[one shot]
[requested by DrinksAtDawn I LOVE this request]
Mick started dating his boyfriend a couple of months ago and this weekend, coming to Germany, the two feel ready to come public to the grid and the rest of the world.

side notes:
— boy x boy (obviously)
— calendar changes:
USA > Nürburgring
Mexico > Hockenheim
Brazil > Mugello

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

"Stop it, that's a really bad joke honestly." Mick mocked but a small giggle was escaping his mouth, immediately slapping his hand on it in an attempt to muffle the sound.

"Oh, come on. You need to relax a bit. You are so tense." the other guy replied and weeped Mick's hand away from his face, only to keep his hand resting on the blond's shoulder to give it a reassuring squeeze.

Mick smiled back and quickly checked his phone when he felt it vibrate in his pocket.

Mom: Good luck today, darling. You'll be just fine and know I love you.

He replied a quick thank you before shoving it back where it came from and turned all of his attention back to his boyfriend who made another bad dad joke. It got him shaking his head and softly shoving him aside.

On the other side of the area stood Esteban who was now nudging Lance in the side. "Is that Mick?" he questioned at the sight of his blond friend and a guy. They seemed close. Really close. And as they were standing near the Aston Martin hospitality, Seb happened to walk out at that moment and saw the two laughing boys as well.

He waved at them, hoping that he would catch their attention, which he did and the two walked over towards him to greet him. "Mick, Luca, good to see you again. I didn't expect you to come today, I thought you were only free next weekend."

"Yeah, well, the thing I had planned was cancelled so I could come support Mick this weekend as well as next week. I'm staying here in Germany for two weeks, it's been great so far." the guy replied. Sebastian knew that it was hard for the two to meet up as Luca lived in Denmark and was just starting his job.

Sebastian could also feel the burning eyes of a certain Frenchman and his teammate in his back which made him squeeze his eyes. He spoke up in German so that only Mick would understand. "Wirst du es heute erzählen?"
["Are you going to tell it today?"]

Mick nodded after he looked over the shoulder of his fellow German to see his friends stand there with suspicious looks on their faces. They were probably already assuming things or otherwise trying to come up with a credible story. "It's best if we start with them, I guess. They are probably speculating anyway." Mick mumbled under his breath so that only Luca and Sebastian could hear him.
      "Whatever you want, they are your friends, right?" Luca responded in the same volume. Mick nodded in response.

Sebastian gave the boys an encouraging smile and mouthed them good luck before the two walked a little further to meet up with the staring drivers. He made sure to stay nearby to check if everything would go well, and when not, to intervene.

Mick and Luca neared the two drivers who greeted them with a warm smile. "Hey guys, how are you?" the German asked them and he got simple replies. He expected them. They were probably much more curious about the 'mystery guy' than about his wellbeing right now.

"I want to introduce you to someone. Lance, Esteban, this is Luca. Luca, Esteban and Lance." Mick stuttered, making Luca laugh softly. He could be so awkward at times, but he always had the right intentions.

"Nice to meet you, Luca." the guy with a slightly tinted skin, who Luca believed to be Esteban, said. He had a very strong foreign accent, he assumed him to be french or italian. Lance, on the other hand, had perfect English pronunciation, but he couldn't quite trace the accent down.

"Likewise, both of you." he replied politely, expecting more questions to come actually. But his expectations were fulfilled after a couple of seconds.

"So you are... boyfriends? Friends, cousins?" Esteban asked, getting straight to the point, which made Mick jump up a bit, but he quickly relaxed again when he felt the hand of Luca intertwine with his and squeeze it.

"Yes, Luca is my boyfriend." the blond quietly said, barely audible but the others picked it up. Both Esteban and Lance's faces lit up and jumped into Mick, getting startled.
      "I am so happy for you." Lance said while embracing his friend in a short tight hug, then giving Luca a 'bro-hug'. Esteban copied his actions and the four of them started talking for a bit.

Sebastian was looking from a distance, a satisfied smile plastered on his face. He knew that those two would take it well. But little did they all know that Daniel and Max were just passing by and saw it all happen too.

Mick was grabbing Luca's hand again after the curly haired let it go. Mick's friends knew now, he could show his affection around them.

