#and that's not to say like P2 is in a better position when it comes to the modern idea of the Persona series

[itsaintmebabe]

he stands up for you in an interview (midsize!reader)

୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ drivers: charles leclerc, oscar piastri, lando norris, max verstappen and carlos sainz

notes: this kinda came to me during the spanish gp today, let me know how you guys feel about it cause i’m not entirely sure abt it so lmk!! <3

୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ masterlist

₊˚⊹ᰔ CHARLES LECLERC

He’d just come off the podium, drenched in champagne and Ferrari red, the hint of a smile still playing on his lips as he stepped into the media pen. Charles was running on adrenaline and pride until a journalist leaned in with a knowing look.

“Charles, you’ve been seen out with your girlfriend a lot lately. Some fans are saying she’s not what they expected from someone in your position. How do you respond to that kind of surprise?”

Charles blinked once.

“What they expected?”

His voice was calm, but the chill in it made the reporter hesitate.

“Yeah, just, you know… public figures usually date a certain ‘type’ and—”

Charles cut him off gently but firmly.

“She’s exactly my type.”

He folded his arms loosely, still not raising his voice, but something steel-like settled into his expression.

“She’s smart. She’s kind. She knows me better than anyone else, and she’s beautiful to me,” he emphasized. “If people are surprised, maybe they should spend less time imagining what kind of woman someone like me should be with, and more time questioning why they think they get a say at all.”

He gave the reporter a tight, diplomatic smile, the kind that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Next question, please.”

₊˚⊹ᰔ OSCAR PIASTRI

Oscar had just scored a clean P2 and was relaxed, arms crossed, posture easy. He was talking about race starts and tire temps, until someone slipped in a question that made his brow twitch.

“Oscar, some people think your girlfriend isn’t really the ‘look’ they associate with someone at the top of Formula 1. Does that kind of public reaction ever give you pause?”

Oscar’s entire body went still.

“No. It gives you pause, apparently.”

The reporter blinked. “Just saying, there’s a certain image that comes with being in your position—”

Oscar’s eyes narrowed.

“You know what image I care about? The one I see when I come home after a race. When she’s curled up with a book and one of my hoodies. That’s it.”

He shrugged, voice still even but there was a bite now.

“If that doesn’t fit into someone’s aesthetic fantasy, that’s their problem. Not mine. Not hers.”

He glanced at the camera with a smirk.

“And definitely not yours.”

₊˚⊹ᰔ LANDO NORRIS

Lando had just taken the win and was practically bouncing, messy curls, cheeky grin, and post-race glow. He was in a good mood… until someone tried to sour it.

“Lando, fans online have been debating whether your girlfriend’s the ‘right look’ for someone who’s becoming a brand icon. Do you ever think about image in that way?”

Lando laughed. He actually laughed.

“Are you for real?”

The reporter started to respond, but Lando shook his head.

“You think I’m dating someone because it looks good in a photoshoot? Mate, I date her because she’s wicked. She's hilarious. She's sharp. She's a bit stubborn sometimes—” he grinned, fond “—but she gets me. And yeah, she’s hot as hell.”

He leaned toward the mic, playful but very pointed.

“I’m not worried about my image. I’m more concerned with whether she’s gonna beat me at Mario Kart again tonight and talk shit about it for a week.”

Lando shot the camera a wink and gave the next interviewer a wave.

“Let’s talk about the race now, yeah?”

₊˚⊹ᰔ MAX VERSTAPPEN

Max wasn’t in the mood.

P2 felt like a loss, and the media pen was the last place he wanted to be. But he was standing there anyway stone-faced, giving short answers, until someone really pushed it.

“Max, your girlfriend’s not exactly what we expect from an F1 champion’s partner. Do you ever feel like you could be with someone who fits the image more?”

Silence.

Max stared at the reporter. No blink. No shift in expression. Just complete, icy stillness.

Then, very slowly.

“Did you just ask if I’d trade my girlfriend for a better… image?”

The reporter tried to reword, but Max held up one hand.

“No. Don’t backpedal. I heard what you said.”

He took a breath, voice low and flat.

“She doesn’t need to be anything other than who she is. I don’t date people to impress strangers. I date her because she makes me feel like myself. Because she’s brilliant. And yeah I think she’s stunning.”

Max looked the reporter straight in the eye.

“If that bothers you, I’d say that’s your issue. Not mine.”

Then he turned to walk away no fanfare, no press officer needed just gone.

₊˚⊹ᰔ CARLOS SAINZ

Carlos was in good spirits, having fought his way to a gritty P4. He was laughing with the Spanish press, animated and bright, when a British journalist edged in with a question that turned the air a little colder.

“Carlos, with so many drivers dating models and influencers, fans were surprised to see you with someone a bit different. Is that a deliberate choice, maybe to be more lowkey?”

Carlos tilted his head, smile still on his face but his eyes had narrowed just slightly.

“I didn’t know love was a PR strategy.”

The reporter coughed, flustered. “Well—of course not, but—”

Carlos raised a hand, cutting him off gently.

“Look. She’s not ‘lowkey.’ She’s just real. No filter. No act. She’s herself all the time. And to me, that’s rare.”

His voice softened, but not his resolve.

“I don’t care what anyone expects. She’s smart, she’s loyal, she’s beautiful and when I look at her, I don’t see a comparison. I see her. That’s enough.”

Then, in classic Sainz fashion, he smiled again calm and a little smug.

“And trust me, if you met her, you’d get it.”

[eden-axe]

Wrong Sparks p2

Summary: During an argument with Eddie, Volt gets upset with you and kicks you out of the bar, unknowingly hurting you. And now he must make things right.

Part 1

Eddie/Volt x gn!reader

Warnings: Yelling, minor violence, mentions of dying, hurt/comfort

Words: 3865

When Dorian returned he was relieved to see you smiling as you beat Curt & Rod in a game of cards. Betty helped you play by holding your last card, placing it down on the bed. She used her other hand to cover her mouth as her shoulders shook.

“Hey don’t get it twisted we let you win. So don't even think about bragging" Rod threw his cards on the bed, and pointed a finger at you. Curt nodded, and turned his head to pout.

You laughed, but stopped and allowed a smile to beam across your face when you noticed Dorian had entered the room. He quickly puts his hands behind his back as you pat the bed, becking him to come over. When he took his spot in front of the bathroom you asked about Eddie, but he noticed you hesitate before asking about Volt.

”Eddie is doing alright. Volt...” He thought about telling you the truth, but looking at your eager face. He sighed, “He's… calmed down a bit, but I ain’t allowing him back till you get better.”

You wanted to argue, but everyone else, even Betty, agreed to Dorian’s suggestion. You surrendered and fell back into Betty’s chest and agreed with a wave. Curt started a new round of cards while Rod tried to get Dorian to play a round, even roped you into recruitment. But Dorian remained standing tall at his position.

The next three days passed by pretty quickly for you, with everyone stopping by to wish you well on your recovery. Mitchell always stopped by with meals made by Stepan; or a Freddy Yeti ice cream. The three of them made sure the food was good, persevered, and beautiful. “Only the best for our dear human, and my personal dining companion.” Mitchell would always say whenever you thanked him.

Amir would switch your bandages whenever Farya took a break. You didn’t know why but him seeing your arm scared you, but he always made sure to compliment you, even the beauty of the scar. “They paint your arm like lightning. It is a reflection of you: bold, strikingly beautiful, and a light in the dark. Azizam, they may have come from pain, but do not let it harm your smile, you are a work of art. If you wish not to believe me, ask Artt.”

After learning that Curt and Rod played cards with you Parker stormed into your room, not even Dorian could keep him out, and boy did he try. Parker brought so many games and tried to set each and every one of them up in different spaces in your room. If it weren’t for Chance who followed in behind him and helped narrow down the game list you might have hurt your other hand from all the dice rolling that awaited. Though when it did come time to play duopoly, Chance rolled for you both. When you beat Curt and Rod at another game they claimed Chance was cheating on your behalf, and Parker argued that he would know if there was cheating. But he never did say if there was any foul play.

Even Reggie managed to stop by, and despite wanting to tell you to dump your ‘boy toys,’ he played nice. You and him went on his dating profile, one he used specifically to find new and fun ways to reject people. While you didn’t want to break up with Eddie or Volt, finding people who looked, acted, or hell even worked at a bar or club like they did, and rejecting them the worst way you could was slightly therapeutic. Though it did make you miss your lovers even more, scared they thought about leaving you, but Reggie reluctantly reassured you, “You’re a catch sweet thing, you don’t get rejected. You do the rejecting.” And that did make you feel better.

Though only one person made you feel like nothing was wrong with your situation. It was the only person allowed free entry without being questioned by Dorian, Beverly. She was your best friend, one of the first people, things? You awakened, and besides Dorian, was your first friend. She always brought a new drink for you to both try, even spiced things up by having Phoneicia show her some cocktails that were trending. Most however landed you with Jean Loo, who awkwardly patted your back from the terrible mix of alcohol. Although it always led you guys to have a fun laugh by the end of the night.

After the third day she brought in a new drink, you don’t remember what it was, but it tasted awful, but familiar. It was the first drink you ever tried to mix yourself after hours at the Breaker Box. Eddie and Volt wanted you to try it. Volt had the bright idea of letting you fly solo on the mix, which resulted in the awful tasting drink you manage to keep down now. Beverly ran to spit the drink out in the bathroom sink, while you just sat and nursed the rest of the bad tasting alcohol. The same way Eddie would when you first met him.

Beverly came back and saw the sad look you gave the glass. She carefully took the glass from you and placed it on the nightstand and gave you a hug. You held her closely as you let the tears finally fall. You missed Eddie and Volt, a lot.

Despite the quick passing of time for you, Eddie and Volt felt it had been the longest three days of their life. Dorian refused to let them in your room. He kept saying ‘you're resting’, despite them hearing your laughing, or watched him let in another object right before they arrived. So on the fourth day, Eddie decided to reopen the Breaker Box for a night. Eddie was starting to get restless with nothing to do and Dorian not even giving them an update on your condition was driving Volt insane

Yet despite this, the bar was nearly empty. No one even came to perform; not even Johnny. So while closing they were talking about why why no one showed.

"It's because you hurt them pretty bud." Cam heckled. Volt doesn’t know why it aggravated him, but he remains calm, not wanting to repeat his angry state again. He acknowledged he was rough, but he didn't break be anything, he hoped. At that thought he grew nervous and made his presence suffocating, just wanting an answer.

"You seriously think that's why everyone is avoiding this place? Because of a small sprained wrist. It’s bigger than that dipshits. No one wants to be around you.”

"You're here" Eddie huffed out, he didn’t like any attitude given to his partners, that was his job.

Cam sat back and lifted his empty glass "I like the booze & boo's”

Eddie goes to say something, but Volt stops him, “Please continue. What happened?”

"Hold on" Cam rolled his eyes and grabbed a napkin from, no where anyone wanted to know. He goes on to write something. He got up and put money on the table "Don't open tomorrow. I’m doing this for the human, and I better get free drinks next time I’m here. This is a one time favor!"

Cam got up to leave, but neither of the two bartenders stopped him.

Dorian opened the door & was surprised to see Cam. Cam held out the napkin limply, “It’s for the human.” He paused for a second, pulling the napkin back, “Don’t toss it, I’ll know. Then I’ll… break down the door? …nah. Create a fire escape hazard out of trash? Yeah, that.” Cam then immediately left as Dorian took the napkin. Dorian was confused, and slightly disgusted at the damp napkin that rested in his hand.

Dorian closed the door as you asked who it was. He just silently handed you the napkin. You looked at him, he just mirrored your expression. You read the letter and, to which you immediately knew it was not written by your boys, but by your long time frenemy. It read:

’Come by the bar tmmr, bring Dorian it you want -E&V’

It warmed your heart seeing Cam try to help. You laughed and put it on your night stand

“I want to see Eddie and Volt tomorrow,” Dorian was about to object, “Farya said I was doing better, bandage is off now.” You wiggled your hand, the extent of the injury a sight you were willing to tolerate.

He hesitates, still not in a good mood with the two, “I’m going with you.”

“Wouldn’t want you anywhere else.” You grabbed his hand, and squeezed it. You were grateful he trusted you more than he hated them. He knew he couldn’t keep you from them forever, but if it was for your happiness, he would back off a bit.

Volt paced the floor, while Eddie had been drying the same glass for 5 minutes.

Outside the door, you stared at the door, nervous to even touch it again. You stared at Dorian, who only nodded, knowing what you wanted to ask. He offered his arm, and you wrapped your injured hand around his forearm. It was hidden in a loose sweater, provided by the sweet Mateo. The second your hand wrapped around Dorian’s bicep, your trembling hand stopped. You let out a breath of relief as Dorian opened the door.

When you entered the bar Volt stopped in his tracks and moved closer, but froze when Dorian stepped in front of you.

It was so silent, Volt swore you could hear his heart tear a bit, "Live wire I did not mean to be so rough with you that day. I got too protective over Eddie when I— when I saw him blow fuse, but you're also my heart. I did not protect you rather caused harm, both physical & emotional. I'm truly sorry for that.”

You nodded and looked around for Eddie, who walk over from the bar, ”I'm sorry for not stopping Volt, or going after you-”

"That was my fault, & I should apologize to you Eddie. They are your lover too, should. I had no right keeping you both apart.”

”Ahem.” Dorian spoke and they both straightened up to looked back at you.

Eddie continues "And I'm really sorry I was rude when you only wanted to help. But please understand, I just wanted you to recover first. I was scared that you’d only end up more hurt, and if you did while under my care… Still it wasn’t right of me to make a choice for you.

Volt put his hand on Eddie's shoulder, "And I'm sorry, again, for unknowingly causing more harm to your wrist. If I may ask, is it feeling better now?"

Volt held out his hand, his eyes bleeding with concern, but his smile overlooked it with hope. You slowly remove your hand from Dorian and bring your hand to touch Volt's. But when you both make contact he sees the slightly faded lightning scars creep up your hand. He grabs your hand firmly in his. It doesn’t hurt, but the quick action surprised you, so you let out a yelp. Volt quickly released you, his smile full of hope, pried open in horror. Dorian pulled you behind him.

“Live-Y/N. What happened? Your hand…" Volt’s hand matches the tremor in yours.

"You did.” Dorian growled "When you kicked em’ to the curb, you shocked them so badly they were bloody out of it for two days. Your ‘little’ shock even fried the datviators. fried the technology into their octaval nerves, and now Skylar's been missing ever since! Glasses don't even do nothin’ no more.”

Volt looks shocked at the news, but Eddie asks first, "Live wire is this true?"

You don't respond, just lift up the loose sleeve and allowed the scars riding up your arms to answer his question.

“You’re pretty lucky their hand has been recovering quite well over the last few days. They weren't able to feel it after the second time you shocked em’” Dorian gently grabs your sleeve and pulls it down. "Second?" Eddie was seething looking at Volt, who looked panicked.

"It wasn't intentional, I just felt their presence near a current and got annoyed. I swear I didn't know I shocked them. You! I You! I didn't know I shocked you I swear. I would never, I don’t think, I-” Volt’s hair was sparking and you could see tears formed in his eyes. He couldn’t remember much of that day, it was all a blur, even before the performance, he couldn’t even remember if he talked to you, or if you slipped in right as the show started.

Eddie balled his hands into fists, he now understood why Dorian punched him; and if he was honest with himself, he wanted to do the same. Before he could make any decision you were in front of him, holding his fist. You shook your head and opened his fist and used it to touch Volt. Eddie knew that in this state touching Volt would be dangerous for anything, or anyone, who was vulnerable to be electrocuted.

“Volt.” Eddie didn’t realize how much he missed your voice until he heard it again. It was soft, gentle. Eddie knows that tone from nights where he doesn’t feel enough, and you lightly scolded him. It was the same voice you used when they had to make the choice to restart the breaker and he tried to back out at the last second. But hearing this tone being used on Volt, the man who was the main source of warmth in your relationship. It was scary.

You were also scared of the direction you were all going, and somewhere buried deep down, even angry. You were the one who was hurt, so why were you comforting the one who hurt you?

You didn’t want to think about it now, so you pressed on. You moved Eddie’s hand to Volt’s face, and that is when Eddie intervened, moving your hand away. Volt’s face was dangerous in any situation, but now only because it was too close to his sparking hair.

You breathe, “Volt, I’m here. Eddie is here. I’m not leaving you. I want to talk.”

Volt’s eyes glow, as his cheeks turned into a blue hue. He yelled as Dorian pulled you back, “Why aren’t you angry at me!”

You pull away from Dorian and march over to Volt. You pause for a moment, and hit him in the gut. He doubles over and looks at you, sparks gone, wide eyed. Eddie and Dorian take a step back, never had you talked about being violent, or even wishing harm on anyone, or thing. Where did you even learn that kind of punch?

You shook out your fist and yelled back, “I am angry! For so many reasons, but right now only because you think I’m going to leave!” Volt is stunned, and as Eddie helps him back up you grab his hand, “I’m angry you didn’t listen. I’m angry you shocked me. I’m angry Cam had to send a letter to you. I’m angry at… I’m angry at how much I missed you both.”

You didn’t even know you were crying until Eddie wiped your tears away, “Live wire…”

You hold his wrist with your bad hand, “But I’m grateful you let me have time. Even if Dorian stopped you every time.” You glanced back at Dorian, who blushed and rubbed his neck.

“You knew ‘bout that?”

“Of course I did, Bev tells me everything.” You laughed as Dorian looked annoyed at how much he trusted that cocktail menace. You looked back towards your boys, and grabbed Volt’s hand with your unblemished hand. “I feel so many different things when I’m with you both, even if they aren’t pleasant. And I will admit it might take time to give into your affection again, but I know you’ll work hard. You’ve never pushed beyond my limit before, I’m sure you’re still good at that.”

