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kathlare · 2 hours ago

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when the lights fade

Lando Norris x Amelie Dayman

Summary: Fresh off her exhilarating Coachella performance, Amelie is surrounded by the support of her loved ones, basking in the glow of her achievement. However, backstage dynamics bring a mix of pride, tension, and unspoken feelings to the forefront. Amid the chaos, Amelie and Lando navigate their relationship, balancing public personas with private affection, all while confronting subtle challenges that test their bond.

Wordcount: 2.3 k

Warnings: fluff, smau

April 12th, 2024 - Palms Springs, CA

Amelie’s heart was still pounding from her performance, the echoes of the crowd's cheers still ringing in her ears. She had just finished her set at Coachella, and the buzz of adrenaline was like a drug—every part of her was alive, and yet, she couldn't stop smiling. The lights had been blinding, the music pulsing through her veins, and now, as she stood backstage, her breath coming in quick bursts, it felt like everything had fallen into place.

Her first Coachella.

The overwhelming sense of pride and happiness was almost too much to handle, but the real magic was being able to share it with those who meant the most to her. Her family was there—her mom, dad, brothers, and sisters—along with a few close friends. And, of course, there was Lando.

She spotted him across the backstage area, his unmistakable tousled hair and wide grin a beacon. He was laughing with Charles, George, and Alex, his usual easygoing self. But the moment their eyes met, that familiar connection sparked between them. He gave her a teasing smile, his eyes scanning her up and down as she walked toward him. She was still buzzing from the performance, but just the sight of him made her pulse race all over again.

Lando was already making his way toward her, weaving through the crowd. She smiled at the way he was so obviously trying not to be too obvious about checking her out. It was just them now, no need for games. He stopped just a few feet away, his eyes still glued to her.

—Damn, you were incredible,— he said, his voice filled with admiration, though his eyes were mostly scanning her figure.

—Thanks,— she said with a playful smile. —You should’ve seen the crowd, they were amazing. It’s Coachella, Lando. I can’t believe I’m here.—

He chuckled, walking closer until there was barely any space between them. He lowered his voice, his tone now soft, teasing. —No, I meant you. You were incredible.—

Amelie rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. —Stop it, Norris. You’re not the first to tell me that tonight.—

Lando’s grin widened, his fingers brushing against her arm as he looked down at her with that signature mischievous glint in his eyes. —It’s true. They’ve all been looking at you like you’re some kind of goddess.—

She raised an eyebrow. —Are you jealous?—

—Should I be?— he teased, taking a step closer.

Her lips parted as she tried to hold back the grin, but his proximity made it hard to concentrate. There was a certain spark between them—one that never really faded, no matter how much time passed or how much space they gave each other.

—Maybe,— she said with a little shrug, her lips curling up in a playful smirk.

Just then, Alex and Charles came over, interrupting their private moment, though it didn’t seem to bother Lando in the slightest. He turned toward them, though his hand stayed lightly on Amelie’s arm.

—Good set, Amelie,— Charles said with a wink.

—Yeah, you absolutely killed it out there,— Alex added, giving her a thumbs-up.

Amelie laughed, slightly embarrassed, but happy. —Thanks, guys. It’s surreal being here.—

—We can tell,— George said, grinning. —I swear, you were glowing up there.—

Lando rolled his eyes. —Alright, alright, you’ve all got your compliments in. Can I get a moment alone with my girlfriend now?—

The word slipped out so naturally that it took a second for Amelie to process. Her heart skipped a beat. Girlfriend. They had been privately dating for a few months now, since November, but hearing him say it so casually made her feel a rush of warmth and affection. She didn’t let it show, though, keeping her playful smile in place.

—Just a second, let me breathe,— she teased back, her eyes dancing with mischief. —I’ve got to let all this attention sink in.—

Lando laughed, his arm slipping around her waist as he pulled her a little closer. —Sure, darling. Enjoy it while you can.—

Amelie couldn’t stop grinning as she looked up at Lando, the adrenaline from her performance still humming in her veins. She tried to pretend she wasn’t affected by his touch—his hand on her waist, his body close to hers—but the truth was, it felt natural, comforting. Just being around him always made her feel a little lighter, a little more alive.

Lando leaned down slightly, his lips brushing the top of her head as he whispered in her ear. —You know, you're looking even better up close.— His voice was low, just for her, sending a thrill down her spine.

She rolled her eyes, but there was a definite flush to her cheeks. —You’re impossible,— she muttered, stepping away to regain some space, though she could feel his gaze following her every move.

—You like it,— he teased, his grin never fading.

Amelie couldn’t help but laugh, the sound coming easily. She wasn’t sure if it was the adrenaline from her performance or the way Lando always had that effect on her, but everything felt a little brighter with him around. They were close, closer than they’d ever been before—yet no one knew. To the world, they were just good friends. But behind closed doors? Things were different.

