A Little Fire
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Title: A Little Fire
Characters: Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel
Rating: Black Flag
Summary: A chance meeting at a bus stop sparks a romance between Seb and Jenson despite their age gap.Disclaimer: This is not real. All in my head.
Beta: whisper_roar
A/N: Written for charanteleclerc, for the understeers challenge.
Sebastian is listening to his ipod, music blaring in his ears and his nose buried in an engineering textbook he should have been reading last night when a small tap on his shoulder gets his attention. Seb looks up, ready to tell off whoever is distracting him, but falls silent when his eyes are met with those of a sharp looking man in what looks to be a very expensive grey suit. Seb pulls the earbuds out of his ears as he gives the man a once over, his eyes noticing everything from the shined shoes to the silver sleeve cufflinks and the perfectly styled hair.
"Hi," he says questioningly as the man gives him a warm smile that lights up his whole face, pulling at the thin lines around his blue eyes.
"Does Bus 68 stop here?" the man asks.
"Yeah, every half hour," Seb informs him, feeling drawn by the man, "it's always six minutes late though."
"You take it often then."
"Every day," Seb confirms, lifting his textbook to the man's eye level. "It takes me to school."
"Computational fluid dynamics, impressive," and the man honestly looks impressed, which makes Seb feel weirdly proud.
"I've never seen you around. First time on a bus?" Seb says, finding himself yearning to know more about the man.
The man chuckles, a delightful sound to Seb's ears. "On a bus, no. On this bus, yes. My car is at the garage for a few days."
"Couldn't afford a rental?" Seb blurts out before he can stop himself, hoping the man doesn't take insult to it, because he really just meant it as a friendly jibe, since clearly the man would have the means to hire a limo if he wanted to.
The man grins as the bus pulls up, giving Seb a wink before they climb aboard. "I happen to like commuting amongst cheeky engineering students."
The bus is crowded and they have to stay standing in the bus, their bodies pressed much closer than would be acceptable in other circumstances. Seb never liked crowded buses but today he doesn't mind. He just enjoys being this close to this man, the scent of vetiver and cloves surrounding him, mixed in with the pine smell from the dry cleaned suit.
"So what do you do?" Seb asks, hoping his breath is still fresh from when he brushed his teeth, "Lawyer? Banker?"
"Marketing," the man says, saving Seb from any more guesses, "for men's fashion."
So that explains the look, Seb thinks, suddenly feeling extremely underdressed in his ripped jeans and cotton hoodie. They continue to make small talk during the bus ride, their bodies so close together Seb is certain he'll be leaving creases in the grey suit. The bus is almost approaching the university's stop when it runs over a rather large pothole, causing Sebastian to lose his balance and stumble on his feet until a firm hand wraps around his waist to steady him. Seb looks down at the hand then up at its owner, who locks eyes with him before slowly pulling his hand away, letting his fingers trail along Seb's side for a few seconds.
"Sorry, reflex," he says, looking a bit embarrassed but not enough to break their gaze.
"Don't be," Seb tells him, "it was nice... of you. It was nice of you." Seb feels like he's burning under the man's stare, like somehow he knows just how unsettling the whole encounter has been thus far. He's somewhat thankful when his stop arrives and he gets to put some distance between him and the man to clear his head, but just as he's pressing the door open, he realises he might not see him ever again. He doesn't even know his name.
Seb turns around, calling towards the man. "I'm Seb, by the way."
The man's face lights up with a smile. "Jenson. See you tomorrow, Seb."
Seb climbs down the steps and out of the bus. Tomorrow, he thinks, grinning to himself. Tomorrow he'd get to see Jenson again. Jenson, he repeats as he walks to his fluid dynamics class, wanting to make sure he wouldn't forget the name.
The next morning Seb looks forward to taking the bus, anxiously fussing with the edge of his shirt, a slightly more stylish look than yesterday's hoodie. He decides to take a book out and read, or pretend to read, since all he can think about is whether or not Jenson will be at the bus stop today.
"Advanced Dynamics. I'm starting to feel intimidated," Jenson's voice teases as he taps on the book, which Seb promptly puts away.
"I still don't understand half of the stuff I'm supposed to know, it's nothing impressive," Seb says with a sigh.