Volt nodded and gripped your hand. Eddie brought your hand to his lips, and kissed each line that bloomed from your wrist. To their surprise you started laughing and trying to get away from Eddie.

“Eddie no! Don’t you dare continue! That tickles!” Eddie quickly let go of confusion and concern. Dorian silently left the bar, he knew that from here everything would be just fine.

“I thought you said you couldn’t feel your hand live wire?” Volt asked, rubbing the back of your hand gently.

You tried to calm your laughing fit down, but it took a bit before everything was released, “I did, and that is true. Ha…. But luckily Farya is a trained doctor and did wonders on it. Aka she treated it well.”

“Well then I’ll have to thank her later then.” Eddie sighed, but was silent compared to the loud sigh Volt let out.

Volt stared at you for a while, not knowing what to say or do. He didn’t know how he could ever make it up to you, but he knew if he wanted to, it had to start here.

“Let’s get something good to drink. Bev’s been torturing me with shitty internet cocktails,” You dragged Volt to the bar and sat down and pushed him to the bar. You looked at Eddie and patted the seat next to you. Your smile was mischievous, “He’s on bar duty for us until I say so. And you are gonna help me drink cause, ya know.” You lift your shaking hand.

Eddie rolled his eyes as Volt started on the drink. You were going to milk this, and neither was going to complain, they loved treating you like this anyways, so it was already a set towards getting back to something normal.

Over the next few days people started returning back to the Breaker Box, even Johnny returned, and no one knew how to feel about it. His bad singing made this place feel homey some days. You hadn’t shown up yet, something that wasn’t normal for the two, even before the fight, you’d either show up before opening, or before the show. Volt grew nervous that you didn’t want to see him. He thought he had been on his best behavior. Volt was jolted from his worries as Eddie placed a black looking liquid onto the bar.

“Give it to Cam, on the house. Again.” Eddie rolled his eyes, not a fan of free drinks unless for you, but you told them to give Cam a free drink every now and then. Only until you had the courage to kiss Volt again. That was the worst part. You were absolutely serious about withholding your affections from Volt. Volt respected the boundaries of touch, he had ever since it was only him and Eddie, but not being able to touch you was painful. He gave Cam his drink, who looked at him smugly. Cam knew being on a line between friendly and rude with you had perks, but didn’t know it would bring good perks.

After everyone filed out, there was still no sign of you. This even brought Eddie to get anxious, but for a different reason. He still had that same worry that you were helping someone when you were injured. “They’re fine. They are an adult and know their limits. They. Are. Fine.” Eddie muttered to himself each time he moved to leave the bar and go find you.

When they finished cleaning up and were about to lock up, you burst through the door. “Guys!”

“Live wire! You’re alright!” Volt explained rushing over to you, but stopped when he realized he was about to hug you.

You looked at him bewildered, face scrunched up, “Of course I am? Anyways you won’t believe it!”

“What could have you buzzing this late sparks?” Eddie moved in closer.

You bounce on your toes and rush to the door, pulling someone in, “It’s Skylar!”

Volt’s face looked horrified at her presence, he was so focused on hurting you, it didn’t even register that he almost killed Skylar. He quickly fixed his face into a smile, “Skylar! I’m so glad you’re alright. I must apologize, I did not intend to get you mixed in. I mean I didn’t mean to—”

“Hehe, I get it, don't worry.” Skylar waves him off playfully, “It felt nice though. I wasn’t just in the glasses anymore. I was everywhere.”

“Everywhere?” Eddie sounded suspicious at how that sounded.

“Yeah, while she was ‘gone’ she was able to see everything that was connected by electricity. Even the telephone poles outside, and what was down the block!” You match Skylar’s enthusiasm

“It was so fun! I’ve never been outside before!” Skylar was practically floating while she talked so animatedly. “We spent the entire day talking about what’s out there, who’s out there, and even why it's out there! Can you believe that?”

Eddie and Volt share a confused glance, “I guess not?”

You wave to Skylar as she leaves, turning back to them. Volt watched her leave, “So is she not in the glasses anymore?”

“She is, but we’re kinda linked now?” You linked your pinkies together, “Like she gave me her powers, and I gave her my ability to leave. That’s what we’ve settled on for an explanation. Her suspension of disbelief and all, it was very happy with that.”

“So you weren’t mad at us- me?” Volt asked, and you felt your heart ready to burst. He looked like a kicked puppy, and you really couldn’t resist him much more.

You put your shaky hand on his cheek, then slowly down to his neck. He hummed and closed his eyes, taking whatever you were willing to give him. “No, I do love you, and I really don’t plan on leaving.” You quickly pulled him down by the back of his neck. The kiss wasn’t quick, but Volt wished it lasted longer. He let you take the lead as you bit his lip, he moaned as he felt his knees grow weak. You were gentle, but forceful, nearly pushing him backwards. He went to grab your waist, but paused. You pulled away for a second, and he tried to chase your lips, but you quickly pulled his hands to grip your waist before you dove back in; and before you could take the kiss any further you heard Eddie groan.

“Thank the amps above. I can stop giving that trashy bastard free drinks” You laugh and pull away, leaving your hand resting on Volt’s chest. Volt squeezed you, not wanting to let go, but glaring at Eddie, who just walked up to you and gave you a chaste kiss, and patted Volt on the shoulder as he walked away back to their room.

“Can I stay for a night?” You batted your eyelashes at Volt. Who short-circuited for a moment before smiling an uneven smile.

“Of course darling, anything you’d” You removed his hand from your waist.

“No touching.” Volt groaned, but followed quickly behind you, glad his efforts were not in vain.

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Notes: OMGOMGOMG THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE LOVE ON PART 1!!!!!! I really wanted to write a resolution that wasn't just "I forgive you" bc I don't think that is fair to the reader, you, or myself. I hope this ending was a good one for you all. I think it ended in the best way it could, all while having a happy end! And thank you to everyone who wanted to be tagged! That was truly a surreal moment to have so many people want to see what happens next!

Also this two parter might be part of a longer series of Eddie, Volt, and you having a poly relationship. It was actually started on the idea of Bev being your first friend and introducing you guys! Let me know if you want to see that sometime in the future!

Again I do have requests open, just check my pinned post! and uhhhhh eat your greens?

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@animeweeb99 @redjeanjacket @error-cant-function @dwaniee @mae-jingles @haileybugulug @eaterof-concrete @handmade-witch @hauntingthissite @girlwithadragonheart @theautisticwriter @shadowdreamer22 @btsgangleader @ididntwantto-signup @miss-ecto @fandomaddict505 @josie-mia @lonigiri @trixie541 @bloodrime @noihatemyself @miloonmetis @ghost-heart34 @writing-munchies @kaechu1 @sapphirest0nes @hon3ydewcaram3l @icarus-falling-down @obeyme4life @twinkyjohnson @main-acc-of-zhonglis-spear @mumberie0 @council-of-colors @bats-wings @sleepy159 @m0nst3r-mash @angelicsoul16 @nex-is-an-idiot @mamorukimura @funosmotic @alocaldemisexual02

[cressidagrey]

The Queen of Romantasy and the Race Car Prince - Chapter 22

Pairing: Lando Norris x Elizabeth "Lizzie" Treshton (Original Character)

Summary:

Elizabeth Treshton—bestselling romantasy author, queen of fae heartbreak, and sworn devotee of a carefully structured routine—never expected her service dog to abandon protocol and diagnose a Formula 1 driver with something. But that’s exactly what happens when Mara the wonder-dog ditches Lizzie’s side to aggressively alert to none other than Lando Norris in the middle of a coffee shop.

Warnings and Notes: 

Mention of epilepsy and service animals. I don't myself suffer from epilepsy, so I asked my IRL friend, who thankfully was nice enough to let me ask her all the questions I could come up with. The rest I asked Reddit. So everything that's wrong...that's totally my fault and not on purpose.

We are wrapping up loose plot threads so: Hungary 2024, WHICH I FIXED (kinda). My questionable understanding of racing strategy? Crocheting.

As always big thanks to @llirawolf , who listens to me ramble

Radio Transcript – Hungarian GP 2024 Driver: Lando Norris (#4, McLaren) Lap: Mid-race, after McLaren undercuts Oscar Piastri

RACE ENGINEER (Will Joseph): “Lando, box this lap. Box, box.”

Lando: “…You’re kidding. You’re actually kidding.”

Will: “Lando, we need to cover the undercut. Box now.”

Lando: “Yeah, I bet we do.”

[Lando enters the pits, swaps to fresh tires, and rejoins ahead of Oscar Piastri.]

Will: “So, uh, we’re seriously doing this? We’re actually undercutting Oscar?”

Will: “Affirm. We need to consolidate track position.”

Lando: “Oh yeah? That’s what we’re calling it? Consolidating?”

Will: “Lando, we’ll discuss later. Focus on your out-lap.”

Lando: “No. I want you to tell me right now why we did that. Because Oscar was ahead. Oscar was faster. So tell me why we just screwed him over. 

Will: “It was the best call for the team.”

Lando: “Oh, was it? Because last I checked, ‘the team’ includes Oscar, and you just threw him under the bus. And for what? Because from where I’m sitting, you just played us against each other for no reason.”

Will: “Lando, we need to manage the race. We’ll discuss later.”

Lando: “No, we’ll discuss now. Because Oscar went to bat for me when it mattered. He stood up when you lot wouldn’t. And this is how you pay him back? By screwing him on strategy?”

Will: “Lando—”

Lando: “I’m giving it back.”

Will: “Lando, we need you to maintain position.”

Lando: “Like hell I do. Tell Oscar I’m lifting into Turn 1.”

Will: “…Understood.”

Lando: Oscar— (lifts off the throttle, lets Oscar pass him back easily before Turn 1) —deserves better than whatever the hell that was.

Will: Lando, we didn’t ask you to do that.

Lando: Yeah? Maybe you should’ve thought about that before you made me the bad guy.

Will: This isn’t necessary—

Lando: No, what wasn’t necessary was playing stupid games with two drivers who actually trust each other. Fix your priorities.

***

Lando Norris – Post-Race Interview | 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix

Interviewer: Lando, P2 today after a tough fight with Lewis Hamilton. It was an intense battle right to the end—how are you feeling?

Lando: Yeah, I feel great! It was a proper race, a hard fight from start to finish, and I loved every second of it. I mean, Lewis is one of the best to ever do it, so going wheel-to-wheel with him like that, having to really work for that P2—it’s what racing is all about. I think we put on a good show today.

Interviewer: We heard some interesting radio messages during the race, especially around the swap with Oscar. Can you talk us through that situation?

Lando: Honestly, I just want to talk about how incredible Oscar was today. He’s been mega all weekend. He got pole, he had insane pace, and to take his first win—it’s so well deserved. I’ve been saying it forever: Oscar is that guy. He’s quick, he’s consistent, and I’m just really happy for him. It’s a huge moment.

Interviewer: Of course, but just to clarify on the swap—there was some tension on the radio. Did that impact your race at all?

Lando: Not really. My focus was on getting the best result for the team and making sure we maximized what we could. At the end of the day, Oscar won fair and square. I had my own battle with Lewis, and that’s where my head was. We went at it for a good chunk of the race, pushing each other to the limit, and I managed to come out on top. That’s what I care about—proper racing on track. That’s what people should be talking about.

Interviewer: Still, there were some discussions about team orders—

Lando: Listen, I’m not interested in making a big deal out of radio messages or politics. What matters is the racing. And today, we had an incredible race. Oscar got his first win, McLaren got a 1-2, I had a great fight with Lewis, and we showed what we’re capable of. That’s what people should be focusing on. That’s what matters.

Interviewer: Fair enough! A brilliant result today. Congratulations, Lando!

Lando: Cheers, mate!

Comments: 

@/F1Fanatic99: Lando just straight-up refusing to engage in drama and instead hyping up Oscar and talking about racing? That’s my driver. 🧡 @/HamiltonGOAT44: Lando vs. Lewis was the battle we all deserved! Absolute class from both of them. @/NorrisNation: Lewis made him work for it, but Lando held his own. That was racing at its finest. @/PiastriP1: Lando literally said “I’m here to race, not talk” and I respect that so much. @/WDCOscar: We should be talking about how good Oscar was today, not team orders drama. Lando gets it. @/DriveToThrive: Lando dodging those drama-baiting questions like he's defending P2 against Lewis Hamilton. @/TeamOrdersSkeptic: I mean, it’s cool that Lando’s focusing on the positives, but McLaren kinda did him dirty, no? @/NotABot23: Maybe, but Lando said he didn’t want a free pass. He’d rather earn his position. @/OscarWins: At the end of the day, Oscar won fair and square. Even Lando said it. @/F1Conspiracies: He’s dodging the team orders talk because he doesn’t want to cause problems, but let’s be real—McLaren needs to sort their priorities. @/AntiTeamOrders: Lando acting like nothing happened when McLaren literally screwed him over lol. @/JustHereForDrama: He’s so media-trained. Wish he would just say what he actually thinks. ↳ @/McLarenStan: Or maybe he actually thinks Oscar deserved the win and doesn’t care about the radio stuff? @/HungaryGP2024: The real headline should be "Lando Norris beats Lewis Hamilton in an on-track battle," not whatever drama people are trying to stir up.

@/GridGossip: “He stood up when you lot wouldn’t.” 👀 Lando, bestie, you can’t just drop that and move on like it’s nothing. ↳ @/McLarenMafia: WHO didn’t have your back, Lando? Say names. ↳ @/F1Conspiracies: I wonder what that is about…and I have the bad feeling it’s the whole Lizzie situation… @/OversteerAndTea: So we’re all just supposed to ignore that Lando basically said McLaren didn’t back him up, huh? @/FormulaWhispers: What was going on behind the scenes that made Lando say that??? ↳ @/InsideThePaddock: Oscar has more backbone than people realize. Him going to bat for Lando is NOT nothing. @/F1InsiderTea: McLaren’s PR team is SWEATING right now. ↳ @/OrangeDrama: Like, are they just hoping we all move on??? Because I have QUESTIONS. @/PitWallMess: Oscar and Lando are such ride-or-dies for each other. It’s everyone else I’m side-eyeing. ↳ @/McLarenMasterplan: We need the full story. Spill, Lando. Spill. @/TeaAndTelemetry: Lando is never that blunt unless something seriously pissed him off. ↳ @/DataDorkF1: Oscar was the only one on his side and Lando made sure we knew it. That says A LOT.

@/DTSWriters: This better be a whole episode in the next Drive to Survive season because I NEED DETAILS.

@/OscarPiastriUpdates: This is the first time in history a driver has voluntarily unfucked a team’s strategy mid-race. Historic behavior.

@/TireDegEnthusiast: McLaren really thought they could manipulate their drivers like chess pieces and Lando just said ‘no ❤️’

@/F1TeaSpiller: This isn’t just about the race. That “Oscar stood up for me this week” line? Oh, Lando’s making a STATEMENT.

@/PurpleSectorStan: The way McLaren’s radio was DEAD SILENT after Lando gave Oscar the place back. They knew they fumbled.

****

The apartment was dimly lit when Lando stepped inside, exhaustion settling deep in his bones. He set his bag down by the door, stretching out his shoulders as he made his way toward the living room. Lizzie was curled up on the couch, her laptop open in front of her, but her fingers weren’t moving across the keyboard. Instead, she was watching him.

"Hey," he said, offering a weary smile as he settled down beside her. Her gaze trailed over him from head to toe, taking in every little detail. He'd never quite appreciated how perceptive she was before.

“Hey,” she said softly.

He leaned back into the couch, closing his eyes and exhaling. For a few moments, silence filled the space between them. He could hear the hum of the laptop’s fan, the distant sound of cars from outside, the sound of their breathing.

Finally, Lizzie spoke. “You were brilliant this weekend.”

He cracked an eye open, looking over at her. She was watching him with something akin to awe, her expression almost reverent. He wasn’t quite sure what he did to warrant that look. “Was I?” he asked, trying for nonchalance but lacking even half of the energy to pull it off.

"McLaren 1-2," she told him softly, one hand reaching out to cup his jaw and he leant into her touch.

Yes. McLaren 1-2.

Not thanks to the team.

"I watched everything," Lizzie admitted quietly. "The radio. The interviews."

Lando inhaled sharply but sighed. "Figured you would," he told her.

She ran her thumb over his cheekbone, a simple touch that made his exhaustion recede just a fraction. "You were incredible," she repeated softly. "Even when you were getting screwed over on strategy and had every reason to be angry, you just..." She exhaled. "You handled it so well. You were incredible."

She hesitated for a moment. "Did...McLaren didn't have your back." It wasn't a question.

It shouldn't surprise him and it didn't. Liz was too smart for her own good. Of course, she would pick up on that. Just like the press had picked up on it, even when he hadn't outright said what it was, that had happened...people weren't dumb. They would put together the pieces into something resembling the truth.

Still.

Lando sighed, running a hand down his face. "Liz-"

She shook her head. "I thought...I don't know, that maybe they just wanted to take their time to handle things after Silverstone. But that's not what happened, is it?" she asked him softly.

Lando clenched his jaw, looking away. He didn't know how to explain it without making her feel worse.

Lizzie’s voice was quieter when she spoke again. “Did they… did they try to stop you from saying anything?”

He swallowed, trying to figure out how to answer. “I-” he stopped, biting his lip. Honesty was the best option, wasn’t it? He took a deep breath.

“They tried. It was...it was a bit of a clusterfuck.”

Lizzie’s breath hitched slightly. “And Oscar?”

Lando huffed a small, almost amused breath. “He blackmailed them.”

Lizzie blinked. “What?”

"He told them that if they didn't release a statement condemning the abuse, he'd go back to tweeting like he did for Alpine," he recounted with a snort.

Lizzie stared at him before bursting into a fit of giggles. She covered her mouth, trying to keep herself from laughing. Her laugh was like music to his ears and some of the tension left him.

