Work Text:
-I-
2021. A new year bringing a fresh start for Sebastian. Even though his time at Ferrari hadn’t exactly gone according to plan, he wasn’t ready to retire yet and he was looking forward to a new challenge — the chance to use his experience to bring a midfield team up the order and develop their car for the 2022 regulations. Joining Aston Martin meant he would once again be joining a team based in the UK. Back in his Red Bull days Sebastian was happy to have an international commute, excited even, but these days he was older and no longer enamoured by the jet-setting lifestyle. While he knew 33 wasn’t exactly old, he felt ready to start putting down roots. Rather than continuing to be based in Switzerland, Sebastian decided it was time to look for a home in England.
Though he could be quite comfortable in an apartment, he had been thinking for a while about sustainable living and had decided he would like to purchase a small landholding so that he could grow his own produce. He vaguely remembered hearing about the Buckinghamshire countryside while he was at Red Bull and knew it wouldn’t be much further to Silverstone, so he decided that would be the best place to start his search.
Before long, Sebastian had found a place that fit the bill — a two-storey house on a little over three acres in the small town of Princes Risborough with a lovely garden and established fruit trees, as well as a pool and tennis court for fitness. The town was only about an hour away from the Aston Martin headquarters at Silverstone and the gorgeous location on the edge of the Chilterns more than made up for the longer commute. Although the house could do with some updates to its décor, it was nice enough to be able to move straight in. By mid-February, he had settled into his new home and was looking forward to delving into preparations with the team ahead of pre-season testing and the season proper.
As part of developing his more sustainable lifestyle, Sebastian had researched the farmers’ markets in the area. While his own small town held markets only sporadically, there were others nearby that kept a more regular schedule. On the fourth Saturday of the month, there were markets held in the town of Tring, about 20 minutes away. Sebastian was chatting with the owner of the fruit and veg stall to get some tips about growing his own produce when he looked up and saw a familiar, tall figure striding through the crowd.
“Oh, hey! Mark!” he called out.
“Sebastian?” spluttered Mark, clearly surprised to run into his old teammate, “what are you doing here?”
“I’ve just moved in about 20 minutes away. Thought it would be good to have a local base now that I’m with Aston Martin. What brings you here?”
“Oh I live in the next town across, about 10 minutes from here. Don’t you remember?”
“Was it you who lived around here? I knew someone from the Red Bull days did, that’s what made me look in the area actually, but I don’t think I ever visited your house so I didn’t realise it was you.”
“Yeah, that was me, mate. It’s a great area, you’ve chosen well. I guess I might be seeing you around the place a bit more then?” laughed Mark.
“Yeah, I guess you might,” smiled Sebastian in return.
There was an awkward pause, both men still somewhat taken aback by their surprise meeting and unsure what they should do next. They hadn’t exactly been close during their time at Red Bull, but despite how things might have looked to the outside world, they hadn’t parted on bad terms and it had been a lot of years since then.
“We should catch up for a coffee some time,” suggested Mark, breaking the silence.
“That would be great, but I’m not sure when would work. Testing is only a couple of weeks away so I’ll be at the factory most days,” replied Sebastian, his initial enthusiasm waning with every word as he mentally computed just how little time he would have over the coming weeks. He thought he saw disappointment pass through Mark’s eyes as he spoke and decided to take a chance, “Unless you’re free now?”
“Now? Oh, yeah, I guess so. I didn’t have any plans for today. Where were you thinking? Do you know your way around town yet? The coffee here’s not great but I know a place we could stop in at.”
“Or do you want to come to my place and I’ll give you the tour? I’ve only been there a couple of weeks, you can be my first visitor.”
“Um, sure, why not? Lucky I drove then, usually I just ride my bike here. Should I just follow you back?”
“Yeah, that’s probably easiest. Here, let me put my address into your phone just in case we get separated.”
Sebastian entered his address into the navigation app, then they headed to their respective cars and set off. About 20 minutes later the two cars pulled up the driveway to Sebastian’s house. Sebastian showed Mark into the house and through to the kitchen. They chatted as Sebastian got work making coffee.
