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Oscar didn’t really know when it started, but it was definitely one of his more weird habits. Oscar was usually a pretty boring kid, he did his work, stayed in the back of the class and chose not to talk to too many people. Not many of his fellow classmates really knew about him.
But Oscar had a habit of hiding under tables. It wasn’t because he was scared or panicking, he just liked being under there. Especially when they were near a wall and he could sandwich himself between a table leg and the wall. He would sit under the tables, just out of sight and do his own thing. He wasn’t exactly sure if it was allowed but his teachers didn’t really seem to mind it at all.
The change happened when he was 9. Oscar was sitting in the empty classroom eating his lunch, everyone else had already gone outside and so the small Australian boy was enjoying the silence. There was the soft sound of his teacher’s keyboard every so often, he assumed that they were looking through emails or something else that was relatively boring. Oscar was eating with one hand and drawing with the other, it was just a scribble of a cool sports car he had seen.
That was when the door slammed open, Oscar nearly hit his head on the bottom of the table in shock. No one ever came in here willingly, not during recess at least. Everyone claimed that Mr Verstappen was too cold and mean to want to be around, but here was a pair of shoes walking through the doorway.
Oscar couldn’t really see the boy’s actual face, not yet at least. His shoes though were muddy, very clearly he had been outside before this whole ordeal started. One shoe was untied with the laces lazily tucked back into the side, maybe the kid didn’t know how to tie his shoes yet? For the first time in a while Oscar found that he was very curious about this kid.
“What have you done now, Lando?” Mr Verstappen asked with a very bored tone, Oscar watched the muddy shoes shuffle awkwardly on the floor. Even if Oscar couldn’t see his face he knew that the kid was trying to make up some sort of lie.
“I pushed George and then George fell down and then he started screaming and then we got into a fight. He got sent to Mr Leclerc’s room…” The kid admitted, Oscar’s face shifted to one of confusion. George was in one of the older grades was he not? Why was this kid coming to the wrong homeroom?
“Go sit down. I’ll call your parents later.” Mr Verstappen grumbled, Oscar could practically imagine the annoyed look on his face. The shoes shuffled again before they started walking right towards Oscar, oh no. Oscar had not planned this. How was he supposed to explain why he was under a bloody table? He can’t just pop up now, that would make everything even more weird.
Oscar held his breath as the kid sat at the exact table he was hiding under, just one spot next to him. Oscar had left his things on the seat above the table just to make sure no one accidentally kicked him while sitting down.
“George said this is why I got held back a grade. Cuz I’m too much trouble or somethin’” The boy said, the shoes gently kicking back and forth but not close enough to put Oscar in danger. The younger boy stayed quiet, assuming that the shoes, ‘Lando’ as Mr Verstappen called him, wasn’t talking to him.
“I don’t think he meant it though, sometimes people say stuff they really don’t mean.” Lando continued, Oscar could hear that he was tapping his fingers on the table. He could faintly feel it from his shoulder that was leaning against the table leg. Again, Oscar stayed quiet, barely breathed even.
“You don’t talk a lot do you?” Lando concluded, and then Oscar nearly fainted because Lando ducked his head down to stare at him. Right at him and gave him the most cheeky smile. Lando had messy brown curls, there was some mud in them as well and Oscar swore that his face glowed when he smiled. But that's besides the point, Lando knew the entire time.
“I saw you almost immediately when I walked in, plus I’ve seen you through the window over there sometimes during recess. You’re barely visible from that angle.” Lando explained, seemingly catching on to Oscar’s shock. The Aussie nodded, not really able to do much else as he stared at the window the Brit was pointing to.
“Oh.” That was all he could manage? Just a simple ‘Oh’? Really Oscar? He mentally scolded himself for his awkwardness but it’s not everyday someone catches you sitting under a table in a mostly empty room.
“Yeah, I’m Lando by the way. Though you probably heard Mr Verstappen call me that, who are you? You never talk during class so I don't know your name.” Lando seemed very calm and relaxed for someone who had a bridge troll next to his feet, or table troll in this case.
“Oscar.” The younger boy said simply, Lando nodded and hummed, seemingly thinking of something before he popped back up above the table. He hit his head on the way up but soon a ziplock bag with some sort of chocolate was offered down to him.