He grinned at her. “Yeah. And you know the funniest part?”

Lizzie shook her head, biting down on the edge of her hand to suppress a laugh. She looked adorable like that, her cheeks flushed from her little bout of giggles, and he was struck with the sudden urge to wrap her up in a tight hug. So he did.

She melted into his arms, burying her face against his shoulder, her giggles muffled. It took her a moment to regain her composure, and she gave a little sigh, pulling back just enough to look at him. “What's the funniest part?”

Lando grinned, shaking his head a little. “It worked.”

Lizzie stared at him, mouth parted.

“He actually threatened a multimillionaire team with Twitter,” Lando snickered. “He threatened to unleash an online world war and they caved like that.” He snapped his fingers, making her laugh again.

Lizzie ducked her head, her shoulders shaking with suppressed snickers. “Oh my God.”

Lando laughed helplessly, pulling her back toward him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She was warm, her body pressed flush against his. He took a deep breath, the scent of her filling his nostrils.

Lizzie grew quieter and looked at him. "Did...did they...was it because of me?"

Lando felt something twist in his chest. “What?”

She swallowed. “Did all of this—did they hesitate because of me? Because I’m the one people were targeting?”

Lando immediately reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. “No. No, Liz, don’t do that. Don’t make this your fault.”

She looked down at their intertwined fingers. “It just… feels like I made everything harder for you.”

Lando’s grip tightened. “You didn’t. They did. The people who went after you, the ones who treated you like shit—they’re the problem. Not you. Never you.”

Lizzie let out a shaky breath. “I just… I didn’t want this to be a thing. I didn’t want you to have to put out a statement or make it worse—”

“You shouldn’t have to,” Lando interrupted, his voice firmer now. “You shouldn’t have to explain yourself, or justify your existence, or convince people that you’re worthy of basic human decency. That’s not your job.”

Lizzie bit her lip, still looking uncertain.

Lando exhaled. “Liz, Oscar didn’t do that because of you. He did it because it was the right thing to do. Just like I spoke up because it was the right thing to do. And if McLaren didn’t have our backs, then that’s on them. Not on you.”

Lizzie nodded slowly, eyes shining. “I just hate that you had to fight for it.”

Lando lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’d do it again if I had to.”

Lizzie let out a shaky laugh. “You’re stubborn.”

“You love it.”

She sighed. “I really, really do.”

He shifted a bit, pulling her onto his lap without thinking about it. She came without a second thought, settling on his thighs with ease. He wrapped his arms around her waist lightly, feeling the warmth of her seep into his skin.

She let out another shaky exhale, letting her head drop against his collarbone. He pressed his lips to the top of her head, wanting to soothe the worry out of her.

She felt so small in his arms. It made him want to cling to her, to shield her from the world and all of its bullshit. The urge to protect her was almost overwhelming.

"I made something while you were gone," she admitted, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

Lando quirked an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Lizzie hesitated for a second before reaching behind one of the couch cushions. When she turned back, she was holding something small in her hands—something that made Lando blink in surprise before bursting into laughter.

It was a tiny crochet version of Oscar Piastri.

Complete with a McLaren race suit and a little black and orange Pirelli cap.

Lando took the tiny Oscar from her hands, holding it up to inspect it. “No way.”

Lizzie grinned, a little sheepish. “I was stress-crocheting. And, well… given everything, I thought it was fitting.”

Lando laughed again, shaking his head as he turned the little figure in his hands. “He’s gonna lose his mind when he sees this.”

Lizzie smirked. “You think?”

“Oh, definitely,” Lando said. “He’ll pretend he doesn’t care, but he’ll be secretly obsessed with it.”

Liz looked pleased with herself. She leaned in to get a better look at the little figure in his hand. "I think it might be my best one yet," she told him with a smile.

Lando grinned, gently placing the little crochet Oscar on the coffee table before pulling her close again. Lizzie went easily. She draped her arms around his shoulders, her legs resting on either side of his. She draped herself against him like she always does, her body melting into his.

It had been a long few weeks. But somehow, sitting there with Lizzie—holding something she made with care, thinking about the people who had stood by them—it didn’t feel quite so heavy anymore.

***

Lando should have realised that it was going to happen one of these days.

So he wasn't that surprised, when the door to the McLaren Sim room swung open, and Oscar stepped in with a purpose. He barely acknowledged the engineers outside, his usual easygoing demeanor absent. The door clicked shut behind him, and the air in the room felt heavier.

Lando spun around in his seat, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. Oscar’s eyes pinned him to the spot, laser-focused on his every move. Lando couldn’t quite read the expression on his face, but there was something serious in the set of his jaw and the gleam in his gaze.

“Hey,” Lando said cautiously. “What’s up?”

Oscar folded his arms, leaning against the wall. "I heard the radio."

Lando shifted in his seat, feeling the back of his neck prickle. “Yeah. That.”

Oscar didn't say anything, just watched him with a hawk-like gaze. It was making Lando’s nerves itch.

He cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice even. "So you heard all of it then, huh?"

Oscar nodded, his eyes never leaving Lando’s face. "Yeah. Every word."

Silence fell between them, thick and heavy. Lando fidgeted with the hem of his hoodie, his fingers drumming an anxious rhythm against the fabric. He knew Oscar was waiting for him to say something, but the words felt stuck in his throat.

Lando ran a hand down his face. “Look, mate—”

“I didn’t do anything special.”

Lando blinked, caught off guard by how bluntly Oscar said it. “What?”

Oscar pushed off the wall, shaking his head. “You made it sound like I did something extraordinary, like backing you and Lizzie was some massive thing. But it wasn’t, Lando. It was just the right thing to do.”

Lando didn’t respond right away. Instead, he stared at the dashboard of the sim rig, feeling the weight of the last few weeks pressing on his shoulders. “Look,” he finally said, “whether you think it was special or not, you had my back. And I need you to know that I’d do the same for you. Always.”

Oscar scoffed, almost amused. “I know that.”

“No, I mean it,” Lando insisted, standing up. “What happened in Hungary? That’s not how I want to race you. If I gain a position on you, I want it to be because I overtook you—not because the team screwed you over.”

Oscar raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth tugging up into a small smirk. “Are you worried you won’t be able to overtake me without a little help?” he asked, a mocking tone in his voice.

Lando shot him a look. “You know that’s not what I mean, you muppet.”

Oscar rolled his eyes. "You know, It wasn’t exactly hard. Lizzie’s great. And you…” Oscar hesitated before adding, “You’re my teammate. That means something.”

Lando swallowed, something settling in his chest. “Yeah. It does.”

A moment passed, quiet but not tense. Then Lando leaned over, rummaging in his bag. “Anyway, I got you something.”

Oscar raised an eyebrow. “If this is some weird way to thank me, I swear—”

Lando pulled out a red-and-white packet and tossed it over.

Oscar caught it, glancing down. Tim Tams. His eyes immediately lit up. “No way.”

Lando grinned. “Figured your maiden win deserved a proper celebration.”

Oscar inspected the packet like it was the best gift he’d ever received. “Alright. You’re forgiven for embarrassing me on the radio.”

Lando smirked. “Knew that’d do the trick.”

Oscar was already tucking the Tim Tams under his arm when Lando pulled out something else.

“Oh, and—Lizzie made you this.”

He handed over a tiny crochet Oscar, decked out in a McLaren race suit with a perfectly detailed little Pirelli cap.

Oscar stared at it. “She made this?”

Lando nodded. “Yeah. She crochets when she’s stressed. Said she needed something to focus on.”

Oscar turned the tiny figure over in his hands, running a thumb over the stitches. It was absurdly detailed—clearly made with care.

“She really didn’t have to,” he muttered.

Lando shrugged. “You didn’t have to either. But here we are.”

Oscar glanced up, expression unreadable, before slipping the crochet figure into his pocket. “Well,” he said, smirking slightly, “at least I got Tim Tams out of it.”

Lando rolled his eyes. “Never doing anything nice for you again.”

Oscar tore open the packet, popping a biscuit into his mouth. “Sure, mate. Whatever you say.”

***

YouTube Transcript - Belgian Grand Prix Fan Stage 

Interviewer: "Lando, Oscar, after Hungary, there was a lot of speculation about your dynamic, especially with the radio messages and post-race comments. Can you clarify—was there any tension?"

Lando: [shrugging] "We talked. We’re fine."

Oscar: [grinning] "Yeah, Lando even got me Tim Tams and a tiny crochet Oscar, so I think that settles it."

Interviewer: [laughing] "A tiny crochet Oscar?"

Lando: [smirking] "Yeah. Well, technically, Liz got it for him. She crochets when she’s stressed, and I guess Hungary was stressful."

Oscar: [holding up a hand] "For the record, it’s actually very impressive craftsmanship. It even has little details on the race suit."

Lando: [mock serious] "Yeah, she put more effort into it than McLaren did into our strategy."

Oscar: [choking on a laugh] "Jesus, Lando."

Interviewer: [laughing] "Okay, so no hard feelings?"

Lando: [firmly] "Oscar deserved that win."

Oscar: [grinning] "And now I have a tiny yarn version of myself to prove it."

Interviewer: "Alright, good to know things are all settled!"

Comments: 

@/F1Fanatic99: Crochet Oscar is probably better at strategy calls than McLaren. Just saying.

@/GridGossip: Someone better crochet a tiny Lando next so they can be besties IRL and in yarn form.

@/WheelToWheel: If Oscar doesn’t start bringing Crochet Oscar to every race, we’re gonna have a problem.

@/McLarenUpdates: Crochet Oscar is just proof that Lizzie is the best thing to ever happen to the McLaren garage.

@/EpilepsyAwareness: Imagine explaining to someone in 2018 that F1 Fandom would one day be obsessed with a crocheted version of Oscar Piastri.

@/SilverstoneStan: Crochet Oscar is a cultural reset. Every driver needs a tiny yarn version of themselves.

@/SpeedDemon19: New F1 tradition: every race winner gets a crochet version of themselves. Make it happen, FIA.

@/McLarenSuperFan: The fact that Lizzie made that is so cute. She really said 'supporting my boyfriend and his bestie through yarn.

@/MaxsOrangeArmy: Oscar got a trophy AND a tiny crochet version of himself? Peak career moment.

@/PitStopChaos: Lando’s next merch drop better include tiny crochet drivers or I’m rioting.

@/ChaosInTurn1: Lizzie is out here supporting Oscar more than McLaren did. Queen behavior.

@/F1Wifey: McLaren strategists should fear the WAGs, they have more team loyalty than half the pit wall.

@/WheelToWheelGirl: The fact that Lizzie crocheted through the McLaren strategy disaster is sending me. How much yarn do you think she used during Hungary?

@/RacingLogic: Oscar acting like a proud dad over his little crochet Oscar is the most wholesome thing to come out of this entire mess.

@/ToxicMcLarenFan: I NEED TO SEE THE TINY CROCHET OSCAR, PLEASE, OSCAR, I AM BEGGING.

@/SilverstoneElite: McLaren PR scrambling to figure out how to monetize Crochet Oscar as we speak.

@/PaddockInsider: Not Lando shading McLaren’s strategy while handing out handcrafted emotional support Oscars.

@/PitLaneDrama: The way Oscar is so proud of his tiny crochet self… we need a picture IMMEDIATELY.

@/FIAConspiracyTheories: Okay but McLaren better start strategizing as well as Lizzie crochets.

@/FastAndFearless: Petition for Lizzie to start selling crochet F1 drivers because I NEED ONE. @/McLarenPanicDepartment: Lando: ‘She crochets when she’s stressed.’ How much yarn does she go through dating him???@/MaraForPresident: LIZZIE MADE OSCAR A TINY CROCHET OSCAR??? SHE’S THE REAL MVP.

[allywthsr]

FIRST RACE WIN | (l.norris)

summary: Lando wins his first race

wordcount: 1k words

pairing: landonorris x fem!reader

warnings: none

notes: wrote this in 10 min, might delete later and rewrite it

Miami. The first thing that came to your mind was the heat and the money that this city had, but after tonight, this city will hold a different memory, the memory of your boyfriend winning his first Grand Prix.

You woke up in the morning with a burst of energy, Lando wasn’t as energetic, he crashed in the sprint, his qualifying wasn’t the best, and he didn’t expect anything big for today. He ate breakfast with slumped shoulders, every few seconds he let out a sigh, and you tried to get him into a better mood, but whatever you did, nothing helped.

“Today is the day for new opportunities”, that’s what you told him this morning, trying to get him excited.

If he had the opportunity to call in sick for work, he would’ve.

The race started, and it didn’t look the best for Lando, it annoyed him even more that Oscar had an even better start, not only was he one (sprint) race win ahead of him, but he also was chasing for p1 now, while Lando had to pass several cars to be close to him.

You sat in the garage, feeling the normal race jitters and crossing your fingers, you would always be proud of Lando, no matter what he did, but you had a good feeling for today.

The first laps were going by fast, Lando was fighting for every position, and Oscar was fighting for P1, after some more difficulties from Max, Oscar was racing to keep his leader position. You knew what Lando was thinking, how this would be a normal race if he got lucky, p3 and if he was even more lucky, maybe a p2, but not the real thing, Lando felt too disappointed in himself.

After the crash with Sargent, and Lando pitting during the safety car, you knew this would be it. Max was losing more and more time behind him, and couldn’t catch up with Lando. He was flying today, getting the fastest lap almost every time he crossed the finish line. The more laps passed, the more excited you got, holding hands with Jon, who stood next to you. When it was safe to say, that Max wouldn’t be able to catch Lando and overtake him, you were walking up and down through the garage, a TV camera was on you constantly, showing you on the screen how you nervously were trying to get rid of your nerves, but to your dismay, you didn’t.

During the last lap, you were watching the screen through your fingers, too scared that he would crash on the last meters. You’ve been in this position before, you don’t want to think about Sochi, but you were scared he was going to repeat this nightmare, thank god it wasn’t about to rain anytime soon.

When Lando crossed the finish line in P1, you fell to your knees with your hands in front of your face, crying. This was his dream, and you were so incredibly lucky to experience that dream with him.

Before you could continue to cry, Jon lifted you off the ground and dragged you up, hugging you tightly before running with you to where you would wait for Lando.

You stood behind that barricade and waited for your boyfriend to come get congratulated, you watched on the big screen how he got out of his car and you saw him take a deep breath. Carlos being the first to congratulate, was such a carlando thing, but now you couldn’t wait to be in his arms. Your tears were still rolling down your cheeks, and no matter how much effort you put into wiping them off your cheeks, new ones were coming by the second.

After what felt like days, you finally saw Lando running towards you.

You opened your arms and waited for the impact that was about to hit you, with the speed he was running at you. He closed his arms around you, and you did the same, squeezing him tightly and muttering: ‘congratulations’ over and over again. You heard him sobbing, he probably didn’t even realize what he had just done, he was shaking and when he lifted his head off your shoulder, his eyes were red and tears were spilling out of his eyes with no control, but you were no different.

You could wait for all the memes and pictures you were about to see on social media, you and Lando were crying messes, the kiss you shared after hugging for what felt like hours, tasted like tears and happiness. You couldn’t believe he was a race winner now.

His team celebrated him the perfect way, throwing him in the air and hugging him close. The hugs he shared with Zak and Andrea, warmed your heart, you knew how much he meant to these two and vice versa.

After the interviews where he thanked his family, but especially you, for always supporting him no matter what, he was driven to the podium, just like you and the rest of the McLaren team, you had to see him lifting that trophy.

When he came out running, even more tears spilled out of your eyes, you knew you were an emotional mess, and it would stay like this for the rest of the day. And the way Lando was wiping away the tears while listening to the British hymn, you knew he was no different, especially hearing the Lando chants from every direction, you all knew, this was long overdue.

He threw his trophy in the air, and you were scared he was going to break it, but he safely caught it and pointed to his heart and then at you. This was cheesy, but at this moment, he was allowed to do whatever he wanted. He felt like the king of the world.

Popping the champagne was always your favorite part, and with the way Charles and Max were drenching him in the liquid, you knew you would be soaked in it too, after some more hugs, which followed immediately after he came down from the podium.

The rest of the day was spent partying and celebrating Lando and McLaren, you were incredibly proud of him and what he achieved today.

taglist: @millinorizz @jamieeboulos @loxbbg @noneofyourfbusinessworld @myownwritings

[rafesbabygirlx]

A Lot of Time has Passed | Part 2

Series Masterlist | Masterlist

Season 4 Rafe x Maybank reader

Summary: Beginning at the time jump, the Pogues seemingly succeeded at something, Rafe is struggling with making amends and being a better person. JJs sister left the island after returning from South America. Returning after 18 months with a secret.

A/N: I can never tell time length in this show. Not sure how many days truly passed for the first part of this season so this will be my own timeline.

Im on a roll I wasn’t expecting P2 to come out the same day. The story will get much better- just trying to get the set up for the story done. :)

Not proofread

Word count: 1.8k

Warnings: nothing really just some story building. Maybe a slightly mean Rafe for like 2 seconds though. :)

A few days had passed and you and Kie decide to go shopping. You hadn’t spoken to Rafe since the day of the race. As you and Kie exited a store, engrossed in conversation, you collided with a couple of people. You immediately apologized and looked up, only to find Rafe and Sofia standing before you, her arm hooked around his once again.

“Hey! You look amazing! How have you been?” Sofia exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she recognized you. Rafe stood beside her with a smug smirk, saying nothing.

“Great! You look amazing too,” you replied, forcing a cheerful smile. The tension in the air was palpable, especially knowing that Sofia likely knew about your history with Rafe, and you both were acutely aware of what had happened just days before, right under her nose.

Kie stood behind you, visibly disgusted by Rafe. Hoping he wouldn’t notice the shopping bag in your hand, you discreetly slid it behind you and nudged Kie toward the Twinkie.