Jenson takes a step into Seb's personal space, forcing him to look at him just a bit. "It's impressive to me," Jenson says, leaving no doubt in Seb's mind that he's being fully honest, "I bet you'll ace those classes, Seb."
Jenson is right, he'll probably end up with top marks again this semester, but the hours he has to put into studying are starting to wear him out, bringing him to the edge of a breakdown more often than he should let it. None of that matters now though, not when Jenson is looking at him with pride in his eyes, pride that really has no reason being there, not from a stranger, but it's comforting. It doesn't feel odd that Jenson might honestly be impressed, it just feels nice.
Seb. A huge grin forms on his face. He called him Seb. Jenson remembered his name. The bus ride is even nicer than yesterday's. Seb is thankful for the crowd, thankful he gets to stand pressed against Jenson again, their bodies so near he could count the threads of Jenson's charcoal suit jacket. Conversation comes easy and they talk about a bit of everything, from Seb's years at school so far, to Jenson's work, to their shared interest in cycling. Seb is so engrossed in their conversation that the bump from the pothole catches him by surprise again today, pushing him forward against Jenson's chest.
Jenson's hands are automatically resting on his hips, neither pushing nor pulling, just resting there as Jenson looks at him with a grin. "I'm starting to think you're doing this on purpose."
Seb feels the heat rise in his cheeks, conscious of the hands still on him and the stirring it's giving him. He doesn't want this moment to end but he knows his stop is mere seconds away. "Maybe I am," he says without thinking it through, because he really wasn't, but he's trying to hide just how unnerving being around Jenson is.
Jenson leans in to whisper in his ear. "Good thing I'm here to catch you then," he says just before placing a kiss on Seb's cheek and whispering again. "I think that's your stop."
Seb blinks out of his daze, and looks outside. "Yeah, that's my stop," he says as he heads for the door, vsee you tomorrow?"
"Count on it," Jenson replies before the bus door closes between them.
The next day Seb waits at the bus stop, repeatedly pulling out the phone out of his pocket to check the time. Jenson's late. Seb buries his hands in his pockets, kicking pebbles with the tip of his shoe. He hears the bus arrive and stop in front of him. Still no Jenson. Seb replaces the backpack on his shoulder, sighing as he queues up to get on the bus. He knew it couldn't last, couldn't actually lead to anything more than a spontaneous exchange on the bus, a spur of the moment.
Jenson knows he shouldn't, not so soon after his split with Nico, especially not with a barely legal student, no matter how much he had enjoyed his brief encounters with his cheeky bus companion. His friends would say he's trying to replace Nico. But Seb couldn't replace Nico, they were nothing alike, couldn't be further from being alike. No, Seb isn't Nico. He's carefree and laid-back, funny and gutsy. He has fire in him and after spending the past weeks under a black cloud, Jenson could use a little fire, especially one that looks as good as Seb does, waiting for the bus just like he was when he met him two days ago.
The quick honks of a car horn make Seb look to his left, behind the bus, just as he's about to board. The sound comes from a Mercedes SLK, but Seb can't quite see inside with the tinted windows. When no other sound or movement comes from the car, Seb returns his attention to the bus, but only for a second, as he hears his name being called out. Seb turns around to see the driver's door open and Jenson half standing outside the car, waving him over.
Seb practically skips over to the car, not failing to notice how fucking picture perfect Jenson is with his car. It's like he's doing a photo shoot, everything from his hair, down to his sunglasses and his watch, and Seb can imagine a picture of Jenson with his car as the centrefold of a motorsport magazine.
"Garage was done earlier than expected. You want a ride?" Jenson offers when Seb is within earshot, just as the bus departs.
Seb reaches for the passenger door. "Not like I have a choice now," he says teasingly as he gets in the car, feeling almost guilty for leaving dirty footprints on the pristine carpet. They sit in silence as Jenson drives towards the university, drumming quietly on the steering wheel to the beat of the music on the radio.
"You didn't have to, you know. I could have taken the bus. It's smelly and crowded and takes forever, but I'm used to it."
Jenson gives him a sideways glance and flashes him a smile as he parks in front of the engineering building. "I know. And you're welcome."
Seb unbuckles his seatbelt and leans over to Jenson, placing a quick kiss on his lips. "Thank you."
