Chapter Text
mount panorama, 2026
The sun had already started to dip behind the hills surrounding the mount panorama circuit, painting the entire paddock gold and orange. The roar of the crowd still echoed from the pitlane, celebrations already beginning for the winning teams… but inside the garages, emotions were far messier.
Lando hated it all right now. “Brilliant driving,” she muttered bitterly at herself.
Lando sat alone behind the transporters, still half in her race suit, balaclava hanging around her neck. Dirt smeared one side of her cheek. Her knuckles were raw from punching the wall beside her at least twice already. How could she have crashed? It didn’t make sense to her at all— she could still hear the impact. It had been lap 37. A tiny mistake is all it took. tiny mistake over the top of the hill; rear clipped the wall, then another. It was over for Lando. A DNF. She felt so humiliated. A dnf when the race wasn’t even halfway over.
Earlier, the replay of her crash had already spread across every screen in pit lane. Commentators called it “uncharacteristic.” The team? They said it was “unfortunate.”
Lando called it stupid.
That was all it took at Bathurst.
her helmet rested by her boots, cracked enough to make her stomach twist every time she looked at it. Then footsteps approached quietly. Lando knew who it was; Oscar. Of course it was Oscar. Her shoulders dropped as she released a long, suffering exhale. He’d spent the entire post-race avoiding cameras asking about his teammate, avoiding reporters fishing for concern and avoiding anyone who might keep him away from finding her. They’d been teammates for six years now; Long enough that people joked they came as a package deal. Long enough that Oscar knew every version of her.
The loud one.
The reckless one.
The exhausted one.
And especially this one, the self-destructive one.
Lando didn’t look up.
“Go away,” she said.
He leaned across the wall beside her, arms crossed.
“You planning on sitting here forever?”
“Go celebrate your podium.”
“Already did.”
“You should be happy then. I’m serious.”
Oscar sighed, “you know, I’d be much happier if you stopped acting like you died out there, which you didn’t.”
That finally got her to glare at him. He still had half his race suit on, sleeves tied around his waist, hair messy from pulling his balaclava off too quickly earlier. Lando hated that he looked good even after hours of driving. Mostly because she looked like she’d been dragged through gravel.
“... I threw that race away,Oscar, and you know it.”
“Look, you crashed the car, that’s it. You didn’t commit a crime.”
“I know better than that corner–”
Oscar interrupted her, frustration vivid in his eyes. “You know what?” he muttered softly. “I’m getting really tired of you thinking you only deserve to exist when driving perfectly.”
Her jaw tightened instantly– Oscar was right, after all. Ever since the season started, Lando’s performances had declined. She’d been avoiding the media, avoiding the fans; because she couldn’t handle the disappointment. Especially Oscar’s. Oscar may not show it but she knows he’s disappointed in her. Oscar sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face before crouching in front of her.
“You got out of the car,” he said quietly. “You’re okay. That’s all I cared about.”
Lando looked away immediately because that tone in his voice always ruined her.
Protective.
Gentle.
Too honest.
“... the team’s looking for you.” he said softly.
“Tell them I died.”
“Yeah? They’d know I’m lying. You’re too annoying to die quietly.”
That pulled a tiny laugh out of her despite herself.
Oscar visibly relaxed at the sound; because the last hour had been awful. When lando crashed over the top of the hill, Oscar had seen the entire thing from directly behind her. He still remembered the sickening spark of metal against concrete, the way the car snapped sideways– the smoke– and worst of all, there was nothing he could do. He simply drove past her, hoping she was alright. Oscar swallowed hard just remembering it.
Oscar had fallen for her years ago. Everyone knew except Lando herself for the longest time. And when she realised? She fell harder.
Lando noticed how Oscar’s acting and her expression softened. “You okay?”
Oscar let out a quiet incredulous laugh. “You crashed into a wall at Bathurst and you’re asking if I’m okay?”
“Well… Are you? You look pale.”
“I … I thought you were hurt.”
The honesty in his voice made her chest ache. Oscar rubbed a hand down his face tiredly. “The car wasn’t moving, Lan. I-”
“I got out, didn’t I?”
“Yeah– maybe after ten seconds.”
“... Are you disappointed?” she mumbled sadly. “I hate disappointing you, Osc. I really do. I’m so sorry-”
Oscar’s expression softened painfully. “You’ve never disappointed me. Never. Don’t even think that I am, you’ve nothing to apologise for, you know that.”
The words sat heavily between them.
Lando blinked fast, swallowing against the sudden sting in her eyes.
“It just… It’s terrifying when you’re watching you–” he paused, grabbing Lando's hands, his thumb caressing her knuckles. He looked down, unsure of what to say next. Lando’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Watching someone you what?”
Oscar looked at her; though it looked like he wanted to cry. Lando’s heart ached at the sight. Oscar remained silent yet his look had said it all. For years now, everyone around them had noticed it. The way Oscar hovered near her after races, the way he always looked for her first in crowded rooms, the way his voice changed whenever he spoke to her… Lando had just been stupid enough to ignore it. Until now.
“You love me.” She whispered, cupping his cheek.
“... Maybe.”
The word hung between them, fragile and unfinished. Lando felt something loosen in her chest– something she hadn’t realised she’d been holding tight for a very long time.
“Maybe,” she repeated softly and she almost laughed. “That’s the most Oscar Piastri answer you could have given me.” The corner of his mouth twitched; not quite a smile but close. His hand came up slowly, covering hers where it still rested against his cheek, like he was afraid she might take it back if he moved too fast.
“And if it wasn’t maybe?” he said, barely above a whisper. Lando stared at him for a second before suddenly laughing. Not mocking, just genuinely fond. Oscar blinked. “Why are you laughing?”
“Because you picked the worst possible moment to accidentally confess your feelings!” Lando giggled.
“Oh shut it–”
“You practically wrote poetry!”
Oscar covered his face with one hand. “I’m leaving,” he sighed; but before he could move, Lando grabbed his wrist. And just like that– Oscar stopped completely. Her thumb brushed gently over the inside of his wrist where his pulse was racing embarrassingly fast.
“Oscar.”
He finally looked at her then– And the expression on his face nearly ruined her… Because it wasn’t just love, it was fear too – the kind that came from almost losing someone. Lando’s heart broke in pieces at the sight in front of her. “I really scared you, huh?” she whispered. Oscar’s jaw tightened slightly before he nodded once and that was enough for her. Lando stepped forward and kissed him softly. Oscar froze for exactly half a second before his hands immediately found her waist, pulling her impossibly close like he’d wanted to do it for years; maybe he had. The kiss deepened quickly—slow at first, then emotional once the reality of the day finally caught up to both of them.
Lando could feel the lingering adrenaline still shaking slightly through him– But there was one thing Lando knew for sure; Oscar kissed her like he needed reassurance she was alive. Like he was still terrified of losing her.
When they finally pulled apart, Oscar rested his forehead against hers and laughed weakly.
“You’ve no idea how long I wanted this to happen.” He exhaled, slow and steady, finally satisfied.
Lando grinned tiredly, “Sorry about that.”
“You should be.”