Archive of Our Own

There were plenty of ways that Oscar planned on spending his one month off. 

He really had wished the amount of off days he had collected over the three years he had been working would ever amount to his manager grabbing him by his shoulders and dropping a notice of a paid one month off just because he could. 

And honestly he knows people would die for such a thing but the sad truth is Oscar has nothing to do in that month off so it really isn't doing him any favours. His parents are off travelling so going back to Melbourne is out of options, the weather in London has been horrible for the past week and he doesn't really want to go out and be social so- 

Yes, if he stays in his room halfway through his sixth reality show then that is no ones business is it. 

That is, until his friend- Logan decides to make it. 

"You can't possibly enjoy a month off like this Oscarr" The American bursts into the room with far too much energy than Oscar would like, sunglasses perched n top of his head while he holds onto a tennis racket with the bag slung across his shoulders. "I cant let you enjoy a month off like this"

"I like it like this actually," he doesn't really give him another glance as the blonde makes his way across the apartment they share, reaching for the juice in the fridge before plopping right down next to him. 

"Well thats your problem-" was the only response he got, along with a sideways glance of far too judgemental than Oscar would have liked. "I don't"

And Oscar supposes its the boredom that makes him open his mouth to challenge the statement, pausing the show and shifting his hands so that his head rests on his elbows. "Not like you've got something exciting to do this week mate"

The look he received in return should have been enough to tell him he was wrong.

 The sinking feeling in his gut that followed seconds later should have confirmed it, but when Logan turned his head far too slowly to be normal, eyes glittering as he reached for his phone- much to Oscar's horror- he realised far too late he was far too wrong.

⚑ ⚑

"Mate i know nothing about this," They're seated in the front row of the fan stage meetings. He doesn't really know what hes doing there, a very thorough research the night before hadn't done Oscar much help as he saw the drivers make their way onto the stage. 

Logan- with a reaction opposite to the Aussie is practically bouncing on his toes when a team in blue makes their way onto the stage. 

Williams, Oscar racks his brain to remember. Driver one-Alex Albon, Driver two- Carlos Sainz. 

"Youlle figure it out along the way - oh my god they're looking here"

"Logan hes looking at the interviewer"

"let me be delusional in peace mate" The blonde groans, "Come on, just enjoy it"

"I am trying"

He doesn't get a reply back, instead Oscar can tell that hes already lost in the whole excitement that comes from adrenaline rushes of skipping the queues with a bodyguard just to be closer to the stage. 

But- Oscar digresses, if his friends happy he can try to be too. 

To be fair, not many people get dragged to go watch a grand prix at that- its usually a movie or a lunch so yes, having filthy rich friends who can get VIP tickets whenever he wants does have its perks. 

"Race starts in fifteen-" Logan's looking at his phone, and Oscar nods his head. 

"im gonna go get us something to drink yeah?"

"Were in the Grandstands- don't get lost please"

Theres a thrill to a grand prix weekend, Oscar has to agree. Hes making his way down the paddock, the pit lane barred off to prepare so he has to take a longer route, all round the paddock just to get to the counters but he likes it. 

The people around him move fast, flags around their shoulders and 12 colours prominent all around. 

And its in the midst of it all, in the hum of cars and music thrumming that Oscar finds himself back in right after holding two iced coffees in both his hands, eyes straining above the caps to find the paddock entry sign that he doesn't notice the exact second someone crashes straight into him. 

"woah-" its a whirlwind of motion, of orange coloured cap flying and Oscar's vision turning blur right before a cold wave suddenly hits his stomach and he gasps. 

"Oh my god I'm so sorry," Oscar's busy looking down till he realises the person he crashed into is suddenly apologising profusely for- 

Theres coffee all over his shirt

"I genuinely wasn't looking where I was going-"

Ofcourse this was his first time at a race and this happened. But if anything, hes a nice person- and so Oscar looks up, mouth already opening to spout out a 'its fine mate' he didn't mean before he would go right back home and shoot Logan a text saying he was so done with this whole thing when-

Caramel brown eyes meet Oscar's own and the world seems to freeze.

The coffee spilt all over Oscar's shirt seems to evaporate at the sheer beauty that he finds his eyes seeing on a panicked face. The man's eyes are hazel green, a frantic look prominent on furrowed brows as a tanned hand reaches out from orange sleeves as if to touch the wet shirt before promptly freezing when Oscar's hand- on reflex, reaches to grab the outstretched wrist. 

Time seems to freeze the second Oscar registers the warmth that makes its way from the point of contact and all the way to his cheeks all while the person in front of him snaps his mouth shut. 

"Its-" Oh god hes stuttering, "Its fine mate" 

His own voice is rough to his ears, that blush he knows prominent on his face and hes still holding onto the mans wrist- who, only levels his stare when he finds out that Oscar can't seem to meet his eyes. 

"Its really not," 

He has an accent, Oscar's brain supplies, British 

Its right then that Oscar feels his phone ring in the back pocket of his jeans, the buzz exactly in the tune of the ringtone Logan had set for him years back and he had never bothered to change again- and really, Oscar knows he should leave now and so he shrugs. 

"Its not like you can do anything about it now,"

And its when the man crosses his arms, that furrow lifting ever so slightly that oscar finds himself having the most insane feeling of the fact that he has seen this person somewhere before. 

"Can I-" The man runs a hand through his hair, glancing at his watch and then back at the track with the look of someone who knows hes about to get yelled at, but still doesn't bother to move on. 

"I can't just leave you like this"

"really," Oscar offers again, trying for a lopsided grin on his face to placate the mess they were in all while a shiver wracks through his skin when the wind blows stronger. "its fine- it'll dry up"

he supposes it doesn't go unnoticed when the man makes a noise at the back of his throat. A noise that Oscar knows he shouldn't catalogue at the back of his brain the way he does.

And then its before Oscar can even blink that the man is suddenly reaching for the hem of his hoodie and promptly pulling it right off his head. 

"Hey-" Panic claws out of Sscar's chest right before he notices the mans wearing a shirt below it- but its enough for a short laugh to break out of the mans chest when he thrusts it right into oscar's hands, removing the one coffee left untouched and blinking expectedly at him.

"What are you-"

"Wear it" The stranger shrugs, hazel eyes sparkling with triumph and for a second Oscar's brain buffers so hard he can only blink.

"You really don't have to-"

"Mate" the stranger cuts him off, a strange urgency suddenly back in his voice as he glances at the clocks hung all around. "I want to. My apology. Can't have you writing it up online no?"

He frowns. "Why would I write it up online?" 

Its not even a bad question. 

Not one so weird it makes the man in front of him freeze at the sudden turn of his heel and turning right back at a speed that makes Oscar shocked that his neck doesn't break. 

The brunnete levels Oscar with a gaze that makes him want to know what exactly did he do so wrong for such a look of confusion to make its way onto the mans face before it splits into the biggest grin he can fit. 

"You know who I am?" 

"Should I?" Oscar tilts his head to match the catlike expression on the man's face, hands scrunching into the fabric of the orange hoodie in his arms. 

The man seems to consider it. Then shakes his head and smiles even wider. "Nah" 

"Uh-"

"Well, I have to go now mate- but wear the hoodie yeah? My apologies again"

And its before Oscar can react again, can atleast thank the stranger that the man's disappearing again, heels turning and suddenly the crowd swallows the mop of brown hair before he can get a word out- 

"But whats your name-"

Somewhere beneath the foliage, a camera clicks fast and hard just as Oscar puts on the hoodie before promptly flashing their paddock pass and walking straight to the mcLaren garage.

⚑ ⚑

"How much did you pay for that?"

Logan accepts the coffee with the gaze of a person who seemed to have been starved in a desert just as the cars roll out onto the tarmac before zeroing down on Oscar's new clothing.

"I didn't"

"Yeah cause we all just get thousand dollar merch hanging from trees," The blonde scoffs, letting his sunglasses fall onto his nose while he can only shrug his shoulders.

"Nah, bumped into someone. Spilt my coffee all over me, then gave it to me because he felt bad"

That seems to get Logan's attention to snap away from the cars and lock right onto Oscar.

"You're joking"

"No? he told me he didn't want me to write it up online or something so consider it an apology. Dunno what type of person he thinks I am, or his popularity status but he disappeared before I could get his name"

Logan laughs, short. "Mate you just got your main character moment and you didn't ask for his name?"

"First off- it was an accident" Oscar scowls, and yet his mind already latches onto that face that had disappeared into a crowd, "second off, theres nothing such as a 'main character moment'"

"Thats what all main characters say" 

"You need to stop watching movies mate,"

"The only movie I'd watch is one with Alex Albon as the main lead-"

"Oh my god-"

"No! Look at him!" And Logan points straight at the drivers piling onto the grid, at a mop of brown hair in a blue suit walking with someone in the same orange colour that Oscar's currently wearing. 

Oscar squints, trying to see the driver that had Logan fall in love with the sport. 

"Hes with George- the Mercedes one," Oscar hums in recognition, "- and lando Norris, the Mclaren one- you're wearing his number actually-"

And its at that second that Oscar's gaze latches onto the orange fireproofs, and shifts to the face slightly obscured by sunglasses right before they're slid off his face by a member of his team- that Oscar's breath stops right in his chest.

Because there is Lando Norris, F1 Driver- and very apparently- the person who had spilled Oscar's coffee all over him.

"-You good Oscar- hey-"

"Logan," Oscar's voice is static in his own ears, eyes locked on the mop of curly brown hair and hands that had held his shirt now fixing earbuds into his ears. 

"yeah?"

His hands shake as they rise, pointing in the same direction the blonde had pointed his own seconds before. "Logan, thats the guy"

"Whos the what-Oh"

Oh

Lando Norris had spilt his coffee on Oscar Piastri

And really, its like a movie- the way that word exits his best friends lips that Lando Norris himself turns around right towards the grandstand where Oscar's sitting. 

Theres that smile on his face, a trained one and hand already raised to wave - and Oscar knows hes scanning the crowd as he tilts his head, and like a montage- he sees the exact second his gaze latches straight onto Oscar's shocked face.

"you're joking Oscar-" 

Vaguely he can hear Logan, can hear the crowd around him rise from the seats as lando looks, and yet its magnetic- the way Lando's hazel eyes seem to pierce through the fence that separates them with the force while that PR trained smile melds into a smirk that is the same as when he had asked Oscar the question. 

"You know who I am?"

"Should I?" The deja-vu should have reminded him of the posters he had crossed on his way here.

And its in that haze, of horns blaring and a song that Oscar knows the beats too and yet doesn't remember the lyrics that Lando Norris tilts his head and winks. 

⚑ ⚑

The article hits the internet exactly on lap 47 of 54.

Oscar doesn't know it. Doesn't realise it, eyes already invested on the papaya blur that crosses his vision every minute all while it finally finishes its chase of the Red Bull from its starting position of P5 to finally take the lead of the race with a late lunge into turn 6.

The crowd yells, loud cheers and the smallest of boo's and Oscar finds his hands gripping the railings far too hard for casual fan behaviour. Logan doesn't help, not with the way he prods at the hoodie on Oscar's shoulders- grinning every time the orange car whizzes past. 