“So, the downstairs is all living area. We came past the study on the way in and the dining and living rooms are just through that way. The other room used to be set up as a lounge but I’ve converted it to a gym instead. Upstairs is just bedrooms, more than I need but I’m sure I’ll figure out something to do with the space.”
“Very nice, mate.”
Sebastian handed Mark a mug of coffee. “Hmm, the weather’s not so bad today. How about we drink this outside and I’ll show you around the garden?”
He led the way through the dining room and out the French doors to the patio area. They chatted as they walked through the landscaped garden, Sebastian pointing out the features.
“Down the back there are some fruit trees— apples, pears, plums,” he moved through the garden, gesturing. “Over there I’m going to put in a vegetable patch and grow as much as I can of my own. This flower patch will look nice in the spring and will give plenty of food for the bees. And here’s the pool, not that it’s much good at this time of year.”
“So, are you going to get some bees?” joked Mark.
“Actually, I’ve already spoken to the local chapter of the beekeepers association. It’s not quite the right time to start out a new hive but come the spring I’ll be having a starter brood delivered,” replied Sebastian.
“Oh, you’re really serious about all that then?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Oh no, I mean, of course you should be. It’ll be a lot of work though.”
“Mmm” hummed Sebastian. They finished their loop of the garden and headed back through to the kitchen to finish their coffees and warm up.
“Well, thanks for letting me have the honour of being your first visitor,” said Mark, handing over his empty mug.
“Thanks for coming by. Hang on, here,” said Sebastian, handing over a jar of apple compote, “the last of the apples. The trees were so full when I moved in, I had to find something to do with them all.”
“You made this?” asked Mark, incredulous.
“I do know how to cook you know,” grinned Sebastian, nudging Mark with his shoulder.
“Well, you put me to shame,” said Mark, as he accepted the jar and headed through toward the front door, “thanks again.”
Sebastian smiled to himself as he leaned against the front door and waved Mark goodbye, a warm feeling spreading inside. His time in the UK was off to a good start.
-II-
The last minute changes made to the calendar thanks to COVID had resulted in a slower start to the season than normal, but Sebastian had still been busy getting to grips with a new car. The team’s initial results had been disappointing and by the end of the first double header in May, he was glad for the short break before Monaco. The time off also allowed him to get some work done around his house and garden now that summer had almost arrived. Well, garden wasn’t quite the right word for it anymore, it was really becoming more of a small farm, just as Sebastian had been planning. He had planted out his vegetable patch, established a henhouse for eggs and also had a few lambs delivered, with the plan to fatten one up for meat later in the year and keep the two female lambs for breeding. His bees had been delivered at the start of spring and were increasingly active now that the weather had warmed up and seemed to be enjoying his flower garden.
As he collected eggs that morning, Sebastian noticed that there was a hole in the fencing of the enclosure. So, later that day he headed into Aylesbury to visit the hardware store for some chicken wire and other bits and pieces he needed for the jobs around the house. He was standing in the aisled absorbed in looking through the different fixings when he heard a familiar voice from behind him.
“We have got to stop meeting like this”
“Oh, Mark,” said Sebastian, looking up at the man behind him, “Hi, how are you?”
“Yeah, good, good. Looks like you’re keeping busy,” Mark said, gesturing to Sebastian’s trolley.
“Yes, I need to fix the fencing for my chickens. I’m worried foxes will get in.”
“I never knew you were such a handyman?”
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me Mark,” laughed Sebastian, winking. “No, I don’t really know what I’m doing, but it’s nothing that a bit of YouTube can’t help me figure out.”
“Do you need a hand with anything?” offered Mark, “I’ve got the afternoon free if you need any help? I’ve had to do repairs a few times before with my own chooks.”
“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’ve got a few things to take care of while I’m in town, but I can meet you back at your place in around an hour?”
“Sure, see you then.”