“You have the same accent as my Uncle Daniel, he likes these so I thought I’d share.” Lando explained, Oscar stared at the chocolate, quickly recognizing it as Timtams and took them happily. He ate one and then offered one back up to Lando, it probably looked weird from the outside, just a disembodied hand offering chocolate to a very muddy kid, but Oscar could care less about that.
It became sort of a routine, whenever Lando got in trouble, which was a lot apparently, he was sent to Mr Verstappen’s homeroom and would spend time with Oscar. He always complained about his friends, George, Alex and Carlos were the three he talked the most about.
Oscar always listened, humming along and making small sarcastic comments as Lando recalled the adventure of the day. It wasn’t the quiet that he was used to but it was still nice, sure Lando was a lot louder than the so-called typing that Mr Verstappen did, but it was calming to listen to him talk.
The routine only continued when they were teenagers, sure it was a new school but Oscar had quickly found a room to hide in. In Mr Webber's science room, the man seemed a bit surprised and slightly concerned when he found a child just hunched over a book under a table in his classroom, but didn’t really say anything against it either.
To his surprise, Lando chose to come to the room every other lunch. He didn’t get in as much trouble anymore, luckily the name calling and stupid insults were somewhat left in elementary school. Part of Oscar wondered if Lando really enjoyed spending time with him that much, the other part of him tried to reason that it was just nice to have a break from the loud bustling halls of the school. But he did hope.
“Osc I promise you, Mr Wolff is going to be the absolute death of me. He somehow favors George as well?! How can anyone like that guy let alone like him more than me! It’s like Mr Verstappen but even worse, at least he disliked us all equally.” Lando rambled, Oscar tried to keep in mind that this was in the context of Lando failing his homework. Which probably had nothing to do with the teacher favoring George and instead Lando not paying attention, but Oscar decided not to voice that.
“You need help..? I could meet with you in the library for tutoring.” Oscar offered quietly, after the years they’ve known each other they somehow never hanged out other than their lunch exchanges. Oscar thought Lando was going to fall off his chair.
“Really? You’d come out of your cave for me? My savior!” Lando joked, his smile wide as he lightly teased Oscar. Lando received a small kick to the foot as Oscar hummed.
“Yeah, I don’t mind. I don’t have plans so it would be nice to have something to do.” Oscar admitted, Lando only seemed to brighten up even more. If Lando was a lamp the bulb would’ve shattered by now with how bright his smile was.
“Sweet! Thank you so much. I really can’t be held back for another year.” Lando whined, Oscar muffled a laugh as he imagined that. Oscar being Lando’s upperclassman? That’s hilarious.
The tutoring surprisingly did end up helping, and continued to help considering Lando begged Oscar for help every single time there was a big test.
Oscar had come to terms with being Lando’s personal tutor, he didn’t mind at all. Honestly he would do anything to see that proud look on Lando’s face when he finally understood something. It was one of the best things in the world.
High school was different, extremely different. Oscar was actually forced to socialize. Unlike the previous two schools there was a lot more moving around, definitely more people and significantly more stress. Oscar had graduated from being under the table to being in a table tucked in the corner of the school library.
Lando had originally given him a bit of shit for it but let it go really quickly. Lando had joined the school paddle club with his friends and that was all he could talk about for the time being. Oscar was really happy for him, truly, it’s just that..
“And I swear the girl nearly fainted when I used my shirt to wipe my face. Oh you should’ve seen it, Osc, it was hilarious.” Lando had a habit of being oblivious. Sure Oscar wasn’t helping him by keeping quiet and not saying anything, but even Carlos had figured out. Carlos platonically kisses people’s cheeks and could tell what was going on between them was not normal. It was an impressive show of obliviousness.
“Yeah? Well did you like, lead her on or something? If you did I’m going to kick you out of my lunch table.” Oscar teased, but part of him was being serious. He didn’t want to be friends with someone who would toy with feelings and throw people away.
“What? Osc no. I’d never, that just feels.. Icky. If I’m giving someone hints it is going to be because I actually want to spend my time with them.” Lando seemed shocked, but Oscar couldn’t get over what he had just said. Something about those words made Oscar wish they were about him, he wanted Lando to want him back. With how they were going right now though it seemed pretty unlikely.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so but I’m just making sure. When is your next paddle match by the way?” Oscar spoke before he could stop himself, sure he wanted to go support his friend and maybe see him all sweaty but that was only for Oscar to know. Problem being, matches bring in people, people means socialization and talking and introductions.