And in it all, the Aussie hopes he doesn't notice the way his own hands cling onto the slight oversized sleeves, toying with the frayed edge of its right sleeve (so it wasn't a new one) every time the name pops up on the screen.

And so when the people suddenly start lifting up their phones- Oscar doesn't notice. 

Doesn't notice when Logan himself frowns down at his screen when the murmurs start around them- when eyes suddenly train away from the track and straight at Oscar.

"Wait-isn't that him?" the first whisper that strikes the Aussie's ears dies down when the second one overlaps it.

"Lando Norris isn't single? who-"

Next to him, Logan thumbs at an article far too hard.

"outed at the first race of the season-"

"does the guy even know-"

"what's his name-"

"Oh my god- wait look- hes right there-"

"Oscar!" Logans hand digs into Oscar's skin hard and it makes him wince. 

"what-" the phone is thrust into his face and even as Oscar's eyes skim across the bold words, the picture makes everything turn to white noise. 

New WAG in the paddock? 

MCLAREN driver LANDO NORRIS was spotted with mystery man passing out his hoodie with a smile that can't possible be faked. Are we finally seeing the end of the F1's most famous bachelor? And who on Earth is the owner of Lando Norris's heart?

"Thats me"

His own words are numb to his ears. The photo glares at him with the white blare of everything he regrets. Its taken far too incrementally, an angle where Lando watches Oscar hold the hoodie as hes pulling it over his head with the tilt of his head looking far from the actual way it had been.

"But thats not-" 

The first shove comes from a person he doesn't know. Oscar twists around just in time to block the second person who glares at him with enough spite that it makes his face turn white. 

"Who are you?" the lady who speaks has her hand already raised. 

"I-"

"yeah- how does Lando even know you?" the crowd starts to gather around him now, their attention driven away from the race even as a HAAS creeps past- eyes staring at the latest gossip that had been dropped onto a boy who didn't know the first thing about it.

"Who even are you-"

"Oscar were leaving" Logan's voice is firm, and its before Oscar can even blink that he finds his best friends hand wrap around his wrist and hes being dragged right out- sunlight disappearing to concrete and suddenly he can't breathe. 

"I wasn't-" hes stuttering, eyes wide as another person comes far to close for comfort.

"Out-" Logan's voice is sharp, the first time hes ever heard his friend become so serious and so Oscar swallows, eyes downcast and follows. 

What is this

The McLaren employee seems to appear from the herd right at the second that Oscar squints his eyes in sunshine at the back of the stands. 

"You" 

The word makes Oscar flinch, and yet its Logan who relaxes slightly on seeing the ID she flashes. 

"McLaren PR- I'm Silvia. Please come with me immediately"

And its loud in the background that the Aussie hears the announcer announce that its Lando Norris who wins the Australian Grand Prix.

⚑ ⚑

"I'm so sorry about this" 

They're sitting in one of many McLaren conference rooms, in two chairs opposite to each other in a way that Oscar finds himself not being able to look away from the absolute nervous wreck of a McLaren driver.

"Third time you've said that to me mate," Oscar jokes, the whole situations turning out to be much funnier with every passing moment. 

Not like the panic had settled itself in him, not like the phantom hands that had surrounded him stop him from flinching- but there wasn't much he could do about it before being dragged right out of the crowd and from a astonished Logan to this place. "'s fine"

"I genuinely didn't know we would be photographed, or what came over me to-" the curly haired boy fidgets with his race suits ends, not meeting Oscar's eyes. 

Gone is that casual confidence that he had seen on the grid- real life crashing onto shoulders which hadn't been expecting it. "-just give it to you like that and now this-"

"Lando" the apologies are cut off when the door opens, a harrowed looking lady walking in before shaking Oscar's hand with a stern expression and introducing herself as Silvia- pr manager. "calm down. First thing we need to do right now is figure out how to make this work. You can do this later."

It funny how quickly Lando sinks back into his seat. "Right- yeah, sorry"

Silvia sighs, pushing her laptop in front towards Oscar and Lando- who squints to catch the writing on the hastily made word document. "So- I have managed to come up with a few options we can go with, whatever you are-" she looks straight at him, "or both of you-" now lando, "are comfortable with we'll continue with"

"Right," and it takes a few seconds for Oscar to read the highlighted start sentence to the three options in front of him. 

"uh- why- why is break up post an option?" Lando is the one who cuts in first, a nervous edge to his voice. 

"Well," this time its Zak who answers, leaning back on his chair. "Its pretty simple- Lando you put out a post saying this man here-" 

"Oscar-" Oscar supplies. 

"-Oscar was angry to be outed like that and the reactions of the public, and so he ended it," and maybe its the way that the team principal says it, the matter of fact tone in his voice that makes Oscar wince at the implication. Hes not stupid, even being a more offline person he knows the implication that would present to the driver. 

A barrage of insults and the support he was probably getting right now turning straight to hate because ofcourse it would. And even though he wants nothing to do with whats going on, and looking at the other two options he knows hes going to get stuck in the implication of it- but he can't bring himself to accept it. 

"That makes me sound like an asshole," Lando purses his lips, gaze pointedly away from Oscar whos running his thoughts frantically to figure out what to say. "but-"

"No" Oscar cuts him off, voice coming out a bit more firm than he had expected. "No- we don't need to do that"

"-What do you mean-" Oscar sees the exact moment that Lando realises exactly what he means, fingers stilling on the table as he flickers his eyes back and forth from the screen and back to the Aussie. "Oh-oh no, no you don't have to do that- you-"

"So you agree to dating Lando?" the ramble is cut off immediately by Silvia, her predatory gaze causing Oscar to shift in his seat because ofcourse they were shocked. 

"Fake-fake dating, would be a better term I think"

 The thing is, Oscar has nothing to do for the next month and he knows he can add in his own conditions right into the contract that awaits him and most probably, even if this is what it comes to it would be a fun story to talk about forty fifty years later in his life. 

"Good then," the scrape of chairs greets him, the blonde woman getting up with a sigh followed suite by Zak. "I'll get a contract printed out- give me a few minutes boys. Get to know each other till then, after all- you are in love!" 

And its then, struck out from his thoughts that Oscar realises hes not the only one who's having their life ruffled up. 

Lando Norris, Formula 1 driver with two wins in his belt and a new one right now and a fan following larger than all the people that Oscar had probably met in his whole life- was looking at him like he had just grown another head. 

The silence that follows once the door shuts is awkward, because they're strangers, no topics to break out on and now- oscar finds it rather stupid to not have done any more research on motorsports.

"Uh-" he tries to break the awkwardness first, hands fisted nervously under the table. "Great lap in-uh, Quali yesterday"

The McLaren driver's neck snaps upwards, Oscar can see where hes chewed through the skin on his lower lip as he exhales. "What?"

"One- twenty nine on the first try is insane" its a sentence that he heard Logan say before. It should be right, but then theres a switch in the way Lando looks at him. 

Startled eyes turning into a look of slight confusion- flicking all over him as he tilts his head and settles into a small smile, it makes Oscar shift in his seat. "You follow F1 mate?"

"Wouldn't be here if I didn't no?" Distinctly he can hear a choir playing a repeated melody of 'the boys a liar' in his head, but heck- he can't just announce himself as uncultured to a guy who makes this his whole life can he?

It concerns him, the way Lando's smile seems to stretch even bigger when he replies. 

"Uh-huh" The atmosphere seems to turn slightly less stiff, an affronted look crossing over Oscar's face as he playfully crosses his arms when he sees Lando lean back into his chair. "Missed out on pole though"

What is he supposed to say to that?

"You won today though- so" 

Hes going to have to do his research today. 

"Oscar-" its the second time that Lando says his name, making him look at the brunnete. "We- how are you so calm right now?"

It makes him pause. Because yes, hes decidedly trying to keep his nerves from fraying because it seemed like the brunnete was far too nervous for the both of them. 

"I can freak out if you like?" Is all he manages only to hear the other scoff. "I mean- it doesn't really help the situation but-"

"No- no its fine I'm just-" Its when they fall back into silence that Oscar finds himself looking at the driver. 

Hes good looking, Oscar can't deny it- with soft brown hair which probably was supposed to be styled in the morning but now runs haphazard due to constantly running his hands through it. Lean, ofcourse he is but the most striking thing is his eyes, light green which crinkle when he smiles maybe it could have been worse but here they are. 

"this is - not how I expected this weekend to go"

Oscar hums, "I doubt getting a PR boyfriend is something people plan on often" 

"I'm sorry about that" Lando winces yet again. 

They're silent for a while, he can see Lando throw not so subtle glances at the door as if waiting for someone to walk back in and get them out of here. 

"We need to decide what to do now" Lando breaks the silence again, fiddling with the bracelets on his wrists.

"Right,"

"I was thinking that I could- maybe, as its already official now- sorry 'bout that again-" hes rambling again, "-we can make it seem realistic if I post you?" 

"Right now?" 

Oscar hadn't meant for it to be funny, so when Lando's eyes crinkle and he laughs, he doesn't quite know why. 

"No mate- not now" the Brit manages, shoulders shaking and its the way hes looking at Oscar that it puts manages to make Oscar smile ever so hesitantly. "I don't have any pictures of you actually- but sometime I guess"

"Right," god Oscar hopes that Lando can't see the blush creeping up his cheeks. 

Its twenty minutes later and an intense discussion later theres a different edge to the way Oscar finds himself walking out of the motorhome right next to Lando. The race ended thirty minutes ago- he'd finally taken his phone out only to be hounded with ten missed calls and exclamations by an astounded Logan about how he was in there and twenty eight messages from his sisters alone.

"Well-I'v gotto go" They're at the door when Lando pauses, tilting his head so that Oscar can see his mechanics who stand at the side, "they're taking you to watch from the garage. Post race meetings- I got dragged out for this but - I'll meet you there in some time so-" 

"Yeah no worries," Oscar smiles, hands in his jacket because it is a little cold outside and hes far out of place in the polished atmosphere hes found himself in. "Best of luck with that" 

"Thank you" 

And then they're walking out in two different directions- two strangers thrust into becoming close in the span of fifteen minutes before walking out with smiles on their faces. 

⚑ ⚑

It takes them exactly two days. 

Two days since what Oscar had thought was a fever dream had become a reality and now sat in a small cafe tucked into the back of a street with Lando sitting in front with a nervous smile and a coffee in front of him. 

"So- here we are" 

"Here we are" Oscar echoes, biting down the smile threatening to escape onto his face as he sees Lando pause. 

"In this cafe-" 

"A beautiful cafe-" 

"Oscarr," and it the way that Lando drags out his name, crossing his hands with an affronted look that finally brings out a small laugh from Oscar's mouth. "Cut me some slack here, I'v got a speech and everything for this"

"A speech? Well alright then," He tries to school his expression, biting down hard on his lip as he watches the brunnete drag back his train of thoughts and resolutely not meeting his eyes until he does- opening his mouth to begin only to pause. 