Before you could catch your breath, Sofia chimed in again, “So, whose baby are you shopping for?” Panic surged through you for a brief moment, but you quickly replied, “My cousin. I reconnected with my mom, and my cousin’s daughter’s birthday is coming up. We’ve gotten really close, and I wanted to get her something special.” You surprised yourself with how smoothly that lie rolled off your tongue.

“Is that who the ‘V’ on your necklace—” Rafe’s eyebrow arched at your answer, but he cut Sofia off. “You’re talking to your mom again? Since when? You never told me.”

“I don’t think I need to tell you that,” you shot back defensively.

“Well, where does she live? Where have you been?” Rafe pressed, and frustration bubbled inside you. “Stop.” You turn back to Sofia. “I really need to go. It was good to see you, Sofia.” You lightly touched her arm, shot Rafe a warning look, and hurried back to Kie.

“He’s such an asshole! How could he do that to you and then act so smug?” Kie exclaimed, her anger evident.

“I don’t know, Kie. It’s fine. Let’s just go.”

The next day, you were helping Sarah at the shop, stocking shelves and sharing laughter over silly jokes. Just as you were in the middle of a story, Rafe unexpectedly burst through the front door, startling you. He grabbed your arm, pulling you away from Sarah, who protested loudly, “What the hell, Rafe? Get off of her!”

“Sarah, you’re really not in a position to tell me what to do since this is all your fault,” Rafe shot back, his tone icy. You looked at him, confusion washing over you.

“You might want to watch who’s around when you’re parading around talking about how cute your niece is,” he added, his gaze piercing.

You turned back to Sarah, shock and dread settling in. Your blood ran cold, and a wave of numbness enveloped you. “Just go outside, Rafe. I’ll be right out,” you said quietly, trying to regain your composure.

You needed a moment to process everything happening around you. Your heart raced as you spoke softly to Sarah, “I am so, so sorry. It must’ve been when I was talking to Cleo, and you sent me that video of her with your mom. I didn’t think anyone close to Rafe was around. I didn’t realize; I'm really sorry.” You could see the guilt etched on her face, knowing she never intended any harm.

“It’s okay. It was bound to happen, I guess,” you replied, pulling her into a comforting hug. You took a deep breath and headed outside to face Rafe.

He stood on the porch, rubbing his buzz cut, and turned to you as you stepped out. “What the fuck? Are you kidding me right now? Your cousin’s baby? I knew you were lying—I can tell when you’re lying.”

“This isn’t how I wanted you to find out,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady.

“Well, I know now, so you better explain everything to me.” Just as you prepared to respond, the sound of bikes pulling up caught your attention. JJ and John B quickly hopped off and approached, with JJ stepping in front of you, his eyes narrowing at Rafe. “What the hell are you doing here, Rafe?”

“Your sister has a lot of explaining to do to me—back off,” Rafe retorted.JJ turned back to you, a puzzled look on his face, and you assured him, “It’s fine,” as you directed him and John B inside.

Pushing Rafe away, you led him down to the docks, searching for the right words to start. He took the initiative, his voice steady yet filled with tension. “So it’s true? This isn’t just something misheard?”

You nodded, feeling the weight of his anger and confusion. “I’m sorry, Rafe. I really don’t have any words to describe how sorry I am.” Tears began to well up in your eyes.

“Don’t cry. You don’t get to cry after what you did to me.” His words stung, and the tears fell harder now.

“Okay, okay, calm down. Please just tell me what’s going on,” he urged, his voice softening slightly. You both settled onto a bench facing the water, the calmness of the waves contrasting the turmoil inside you.

“I—um—I,” you stammered, taking a deep breath. “She’s a year and two months. Her name is Vivienne Rae Cameron-Maybank. She has my tan skin and lips but your hair color and your eyes. She’s really beautiful—so bubbly and full of life. She’s innocent, blissfully unaware of how cruel the world can be. I envy her.”

Rafe ran his palm over his face, the weight of the revelation settling heavily between you. “A year and two months. That means—”

“I knew before I left,” you interrupted, your voice trembling slightly. “That’s what I was doing in the bathroom. JJ called me saying he needed me, and then you said you needed to handle something. I just threw everything in my bag and raced out the door. I didn’t expect all of this to happen afterward.”

Rafe looked at you, his expression a mix of hurt and frustration. “You should’ve just told me. It would’ve changed everything.”

“Maybe, but when I came back, you wanted nothing to do with me. All these thoughts raced through my mind, and I told myself you wouldn’t want her either.” You had always known that Rafe dreamed of being a dad—someone who would show unconditional love while teaching his child to navigate life’s challenges. He longed to be the complete opposite of Ward, striving to give his children what he never had.

He never expected to find himself in this situation, especially not in his early twenties. He thought he’d have more time to prepare, but now he stood heartbroken, grappling with the reality that he had missed so much. Anger simmered within him as he wrestled with feelings of inadequacy, thoughts of not being a good father creeping in.

“How could you do this to me?” Rafe stood up, gripping the dock railing as if it were his lifeline. “FUCK!”

“Rafe, please calm down,” you pleaded, your heart racing.

“No! You think you can hide this from me and then tell me to calm down?! I’m her father, and you kept her from me. Where is she?”

“She’s with my mom back on the mainland.” You stood up as he moved closer, towering over you. “You go get her and bring her here. I want to meet her. You need to make up for all the time you stole from me.” His finger pointing in your face as her gets words out through his teeth gritting together. “Okay, I can go get her tonight. You can come by tomorrow at 2 to meet her.” He scoffed. “Come by? You’re bringing my child into the cut? No way.”

“Sorry that your daughter is half Pogue, Rafe, but if you want to meet her, you’re coming to where I’m comfortable. This isn’t a negotiation.” You could see the regret in his eyes for implying anything about your background—it wasn’t about you; it was about him already being in protective father mode. He knew the cut wasn’t the safest place.

“Fine, 2:00 to meet her. I’ll be there. See ya.” He then turned and drove off, leaving you standing there, heart racing.

As you made your way back inside, everyone rushed to meet you. “What’s going on?” “Is he seriously mad at you after everything he’s done?” “You’re not going to trust him with her, right?!” The questions bombarded you at a hundred miles a minute.

You walked past them in silence, but JJ ran after you. “Where are you going?”

“It’s five hours back to the mainland where my mom is. I gotta get going now if I want to be back at a good time.” You grabbed your bag and headed to the car.

“You’ve got to be joking! After everything he did, you’re giving in this easy?” You couldn’t help but roll your eyes and smile at your brother. Partly because you loved how protective he was over you. Especially being 3 years younger.

“You don’t understand, JJ. He’s still her father.” Ignoring the rest of his protests, you drove off.

In the back of your mind, you felt the weight of your secrets. You couldn’t bring yourself to tell JJ that it was all your fault. He already despised Rafe, and you had convinced yourself that is Rafe wanted nothing to do with you he would want Vivienne either. You made him promise never to bring it up to Rafe, and shockingly, he hadn’t. Only Sarah knew the full truth. Hiding this from Rafe had eaten away at you every day, but you were too cowardly to face it.

You returned home around 11:00 PM, a full 11 hours after the morning’s events. Thanking god for your easygoing daughter, you knew she would be asleep in her car seat, having fallen asleep at her usual time of 8:00 PM. You’d have no trouble carrying her inside.

As you entered, everyone greeted you with soft whispers, crowding around you and Vivienne. JJ had made a makeshift crib in the room that used to be Luke’s and had saved you some dinner after your long day. You gently placed Vivienne in her crib, then joined the group outside.

You never tried to defend Rafe to them; they saw him as the bad guy. So when they started hounding you with questions again, you simply said you were giving him a shot. You knew they didn’t like him, but he deserved that much as her father. Nothing more. You finished eating and retreated inside, exhaustion weighing heavily on you from the day’s events.

Taglist-

@maybankslover @eringaitskill @luissa266 @lolll505 @dayyzlol @livie4lifestarkeyblyth @calaryssia @leilanizcals @eg-dr3amer3

[f1cflcfic]

Won't Say I'm In Love (SMAU ft. Lando Norris) - bonus part three

pairing: lando norris x fem!reader; past carlos alcaraz x fem!reader

summary: As a general rule, y/n does not date athletes. You've been there, done that - would not recommend. Besides, you definitely don't do love. There's no time in the world for complicated feelings when there's a career Grand Slam to be won. But what if your heart just refuses to listen?

genre: social meda/mixed au, friends to lovers, tbd

note: this is RPF and is obviously in no way, shape, or form reflective of real persons or events

series: part i, part ii, part iii, part iv, part v, part vi, part vii. part viii, part ix, part x, part xi, part xii, part xiii, tbd.

bonus: one, two

author's note: This is a bonus part, and not a regular update! I just wanted to celebrate Lando getting P2 in Imola + me feeling a lot better after this weekend.

author's note 2: Did I look up how to spell Montréal (with or without the accent aigu) on the website of the Canadian government? ... Yes, yes I did.

author's note 3: also, remember when I said these bonus parts would all be lando's pov? I lied :D This one is all y/n. The remaining two will be his, though. Hope you enjoy!

June 14-15: Montréal GP 2025

There’s nerves fluttering around your stomach when you rush over to congratulate him after qualifying. They’re certainly not butterflies, you tell yourself. It's just because you shouldn't be here, but you are, anyways.

“Oh my god – congratulations!”

He grins, hugging you back when you fling your arms around his neck. “Pole position baby! I told you!” Lando yells, laughing in your ear. It’s unfiltered and pure, and you close your eyes for a moment just to bask in the sound of joy.

When you open them, there’s someone from McLaren wearing a headset hovering nearby, looking on in what seems to be a mix of both amusement and impatience. You instantly let go of Lando. All of a sudden, you realise that it's nost just the one employee. Everyone's crowding around the two of you it seems – not out of the same sense of euphoria you felt just seconds ago, but out of business mode.

They all need something from him, and that trumps your wants.

Because, shit. You want.

Maybe Coco was right.

Maybe Montréal and New York aren’t really that close, and maybe returning a ‘lucky’ bucket hat doesn’t fully justify making the trip to someone who’s in the midst of a championship battle with his teammate and could use the support, even when he is adamant that he is not superstitious.  

Maybe you’d been a little too easy when offered an opportunity to spend more time with him before you’re off playing grass and he’s on summer break.  Maybe, just maybe a part of you likes Lando more than you’re allowing yourself to acknowledge.

It’s a terrifying thought.

“He did good, eh?” Max nudges your shoulder, inadvertently keeping you from spiralling on the spot as Lando gets swept up in debriefs and media and what all else. “S gonna make it so much easier,” he continues as he settles into a chair, then waves at where Lando’s dad is sitting with his manager.

“Yeah, he did,” you echo absentmindedly. A replay of his best lap comes on a nearby screen. “He is good,” and you mean it in more ways than one.

Adam walks over now, big smile on his face as he first squeezes Max’ and then your shoulder. “You must be so proud,” you smile.  

“I’m always proud. But he finally seems comfortable in this car. I’m just happy that he is happy,” Adam replies. “Plus, he is always happier when you’re around.”

He says it like it’s obvious, without looking at any of you in particular. All of you, then, you think. Max, you, Keegan.

His roots. His support system. His friends. Plural.

It’s not meant to rattle you, but it does.

Because Lando thrives on friendship and connection, and he loves being supportive in return. He gives like his heart won’t ever run out of room. It’s never conditional, never something that must be negotiated. And it makes you feel so lucky, but it isn’t a singular experience. You’re one of his close friends, and you’re happy he has Max, and Keegan, and Ria, and Carlos. And it’s always been fine. You didn’t need to be singular. Never wanted or needed to hear Adam saying something like that about just you.

Except now you don’t know where friendship ends and feelings begin, and for the first time ever, maybe you want there to be a singular you, not a plural one meant for his friends in general.

And that? That might be a problem.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So you try and detach for a little. It’s easy to avoid Lando when he’s the race winner, and you can entertain yourself by hanging with Carlos and Rebecca for a good while. Besides, the hotel rooftop bar is crowded, completely filled with F1 crew and guests. It somehow makes it easier to blend into the background, observe from afar as the clock ticks down on your impromptu stay.

Lando has been drifting around the room, saying hi and accepting congratulations or doling them out in return. But he always ends up looking over at your corner. Checking if you’re still there, knowing just as well that time is running out.

When he finds his way back to you, there’s relief evident on his face. “For a second I was afraid I’d have to celebrate without you. Pole and a race win! Maybe it’s not the pasta, or the bracelets, or the flowers. Maybe it’s just you,” Lando says breathlessly, cheeky smile on display. As if he knows he shouldn’t have, but couldn’t help himself and let the words escape him anyways.

His smile only widens when you roll your eyes at him. “Sure, or maybe it’s Max, or Keegan, or your Quadrant cap, or the way in which you put your socks on the other way around when you got in the car today.”

His eyes crinkle and he giggles, cheeks still a little ruddy from the exertion – or maybe from laughter or the earlier champagne.

You feel stupid the second the words come out your mouth. “You have such a nice smile,” is absolutely not a normal thing to say to your best friend. You know this, and yet here you are, spilling your guts as if trying to expel all the butterflies that have taken up residency there as of late.

Lando’s smile turns blinding at the compliment, his pleased reaction clear in the way his voice goes up the octave as he answers with a bashful “really? Thank you”. Like he can’t quite believe you’d say those words to him and mean them.

Which is actually awful, because he does have a nice smile. The nicest. When he smiles, he beams, his entire face scrunching up in delight. No, Lando Norris doesn’t do pure happiness in small doses. For a millisecond, your treacherous brain conjures up a vivid image of what it’d feel like to trace his lips with your tongue – to steal the laughter right out of his mouth as it bubbles up from deep inside his chest, and to commit the shape of his smile to memory. Especially the small gap between his front teeth, and everything else that makes him so frustratingly handsome. Everything you’ve maybe always noticed, but not like this. Never like this.

“You look pretty, too. You always do,” he says, belatedly. His hand reaches up all of a sudden, softly cradling your cheeks that have gone hot from the earlier embarrassment of confessing how much you like his laugh. His fingers are cool against your skin, and your eyes track the movement for a beat, then flick back to watch him instead.

There’s something in his gaze you haven’t seen before. Affection, sure, but there’s something else. Something deeper. Heat, you think. His lips part, and your gaze involuntarily drifts downwards to witness just how his tongue peeks out to wet them.

For a moment, you consider leaning in. To give in to whatever weird pull you’ve been feeling today. But it’s gone just as quick when Carlos thrusts a drink in both your hands, only belatedly realising that he’s perhaps interrupted something. “Here’s your – oh.”

Spell broken, Lando’s hand falls away and you look anywhere but at him. “Thanks, you’re the best for this,” you say as you take a sip from your Coke Zero, hoping it’ll cool the sudden heat crawling up and down your skin.

“To champions,” Carlos raises his drink, Lando following with his own. “May we be them, may we befriend them, may we beat them.”

Another sip. Your skin still burns.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is maybe 30 minutes later when you start slowly making the rounds, dropping in and out of conversations to say bye or see you soon. Max notices the backpack and weekend bag first. He frowns. “Are you leaving now? In the middle of the party?”

“Yeah. Don’t want to miss my flight. Literally playing and touching grass tomorrow,” you wink. He snorts and pulls you in for a quick hug.

“Good seeing you today, Fewtrell. And don’t forget to send me the link to that bag,” you nod at Pietra, pointing at her clutch. “I love it.”

She nods, stepping closer to hug you next. “I can do that. Have a safe flight, text us when you land.”

Then there’s Lando. Somehow, the interaction feels heavy all of a sudden. Uncomfortable. The rooftop feels too small. He’s too close, there’s too many people around, and you’ve got a plane to catch right back to reality.

In an attempt to get it over with, you rush forward to give him an awkward hug. “Thank you for coming,” he whispers, breath warm against your neck. “It meant a lot to me.”

His grip on your waist tightens briefly, but then you pull away from him and flash a quick smile at the rest of the group. The corner of his mouth pulls downward. You try not to notice as you give Keegan a side-hug, before all but running out.

It’s weird, having left with just a wave and a nod. Your stomach’s all up in knots about it, and you can’t quite explain to yourself why everything had felt wrong all of a sudden. So when not even three minutes later Lando texts you, it feels a lot like relief. Because whatever that goodbye was – it clearly left both of you wanting.

You can't help but grin when you cancel your Uber, and grin even wider when Lando pulls up with a car that’s way too expensive but looks sleek and powerful in the dark. The window rolls down. “Get in birdie,” he smirks, then jumps out to open the door for you and stow your luggage away.

It’s familiar, sitting in a car next to Lando whose eyes are focused on the road. You’ve done that a thousand times before. But it’s different all the same. Because you’re both quiet, and the air is thick with tension that only seems to build, instead of dissipate over time. So you find yourself tracking the way his fingers flex around the wheel, how his arm rests on the console, how his necklace sometimes flickers when the street lights hit it just so.

“Y/N? We’re here,” Lando seemingly repeats as he turns off the engine. Right. It’s been forty minutes since he left his own celebratory party, just to spend more time with you. Time you spent in total silence, trying to ignore what it is that you want.

“Were you even paying any attention? You were so quiet,” he asks, his elbow jabbing your arm jokingly.

You grab it, pretending the only reason you’ve encircled his wrist is to keep him from moving. “Stop assaulting me, and let me have a look at the time on that expensive watch of yours.”

He huffs out a laugh but quiets, allows you to manoeuvre his arm just so.  “S not that late yet. Think an Uber driver could’ve done that?” Lando comments triumphantly, and your lips twitch.

He pulls away.

“C’mon. I’ll walk with you. I know you get antsy if you're not extremely early.”

Once you step out of the car, and your weekend bag is slung over Lando’s shoulder, the silence descends once more. The parking lot is quiet, and while the car might’ve drawn attention elsewhere, it’s easy for you both to hide in the shadows now.