"Same time tomorrow?" Jenson asks with a grin as Seb gets out of the car.
"I'd like that," he replies as he bites down on his lip to suppress a huge smile.
Jenson has been driving him to school for a couple of weeks when he surprises him with a question. "I'm driving out of town for some mountain biking during the spring break. What do you say, want to come along?" Jenson says, giving Seb's thigh a quick squeeze with his hand. "The hotel is already paid for."
"Yeah, that sounds fun," Seb says without thinking, not caring that he doesn't know where it is he's agreeing to go, that he's never spent more than fifteen minutes at a time with Jenson, that the most they've exchanged are a few kisses, or that he has exams the week after the break. All he cares about is that this, this thing between him and Jenson that he's been struggling to define, is taking a step forward. He leans to Jenson's side of the car and kisses him, feeling him pull back slightly from the surprise before Jenson's hands are resting on his cheeks, and Seb feels the need in his touch, feels the desire bubble over, feels just how much Jenson had been holding back until now and it's wonderful. It's everything he wants to feel, and from the look in Jenson's eyes when they finally part, it's what Jenson wants too.
~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"I made sure there were two," Jenson says motioning vaguely towards the beds as he starts unpacking his suitcases, "just pick whichever one you want."
Seb stands at the foot of the beds, not having anticipated he'd have to make this decision. He had assumed they'd be sharing, but maybe he was misunderstanding Jenson. Maybe this wasn't anything more than two friends going on a bike trip, nothing more. The frown on his face must have been more perceptible than he wanted, because two arms wrap around him from behind to hug him.
"I'll join you regardless of which you pick Seb, I just didn't want to rush you," Jenson explains, placing a small kiss on Sebastian's covered shoulder.
Seb smiles to himself before placing his hands on top of Jenson's, feeling the warm chest pressed against his back. "Maybe...maybe I want to be rushed."
"It can't be a maybe," Jenson says, lips brushing against the soft skin of Seb's neck, breathing in his scent. It doesn't have the sophisticated and overwhelming fragrance Nico's has. It's the simple smell of shower gel; fresh and subdued, youthful. His grip around Seb tightens a bit. He wants to taste every inch of Sebastian's body, wants to feel the sensitive skin rise into goosebumps under his touch. He wants all of Seb, but only if he's ready. Seb is still young and the last thing Jenson needs after his breakup is more guilt. "I want you to be sure."
Seb applies pressure to Jenson's left hand, moving it downwards to his crotch, letting Jenson feel just how sure he is. Jenson grins against the crook of Seb's neck, enjoying the bold hand squeezing between their bodies to grope at him through his jeans as his own hand continues to rub Seb through his denim. It's not long before Seb starts making wanton noises, gyrating his arse against Jenson, both hands firmly hanging on to Jenson's hips, encouraging Jenson's movement against him. If he could see himself from a distance, Jenson would probably laugh at himself, laugh at how much he looks like a horny teenager, his hard cock making his pants look like a tent pressed against Sebastian's arse while his hand is deep within Seb's underwear, struggling to find enough room to move. Jenson tries to remember that it's their first time together, possibly Seb's first time as well, and he knows he should take it slow, but when Seb moans out his name, the last bit of his restraint vanishes.
Jenson pulls Sebastian's shirt over his head and tosses it aside, kissing Seb's naked back along his spine all the way down to his waist as he pulls pants and underwear to the floor. For a fraction of a second while he's kneeling on the floor, Jenson debates whether to take his clothes off now, but at the sight of Seb's erect cock, all he wants to do is fuck Seb with his mouth and to hell with the rest. Seb is already as hard as one can be when Jenson's mouth moves along the shaft, feeling the swollen veins and warmth against his lips. Seb is newly shaven and Jenson makes the most of it, using his tongue to nudge his testicles, enjoying how Seb's body responds to him but even more than that, he delights in the fact that Seb was thinking about him when he decided to shave, his mind surely thinking of them having sex.