"You're laughing at me" 

"Am not" 

"I can see you laughing at me" 

"Are you sure you don't need to get your eyes checked mate?" and its the wrong thing to say because at the end of the statement he cuts himself off with a snort, which is enough to elicit a triumphant 'hah' from Lando. 

"Just proved my point, c'mon- I'm trying to be serious here. We need to sort our story out, can't exactly hold your hand in the paddock and not know what you do for a living"

Hes leaning forward on the wooden table, the half eaten donut in the middle of the two of them. 

"Well-" Oscar purses his lips, "I'm an aerospace engineer, currently having a month off because my boss thinks I overwork myself so- theres that, 'm not that interesting sadly"

"Most people have bosses who want them to work more- aren't you a rarity" The brit squints slightly, the sun casting in his eyes. 

"Don't have much else to do in my life actually" Oscar shrugs his shoulders, "until now at least" 

"-are you sure you're alright with the schedule they've discussed?" Lando fiddles with the stray threads from his hoodie. 

Two races in the coming month, both in two different continents and both which Oscar has to attend. "We- I can get them to change it, if you've got other plans I don't want to-"

"Lando," Oscar cuts him off, and maybe its the gentle tone in his voice that makes Lando snap his mouth shut. "I'm telling you, I really don't mind. I'm getting to travel first class across the world and watch races from the garage, if anything you've got the short end of the stick here"

"Well its not exactly all sunshines and rainbows actually," the sentence makes the Aussie frown, catching the look the Brit continues. "Dating me-  I mean. With the media and the fans and all" 

"I think I'll manage," Oscar watches Lando nod his head. "So- you been here before?"

And its at that sentence, that Oscar sees the exact moment a small piece of knowledge he had probably gathered from oscar's overall demeanour managed to gather as he incredulously looked at him. 

"You don't actually follow F1 do you?"

And Oscar doesn't know why he continues to play into the charade, frown mockingly. "Ofcourse I do" 

"You sure?" Lando matches his stance. 

"certified tifosi here mate"

"Oh what luck of mine," hes grinning now, reaching his eyes, "Got myself a boyfriend who doesn't support me" 

"Sorry mate- Leclerc comes up first there"

And for some reason that immediately causes lando to laugh. Laugh in a way where his shoulders shake, laugh in a way that it brings a smile on his own face. "I'm gonna convert you to the papaya side mate,"

"Papaya side- is that what is called?"

"Mmhm, were far better than the reds too"

"Think I'm gonna have to see that for myself no?"

They're both laughing now, Oscar's hand curled around his caramel latte, squinting slightly as the sun made its way into his eyes and its in the middle of Lando's loud yelps of laughter and his own silent bouts of shoulders shaking, he doesn't notice when the camera suddenly clicks. 

His first thought is Paparazzi, drifting to a hired hitman (most probably due to the intense scrolling he'd done the night before to know something about the man in front of him and ended up on the fan pages which seemed far too personal for his own interest) before he heard a satisfied hum. 

"What?" He notices the camera in lando's hand right after. 

"Sorry I just-" theres a soft glow that surrounds the Brit like a halo, oscar notices- the beige walls and background bustle of people walking by complimenting his outfit as his eyes stayed put on the photo he'd taken before flickering back up to Oscar. "-you look nice when you laugh" 

Oscar blinks. Its the first time he's heard someone say that, first time hes heard anyone who seemed interested enough in the way he looks at any given time of the day and especially the first time when Lando hold his phone out ever so hesitantly, to show the photo in question. 

And when he looks down at it, ready to batter it down and ask him to delete it, he finds out that its really - "nice"

Its a candid, one in which the background is slightly out of focus as if it had been clicked with the flash on, light falling onto his hair while he's looking off into the distance the smile prominent on his face while Lando's hand lies just at the bottom of the screen. 

"Are you sure?" hes snapped out of staring at it when the Brit immediately drags it right back, thumbing over it anxiously. "I- we had to post something from the outing, Silvia said- this ones nice but only if you're fine with it."

"I don't mind" 

The look that Lando gives him is enough to make Oscar snort in laughter yet again. "You really fuel someones indecision don't you?"

"Were alike in that sense"

"Get to know me better mate, you'll find a lot more things common" And its the way lando says it, hands thumbing at the edge of his screen and eyes trained away from him that makes Oscar's breath stutter. 

⚑

gr4deurlando stop the Oscar hard launch??
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itsp1baby Never knew I needed Lando bf era but oh boy
view 12 comments

m3ximusprime the real question here is how on Earth did Lando hide him for so long
view 149 comments

⚑ ⚑

"What does DRS mean?"

It takes Oscar by surprise. 

They're getting out of the airport, luggage in hand while the car doors are open as Lando waves at the driver to get his attention. 

It was a long flight, one which had included Oscar sitting first class a seat away from the Brit who spent most of it going over some data on his phone before promptly dozing off for the rest two hours- contrary to the itch in Oscar's neck from the cramped position of hardly any sleep and far too many shows deep in the past eight hours. 

"Are you asking me?" 

The breeze hits them a second after the door opens, making him wince as he throws a look at the Brit- whos giving him a far more questioning look than he would have preferred and one he definitely deserved but for one thing he had Logan to thank for the impromptu rapid fire lesson he'd received two days ago.

"No mate I'm asking that lady over there-" Lando exaggerated the end of the word, turning around to pick up his bag and walking forward only to stop a few steps later, nervously tapping against the handle of his bag and reaching out for Oscar's own. "Give that here"

"You don't need to" 

"And what will the cameras say?" Lando peers down over his sunglasses, hand already reaching out to grab the handle from Oscar's hands, lightly brushing as Oscar accepts defeat with a shake of his head. 

"Making me out to be the princess here, are we?" Theres a buzz in his skin now, creeping out the cold pressure that had developed in his limbs from the flight. 

"I'm a Formula 1 driver mate-" It's Oscar who opens the car door for them.

PR statements still ringing in his head as he tries his hardest to ignore the large line of fans and cameras pointing steadfastly in his direction- instead, he watches how the brunnete ducks down to slide into the seat- already pulling on bracelets he'd grabbed from the stands closest to their car. 

"Can't have that image out there"

"So you admit its true then?" An exaggerated wiggle of eyebrows and a finger to his lips is the only reply he gets.

The only problem that Oscar is really having with this whole arrangement is just about how easy it is. 

How easy it is to walk out around a city with Lando right next to him, smiling at people as they wave and then standing to the side as they ask him for a photo before disappearing. It's followed by Lando apologising profusely till Oscar gives him a pointed look that has become ever so prominent recently and thats the end of that conversation. 

How easy it is to enter into a conversation as they sit in hotel lobbies and in airport lobbies as they wait for the race weekend to arrive and the PR ladies eyes leave them for even the slightest second. 

Its supposed to be PR training, to really sell the relationship label and Oscar understands. 

He has to because its working. 

Its Wednesday when they land in Japan, its eight in the morning when they land and its nine thirty when Oscar witnesses Lando's eyes widen when the hotel concierge hands them their room keys. 

"So um-" he should have gotten the hint when Lando held onto the keys, should have gotten the hint when the brunnete scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "They gave us a room" 

Oscar blinks. "Right. My keys?"

And its when lando winces, looking around like the walls of the hotel would save him if he dashed out that Oscar realised. 

"Its a single room" 

"Oh"

"-and its a single bed in there"

"I'm guessing its to really sell the image of a loving couple?" 

"Yeah- but who is getting my hotel room information or even cares this much" they're already walking towards the elevator, Lando still has his hands on both the bags. 

"Some fans are crazy I'v heard," Oscar tilts his head, watching Lando sigh slightly before he pushes the button to the fourth floor. 

Coincidence- Oscar thinks. 

"Can I apologise again? I think you really need to hear it right now-"

"Lando the only thing I need to hear right now is the peace and quiet that comes around when I fall asleep," the elevator door rings open, and it has Oscar shaking his head as the driver seems to bounce around nervously on his feet. 

"Are you sure?"

"Would I come up here if I wasn't?"  

The room is much bigger than he had expected. 

A living room separates the bedroom with a sliding door- the balcony opening up to a stunning view of the city which seems to glow in the dying light of the day. Oscar shuffles in, mouth widening slightly at the splendour of the view in front of him before unconsciously tracking the shuffle of Lando's feet as he took the bags to the room.

They unpack in silence. The air conditioner hums softly in the background, and its then that Oscar starts to see the organised mess that Lando liked surrounding himself with. 

It starts with the phone- plugged in first thing on his bedside. (Oscar was given the window after a slight argument)

 Then was the race suit draped over the chair with surgical precision of placing it 45 degrees to the open window- then was the notebook, scribbled with data placed right on the pillow before Lando made his way to the sofa in the living room.

"You know I could take the couch right?" Oscar stands by the doorway, hands sliding into his pants as he watches the way lando lounges peacefully on the couch. The remotes already in his hands, screen switching on with a soft click.

"Oscar" The brit says his name with the slightest of a drawl, rolling the last syllable in a way that makes the Aussie's feet shift a step closer to the couch unconsciously. "I told you thats not happening"

"Its not like that- I just," he runs a hand through his hair, the carpeted floor soft on his bare feet. "I don't want to ruin your usual routine before races by being here"

Oscar blinks when the TV suddenly shuts- the screen earlier showing the hotels view turning dark and suddenly Lando's staring right at him- hazel green eyes sharp at the edges and hands fisting the couch. 

"You're not ruining anything" 

And its the conviction in the way lando says it. Like its a fact- not just a position they've both been forced into that knocks the breathe out of oscar's shaky mess of emotions that he didn't know were blocking the small threshold he had set for himself. 

"You would tell me if I was?" Oscar finally pads over, that stiff roll of his shoulders on seeing the precision of everything the Driver did dropping slowly before the couch dipped under the new weight at the opposite end.

"Course I would," the Brit's voice is soft, the soft yellow light above them casting a soft glow on his face that makes Oscar not want to look away- "I doubt you ever will"

The certainty makes the Aussie huff, hands stretching out to accept the room service menu that Lando holds up (gesturing at him to never mention it to his sports physio while Oscar mouthed no promises) and flicking through it.

 It's in that small gap, that he doesn't notice how that careful distance he had set up between the two of them turns smaller as the brunnete shifts right with the book.

⚑ ⚑

"Have you ever eaten Japanese street food?"

They're walking down the pier, hands in pockets while Oscar watches Lando ramble on excitedly about his work while the cold whipped its way through his hair.

"Never been here before actually," the Aussie replies, his hands are already full with three shopping bags he had bought as souvenirs for his family and an over excited Logan while Lando had tried his hardest to get him to buy something for himself.

"No?" the brunnete shook his head softly, theres a teasing edge to his words before he stops dead in his tracks. "Why not?"

"Not all of us have jobs which include travelling to a different country every other week mate,"

"-Sadly" Lando singsongs at the words, tilting his head as he reaches out to tug onto his jacket- the gesture is simple, just one of fixing his own state but for some reason Oscar's eyes drag onto his slender fingers as they wrap around the edge of the fabric. 

"Don't think I'd miss the constant jet-lag honestly"

"You'd miss me though"

And its before Oscar can even fully process the sentence, its implications, that his mind seems to decide it for him. "yeah" 

The softness in his voice shocks him. 