You try to suppress the urge to fill it with rambling, but there’s also not much else to say. There was no reason for him to leave his own celebratory party, just so he could spend another forty minutes with you.

But here he is.

Here you are.

Stretching whatever time you have.

Lando breaks first, starts talking nonsense about the people he’s happy to avoid by being here with you instead. His empty hand is flying through the air as he gesticulates wildly, and you can’t help but giggle.

“Are you even listening to what I’m saying?” He questions, and you don’t even pretend otherwise.

“Your hand’s so distracting, it’s telling its own story.”

Lando stops walking, turns fully to you as he frowns. “What do you mean?”

“You talk with your hands. They’re always moving,” you muse, but then his expression falls even further.

“It’s not a bad thing,” you rush out in an attempt to fix it, “it’s actually kind of sexy.”

Too much, you think immediately. Why would you say that out loud, when you hadn’t even really formed an articulate thought about it?

“Sexy?” Lando questions almost disbelievingly as he stares down at his own hand.

You nod hesitantly. “Yeah. I can say that, right? Cause we’re best friends. And I can find my friend’s hands sexy. Objectively.”

It feels like playing with fire, saying these things. Allowing those thoughts to live out there, instead of in your head. Waiting with bated breath for whatever Lando might say in return. If he’ll draw the line, if he’ll let you blur it a bit more. If he’ll confirm that you are friends.

Best friends. Just friends.

Fuck, maybe you don’t want to be just friends.

“Right. Yeah,” he clears his throat. Pauses for a second. “Maybe you should hold it then. So I won’t move it and you won’t get distracted.”

For the first time that evening, you wish for more lights – just so you could read his expression. It’s hard to know if he’s being serious. Then again, how serious are you? You don't know that either, but you do know that you’re in it now, and with feigned bravado you smile at him.

“Maybe I should,” you repeat, then slot your hand into his. Perhaps it’s the fact that you’ve accidentally held hands just the other day, or maybe it’s muscle memory from nights spent at crowded clubs. But somehow, holding hands with Lando feels entirely ... natural.

As if you've always done it. It’s just that your head is spinning from how normal it feels.

And yet it also feels fragile, fleeting. As if the second you’d try to capture this, it’d be gone. So you don’t talk, instead allow his thumb to ghost over your hand – just shy of a caress, and pretend everything's normal until you reach the Departures terminal.

Lando comes to a halt then. You retract your hand and he lets you. You almost wish he didn’t. But then he pulls you in a tight hug instead, lips close to your ear as he confesses how much it sucks that you’re leaving already. How much he’s going to miss you, especially at Silverstone. “I’m gonna miss you too. And I’m gonna miss these hugs,” you say with a small laugh.

Your hands are around his neck, and it would have been so easy to reach up and tug on his curls. But he’s cut them recently, so all you find is smooth skin and the touch of cold metal when your fingers skim his necklace.

Heat creeps into your face as you realise all of a sudden that this is, once again, far too much. The moment's run away from you, and now you're hugging too long, the smell of him is too comforting, and the touching too familiar.

It’s like quicksand. The moment you try and resist it - when you start to struggle, the sand will pull you straight back in even further.

And the moment you pull away from Lando, is the moment you realise just how close your faces are. You can feel his breath on your lips, the flutter of his eyelashes as he blinks, gaze flickering between your eyes and lips for just a second. Your heart is beating in your throat, and you wonder briefly if Lando might hear it, if he might feel it if he’d position his hand just right. Your own eyes fall to his lips, see the way his tongue darts out like he always does when he’s nervous, and all of a sudden the world around you fades away while you move to close the distance altogether.

His lips are soft, and he tastes like pineapple and his stupid cinnamon mints. It makes you smile into the kiss, because it’s good and delicious. It’s so familiar and it’s so Lando to be eager yet demanding all at once. He tries to pull you in even closer as the kiss turns heated, his tongue licking into your mouth, hand sliding further down your waist.

Impulsive as it is, you’re also immediately greedy. Because you might not allow yourself to ever have this again, even when it’s quite possibly the best first kiss you’ve ever had.

You have no idea how long you stand there, on the corner of a parking lot and the airport entrance – just out of sight, making out like a bunch of teenagers and zero clue as to what it means. His other hand has slid up to hold your face and push some loose strands of hair behind your ear. It’s such a sweet gesture, but it has you gasping into his mouth at the startling realisation that you’re kissing your best friend, and you’re going to miss your flight if this continues.

With heaving chest and a final quick kiss to his now swollen lips, you slowly pull away. A whine almost escapes you when you catch sight of just how thoroughly kissed Lando looks. His pupils are blown, cheeks ruddy, hair all over the place, and he’s smiling that gap-toothed smile of which it’s almost a shame that you can’t see it when you’re kissing him.

God, you know what it’s like to kiss him now. You know what he tastes like. What his hands feel like when they’re grabbing onto you, trying to find purchase so he can pull your body straight into his. And you can’t stop yourself from wanting to do it again. And again. And again.

His hand comes up to once more push back those annoying hairs you always have to fix with a clip when you’re playing tennis, but never bother to do off court.

You fight a smile. “Thanks.”  

“These keep falling in your face,” he points out needlessly, hand lingering to cradle your jaw. He looks so pleased with himself, and you want to kiss the stupid smirk right off his face. But then the time on Lando’s smart watch glares up at you, and while a small part of you feels incredibly satisfied at the increased heartrate on display, it’s also a harsh reality check.

“They were my break-up bangs,” you murmur, trying hard not to let the panic take over, as the weight of what you’ve just done comes crashing down on you.

Fuck.

You’re so fucked. This is your best friend, that you’ve just kissed out of impulsive desire. And you don’t have the time to even talk about it, because you’ve wasted it all making out like a couple of fucking idiots.

“Shit. I have to go.”

Lando’s eyebrows draw together as he prepares to say something in response. It’s then that another wave of panic hits you. Maybe it would actually be worse to talk about it. You take a step back and out of his reach, focusing instead on your weekend bag that he'd set down on the ground earlier.

“Like. Now. Fuck.”

Because as long as you don’t mention this, it will be like it didn’t happen, and you don’t need to think about the consequences. Maybe this flight’s boarding time isn’t a curse, but a blessing in disguise.

As you hoist the bag onto your shoulder, he reaches out – wordlessly fixing the position of the strap for you so it sits comfortably across your chest and back.

He knows you’ve run out of time, too. There’s no point in addressing the elephant in the room now. So he just gives a strained smile, hand moving down from your shoulder before landing at your hand again. He squeezes it once. “Text me when you’re there, yeah? Have a good flight, birdie.”

If only you were less of a coward, less afraid of your own heart jumping out of your chest, you’d have squeezed back. Instead, all you offer is another nod and wave, and then you're gone - hand pressed to your lips all the way to your gate.

♥ likes, comments, reblogs and asks are always very much appreciated - i love chatting and hearing your thoughts! ♥

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[slafastri28]

Everything is going to be Alright - OP81

Note: I'm so back, I know this isn't hockey, but hockey season still has a bit before it starts. Anyways hope you like it (I had a dream like this figure I could make something of it)

Warnings: None :)

Description: You and Oscar had been going public for a while, but all of a sudden he started acting like your relationship was secret, but that wasn't the only thing appearing secret.

“I’m not being weird!”

“Yes you are!” You scolded. You had been at every race of the season, after finishing school, and every race was the same, until today. Belgium your very favorite race every season, it was the one you would always be at no matter what circumstance. Now you were wishing you weren’t there today fighting with Oscar. You figured he would be happy after the race with agood position heading into summer break, finishing P2 and he was, but something was off. 

“Can we not do this here okay, I have media now,” he said frustrated.

“Fine, see you around I guess,” you rolled your eyes and stormed away back to your family.

“Why are you mad?” he called out. You turned back to look at him, he saw your face and turned away.

You always greeted Oscar the same after every race, win or lose, being the supportive girlfriend you were made to be, with a strong hug and kiss on the cheek or face depending on the mood. Every race he usually matched your energy but today was different he missed your kiss and his hug was only with one arm rather than with your feet getting slightly off the ground. You didn’t see any problem with today, he performed well. You had the widest grin on your face and he had one too when he saw you but once you came out of your awkward hug the smile had faded.

“Osc, you okay?”

“I couldn’t be better,” he shrugged looking around in the crowd of people except you.

“Hello?” you waved in his face. He looked back down keeping his focus on you momentarily.

“Sorry,” he said putting his hands on your shoulders. 

“You’re being weird, what’s up?” you asked. He went back to looking around, moving his hand to his side. 

“Nothing, it’s nothing Y/N,” he said dismissive, “I have to go,”

“Why are you being so weird, you are never like this,” your tone got firm. He left after your brief little argument. 

Back with your family and friends they all looked confused seeing the look on your face.

“Y/N? Hey what is it? Are you guys okay?” your sister asked.

“Yup,” you said monotone, keeping your head down and eyes on your shoes. Moments passed of awkward silence of waiting, you should be happy he placed second, you were, but why wasn’t he happy with you. You sent him a text saying your family was going to head to the restaurant to celebrate and that you would wait for him. You waited in the paddock playing with your pass around your neck scrolling aimlessly on your phone and keeping your family updated on time, when finally you saw his name pop off. “I’m coming now” the text read. You looked up and saw him in the distance, he still didn’t look right. You stood up fixing your skirt and running your fingers through your hair as he made his way to you. You sighed and put on a smile even though there was tension.

“I’m proud of you,” you said smiling up at him.

“Thanks,” he said looking forward. You held your hand out for him to take. It was not until you left the track his mood changed. You got in your rental car and drove to the restaurant where your family was waiting.

“So I did good today,” he smiled at you. You looked at him confused then locked your eyes back on the road.

“What?” he said. 

“So we are just going to act like whatever happened earlier just didn’t happen,” you said not looking at him. He sighed like there was something on his mind.

“I’m sorry, it’s not you trust me,” he apologized, “I’ll tell you when we get to the restaurant okay, I don’t want to distract you.”

“Yeah okay,” you nodded with a tone.

“I would tell you if it was you,” he said.

“You didn’t look happy when you were with me, it was like I didn’t exist today, no kiss, awkward hug, not holding my hand, not acting like we were together when people were around” you said quietly and disappointed.

“Darling I promise you I was happy to see you, I’m always happy to see you, it will make sense when we park okay,” he said putting his hand on your thigh. You pulled in to the spot on the street next to your parents car. You turmed to look at him arms crossed. 

“Please don’t be mad I didn’t tell you when I found out okay,” he said taking your hands in his. 

“What, is it something with the team, is that why you weren’t happy with today?” you got frantic.

“Y/N, Y/N, it’s okay, it’s nothing with the team, I’ll be okay.”

“You’re hurt, oh my god you’re hurt, what did you do? Muscle, bone, head, what is it-” he cut you off by placing his lips on yours. You fell into the kiss feeling your heartbeat slow and letting you relax and trust your loving boyfriend. 

“Shh,” he backed away, “I broke a rib, I found out after Silverstone, please don’t be mad. I have summer to recover, everything is going to be alright.” You took a deep breathe collecting your thoughts. 

“Is that why you were holding your side,” he nodded, “and the side hug,” he nodded again.

“Make sense now?” You pressed a kiss on his cheek nodding. The two of you stepped out of the car. You wrapped your arm around his back, he winced.

“Other side,” he smiled at you. You moved to the other side as he opened the door for you. The two of you walked into the restaurant acting more like a couple more than ever.

“So everything is okay with you two,” your Mom grinned as you two sat down.

“Oh yeah,” Oscar said putting his arm around the back of your chair rubbing your shoulder. You smiled rubbing his thigh.

“Everything is going to be alright.” You sighed.

[blorbocedes]

I saw (I think) jenson say that max is the most naturally talented driver he's ever driven with(through Sophie and jos), do you think max is more natural talent or grueling training he went through as a kid? Very nature vs nurture question lol

as an anthropologist they'd take my degree away if I say nature. so let me break it down. of course max is once in a generation talent, but what does that mean? he didn't come out of the womb knowing how to drive a car. it's not encoded in his dna, simply bc his parents were in the same occupation. hamilton's parents weren't racers. that veers into biological essentialism, when what it really is - having both racing parents is max was exposed to that environment from a much younger age and had 2 adult who could guide him into racing with different styles. max is not a biological freak of nature like michael phelp's wingspan/lung capacity. driving was something that was learned and perfected upon. you need money to get into karting, yes, but also skill. there's so promising talents that never made it. this ofc is not an endorsement of jos' parenting styles; max is the rare success story where other kids in that position would and have burned out. but my point in talent needs to be honed with perseverance, endurance, hard work, and yes luck too. max is someone who lives and breathes racing, when he has his free time he's fucking sim racing. brasil was a culmination of his talents on show, yes, but early in the season before the mcl even truly showed its pace max clocked lando as his challenger and since then he has been driving the championship to mitigate losing it. that's not just talent, that's brains at work too -- like the risk assessment that a lando at p2 is worth whatever penalty he may get for driving him off, because he believed he was fast enough to come back into points. the point I'm making re: gruelling childhood training is that it's not like max ever stopped working on his racecraft. even when he was winning every race in 23, he said he wanted to improve on previous races, win with larger margins, he was his own competitor. the max of today is a better driver than the max of 2016 as a result of that

I don't disagree with jenson's assessment, max certainly has "it" and it's something you either have or you don't. but the term natural talent also soothes their ego losing to max, ahhhh I couldn't have competed with what Nature gifted him. it downplays the mountain of work that's behind honing that natural talent into actionable skill.

[angelnthsnow]

The Party & The After Party

pairing: toto wolff x f!driver!reader

summary: after winning your first formula one race in your first year in the category, you don't think the day can get any better. fortunately, your boss has other plans for the night.

word count: 3.9k

warnings: age gap? it's never mentioned but it's there obvi, boss x employee, use of y/n, cursing.

author's note: i must say my friends have gotten me into formula one, but it's kinda hard paying attention to the cars when this man exists. i wrote this nonstop in the middle of the night, it's shorter than usual but i couldn't get the idea out of my head, so enjoy! i promise i'll post smth nfl related soon lol k bye!!

In your first year as the first female F1 driver, you had done the impossible. Standing on the 1st place of the Monaco Grand Prix podium, adrenaline pumping through your veins, you looked down at everyone who had ever doubted you. Years of resisting attacks, sexist remarks and the constant need to prove yourself, you felt like you could finally breathe. By your side, stood two of the greatest drivers the sport had ever seen, Lewis Hamilton, your teammate, in P2, and Max Verstappen, in P3.

Your eyes wandered through the vast crowd that chanted your name from below, searching for the man who had made it all possible, your boss, Torger Wolff, the first person who took you seriously. Being a woman with hopes of getting into Formula One was exhaustingly hard, but everything started to change when you won the F3 Championship, a few years ago.

Paul, your teammate at the time, had told you that a certain team principal would come to the race that day, and although you kept telling yourself to not get your hopes up, every single attempt to do so went downhill when you saw the Mercedes team principal walking through the paddock like he owned the place.

To you, Mercedes was everything. Besides being one of the most modern teams, you also realized soon enough that Toto was probably the most open-minded out of all the other TPs on the grid. It was sad, of course, having such a little percentage of people who would be happy to see a woman in a position that was so dominated by men, but still, it lit up a flame in your chest, a string of hope you clung onto whenever you felt like giving up your dream.

That day, with him on the bleachers as you drove fearlessly around Spa-Francorchamps, you won the F3 championship, putting you on a watchlist of drivers that could get into F2.

Ever since that day, the austrian had kept an eye on you.

He saw how fiercely you fought to have a place, to have a voice and to be heard in a space ever so dominated by the opposite sex, and it didn't scare him, not one bit, he admired it. When you stood on that podium earlier, he didn't even bother hiding a smile, taking pictures and videos and chanting your name with the rest of the team as Lewis and Max sprayed the ridiculously expensive champagne on your back as you laughed.

That's why today, hours after winning your first ever F1 race on your first year in the category, he still couldn't get off the high he was on. He had finally gotten the confirmation he so desperately needed, not because he didn't believe you could do it, but because he was eager to prove everyone else wrong, to rip the smugness out of every single man who told you you didn't belong there.

At least that's what he had told you earlier through the radio before the lights went out, prove them wrong. He just didn't know you fought to reprimand a sob as you tried to concentrate in the lights that stood just above the Albert 1st Boulevard.

Now, Toto's eyes scanned every single corner of Jimmy'z searching for you, only to find you on the dance floor, pornstar martini in hand as you swayed to the beats of Empire of The Sun's We Are The People.

You had a smile on your face that could lit up a whole room, and he couldn't be prouder. Soon enough, your eyes met his and you chuckled, making a peace sign to point at your eyes and then at his as the line got lost in your eyes blasted through the club's speakers.

Even at distance, you could see him rolling his eyes and chuckling at your playful gesture, but still, he came closer, until the only thing in his field of vision was the visibly drunk version of you.

"You look happy." he leans down and forward to yell in your ear, making himself heard even if though the loud music made it hard to.

You squirm at the proximity, but brush it off by taking another sip of your drink. "I'm on top of the world, Toto. I don't think I've ever been happier." You yell back and he resists the urge to fight back a smile, presenting you with his pearly whites.

As one of the neon lights hit your face, he's forced to take in all of you. The version of you you'd put up whenever he'd tell you he had an important meeting he needed you to attend, or whenever you were needed to put up a show, like today.

You wore a black strapless dress, the one you'd seen a few weeks prior to the Grand Prix at Elie Saab's display window while you were on your daily night walk through Monaco. It was mesmerizing, with a shimmery type of fabric that would definitely make sparks fly if a bright light shined over it. You had thought of buying it, for days, really, but decided against it because party dresses were never a much needed piece of clothing in your wardrobe. Well, that until you told Lewis about the dress, and when you arrived at your apartment a few hours after the race, there it was, on a hanger hanging on the curtain rods.

