Day at the Races

[racerkorerk]

Ollie had arrived in LA a full two weeks before this race to get his car in order and accustomed to the American tracks. The whole thing was nerve wracking in an exciting and adrenaline filled way that Ollie loved even if he looked stressed out of his mind. Formula 1 was his favorite of the racing and came right after stunt driving. The Dane was happy, ecstatic that he got an American sponsor.

Unbeknownst to Ollie, Rik had remembered the pit side ticket that he had given the guitarist months ago for this race. Given the tension, though far less now, between Billy and Ollie, he decided not to go. It was a whisper from Aarne that had them both giggling as he took the ticket to Hans early in the day, several hours before the race. They had both noticed how Hans looked at the Dane when he thought no one was paying attention. The two boys would drag the ex-Hammers guitarist to the track and kick his ass out on the track if they had to. Hans had to know it.

Comments

[swedish_rocker]

How could Hans say no to this?

The boys, that being Rik and Aarne, were now offering the guitarist pit side tickets into his face as the stoic musician sipped at his tea. The tickets were now sitting in front of him at the breakfast table and he was in two minds whether to go or not. But Ollie would be there racing and it seemed these tickets were just for one. For him. His heart performed a faster beat for those few seconds realising he'd be alone with Ollie for the day.

A day at the races.

"Alright. I'll go. This is very kind of you both."

The Swede finishing his tea quickly, getting up and grabbing the tickets. Oh yes, Hans would be going to watch Ollie race. Hunter watching whilst eating his morning pastry with a cheeky glint in his eye. This would do the stoic guitarist some good after pining for so long after the hairy racer.

***

An hour or two later and Hans was pit side, aiming to cheer on Ollie as he drove his Formula 1 one down the asphalt at breakneck speeds. Guitars were Hans' main love but cars? He loved those too.

[racerkorerk]

Ollie was already on the track before Hans got there, running a few time trials to get some last minute adjustments. He pulled into the pit and pulled off his helmet to talk to the pit chief. He wasn't expecting to see anyone and looked past his crew at the Swede.

"Hans?" This was unexpected.

[swedish_rocker]

"Hello, Ollie."

Hans guessed seeing the Swede here at the race would be a bit of a surprise for the Dane but none the less he was happy to see Ollie. Just having tickets so close to the action was a bonus in itself because he got to see the Danish racer up close instead of at a distance. Was this a ploy on behalf of Aarne and Rik? Perhaps.

"I've come to watch you race."

The guitarist smiling fondly at the hairy racer.

[racerkorerk]

"I didn't think anyone was coming at all."

Ollie glanced back at the crew and then climbed out of the car for a moment. He's in the typical tight fitting jumpsuit of a racer and he certainly didn't need to sit in the car for the next 15 minutes before the race started. He's pleasantly surprised to see Hans even if he feels awkward with his hair all pulled back and braided up. Racing did cramp his style some but he still loved being in the car.

[swedish_rocker]

"I didn't think I was coming until Aarne and Rik kindly placed pit side tickets in front of me at breakfast. The two sweethearts I think are trying to set me up."

The Swede just couldn't help but shake his head and smile shyly at Ollie. A set-up? Of course it was. How could it not be? Both Aarne and Rik knew Hans wanted in the hairy racer's pants and had done for a good few months now. The braided hair got a fond smile out of the guitarist.

"You race well. It's just I've wanted to see you race for a while now."

[racerkorerk]

"I'm not surprised Aarne was involved. I've heard he's been trying to set people up all tour."

Ollie smiled but looked away at his car. He's not sure he's ready to be 'set up' with someone. It doesn't mean he can't be friendly.

"This race is going to be tough. There are a lot of good, young racers here and the winner is guaranteed a promoter for the next year." That meant it was a cutthroat race. There would probably be a couple of accidents along the way. There usually were when the stakes were high.

[swedish_rocker]

"He has? Well, I'm not surprised with that since Aarne is a caring person who loves to see two people having fun with one another."

Hans just hoping Ollie would understand what he meant and not necessarily in the sexual context because he knew the Dane and himself were a long way off from that even if the guitarist had dirty dreams regarding the racer. Those were private to him.

"Tough races mean danger a lot of times. There are a lot of ruthless bastards out there which will no doubt try to smash you off the track. Be careful because I don't want you to get hurt, Ollie. No one does."

The older man unable to help voicing his feelings on the matter.

[racerkorerk]

"I know he was the one that set up Robert and Erik. Probably others just by getting people in the same place." Ollie didn't want to be set up but he knew if the Fin had done anything like that, his heart was in the right place. Ollie could only shake his head. What was done, was done.

The worry gets a small smile and Ollie pats the Swede's arm while glancing back at the track. "I've been in accidents before. I'll just have to stay out front away from them."

The Dane was always nervous before races but he also had confidence in his racing abilities too. This would be fine.

[swedish_rocker]

"Aarne is a good man like that. Erik seems a lot happier now that he's got Robert as a boyfriend. It's cute. Hunter's noticed it too and I know he calls Robert his sötnos which is sweetie in Swedish."

