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The night went by in a blitz. The race was over and all his adrenaline had died down. Today was okay, not near as good as yesterday. He thought, recalling the way that night had ended. The image of another Corey Heim truck win, there was a full stack of them retained in some twisted part of his brain. He wanted to be over there to congratulate him, but for obvious reasons he did not. Instead he had waited all night for Corey to knock on his motorhome door, except that didn't happen either.
Of course he had sent an "congrats" text like he usually does, Corey had only said "thanks" and left it dry for the remaining night hours. The disappointment creeped its way into his nerves, almost falling asleep multiple times. Until he finally gave up, Corey wasn't coming. Not like he invited him or anything, but after something special like that he expected-or rather wanted him to be there. Wanted a space where they could celebrate together alone.
He moved on from it, it was a new race and a new day. He couldn't let his mind be boggled with Heim while he raced. Either way he did sneak his way into his brain, he felt distracted almost the whole time. His starting position shifted away and out of sight. Then it was over and here he was sulking, again.
Not having any distraction until Monday came and debriefs were over with. Stuck alone in his motorhome wasting time, recalling every blunder of the race. Until eventually his mind drifted off, back to yesterday, the look on Heim's face. The after party he wanted to be a part of, but still wasn't sure what part he played in Heim's life. Really, he didn't want to overstep, play it safe and cool. Which means waiting for the other to magically see through the lines and reach out. That's how it's been lately anyway, Corey would usually text first. Ask about the races, make sure he was in a good mindset for the next one. All William did was count the days until he'd see Corey in person again, with Heim's schedule it wasn't as often as he'd like. And Corey never spoke about his own achievements or upsets, he should ask, but only if he wasn't so stubborn about playing it safe.
He sighed, the night seemingly would go exactly the same way it did yesterday. Huge bummer considering how well the day had gone. For him and Corey.
Before he could even get the thought out about maybe just sleeping off the moody feeling, there was a knock at his door. The memory of Heim being at his steps appeared. Quickly dismissing it though, not wanting to get his hopes up like he has been all weekend. Didn't help at all, the queasy feeling that almost made him sick when he thought about Corey for too long remained. It can't beat the dopamine from racing, but it can run 2nd place.
As he opened the door he spoke "hello-?". Riddled with nerves, not particularly liking when people come unannounced.
"Hey again" that familiar voice replied, making his heart skip a beat. This was like some cheesy romance movie, one that he really couldn't take anymore. He stood there staring, looking dumbfounded as ever. "Uh- William?". Finally blinking awake and hastily moving out of the way. Once Heim had walked through, Sawalich gained back some sense and shut the door. Subconsciously staying by it, as if to block this Corey Heim he's probably dreamt up from leaving.
"Sorry, didn't mean to come so suddenly" he huffed out, covering up William's awkwardness.
"No problem dude." He still didn't believe what he was seeing. "What's up though?"
Corey looked around, as if he hadn't been here before. William followed his gaze, making sure wherever he looked didn't look like a total mess. It didn't, which he knew, but still. The logical side of his brain vanishes whenever Heim is around.
"Just thought about coming over, while I'm still here". Right, the dread of not being able to see Corey as often anymore. Not like he depends on his presence or anything. Just. It's nice, when he's here and he doesn't have to worry about sounding too clingy over a text.
"You mean celebrate?" He jested. Corey smiled and William's hands were a lot less sweaty before he opened the door.
"Yeah, if you wanna put it that way..." The drift added an implication that William didn't want to read too much of. He could already feel the warmth on his cheeks, he was so nervous. Maybe more nervous than the first time, at least he knew Corey was coming. This time Heim didn't even need Sawalich asking, this was his own decision. The idea made his skin crawl, adrenaline rushing through him like electricity. Totally screwed.
"William?" He was staring again, looking as stupid as ever. He should be ashamed of himself. Today's race was nothing rewarding and here Heim was making him feel like he'd just won the damn championship. Just by being here... They hadn't seen each other in a while, he reasoned.
"What'd you have in mind? I can't drink and... I don't have any more pizza..." he drifted off, hoping Heim would just shut him up already.