"Do you think Mick has a boyfriend?" Max questioned the Aussie, who had seen it all happen too. He didn't know but the sight made him happy.
      "I don't know, only one way to find out." he replied and started heading over to the small group. They approached them cautiously, checking if they were interrupting something, but they were soon welcomed into the group.

"Sorry, we couldn't help but wonder, are you two together?" Daniel asked, giving his comforting signature smile. "We were just passing by and saw you two holding hands and all giggly. You two would make an adorable couple."

"That's what I just said!" Esteban exclaimed, giving Daniel a fistbump.

"Yes, we are." Luca spoke up, cutting Mick some slack from doing all the explaining. "I'm Luca, nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Luca. I'm Max, this is Daniel. So how long have you been dating and how did you meet?"

"For once, it's actually not that long of a story." Luca laughed, referring to all the long love stories people had about meeting each other. But for the two of them it was quite short, and easy. "We were both on a holiday in Italy and met at the beach when a jellyfish stung me. Mick helped me and we kept meeting up during the stay. We kept in touch after, talking everyday and occasionally facetiming when we realised that we were falling in love with each other. We met up in Germany when we confessed, and now we're here. We've been together for almost four months now."

Daniel was pouting and Max's eyes sparkled with joy. He and Mick had become friends over the season and he was happy for his newfound friend and his boyfriend. Both of them did the same as Esteban and Lance had previously done.

The group talked for a little while longer until some had to go for team duties. Mick and Luca, were left behind with Esteban and Max, who actually seemed to catch up with each other. The four of them headed over to the pitlane where it was a lot more crowded. "Are you sure you want this? There's a lot of press all around."

"I'm not afraid of anything, Mick. Just let me know when you feel uncomfortable." His statement was secured when he grabbed the other's hand extra tight for a bit, then released the grip again. Mick smiled and walked through the pitlane, his own team's garages popping up while walking. His trainer waved at him and smiled when he saw Luca accompanying Mick. He was one of the few to know about the two being together and supported them completely. He would even say he was the biggest supporter, but that was held in question by Sebastian.

"Guys, I want to announce something." Mick spoke up, getting the attention from everyone in the garages. Esteban and Max were still stood behind them, too caught up in their own conversation to notice they had stopped in front of garages that were not theirs.

Some people gathered around their driver, curious about what he had to say. "I have been wanting to tell you for a bit now, and I thought now was the right time. I want to introduce you to Luca. He is my boyfriend." Mick said, the pride in his voice was clear. It was easier to tell people after each time. "I- I hope you can accept me liking boys and not girls." he added. Why did he add that? There was absolutely no need for that to be said.

Günther Steiner was actually the first one to speak up. "Why specifically accept you for that Mick? You fall in love with whoever you like, you do not decide that. You are welcomed and loved in this team no matter what."

This actually made tears well up in his eyes, but he quickly blinked them away. He did not expect these words to come from his boss, but he was forever grateful for them. He felt welcomed in the team, and now, after those words, he felt even more in place.

The team came up to their driver and his Danish boyfriend and congratulated the two, some making small talk, others just patting the two on their shoulders. Then Nikita Mazepin came up. He congratulated the two but then made a rather clumsy comment. "So that's why you never showed up with a girl all these years."

Mick knew he was joking and meant no harm, but to Esteban and Max who were still talking it sounded like a threat and they immediately reacted.
      "I'm sorry, what did you say?!" Max scolded at him and at the same time Esteban shoved him backwards, causing Nikita to stumble but keep his balance and Mick grabbed his forearm to make sure he really wasn't falling.

"It's okay guys. He was joking, I know he was." Mick tried to explain, but the gazes of his fellow drivers were meant to kill if one foot was set wrong.  "Please, calm yourselves."

Esteban huffed and walked a few meters from the garage, Max on his heels, both of them shooting glances back at the three remaining guys.

"Thank you for standing up for me, and I'm sorry. That comment wasn't the smartest to make. I am truly happy for the two of you. I'll make sure you will feel safe around the track whenever there's people bugging you." Nikita said with an apologetic smile lingering on his face and before walking off he added: "I hope you have a great time around here,  Luca, it was nice meeting you."

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author's note: i want all of you to feel safe on my page and i will do anything to try and create a safe space here.

i love you all for who you are and for who you decide to be.

if you ever need a listening ear and need someone to rant to, don't hesitate to send me a message. you are safe with me and so are your secrets.

i love you, forever