As much as your looks prevented Toto from thinking about anything else, he couldn't help but notice how huge your pupils were, so big that it felt like your iris' were long gone. That and the fact that your sclera had shifted from white to a more reddish color.

He shifted on his feet, unaware of how to proceed. Were you.. high? Was that even a thing between sportspersons? Deciding on it being a matter that shouldn't be handled in front of the city's most congested place as of today, he mutters a "come with me" in your ear, putting a hand on your lower back as he guided you away from the crowd.

When he finally stops, you find yourself in a more private, smaller room with a few sofas and armchairs. He then proceeds to ask you "You've taken something. What is it?"

You laugh at his sudden concern. The answer was clearly a big red yes written in all caps, but part of you couldn't help but feel slightly ashamed at yourself. You had done it, yes, but now you felt sort of guilty, because the last thing you wanted was to damage his or the team's image. You shake your head, trying to to keep those thoughts away. It was just a party, a party for you, with only selected people being allowed in, it wasn't like you'd wake up to your name on the news.

"Come ooon.. don't be such a party pooper!" You slurred.

Toto was shocked by your reaction, part of him wanted you to celebrate as you wished, after all, you had just fulfilled a dream, but the other part, the responsible boss part craved an explanation, he didn't want you to cause any harm to your already fragile media image.

"Are you serious? You're the star of the entire team today! We have thrown a party just for you and you're getting off on drugs?" He says, lowering his voice on the last word as he crosses his arm.

"It's just a blunt, Toto. I swear I'm fine." Your laugh echoes throughout the small room as you grab his big arms, uncrossing them. "Don't get so serious on me." You look up at him through your lashes.

Toto gives you a stern look before a smirk creeps up on his face. The anger and seriousness fades away in an instant as he realizes the situation wasn't that serious. He sighs and looks at you with a sly, yet curious look. "How many? One, right?"

"Just one, sir." You say mischievously, holding your pinky finger up before kissing it to symbolize a promise.

Toto is taken aback as you kiss your pinky finger in a sarcastic manner, although he doesn't say anything. He looks at you with the same sly look as before. "I see... and have you done this before?"

"Who hasn't, duh?" You furrow your brows, flashing him a backward smile.

'He hasn't, of course. That's Torger Wolff we're talking about' you think to yourself as you look up at him. The soreness of your muscles and the pain of being on your feet for so long getting to you.

Sometimes it was kind of annoying having a conversation with your boss due to the fact that you had to look up the entire time, and countless were the times you found yourself with neck pain after hours of chatting. This conversation would surely be added to that imaginary countless list of yours, because even today, with high heels that could make you look six feet tall, he still looked way too big.

Toto chuckles before getting a playful look on his face. "Oh, really? I highly doubt the star of my F1 team has ever smoked a blunt before, although you do seem very knowledgeable about this." He moves closer to you, looking down at you as he speaks, his voice low and husky. You wondered if his neck ever went through the same problem yours did when you two talked, causing you to chuckle.

"I do?" You lift one eyebrow, narrowing your eyes. "Well, I must say.. the star of your precious F1 Team has done a lot, Mr. Wolff." It comes off more flirtatious than you intended, but you pay no mind to it. You try to take a step back, but end up slipping on the hem of your gown, the high getting to you later than ever.

Toto immediately rushes to you and catches you mid-air, wrapping his arms around your torso.

"Is that so?" Toto says, his voice now raspy and face close to yours.

You exhale deeply, relief from not having made an absolute mess out of yourself filling your body. If you had fallen, your dress would probably be completely torn apart and headlines would have a field trip with it.

He is still holding you, his hands burning on your back.

"Yeah.." You close your eyes, getting away from Toto's embrace as you regain balance and straighten yourself.

Toto steps back as you do so, although he does want to reach out to hold you again. Instead, he settles for engaging on more double entendre conversations with you.

His eyes are full of admiration, your body is more visible in this dress than it has ever been, and he makes a mental note to thank Lewis for the gift. He recalls the moment you two shared a few minutes ago, the way you swayed and jumped with the music like you were the only person in that dance floor would never fail to amaze him.

"You truly do look like a notorious celebrity in this dress, don't you?" He finally says, a hint of shyness in his tone, although the look in his face is stern.

"You could thank your other driver for that." You joke, trying to hide the butterflies that swarmed in your stomach.

"I certainly will." he smiles, his gaze softening as his eyes meet yours. They're still red, but it starts to grow on him.

Looking at you like this, completely wasted, happy and carefree, he couldn't help but remember the afternoon you two had met, when he started to be so sure you'd be by his and Lewis' side on a race weekend one day.

Now, there you were, in front of him, with a trophy standing somewhere back in your apartment. "I'm so proud of you." he finally says, not because he thinks you should hear it, but because it's all he wants to say to you after today's events.

You look away from him shyly. You had heard it before, specially from him, but every single time felt like fireworks in your belly. Him being proud of you was capable of putting you on a whole another level, it was just another signal that you had made it, that you had proved you were capable, even to those who were always so sure you definitely were.

You try to hide a smile as you mutter a simple thank you, because in this state, visibly high and drunk, staring at the man who had made it all possible, it's all you manage to say.

He smiles back at you, and your mind almost short circuits when he steps closer, not stopping even when you can feel his breath close to your face. That's when you realize he's about to hug you, and you just let him.

It's genuine, simple yet abnormally meaningful. His big hands rest crossed on your lower back as he pulls you closer, making your cheeks rest on his suit covered chest. You almost feel like crying, because how could you not? You had it all now, a place in the sport you so desperately craved to have since you were a kid, a win, an amazing teammate and an even more amazing boss, who believed in you through your entire career.

"You've done it." He says quietly as if you're a wild animal that would run away at any abrupt movement or sound. "I can't even imagine how you feel."

On cloud nine, that was the most appropriate answer.

"It's like nothing I've ever felt." you say, arms hugging his chest. "Thank you for always believing in me, you have no idea how much you've done for me." you sniff, clearly on the verge of tears.

"It's nothing compared to what you deserve. You're one of the greats, Y/N. The whole world's gonna know you name." he says, causing the tears you so eagerly fought to keep off to fall rapidly on your cheeks. You sniff, opening your eyes to see that a small wet circle had formed on Toto's shirt.

"Shit, sorry." You laugh awkwardly as you take a step back, desperately trying to dry your tears with your fingers before they ruined your makeup too.

"Hey, it's fine." He steps closer again, bringing his thumb to your face as he continues your job of drying the tears you had shed. Once he's done, his hands linger there for a bit longer than they needed to, stroking your cheeks. You thank the Gods for whatever the hell he was on today. "You do look pretty when you cry, though I must say I prefer the way you look on top of a podium, with champagne drenched hair and a first place trophy in hand."

You roll your eyes, as if it was possible to fall even more in love with him. It had become stupid at this point, really. Clearly the two of you had something special, to say the least, going on, but none of you were courageous enough to come clean about this.

"You aren't a bad view from up there as well." You shoot back, earning a smile in return.

The shameless and obvious flirtation to whoever watched from outside continued for a few minutes, until Toto insisted that you should go back to your party, and although at this point you had decided to give up the celebrations to look at him for the rest of night, there he was, once again with his hand on your lower back, guiding you through the crowd back to where he initially had seen you. Doesn't take long for you to get lost in the music, dancing like there was no tomorrow. Toto had excused himself to greet other team members and sponsors, fulfilling the ultimate boss role even at parties, and stealing glances from you every now and then while talking to someone.

A few drinks later, the club was getting more empty by the minute, the clock almost hitting 4:30 a.m. Your makeup was already lightly smudged, your black Louboutins long gone in the corner you once laughed with your friends. As you thanked the remaining people for coming, Toto showed up again, startling you as he came from behind, putting his right hand in your shoulder.

"Seems like the party has reached an end." he says, making you look up at him. His face was fairly red, and by the way he slurred his words, you could tell he was somewhat drunk. His hair was messier than earlier and the tie that was once a fancy bow was now untied, resting around his neck, a nice combination to his slightly unbuttoned shirt.

"Unfortunately. I hope you had fun, though." you reply, turning your attention to shake some of your guests' hands.

"It's always fun with you around." He says as he smiles to the same people shaking your hands.

You crookedly smile, turning around to walk to your table. As you do so, he follows.

"Do you need a ride? I saw you coming in with Bradley, but he already left," He watches you as you walk through the empty club, employees cleaning the floor of what was once the party of a lifetime. "guess parties aren't really his thing." He chuckles.

"I don't wanna make you take me home now, it's late and you're probably very tired."

"Oh, please, it's Monaco. Not like I'm going to be driving for hours." He replies, earning you a laugh. You and Toto lived pretty close to each other, but you'd drive past his building before getting to yours, so you truly didn't want him to make a huge detour just because of you.

"Fine," you smile, grabbing your sparkly clutch. "just please tell me you came with your 300sl roadster." You say and he chortles, rolling his eyes.

The Mercedes 300SL Roadster owned by Toto was probably one of your favorite cars in his collection. Hell, in anyone's collection. It's such an incredibly classy vehicle you couldn't resist its charm.

"I did." He says, and you let out a slightly loud yes! as he grabs your scarpins, laughing at your reaction. The way the smallest things were capable of making you happy always made him smile. Even after closing a multi-millionaire deal with your team, some things would never fail to make you excited, such as being driven home in a car you've always wanted.

The both of you start to walk towards Jimmy'z's exit in a different sort of haze, like the two of you were in your own little world together, laughing and exchanging inside jokes. The dry warm Monaco summer air hits you as soon as you step out, and soon the vallet comes driving Toto's car, opening the door for you to get in.

As the both of you get in, he starts driving, the sound of the car's engine echoing throughout Princesse Grace Avenue. Duke Dumont's Ocean Drive in the radio as your hair flies due to the speed in which Toto's driving. Now and then, he casually glances at you, smiling at the way you still manage to dance even when sitting on the passenger's seat.

Despite being a race weekend, the city seemed awfully quiet and empty at this time. Soon enough, he takes a turn and you're finally in Larvotto, which meant in a few seconds he'd be pulling up at your home. However, before he had the chance to, you saw the sun rising in distance, its warm light gleaming in the sea water.

"Toto, look!" you point to the horizon, and he slows the car down to follow your gaze. "It's so beautiful.."

"Indeed it is.." he says, and you can tell by his tone he's got a change of plans coming. When you realize, he's parking the car in the shore, exiting the vehicle to open the door for you. "Come on, let me give you a real after party."

You smile, because there was no way the day could get any better. You were sure you'd wake up later convincing yourself this had been a dream. Taking your hand, he pulls you out of the car, and after you close the door, he runs towards the sea, fingers intertwined with yours.

In this moment, you force yourself to forget about all of the implications and concerns that could come at you. In this moment, it was just you and Toto, not a Mercedes driver and the Mercedes' Team Principal. To anyone else who'd catch a glimpse of the scene, the both of you looked like stupid, reckless teenagers in love.

Sitting on the sand, you try to catch your breath, stomach hurting due to you not being able to stop laughing. You lay your head on his broad shoulders, hands holding his arm.

Suddenly, he feels the need to confess, "I'm always so happy when I'm around you" with the german accent getting heavier as it always did when he was drunk.

You smile, "Me too."

A beat, and then, "You're the most amazing woman I've ever known."

It comes lower than he intends to, but he's also never felt so nervous around someone as he does now. You thank the heavens for the fact that he's not looking at you, you look like a kid stupidly in love.

"You don't need to say that," you sigh. "you've already told me you're proud of me for today."

"I know. I'm not saying it because I feel the need for it to be said, but because I truly think that." he replies. "Ever since that day in Spa, you've proven to be an extremely fierce, fearless, wonderful driver and an even more amazing woman." You roll your eyes at his compliments. "I mean it, Y/N." He grabs your attention just by saying your name, making it all even more real. "Mercedes is extremely lucky to have you, and so am I." he looks at you, his face closer than ever as yours rest on his shoulder.

"You have me?" You say, looking at him through your lashes.

"I like to think I do. Do I?"

"Utterly." You giggle, your eyes glowing just by looking at him.

His hands go to cup your face, and the last thing you'd expect from him happens. At first, his lips brush over yours lightly, as if he's asking for permission, testing the waters to see if he's allowed to go further. When you don't protest, he deepens the kiss, sweeping you off your feet.

The both of you laugh, and you hide your now completely red face in his chest. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this." you say, feeling his body hairs stand on end.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to do this." he says, and you shed a tear on his partially shirt covered chest. "Are you crying?" He asks, and when he hears you sniff, he takes it as a yes. "Hey, don't cry. Look." he lifts your chin up, making you stare at the scene unfolding in front of your eyes.

The sunrise looked like a piece of art, with pinkish and yellow tones coloring the sky. Toto puts an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer. You could now add having him at your list as well.

[pha55ed]

Bam Yang Gang | F1/F2 (kimi bday celly!)

type :: h/c, fluff tw/cw :: imposter syndrome (kimi), contains :: kimi!, carlos, paul request :: hi! i wanted to request the bam yang gang prompt for carlos and paul along with kimi, these are tough and trying times for us sainz and aron fans 😭🥲 (yessss! my favs from both series!!! and ik :( well get through it tho,,, i hope) link to kimi bday celly!

Kimi Antonelli | 04

He didn't lose the race, he did much better than others - but he was still harsh to himself. He got P14, which wasn't god awful since he beat many drivers. But compared to his other results, he was so disappointed with himself. He didn't even want to speak to you out of embarrassment from his results.

But you just have to force yourself in, since he most likely won't talk to anyone. So when you knock gently on his driver's room door, sneaking in, he tries his best to turn away from you. He doesn't like pity or false-comfort.

His results mean the world to him, there's always so much pressure on him. Although he basically has a good future secured within Mercedes, he's still terrified of it being ripped away from him one day. He feels a constant pressure to perform at his peak, to prove his worth to the world.

Imposter syndrome is something he feels often, he just never opened up about it to anyone. Anyone but you. You knew the best way to help was to assure him that it was just one bad race, not a bad career.

Staying near him and reassuring him he has more races is the best thing you can do. He likes cold hard facts over emotional help. So instead of saying he did amazing, tell him how he almost got fastest lap or tell him how his average position is still around P7.

Also, acts of service helps him as well. Taking any stress off of him that you can makes him feel special, he sees all the effort you put into making him feel better. So, cleaning his driver's room, fixing his hair, or wiping that gross sweat off his forehead means the world to him.

Carlos Sainz | 55

The race was going great for him, he was staying in P2 which was amazing compared to his last races. But it went downhill so fast when he unable to control his steering wheel, making him crash into the barrier and DNF. The entire car was broken, wheels popped off, metal scraps flying everywhere, and even a small baby fire that went out on it's own. The crash was scary, but wasn't his biggest crash.

To say he was disappointed was an understatement. He was angry, disappointed, guilty, and so much more. Instantly, he just ran to his drivers room, wanting to lock himself out of everyone. But when you come in the room, he's unable to say no to you.

The best way to comfort him is just remind him of all his good wins and achievements. His self doubt will build up if you don't remind him of how amazing he is. Physical touch also calms him down and reassures him more.

"You did amazing, Carlos" You say as you brush his sweaty hair to the side and plant a kiss on his forehead.

"You don't need to lie to me." He says as he tries to gently push you away, but you knew he wanted you close. "I was so close to winning, so close..."

"You'll be even closer next time Carlos, you've been improving every race!" You say, knowing you had to stroke his ego a little, "You started in P9 and went up to P2! Who cares if you DNF, you'll probably be driver of the day."

"Ah, I don't care about driver of the day." He says with a hand wave, but you could see the small relaxation his eye muscles made, softening his eyes. You knew he didn't mind the idea of being driver of the day.

"This is just one bad race! Think about Austria or Monaco! Those were great" You say, playing with his hair slightly despite the sweat. You see him give a small smile as he remembers those races.

It was a constant back and forth, of him downplaying himself and you. reassuring him. You knew he already felt better, but you could tell he just wanted more praise for his hard work.

Paul Aron | 17

After Silverstone, Paul was a mess. Mentally, he was screwed - but physically he was doing his best to hide it from others. He knew it was "just a race" but it means so much more to him. He doesn't just want to win, he needs to. With so much pressure to succeed, no academy behind him, and his family pouring this money into this dream of his: he feels the guilt and pressure to succeed 100 times more than any other driver.

He locked himself into his drivers room, too scared to lash out at someone or even worse, cry in public. But you sneak in, how could you not? Seeing him so stressed out would worry anyone.

When he sees you, he can't help but try and hide away for a bit. He needs space for some time to gather himself and assure himself first. It's nothing against you, he loves your company and reassurance, but he also likes to assure himself. His mental is surprisingly calm and collected despite how chaotic life can be.

Once he's ready to face you, most likely after 10 or 20 minutes of being alone, he'll want to move on from the topic. He's not one to dread on the past much and focusses more on the future. The best way to help him is to mention the race once, only once. Otherwise he'll start to think about the race again and feel embarrassed.

Something that helps him is physical touch and quality time. So after the race, just shower him in kisses and hugs and then take him to dinner. He's a very spoiled boyfriend, he is 100% part of the sassy-man apocalypse but he just hides it well

"Thammk you" Paul says in a mumble as you continue to drown him in kisses all across his face. He can't help but smile as you continue to go insane on his face, like a wood pecker. As you pull your head back to take a breathe, he gives you a rude side eye. He clears his throat dramatically, "I didn't say stop, did I?"

He says as he places his hands on your waist, making you sit on his lap as you continue to drown his entire face in kisses. He doesn't even care if you have lipstick or lipgloss on, if anything he prefers it. It makes him smile to see all of those kiss marks on him, it fuels his ego slightly.

[cutielando]

hungary 2024.

okay, we need to talk about the Hungarian Grand Prix.

i've seen a lot of people all over the internet saying how Oscar didn't deserve the win and that he stole it away from Lando, that Lando shouldn't have let Oscar past, all kinds of theories.

first things first.

