Work Text:
Oscar’s POV
“Oscahhhh! Let me in. Come on.” Lando cried out through the door. I chuckled to myself at the neediness in his voice, already feeling better from the shit day that I had. Of course Lando’s day was amazing with his first win and I was over the moon for him but the safety car timing and of course Carlos made my day, that started off great, a mess.
I walked over and opened the door, seeing Lando’s infectious smile on the other side of the door.
“Osc! I know that your day wasn’t great but we’re going to fix that. I’ve got FIFA, food and then we’ll go out later tonight and get hammered.” Lando said, pushing his way past me into my hotel room. I followed him into the room and moved the snacks around so there was space to sit on the bed as he fussed around the TV, setting up the game. When it was set up, he grabbed both remotes and sat close to me on the bed.
“Ok! You ready to play?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’ve got to beat you at something today.” I replied, jokingly. He poked his tongue out at me but pressed start and we started playing. Lando was sitting so close to me I could feel his body heat radiating off him and as I shifted my eyes to look at his face, I could see his tongue poked out in such a cute way as he focussed on playing.
“Goal!” Lando yelled, shocking me out of my daydreaming. All of a sudden, his phone started ringing. He paused the game and reached into his pocket and pulled it out.
“Oh! It’s Magui” he said. I sighed as he started moving away from me.
“Hey ba-” he started saying before I heard yelling from the other side of the phone.
“How could you say that? Multiple girlfriends? I get that we’re not public yet but multiple girlfriends? What the fuck is that?” I heard her say through the phone. I awkwardly looked down at my fingers as Lando moved to the other side.
“Babe. Come on! It was a joke. I just wanted to make a joke. It’s not a big deal.” Lando replied, exasperated. I could tell that the conversation was going to be long, so I indicated to Lando that I’d step outside for a bit to give him privacy. He nodded, and smiled gratefully.
I stepped outside the door and closed it behind me before resting against the wall and lowering myself to the ground in the hotel corridor.
Lando knew exactly how to make me feel better. He was one of the few people who understood me because he was in the exact same position as me. From the moment we met at the MTC, he was always looking out for me. He was kind, thoughtful, considerate, funny, honest, humble, not afraid to be open with his feelings and of course, so freaking hot. If I could replay the sight of him on the top step of the podium over and over again, I would because man he looked hot in the glory of a win. It was inevitable that I fall head over heels for him. Apparently, everyone could see it. Oscar ‘heart-eyes’ Piastri, licking his lips while Lando sings Love Story or admiring Lando as he laughs during the McLaren lie detector video or blushing every time Lando says something. But of course the one person who was oblivious was Lando and now it’s too late.
I heard the door open next to me and Lando popped his out.
“Sorry Osc.” He said, looking downcast. He offered his hand to pull me up so I put my hand in his and got up, leaving my hand in his, a bit longer than necessary before pulling away and dusting myself off.
“No problems. Everything good?” I asked him.
“Nuh not really. Magui’s mad about the ‘multiple girlfriends’ comment I made in the skysports video.” He said, scratching the back of his neck.
“Really? What was bad about that? I found it funny to be honest.” I said.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. I guess she doesn’t get my humour like you do.” He said, smiling at me slightly.
***
Tuesday at the MTC
I looked up as I heard a knock on the door of my office.
“Who is it?” I called out.
“It’s me.” I heard, my heart skipping a beat as I recognised the gentle lilt of Lando’s voice.
“Oh come in Lando.” I said, taking out my earphones as he walks in.
“What were you listening to?” He asked, making himself comfortable on the beanbag next to my chair. I showed him the screen of my phone and he hummed in approval.
“Good song. Magui would never want me listening to that.” Lando said.
“Why not?” I asked.
“She doesn’t like that music.” He said, shrugging his shoulders.
“Anyways, what’s up?” I asked him. He sighed heavily.
“Nothing. Don’t worry.” He said.
“Lando. Come on.” I said, not convinced at all.
“I’m worried about Imola coming up. Now that I’m no longer ‘Lando No Wins’ I feel this extra pressure on me to live up to the win in Miami but what if I can’t?” he said.
“Yeah that must be difficult.” I said, nodding in understanding. “But with Max still on the grid, no person’s race streak lasts more than one race. I trust that you’re going to drive the best that you can, as you always do and that’s all that matters. Screw those who think otherwise.”
He smiled up at me, his eyes glistening with traces of tears.
“Thanks, Osc. You’re right. We just got to get Max to DNF again and then we can go for a 1-2” Lando replied, more excited than before. “I mentioned it to Magui before and she told me to just suck it up, but you understand this more than she does I guess. Thanks, Osc. I really appreciate it.” He said, wholeheartedly, resting his hand on my leg appreciatively.
I smiled down at him and placed my hand on top of his, relishing the feel of his glance on me and the warmth of his hand.
“My pleasure, Lando. That’s what teammates are for.” I replied, smiling gently at him. Teammates. A reminder to myself, more than him, that that’s what I was to him. Merely his teammate. There was no competing with her. She was beautiful while my attire consisted almost entirely of papaya T-shirts and black jeans. All I could do was dream that one day things would change.
“Osc. You alright?” He asked, noticing I had zoned out.
“Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Sorry just zoned out for a sec.” I replied, trying to control the blush on my cheeks from having been caught out daydreaming about the guy in front of me.
“Alright…” he replied, appearing not convinced. To move away from any chance of being caught more, I changed the subject.