He knows Lando's heard him loud and clear when the Brit's feet pause hard on the grey tarmac and lock right onto oscar's face. 

Oh god hes going to be so weirded out-

"Yeah?" Lando's voice is so hopeful that it makes Oscar's heart stop. That steady thud turning fast as the lights on the pier seem to reflect themselves in Lando's eyes. 

And its in that atmosphere, where the world seems to soften itself around the edges and just for a second- Oscar finds himself thrown into a world where this all wasn't a PR arrangement, where he truly was someone Lando was hanging out with for the sake of it- that he doesn't have the heart to lie.

"Yeah"

⚑

Lando 

photo of a confused cat
tell me this doesn't look like u 😂

doesn't quali start in ten minutes?
also I definitely don't look like that

keeping tabs on me now osc?
pls have u seen urself when ur confused
ditto

Agree to disagree
I mean I am supposed to be your boyfriend
part of my job isn't it

Agree to agree
Aww aren't you the ideal bf 🧡

sticking the the Papaya on top theory aren't u

gotto keep the branding up osco

osco?

I am the master of nicknames 😗
anyways 
if u are my bf
shouldn't u be wishing me good luck
for quali

I literally wished you five minutes ago in person

so ur not my bf then 😔

I didn't say that

u meant it didn't u

....

I knew it

good luck Lando

at least put a heart after it

good luck lando  🧡

⚑

"and there we have Lando Norris in the McLaren garage, looking at his phone before q1- is that a blush we see there ladies and gents? I do wonder who he's texting-"

"Is that even a question Crofty, Oscar Piastri at the back over theres doesn't seem to notice the camera on him either-"

The fan's call it Landoscar.

Lando laughs when he leans over to show it to Oscar on his phone, the smile on his face crinkling at the edges when he sees the Aussie shake his head in embarrassment. 

"Should've been my name first mate" 

"No wayy," the Brit chortles. They're in the driver's room thirty minutes before Q3- a red flag by Kimi Antonelli giving them much needed time that Lando decided he didn't want to spend alone. 

"Oscando, Osclando- Landoscar has a good ring to it" 

"just admit that you like your name there first," 

"Just admit you're jealous Oscah-" theres that singsong tone again- one that Oscar had grown used to with every time that lando pulled it out whenever the time came to tease the Aussie.

"Of random people online shipping us? I honestly couldn't care-"

Oscars lying. 

He saw that nickname way before Lando knew it existed.

"-and thats why you're getting so worked up about Landoscar-" The grin on Lando's face grows wider as he shifts even closer to oscar- whos sitting on the bed, to where he can smell the Brit's perfume and the warmth enveloping his arms.

"I am not-"

"You're a bad liar Osc-"

Its by accident. 

Oscar will swear later its all by accident. The way that lando reaches out to lightly shove at Oscar's shoulder, and for that exact second for oscar to reach out for that very hand- pulling far harder than he had expected. 

Lando falls on top of Oscar with a soft oomph. 

And its right then that the Aussie swears time seems to stop. Because Lando doesn't move. Not when his head is right above Oscars, whos own rests on the pillow on the bed- long lashes fluttering as a sharp exhale leaves the Brit's lips the second he realises they're still holding hands. 

They're so close. So close- that if oscar only shifted the slightest bit up, tilted his head to match the shock that rose in Lando's own, he could press his lips right on the brits- could just-

"Oscar" Lando says his name breathless, not shifting away- and something in oscar's heart flutters with betrayal. 

He could do it, could shift ever so little and-

"Lando" his own voice comes out gravelly, hoarse and rough at the edges- which would have made him cringe in other circumstances- but right now, it makes Lando exhale softly. 

"Oscar-" theres that drawl again, a rasp now- "Oscar can I-"

The knock on the door startles them right out of the mess. 

"Lando- race in thirty minutes"

Lando's hand pushes on oscar's chest with enough force to knock the breathe out of his lungs all while the Brit rises up in panic, only for his head to hit the metal pull-up bar with a thud before he pushes himself off and winces. 

"Ow-"

"Are you alright-" 

Oscar raises his hand to touch the part Lando holds of his head with worry, and in it doesn't realise how Lando's breathe stutters again.

"I'm sorry I-"

"Don't apologise" Oscar's voice is firm and yet his hand shakes from where it brushes on soft curls, "do you- should I get some ice?"

"No!" Lando's voice is high pitched when Oscar removes his hand, eyes widening and making Oscar freeze. "No- i mean, just- oh god this is embarrassing" 

The Aussie slants an eyebrow. 

lando turns even more red than ever before. "Could you-keep your hand there for a second?" 

Oh

And Oscar knows its an odd thing, basic human behaviour after getting hurt isn't usually asking someone to pet you- but Lando looks at him with eyes wide and fingers fidgeting as the red creeps up to his ears and Oscar doesn't question it further.

"Sure" Its just Lando after all.

But its when his hand threads itself back the way it had before, that Oscar sees Lando visibly exhale- shoulders dropping slightly as he applies the slightest bit of pressure in the hopes that it might heal any throbbing in the area- because driving a car at such speeds couldn't be good with a head injury. 

Lando doesn't move. Not till he somehow laces his boots at an angle that makes Oscar question his flexibility skills and then proceeds to scroll through his music with one airpod in and offering the other to the Aussie without even asking. 

The song's a One Direction one, the vocals heavy and he nods along- shifting his hand in Lando's hair ever so slightly and for some reason, the Brit's eyes flutter shut. 

⚑ ⚑

They don't talk about it. 

Not when Lando put the car in P5 and stalks out with a grim expression and disappearing into the engineers room.  

Not when the message pops up on Oscar's phone- one he stares at far too quickly before his shoulders slump at seeing the contact name. 

MCLAREN PR SILVIA

lando will be here late
don't wait up 
the car is at gate 2

⚑

The thing that shocks Oscar however, is the fact that for some reason- even though his phone flashes 11:00 pm and the air conditioner rumbles in the hospitality- he waits. 

Its basic decency- and their arrangement is for these very things isn't it? And so Oscar sits on the sofa, fingers thumbing across his phone screen and Lando's contact open and yet the message remains untyped. 

because truthfully, Oscar's never truly done this before. Doesn't know well where the line draws itself between the friendship he hopes they are, and the rubicon he doesn't want to cross. 

Hey I'm waiting for you

The message deletes itself the second Oscar's mouth grimaces at the way it sounds. 

Are you done yet?

Deleted the second the red creeps up Oscar's neck at the detachment that stares back at him from those letters. 

I'v heard company's a cure for everything |

"Hey- why are you still here Oscar?" 

The foreign voice cuts across Oscar's ears and the phone falls from his hands, shaky fingers turning straight in panic right before his gaze flicks up and catches eyes of a surprised mechanic he remembers seeing in the garage earlier. 

"I-" The Aussie reaches for his fallen phone with a grimace, ears turning hot as he watches the older man's gaze follow the motion. "Thought I'd wait for him-"

Theres no need to clarify who's the him. Not with the way the mechanic- Mark's- eyes soften at the sentence, that straight edge of his back softening as he exhales softly and shakes his head at Oscar. 

"Thats a lost cause mate," and for just a second, when oscar hears the British accent in his voice- his mind flits to a different mouth saying that same word with more endearment than this conversation. 

"Lando doesn't leave quickly after quali." 

And that makes Oscar frown, "but he did earlier-"

"Young love does change a person," Mark chuckles as he says it, eyes softening when Oscar suddenly chokes on the air he had swallowed. "Don't be so shocked, even we were surprised the first time"

"I didn't-" Hes stuttering. The thin jacket on his shoulders (a 4 on its back prominent that he hadn't noticed when he had put it on in the driver's room, under Lando's watchful eyes that had flicked away when he had looked back with a questioning gaze) suddenly seeming non-existent as the cold shivers down his back. 

"My advice? Don't wait up," the excuse cuts itself off at the firm tone of Mark's voice, "Considering the conversations happening in there, I don't think he'd want you to fall sick being up so late- and you love your sleep don't you?"

Mark says it as a fact, and its soft the way Oscar's feet align with the older man's own pace as the door slides open and they walk towards the exit. His eyes flick back, at the lone light glaring up form the second floor of the hospitality, looking for- what? he doesn't know. 

Yes you do

"How did you-" 

Mark's smile grows softly as he turns to the incredulous look on the Aussie's face. "Lando" 

He says it like a fact. Like it was the most casual thing in the world for Lando to just talk about Oscar- not like he had just made that warmth and haze of feelings that Oscar was refusing to name, not yet- creep up faster than a tidal wave hitting the shore in a tsunami. 

"I'm sorry," the apology leaves his mouth with a face redder than the Red Camellia trees that line the walkway around them. 

The crowds that Oscar had had to push his way through earlier are non-existent, leaving behind a lone squirrel running along the gravel in front of them while his eyes catch a plane flying above them. 

"For what?" 

"For-" his hands gesture softly, backpack thumping across his back while his mind runs three leagues faster. "I don't know whether that qualifies as a distraction, or-"

"Are you apologising for him raving about you to his team?" and its the incredulousness in Mark's voice that makes Oscar pause. 

"God, you two truly are a match made in heaven aren't you- one who talks far too much and the one who is quite the opposite" 

And for the very first time, the reflex doesn't pop up on Oscar's tongue- his mouth doesn't open softly with the earlier, 'were not actually together' that he has to cut himself off before, instead it replaces itself with that feeling of warmth settle across his chest that he has become far too familiar with over the weeks. 

It replaces itself with a sickening smile, creeping up unaware and yet Oscar doesn't try to tame it the second his jaw starts to hurt. 

⚑ ⚑

"Did you sleep well?" 

Oscar's voice is hoarse when he blinks up at the now familiar sound of Lando's alarm ringing for the third time in the morning. The brit is already up, the shower running comng to a stop and he steps out in a beige coloured sweater that makes Oscar's throat dry before he can focus on the concentrated expression on his face. 

"yeah"

The circles under Lando's eyes don't convince him, not when he sees the way lando misses picking his phone up on the first try- and so he sits up, shaking his head to adjust his sense and makes his way to the living room. 

"I'll make coffee" 

The machine hums, the smell prominent in his nose and its a few minutes later that Oscar breathes in the perfume of lando before the cold space next to him is replaced with a warm body that watches him.

"You don't have to"

Oscar doesn't reply. Instead he only lifts the cup, watching the steam curl from the top of the cup before passing it into cold hands that brush against his fingertips right as a sigh escapes tired lips. 

The sit on the sofa, golden light of dawn falling over the open windows and lighting Lando's face in warm yellow that makes his eyes shine like gold. 

Morning's were always a slightly slow affair for them, one where Lando had soon realised it took oscar past 10 am to function properly, and it was almost unnoticed by the Aussie how his usual clatter of movement had died down to a quiet routine and music blasted in air-pods. 

The Aussie watches the Driver sip the coffee, that same smile growing on his face when he realises that Oscar hadn't forgotten the one and a quarter sachets of sugar.

But today, Oscar's hands tighten on the pillow next to him. He doesn't remember when Lando had come back, but his mind had been full of the very thing he knew he had to say. 

