cold." Says Mick

"Tomorrow." Mick smiles and nods. "Tomorrow baby."

"It feels so unreal that we will be living together next month. Our own house, own place to call home."

"Shopping will be hell." Sigh Arthur and Mick Laughs.

"You have no sense of style, Leclerc." Laughs Mick.

"Excuse me? I like modern, it's different than your style but that doesn't mean I don't have any." Says Arthur offended, and Mick laughs.

"We'll see how this will work out. I'm sure we will get a beautiful home." Says Mick, and Arthur nods.

"I think so too."

"Artie, I'm sorry but I really need some sleep." yawns Mick

"Okay, sleepyhead. Have a good nap." Says Arthur with a laugh and Mick raises his middle finger.

"Suck it, Leclerc."

"Gladly."

"You're horrible." Laughs Mick

"You lov- like that about me." Says Arthur and a blush spread his cheeks after his words.

He almost said, You love me. How can he be so stupid?

"I do. Call me when you need me Art. I'm here for you." Says Mick and Arthur smiles.

"Thank you, sleep well." Says Arthur

"Thank you."

♡♡♡

It's time.

His car is parked in the parking lot in front of his house and his head is in his hands against the steering wheel. He tries to arouse all the courage he needs, but with a heavy feeling in his stomach, he steps out of the car and towards his front door

He opens the door, he hears talking in the living room. He puts his shoes on the mat and hangs his coat on the coat rack.

First, he walks towards the kitchen and leans against the kitchen counter. His head leans back and he takes a deep breath, in and out.

He can't walk straight into the living room. His heartbeat is in his throat and he feels his hands tremble. Why is he so nervous about this?

"Tutur?" Arthur looks up at his mother's voice and give her a weak smile.

"Come here, baby." She says and pulls his youngest son into a hug.

"You can do this. You have to tell them, they need to hear it from you and not someone else, honey." Says Maman and Arthur nods.

"I know, but I'm scared. I don't have the energy to face an angry Charles, mum." Says Arthur, and his mother rubs his arm.

"We can't change it, you have to face it." Arthur nods and stand up straight.

"Okay, you want something to drink or can I help with something?" Asks Arthur and his mother nods.

"Charles and Pierre both want a coke and pour yourself something too." Says Maman.

With three glasses of cola, Arthur walks with his mother into the living room where his brother and Pierre are sitting.

"Arthur! I didn't know you would be home." Says Pierre with a smile, and pulls the younger boy in his arms.

"How are you?" Asks Pierre and Arthur smiles.

"I'm good, thanks. You?" Arthur sits down on the other side of the couch and looks at Charles, who is looking everywhere but at him. He helps his mother put snacks on the table while he hears the other two talking.

" Busy weeks, happy to be back home." Says Pierre, and looks at Charles who also looks at him.

"Home, still happy with your new house?" Asks Arthur and Pierre nods.

" The renovation is now almost complete, it's perfect."

Should he throw it in already?

"You can tell them, Tutur." Geez thanks mum.

"Tell us what?" Asks Charles and Arthur is slightly surprised that he asks that.

"I have my own house. I found the place a few weeks ago." Says Arthur, and Pierre gave him a big smile.

"No way! You said you were looking but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. Contratz Arthur!" Says Pierre

Arthur smiles and nods. "It's happening really fast."

"Where is it? You have some pictures?" Pierre was already sitting next to Arthur and he was only getting more nervous now.

"About that." Arthur looks at his mother, who gives him a smile. A smile to give him courage.

"It's in Switzerland. I'm moving towards Switzerland." Says Arthur and sees the shocked face of Charles and Pierre.

"You what?" Says Charles.

"Mick and I bought his parents' house. They found a new house and wanted to sell their old one, Mick said he wanted it."

"You and Mick are moving in together? Gosh Arthur, you have not even been together for half a year! How stupid?" Says Charles and Stand up from the couch.

"Don't be so mean to your brother, Charles! You should be happy for him to take this new step in his life!" Says their mother mad.

"I'm happy for you, Arthur. How's the home? Are you going to change it?" Asks Pierre calmly, and Arthur focuses his attention on Pierre.

"Yes, his parents are taking the furniture with them. Mick and I are going to see how we want to furnish the house together. We hope to be able to live in it sometime next month." Says Arthur, and Pierre nods.

"It's not a major renovation or anything. Last year they completely refurbished everything. It's more that we want to decorate everything ourselves and use different paint or wallpaper." Arthur says, and Pierre puts a hand on his arm as Maman pulls Charles out of the room.

"I'm sorry. Don't listen to him, if you know that you're ready to live with Mick, you can do it, no one can stop you." Says Pierre, and pulls Arthur into a hug.

"I'm proud of you and can't wait to see the house." Says Pierre, and Arthur puts his head against Pierre's neck. "Thank you."

"Ow, let me go." Says Charles as Maman pulls them towards the kitchen.

"No! Charles, I'm done with your behavior!" She says and sit him down on a chair.

"You can't react well for once to anything Arthur tells you. When he walked in that door, you sent draggers his way. You've been sighing ever since Pierre gave him attention. Pierre is doing the job that you should do, checking in on your brother." Says Maman.

"That's not fair! Maman, you know that he's making a mistake. He's moving to Switzerland! He's crazy. He's getting worse and worse. Maman we need to stop him before he regrets this."

"Charlie, please. You have no idea how upset he was when he told me. How insecure, scared and not knowing if he made a good decision. I saw in his eyes how much he wanted this, to open this new chapter with Mick . We need to support him Charles, he needs you. He will be away from his family and friends and start a new adventure in Switzerland. He needs us." Says Maman, and Charles looks down at the ground.

"I don't want him to move to Switzerland." Says Charles softly, and his mother takes a seat next to him and grabs his hand.

"Charles, I don't know why you're still so mad at him. I know how much you miss Arthur, and he misses you. You two need a good talk together and let each other speak. It's breaking you two, I see it." Says Maman, and Charles shrugs.

"He won't listen."

"Charles, listen-"

"No, because it doesn't matter anyway. He's moving to Switzerland and we probably won't see him very much anymore. It doesn't matter."

"It matters. Charles, listen to yourself. Your not making any sen-"

"He doesn't, Maman! He's moving to another country to be with a man who will leave him eventually! He will build everything for nothing and then he will run back to us like we are his recycling place. I always knew that Arthur was dumb, but he certainly topped everything, he's so unbelievable stupid." Shouts Charles and saw how his mothers face break.

"Don't talk about your brother that way!" She stands up and turns her back to Charles.

"You two were so close as little kids. You were crazy about your little brother. Always tell everyone that they are your brothers. You three had such a special bond, no one could break that. Charles, you didn't want to leave daycare because it meant that you had to leave Arthur there and begin at your new school! How can you let this all ruin and let your brother down when he found love."