Jenson takes Seb deep in his mouth, sucking increasingly rapidly as Seb struggles to stay standing, a song of moans and curses escaping his lips. Jenson guides Seb's hips towards him, inviting Seb to thrust against his mouth, showing him there's no need to hold back. When Seb takes control, cupping Jenson's face while he pushes his cock in and out, Jenson slides a hand between Seb's legs, first caressing his balls, then pressing his middle finger further back, testing Seb's reaction. And the reaction is good, better than Jenson had expected. He has barely pushed the tip of his finger inside when Seb comes suddenly, making Jenson cough from the surprise before he swallows the come filling his mouth.
"Are you okay?" Seb asks when his orgasm is over.
Jenson wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and gets up to his feet, hungrily kissing Seb. "Perfect."
"Do you want..." Seb says looking down at Jenson's crotch, the hard on extremely obvious, "Can I help?"
"If you want," Jenson casually replies, not wanting to pressure him, "or there's always tomorrow."
Seb bites down on his bottom lip, his eyes still fixed on Jenson's crotch. "I want, now."
And so Seb reciprocates, making Jenson wonder where the kid had gotten all his tricks, because he's making noises he's never made before in his life, cursing Seb for teasing him and drawing out the blow job, bringing him ever so close to the edge, never letting him actually go over it until he's begging for release, his body fully controlled by Seb, who finally drives him to climax, swallowing every last drop of come.
The rest of the week becomes a blur of sex and cycling, but definitely more sex than cycling. They spend hours talking while they bike, and hours screaming while they fuck.
~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~
They've been together for a few weeks, meeting up sometimes in the evenings, when Jenson doesn't have to work late and Seb doesn't have too much studying to do, but mostly on the weekends, playing or watching sports, which usually ends with their clothes lying on the ground, since they can't keep their hands off each other.
The first time they're seriously out as a couple is when Jenson invites him to a work function at an art gallery downtown, something about a new sponsorship agreement, and they've just finished making what felt like awkward conversation for hours with Jenson's boss when the lobby door swings open and a blond man walks in, making heads turn as he waves to some familiar faces, offering some German greetings along the way.
"He looks like a model," Seb says in awe, watching the man stroll into the room with long strides like it's his own personal runway, hair flowing as he walks, hips swinging from side to side and flashing a gorgeous smile at every person he passes.
"That's because he is," Jenson says flatly as the man suddenly looks in their direction and comes their way.
"Jenson, it's good to see you," Nico says with absolute charm and a perfect English accent, "and this is?" he says looking over to Seb.
"Sebastian," he says before turning over to him, "Seb, this is Nico."
"His boyfriend," Nico tells him, extending a hand, which Seb takes and shakes, colour draining from his face, because if Nico was his boyfriend, what did that make him?
"Ex-boyfriend," Jenson corrects.
"Can't blame me for trying JB," Nico says as he caresses Jenson's cheek with his hand, thumb gently tracing Jenson's lightly parted lips.
"Nico..." Seb hears Jenson whisper, the name rolling off Jenson's tongue in a way his never does. He feels like a third-wheel, watching Jenson melt into Nico's touch, and he realises he can't compete with a man like Nico.
"Don't," Jenson asks, but it lacks conviction and Seb sees a small smile and a victorious look on Nico's face.
"Okay," Nico concedes, placing a kiss on Jenson's cheek before turning to Seb with his perfect smile. "Nice meeting you, kid."
Seb glares at him, but Nico doesn't seem to notice, or pretends not to, and walks away to mingle with some columnists from Vogue France, falling effortlessly into French.
"Don't mind him," Jenson says sounding flustered, taking Seb by the arm and guiding him to the other side of the room for a drink.
"You certainly do," Seb says bitterly and as soon as he says it, he regrets it, knowing it makes him sound childish and insecure. Jenson stops in his tracks next to him.
"Woah," Jenson says, placing a hand against Seb's chest to stop him. "If you've got something to say just say it straight up."
Seb looks down and shuffles on his feet. He knows it's probably nothing. Jenson invited him after all, him, not Nico. Yet he can't help but recall every detail of their little encounter. The way Jenson closed his eyes under Nico's touch, as if reliving some treasured memories. They way Nico had claimed Jenson as his without hesitation, his words and his touch as loud as waving a banner saying he is mine.
"You still like him don't you?" Seb says quietly, his eyes finding Nico in the crowd, running a hand through his hair as he dazzles the small crowd gathered around him.
Jenson sighs, lowering his hand to rest on Seb's hips. "Nico and I, we have history. That doesn't just go away."