Because he had never been good at comforting someone. But watching the mess of what it had been yesterday, something in him couldn't possible sit silent about it. 

And so Oscar breathes out softly, biting his lip down before he speaks. "You came back late yesterday,"

He notices the exact second Lando stiffens. 

"You don't have to explain anything-" Oscar rushes the sentence, eyes widening slightly when he sees the way the Brit squares his shoulders. 

"I know I'm not privy to that. I just, well- I wanted to tell you that you were amazing yesterday. I mean the lap was amazing, I know the strategy call wasn't the best to go out so late but you made the best of it and even though you aren't where you expected to be- you're going to do well today"

And if only Oscar wasn't busy keeping his gaze everywhere but Lando's face, maybe he would have seen the adoration that decorated it before it was schooled down.

"Oscar-"

"And if you ever want to talk about it, as friends- or to someone who as you know, doesn't know that much of the schematics of this- I'm here." Oscar's eyes shine softly, words fraying at the edge as fingers tighten back on the fabric of the pillow- not noticing the clink of a coffee cup being placed down on the counter.

"I'm not trying to overstep- you can pretend you never heard me say this if you like, but I just wanted to tell you-oomph" 

The sentence can't complete itself when suddenly the space between them disappears the second curls bury themselves in Oscar's neck and there are hands wrapped around his waist. 

It takes Oscar exactly three milliseconds and reflex to barge straight through the mess of a heart beating far too fast and words staying at the tip of his tongue before his hands wrap right around the others chest before the momentum of the motion has them falling- with Oscar's back on the couch and Lando propped up against the edge of the sofa. 

Vaguely, he knows Lando's saying something- can hear the muffle come from his chest and yet he can't focus on it- not when the warmth that had always surrounded him, so close and yet so far now lies in his arms. Unconsciously his hands tighten, right hand sneaking up just as Lando shifts to reach for brown curls that are soft under his touch right as a breath trails down oscar's neck. 

"Thank you" Lando's voice is muffled, head in the crook of Oscar's neck and even though it would make sense for him to pull away, to take back the spontaneousness of the action- the brit doesn't bother to move. 

"Ofc-" oh god hes stuttering. And even though he can't see his own face, he knows the exact shade of red his face is probably showcasing- knows from the way his forehead pounds the exact way it always does whenever Lando's close. "ofcourse Lan," 

They don't move for another two minutes. 

⚑ 

sophie someone remind Oscar Piastri that this isnt his bf's first time in a car because he is stressed

rayne that cut to oscar after Lando's near crash was brutal omg
#bro looked five mins away from red flagging this race himself #look of love omg

conan ok but the fact that lando's so comfortable with being close to him in public is so cute
#like the amount of hand holding? #the stares? sir?

⚑ 

"I can swear I'v seen you wear the shirt before" 

They're in the hotel room. Oscar sits by the arm chair by the window, eyebrows pursed as the schematics pile themselves up on his screen and his fingers clack on the screen while behind him Lando reaches for his cologne. 

It had taken that one scene. 

One that Lando had followed with hesitant eyes when he had pulled away, then seen the look on Oscar's face and promptly broken the scared look to one of relief and declaring that 'you're a good hugger Osc'

If Oscar had promptly rushed to the room to hide the blush on his face, he wa sure no one needed to know that.

The Aussie only looks down, hands stilling for a second before he nods. "Yeah- a while back"

That one hug had followed with the fact that lando had become clingier than before. 

"Why?"

"Because unlike some people, I do know how to use a washing machine"

And Oscar's not complaining. Not when they had walked into the paddock on Thursday with hands entwined and Silvia had looked at them hard and fast before shaking her head and disappearing down the hallway right as Lando pushed his head into Oscar's neck and walked right behind her.

"Ok rude- and you know thats not what I meant"

"Its comfortable"

"Yeah, but- oh my god you know how I went out yesterday with Max right?" 

Oscar only hums, tilting his head to make sure Lando knew he was listening, even though his eyes never left the screen. Its something they're used to now. 

Lando- as Oscar had discovered- was someone who truly couldn't keep his mouth shut for too long. 

Not like it was a bad thing, those spontaneous conversations starting from something as simple as a stall on the street and ending with Oscar learning far too much about Lando's friends and online drama of people he had never heard of before (but was far too invested now) 

"So we were at the avenue, cause I wanted a new shirt but I didn't really like them." 

Theres a shuffle of feet on the carpeted floor, the breeze from the open balcony drifting through the cold and its when Lando taps on Oscar's shoulder that the Aussie looks up to see the brunnete eyeing him with an expression that screams something he didn't want to name.

"-And now I think we need to go for a shopping trip" 

There it is. 

The sentence hits Oscar with the force of someone stepping into a world they did not want to be in. 

"For you?" Oscar knows that the attempt is unwelcome the second the Brit's grip takes the laptop right off of Oscar's shoulder and tightens on his wrist. 

The smirk on his face makes something in Oscar's chest thump all while the glint in his eyes made another part shiver in fear, "You're smarter than that Osc" 

And thats how Oscar finds himself in the one place he had sworn to Logan he would never be caught dead in. 

"Lando" the first door in the fashion avenue opens to reveal gold polished interiors and a far too excited Lando skipping through the first racks as the employees bow slightly, eyes widening on realisation before narrowing down on Oscar who stumbles behind awkwardly. 

"I really don't think this is necessary"

"Ofcourse it is" the Brit doesn't seem to hear him, hands already skipping through racks of shirts with concentration that rivalled what he was used to seeing when the curly haired boy stared at race stats early in the morning. 

"I have clothes" 

Lando only thrusts to shirts into Oscar's chest and tilts his head with an infuriatingly naive flutter of his eyes, "And you can always have more" 

Somewhere behind them, someone chuckles. 

"But I don't need-" he doesn't know why hes protesting, eyes nervously catching the amount of clothes that start to pile up in his hands. 

Its before he can fully comprehend the fact that his head wasn't seen over the material, his feet find themselves inside a dressing room with beige walls far too intimidating and the curtain halfway closed before Lando's head pops in through the gap.

"The worlds our stage Oscah," It takes everything in the Aussie not to pull the curtain across the grin on the Driver's face. "Don't worry, I have good taste mate"

The curtain shuts itself with click that makes the finality click into Oscar's vein right as his face pales on finally catching the mountain of clothes that sit on the floor next to him. 

If anyone asked what Oscar did on a Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 pm to 5:30pm, he would tell them he was sleeping. 

He would tell the world he was knocked out from jet lag, that his eyes were closed and he knew nothing about the doppelgänger that was photographed leaving the most expensive stores in the district with hands full with bags and a caffeinated Lando Norris already deciding where else they were to go.

The problem with it- however- was the fact that Oscar couldn't deny the fact that Lando did have good taste.

The first shirt went over his head with resignation and a sigh so loud that Lando's laugh from outside echoed. 

But it was when Oscar did turn to the mirror, that he blinked. 

Navy blue greets his vision, a knitted sweater with a white collar that highlights the line of his jaw. The jeans are baggy, beige edges falling over his shoes and yet they make him look taller. 

"Its not bad" is the first thing Oscar says as he steps out, eyes squinting to adjust themselves back to the harsh light of the store before they focus back on Lando- only to see the Brit, for the first time- silent. 

Lando sat on the sofa with his hands thrown back and posture relaxed like he owned the place, and yet his eyes widened with every step Oscar took. 

"Uh-"

The look makes Oscar smirk. Because really, hes not dumb. He knows he looks good- knows that hes not the worst to look at, but this reaction from the Brit? Well thats a complication he's not fully against. 

Its not like it means anything, his brain supplies- everyone finds certain people good looking with no romantic feelings attached. hell, they could find a person attractive in a friendly way too. 

And so Oscar turns back to the changing room, ears buzzing and pulls on the next fit. Baggy black jeans and a graphic shirt that was far more Lando's style than his- and proceeds to tilt his head the second lando's hand runs through his hair when Oscar walks out. 

"Good?" his voice is rough, hands buzzing from the continuous exercise of pulling on and off clothes.

Lando swallows, "Good" 

The word is far more faint compared to the confidence with which he had pulled Oscar into the store- but he doesn't comment, not when the realisation comes that he quite likes this whole shenanigan and pretends not to hear when lando's voice echoes in his ears. 

"I'll take everything he tried on"

The walk to the checkout corner is one that Oscar finds out that he doesn't even get to experience. Not when he walks out back in his original clothes to find shopping bags already waiting at the entrance, lando already tucking in his card before his gaze locks back on Oscar. 

"You didn't have to" oscar says, "they're my clothes- you didn't but anything for yourself"

"Ofcourse I did." Lando only shrugs. Theres a rough edge still present in his voice, and oscar doesn't miss the way the cashier's sly smile only grows when Lando shifts closer to Oscar. "I dragged you here didn't I?"

"Still" Its the casual way that the Brit says it, hands already enclosing the receipt before Oscar can read the numbers on it- that makes that familiar buzz in his veins arise faster. 

Was this what it was like to be a WAG? 

"I'll pay you back" Oscar says it once they leave the store, hands holding bags far too heavy to be just two or three new shirts- and nods at the staff who follow the pair walking till they turn down the corner. 

"No you're not" 

"Lando,  this was expensive. I can't just accept it-"

"Well you're going to have get used to it now."

"I'm not-"

"Nope" lando pops the p, hands shoved in his pockets while he slows down to match oscar's pace. 

"Lando-"

"No"

The cafe is tucked in the corner of the avenue, the smell of coffee prominent all around its area even though the doors closed- and its when Oscar sees the way Lando's eyes droop right as they exit the third store, tucking in his wallet that Oscar decides its time to stop. 

"You need to eat"

"No I don't" 

the gaze oscar levels him with makes the next declaration pause on the Brit's face. "Jon will kill me if I'm the reason his driver faints in free practice"

"his driver?" the door opens with a bell tinkle, and immediately all of Oscar's sense are filled with the scent of freshly baked pastries on a glass counter while the piano music playing softly follows suit. 

"You are, aren't you?"

"And not yours?" And Oscar knows hes teasing. 

Knows that the way Lando tilts his head with the white lights from above them twinkling like stars in his green eyes is nothing but the charade they have to keep up- and yet, its the way that Lando's shoulder hits softly against his own, the way their colognes mingle right as the cashier at the counter smiles at them that Oscar can't help himself from shifting his hand to touch Lando's waist. 

"Weren't you always?" 

Lando's grin dims even the rays of the sun that Oscar has seen before. 

⚑ 

Ari @cryngover13 
YALL I JUST SAW OSCAR AND LANDO IN PUBLIC RN AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WENT ON A SHOPPING TRIP TOGETHER 

Ari @cryngover13
OSCAR WAS CARRYING LIKE TEN BAGS WHILE LANDO WAS TALKING WITH HIS HANDS GESTURING AROUND WITH A LOOK THAT SCREAMED 'IM IN LOVE' 

Leia @forzaferrari
Oscar Piastri's an acts of service person confirmed ... I am unwell

⚑

The first problem arises the second Oscar decides to scroll. 