"He didn't find love! Mick and Arthur will never last! Mick doesn't like Arthur, Maman, we need to protect him from doing this!"

"And why doesn't Mick like Arthur?"

"He has this other boy, Maman. He's trying to make him jealous with Arthur. I already told you that, but nobody listens to me!" Screams Charles.

"You're always talking about this mysterious boy. Who is Charles?"

"Mick's best friend."

♡♡♡

Charles walks back into the living room. He opens the door, but stands still in his place with the sight in front of him.

Pierre and Arthur were still sitting on the couch. Their legs close together and they look at Arthur's phone. There is a big smile on Arthur's face.

"This is the garden. It's soo big. We want to remove the old pool and put in a new one, since it's already quite old." Arthur shows him pictures of the house.

Photos he should have shown Charles first...

No, pictures he shouldn't show at all because moving to Switzerland is a terrible plan. Yes, that's what he's feeling, not jealously at all.

"So your leaving us." Breaks Charles and two pairs of eyes looks at him.

"I'm not leaving, I will be in Monaco when I want. Maman says I can always sleep here." Says Arthur and Charles sit down on the sofa.

"But you have no one in Switzerland. Your family and friends are here. Mick will be traveling all around the world. What are you going to do when you have no race yourself?" Asks Charles

"I will see, I can explore the country, maybe I will make new friends. And Gina said I could always come to the stall and be with the horses, probably helping here and there. You know how much I love Al Capony, Gina even said I can take her with me." Arthur has a little smile on his face when he talks about his pony.

"That would be awesome, Arthur." Says Pierre.

"You'll regret this," Says Charles, and Arthur looks at him with hurt eyes.

"Don't be so negative, Charles." Says Pierre

"But Pierre, it's the true! He will have no one there."

"You know I'm still here?" Says Arthur when his brother is talking about him towards Pierre and doesn't give him a glance.

"Yes, but you won't listen to me, so it doesn't make any sense to talk to you in that regard." Says Charles.

"Do you really hate me that much?" Asks Arthur, and you can hear how much he's hurt by saying those words.

Charles stiffens and looks at his younger brother. He sees the tears in his little brother's eyes.

"It hurts to know that nothing I do will make you happy for me! Really Charles, if I thought that one person would support me through all of this, it was you. I don't know if I will make a good choice about moving to Switzerland, but Mick is there, and if I'm sure of one thing, it is that I want to try this with Mick. Because I trust him! He's so sweet towards me Charles. Why do you not see that? When I'm in Switzerland in my new home and I don't feel happy there or anything like that, I can move back to Maman. I spoke with her about this and I did that with Mick too. He said that he wants me happy, and if Switzerland will not do that, I have to go back to Monaco. He's supporting me through all of this and he is so understanding." Arthur stands up and walks towards his older brother.

"But you know what? Maybe you should be happy, because you don't have to see me ever again." Arthur looks Charles straight in the eyes before he storms up past Charles. You hear his stamping on the stairs and with a loud bang, the door closes.

You don't have to see me ever again.

Chapter Text

Pierre's gone home. Charles is staying with his mother while he is going home to his own family.

Arthur hadn't left his room since he went upstairs. It hurt Charles to see how sad his mother looked when she walked back downstairs. You could see the tears in her eyes. They had just dinner and she went upstairs with a plate for Arthur, but she came back with the plate full of food.

"Maman," Says Charles softly when he walks into the kitchen. She is leaning against the kitchen and looking at the plate of food.

"You really need to calm down Charles, we can't go on like this." Her voice breaks in the middle of her sentence.

Charles walks towards her and puts his arms around her.

"I don't want to lose you both. Charlie he's moving to Switzerland." His mother sobs and grabs her child with a strong grip.

"I'm so happy for him, because I see how excited he is about this, but it hurts, Charlie."

"He shouldn't go." Whispers Charles and his mother shook her head.

"He didn't know if he wanted to. But I saw it in his eyes. When he told me that Mick would buy the house and ask to move in with him. His eyes sparkled and he had this little smile. He didn't know it, but his heart did, Charles." She cups his face in her hands.

"We need to be here for him, let him know that we are here for him, that moving towards Switzerland will not break our family. Charles, please you can't let him go while you guys are fighting. Don't lose your little brother. I know that this isn't what you want. Tell him everything you told me. Talk with him and Mick and let them know the whole story." A tear runs down her face again and Charles wipes it away.

"Mick can explain everything, let you know what all of this is, because I don't know it, Charles. But if your story is true, Arthur needs to feel safe enough to go home."

"Mick will never tell me or Arthur."

"But you can ask if it's true! You need to Charles. I want to be happy for Arthur, but I can't if I know that his heart can get broken when he's in Switzerland. Charles, please, talk with them without getting mad or making conclusions. Listen to Mick what he has to say about this, please." She begs and Charles, his heart breaks.

"I will, I promise. I will keep Arthur safe, I promise." Charles whispers in her ear when he hugs her close.

"I'm scared of losing him, Charles. You know how bad he was back then. He will break all the contact he has with us. We could lose him. We have to do everything that won't happen and that he- "A sob leaves her mouth. "I want my baby safe." Charles close his eyes and hold his mother close.

He told his mother everything. Told her how Mick always had eyes for the boy. The boy and Mick are really good friends, are always together and he sees how Mick looks at him, it's not how you look at your friends. When Mick and Charles agreed to do something for a day, there were always moments in between when Mick texted the boy. And all of a sudden, he's in love with Charles his little brother? No, he's not falling for that.

It has to be that Mick's trying to make him jealous. I mean, back in the night they went out in Monza. The boy had his arms around Mick, kissing his cheek while Arthur stood right in front of them! How horrible can you be?

"Arthur doesn't want anything, Charles. He was packing his stuff and was looking to see if there was a flight to Switzerland for tonight. He didn't want to eat or talk. Since he told me he's moving towards Switzerland, he's isolating himself. He's only in his room, he's sleeping or working out. I can't get food for him. He doesn't want to eat. Sometimes I see him grabbing some food but he's slipping again."

"He's already going to Switzerland?" Ask Charles, but she shook her head.

"There are no flights, so he's staying tonight. He's leaving tomorrow like the plan was."

"Okay, I will talk with him tomorrow. He's really mad at me and needs to cool down." Says Charles and his mother nods. "Alright."

She puts her hands on his shoulder. "I really hope your wrong, and that Mick has no feelings for this boy." Says his Mother softly.

"I hope it too, but I'm not blind, Maman. Mick is not good for Arthur."

♡♡♡

Pierre:
I'm home safely
Are you okay?

Charles:
Good to hear! How was the ride?

Pierre:
It was okay, tired now after driving so long.