“Oh it’s this weekend, home match. Most of them are since we’re one of the only schools with a decent court. Why? Oh my god are you coming?” Lando’s slow realization only made Oscar’s problem bigger. Now he would be letting Lando down if he didn’t go, he really shouldn’t have said anything.
“Uh.. Well yeah I do want to but.. How crowded does it usually get?” Oscar stumbled through a semi coherent response as Lando’s eyes flickered in realization. The older boy thought for a bit before humming softly.
“Not a lot really, you can sit with the team though to keep you from the crowd. I’m sure no one would mind it.” Lando decided, and god if Oscar could kiss him he would. Lando always found a way to accommodate Oscar even if Oscar himself didn’t know he needed it.
“You sure..? I really don’t want to distract you.” Oscar mumbled softly, Lando gave him a look like he just kicked a dog. Before Oscar could stop him Lando’s hands were on his shoulders and he was looking at him dead in the eyes.
“Osc, you being there is just gonna make me play even harder.” Lando promised, the hands were dropped from his shoulders while Lando cracked his signature glowing smile at Oscar. Oscar felt like he could finally breathe. Can’t the universe warn a guy before sending his crush to grab him like that?
True to his word though, Lando played his best. Oscar briefly got to meet Alex and George, both of them not at all how Lando described them in his rants. Apparently the friend group had been calling Oscar the ‘table boy’ because Lando had refused to give him a name.
Lando won two of his matches or rounds, Oscar wasn’t sure what it was but Lando still seemed a bit disappointed in himself. He frowned a little bit as he watched the older’s body language, it seemed like he had just lost a world championship.
“Is he okay?” Oscar whispered to Alex, the shorter player looked up and glanced at Lando before sighing softly and shaking his head. Though he quickly panicked when he saw Oscar’s concern grow.
“Ah! Sorry Sorry, yeah he’s fine. He’s just.. Look don’t tell him I told you this but he’s always too hard on himself. He could win a trophy and still claim he’s the worst player to exist.” Alex muttered back, Oscar’s frown deepened.
Oscar found a new thing that he despised more than socialization, and that was Lando feeling bad about himself. He despised it so much in fact, that Oscar made it his mission to show up at every single match Lando had. Even if it was at another school. Even into the next year.
“Osc, you know you really don’t gotta come watch me every time yeah? I feel bad for taking up so much of your time, especially because a lot of the matches are on the weekend.” Lando spoke up, the two were driving home from one of Lando’s matches. Lando was currently leaning back in the passenger seat, hair a mess and clutching a water bottle for dear life.
“I know, but it’s only fair isn’t it? You’ve shown up for me so many times so I’m going to do the same for you. Plus, I like watching you play. You’re really good at the sport.” Sure it might not mean much from Oscar, someone who barely knew padel existed before Lando started, but even then Lando lit up like he had won the lottery.
“You really think so, Osc?” He asked softly, Oscar had to physically hold himself together so he didn’t crash the car from melting. When they came to the next stoplight Oscar turned his head and patted Lando’s leg, a bit higher up than he intended but he tried to ignore that part.
“Course I think so. I wouldn’t say it just to say it you know.” Oscar promised, Lando seemed to relax a bit at that, “Plus I would’ve stopped coming if I didn’t like it. You remember how hard I argued with George about his fancy cafe tea time thing?”
Lando burst out laughing, it was the most chaotic day the group had had with Oscar. George wanted to set up one of those old aristocratic type tea parties for the ‘historical value’ and wanted everyone to dress accordingly. He tried to put Oscar in a vest, chaos ensued.
“I thought you would strangle him with a scarf oh my god it was great. I think it’s the only time I’ve seen you actually annoyed Osc.” Lando recalled, Oscar’s cheeks heated a bit because yes, he had considered in that moment giving George just a little strangle.
“It takes a lot for me to get annoyed, I can’t remember the last time I was actually fully angry.” Oscar commented after a moment of thinking. Lando thought as well before agreeing that he had never really seen Oscar actually mad, part of the Brit was curious what it would look like.
He didn’t see it until prom of their senior year. Oscar had come alone and Lando had come with some girl that he had been seeing for a while, except Oscar always had a rotten feeling about her. The way she would talk seemed to put Lando down and also raise him up at the same time. It was manipulative, it was sly and Oscar hated it. She wasn’t even from their school, she had approached Lando during a paddle match off campus.