 One which festers from the first time he opened a race discussion forum, scrolled far too deep in the 'Lando Norris' tag and reached the very part of the internet that was never supposed to be seen by anyone- especially not the very person it spoke of. 

Its the way you can see Lando's performance drop off the second that bf showed up

No cause tell me why we went from P1 to P5 in the span of every race O**** showed up

Someone get him out of that garage 

"Osc?" Oscar snaps the phone screen shut far too much force just as Lando shifts awake next to him. The Brit's eyes are sleepy, hair ruffled in a way that makes oscar's heart beat just a beat faster. "Why are you up?"

Oscar shifts beneath the sheets, blinking quickly at the alarm clock that shows 1:45am prominently in white. 

"Couldn't sleep" the lie sits cold on his tongue. 

"First time hearing you say that," the Brit yawns at the end of the sentence, and it makes Oscar snort softly. 

"Go back to sleep Mr Race Winner"

"You first," Oscar doesn't move away the arm that falls on his own hand, shifting closer instead to adjust to the Brit before his eyes fall shut again and Oscar has to remind himself this isn't real. 

That the way Lando's hands curl around Oscar's wrists is nothing more than what an agreement had started- and would inevitably end.

 The black phone screen stares up at Oscar. And for the first time, Oscar begins to doubt. 

Was it truly his fault? Was this the root cause?

The next day begins the way it normally does. 

Where lando's alarm rings and hes up to the bathroom all while Oscar continues to sleep- hair mussed and faint creases between his brow before Lando taps him awake. 

But thats when the change starts. Its subtle at first, the smallest of distances created between two people who had never had it before. 

"Oscar- have you seen my sunglasses-" Lando's voice is muffled from the bathroom.

"On your right table" Oscar calls out, and for the first time- doesn't move to pass them the second the door opens.

Lando moves, reaching for the position they're in before pausing. Oscar usually handed them over if he was closer. 

The second change happens when Lando reaches out his hand the second the cold outside air hits his face on the way to the car. Its a gesture they're used to- one borne from Lando complaining of cold hands and Oscar's endearing smile every time. 

But for the very first time, Oscar's hands are in his own pocket and the door to the McLaren opens its passenger seat before the driver sits in it.

Because now Oscar has to remind himself its fake. Because now it had somehow blurred away the lines they had carefully written and signed. The agreement glares at him from the way its favourited in his photos.

He can't ruin it for Lando. he can't make his selfishness ruin Lando's actual career. 

"Are you alright?" Lando asks for the first time on Saturday, hours before they have to report to the track, when Oscar gets ready at the opposite end of the room by the mirror in the living room while Lando watches from his position on the bed with a frown tugging on his face.

"Great," Oscar tilts his head through the mirror, "why?"

"Just wondering," 

"Don't- you have a race to focus on" he says it lightly, reaching for his shoelaces. 

"You're acting weird"

The laugh that follows is brittle and yet Oscar tries his hardest to smile when lando stands unsure at the entrance of the hotel room. "Care about your fake boyfriend too much don't you?"

Oscar grabs the car keys and steps out before Lando can follow. 

⚑ ⚑

"So Lando, p5 for you for tomorrow race. What do you think are your chances?" 

Oscar watches from the side of the PR tent. Its right after q3, one that Oscar had watched with too much tension for someone who had no idea what any of this was two months ago. 

Its the way WAGS are supposed to help the driver and weve got the opposite going on here

I can't with this glaze on that person- ppl need to see the results atp.

Lando is relaxed, gently sucking on the straw of his drink and leaning slightly against the barricade. 

"Good. The car is fast just not enough work done on our part today, we missed pole by seconds- I'm sure well be on the podium tomorrow"

"Just podium?" 

Lando smiles casually at that. That tilt of his head that Oscar was so used to seeing in dim light and driver rooms coming right back as he laughs- this one is slightly more reserved than the laid back version he was used to. "A win is always the goal"

And really Oscar should have seen it- the way the interviewer tilted his head right in oscar's direction- beady eyes glinting eerily before they locked right back on lando's. "And- how do you feel your performance might be affected by the company around you?"

Its with clinical quickness that Oscar sees the exact second Lando stiffens when the real meaning of the question sinks into his skin. 

"What do you mean?" 

The interviewer doesn't seem to notice the stone cold tone of Lando's voice, the way his spine straightens and eyes squint even though hes not in the sunlight. 

"I mean-" the voice is cold, and each word embeds itself even harsher in Oscar's skin when they reach his ears. "There is a new addition to your garage these days, and suddenly pole position seems like a far reach than it did before. People do wonder-"

"I don't think who's in my garage has anything to do with anything in this matter"

And suddenly for Oscar- all background chatter seems to die down. 

Because, they're not wrong are they? Oscar's not stupid, he's an engineer- he spots patterns and makes or breaks them- and in this case, he thinks hes doing the exact opposite of what was supposed to help Lando. 

The interviewer himself doesn't seem to be bothered- shrugging his shoulders and pressing the microphone even closer. Next to them George's interview halts to a stop the second he hears whats happening. 

"It is an observation- that new friends do tend to have an influence on a sport which is enormously mental-"

Oscar watches the exact second Lando snaps. 

"Firstly, hes my boyfriend. Get your facts right. Secondly, Oscar has been one of my greatest supporters so far- attending my races across continents when he has much better things he could be doing with his time, and is one of the main reasons I enjoy going out on the track- I don't know where this discourse has started, and I would appreciate it if it stopped." 

Lando's breathe is sharp, "My personal life has nothing to do with what happens out on track. That is a clear distinction I want to make. And as a journalist, I think you should stick to the sport itself than whatever you think you're going to gain from this"

"I was just-" 

"Don't bother" Lando cuts him off, hands crossed harsh across his chest and eyes flashing a red Oscar had never seen before- not till it locks right onto him. From across the media pen, across drivers and PR managers running across- lando stares right at oscar with an expression that Oscar couldn't classify. 

Its one of soft eyes which blaze with protectiveness, its anger locked in every breath and yet its not directed at the person who's face he can't seem to tear his eyes off. 

"I don't want to hear it."

And for the second time in that week, that Oscar finds himself believing he's in a movie- in a simulation he'll soon wake up from because its right then that Lando moves. Interviews forgotten, PR running to match his strides and its in all of it that Oscar finds that he's the one who the Brit is moving towards. 

The hand locks itself onto his wrist before Oscar's sense are flooded with the familiar perfume that Lando sprayed after each race, rich and woody and it makes his head spin the exact second he finds that his feet are moving to match the way Lando marches out of the media tent.

"lando-"

"Don't." 

And Oscar listens- not because there is nothing he wants to say- but because Lando's voice leaves no choice for argument. His own heart thuds painfully in his chest, that same doubt he had finally heard voiced out sending his head into a spiral while another part latched itself on the declaration that the Brit had given in the pen with painstaking clarity. 

My Boyfriend. 

Oscar wished it didn't make his heart thud and feet to flutter as it did.

The door to the driver's room clicks shut with a finality that finally makes Lando pause. 

Oscar tries again, "Lando-"

Lando whirls around to face the Aussie who leans against the wardrobe with eyes blazing with anger, "Who do they think they are!" 

Hes pacing, race suit flopping around his waist. "God I never liked him but really, thats the final straw. He doesn't have the right to say anything about what I do in my life, god the bullshit he was saying about results- its just quali, we messed up, it happens. What does that have anything to do with you-"

And people used to say that Oscar never wore his emotions on his face. he had heard it from a load of people how he was someone who's opinion could never be read from his face. 

And so when Lando turns around to face him, hands gesturing vividly to the sky and eyes looking for that same confidence on oscar's face that he was used to seeing every time they hugged before quali- his voice falters. 

Breaks. 

For the first time, Lando Norris looks at Oscar with green eyes that look sad.

He messed up, didn't he? 

"Lando-"

"Don't tell me you actually believe that" Lando's voice is soft now. Replacing the earlier indignation, replacing the fire that had blazed with cold hurt that somehow made Oscar swallow the pity in his own throat and bite down the urge to reach out and comfort the person in front of him.

"Its not about believing," he says softly, eyes trained to the floor- he can't bring himself to look at the Brit. 

Lando exhales harshly. "You can't be serious"

"It's about results Lan," the nickname slips comfortably, voice stretched thin and yet he can't hide the endearment on it. "You and I both know that your usual schedules getting disrupted with me making myself a constant here. Its not like its baseless-"

""What have you been reading online?"

"I'm not reading-"

"You're a terrible liar and we've established that a long time ago Oscar-" 

Lando shifts closer to Oscar. Closer from the careful distance Oscar had maintained, to the point where the Aussie can feel each harsh breathe that the Brit exhales- sees the way the frown on his face is prominent and his hand reaches out before collapsing into a fist halfway when he sees the look on Oscar's face.

"You're not listening to me-"

"I don't want to-" Lando's voice is cold, "- fuck Oscar, I don't need to. You think you're the reason this is happening? Well I'll tell you we predicted this slump way before I even knew your name. Mid season was a mess waiting to happen, we have no gains on slow corners and even worse tyre degradation on street circuits and we always knew that. " 

And for the first time in that haze of self doubt, Oscar blinks back the fog. "What? I didn't know-"

Lando runs a hand through his hair, messing up perfect curls and a groan escaping his lips as he sees the way the brunnete scrabbles for words. 

"Thats the point Oscar- you didn't know. And instead of telling me- your boyfriend- that you were reading all that shit online, you decided this was something I didn't need to know about, and then- oh my god, is this why you were being so distant this past week?"

but its fake

its all fake

It makes Oscar's cheeks burn the second hazel eyes lock onto his own. 

The silence that follows is enough to give the Brit every answer he needs. 

"So it is."

"It wasn't meant to be like this-" Oscar's pleading, eyes wide and for the first time hes reaching for Lando- fingers scrabbling for something to hold onto and for the first time, receiving nothing but air. 

We aren't real

We can't be real

I'm ruining your chances

"Then how was it meant to be?" 

"I-"

"No- what was the plan? Distance yourself? Pull yourself out of this relationship slowly and then call it quits? Is that what you want Oscar? A break up?"

"Its not like we were truly together in the first place Lando"

Lando's breathe stutters. 

he didn't mean that

Shit he didn't mean that

The silence stretches itself thin. Tension building up in the very depths of the sour feeling that rises in Oscar's throat, pulling at memories and at gestures from both sides all while Oscar can't bring himself to look at Lando.

"Is that-" Lando's voice cracks. "Is that what you believe? After everything?" 

And Oscar wants to scream. Wants to take back the one sentence that he knew would ruin everything, would ruin the fantasy he had allowed himself to entertain- to fall for- to blow over to the cold reality that they had been in. 

But he can't. 

Not when he can see the deadline for their charade flash before his eyes, can see the comments and the results statistics better than the crushed mess he was making of his own heart and that of the love of his life's.

"The contract expires in a month anyways, you don't have to force yourself to be around me anymore. We both knew this was going to end this way." 

But I don't want it to

I don't want you to want it to

"Are you hearing yourself right now?" Lando runs a hand through his hair, voice harsh and yet it cracks the second he steps forward and Oscar takes one back.