Lando leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, still watching her with that mischievous glint in his eyes. He had that way of making her feel like the only person in the room, and it was impossible to ignore. She caught him sneaking glances at her, his eyes tracing her every movement, and it made her stomach do a flip.

—You gonna let me breathe, or are you just gonna keep staring at me all night?— she asked, trying to play it cool, but she couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

He raised an eyebrow, pushing himself off the wall. —I can’t help it, you know. You look…— He paused, his eyes scanning her from head to toe again, —...absolutely stunning.—

Amelie rolled her eyes but couldn’t keep the flush off her cheeks. The way he looked at her made her feel like no one else existed. It was the same way he had looked at her when they first met, back in 2019, back when he was just another Formula 1 driver and she was still figuring out who she was in the world of acting. They had been close, but the connection they had now—now that they had circled back after everything—was something different. More real, more genuine.

Before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.

—Amelie!— A shrill voice cut through the air, and Amelie stiffened slightly as she turned around.

Magui stood there, a fake smile plastered on her face. She had been a distant acquaintance when Amelie had traveled to Finland earlier in the year, but there was an undeniable tension between them. The rivalry was palpable, and Amelie wasn’t sure if Magui even knew that Lando and her were more than just good friends by now.

—Magui,— Amelie greeted stiffly, offering a tight smile.

Magui's eyes flicked over to Lando, giving him a flirtatious smile that Amelie could tell was meant for him, not her. She could feel a knot form in her stomach, though she refused to show it. Not in front of Lando.

—Amelie! Wow, you were incredible out there!— Magui's voice was syrupy sweet, but Amelie could tell she was still trying to get under her skin. It wasn't the first time.

—Thanks,— Amelie replied, her tone polite but cool.

Magui took a step closer, then another, until she was standing just a little too close to Lando for comfort. She placed a hand lightly on his arm, leaning into him in a way that felt like a challenge. Amelie had to force herself to keep her expression neutral.

—You know, I was just telling Lando how great you were. I mean, really, the whole thing, your energy, your performance, I'm surprised you didn't go all the way and headline the night, really.— Magui’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Lando, her smile playful but with an edge that didn’t go unnoticed by Amelie.

Lando's hand instinctively moved to Amelie’s back, pulling her a little closer as if to mark his territory. But the way he played it off, shrugging and returning Magui’s smile, made Amelie’s stomach turn.

Amelie tried to keep her cool, but the tension in the air was undeniable. She could feel Lando’s hand on her back, subtly asserting his presence, but it didn’t stop Magui from leaning in just a little closer to him. The way she fluttered her eyelashes at Lando made Amelie’s blood simmer. She knew Magui’s game—she’d seen it before, back when they met in Finland. Magui was trying to get under her skin, but this time, it wasn’t just about friendly banter. This was personal.

The moment dragged on, an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air until finally, Lando spoke up, his voice smooth but with an edge that only Amelie would recognize.

—Thanks, Magui, but I’ve already heard enough praise for Amelie tonight,— he said, his tone just the right mix of dismissive and teasing. He wasn’t letting her play her usual tricks.

Magui blinked, surprised by his quick retort, but she wasn’t one to back down easily.

—Oh, of course. I just thought you’d appreciate a little friendly compliment. Amelie’s not the only one here with talent, after all.— Her eyes flicked between them, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as if she knew exactly what she was doing. She was trying to get under Amelie’s skin, trying to make her jealous.

Amelie felt the familiar heat rise in her chest, but she held her ground. She wasn’t about to let Magui get the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.

—Sure, Magui, we all appreciate the compliments,— Amelie said, her voice dripping with polite sweetness. —But I think we’ve had enough of your little flirtation with Lando for tonight, don’t you think?—

Her words were blunt, and she felt Lando’s hand tense on her back, but he didn’t say anything, allowing her to stand her ground. She wasn’t going to let this woman mess with her head again.

Magui blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in Amelie’s tone, but she quickly masked it with a laugh, her eyes narrowing slightly.

—Oh, don’t worry, I’m just congratulating your friend. I didn’t know you had a problem with that. Isn’t that what friends do?— she said with a laugh that was anything but genuine

Amelie’s jaw clenched.

—Friends?— she said, raising an eyebrow. —Right, just friends.—

She could feel Lando’s gaze on her, but she refused to look at him. Instead, she shifted slightly, putting space between them. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him—she did—but the way Magui was looking at him, with that smug look on her face, was getting under her skin.

Lando’s expression was unreadable, but he squeezed Amelie’s waist gently, a silent apology that she didn’t know how to accept yet.

—Alright, well, I think we’ve had enough of this conversation. Thanks for the compliments, Magui,— Lando said, his voice firm. —But I’m pretty sure Amelie’s ready to get some rest after her set.— He wasn’t rude, but the way he said it made it clear that he was done with the conversation.

