Chapter Text
Nico was sitting at his designated 'work' desk. He puts 'work' in quotations because somehow him making silly racing sim videos and occasionally vlogging about the random cars and food in his country (that's also the size of a small town) has somehow made him have a very good income. Even if it is because of a little nepotism (his dad was a former F1 world Champion after all). But it was when he was editing one of these videos that he spotted a very familiar shirt in the background. It stuck out like a sore thumb being the bright Rosso Corsa of Ferrari with a barely eligible '44' on the back. Well... to any regular F1 fan who watched his videos it would be unassuming. Nico has worn plenty of merch from other F1 drivers such as George Russell and Fernando Alonso, since he is close to George too. But Hamilton? Hamilton is a vaguely recent development specifically in Nico's dating life. So to the German that bright red shirt, especially hang like that on the back of a chair looked incredibly incriminating.
Of course no one would immediately assume that the shirt was one of Lewis's they'd think that Nico had been sent it through PR or had bought it himself for a video. His viewers would certainly question him about it. He already gets called a Lewis fanboy because of 2021. But he's not openly praising him all the time or well he hopes not more so than he does any other driver. He's overthinking it again. It's just a shirt.
He leans back in his chair and sighs. Non stop editing for 2 hours really does drain his energy, listening to his own voice non stop and trying to find a specific clip to add in is tiring and grating. Suddenly he hears the door to the room open. And there stands Lewis Hamilton, 7 time World Champion, Ferrari's new golden boy, the living legend and by all accounts dating Kim Kardashian. If only they knew the truth. A couple photos of them hugging each other on socials and every major news site had decided they were a power couple.
The man in questions comes to stand right behind Nico and drape his arms over his shoulders whilst resting his chin on top of his head. "Still editing I see." the champion mumbled.
"Yeah, I'm exhausted. But did you enjoy your run?" Nico grabbed one of Lewis's hands and started slowly tracing the tattoos there. It had become an unconscious habit of his, that always soothed him.
"Enjoyed as much as a man who runs every day does". He huffed out.
"I may need to redo one of my clips that I filmed in the kitchen." Nico told him so that Lewis would avoid that area, so that he doesn't accidentally get a Lewis Hamilton in the background instead of just his shirt.
"Oh? Did the footage get corrupted again or did you do something wrong?"
"No, just that your shirt is in the background" he pointed to the screen where the shirt was.
"And what is it about my shirt that offends you so much?" Lewis enquired. "Is it not up to your standards, Mr Mercedes lover?" The champion joked.
Nico rolled his eyes. "Oh please, still on that? You drive for Ferrari now Lu, you're no longer Mr Mercedes, besides I knew you for like 2 months when you were still driving for Toto"
"Mhmmm, so that makes you Mr Ferrari lover?"
"You are ridiculous" the blonde stated.
"And you are the one offended by my shirt, just existing."
"I'm not offended. I'm just... cautious? I know how overzealous fans can be and they'll definitely be asking about why I have a Lewis Hamilton shirt draped over a chair in my kitchen like I wear it everyday at home." Nico sighed again but this time he felt Lewis's fingers start to card through his hair which made him close his eyes to just enjoy the sensation.
"Leave it in"
"What?" Nico asked, opening his eyes.
"Leave it in." Lewis repeated. "It's been 2 years, I think it's time no?"
Nico got out of Hamilton's hold to turn around and look at him. "Are, are you saying what I think-"
"And yes, I know that technically we've been dating for less than a year but our 'official' anniversary is coming up in July and I-I want everyone to know. I don't want to hide you. I want you there supporting me."
"Are...are you sure?" Nico asked quietly staring into his eyes. There's a reason why him and Lewis were so cautious about their relationship. Why Lewis posted Kim on his socials and made everyone think that they are a couple without any official confirmation. The sport may have progressed but not enough. There was a reason why when Hamilton officially asked out Rosberg did the Kim Kardashian rumours start.
"Yes" Lewis Hamilton stated like it was the only thing that mattered in the world.
"Okay" Nico nodded. "If you're sure then so am I"
"And besides" the brunette smiled "how funny would it be to troll the fans a bit?"
"Lu, you are evil. You want me to what? Leave random bits of your memorabilia and stuff around in my vlogs and then lie to people how it isn't what it looks like? What is this, some bad romcom?"
"Exactly. It's good engagement for your socials"
Nico rolled his eyes and huffed. "Fine. But I am blaming this on you when we hardlaunch"
"Deal."