Charles:
Go to sleep then, I will talk to you tomorrow ❤️

Pierre:
Will do. Have you spoken to Arthur yet?

Charles:
No, he doesn't even want to Maman. I will leave him alone now and talk tomorrow.

Pierre:
Alright, and listen to him, don't be mad at him.

Charles:
Good night Pierre

Pierre:
Charlie, please listen

Charles puts his phone away, but picks it up again when his ringtone goes off and sighs at Pierre's name. He pushes it away and turns off his sound. He puts his phone on the bedside table and lets himself fall back on the bed.

Why does everyone tell him to keep calm? Arthur is the one who can't keep his cool and gets angry every time I try to help him.

Charles tries to make it clear to him that Mick is not serious about Arthur at all. Mick pretends and now plays a mean game to ask Arthur to move in with him. All Mick is going to do is rip Arthur away from his family.

Why isn't anyone listening to him? Why are they all acting like he's the one trying to tear them apart, like he's jealous of what his little brother has? He's trying to protect his little brother and nobody will listen to him!

Look, boys try to make people jealous. It's normal back at school. Charles did the same thing when he was little. But doing that with his little brother? The little brother of one of your best friends is going too far. How dares Mick to use Arthur while he knows how important his family is for Charles. Mick knows that and is still trying to hurt his family.

All Mick is going to do is hurt Arthur.

Charles knows that Mick can be a really good boyfriend. Charles really liked having him as a close friend. Mick is such a kind person and that's why it hurts Charles so much. How could he hurt Arthur? And while Mick is hurting Arthur, he's hurting Charles and his family because of it too. You're hurting the family of your friend.

Mick hadn't thought this through.

And what if Mick could get the boy his attention? What would he do with Arthur? Arthur must like Mick because he's turning his back to Charles, his own brother, for a boy.

What if Arthur moves to Switzerland, and they break up? Arthur moved to a whole other country for a boy who didn't even like him!

Charles is losing his little brother. Arthur can say he will visit us as much as he could. That he will keep in contact as much as the world gives them the time to. But that's for a few months and the chance is big that Arthur will start his own life there and we will hear nothing from him. Maybe he will lose himself when Mick breaks up with him and he doesn't dare to go back to Monaco.

Charles feels himself panicking at those thoughts. What if Arthur loses himself again and now, he doesn't have his family around. He will be alone in another country.

He can't let that happen.

When Arthur lost himself a few years ago when it wasn't going well at his school, he was always in his room and didn't want to talk to anyone. Arthur was always the emotional one of the three. Always with their mother, he really is a mother's child. But that all changed when Arthur fell into depression. It was a really hard time. They all wanted to help Arthur, but the younger boy didn't let anyone.

Charles is startled out of his thoughts by a knock on his door. The door slowly opens and Arthur enters.

Charles sits up in his bed, and his eyes fall on Arthur's. His eyes are bloodshot and Charles could see the tears in his eyes.

"I don't want you to hate me." Whispers Arthur, and he walks into the room and sit down at the end of the bed.

"Charles, please, I don't want to lose you." A sob leaves Arthur's lips and Charles is petrified.

This was the last thing he expected to happen tonight.

"Arthur." Whisper Charles.

"I just don't understand why we keep fighting about this. The last thing I want is to lose you. Your my brother. I never thought that me getting a boyfriend would tear us apart." Big tears are rolling down on Arthur's cheeks and Charles moves up in bed and sits down in front of Arthur.

"Do you really hate the idea of me and Mick so much? What did he do? Charles, please explain it to me because I can't do this anymore." He's whipping the tears away but only for new ones to roll down. He never saw Arthur so upset and it hurt him.

"You don't understand how much I like Mick. Knowing that you don't stand behind us hurts me. I know that you don't like it that your friend gets in a relationship with me, but still, I don't understand. Charles please" Sobs Arthur

Charles didn't know what to say. He let Arthur speak, let him say whatever is on his mind.

"It's not fair, Charles. And then you are saying things about this boy. I don't know who it is and I don't want to trust you with what you're saying, but it's fucking with my head, Charles. I don't know who you mean and my feelings are saying that everything me and Mick have is real." He looks straight in the eyes of Charles.

"If I move to Switzerland, will I lose you? Charles, I don't want to lose you, your my brother and-." An ugly sob leaves Arthur.

"If it means I will lose you, I will break up with Mick." And at those words, Arthur broke even more than Charles thought possible.

Charles takes Arthur in his arms when the younger boy can no longer hold himself up, as if all the energy is leaving his body.

Charles stares at the wall, in shock at Arthur's reaction. The boy is shaking in his arms while he has a strong hold on Charles. His hands hold the sweater by the shoulders, his face is pressed against Charles's neck. He holds his little brother close to him.

"I will break up with Mick if that means I will not lose you."

"Arthur, breath, please." Says Charles in panic when he hears how Arthur is gasping for breath between his sobs. His chest moves quickly, and the trembling doesn't get any less.

"I love Mick b-but I love you too, your my brother and-n-no."

"In and out, Arthur, please listen to me." Charles pushes Arthur's face back and holds it with both hands as he feels how weakly Arthur leans against him.

Arthur's words echoed in his head. Arthur loves Mick.

"Breath, please, breathe with me. In.... and out." Charles tries to guide his little brother and he forgets the words, now he has to focus on his little brother and not Mick.

Arthur is looking at him, straight in the eyes, and Charles sees how unfocused they are.

"I- I Will-" Arthur has hiccups from crying, he looks like a wreck.

"It's okay, your okay. Artie, listen to me, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere, you hear me." Says Charles with a slight panic in his voice.

He finally feels how Arthur is breathing with him, not in the same rhythm, but he's doing better and better.

"Good job. In... and out... in and out. You're doing a good job, you hear me. I'm here, here with you and I'm not going anywhere." Charles drives them back and sits against the cushions. Arthur falls back onto his chest, Charles puts one hand in Arthur's hair, and moves the other from Arthur's back, to his stomach and then his chest to check his breathing.

Fortunately, Arthur follows his breathing and Charles presses his face against Arthur's hair when the younger boy stops gasping for breath. He closes his eyes for a second and a shaky breath leaves his body. He leans his head against Arthur's and holds him close.

He had never seen anything like this before. He never saw how someone's lips get blue because of not having enough air. It's so scary.

"I'm here with you, your not alone." Whispers Charles in his ears.

Arthur lets out a hiccup and Charles looks at his face. There are tear marks on the cheeks of Arthur's red cheeks. His lips returned to their normal color and there were frowns on his little brother's forehead. His eyes are closed and Charles felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. His brother cried himself to sleep.

Charles holds Arthur in his lap, trying to sooth him, but Arthur had shook with sobs until his body gave out and fell asleep.

"I'm so sorry, Artie," he whispers, and he kisses his brother's head.

