TW! Mentions of suicide

(also sorry for that long monologue)

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02.03.2022

POV Mariano

Surprisingly Mariano found he really liked Mick. The other was pleasant to talk to and made him feel comfortable. He was a good friend.

He wasnt completely oblivious though; he'd noticed the way Mick always got nervous around him and started stuttering. He didn't know what exactly the other wanted or expected from him, but Mariano felt the need to explain himself.

He enjoyed spending time with Mick, but he couldnt fall in love with someone just yet. The wound in his chest still too deep, too painful. He didn't want to give Mick hope or lead him on. He needed the other to know that there would be nothing more than friendship between them for now.

They didn't know each other for long enough to be considering there could be something more in the future.

It wouldn't be a nice conversation, Mariano knew that, but it was a necessary conversation.

After Mick had shyly told him that he looked up how to make Paella, but found it too complicated and got confused he decided he would just show the other how to make it.

His grandma didn't teach him how to cook for nothing.

When the doorbell rang, Mariano went to open the door and smiled at Mick. They shared a hug before he closed the door again and waited for Mick to take off his coat and shoes.

When the doorbell rang, Mariano went to open the door and smiled at Mick. They shared a hug before he closed the door again and waited for Mick to take off his coat and shoes.

"Well, the last time you told me you found it too complicated to make Paella so I thought we could make it together."

Mick blushed and looked down at his feet, which he had to admit was an adorable sight.

"I do need to tell you something first though and I don't know about you, but I'll definitely need to sit down for that."

Mariano could practically feel the other's insecurity and hesitation before he followed him into the living room.

Mick quietly sat down next to him and looked him in the eyes. The expression on his face now unreadable.

"This won't be a pretty story, but you deserve to know because I've seen the way you look at me. No, please don't interrupt me. This is the first time someone outside of my family or my therapist will hear this story, so please don't interrupt me."

Mick nodded, obviously uncomfortable, which made him not want to tell the other at all, but he had to.

"I've always wanted to do a semester abroad, but the choice to go to Switzerland now for my first master semester came very lets say spontaneous. On the twelfth of December my boyfriend or ex-boyfriend I guess", he hated that word, "committed suicide. He always struggled with depression from a young age, 12 or 13, I think.

We started dating at 15 and I always promised him we'd fight his demons together, that I would always be his rock to lean on and I would protect him from his own thoughts as much as possible. We wanted to move in together, adopt dogs, marry sometime in the future, and maybe even adopt kids.

I knew his mind was getting darker again and I tried to do everything I could, but in the end it wasn't enough.

When his parents called me, I just sat there in shock for several minutes. I didn't really speak to anyone for two days. I talked to myself occasionally but that was it.

I had to get away from Spain at least for a while to get over it and to process it. And now I'm here"

Mick didn't say anything, so he turned around to the other man. Tears were quietly running down his cheek and he was looking at him in shock.

"I told you it's not a pretty story, but I felt like you deserve to know. I hope you can understand that I cannot tell you if there will ever be more than friendship between us."

Mick still didn't reply. Mariano watched him wipe away the tears on his face.

"I-You-Can I give you a hug?"

That wasn't exactly what he had expected. To be honest Mariano had no idea what he had even expected. Maybe Mick leaving or laughing at him for being pathetic. He just nodded.

It didn't take more than a few seconds until arms closed around him and held him tight. Hesitantly he put his arms around Mick as well. He could feel the tears building up. Mariano didn't cry since he arrived here in Switzerland, but there was a first time for everything right?

"I don't know what to say and I have no idea how to react, so I'll just say that I'll be your friend as long as you want me to. I promise I won't expect anything from you."

"Okay", he breathed in Mick's scent one last time before detangling himself from the other.

"I actually wanted to tell you something about myself as well, but I don't know if now is the right time"

There never is a right time, Mariano thought, so he just nodded and gestured for Mick to start talking.

"Remember how you told me you can't understand how your siblings watch Formula 1?"

Mariano frowned but nodded slightly.

"Well, I actually am a Formula 1 driver myself and so was my dad."

"What?"

To say he was confused and shocked was an understatement.

"I'm a Formula 1 driver. Hi, my name is Mick Schumacher and I'm 22 Years-old."

That name did sound familiar though, he just couldn't quite place it.

"I'm pretty sure if my siblings were here they'd slap me right across the face and I'm pretty sure I've heard the name before, but I still have no Idea who you or your dad really are."

A smile formed on Mick's face and he laughed quietly.

"Believe me, I don't mind it that much. It's exhausting most of the time. It's quite nice to just be Mick for once. Do't get me wrong I love it, but being Michael Schumacher's son is quite exhausting."

"Well then Mick, time to teach you how to make paella."