“I need some fresh air.” I announced abruptly.
“I’ll come with. We can walk to the park nearby.” He said, hopping up quickly from the beanbag and pulling me up. “Let’s go!”
We quickly walked through the hallways of the MTC before finding the exit and walking down the streets, engaging in easy conversation until we found our way to a park bench nearby and took a seat.
“It’s your first time at Imola! How are you feeling?” He asked me.
“Kind of feels like I’m a rookie all over again. But at least this time around, our car is actually good.” I replied, causing him to chuckle. This is the way it should be. Easy conversations and fun banter.
I looked at his face as he smiled and took a deep breath. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a genuine smile on his face and it was radiant. He was glowing. It was like he had won the Miami grand prix all over again with the way he was smiling. But since Magui, his face had been more downcast.
“How are you and Magui going?” I asked during a pause in the conversation. His smile faltered slightly before quickly perking up again.
“Yeah it’s good.” He said, but his eyes no longer sparkled and his smile was only a half smile. I guess things weren’t as good as he said. What was he doing with a girl like that? He deserved better. Yes she was beautiful in her high heels and short skirts and I wore sneakers all the time but I understood him. I understood how hard he was on himself when he felt like he drove badly even when he drove beautifully. I understood how hard it was to keep up a certain reputation as a driver and to work to be liked by fans and other people.
***
A few weeks later.
I could hear my phone ringing through the darkness of my room. I fumbled blindly through the dark to find my phone, and quickly answered it.
“Hello?” I said, my voice groggy with sleep.
“Osc?” I heard Lando say over the phone, his voice breaking slightly.
“Lando? Are you ok?” I said, sitting up, worriedly, while turning on the lamp on my bedside table.
“Um. No. Can I come over? I’m driving near your house.” He said.
“Yeah of course. But it’s midnight?” I said.
“Yeah I’m sorry. I just need to talk to you.” He said, urgently.
“Ok ok. Come over.” I said.
“Thanks, Osc.” He mumbled before hanging up. I pulled off the quilt and stepped out of bed, running a hand through my hair hurriedly and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. Not too long after, I heard the door bell ring. I took a deep breath and walked over to the door, opening it to see Lando, eyes red from probably crying not too long ago. He walked in and I closed the door behind him before I opened my arms out to him and he fell into them straight away, burying his nose into the crook of my neck.
“It’s a good thing you’re short. It’s perfect height for hugging.” I said, teasing him to lighten the mood. I could feel him shaking in my arms as he laughed into my neck. I smiled at the thought that I was able to make him laugh despite him being just about to cry.
I gently rubbed his back allowing him to take the time to compose himself. Eventually, he slowly extracted himself from my arms and headed towards the living room. I followed him there and sat down next to him on the couch, waiting patiently until he felt like he wanted to talk.
“I uh-.” He started but then stopped, playing with his hands nervously. I placed my hand on top of them reassuringly. He looked up at me and smiled gently, taking a shaky breath in.
“Take your time. I’m here for you.” I said to him.
“Thanks Osc. I’m really thankful for how you’re always there for me.” He said. “I uh- broke up with Magui.” He said, letting out a breath in relief after saying that, looking back down at his hands
My brain went into overdrive. He what? He broke up with Magui? And he’s here? Why is he here?
“Are you ok?” I asked him.
“I mean of course I’m sad about it, because I did like her but she wasn’t right for me. She didn’t understand me. She didn’t understand my humour, she didn’t understand what life is like as an F1 driver.” He said. I nodded understandingly.
“I’m glad you did what felt right to you.” I said.
“She didn’t understand me like you do.” He added, looking up at me. My brain went silent. What? What did he mean by that?
“You’ve been here for me all along. You understand me. You understand my humour, you obviously know what it’s like being me, you make me smile, you know how to make me laugh when I’m about to cry. You let me listen to Taylor Swift and my other favourite songs when they might not be your favourite. I feel comfortable with you. You know my dreams. You know I want to be world champion but more than that, you know that I want to settle down with someone and start a family and that’s my ultimate dream. And I’m not saying this cause I just broke up. It’s not a rebound. It’s taken me a while but I finally see it. You’re the one who understands me. You’re the one that is right for me.” He said, spilling his heart.
My heart clenched hopefully while my brain tried to catch up and process what had just happened. Could it be true? Does Lando really like me?
“Lando. I know what I’m hoping you’re saying but I need you to say it or do something.” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
Lando moved his hands away from mine and off his lap, lifting up a hand to rest it on my cheek, taking a deep breath in. His eyes flick down to glance at my lips before meeting my eyes again and slowing leaning in.
His lips met mine gently and I let out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding. It was everything I imagined and more. His lips nudged mine as he lightly sucked on my bottom lip and his hand came around to play with the hair on the back of my neck. My hand that previously laid useless in my lap came up into his hair, tugging gently as our lips continued moving against each other, causing him to moan slightly. I could feel my heart beating in my ears. I couldn’t believe it. There was no way this was real. Lando liked me? I knew that I was better for him that she ever was but I never thought this would actually happen.
“Osc I can literally hear the cogs turning in your head.” Lando said as he pulled away slightly. “What’s going through your head?”
“Why?” is all I could reply with.
“Why what?” he asked, looking confused but adorable.
“Why did you kiss me?” I asked to which he chuckled.
“I thought it was obvious.” He stated.
“I need to hear it.” I said.
“Because you belong with me.” He replied, pulling me in again to join our lips again.