♡♡♡

Charles hasn't had such a bad night in a long time. Arthur slept through the night. He was afraid that something would happen to Arthur when he slept. All night he listened to his little brother's breathing and held him close.

Arthur lies with his head against Charles's chest, his arms loosely around his waist. Charles has one arm around his neck and the other arm holds Arthur's waist to hold him close. His face is against the top of Arthur's head.

Today Arthur is going to Switzerland, maybe not moving yet, but they are going to make everything right.

Maybe after today, Charles has officially lost his little brother.

Arthur moves out and starts a new life with Mick, a life that could turn out badly.

Charles need to do everything he can to keep Arthur here.

Here with his family, in Monaco, his home.

Charles feels himself getting angry at the thought of Arthur moving out. He goes to live with Mick Schumacher, a boy who should know how important family is. And because of him, Arthur is away from his family.

Will Mick make sure Arthur comes home when they break up? Will he throw Arthur out of the house when they're over? Is he going to take care of Arthur or will his little brother be on his own?

Charles feels movement against him and he looks down. Arthur's face moves, he squeezes his eyes shut and then relaxes them again. There is a frown on his forehead and his movements became increasingly restless. Small mumbles came out of his mouth and Charles tilts his head as far forward as possible to get a good look at Arthur's face. Arthur grabs his shirt with his fist and then lets go.

"Non, je serai bon."

"Arthur." Charles starts shaking Arthur's body.

"Je ne veux pas être seul." The shaking stops Charles when he hears Arthur's words.

I don't want to be alone.

Alone.

"Je ne veux pas souffrir."

Arthur's muttering gets louder and his body starts to shake and move.

"Arthur, your safe, wake up." Charles started again by gently shaking Arthur awake.

"Please wake up." Says Charles as he looks at the painful expression on Arthur's face.

"Turur, please." A panic sob leaves Charles' mouth.

Everything gets too much.

His brother is panicking in his sleep and had a major panic attack last night. And this will all be Charles' his fault.

Because of him, Arthur is suffering.

"Tutur, wake up." Sobs Charles and puts a hand on his little brother's face.

Finally, Arthur's eyes open and they look wide-eyed into Charles's.

"You're safe." Whispers Charles and tears falls down on Arthur's face.

"Let me go." Says Arthur and tries to get out of Charles his arms.

"Arthur-"

"No, let me go! Coming to you last night was a mistake!" Sobs Arthur, but Charles holds his little brother close.

Arthur presses his hands against Charles's chest and squeezes as hard as he can, trying everything to get out of his arms. But the grip Charles has on Arthur is stronger than Arthur is pressing against his chest.

"Don't do this, please." Whispers Charles and Arthur falls back into his arms.

"Let me go." Arthur asks exhausted.

"We need to talk, and we have to try not to get mad. Arthur, I can't lose you." Whispers Charles and feels how Arthur grabs his upper arm and squeezes it to keep him close.

They lie still for a few minutes. Every now and then you hear a soft sob coming from Arthur's mouth. And Charles has tears running silently down his cheeks as he looks up at the ceiling.

"Je t'aime, tu es mon petit frère." Whisper Charles

"You do?" His heart breaks at the words from Arthur.

"I do, so much." Says Charles and looks straight into his brother's eyes.

"No one can ruin that, no one."

"Je t'aime Charles."

"We need to talk." Says Charles, and Arthur sits up. Charles follows him and sits against his pillow.

"Now?" Ask Arthur and Charles nods.

"I don't know when you are going to leave for Switzerland." Says Charles.

"Afternoon." Answer Arthur and Charles nods.

"You are really moving towards Switzerland?" Ask Charles and his little brother nods.

"I want to try... Try to start a new chapter, a new life with Mick."

"You said you love him." Whispers Charles and Arthur's cheek turn red.

"I think I do." Says Arthur

"You think?" At that question Arthur sighs.

"I don't know Charles, I know you don't want to hear it, so stop it."

"I want you to think about whether you're really making the right choice." Says Charles, and Arthur rolls his eyes.

"I made my choice, accept it."

"No, because you could make the wrong one and I know you want to live that happy life with Mick, but it's not going to happen!" Says Charles, and Arthur is ready to get off bed, but Charles grabs his arm.

"If you're only going to talk about how Mick will ruin my life, I'm done with this conversation." Says Arthur, and Charles shake his head.

"No, but I want you to hear my side, alright?"

Arthur sits back down and just looks him in the eye.

"You can save yourself from all the pain you can get." Begins Charles and Arthur signs.

"Every relationship can hurt. Look at how you're hurting your own one."

"Pierre is fine."

"No, no he's not Charles." Signs Arthur and Charles look at the wall.

His boyfriend is alright, right?

"You're pushing him away! You know how much this is hurting you both, focus on your relationship and I will do mine, alright. We're done talking." Says Arthur, and he stands up to leave the room.

"Mick likes Callum." Says Charles, and Arthur is frozen in place. He turns back to Charles.

"What?" Asks Arthur and Charles sigh.

"Mick always has his eyes on Callum. They are always together and Mick talks so much about him. They are not just friends, Arthur!" Charles gets up and stands in front of Arthur.

"Mick is trying to make Callum jealous with you! He knows you like him, so it was easy for him to pick you... No listen!-" Says Charles when his brother turns towards the door again.

"He will dumb you if he can get together with Callu-."

"Oh my god, Charles shut up!" Screams Arthur and walks over to Charles and presses his finger on Charles's chest.

"You have no idea what you're talking about!" Screams Arthur.

"You don't want to hear it Arthur, Mick likes or even loves Callum. I see the way he looks at him! You need to see this because you will end up hurt, Arthur!

"No, stop it!"

"Art-"

"Shut up." Screams Arthur and placed his head in his hands. His breathing becomes shaky and heavy again.

"You have no idea what you're talking about. All you're trying to come up with reasons to be right. I know you don't agree with a friend of yours getting involved with your little brother, but this is bullshit Charles!"

"Yes, I don't like it that my friend gets something with me little brother, you can't do that. But certainly not if you look at someone else in the meantime."

"How do you know- Charles, please."

"Mick doesn't like Callum, you don't understand." Says Arthur.

"I know you don't want to hear it but-"

"Charles, please stop this." Says Arthur.

"No, I won't let you get hurt because of Mick and his boy!"

"Callum is in a relationship Charles. He's been in a relationship since 2017!"

"He is?" Asks Charles in surprise.

"Yes, there's nothing going on between Mick and Callum. Yes they are close, but Callum was one of Mick's first real friend." Explain Arthur.

"But he kissed Mick's cheek right in front of you. They are always texting or calling."

"I call and text Dennis as much! Does that mean I'm in love with Dennis? No, he's my best friend Charles, just like Callum is Mick's."