 "yes" his own voice is numb, back to the tone of speaking to a stranger. "Come on Lando, you can't deny this wasn't affecting you in some way" 

"Ofcourse it was!" And its the exclamation, the way that lando's hands fly to his sides- that Oscar flinches. 

But the Brit wasn't done. 

Instead he stepped forward again, fireproofs flapping on his waist and a blaze in his eyes suddenly making themselves far too prominent when a hand reaches for Oscar's downcast neck and forces it to lock straight onto the others. 

It makes Oscar's breath stop. There are tears lining his own eyes, can see the way there is desperation in the way Lando's own don't fall- not when tan skin is so close to him, not when the fingers that still graze his neck are soft and yet his back presses to the wall in a way that screams of holding back than it did of anything else. 

"Ofcourse every single day I spent with you changed the fact that this was a contract with a termination date. But ofcourse you were kind, so patient, so nice- so you that that belief of me keeping by emotions out of this changed to something I thought we both felt- something I could have sworn wasn't just obligatory." 

Lando's chest heaves, breath coming out in spurts- hazel eyes screwing shut as a wounded noise follows the second Oscar's hands tremble to touch fingers that hold his chin. 

"You stayed. You cared- hell, I was prepared for no contact from you from the day you left after signing that paper but you stayed. And its not like I haven't noticed. I know there is something more here, I know I'm not imagining it- I know you can't possibly treat this the way I thought we both would have dealt with it six months ago." 

Oscar can't respond. Not when his body feels paralysed under the gaze that pins him down in desperation. Vaguely, he can hear the background noise of the DJ playing songs on the track, can hear people outside cheer and whistle with joy- and the irony of it makes him want to laugh. 

Because here they are, locked in an argument which had been brewing from all that time ago when they had first seen each other at their lowest- and outside the world cheers for a couple which had never truly been one. 

"So tell me Oscar," and Oscar's heart cracks the exact second Lando's voice does. "Tell me truthfully- that you don't feel anything. Look me in the eyes and tell me I was imagining all of it. Tell me you're a damn good actor and I'll walk away. Or we can talk, we can sort this out and-"

Think about him Oscar

Don't be selfish here

"I don't" 

The axe drops from its carefully suspended position above the two of them and cuts the last threads of hope that Lando clung to clean into two. 

"Say-say it again" 

Oscar swallows. Swallows the mess in his chest, sharpens the knife from the stone he has to make of his own feelings. 

Because its pathetic isn't it? For him to feel so much for a man he hadn't even kissed before, hadn't done anything more than hold hands like a Victorian couple and yet feel just as much as giving his heart away in a coffin and stabbing his own skin with a million knives. 

"I don't believe you"

"I don't feel anything Lando" 

Lando flinches. The hand that had touched his face drops the second it says his name. 

And then Lando moves. 

The same feet that had always carried themselves closer to Oscar shifting away from his for the very first time. Its instinct, on which Oscar raises his own- feels the phantom touch on his chin and then swallows as the lights turn to blur as the tears in his eyes are blinked back down. 

He's done this for lando's own good. 

"Ok" The Brit's voice is cold now. So cold that Oscar doesn't remember ever hearing such ice in his tone. "You can leave now" 

And Oscar doesn't want to. Doesn't want to move from here, want's to reach for Lando and say he's lying through his teeth- but he doesn't. 

Theres a mechanical way his feet move to the door, theres a stab right as the hot outside air cuts through the cool air conditioner temperature of 21 degrees that lando always preferred. 

"Im sorry" The words are salty on his tongue, the door separating two people that still wished to never be separated. 

But its right before the door closes, that Oscar hears Lando scoff. "If you were, you wouldn't be doing this" 

And then the click sounds. 

Oscar's feet almost collapse against it. 

⚑ ⚑

The drive back to the hotel room is like a dream. 

One that Oscar remembers only numbly due to the way that Silvia takes one look at the red rims of his eyes when he makes his way to the end of the hospitality, watches Mark stiffen at the ring of his phone flashing Lando's contact name and disappearing int he direction Oscar had left behind- and drags him to the car with a sunglasses thrust onto his face. 

"I'm not going to ask you what happened" 

Oscar sinks into the seat. Silvia drives with the radio off, hands clenched on the wheel and eyes not leaving the road. 

"We both knew this would happen" its like repeating the same words from a script. 

Silvia turns over another corner, "You're lying to yourself. I don't know why- but I have an idea, and they're never wrong." 

Oscar only shifts again. 

Silvia continues. "You think Lando's position in the championship is your fault- and don't tell me it isn't, I'm the PR head for a reason oscar- I'v seen everything you're trying to convince yourself is true when it isn't. You think that the fact that you started this relationship as a forced contract makes everything you feel- dont' tell me you don't- invalid, because it wasn't Lando's choice."

The speed bump digs into Oscar's back.

"Well let me tell you something Oscar. Lando isn't the type to fall for such things. He wears his heart on his sleeve, sure- but he's cynical to the core when it comes to letting people close. And in the six years I'v been here, this was the first time I'v ever seen him be so comfortable with someone so quickly. The two of you blurred the lines we drew a long time ago- and no one stopped you because it looked natural. You look at him like he hung up the stars, he looks at you like you are the moon itself."

"He doesn't-"

he can't complete the sentence because he knows its a lie. "It doesn't matter now"

The cold lights of their-his- hotel shine one corner away, and the silence that follows his cut words make Silvia sigh. 

"I'll sign the ending lease of the contract today, expect the money by tomorrow afternoon. But Oscar- I'm not going to invalidate your feelings, I'm not going to tell you the thing you're probably already thinking right now- but just think about it alright? This is going to harm the both of you more than you think it was doing when you were together"

Logan 

article attached
Oscar
Are you alright?

Can I come over

Ani @st4rcrossed 
what do you mean Lando and Oscar broke up? 

Coast @beachtimescraze
They were literally in love like a day ago wth

Edward @eds33ver
what happened overnight what I just woke up to this 

Two weeks. 

The race plays on the screen at a volume louder than the decibel Logan's neighbours had told him was acceptable at 3 am in the morning. But for the first time, Logan only watches his best friend stare blankly at a screen and at a name at the corner of the screen that he had once held in his arms. 

"Oscar" The American's voice is soft, the popcorn he had made lying untouched all while the red rims around Oscar's eyes don't disappear even though two weeks had passed since when the Aussie had booked a flight and appeared at Logan's doorstep at 4 in the morning. "This isn't healthy" 

Logan's eyes widen when for the first time after that night, Oscar finally speaks. "Hes doing well" 

On the screen, car number 4 dives past Esteban Ocon on a corner people called 'deaths corner' with speed rivalling its usual on the straits. 

"And thats a daring overtake from Norris there. He's driving like someone not scared to take risks, extremely risky but the results are worth it- up to P3" 

"Yes, one might have to say he's driving erratically however- but its giving us some good action after two weeks of no racing isn't he?"

"Shows I was right"

And Logan knew the story, knew it from the babble of words from his usually stoic friend right as he crumbled in the doorway. 

"No it doesn't"  

In his pocket, his phone buzzes from a contact that told the story from a garage with blue on its walls and a DNF in front of his name due to a mechanical failure. 

"He's on podium- never got there when I was with him"

"Daniel said that they're back on tracks their cars are better suited for" 

And then, for the first time after it- Oscar turns to look at Logan with an expression that threatens on borderline of breaking down again. "Was I wrong Logan?" 

Yes, every cell of the blonde's body threatened to scream it, but its the devastation in Oscar's own posture that has him sigh. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

"They're saying it was for the better"

"They're idiots" Logan spits out. 

And Oscar barks out a laugh, "it wasn't even a real thing- god, why am I so affected?" 

"Because the two of you never really followed that guideline from the start" Logan's voice is soft, and yet the Aussie flinches. 

"look where that got us"

"It doesn't have to be the end Oscar" the blonde shifts closer, sees the uneven rise and fall of the others chest. "You're both dealing with the fallout- clearly, Lando's not doing better- from the look on his face this whole time"

"It was a contract relationship Logan!" the Aussie runs a hand across his face, that same wobble in his voice that rose every time he convinced himself that his emotions weren't valid. "And then I went and actually fell for him"

"Did you ever ask him how he felt?"

"I didn't-"

The blare of excitement of the commentator's voice pauses the hysteria rising in a mind racing faster than the cars on the screen. 

Had he ever asked? 

Did he just assume he was the only mess in that?

The race ends with Lando on top, and a traitorous part of Oscar's already reaching for his phone- reaching for the contact still pinned at the top and a congratulations ready on his fingertips before freezing the second reality sinks in. 

Logan watches it happen. 

He reaches for the remote, ready to switch the channel when the post race interviews are about to start- but a hand catches his wrist. Oscar shakes his head in the night light, eyes not leaving Lando's face as he exits the car even though his fingers shake from where they're pressed on Logan's wrist. 

Lando Norris stands on the podium with no smile on his face. 

Lando Norris gives his post race interview with a frown on his face. 

"Congratulations Lando- another win under your belt. One can say its a comeback from the dry spell earlier isn't it?"

Lando's shoulders stiffen- Oscar notices. "yes."

"So- what changed? Any changes to the paddock guests that have led to this-"

And thats when, for the first time- the world sees the second Lando Norris decides enough was enough. 

The Brit scoffs. "This is the exact reason the 'guest' I wanted the most to be here disappeared"

Next to him, Max and Charles snap their heads at the interviewer- visibly off guard. 

"I'm sorry, what do you mean-"

"I'v said it before, I'll say it again. This is a sport, I don't know what people get from commenting on my relationship, on the people I surround myself with- but whatever it is they wanted, they've succeeded. They convinced the one person who got me through that 'dry spell' that he was the cause of it, and now that I'm here he probably thinks he was right."

The grandstands that had been cheering were silent now. Lando's voice echoing across speakers and screens and straight to the person it was meant for, because Lando's gaze was pointed straight at the camera- hazel eyes holding such intensity that Oscar's breathe caught itself all across the world. 

"I hope he knows that he's the reason I didn't bin the car in that time. I hope he knows that everything he thinks about himself is a lie, I hope he knows that I will wait, however long it takes. I hope he knows that I meant every word I said- and I hope he knows that this win is for him"

The mic is passed before the interviewer can say anything else. 

Max Verstappen says one sentence. 

"People have too much free time at home to comment on other people's lives"

⚑

And across the world, two continents away- Oscar Piastri's heart finally accepts the one thing it had been denying itself for so long. 

He loved Lando Norris 

And maybe, just maybe- Lando Norris actually loved him back too. 

⚑

Fleaur @perc4_val
so ur telling me the reason Landoscar broke up was because of ppl saying Oscar was the reason mcl sucked?

Skye @monacolights
ohh when i catch these ppl 

Syri @offthetrack
the confession on live tv tho? Lando Norris the man you are

Bear @bear81
tell me why I was blushing at that speech

wry @poisonivy
everything aside, Oscar I hope you know that no one believes that. I hope you know that we love you (and that Lando does too)

Alli @Allin4
Oscar please come back (its been two weeks)

⚑

Its at 4:00am on a Monday morning, that Oscar comes to the realisation that everyone around him had already reached months ago. 