Heim looked up in thought, humming as he decided. Then suddenly he pulled out a pair of keys. "How about we go buy one? There's a pizza hutt around here". He suggested. Sawalich quickly nodded, excited this wasn't going to end just yet.
-
That's how they ended up on the back of Heim's truck eating pizza in the pitch black darkness, only having the distant glow of the moon as lighting. Sawalich preferred it this way, so now he could look over at Heim a little longer than he should and go almost unnoticed. Even though Corey is the older one, he still had roundish features with high cheek bones, he always reminded William of when hamsters carry food in their cheeks. In other words, no matter how stern Heim tried to look, he always looked quite soft and cute. Especially now as he quietly chewed on his big bites of a pizza slice.
But then he accidentally made eye contact with Corey and had to reluctantly look away, trying to remain as cool as possible. He started staring off into the night, eating slice by slice. They remained silent pretty much the whole time, which William felt comfortable in. It wasn't awkward as he felt it was before. There was this calming quiet peace Heim brought and Sawalich relaxed right into it.
Until there was only one more slice left, in which they both reached for it at the same time. Just for a moment their fingers brushed against each other, but William quickly retracted back. Letting Heim have the last slice, as he was the one who paid for it anyway. Corey pulled away too though. "You can have it," he said.
"No, you should have it. You paid and all, also this was your idea to begin with." William reasoned.
Corey hummed, like he was thinking again. Keeping to himself until he was done. "Exactly I paid for it, so I have the say on who eats it". This wasn't up for debate. "So if I say eat it, then eat it" he directed.
William sighed, not having anything else to win the argument over. "What if we split it?" He prompted, knowing it was a stupid idea. How do you split a singular slice of pizza?
At that, Heim grumbled and picked up the slice himself, bringing it up towards William's mouth. Taking matters into his own hands. "Open. This is how I'll celebrate." He teased.
Sawalich wasn't going to not take the offer up anymore, so he obediently opened wide and took a bite. Immediately feeling silly afterwards. This whole predicament he could've never imagined on his own. His face was ever so red, which thankfully the darkness concealed.
"Open wide..."Heim kept feeding him the pizza, even after William had tried to grab it. Done with the teasing. But he failed and just kept eating it from Heim's grasp. To be frank he was incredibly embarrassed, his coolness was definitely flooring to the negatives. To further the tease, Corey tried wiping away the grease on William's lips with his thumb. William froze up a bit as he did this, which he again tried to play off. "And that's it" he said whilst pulling away. Pretending to really examine William's face, as if to see if he's missed a spot. Which then turned into just staring deadpanned at his mouth. Like he was actively debating something in his mind.
"Corey?"
At that Heim gently grabbed William's chin, holding it in place as he leaned forward. Tilting his head just the right position... But he didn't move further in, they remained inches apart. Feeling the heat from each exhale. Corey was just about to say "missed a-" spot, but William had stopped thinking completely and leaned right into Corey's half opened mouth. Inhaling his last word. As if Heim was waiting for William to make the move himself, he then leaned further himself. Tasting the pizza he'd just fed William. He didn't stop exploring deeper until he heard a pitched moan from Sawalich. Taking that as the cue to pull away.
William was quite inexperienced, so Corey had done most of the work, as he's had a couple girlfriends in the past, but nothing ever lasted. He was always a bit too busy for them to commit. Then no other kiss had ever felt like that, one with another male. One with another driver. One with Sawalich. He'd never had to hold back as much until this thing with William had started. Even when they were teammates, this never crossed his mind. Back then though their relationship was strictly business really. Corey had been the one who'd pushed their relationship into something kin to maybe a friend, a shoulder to lean on. There were signs from William, he was awful at covering them up. So of course Heim let himself indulge, William's deep dark brown eyes practically begged for this anyway.
Those eyes stared wide at him now, mouth still ajar in an o shape. Completely shocked. Heim smiled, a little out of it too. "How about we celebrate together more often?". Sawalich finally got out, brain back in order.
Heim hummed "I'd like that. Pizza included"
"Yeah" William chuckled, "next time I'll pay though..."
"Looking forward to it, Sandwich"