Arthur runs a hand through his hair.

"God, your stupid." Says Arthur.

"Excuse me?"

"You are! This is what you hide from me? Fighting with me because of this stupid theory of yours." Says Arthur mad.

"But-"

"Charles, please. Mick doesn't like Callum. I know that they are close and that they have kissed and things like that. But there's nothing going on between them."

"They kissed?!" Asks Charles while he's already getting mad again.

"When they were younger! My god, Charles."

"I want to talk with Mick." Says Charles and Arthur frowns.

"Excuse me? No way."

"I want to talk with him, hear him say it on his own."

"That will end up fighting."

"You're moving to another country because of him! Arthur, I'm allowed to be mad at him for dragging you away from us."

"No, you're not allowed. This is my decision to make, not yours or anyone's. Mick supports me with every decision I make. If I want to move back to Monaco, he will let me. He will not keep me there when I'm unhappy."

"He can say that but-"

"He makes me happy Charles." Says Arthur in a soft tone, and Charles relaxes his body.

"Arthur."

"I've never felt anything like this for someone." Arthur sits on the bed and Charles sits next to him.

"You know that I've never had eyes on someone, never kissed or thought like that. Mick is the very first time that someone makes me feel things and i'm getting confused by it, but at the same time, I love these feelings."

"Pierre's was mine." Says Charles

"But you had many girlfriends before him."

"Yes, but we were teenagers. Pierre was the first person that I had feelings for."

"You-how... How did you deal with those feelings and understand them?" This is the very first time Arthur could finally ask someone this, to have this talk and all he ever wanted, was to have it with Charles. Because he knows what it is like to fall for a boy.

"I've always kinda known that I liked both, I guess? I looked at all the girls and boys too, I had this really hot teacher and he-"

"Charlie no." Laughs Arthur and presses his hands on Charles his mouth.

"The thing is, yes, it's confusing. It confuses you. I wanted to be with Pierre but also wanted distance to understand my feelings for him. How do you know it's not a one-night stand? I didn't even know if Pierre also fell for the same sex." Explained Charles.

"But I didn't feel so safe with anyone as I did with Pierre. He's soulmate material." Says Charles with a laugh.

"He is. You need to fix this with him. Don't lose him, Charles." Says Arthur and looks at Charles his eyes. "You will never find someone like Pierre again."

"I love him, I knew that the moment I saw him for the first time." Says Charles.

"Mick makes me feel safe." Whispers Arthur and looks straight ahead. He sees that Charles is looking at him, but dares not make eye contact.

"He does?" You hear Charles swallow.

"Yes. He always makes sure that I feel okay with what we do. He doesn't force me to do anything I don't feel good about."

"And Switzerland?"

"He asks me to move in with him. We were talking about houses. He doesn't force me to live with him, he says I can always move back towards home at any time. He will not keep me there if I'm unhappy. And it's not like I'll never see you again, I will be here as much as I can."

"I'm still not happy with you moving. Our family is here."

"I know, but I really want to try this, hoping not to lose you all."

Charles puts an arm around Arthur and presses his little brother's head against his own shoulder.

"You will never lose us." Whisper Charles.

"Gina said I can always be with her and all the horses. It's an amazing place. She have beautiful horses and paths you can ride with them. It's amazing." Says Arthur.

"It's sweet you can take Al Capony with you." Says Charles and Arthur nods.

"Gina said she would love to take care of her. I want to try this, Charles. I want to find out if I'm going to be happy in Switzerland or not. I want to try this with Mick, and I know that we have not been together for such a long time, but it feels real for me, Charles."

"Do you think he means his feelings for you?" Asks Charles and Arthur nods.

"I want to talk with him Arthur, and without fighting, okay? And yes, I will talk about Callum 'cause I need to hear his side. Maman told me I need to give him a chance to hear the story." Says Charles.

"I will be there too then, and I will stop you if your being rude again."

"You already assume I'm going to pick a fight!" Says Charles offended.

"Your mad at him, I know you are. I'm not stupid." Says Arthur, and Charles sighs.

"I just want to know if he really likes you or not."

"I think he does."

"Of course you think that." Says Charles and give his little brother a gentle push on his shoulder.

"Charles?" Says Arthur in a soft voice.

"Yes?" Charles looks at Arthur who didn't look at him. He looks at his hands and takes a deep breath before looking into Charles's eyes.

"Give him a change, for me."

♡♡♡

"I will see you next week." Says Arthur when he hugs his mother. His suitcase is already waiting in Charles' car, who takes him to the airport.

"Call me when your with Mick, I like to see him again. And of course, send me a message when you land safely." Says his mother while holding his jaw in her hands.

"Will do, Maman." And his mother pulls him into another hug.

"You look happier again, I'm glad you and Charles talked it out." Whispers his mother.

" Almost, we're almost there. We still need to talk to Mick and see what the future holds." Says Arthur, and his mother nods and puts her hand on his shoulder and squeezes it.

"You can do it, this is going to be hard for all of us. But your life is about to begin now, Tutur, no mother who's around you all the time. What a freedom you will have." Laughs his mother and Arthur shakes his head.

"You have no idea how much I will miss you. I will miss everyone, but we lived here with each other for all those years. Charles and Lorenzo had their own home and I was still here. We are the perfect duo Maman." Says Arthur and his mother nods.

"I will miss having you here. Cooking together, cleaning together and our movie nights. The house would be so quiet without you."

"Our movie nights were the best."

"You always fall asleep Tutur, when we lay down in my bed you were almost asleep." Says his mother with a big smile, because it's true. He always slept the best on the nights they had their movie night.

"I know."

"I loved watching you sleep. The feeling I know you were safe, with me." A tear leaves her eyes and Arthur hugs her again.

"Don't cry, please." Whispers Arthur and his mother laughs.

"My little baby." She whispers and Arthur closes his eyes.

"I love you so much mama." Whispers Arthur and feels how his mother's grip strengthens.

"You're not even moving and we're already crying." Maman laughs and Arthur joins her.

"We will be sobbing." And Arthur looks her in the eyes. "I know I will be." Adds Arthur and his mother wipes the tears away from his cheeks.

"Me too, baby, but we're not there yet. You need to go because Charles is waiting for you. Enjoy shopping with Mick for your house, okay."

"I will. See you next week." And they give each other another hug.

"Love you."

"Love you more baby."

Arthur walks out of the door, he wipes the rest of his tears away before stepping into the car.

Arthur will never love someone like he loves his mother. She's his everything. It was them against the world. Charles was away for his racing career, Lorenzo was at Uni and Arthur was at home with their mother. School wasn't the most fun for Arthur and he was happy to be at home.

"Are you alright?" Asks Charles and Arthur nods.

"Just, Maman and- God I have no idea how hard saying goodbye will be."