"So you're not denying it!"
"Seb, don't start that here," Jenson says, his eyes begging for him to drop the subject.
"He was practically kissing you!" Seb says a little too loudly, ignoring Jenson's pleas.
"Come on, I'm taking you home," Jenson says as he calmly tugs Seb's arm and leads him towards the door.
Sebastian yanks his arm free and quickens his pace. "Don't bother. I'll take the bus." And he storms out and down the street to the nearest bus stop. While he waits for his bus, or any bus, to arrive, Seb mutters to himself, trying to convince himself that Jenson was wrong and that he's not being immature. He keeps looking over his shoulder towards the art gallery, hoping for a grand gesture, for Jenson to run towards him with arms wide open, begging him to stay, but part of him knows that only happens in the movies, and he tucks his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped. He feels out of his depth, even more so than in the gallery, standing alone at night waiting for a bus in a suit that's too big for him.
~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Seb leans his bike against the railings at the bottom of the steps, grabbing a small box from a bag hanging on the handle bar before knocking on the door. He feels stupid for the way he acted last night and wants to apologise. He likes Jenson, he really does. He doesn't want Jenson to see him the way Nico does, as a kid. He's not a kid. He knows he can make this work with Jenson, regardless of the age gap between them. Just thinking about Jenson makes him smile from ear to ear.
When the door opens though, the smile on his face fades away instantly. "Nico," he says flatly standing outside the door of Jenson's house. Nico smirks at him from inside, leaning against the door frame, and if Seb didn't know any better, he'd swear Nico lives here.
"Flattered you remembered," Nico says ever so charming, "what can I do for you...uhm..?"
"Seb," he reminds Nico, looking at his feet, "Name is Seb."
"Right, Seb, of course, so sorry," Nico says as he places a warm hand on his shoulder in apology, "you're here to see JB?"
Seb wants to wipe the ever present smile from Nico's fucking perfect face. He wants to yell at Nico, punch him maybe too, and let him know that Jenson is his. His and his alone, and if he could please fuck off and leave them alone thank you very much. He wants all that, but he knows he won't, because Nico is too damn pleasant. Friendly, charming and gorgeous. He wonders if there's ever been a moment when that man isn't put together; it's like he's been trained by royalty. No wonder Jenson can't move on. Seb sighs, being reminded once more that Nico is so much more than he could ever be.
"It's okay, I'll catch him some other time," Seb says as he shoves the cake box in Nico's hands before turning on his heels and quickly leaving before the tears prickling his eyes actually fall.
~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Seb's head snaps to the left when he hears a honking from behind the bus. Jenson. Seb chooses to ignore it, waiting in line to get on the bus.
"Seb!" Jenson calls, but Seb disregards it and climbs onto the bus.
When the bus arrives on campus and Seb climbs off, he hears his name called once again. Jenson's car is parked behind the bus and he's now walking towards him. He thinks about quickly walking off to class, but knows that's the immature thing to do so he decides to confront Jenson.
"You haven't been answering my messages," Jenson starts as soon as they're within speaking range.
"Was busy," Seb replies curtly.
"Nico told me you were at the house."
Seb huffs at him. "Was that before or after he sucked you off?" he asks venomously.
Jenson bites his lip, doing his best to suppress a smile. "Is that what you think? That I'm back with Nico?"
"Aren't you?"
"I'm with you, Seb. Thought you knew that. I'm the one who broke it off with Nico. That still stands," Jenson says as he grabs Seb by the waist and closes the space between them despite Seb trying to twist out of his hold. "I asked him to come over to pick up the last of his stuff. Figured I needed some room in case, you know, you wanted to leave a toothbrush at my place."
"A toothbrush?" Seb asks as Jenson's hands slide to cup his butt.
Jenson grins, squeezing Seb's arse with both hands. "Well it's a bit soon for you to move in, but if you want a drawer for your things, there's one waiting for you. What do you say?"
Seb considers the offer for a minute, then gently grabs Jenson's suit jacket with both hands and kisses him before giving him a puppy look. "Can I have two?"
Jenson laughs at Seb before sucking at his neck and licking his way to Seb's ear, fully aware of the people moving about around them and not caring at all. "I can be convinced."
.