Magui blinked again, taken aback by Lando’s sudden coldness, but she quickly recovered with a fake smile.

—Of course. Enjoy your night, Amelie. You deserve it,— she said, giving Lando one last lingering glance before turning to leave.

Amelie didn’t miss the way Magui looked back at Lando, her expression one of lingering interest. And as much as Amelie hated to admit it, it stung. Not because she was jealous of Magui, but because she knew how easy it was for Lando to get caught up in the attention. It wasn’t the first time a woman had thrown herself at him, and it wouldn’t be the last. But that didn’t make it any easier to stomach.

As soon as Magui was out of earshot, Amelie let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. She could feel Lando’s presence next to her, but she didn’t look at him. Instead, she took a few steps away, needing space to cool down.

Lando watched her carefully, his eyes following her every move. He knew she was upset, and he hated seeing her like this. But he wasn’t about to push her.

—Amelie, come on,— he said softly, stepping closer to her. —You know I don’t care about her, right?—

She shrugged, trying to play it cool, but the hurt was there, visible in the way her body tensed.

—It’s not that, Lando,— she muttered. —It’s just… I don’t like her. I know she doesn’t like me. But I also know you’re not blind to her flirting. And I’m just tired of it.—

Lando stepped forward, his hand resting gently on her arm.

—I’m not blind to it. I’m just not interested, Amelie. You should know that by now.—

She bit her lip, trying to push down the frustration.

—I do know that, Lando. But it’s still annoying.—

He couldn’t help but laugh at her grumbling, the way she looked so adorably pissed off. It was one of the things he like about her, how she wore her emotions so openly.

—Alright, alright,— he said, trying to lighten the mood. —I’ll stop being nice to other women if it makes you feel better.—

Her eyes flicked up at him, a flash of annoyance still present, but there was something else there, too... amusement.

—You’re ridiculous.—

He grinned, leaning in slightly.

—Yeah, but you like it.—

Before she could respond, he kissed her, a soft, slow kiss that was all about reassurance. And then, as he pulled away, he kissed her neck, making her laugh despite herself.

—You’re such a dork,— she muttered, though her annoyance had melted away.

—But I’m your dork,— he said with a grin.

She rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at the corners of her lips was undeniable.

They stood there for a moment, the noise of the festival still echoing around them, but all Amelie could focus on was Lando. Her heart still raced, not from the performance, but from the way he made her feel. The way he always seemed to know exactly what to say to make her smile.

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liked by f1lover_24, amelienation, and others

amelieupdates: After slaying the stage, Amelie was spotted vibing at Coachella with Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Alex Albon, and more! ✨🎶🌟 Looks like the fun didn’t stop after the performance! 💃

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landosbabe69: I swear if they’re not dating yet, I’ll scream. The energy is just too strong, and we’ve been rooting for them since forever! 🥺💖

→ amelieslilangel: @landosbabe69 I KNOW!! The chemistry is undeniable, and the way Lando keeps looking at her... please, it’s a matter of time!! 😭✨

itsmerachel_: The way Lando’s laughing at her jokes… Do we think he’s more than just friends now? 👀😏

f1fanatic_23: Wait… Amelie and Lando looking a lil' too cozy in that pic 👀 Anyone else see that?

f1hotgoss_: Not to be that person, but WHY is Lando always near her? 👀 → fastlanealex_: @f1fanfic_23 Because they’re besties, duh. But like... maybe more? 😏 → charleslover69_: @fastlanealex_ Nah, Charles is there too, stop reaching. → amelieandlando_: @charleslover69_ Bro, why was Lando the only one standing next to her in every pic tho? 🤨

fernando.alonsostan_: Nah, let’s focus on how Amelie killed her set. Forget the boys. She’s the moment. PERIOD. 🎤🔥

charlesfansunited: Charles looking like a lost puppy in the background of every pic. Iconic. 🤣 → paddocktea_: @charlesfansunited He’s just there for vibes and hydration. We love that for him.

amelieforever: If Amelie and Lando are actually dating, I will literally combust. 🔥 → landoluvrr_: @amelieforever Same, but they’ve denied it so many times. Guess we’re clowning again. 🤡

f1drama_: Y’all are obsessed with shipping them, like let them breathe.

lanmelforever: Not them dancing together during Amelie’s set… he knew ALL the lyrics, guys. ALL. THE. LYRICS. 🤨 → coachelladreamz: @lanmelforever Bro, that man’s been a Dayman fan since day one. If this isn’t a soft launch, idk what is.

desertvibes_: Is it just me, or does Amelie and Lando’s “friendship” feel… different? → gridgirlfan_: @desertvibes_ Babe, it’s been feeling different since 2020.

cryingoverame: “Friends” who look at each other like that? Nah. They’re not fooling anyone.

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