"Saying goodbye?"

"Moving out of the house, not living with Maman. I'm happy to be with Mick, and I want this. But it will be hard."

"I understand, moving out is hard, Arthur. I hated it and I moved 10 minutes away."

"And I will be far away." Whispers Arthur and looks out of the window when Charles starts to drive.

"But it's also everything I really want to try." Whispers Arthur, not knowing if it was for Charles or himself.

They sit in the car for a few minutes in silence. Arthur had to collect himself and then look back at Charles.

"Have you spoken with Pierre?" Asks Arthur, and Charles shakes his head.

"No, we haven't," Says Charles softly.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Asks Arthur, but Charles shrugs.

"It's just... He's only expected the worst from me these last few weeks. I know how important you are to him, but it hurts that he always thinks I want bad for you, or that I'm always fighting with you. I can do no more good for him."

"He said that?"

"No, but I know it. I tried Arthur, all the time. I didn't want to tell everyone that I thought Mick and Callum like each other, including you. I didn't mean to hurt you by that. But Pierre is everything just because, like everyone else. No one believed me or wanted to listen to me, they immediately got angry and said I must be happy for you." Charles sighs.

"I've always wanted you to be happy. But the idea of you going out with one of my best friends and then the Callum thing, fucked in my head Arthur. And yes, we've talked, but it won't go away."

"But that's why you're going to talk to Mick, right? The three of us need to talk this through, and let each other talk without getting angry." Says Arthur, and puts his hand on Charles' shoulder.

"I always thought I would help you with everything when you got your first date and boyfriend or girlfriend. I couldn't wait for it to finally happen and I blew it." Says Charles, and Arthur's heart breaks a little.

"I've spent my whole life trying to make you happy, to protect you after all we've been through and I've let you down." Says Charles, and his knuckles turn white from squeezing the steering wheel.

"You're the best big brother someone can ask for. Yes, we had our fight but we talked, Charles. And we need to keep talking because I don't want to lose you. You're my brother Charles. I can't live without you."

"You know I love you right? Always have and always will."

"I love you too." Charles gives Arthur a big smile who he returns.

"I promise not to get mad at Mick, but I will tell everything to him that bothers me. He needs to know everything too."

"That's alright."

"Still think it's a bit weird you're dating your brother's best friend." Says Charles but he has a smile on his face. He's trying to be better to his little brother.

Of course, he still has this gut feeling that isn't comfortable, but that's why it's important that he talks to Mick and Arthur together tomorrow. Arthur knows everything he's up to and now it's time for Mick to know too.

Arthur can say that Mick has no feelings for Callum, but he wants to see Mick's reaction, he wants to see if Arthur is right or himself. Because he's still not sure. He's going to do everything he can to accept their relationship, but it's still weird for some reason. He still can't really think about the idea of Arthur and Mick being together, but he's trying, give him time.

"Thank you for trying, Charles." Whispers Arthur and Charles looks straight ahead at the road, but he couldn't hold back the tears welling up in his eyes.

♡♡♡

I landed.

This is what Arthur does first when he comes out of the airport. He had promised his mother to let him know and that must happen first. He texted the same to Mick, who came to pick him up.

Soon he received a message back from Mick that he had arrived at the airport. Arthur packs his suitcase and walks to the exit of the airport. He sees Mick standing by his car and a smile on his face as their eyes meet.

"Hey." Whispers Arthur in his ear when they pull each other in a hug.

"Hey Art." Says Mick and takes the bag from Arthur's hand. "My parents are in their new home for the first time. So we have the house to ourselves." Says Mick when they put Arthur's stuff in the car.

"Have they already moved everything?" Asks Arthur and Mick nods.

"We moved everything the last few days."

"That's fast." Answer Arthur and they get in the car.

"I know, we were also surprised. But we had a big truck that could hold a lot, so everything was moved quickly." Explains Mick while he drives to their house.

"How are you?" Asks Mick and Arthur puts his hand on Mick's thigh.

"We can talk at home." Says Arthur and see how Mick smiles.

"At home." He whispers.

♡♡♡

Mick opens the door and they walk in. "Leave your stuff here, we can bring them upstairs in a few minutes." Says Mick and grabs Arthur at his arms and pulls the younger boy closer to his own body.

Arthur rests his arms around Mick's broad shoulders. Mick moves his hands to Arthur's waist and pushes him back until he's against the wall. Mick presses his lips to Arthur's and holds him close.

"Missed you." Mumbles Mick against Arthur's lips. "Missed you more." Says Arthur.

"Can you believe this will be our home? I can't believe we're moving in together." Says Mick and Arthur rest his head against Mick's shoulder.

"No, I can't but I'm excited."

"You are?"

Arthur looks up and Mick puts his hand on Arthur's cheek and rubs his thumb over it. A smile is on his face and Arthur looks into his twinkling eyes.

"I am. I'm scared, but at the same time, I can't wait." Says Arthur and plays with Mick's hair behind his neck.

"Before I went to the airport, I had this moment with Maman. It was emotional because we both knew how much it's going to hurt when I leave. Don't get me wrong, I really want this but all I had in my life was Maman. After my dad died and my brothers were living their own lives, all I had was Maman. I wasn't racing yet, Charles was in formula 2 and got his contract with Sauber. Enzo was at Uni and I was at home. I did everything with her, cooking, cleaning. I really liked helping her because Dad wasn't there to help her. I loved every second I got to spend time with her. You never know when your last is. We had so many movie nights in her bed and I would fall asleep there and wake up the next morning with the breakfast she made."

"That's beautiful Arthur." Whispers Mick.

"I know that feeling. I will miss my parents and Gina too. It's so normal to live with them, being with your family, because we don't see them very often. After everything that happened with Dad, nothing will even be the same again. We are still so close, but it's this missing piece. He's here but at the same time he's not." Says Mick and Arthur squeezes his shoulders gently.

"You have a strong family Mick."

"We both have, and I know your fight with Charles is hard, but there will be a light in the end of the tunnel, I believe in that."

"Why don't we go to the bank first, and then we'll talk. I need to tell you something." Says Arthur, and takes Mick's hand in his own and they walk into the almost empty living room.

"You talked to Charles?" Asks Mick when they sat down.

"We did, so much happened before that, but let's skip that for now, it's not important." Arthur begins.

"So Charles will be here tomorrow." Mick eyes widen and stared at Arthur in shock.

"Wait what?" Says Mick.

"We talked and he explained everything to me. But he wants to talk with you too, with me here too. But he told me everything why he was mad and didn't support us."

"Tell me."

"No, you need to hear this from him, alright? You're not mad at me that he will come tomorrow, right?" Asks Arthur and Mick shakes his head.

"No, of course not. It's good he wants to talk." Says Mick and Arthur nods. "He's trying Mick, and I really hope this will help us. I don't want to lose him."