An hour or so later, Mark pulled up at the front of the house and Sebastian showed him around the back to where the chicken coop had been built. While the weather had not yet turned to summer, it was still quite hot when not in the shade. Before long, Mark took off his shirt to keep cool while he worked. Sebastian couldn’t help but sneak a few glances, noticing appreciatively that Mark had been keeping himself in shape since his retirement.
“Like what you see?” laughed Mark, catching Sebastian in the act as they were putting the tools away in the shed, their work on the fencing complete.
“Eh, you’re no George Russell,” shot back Sebastian. “Anyway, you’ll probably want to put that back on, I’ve got to go check on the hive before the bees start to come back for the evening.”
Mark put his shirt back on as he followed Sebastian across to the hive and watched him put on his protective gear and set up the smoker. Sebastian talked him through what he was doing as he opened up the various parts of the hive for inspection — checking on the queen in the brood box, ensuring the excluder was properly in place to keep her out of the upper section of the hive, making sure there were enough frames in the top section to allow the bees to make honey and discourage them from swarming and checking the number of capped cells to see if there was enough for an early-season harvest of honey.
“You and your notebooks,” joked Mark as he watched Sebastian take down detailed notes of all his observations.
“It’s what the beekeepers association recommends," shrugged Sebastian. "You have to take notes of your inspections so you can track the health of the hive.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed. You know, I’ve always admired that about you. You never do things by halves.”
“Oh, uh, thanks,” blushed Sebastian, unsure what to do with the compliment. He elected to deflect. “We should head inside and get a cool drink before you have to strip off again. Or would you prefer I threw you in the pool for old times’ sake?”
“Nah, save it for Monaco. A cool drink sounds nice though, mate.”
Sebastian put his beekeeping gear away in the shed and then they went back into the house and chatted for a while in the kitchen, each of them enjoying a cold glass of water.
“I suppose I should give you my number so we don’t have to keep stalking each other through the shops,” said Mark, pointing to Sebastian’s phone. They swapped numbers and Mark started moving to head home.
“Wait a minute,” said Sebastian, as he grabbed a small egg carton from the pantry, “take some eggs with you as a thank you for your help.”
“Oh thanks, but it was really no trouble at all,” replied Mark, accepting the proffered gift, “I might see you in Monaco?”
“Well, I’ll definitely be there,” laughed Sebastian, “I’ll send you a text if I’m free.”
Mark waved goodbye as he let himself out the front door, leaving Sebastian to wonder how he might squeeze time for a coffee into his busy Monaco Grand Prix week schedule.
-III-
They ended up finding time to have coffee in Monaco and met up a few times in the UK over the following couple of months. After the disaster that was Sebastian’s British Grand Prix, Mark invited him to come over the next afternoon for a beer to commiserate. Sebastian knocked on the front door and was surprised when Mark opened it and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Sorry about your race, mate. Here, take this and come through,” he said, handing Sebastian a beer. They walked through the house and out to the back patio area overlooking the landscaped gardens.
“Thanks for having me over,” said Sebastian, sitting back in the chair and rubbing the heads of the two curious dogs that had come over to say hello, “I think I needed this.”
“No worries,” said Mark. “Actually, I did have a bit of an ulterior motive asking you around though. I’m going away on Wednesday for a week and the lady who usually looks after the place for me isn’t going to be around. I’d really prefer not to have to put Sammy and Saxon into a kennel. I mean, I'm sure I can find someone, but–”
“Of course," cut in Sebastian, "I’m happy to help.”
They sat and enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon and each other's company until the sun began getting low in the sky.
“Come on then,” said Mark, getting up from his chair, “I’d better show you around before it gets dark.”
He led Sebastian on a brief tour of the property, showing him the dogs’ kennels, the chicken coop and finally, the alpacas.
“Oh my goodness, they’re so soft!” cooed Sebastian as he stroked the fur of one of the alpacas.
“You should get one,” said Mark, “they’re good around sheep.”
“Oh no, I think I’ve got enough animals for now,” Sebastian laughed.