BE HAPPY FOR OSCAR.

it's really unfair towards him that everyone is overlooking his win, not celebrating him for the amazingly talented driver that he is, and are instead pitying Lando, talking about mistreatment from the team and so on (both of which are true and fair, but it seems like everybody is overlooking the fact that he won his first F1 race in his SECOND season).

I am a Lando fan, I was at the race as well, and I am just as sad that I didn't get to watch him win, but let's not forget how compliant Oscar has been ever since the start of the season when it comes to Lando's races.

he has sacrificed many of his races in order to help Lando defend his position and has not once complained about it. he has been nothing short of a stellar team player without complaints. i can imagine the way he must have been feeling, knowing the team was prioritizing Lando in races, which is not a great conclusion to come to.

Lando knows how much Oscar has helped him, and he knew that if he hadn't let him past, he would have lost his support and help down the road. he would have found himself fighting for results by himself, which is not something you want when you're close in the championship. he knew he needs Oscar, that's why he ended up obeying to team orders.

now we arrive to the real root of the problem and the real bad guy. McLaren.

i understand that they wanted Oscar to win, to give something back to make up for the situations he had been put in, but this was not the way to do it. had they wanted Oscar to win "fair and square" they should have pitted him first. he would have come out behind Lando, and then they would have pitted Lando and he would have come out behind Oscar, thus creating Oscar P1 and Lando P2 from the very beginning.

the audacity of Will to say those things to Lando over the radio, the audacity to straight up blackmail him into giving away a win to Oscar was so not the way to speak to someone who has been with the team for 6 years and committed at least 3-4 more years of his career to the team. it's not fair towards Lando because the situation was not his fault, it was the fault of their strategy team.

don't ever blackmail someone into doing your bidding when you've put them in the wrong spot ON PURPOSE and the entire situation is your fault.

the sole fault here lies with McLaren. Lando and Oscar have no fault in this. Lando should have never been given the opportunity to lead the race in the last stint when everyone was aiming for an Oscar win. the strategy failed, the blame lies with the team orders.

McLaren, I love you, I love your drivers, and I'm a papaya girl through and through. BUT GROW THE FUCK UP AND GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER.

We deserve better.

Lando deserves so much better.

Oscar deserves so much better.

With that being said, don't let this take away the joy of winning a race from Oscar just because you made a mistake.

He deserves the win, he should feel that indescribable joy of winning. He deserves to be happy.

He’s a winner, let’s celebrate him accordingly. 🧡

[charles-eclair16]

~The 5 times Charles talked about you publicly~

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x actress!reader.

Warning- it's my first time ever writing so please be kind. English is not my first language so please ignore it if there are any mistakes.

1. The first time Charles was caught talking about you was pure accident and it wasn't even him who brought you up. It was an overly competitive Carlos who couldn't keep his mouth shut. It was during a C² challenge of who knows your teammate better and it was all going pretty much in Charles favour because the questions were too easy according to him. So when the score was 6 to 4 he was feeling pretty confident about winning but what he didn't expect was the next question to throw him off.

"Who's your current crush?" Was honestly not a difficult question to answer and Charles knew he would nail it. He totally knew who Carlos was crushing on.

"It's Y/N! He watches her interviews and giggles because she's so beautif-oww mate stop hitting me!“ Charles knew he had to make his teammate stop talking before he spilled anything more.

"Is it true?" Now this was a question Charles didn't know how to answer, should he own up that he was hopelessly crushing on her and that it was true that he watched all her interviews. But then again who could blame him she was so beautiful and he honestly loved the way she spoke, something about the way she spoke made Charles want to listen to her for hours.

"Yeah it's true. I really like her as an actress and she's very pretty but I don't giggle watching her!" He thought that was a decent answer.

"He does! He does it! He even watches fan edits of h-" Carlos was cut off by a wildly flinging hand of Charles.

" I do not!" was what Charles could come up with as he tried to stop Carlos. The next day he woke up with thousands of mentions of fans telling him that they understood...he didn't knew if he should feel embarrassed or laugh at some of the memes. He even liked a few of them.

2. The second time Charles mentioned you it was after you had soft launched each other for two months without the fans knowledge. It was nice to share secret moments with each other and bask in the privacy of home dates. It had been 7 months of dating and Charles was on the moon. His car was great, he was leading the championship with 10 points and he had a wonderful women supporting him. The only thing which bothered him was him not being able to shout his love and show you off to the world. So a mutual decision was taken between you two to not hide anymore but what you didn't expected was Charles to come running towards you as he got out of the car after coming p2 in the Silverstone Grand prix. You weren't even able to utter a word before he was kissing you. It wasn't a peck it was Charles expressing his love and gratitude for your unwavering support.

" How does winning feels now? Much sweeter than before?" Was the teasing question he got as he went to the post race interviews. He wasn't surprised. He knew he was going to get questions after a public kiss.

"Yeah, it feels great winning here with Carlos coming p1. It's a great weekend for our team" he laughed as he answered the question.

" So I'm sure you have plans to celebrate tonight. Any special plans?" He knew what the interviewer wanted to hear so he gave it to him with a smile so big he knew his dimples were all out.

" Yeah there's a plan to celebrate tonight definitely, the teams been throwing different ideas but honestly I would just prefer to spend my time with my girlfriend and have a quiet night. She came directly from her shooting so I'm sure she would want to stay in. And we can party with the team next time!"

It was safe to say that they both were trending worldwide.

3. At first Charles didn't know why he was trending and before he could check it he was asked to hurry up and get in the car. It was the worst race of the season for him. He was leading the race with pole position in France but he lost traction in his rear tyres and crashed into turn 11 which caused him the race. He was frustrated and tired. He just wanted to go back and not think about the horrible way he got out of the race. He wanted to cuddle you and forget about the day so when he was told to to attend a group media pen he was annoyed. When the question came he was speechless at first his brain shutting down from the ridiculous question.

" It's a very bad time for you Charles with the dnf and your recent breakup so how do you seperate these things from your work? Did your breakup caused you maybe to lose?" He wasn't aware of his break up.

"My what?!" Charles was shocked he didn't knew he was broken up because he was not planning to break up anywhere in the future.

"You didn't tell me you broke up?!" Perrie was genuinely confused now. If it was true wouldn't Kika tell him that? He knew the girls were close and he was sure that Charles would tell him that, wouldn't he?

"What did you do?" It was Lewis who glared at Charles and he finally got his wits to answer.

"No! We are very much together and happy! Who told you that we broke up?! Is that why I was trending Today?"

"Yes there was news that you broke up with your girlfriend and that you were heartbroken." The interviewer nervously let out a chuckle which caused the drivers to laugh

"Oh my god! No! We are together and I plan to be together for a long time so there's no need to worry about that ...I don't think I would survive without her pasta to be honest and her too." He reassured.

When he finally got the chance to check his notifications later in the night he could only laugh as he looked at the memes and the threats he got for fumbling a baddie like Y/N. He showed her some too as she layed on his chest on their bed.

4. The fourth time Charles gets asked is the first time he felt nervous talking about you ever in the entire 5 year relationship. It was because he knew he was absolute shit at lying. So when all the fellow drivers continue to tease Daniel for throwing the wedding party of the year. He remains quite and laughs at appropriate times.

" Charles you're quite there! So now that your friends are settling down with Daniel and Max getting married is it safe to assume that you're next?" Oh shit! He was sweating. He didn't know how to answer that without revealing that he had already picked a ring and was going to propose very soon. He had even taken her father's approval last month on their family trip together.

"Yes mate when are you getting married?"

"He's definitely getting married next!"

"With how whipped he is for her how do have any doubts about that!“ Charles tried to tune out the teasing remarks of his friends to formulate words to answer.

" Uh yeah, I would very much like to but we are focusing on the present at the moment but there's no doubt that I plan to marry her because honestly I can't imagine anyone else by my side when I think of my future. I want to start a family with her and get old with her. She completes me in the true sense and is my piller of strength. I don't think I have ever felt this much love for anyon-"

"And this is why we don't question Charles because then he doesn't stop!" Charles laughed at that as if Max was any better when talking about his wife.

"So yeah marriage is definitely on the cards on the future " he concluded.

And after 2 months he knew why he was trending and he couldn't be more happier. He now laughed at the mentions and yes he knew how to fight for his fiance.

5. The fifth time Charles was asked about you he was smiling ear to ear and anyone who looked at him can see that he was glowing.Others would say it was because he was starting the new season as a world champion but he knew it was because of Y/N and what she had told him the night before and later to their closed ones. So he felt quite happy answering questions.

"How are you feeling for the new season? Excited? Nervous?" the interviewer couldn't stop himself from smiling too. Charles happiness was contagious.

"It feels good to be back to the racing. The car feels good and after last year we are quite excited for this season too. We are looking forward to the races and with new tracks added to the calendar the excitement levels have increased. Yeah there's nervousness too-ah only little bit but that's totally normal...But I am quite confident! Also now I have to be a little careful because now that we are going to have new addition to the family I can't risk it! I have to-"

"New addition?" He stopped talking eyes widened and looked at the camera.

"What?" He was fucked, so fucked. She was going to kill him. He knew.

"You told new addition? Is it true? Are you going to be a father? Congratulations!" He could only nod and accept the hug he was receiving. They were supposed to announce it with a cute insta post and he had ruined it. He was the one to suggest it, he had even thought about the caption.

"Tell us more! Is she going to come to the races now? I'm sure everyone would like that?!" The interview continued

"Oh yes! Yes she wants to come to the races but I think we'll keep it a little private and only between family to enjoy this moment together. It's a new beginning with my person so I want to be there for her at every step. Its- it's definitely a blessing for us and I'm so grateful for her."

The next thing he knew he was trending along with y/n as parents and he couldn't ask for anything more.

[umf1]

george russell is interviewed during the press conference on media day, miami - may 1, 2025 (transcript under the cut)

Interviewer: "Welcome back to Miami, everybody. Part two of our drivers press conference. Closest to me, Nico Hulkenberg, then George Russell and Lewis Hamilton." [time jump] Interviewer: "George, let's bring you in now. Three podiums from the opening five races. Is that a tally that matches with your pre-season expectation?" George: "No, I think it's probably better than our pre-season expectations, to be honest. The pace has fallen out where we thought; that step behind McLaren, and then a close fight with Red Bull and Ferrari. And we've been doing really well to get those podiums and we're nicely P2 in the teams championship, but I don't think it necessarily means we are the second fastest team. I think sort of on average we've been the third fastest team. We saw obviously Charles had a great race last week, and obviously Max also the last couple of races, but we've just been nicely consistent and picking up points." Interviewer: "Consistent, yes, but it looked like Saudi was the most difficult-" George: "Yep." Interviewer: "-of the races so far. Having had a chance to debrief with the team, what conclusions have you reached?" George: "I mean, tires were too hot, really, so that was a big problem, and I think just pushing a bit too hard to try and keep up with the front two. And Charles put in a really strong race and I was probably driving too quick for what the tires and the car was capable of, and then we dropped off a cliff. So not too sure how this weekend's going to pan out, because I think in terms of temperatures and the tires, it'll be relatively similar to Jeddah. So we'll have to wait and see, and see if any of the learnings we've taken from last week we can translate into a bit of performance. But I'm confident the quali pace will sort of be there or thereabouts, but it's the race pace, there's a bit more of a question mark." Interviewer: "Alright, George, thank you for that."

[QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR:] Journalist: "Yeah. Craig Slater, Sky Sports. Question for Georgee, actually, with your GPDA hat on: President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said that after constructive feedback with drivers, he's looking at making improvements to the rules that govern driver conduct issues and so on. Just wanted to know, do you think that's a very positive step, George." George: "Yeah, I mean, conceptually, yes. But obviously we want to see these things put into action, rather than saying 'we're considering things.' We all consider a lot of things. We're clear we want changes, and once they are implemented, then we'll comment on it. But for the time being, it's being considered, so the words don't mean anything until the change has been made." [NOT SHOWN:]

Journalist: "Tom Cary, The Telegraph. One for Lewis and George. Just to put to you the question about fatherhood – I know you’re not dads, but do you feel it could change Max as a person and as a driver? Do you have any hope that it might distract him?" George: "Yeah, I think we’re all professionals, but this is a personal part of your life. I guess for anyone who's had a kid, it’s a pretty special moment. So yeah, all the best to him. As Nico says, I think for many people it probably brings things to your life. I know what it's like when I see my nieces and nephews – they're not my kids, but they bring me so much joy when I spend time with them. And you've seen drivers in the past win championships and races who’ve got kids, so I don't see it changing anything on his professional level."

Journalist: "Molly Hudson, The Times. A question for George: Just following up on Craig's question from earlier. The President’s Instagram post mentioned constructive dialogue. Have you actually had any dialogue with the President? Because I think after the open letter you said there hadn’t been a response. So did it come as new news to you reading it on Instagram?" George: "I mean, in short, yes. I mean, collectively we've not spoken any further since the open letter that was sent out. So whether that is the response – I'm not too sure. As I said, it’ll be great if changes were made and the drivers were at least heard. I think it's just in the best interest for the sport and ensuring that some common sense is applied to these situations. As I said, I think all of us, we can comment on it when we see the action being taken rather than just the consideration."

Journalist: "Jon Noble, The Race. George, another one. You’re one of the few drivers who've raced with the cooling vest this year. But some drivers want to race with it but can't because it adds too much weight onto their car. If it’s not declared from the GPDA’s perspective, does something need to be done to ensure everyone’s operating on the same playing field on this? Because obviously not all cars weigh the same without ballast." George: "Yeah. I mean, I feel fortunate that I’ve had the chance to run with the cooling vest. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s definitely an improvement, I feel. Every car is also different – I think every cockpit runs at different temperatures. I know we've seen our cockpit getting up to 60 degrees before, and I think the heat hazard is at 31 degrees, I believe, or 30. But when you compound that with the sunlight and the temperature of the cockpit, it is like a sauna in the race car. So yeah, I don’t know. We've not collectively spoken about it, and not everybody's in favour to run it – which is also fine. Somebody made the point recently – like football players on a cold day, some people are wearing gloves, some people have got short sleeve shirts on – and that should be the driver’s choice. Maybe the heat hazard should be reduced slightly because we've not yet gone over it. Saudi was hot, Bahrain was hot, here – maybe it could be adjusted by a few degrees."

Journalist: "Jenna Fryer, Associated Press. Some of the drivers have talked about some of the turns." George: "Yeah. I mean, I enjoy coming to Miami. It’s a crazy race. The circuit is quirky. That tight section – we don’t love it, but it's different. You know, the same like in Baku – we don’t love the castle section, it’s so tight and very challenging, but you don’t want every circuit to be the same either. It’s an amazing race. It's improving every year. Things are looking better as well – driving to the paddock, it looks pretty cool. And where all of the team garages are set up inside the stadium – they’re the experts, we just drive the cars. It should stay like that."

Journalist: "Graham Harris, Motorsport Monday. Question for all three of you – but George mainly. The GPDA is a formal body of the drivers, but you don’t seem to have a formal relationship with the FIA, with structured meetings where you can actually sit down and come out and say, "we talked about this face to face." You're resorting to open letters and that type of thing. Do you think that position should change?" George: "I mean, it’s… I feel it's like unprecedented times we’ve been in over the last 18 months with what’s been changed and what’s happening. I think when the GPDA was founded years ago, it wasn’t really to talk about politics – it was to talk about safety, improvements of the sport, improvements of the racing. Especially myself – I find myself talking about topics that I didn’t really have any intention of talking about. But we find ourselves in a time where we're not focused on the things why we’re all here. We're here to go racing, we’re here to create the best show for the fans, to have the fastest cars, the safest cars, the best technology, the best engineering – and yet we talk about fines and punishments and swearing. So yeah, maybe something should change. We're open to it, but we just ultimately want the best for the sport."

[cheriladycl01]

Better than me - Charles Leclerc x Reader P8

Plot: You are a rookie in your first f1 season, adding to the ever-growing amount of Brits performing in the grid

Everyone was panicking. Alex was out of his car pacing back and forth in the Audi garage as Lily tried to calm him down. They refused to show the reply or any current footage of what was going on. But Lily had seen it live and even she was struggling to not cry herself.

Lando was sat with his head in his hands, crying over the reason for such a bad crash. He wouldn't forgive himself, no matter how bad the crash had been, even if you just came out with a small scrape. You were on track to winning the race as well. Not that that really mattered as your unconscious self was being hauled out of the burning car that had started to catch alight when the fuel tank burst and leaked.

One courageous marshal managed to pull you out, as they were pulling you out they weren't thinking about any broken bones they just wanted to get you out the car.

They laid you down on the floor, not taking your helmet of but flipping the visor up to see if you were awake, which of course you weren't.

They held your wrist looking for a heartbeat screaming for a medic to come over and help you. In record speed time, emergency services had managed to get a helicopter to airlift you to the best hospital in Belgium.

When the drivers saw the helicopter fly off, they could tell it was a bad crash, not that they couldn't tell before but the fact you needed to be airlifted had them worrying.

Lando was near close to being sick, Oscar at his side rubbing his back as he dry-heaved into a bin.

"Oh my god, I've killed my best friend" he cried and Oscar right now had no idea what to actually say to him.

"No you haven't, she's going to be okay!" Oscar says rubbing his crying friends back.

Charles was num, he didn't know what to think and he actually couldn't talk to Carlos. Was this his fault... no it was the rain, and your team, and your radio, and your car, and Lando's fault and he was so terribly angry when he thought about it fully.

Joris had talked him out of the abyss that was Charles mind and the whirlpool of thoughts he was flowing down. He told him off when Charles started to angrily play the blame game, explaining it wasnt anyone's fault and that you knew the risks of racing.