"Hey, I will give him all the time he needs. Art he was one of my best friends. I really miss him as my friend too. I hate it that we are not talking when we're in the paddock or with other drivers . I really want my friend back."

"Okay, thank you." Mick grabs Arthur's arm and lets him lie against him. Arthur's head rests on his shoulder and Mick kisses Arthur's forehead.

"No need to thank me."

Arthur lies closer to Mick. He puts his arm around Mick's waist and grabs his shirt in his hands.

♡♡♡

Mick has turned on the series they started together. I've been feeling Mick moving restlessly back and forth for a while now. His hands kept moving over Arthur's body. Then against his arms, he grabs his hand, then again to his waist or thigh, back to his stomach, then back to his arms. He is restless and does not watch the series at all.

"Mick?" Ask Arthur.

"Hmm?" Mumbles Mick.

"Are you okay?" Ask Arthur.

"Yes, of course." Says Mick, and Arthur tries to focus on the movie again. He knows that Mick doesn't want to talk. Mick tightens his grip on Arthur and presses his face into the younger boy's hair.

"They signed Hulkenberg." Says Mick and Arthur shoots upright in shock.

"What?"

Mick sighs and now sits up too. His shoulder slumps down and his arms hang at his sides.

"Haas signed Hulkenberg and dropped me." Repeats Mick and Arthur's mouth fell open.

"You're kidding! Mick, what a bunch of wankers!" Says Arthur and presses himself against Mick again. Mick now rests his head against Arthur's shoulder.

"It hurts, I saw it coming, but it hurts so much, Arthur." Says Mick and a tear falls down his eye.

"Since when did you know this?" Asks Arthur and presses a kiss against Mick's head.

"Brazil. Gunter told me they are not offering me a new contract."

"I'm so sorry Mick, you didn't deserve this. You tried so hard and developed yourself so much this season. This is not fair."

"They didn't think like that." Says Mick with a sad tone in his voice.

"And now?"

"I don't know yet, I'm talking with Mercedes about a reserve role. I want to stay in F1, Art. I don't want to leave this sport."

"No of course! Oh, Mick." Sighs Arthur and press Mick closer, if that is even possible.

"We will see what the future holds. I really hope I can come back in 2024."

"You will. You have just started your career, Micky. Last year you just had to drive with Mazapin. You didn't have the car to fight back with. This year was your first year that you participated, and yes it was difficult, but you did so well too. You had so much bad luck that wasn't always your fault." Says Arthur and Mick looks up at him.

He grabs Arthur's arm and puts it around his shoulders and lay closer to Arthur.

"We will see." Whispers Mick.

♡♡♡

"Hey." Says Charles when he sees Mick. Arthur picked him up from the airport in the evening. Mick stayed home so the brothers could be alone and there would be no awkward meeting at the airport.

"Hi Charles."

"Okay, I'll pick something to drink." Says Arthur and walks into the kitchen.

He's nervous. All Arthur wants is for this conversation to go well. He wants to talk this fight out, so that his brother and boyfriend can go back to normal.

That he and Charles can go back to normal.

He can't describe how much he misses his big brother, just being together, the way they could say everything to each other. Secretly, Arthur also misses being the third wheel when he was with Pierre and Charles.

All he wants is things to go back to normal.

No fighting.

No angry stares.

No ignoring each other.

Just being back as a family.

He hears no voices from the living room, everything is quiet. He walked into the living room with three glasses in his hands and saw how Mick and Charles were both looking at him. They're on the couch, Mick on the far left and Charles on the far right end.

The atmosphere is so awkward.

"Okay, we're going to talk because this awkward tension is too much." Says Arthur, and sits down on the sofa.

"Charles, ask him."

"Ask him what?" But Charles knows what Arthur means, of course he does, he's not stupid.

"Tell him." Hisses Arthur, and Charles looks at him.

"Going straight into it, Art?"

"We three all know that you didn't agree with us dating because Mick is a good friend of yours, but Mick doesn't know the other reason, so tell him." Says Arthur and he doesn't care if he's being a dick right now. They need to talk and not sit there in silence.

"Okay, so I thought you liked another boy and that you are using Arthur to make him jealous," Says Charles, and sees the shocked reaction from Mick. Confusion etched on his face.

"What?" Asks Mick and looks at Charles and then at Arthur and then back to Charles.

"With who? Charles this is- What the hell?"' Mick was so confused. How did Charles think he liked someone else when all his eyes were on Arthur? Who could Mick possibly look at that way?

"I always thought you had a thing for Callum." Says Charles softly and Mick his mouth fell open.

"Callum? You serious?"

"You are always with him Mick! You guys are always texting, and the way you looked at him, I really thought you liked him!" Explain Charles.

"What do you mean by the way I look at him? Charles no, I don't have feelings for Callum."

"You sure? Even though we're friends, I don't want you to hurt Arthur, because you're messing with the wrong person then, Mick. You know that!"

"Of course I know that. And I don't want to hurt him, Charles, I really, really like Arthur. I'm not messing with him, I'm not using Arthur to make someone else jealous. You have to believe me ." Mick looks straight at Charles when he says this. He does his best not to look at Arthur. At the same time, he wants to know how he reacts to this, but this is for Charles.

He really needs Charles to believe him.

"You do?" Asks Charkes and Mick nods.

"He makes me really happy, and I've never felt anything like this for anyone. You have no idea how much I talked with Sebastian about Arthur, because I didn't know what to do with my feelings. I understand that you have your doubts about me and Arthur. But give me a chance to prove that I like Arthur and I will do everything to keep him happy."

"You promise?" Arthur looks at Charles in shock when he hears his brother's voice break.

"Charles." Says Arthur softly.

"You're moving to Switzerland, Arthur. I can't protect you anymore as much as I want to. I need to know if he's doing anything to protect you, because I want you to be happy, Arthur. And even if that isn't that with us in Moanco, I really hope Mick will do everything to protect you and make you happy here in Switzerland." A tear leaves his eye and Charles wipes it away.

All he wants is his little brother to be happy and protected.

Arthur looks in shock at Mick, who looks at Charles. Neither of the two expected this reaction.

Arthur gets pain in his stomach with the thought of how long Charles walks around with these thoughts. All Charles wanted was to protect him, and he only got mad at Charles.

"Charles." Says Arthur softly, and sits down next to his brother who looks him in the eyes.

"You mean so much to me Arthur, your my little brother, and I don't want you getting hurt, or that you're unhappy. You deserve the world for me, Art. And I can't handle the idea of you moving here because I'm not here to help or protect you when something is wrong, I can't help you anymore and that kills me." A sob leaves Charles his mouth and Arthur hugs his brother.

All he wants is Arthur to be happy.