They began to move back in the direction of the house, Mark hovering his hand near the small of Sebastian’s back to help guide him now that twilight was rapidly falling. As they got into the house, Mark gave him a quick tour of where everything was kept. They had made it back to the kitchen when Sebastian couldn’t help but let out a small yawn.
“Sorry, I should let you go,” apologised Mark, “I think I’ve forgotten how much a race weekend takes out of you.”
“Oh no, that’s fine,” said Sebastian, “it’s been nice to relax. But you’re right, I should probably have an early night.”
“Hang on, just let me get you the spare keys.”
Mark disappeared briefly to rifle through a drawer and came back with a small keyring.
“Here. This one does the front door, this one does the back door and this is for the shed,” Mark demonstrated, then held out the bunch for Sebastian to take.
Sebastian registered a jolt of feeling shoot through his body when his fingers brushed Mark’s as he took the keys, and he could only hope that the dim light meant that Mark couldn’t see his blush.
"Oh, um, thanks," stammered Sebastian, quickly taking the keys and rushing to his car, inwardly cursing himself. What was that all about?
He stopped in at the house on the way to and from work each day that Mark was away, lavishing his attention on the dogs and other animals and keeping an eye on the rest of the property. Knowing that Mark would be arriving home late on the day he got back, Sebastian made a small lasagna and left it in the fridge. On the bench he left some freshly picked berries and a jar from his first batch of honey, together with a note:
Hope you had a nice trip. Dinner in the fridge.
See you soon.
Seb :)
-IV-
Lamb roast is an Australian thing, right?
Yeah, I guess. Why?
Just got my first lamb back from the butcher
Thought you might like to come around for a roast?
Ah, sorry mate, I've got a date with Tom Cruise.
You what??
Sorry, never mind. Bad joke.
When were you thinking?
Will Friday be alright?
Spa next week, so it's my last chance for
a good meal before the triple header.
Friday sounds great.
Do you need me to bring anything?
No, I'll take care of everything.
Great, I'll see you then.
Sebastian spent his Friday afternoon in the garden picking the vegetables, herbs and fruits that he needed to prepare dinner. As the time drew nearer, Sebastian found himself growing nervous waiting for Mark’s arrival. He pushed down those thoughts, instead busying himself with the preparations. He had just put the lamb into the oven when he heard a car pulling up the gravel driveway and rushed through to the front door, opening it to greet Mark brightly.
Mark held out two bottles of wine as he walked to the front porch, “Aussie cab sav, best thing for a roast lamb.”
Sebastian accepted the wine and showed Mark through to the kitchen, setting the bottles down on the bench and turning to the vegetables that still needed to be prepared.
“Can I give you a hand with anything?” Mark offered.
“Oh sure, I’ve just got to slice up these carrots and beetroots. If you could prepare the corn maybe?”
They settled into an easy rhythm beside each other in the kitchen, chatting as they worked together to ready the vegetables and prepare a salad. As Sebastian put the trays in the oven, Mark turned to look through the cupboards, finding the wine glasses and pouring some wine.
“It should be ready in an hour,” Sebastian announced. “I’ve set a timer.”
Mark handed over a glass and took a place leaning against the kitchen bench opposite Sebastian. They chatted about everything and nothing — Mark’s animals, Sebastian’s bees, the weather and even racing, a topic Sebastian generally tried to avoid outside of work hours. He was feeling so relaxed that he jumped in surprise at the sound of the oven timer, having almost forgotten why they had been standing in his kitchen. Sebastian arranged the meat and vegetables onto serving dishes, handed Mark the salad and ushered him through to the dining room.
“Really Seb?” said Mark, laughing as he stopped where he stood as he entered the room and laid eyes on the centrepiece of the table — Sebastian’s Hungarian Grand Prix second place trophy, converted to a vase with an arrangement of freshly cut flowers.
“I have to take it with me to give back at Spa. Why not have fun with it first?”
“How did you even get the lid off?” Mark laughed again, shaking his head.