The race wasn't continued, with only two laps to go. Lando won, Lewis in P2 and Charles in P3, that should have been your first race win and it was a dull celebration hearing your shared national anthem with Lando when it was supposed to be you up there.

He didn't do his usual champagne pop, none of them actually even popped the champagne just handing it off to their teams to enjoy who just passed it back as no one was really in the mood to drink.

Interviews were even more dull.

"Hello Charles, pleasure to have you here!" the interviewer smiles, trying their best to lighten the mood but you'd become such a presence around the paddock over the last few races that it was strange not having you around.

Charles just nods and she awkwardly looks down at her note pad.

"So obviously not a great race with the end there, but you had a spectacular race despite the rain and that long pitstop. Can you comment more on that?"

"Yeah, I think not only the drivers find working in those conditions tense and they want then best for you. Obviously the long pitstop had me loosing a few positions but like normal you just push harder and gain those places back, P3 was better than we hoped for and I shouldn't have been up on that podium today" he nods and his interview is wrapped up insanely quickly.

"Any last comments on Y/N, any insight on her condition and how she's doing?" she asks tentatively.

"No, sorry I don't!" he says with a grit in his teeth before his PR manager takes his arm and guides him away with a final nod to the interviewer saying this was over.

Lando and Alex couldn't even do any of their media duties, too upset by what happen to you that they went straight back to the hotel. Alex and Lily actually travelled to the hospital where you were at now with your family and personal trainer to see if they could find anything more out.

They arrived at the hospital in record time considering the one and a half hour drive it took to get from the race track to Brussels where you were being treated.

"Hi, we're looking for Y/N Y/L/N?" Lily asks knowing Alex had been a little choked up the whole time and could barley get his words out.

"Ah, yes are you immediate family?" she asks looking over the two of the with an eyebrow raised.

"No, but I'm her team-mate she's a race car driver and she" Alex blurts out only for the woman to interrupt him.

"Got into an accident at the race, I'm aware. Her family are on the 2nd floor outside a private suite near the trauma unit. You can go talk to them but there's no visitors in her room right now!" she exclaims and they both nod, running towards the lift to make their way up.

"Do you think she's going to be okay?" Alex choked out looking to Lily. He didn't know what to do if they came up and she wasn't okay.

"She's a strong girl, the halo did an amazing job protecting her. She'll be okay, I'm sure of it!" Lily say pulling her boyfriend in for a cuddle which he accepted nuzzling into her comforting smell.

The lift dinged and they stepped out, immediately stepped out seeing various doctors and nurses rushing around, even though it seemed like calm and organized rush.

They spot a group of people and your personal trainer, which Alex deducts easily that its your family. Both him and Lily tentatively walk over seeing your mother crying her eyes out into your father and your whole family looked the farthest thing from okay.

"Erm, hey" Alex smiles towards your personal trainer who also looks worried rubbing the back of his neck. Both your parents snap their head towards Alex, your mother immediately sobbing harder pulling him into a kind and gentle hug.

"Oh she loved driving with you so much, Alex right? She talked about you and how welcomed you made her feel!" she cries and Alex feels sickness building in his stomach and throat.

Your mother was using the past tense as if you were already dead and he didn't dare ask the question. He just continued holding your mum as she continued to cry.

Your father, who was trying hard to hold back his tears but ultimately was failing gave Alex a kind smile before reaching for his wife to pull her back.

"H-how is she?" Lily gulps, knowing Alex didn't have it in him to ask.

"Sh-she died on the way here apparently and she'd flatlined again once she was here. But she's in emergency surgery and their doing everything for her" her dad says and sighs not really knowing what else to do.

They all sit and wait, waiting for any news on your condition.

It felt like hours before a nurse and doctor cam trotting over to all of them.

"Family of Y/N Y/L/N?" she asks and looks around at each of them and your mum stands up grabbing your dads hand.

"Yes that's us, we are her parents" she says pointing between the two of them.

"Can we talk to you privately please?" she asks noticing the big group that included children.

"Alex, darling you should come with us so you can update her friends" your mum reaches out for him and he nods following the doctor into a private consultation room.

"So, is my daughter going to be okay?" your mum asks the pending question.

"We did everything we could, and she's a very strong girl considering her injuries. She'll be okay but she wont be racing for at least 3 months, might be the whole season depending on how much she pushes herself in physio therapy when she's up and moving" he smiles and your dad starts to fully sob hearing his little girl was going to be okay.

"What happened to her. Why did she flat line?" your mother asks.

"Her injuries were extensive. She fractured her spine, broke 3 ribs which caused her left lung collapsed which deprived her of oxygen. Which didn't help the minor head and neck injuries she suffered, and of course the fuel leak caused burns on her arms and legs" he listed of her extensive injuries that seemed to be non-stop.

"Holy shit" Alex admitted and took a seat.

"You can see her now, she's still under anesthetic and it wont ware off for a few hours but you can see her" he smiles and lets your family all hug before running out to the rest to tell them you were in fact okay.

Alex explained to Lily everything that happened and she also felt relieved. He asked if she was able to send a message to the Whatsapp chat while he got a drink of water to try and calm his heart rate down.

He ended up talking them through your condition and the fact that only your immediate family were allowed in right now but he and Lily could go in after and that your parents had expressed that they were all more than welcome to come see you.

All of them agreed that they would of course come and see you tomorrow. Your family and Alex all tweeted about how you were doing and that they would ask you to make a video or statement when you were awake and with the world.

Everyone was just glad that you were alive... and were starting to plan their trip to come see you.

A/N: Y/N going to be out of racing until after the summer break? Oh no! ... what will she do!

Also my google search history is wild after this chapter where i had to look up the healing time for all her injuries....

Taglist:

@littlesatanicassholebitch @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @stupidandunnecessary @clayra-g @daemyratwst @honey-belden @moonypixel @lauralarsen @vader-is-hot @ironcowboycopnickel @itsjustkhaos @the-untamed-soul @beebo86 @happylittlereader @ziejustme @lou-larcher5 @thewulf @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @chillyleclerc @chanthereader @annoyingmoonballoon @summissss @evieepepi08 @havaneseoger08 @celesteblack08 @gulphulp @fandom1ruined2me @celebstories @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhh @georgeparisole @dakotatankbig @youcannotcancelquidditch @zzonsbeek @tallbrownhairsarcastic @mellowarcadefun @ourteenagetragedy @otako5811 @countingstacksandpanicattacks @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @hopexcroc @mirrorball-6 @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @bigsimperika @blueberry64857959 @eiraethh @lilypadlover @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @the-fem1n1ne-urge @21stcenturytaegi @dark-night-sky-99 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @kapsylia @laneyspaulding19 @lazybot @malynn @cassielikereading @viennakarma @landosgirlxoxo @marie0v @jlb20416 @yourbane @teamnovalak @nikfigueiredo @fionaschicken @0picels0 @seomako @urdad-hot @tinydeskwriter @butterfly-lover @ironmaiden1313 @splaterparty0-0 @formula1mount @styl1shl1v

[duckys-extra]

Chinese GP thoughts - it's basically my chance to yap

First I want to say does anyone else just absolutely adore the trophies for this race? I think it's stunning can't lie. Like one of my faves easily.

Starting with my boys

Edit: Wrote all this before disqualifications, my jaw is on the floor

McLaren

I mean just flawless from Oscar really. He had the upper hand all weekend, just seems more comfortable in the car. And honestly after last week he 100% deserved this redemption, like the universe owed him big time. I do have to say I think there was hesitation to let them fight after the first few laps not bc of team orders or nothing like that but more concern for tyres, they didn't really have the margin to work with for fighting and damaging tyres. Idk if Lando was in a position to really fight, obviously definitely not at the end. But Oscar was just on his own, he held that lead, the start was glorious from him. He really said "fuck off George" at that start and even really helped Lando get past.

Lando, honestly a solid race. But pretty nasty weekend, it got better as the weekend moved through and I suppose he did say last year "I'm not here to win sprint races" and he's sticking to that 🤣 I did lowkey expect a win from him because Lando was so strong on this track last year. But I did absolutely have a heart attack and doubt him keeping hat P2 with how fast George was gaining in that last lap. Thank god he kept it and we got the McLaren 1-2. Gotta hope the brake issue is a one time thing, not a reoccurring issue. I do think he wanted to fight for the win but also I was on his onboard the whole race, there was some sort of hint that they didn't want them really fighting. Not saying Oscar was protected but it did seem like there was hesitation and some coded messages referring back to the agreement pre-race.

Too early to call who has better odds from an objective point. But imo I do still think Lando has generally the upper hand and he won't be struggling on all tracks (I hope). If I do see people shouting that this race proves Oscar is better I may have to track down and jab people in the throat.

Haas

I just need to discuss them bc they were not spoken about nearly enough. Both in the points after last week they were last with no improvement in sight.

Bearman had me laughing when he kept saying "ciao" when he'd overtake. I mean his overtakes were also just great to see, I think it was very good to see him have a decent weekend after everyone was worrying about a bit of a repeat of a rookie coming in and crashing constantly. Redemption weekend 100% and it's great to see.

Ocon was moving in silence, or the broadcast just didn't cover him, but P7. I've always been a bit of an Ocon defender when it comes to him as a driver and his ability. Also not seeing any hostility between him and his teammate is a very nice thing to see. Ngl he's probably feeling much better about leaving Alpine for Haas this weekend compared to last weekend. My driver of the day for getting himself P7 ngl.

Mercedes

George is mr consistent rn. Credit where it's due, bc I had my doubts about Mercedes performance this year. I truly expected it to be a McLaren vs Ferrari show down but George is really rising to the challenge and I can't lie I think the dynamic of seeing what Merc is like without Lewis is a healthier and happier dynamic for all parties. Obviously we'll see how that goes once Kimi is out of his rookie year and they're in the new regs. Bc it is fairly obvious Kimi is considered the future and next champion for Mercedes even if George is consistent and getting those results for best of the rest.

Kimi, ngl idk how he got driver of the day. I mean by no means bad but I wouldn't say he was amazingly impressive today. He was there, started where he finished, kept himself in the points and out of trouble. I don't think he had a bad race, just an average one. I didn't really see much of him in a way that caught my attention. I do think there was more deserving drivers who should've got recognition even if it wasn't Ocon, I'd say either Oscar or Lando was deserving for their races. But good to see he's growing a fan favourite bc at the end of the day, that's a fan vote.

Red Bull

Max's back must be broken. Like literally. The amount he's carrying that team. Literally 100% of their points are his. And by some miracle he was flying at the end of that race, whether it was light fuel load, the hard tyres. Maybe a combination of both? Idk but like man is about to be a father, they should be easing their reliance on him not increasing it. I will say he does seem to be mentioning that he's happy and that he's happy outside the car which is the main thing...For me that is a red flag for Red Bull to look out for. If he's so happy outside the car, he might just decide to stop getting in the car.

Liam I mean I don't remember seeing him in the race aside from when Bearman overtook him. I will say I'm really starting to pity him every time I see an interview from him, he looks more and more beaten down. I do think he needs to stop making comments to the media, like Red Bull PR just need to be like "talk only about the driving, about the car, about the race or session. Stop talking about other teams, or drivers." Like they just need to implement that and essentially get him to stop running his mouth bc the more he does and the less we see in results from him. The hard it's going to get.

Seeing the way Red Bull is talking about him, the support is sort of minimal. They say he's a good driver, they blame the car but they're also saying "we need both drivers up there". I've heard this story before and the ending was harsh. Just watched Horner be asked about how much time Liam has and he didn't say "we've got this kid in the seat and we're keeping him" he confirmed time is limited.

Ferrari

Has Lewis been getting attitude lessons from Liam? This "I'll tell you when we swap" message was a bit of a joke, tbh. I know people want to defend Lewis but this attitude he's having is not it and he can try to defend it but he was holding Charles up so much. Within a matter of like 5 laps, Charles had a 2 second gap ahead of Lewis after he finally was allow to pass. That was with a damaged car. This is why I hate people getting ahead of themselves, yes Lewis had a mega performance in the sprint race but the truth is that doesn't account for much for a race. Idk maybe he's not enjoying that Ferrari aren't prioritising him but last year we saw the same thing with Merc when he'd hold George up and George had very apparent better pace. If he's going to hold his teammate up he has to get over himself and sending a message out like that. Ehhh no Lewis when you team tells you to swap positions and your teammate is half a second behind you, you fucking swap the position. Also wasn't a fan of him saying "Give me feedback" then proving that actually they had been giving him feedback bc he then followed that up by saying they'd already said that.

I will say idk whether I'd say the move to pit was smart. Either way Max was finishing P5 imo. The decision to pit just meant there wasn't a fight about it which would've used up tyres for Lewis in defending.

Charles, I mean damage on the first lap isn't great and he was at fault for that. I imagine he could've fought for p3 without it. Maybe not been successful but deffo fought for it. It's a hard call to make. I know people gonna say he was snappy on the radio but like he's snappy in a funny way that isn't really acting as an insult to the team. Also we know he's got an understanding with the team from 6 years of being there with them.

Lewis had a good weekend but I'm just not loving this attitude from him and him trying to justify it by deflecting onto other drivers and how they speak to their engineers. Ik he was misquoted as specifying Max, so I'm not going to dip into that. But I will just say I want to see Lewis regain his more respectful attitude bc Ferrari want him and he's start to become a bit of a dick towards them.

Brief over look of the rest

RB...horrendous luck. Neither incident that cost them their races was their fault in my opinion. Obvious great qualifying and Yuki got points in the sprint. It's just a shame. Hadjar just a victim of that incident.

Aston Martin, did feel for Fernando. Obvious the car is sitting steady in the midfield but that DNF wasn't his fault. Stroll...I think Brazil last year might've really been a wake up call for him. Bc he's kind of been on it for these races. Like out the points today but he's not disappointing anyone.

Sauber this track seemed to really not suit them in race form. I don't think it was representative, I hope not but we'll see. Haas made a strong come back so hopefully we can see that from them. Bortoleto obviously had that first lap incident, basically wrecked his race from there he was just sort of chasing the pack tbh.

Williams, kind of in no mans land. I want to see more from Carlos, I know he has better performance ability but I don't just want to blame the car bc obviously we're seeing better from Alex. I know it's the second race, I know Alex has the experience in a Williams. I know. But maybe I'm just sad I'm not seeing Carlos come out swinging and really showing us what we know he's capable of.

Alpine...Jack is a bit of a menace isn't he? 🤣 I suppose at least he finished the race. Gasly, similar to a lot of the midfielders he's just not very present so there's not much to go off of.

[grogumaximus]

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase's radio exchanges about the rain between laps 34-47 | Australian GP 2025

LAP 34 ; safety car deployed due to Alo crash

GP: Max, we have double yellows, exit turn 7, Alonso in the barriers, left hand side. Safety car deployed. Dash positive.

Max: Can we take new tyres or not?

GP: yes.

Max: Do you think that's better? It's not ready for slicks.

GP: Understood, Max. Recharge on please.

Max: Like the dry line is not good enough. you're gonna crash. (..) Like if any rain drops, I'm in trouble.

GP: Understood, Max. Most cars fit in slick tyres.

Max: Uh okay! Fucking hell! Yeah, ok, we can do it, fuck it.

GP: Box and pit confirm, Max.

Max: Yeah ok, slicks.

GP: Tyre 8.

*pitted for mediums. McLaren/Mercedes/Ferrari drivers on hards*

LAP 36

GP: For info! McLaren hard tyres. Russell hard. Leclerc hard.

GP: There's the potential of some rain before the end of the race.

LAP 37

GP: Max, expecting some rain in around 15 minutes. Could wet the track. So we just need to—

Max: Okay, just have all tyres ready first.

GP: Yep, understood. So, let's just be sensible as particularly as you bring these tyres up to temperature from cold.

Max: From where is the rain gonna hit first, do you think?

GP: Okay, it will be the start finish straight at turn 1, Max.

LAP 38

GP: Could be some drops over turn 13 and 14, Max.

Max: Yeah, it looks pretty dark here.

GP: Yep.

LAP 39

GP: So in around 4 laps, Max. At this pace, we are expecting a short sharper shower. Could require a switch back to inters.

LAP 41

GP: Ok, Safety car is in this lap.

*Max complains about the backmarkers*

GP: So, just be sensible. Left hand side tyres, please! You know where. it will be 16 of racing laps as I say we are expecting some rain.

LAP 42

GP: 4 Minutes to the rain.

GP: mode 6. Look after the tyres whilst they're cold.

LAP 44

GP: Look out after the tyres, Max.

GP: Rain coming in one or two laps.

*Both Nor and Pia end up in the gravel, Max overtakes Pia for P2*

*Max stays out when Nor pits. Pia gets stuck*

LAP 45

Max: I need to box next lap. Keep an eye on it!

GP: Understood, Max. Take care! Take care!

Max: Still dry here. Completely dry.

GP: Understood, Max.

Max: How is it over there?

GP: So, it's wet 11, 12, 13, 14, Max. so, caution back at the end of the lap.

Max: We are boxing?

GP: Give us your thoughts, max? Just let us know by turn—

Max: It's dry until here.

GP: Let us know, turn 13.

Max: Here it's very wet. Like, it's quite slippery.

GP: Take care, your first two sectors are done.

GP: Stay out, Max!

LAP 46

Max: I can't see the radar you need to tell me when it's coming.

GP: Yeah, understood.

Max: It looks like the rain is coming here now. We need to make a decision.

GP: Understood, Max. We will let you know.

Max: No rain here.

GP: So, currently first sector still quicker than Norris. Sector two the same. Sector 3 only 0.4 seconds slower. Stay out for now. I will let you know.

GP: Box Max. Box. Box and pit confirm. Tyre 3.

LAP 47

GP: Safety car deployed. Dash positive.

Max: I mean, it's quite clear though, that the rain/radar? was coming to the whole track. We should've boxed a lap before.