Oscar was hanging out near the snacks table, it was off in a corner and he liked the space that he was being given. Lando had spoken with him for a bit before getting dragged off to dance by his date, Oscar tried to ignore the churning feeling in his stomach.
“You have subtitles right now.” An amused voice spoke, Oscar nearly punched them. Lucky for George he moved out of the way quick enough for Oscar to realize who it was.
“The hell you mean by subtitles?” Oscar grumbled, he knew of course. His eyes basically said everything for him even if his mouth couldn’t. He was probably glaring the ever loving soul out of the pair.
“You know what I mean, you’ve noticed her weird habits too I suppose.” George whispered, keeping his voice low even though anything that was said could probably be drowned out by the music. Oscar only nodded, his lips forming a tight line.
“I want him happy, but the kind of happy he is with her.. It feels off.” Oscar admitted, he didn’t want to sound like an over controlling friend. He told himself he would avoid that at all costs by just keeping his mouth shut and not saying a thing.
Before George could respond, time felt like it was falling in slow motion. Oscar could see Lando, smiling and happy while his date slowly led him closer to the crowd. Lando was on the floor in seconds, drenched in water while his supposed ‘date’ laughed at him and attached herself to the arm of the boy that struck Lando.
“Isn’t that the guy from Richmond (random high school dont judge me) that Lando knocked out of the championship?” George asked, Oscar was already moving. Oscar had been raised to be a gentleman, to be polite to everyone he met, not to raise his voice and settle things with words. Tonight, he was not that Oscar.
“You.” Oscar’s voice boomed over the music, over the whispering and shocked screams. Oscar moved like a missile launched onto his target, people moved out of his way quickly as he crossed the room in quick, purposeful strides.
Lando didn’t even have enough time to process that Oscar was there before the taller boy had grabbed his attackers by the collar and dragged them out of the venue. George and Alex were by Lando’s side in a second but he didn’t care. Oscar could get hurt. Oscar was being impulsive and he was going to suffer because of Lando.
Outside Oscar currently had a fist full of the idiotic boy’s shirt, who apparently was named John (random guy) according to his girlfriend who was screaming for Oscar to stop. Oscar had basically thrown him into the brick wall of the school building and looked as if he was about to murder someone.
“I hate people like you. Immature assholes who have nothing better to do than play with people’s feelings in order to make themselves feel better. You’re pathetic. There’s a reason Lando bested you and it’s not even skill at this point, he outclassed you as well. Sending your little spy to do your dirty work and then getting cold feet when confronted, I’d barely call you a man.” Oscar hissed as the boy below him let out a soft whimper of fear. The girl was trying to pry Oscar off John and Oscar pushed her aside quickly.
“Now, I’m going to give you ten seconds to tell me what your full names are. Don’t you dare try lying to me, I will find you. I’m going to make sure the only time you’re in court is to defend yourself for the cowardly bullshit you pulled today.” Oscar growled, his voice low. He got both of their names, writing that away in his memory. That’s when the doors outside burst open.
The first thing Lando saw was his date, well, not really anymore, crying on the ground. The next thing he saw was Oscar, towering over the boy who had hit him down earlier. Oscar looked like he was going to kill him, Lando opened his mouth to try and calm the situation but the second their eyes met Oscar’s entire body relaxed. He dropped John’s shirt collar and walked over to Lando, silently putting his suit jacket over Lando’s soaking wet body.
“We need to get you home, you’ll catch a cold like this.” Oscar muttered softly, Lando didn’t have the strength to respond. All he could do was collapse into Oscar’s arms, he wasn’t sure when he fell asleep in the car ride home. But he does remember Oscar’s hand gently rubbing circles into his thigh to comfort him as soft sobs left his body.
Lando woke up with a sore throat from crying, he looked around the room and instantly knew it had to be Oscar’s. There were little posters of Oscar’s favorite cricket players, some engineering designs and then… Lando?
Staring back at him was a framed picture on Oscar’s desk from his freshman year of high school. The second game that Oscar had gone to Lando signed a picture of himself as a joke, Oscar kept it. Oscar framed it. He kept staring at the framed picture even when the door opened.
“Osc. You kept it?” Lando asked softly, his voice cracking slightly. He told himself it was because of the crying, he knew better. Oscar stood in the doorway and tilted his head slightly.