They sat down to eat, the wine and conversation flowing freely as it had in the kitchen just before. When their meal was done, Mark made a show of sitting back in his chair and letting out a satisfied groan.
“That was amazing, Seb. I can’t believe you grew all of that yourself. I don’t know how you’re going to fit in your car next week though, that was so much food.”
“I might have to go for an extra run tomorrow. I hope you’ve got room for a little more though, I’ve got something special I wanted to share with you.”
Sebastian quickly stepped out of the dining room and returned with dessert — a large chunk of raw honeycomb, oozing with fresh honey, surrounded by an assortment of fresh berries from his garden.
"Is this from your hive?" asked Mark, surprised.
"Yes! The girls have been so good for me," replied Sebastian, pleased.
"Wow. So, how do I–?"
Sebastian glanced over to look at Mark, who was clearly struggling to figure out the best way to tackle the honeycomb.
"Oh, you just take a slice and bite into it, see?"
Sebastian cut a slice of honeycomb and picked it up gently between his fingers. He took a small bite then held the piece out in offering to Mark. As Mark reached out to take the piece from his fingers, Sebastian swerved his hand slightly. He felt his breath catch as their eyes met, heart stopping for a moment as he looked for a sign in Mark’s eyes. After what felt like an eternity, Mark opened up to allow Sebastian to guide the piece to his mouth and his heart started beating again with a rush.
"Oh that's amazing Sebby, wow," whispered Mark, his voice almost a moan.
"Here, let me–"
Mark sliced himself a piece of honeycomb and held it out to Sebastian in return. Sebastian accepted the honeycomb into his mouth and, holding Mark's eyes in a challenging gaze, took Mark's fingers into his mouth as well, swirling around them with his tongue. He smirked as he saw Mark's breath hitch before allowing him to withdraw his fingers.
"Cheeky little shit," chuckled Mark with a grin.
"Hang on, you've got a bit of–" said Sebastian, wiping a honey-soaked finger across Mark's lips. "May I?"
Sebastian hesitated a moment, then slowly leaned across the table to take Mark's lips in a gentle kiss. He opened his eyes and sat back with a soft sigh.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
"Hmm, I might have some idea," replied Mark, returning Sebastian's gaze. They sat in silence for a few seconds, just letting the moment between them breathe. Suddenly, without breaking eye contact, Mark swiped a finger through the honey on the plate and wiped it on Sebastian's cheek.
"Oh look, you've got some here," he laughed as he kissed away the splodge of honey he had left behind.
"Mmm, and here," his voice lower now, as he swiped some at the hinge of Sebastian's jaw then licked it clean.
"And here," as he marked a spot in the dip of Sebastian’s collarbone then sucked at it, hard.
Sebastian leaned his head back with a gasp to allow Mark better access to the soft skin of his throat. A moment later their lips came together again, almost frantic, years of pent up tensions finally spilling free.
"Bedroom. Now." growled Mark, eyes dark and he allowed himself to be dragged through the house and up the stairs, dessert already long forgotten.
-Epilogue-
The weekend before Christmas, Sebastian opened his door to the sound of a vehicle reversing in his driveway. He saw Mark directing a four wheel drive towing what looked like a horse float around to the side of his yard. He walked over to where Mark was standing and greeted him with a kiss.
"What's this?" Sebastian asked, gesturing to the horse float.
"It's your Christmas present. Surprise!"
"You bought me... a pony?" asked Sebastian, confused.
"What? No, of course not!" laughed Mark, opening the back of the trailer. "They're alpacas."
Two alpacas walked down the ramp, one almost white and the other a light orangey-blonde.
"Oh Mark, they're gorgeous!" exclaimed Sebastian, pulling Mark into a hug and kissing him again.
"What are you going to call them?"
Sebastian's broad smile turned into more of a cheeky grin, "I think I'll call them Jenson and Nico."
Mark laughed and pulled Sebastian in for a kiss himself.
"God, I love you," whispered Mark. Another kiss.
"One problem though. I think that one's a girl."
Sebastian giggled. "Oh well, Britney then."