"You will always be with me, Charlie. Even when I'm not in Monaco, we still have contact and we will be at races together. You're not going to lose me." Says Arthur, and looks his brother in the eyes, who has a little smile on his face.

"But you're still far away."

"Only at home, but I'm still here." Says Arthur and puts his hand on Charles, his heart. "And on your phone." Adds Arthur and the three of them laugh.

"I'm scared of what the future will hold. I know you want this, this with Mick and Maman told me everything. But I don't know how everything is going to be and I'm scared."

"I don't know how it's going to be. But I know one thing, and that is that we're not losing each other. I'm not gone, yes I will live somewhere else, but that doesn't mean- God Charles." Says Arthur softly and rest his head against Charles his shoulder.

"I will do everything to keep him happy, Charles. And us moving in together isn't to push him away from you or your family. I know how important family is, and I will never keep Arthur away from you guys." Says Mick, and his eyes and Charles make contact.

"If Arthur isn't happy here, I told him he can move back to Monaco. All I want him is to be happy, and if that isn't in Switzerland, there's always Monaco waiting for him. I will, of course, try my best to make him happy here with me. But I will not force him to stay here."

"Thank you." Says Charles, and Arthur let him go.

"So there are no feelings for Callum or anyone else?" Asks Charles and Mick shake his head.

"Only Arthur, I mean that with my heart, Charles, I won't lie to you and neither to Arthur. My feelings for you are real, and yes, me and Callum are close. But he's more like my brother. I can't live without him, and I won't stay away from him. But I have no feelings for him." Says Mick.

"You don't have to stay away from him, of course." Says Charles, but Mick shrugs.

"He's like my brother Charles, you have to believe me."

"I believe you." Says Charles, and the two lock their eyes together.

"I'm happy with Mick, Charles. And I really want to try this. I want to find out what my life with Mick will be like." Says Arthur, and Charles look at him.

"I know, I've always known that you wanted that. I saw that you liked Mick, but I couldn't accept it as I thought.. You know." Charles takes a deep breath.

"I won't lose you?" Asks Charles, and Arthur shakes his head.

"No, Charles, I don't want to lose you." Says Arthur, and Charles takes his hand in his own.

"You're my brother, nothing can break that. I love you idiot." Says Arthur, and Charles looks at his little brother.

"It's... We've been through so much Art, I... I don't even know it, Arthur, everything is so-."

"It's hard?" Asks Mick, and Charles looks up but after a while he nods.

"I will do everything to accept you two, but please, give me time to switch. All the bells are ringing in my head, saying this can't happen, because I have to protect you Arthur, and I don't know why, because I know how sweet Mick can be." Says Charles.

"That's being a big brother, Charles." Says Mick, and Charles let out a chuckle.

"I think so." Says Charles while he looks at Arthur.

"I have a sister myself, Charles. I didn't like the idea of her and her first boyfriend either. The last thing you want is your sibling to be hurt. I understand that." Says Mick

"I'm safe and happy." Says Arthur.

"You are, aren't you?" Asks Charles with a smile on his face.

"I really am." Says Arthur, while looking at Mick.

"I have Mick, but that doesn't mean I don't need you or Lorenzo anymore. You guys are my brothers, the bond we have can't be broken, no matter how far we live from each other. Charles, when papa died, you and Lorenzo were both gone and I was home alone with Maman. But even with you two out of the house, we made it. You were traveling around the world for your dream and Lorenzo was at uni. We didn't lose each other. So we can survive this too." Says Arthur.

"But we weren't there when you lost yourself." Says Charles softly.

"But this time it's different. I'm not alone now." Says Arthur and wipes away the tear who escape his eye.

"I have Mick now too, Charlie. And I learned how important it is to talk. Back then, I couldn't talk to Maman because she was so busy and sad about Papa. I can't be a burden to her. That was my mistake and I will not make it again. I grew up Charles, I promise you to talk when I'm feeling like I'm losing myself again."

"I trust you." Says Charles, and Arthur nods.

"I will take care of him too, Charles. You are not alone, and again, I will do my best to make him happy." Says Mick.

"Thank you Mick." Says Charles, and he stands up. He sits down next to Mick and hugs him.

"Thank you for taking care of my brother."

♡♡♡

We walk along the lake, our hands intertwined as we watch the sun go down. Charles flew back to Italy this morning for some work. The three of us watched a movie on the couch all evening. We laughed, talked about our karting days and about Formula 1 and Formula 3.

It was one of the best nights Arthur could dream about. He didn't think it was going to happen after everything that happened in the last few months.

He and Charles are okay, the same as Mick and Charles. They made their jokes again like they always did. Charles even pushed me towards Mick to cuddle when we were watching the movie. Arthur sat in the middle, he didn't want to let Charles feel uncomfortable with them cuddling, even though it was something Arthur really wanted, since he was exhausted. Charles pushed him against Mick and said he could cuddle with Mick, that he wouldn't mind.

Arthur looks at Mick and their eyes meet. "There you are again." Laughs Mick softly.

"I was talking to you and I got no answer back." Says Mick.

"Sorry, I was in my head. What did you say?" Asks Arthur and Mick press a kiss against Arthur's cheek.

"Are you happy?" Mick asks and Arthur smiles. He leans against Mick and rests his head against Mick's.

"I'm really happy." Arthur whispers and wraps his arm around Mick's waist.

"Thank you for not getting mad at Charles when he told you. It was quite a shock for you, no?" Asks Arthur, and Mick nods.

"It was, but at that moment, I understood his emotions. I didn't like it when Gina came home with her first boyfriend. I really wanted them to break up because I was scared she would be hurt. I saw in his eyes that he was scared." Says Mick.

"You did?"

"Yeah. And I wanted to try to make everything right. Making a fight wouldn't help it. But you need to know that I don't like Callum." He looks Arthur in the eyes.

"I know." Says Arthur, and they stand still.

Arthur moves his arms around Mick's shoulders and Mick wraps his arms around Arthur's waist and holds him close.

"All I have eyes for is you, Arthur." Says Mick, and Arthur press their heads together.

This is how it feels.

Their arms wrap around each other. The sun is going down behind them and all Arthur smells is Mick.

Mick.

Mick.

Mick.

Mick.

"I love you." Whispers Arthur and then pulls his head back and looks in shock at Mick with his own words.

Mick looks shocked too, but then gets a big smile on his face. He moves his hands to Arthur's cheeks and with his other hand he goes through Arthur's hair and stops at his neck. Mick presses Arthur's face closer to him and their noses cross. Mick bumps his nose against Arthur's and they feel each other breathing on their lips.

"I love you too." Whispers Mick while their eyes stayed locked.

They both had a stupid big smile on their faces and press their lips together.

Arthur will be okay.

He has an amazing family and now an amazing boyfriend too.

What could go wrong?