Hans wondered if Ollie had been called any fond names by Rik but didn't want to ask that. It would be awkward and the Swede wanted to talk to Ollie and not delve into his past love life. Rik was with Billy now and they seemed happy. As for the racer? No doubt it would be hard seeing his ex with a new man but Hans wanted to be there for Ollie like he was now.

"I have no doubt you have. All racers are bound to crash or have mishaps somewhere down the line. Just---stay out in front and be amazing."

The blond felt a blush tint his cheeks and wondered why he was behaving so shyly around Ollie. Now that it was just the two of them Hans just felt all his emotions build up and he was floundering a little. This was more him being rusty with relationships since his overdose.

[racerkorerk]

"I didn't know either of them before." Ollie suspected Hans knew Erik before though since that was Hunter's brother. "Robert seems calm and quiet. He's probably a good reprieve from the rest of the chaos."

Ollie had appreciated that about Rik. Even with his whole life in turmoil there was always a calm to Rik's presence that was easy to sink into and feel like things would be ok. Ollie thought maybe the older man had the same kind of presence.

"It's safer than doing this on a motorcycle." Ollie felt awkward too as he pushed his ponytail back behind him again. The wind on the track kept blowing it in his face. He guessed he should keep the conversation going. "Have you ever driven a race car?"

It was a good enough question and might have Hans talking so he didn't have to right now.

[swedish_rocker]

"Robert does seem calm and quiet compared to the rowdiness of the others. Tom, Robert and Ziggy's bassist seem the calm ones out of everyone."

This is what Hans had observed over the months in joining the tour. Just meeting with Hunter again after those long years caused some emotion to boil over but Aarne and Rik had helped with that. The reunion was emotional but needed because Hunter needed that closure just as much as Hans. They had to move on in their life.

"True. I have ridden a bike back home but prefer a car. It's better for taking people out on a date too because you can drive somewhere romantic and make out in the seat."

Hans just smirking slightly, pushing some of his fluffy blond hair away from his face. Had he and Hunter done this before? Oh yes. Even though the singer had his own limo, Hans had his own car and often liked driving Hunter around away from the glamour of being a rock star.

"A race car? Yes. I have done a bit of rally driving back home but not much. More just driving around at speeds on the track."

[racerkorerk]

"My brother is even if he looks like trash." Torden was a rock for all the younger boys through their teen years, especially the Soerens.

A smile appears and then fades quickly as Ollie glances at his car they are still tweaking for the race. "I used to have this old beater. That was how Rik and I used to get away from his father."

Rik and Ollie had all but lived in that car. Mikkel too would often be tagging along. His parents still had it back in Denmark.

"If the car survives today, I have trial time tomorrow for another race if you want to take it for a lap." Ollie would make sure all the repairs were done before that but it was an offer. It would be good to start making more friends if he was going to be around Rik but much of Rik's time would be occupied with someone else. Thinking those thoughts still hurt but the pain was starting to get easier.

"Are you going to stay in the pit or watch from the stands?" Ollie wasn't even sure where Hans got the tickets. His bet would be Rik or Aarne for sure.

[swedish_rocker]

"Your brother is new to the tour isn't he? Torden? He looks like a nice young man to have around and someone to depend on."

Hans wasn't going to ask about the whole trash thing since he didn't deem that his place. Although he had seen Blixt's drummer hanging around the hairy Dane lately. Lars? He seemed a tart but a nice boy. A bit like Gilly. The Swede nodded and looked to where Ollie's car was being tweaked on.

"Let's hope it does survive and with you all intact too. No bumps, scrapes or broken bones. I'd love to take it for a lap if you'll permit me too."

The guitarist's face lit up with a beaming smile because Ollie was allowing him to sit in his car. To spend more time with the racer was what Hans wanted---oh did he. All the weeks just staring at the man, hoping that he could get closer and become really good friends with the Dane. That and more.

"The pits. I think I'll get a better view from here."

[racerkorerk]

"Torden is my older brother." The idea Torden being a young man felt amusing to Ollie since they always teased him about being so much older. He too had noticed his brother hanging around with the Norwegian but t that was nothing new. When didn't he have someone at his side?

"There'll be bruises." A race without bruises was unrealistic because they could easily happen by being bumped by another car roughly. "It will depend on repairs."

He couldn't make that promise since he didn't know how he or the car would be once the race was through. "The crew manager will tell you where you'll be out of the way.

[swedish_rocker]

"Yes, I have noticed he's older than you. A good man."

As for bruises? Hans knew this was a given considering the speed and ferocity at which the cars travelled and bashed into each other on the track. As long as Ollie didn't sustain any more serious injuries the Swede wouldn't have to worry as much. He just couldn't help being mother hen and worrying about those close to him. Hunter he worried the life out of.

"You're right. I don't mean to worry so much it's more I'm a natural worrier. With Hunter I used to worry if he broke a heel and fell over in his tall boots he used to wear."

The Swede kept a strong arm wrapped around the singer at all times back when they were dating. Nodding to Ollie, Hans would make sure to stay out of the way once the race was in progress.

[racerkorerk]

"He is even if he's... he's a typical older brother."

