Lando and George revisit the first two crime scenes and find additional clues, a strange character reaches out to the detectives for an interview, and another body is found that may be related to the case.
In which George gets to try out a new contraption and Lando and Jenson have a long-overdue conversation.
When Lando opened the door to the interview room, he knew immediately something was different. His movement stalled, as though he’d hit a patch of quicksand. He thought of his journey to the spring court, how long it had taken to get through the wall. This was not the sensation of passing through, but of coming within. The room burst with the smell of an orchard in spring, one of those fancy gardens Lando’s mum liked to visit and paint.
There are a lot of things Steve doesn't quite understand about Lando, but whatever he has going on with Jenson Button sits near the top of that list. It's mostly the way Lando won't talk about it, blushes and fumbles his way through every explanation he's ever needed to offer. Like the time in preseason he gave Steve two days off because he and Jenson locked themselves in a hotel room and didn't come up for air, or the late night after Vegas they never spoke about.
"Hello," Jenson says, walking over from where he's parked the golf cart. He's in chinos and an oversized polo Steve is almost certain he's worn to present on Sky. "I'm a bit early."
Steve makes a show of glancing down at his watch. "You're the first," he says, but of course Jenson knows that. He nods towards the tent. "He might be asleep."
Jenson's eyes soften and his lips curl into a fond smile. "Maybe I just let him rest," he says, voice dipping quieter.
Steve gives a half shake of the head. "I think he'd be rather put out," he says. "Slot after yours is open, you can stay if you have the time."
Jenson gives him a contemplative look. "Thanks," he says, and then he ducks inside the tent.
Steve places himself directly in front of the magnet strip holding the panels shut. It's not because it makes it marginally easier to hear the soft voices inside. It's the most strategically advantageous placement. Besides, Lando wanted him close.
"Hey, sweetheart." Jenson's voice is barely audible.
Steve can hear the mumble of Lando's reply, but not the words.
"Yeah," Jenson says. He sounds amused. "I was there all weekend. You're too fancy for me now."
A noise of protest from Lando, the sound of rustling.
"Uh-huh," Jenson says. "You're a world champion now."
"So're you," Lando says.
Jenson hums in agreement. "You're a champion forever," he says, voice tipping lower. "They can never take it from you."
There's silence. At least, there's no more talking. It takes a minute for Steve's ears to adjust to the almost staticky sound of lips connecting.
"You and Vale," Jenson murmurs. "Up on that balcony."
Lando giggles, and Steve finds himself smiling at the sound.
"You should've texted," Lando says. "I'd have made time."
Jenson doesn't reply, which Steve takes to mean his mouth is better occupied. There's an abrupt, high-pitched moan and then a chuckle, much deeper.
"Evil," Lando says.
"You love it," Jenson replies.
Then it's silent again, until the quiet is broken by another moan, low, pleasured, unmistakably Lando.
"who are you most proud to be next to on the championship trophy? who are your heroes"
lando: "lewis is really the main one. and fernando. but you have some that i'm good friends with, like jackie stewart and seb. so a few drivers that i still speak to now and get along with very well.. mika"