“Yeah, of course I did. My favorite paddle player.” Oscar replied, though it didn’t have the hint of teasing Lando expected it to have. It held warmth, a loving warmth that Lando realized had always been there. He slowly turned to Oscar and caught the love struck gaze he was giving him.
“Osc come here.” Lando demanded, holding his arms out for the taller boy. Oscar didn’t even finish sitting down before Lando kissed him, it felt right. It felt like they had done this a thousand times, like it was a rhythm that their souls knew by heart.
When they pulled away it was only for a few moments before both went back, the warmth and love calling them closer to each other as they leaned into the embrace. They didn’t say anything, they didn’t have to, it was crystal clear.
—-
It had been years since they started dating, they lived together now. George always jokingly said that he was the reason they were together, if he hadn’t bitched on the playground about Lando pushing him the two of them would never have met.
Speaking of that day, Oscar was currently standing in that very same homeroom class. By now Mr Verstappen was Principal Verstappen, and for some reason the man had called him to come down. When he walked in he was greeted by all the old desks and chairs stacked up to make room for new ones.
Oscar had always kept in touch with the expressionless teacher, many times he had been told to just call him Max but it still felt weird so he switched back and forth. He did call his husband Charles though considering he didn’t feel like differentiating between the two Verstappen’s.
“Oscar! You look well, adult life has treated you nicely, yes?” A voice asked from behind him. Oscar turned around and nodded, hugging Charles close with a happy look on his face. Truth be told while Oscar was adjusting to being away from home Charles and Max practically adopted him. Much to Max’s annoyance at the time.
“It has, it’s nice to see you again. I see the school is getting renovations, about time I’d say. I think I saw one of my old drawings on one of those desks.” Oscar joked, Charles let out a good hearted laugh before suddenly turning a bit more serious. Well that’s concerning.
“Yes well, I called you here partially because of that you see. I heard through the grapevine (read: George) that you’re on the hunt for rings and well…” Charles trailed off dramatically for some sort of theatrical effect before a long sigh was heard.
“Here. While they were cleaning away all the tables I found the one you liked sitting under, still had your scribbles from when I told you not to draw on it. Thought you might want a piece of it, for memories or-”
“Or something more special!” Charles interrupted his husband quickly, Oscar stared at the piece of wood in front of him. He gently took it in his hands as his mind raced, this would be perfect. Oscar’s breath caught in his throat as he looked between the two older men. He barely managed to croak out a thank you.
For the next few weeks Oscar was busy with the ring maker. The wood that classroom tables are made from is surprisingly durable, Oscar had three diamonds laid in the center of the wooden band. They were small, but that was only because it was the engagement ring. The actual one would be much more thought out, hopefully with Lando’s input praying he said yes.
Oscar ran his hand along the box in his pocket one last time as he waited for Lando to get home. He had decided to do it the only way he knew how. Bluntly. Sure they could have a dinner or some romantic outing, but Oscar wanted it to be for just them. Not for a crowd clapping as Lando collected himself, but instead in the home that both of them had made their own.
The moment the door opened Oscar’s head turned, his eyes falling into that same soft look that he always had when it came to Lando. The older man took his shoes off before pausing at the sight of Oscar.
“Is that your prom suit? Did I forget about something? Oh my god did I forget our anniversary? No.. That was two months ago. Were we supposed to go out- Oh my god Oscar I-” Lando was quickly shut up with a kiss, alright maybe this wasn’t exactly going to plan but Oscar could work with this.
“Well, it’s going to be a new date to remember for sure after this,” Oscar told him, mentally preparing himself before getting down on one knee, “Lando Norris. You’ve had my heart since the moment I saw those muddy untied shoes stomp into Max’s classroom, you’ve been by my side for everything I can think of and you’ve always been there cracking jokes for me. I would give the entire world to keep that smile of yours on your face, will you marry me?”
Oscar didn’t get a verbal response, instead he was tackled to the floor with a kiss. It was a bit painful considering Lando was not being careful and he crashed their teeth together, but it was theirs. It was another moment that didn’t need words as the two of them laid on the floor in each other’s arms.
“I’ve never seen a wood ring before but it’s beautiful.” Lando finally said after Oscar got the ring on his hand, Oscar mulled over something in his head for a few moments before nodding.
“It’s made of the desk I sat under. From grade school.” Oscar admitted, a little sheepishly. Lando gasped before looking closer at the ring, as if he would be able to see all their memories reflected back in the wood.
“That makes it more perfect.. My table boy~”