That was all Ollie could reliably say on the matter. Torden was a handful, not so much as Bjorn though so less than Hans had to endure.

"Are you like Rik? I can worry about you but don't worry about me?" He was teasing as he sat up on the concrete half wall of the pit. It wouldn't surprise him since Rik had nothing but good things to say about Hans.

[swedish_rocker]

"I know what you mean there about older brothers. Bjorn often reminds me about how much of a needless worrier I am as he puts it. Having him as my baby brother makes me worry out of my mind when he's out on a bender or used to be. At least now Rekker has taken him under his wing and they seem really happy with each other. Really in love."

Hans knew it was love because he'd seen the looks both men shared when with one another. That and the time Bjorn spent at the Brit's mansion house on the hills. That jewellery he'd given Bjorn too. Surely, it meant that Rekker was deadly serious about the trashy Swede. It took a lot off Hans' mind knowing this.

"Young Rik worries about those around him and it's endearing since the boy is a kind, caring sort and I've got to know him well over the years. But yes, perhaps? I suppose I'm often called the dad of the group for reasons."

[racerkorerk]

"Torden didn't worry about me, too much, but my parents pretty much adopted all the Soerens when they found out..."

Yeah, he's not bringing that up right now and Hans surely knows being an old bandmate. "I haven't talked to him but I know Rik and Rekker spend time together. It sounds like they have the same constant music in their head."

Ollie never quite understood what Rik meant but he'd glad that the other Dane had found someone who understands. "Mikkel keeps telling me the redhead is hot." Ollie could only laugh because Mikkel had no clue and he'd seen Rekker brush off his teenage advances more than once. "Rik has been that way since I met him. Mikkel, too."

It was interesting to think the youngest of them were the worriers. Even f Torden was the comforter it was always the two young ones that worried. Rik far more calmly than Mikkel.

[swedish_rocker]

Hans nodded understanding what Ollie meant. Right now he couldn't help but find his thoughts drifting towards the handsome young racer stood before him. He was about to race and needed all the support he could get and the Swede wanted to give it to him. That and other things.

"I want to give you good luck for your race, Ollie. Lycka till. That's good luck in my language."

The guitarist smiling and hoping Ollie drove well without any accidents or hitches. His mind racing a million miles an hour because Hans was in love. There was no doubt about that. He wanted to kiss the Dane and hold him but he knew now wasn't the time. Ollie needed to focus on the race so perhaps after.

[racerkorerk]

"Thank you." Ollie smiled and patted Hans on the shoulder. Then he was being escorted to his car. He waves to Hans before putting on his helmet and getting into his car.

The pit chief came over to Hans and led him to an elevated place beside the pit where he could get a good view and would be safe if there was a pit wreck. They were rare but they had before. The race would be intense, likely wrecks. He could also see the screen that the crew used to watch the race from the various cameras on the track.

[swedish_rocker]

"Just---be safe and come back in one piece, champ."

Hans offered a small wave and then moved up to the elevated place where it was safe to watch. The Swede's heart now near in his mouth as he stared at the screen where the crew were now crouched around. How many tyre changes would Ollie need? Or fuel stops? It was all technical and even though Hans knew about racing, Formula 1 was a new type of technical.

If there were wrecks then everyone would have to deal with them as they came. Hans just praying to the gods that Ollie would be safe.

[racerkorerk]

Like all Formula 1 races there are nail biting moments; cars bumping into each others, spinning out into the side walls. Ollie was near the front and did almost spin out. He doesn't win but he is in the top five. For his first US race it wasn't the worst showing for his age either. He placed high enough to be in other races and that was important.

When he comes back to the pit he's stressed and paces while shaking out his arms. All the vibration always made his body feel strange. He's still out of it a little when he pulls off his helmet and they bring him something to drink.

[swedish_rocker]

Hans was clenching his fists beside his legs as he watched the footage on the screen and then glanced above the monitor as he saw the cars come screaming past him. Gods, they were fast! Faster than any derby racing he'd seen since these were super cars built for breakneck speeds. When the race had finished Hans made his way back down to find Ollie.

"Ollie? Are you alright? The race----I thought you would spin out or collide with the other cars. You look stressed but----you did it. Gods, you're safe too."

The guitarist couldn't help but pull the racer in for a hug. It was needed. Hans blushing a little as he found himself kissing Ollie on the cheek. His emotions running away with themselves.

[racerkorerk]

It took a moment for Ollie to comprehend his name was being called. Turning around he nods.

"I was fast enough to move to the next race." Ollie sounds stressed and nervous but it is only from the adrenaline of racing. "Of course I'm fine."

The hug he's fine with but the kiss causes him to blush even in the other emotions. He's not even sure what to say or do about that kiss.

[swedish_rocker]

"That's good. I'm glad you're in the next race since I saw how fast you sped across the finish line. Good manoeuvres too."

Hans couldn't help but blush himself when he saw Ollie blush at the peck on the cheek. The Swede didn't even want to let the Dane go because the hug felt nice, soft and warm. Kissing the corner of Ollie's lips, Hans knew he'd have to pry himself from the racer so he could go back to racing.

"Sorry I---I had to do that."