"Logan" 

Theres a sudden rush of adrenaline in his veins, cutting through the fog of despair he had delved into- replacing the state of rest with a fluid motion as he rose from the sofa like a man possessed, eyes wide and brown hair flopping on his forehead as he rushed to the room. 

"Logan we need to go to the airport" 

The blonde doesn't move. Instead, the shock on his face replaces itself with a soft smile- growing to a grin with every clatter that echoed from Oscar's room. 

"Why?" 

And its at that word, that Oscar's head pops out from the door. That crazed look in his eyes that Logan had never seen before, chest heaving and yet theres a finality in his voice that makes that smile on Logan's face finally split into the widest grin. 

"Because I love him"

Beneath the couch, on an Iphone 17 cracked from being thrown across rooms- a call that had started exactly twenty seconds ago abruptly cuts itself with a gasp so loud and fingers that type on a screen to attach two plane tickets for the next flight in three hours. 

Alexxx 💙

I'll keep Lando with me 
Don't miss it
They're both such idiots

⚑

The adrenaline wears off the second they hit the business class seats that Oscar was questioning at first, then seeing Logan put a hand to his lips- accepted before promptly crashing on the seat on realising the magnanimity of what he was about to do. 

Because its in the silence that follows take-off, in the way the city below him turns to light points and suddenly they're above the sea that Oscar's nerves come right back. 

This was an impulse decision, one borne from leaving his own feelings buried too deep till the exploded- but what if he was the one reading too much into it? 

Wasn't that TV talk just something for people to leave the drivers alone? What if he hadn't meant it for him, maybe it was for him parents? His siblings? Max Fewtrell? 

"What if I read this all wrong" 

He's whispering it to himself, hands digging into the seatbelt as the screen in front of him shows '3 hours 43 minutes remaining'

But next to him, Logan stirs- blue eyes blinking softly and theres a smile on his face that he reserved only for occasions like this. "But what if you didn't?"

Theres no luggage for the two of them to wait for. 

And its five minutes later that Oscar finds himself stuffed into the back of a taxi, Logan next to him and hes on his phone for far too much time till Oscar bites his lip hard enough to draw blood. 

"How do you even know hes here?" The taxi rumbles on rain slick roads with its tyres silent, unlike the storm that made Oscar's hands jitter. 

"I have sources" 

"Thats ominous, please tell me you're not one of those stalkers"

"Oscar Jack Piastri I am helping you get to the love of your life, and you're calling me a harasser?"

The taxi driver doesn't say a word, and yet his eyes flick to the mirror at the sentence- and maybe Oscar imagines it, but the taxi speeds up at that. 

Its only when he leaves the leather seats as the hotel comes into view, when Logan shoves a note into his hand and winks, not leaving the taxi as it speeds off- does he see the McLaren sticker stuck on its bumper. 

The Hilton greets Oscar with a polite nod from the doorman, and the elevator doors cling shut with a finality that makes him want to collapse against its doors and turn right around. 

Truthfully, the nervousness in his veins was enough that in other times would have led him to head to the hospital to sedate himself. But this time, this time he watched the floors rise one by one- the numbers acting like a timeline for the exact second Oscar would take the biggest dive into the unknown. 

Floor 81 greets him with a pleasant chime right before the doors open to reveal Lando Norris standing on the carpeted floor. 

The Brit isn't looking at him, gaze on the phone in his hand- a hat on his head and clothes comfortable enough to let Oscar know hes heading to the airport. 

And the thing in all of it? Its seeing him, seeing the sharp line of his jaw- the exhale of his chest that Oscar had memorised before- that made Oscar let out a strangled gasp before he can stop himself. 

The sound makes lando's head snap up. 

And Oscar's heard of movie sequences. Of times when movies show characters experience time freeze at critical moments of time, of background music growing louder as they stand frozen- but he never thought he'd experience it himself. 

Didn't think that he would find himself, one day- travelling across continents to see the love of his life's eyes widen in shock as they stand frozen at the elevator doors with their breathes and heartbeats loud in each others ears. 

"Oscar?" 

Lando's voice is incredulous. Phone dropping in his hands to the floor and he stares at him. 

And Oscar? 

Oscar can't wait any longer. Not with the speech he had prepared for this moment, not for the chance to let lando scoff in his face and leave- instead, for the first time in his life- 

Oscar runs straight into Lando's arms. 

The cologne hits him like the scent of home, citrus and woody and so missed. Then comes the warmth, the tickle of brown hair on his head and then its the arms that wrap around him after the breathe he had knocked out of the Brit comes back. 

His heart is beating far too fast. His hands clasping across Lando's back like a lifeline, and thats when the first thought finally pops back in his head and then come the words. 

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Lando, I swear I didn't mean anything I said. I swear I didn't."

"Woah, woah- Oscar-" He doesn't even realise there are tears in his eyes till Lando gently pulls away, till he still holds Oscar's hands and looks at him with hazel eyes shining in the dim hotel lights like the very first time they had ever walked into one together- all warmth and endearment. 

He swipes under his eye with hands shaking. "You know I'm not one for speeches, but- I really have to say this, I thought I was doing the right thing back then. I thought that me leaving was the only solution the messed up situation we were in- and I regret it. I regret it so much." 

Its a cruel laugh that cuts through his chest, "-because it never was just a contract for us was it? At least, It wasn't for me- stopped being one a long time before I could put it in its place." 

He's not looking at Lando, but at the same time he is. Watching the rough exhale that follows his words, watching the way Lando's fist ball up ever so slightly. 

"I was scared. I was scared that this whole ordeal would crash down on our shoulders, that it would end with you realising I was the reason you were being dragged down- even though I'm realising now you never ever gave me the indication of doing anything like that."

He shifts on his feet, the hallway seeming to span expanses. "But it took me two weeks without you, of that godforsaken speech of yours on national television- god what did Silvia say about that? I know she had your head-"

 And its then he starts to ramble. All the adrenaline, the nervousness crashing onto shaky shoulders standing in front of the boy who owned the one part of him he had thought no one could touch- the very boy who's confusion now turned to a smile that scream't of adoration so deep it could suffocate someone. 

"-And I think, at the end of this- the one thing i wanted to tell you was-"

"I love you" 

"I love yo- what" 

Oscar's words are cut off the second he finally looks at the face of the voice that broke his speech- at the person who stands closer than he had been before, head tilted and theres the worlds biggest smile on his face as he looks at Oscar. 

Lando Norris looks at Oscar Piastri with a gaze of unaltered devotion that it makes the very little strength in Oscar's knees want to collapse into a puddle right onto the carpet. 

 "Thats what you were going to say, right?" 

Oscar blinks. "Yes. But-" 

"I love you" Lando declares it with the finality of someone who had never considered anything else. 

"You can't just say it-"

Lando tilts his head further as the gentle smile turns to a smirk, the hood of his hoodie falling onto his shoulders. "But you can?" 

"Thats different"

"Oscar," and god, hadn't he missed the way Lando said his name? "No one would fly across the world at midnight if it wasn't for that"

"Thats presumptuous" 

Lando hums, and its before Oscar can even form a coherent thought that suddenly Lando's hand is tilting Oscar's chin, hands rough on smooth skin and breath soft on his cheek. "And yet here you are" 

Well, Oscar can't disagree with that can he?

"You know," this time its lando who talks- voice dropping low just as his thumb brushes against Oscar's right cheek. "I was heading the airport right now" 

"I can tell" the Aussie's breath is soft.

"Do you know why?" 

The silence is answer enough, because Lando chuckles. "I was going to find you" 

Oh

Oh

"I had it all planned yknow? I would come to your place, right after winning the race- I'd stand at your doorway with the trophy and tell you that I didn't care what people said, that I couldn't stop thinking of you after you left- I was going to profess my love in the most dramatic way possible- but you beat me to it, it seems"

"I'm sorry" Its mechanical, the way Oscar says it- the word dying on his tongue the second Lando shakes his head. 

"We're both equally gone aren't we?" 

And its the tone, int he way Oscar's hand curls into the hoodie on Lando's frame- in the way the elevator door behind them slides shut- or maybe its the way Lando looks at him, that makes the last thing holding Oscar's restraint snap.

Oscar shifts his head slowly, eyes locking onto Lando's lips- and he knows lando see's it too- with the way his eyes flick to Oscar's eyes then his lips and then back. 

"Oscar" his voice is hoarse, rough at the edges. "Oscar, can I kiss you-"

Oscar crashes his lips onto Lando's own before he can even complete the sentence. 

Its messy, teeth clashing hard and it makes Oscar smile when he feels them settle into a rhythm. There are fireworks exploding down his chest, tingling like fire powder all the way down to his toes- a gasp leaving his lips as he feels Lando's hand pull at the ends of his hair. 

Lando pulls away for the smallest of seconds, before hes locking their lips again- and its then that Oscar realises hes crying. Tears falling from his eyes onto cheeks smushed against his own, and its in that haze- that he doesn't realise that Lando's feet are moving, steps making him move backwards till his back hits a door and Lando's already swiping a card in the reader with separating their lips. 

"I love you," Lando breathes out, tumbling through the door to a dark room and yet making no effort to separate himself from the Aussie. "If I wasn't clear before-I love you.  Did all the way back to when we went to the cafe, fell on the first meeting like an idiot and never looked back"

The enormity of the sentence makes Oscar's hands falter on his hoodie. 

"Then you told me it never meant anything, and I swear I felt something break in my chest. Didn't have to fake a good breakup, it felt like a real one for me. And then Alex-someone- talked to me, and I realised we were both suffering, just from opposite sides and I realised the name of the thing that made me want to cry every time someone mentioned you in those two weeks"

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be." Oscar yelps when lando's teeth suddenly nip at his jaw, "You're here now aren't you?"

⚑ ⚑

Sunlight filters through hotel windows when Oscar opens his eyes. 

And for the first time, there's no alarm to remind him off it- instead its the slightest movement of his arms that makes his discover the weight that sleeps all over his waist. 

"Lando," Oscar's voice is gentle, and yet his hands shake as they move the boy splayed across his torso- the endearment still leaking into his voice as the Brit only snuggles harder into the blanket. "Lando wake up"

"Five more minutes," theres a whine in his voice, and thats when the reality finally sinks in. 

He's here. With Lando. And no contract binding them to it. 

"Thats my line," Oscar shifts his leg, warmth creeping right back his neck when an arm drapes itself over his own. 

The Brit buries further into the pillow, head turned the opposite direction. "You took my confession, I can at least take a sentence"

Oscar rolls his eyes, "you need to let that go"

"You should have let me do it"

"yeah? Why don't you shoot me a text next time to let me know before you start your main character arc."

Hazel eyes blink at him with betrayal far filled with adoration for Oscar to take it seriously, "You should tell me before jetscapading across the world"

"come on Lan, I need to get ready"

And its begrudgingly that Lando does move. 

When he steps out of the shower, the first thing that greet Oscar is silence. And just for a second, he freezes. 

Did he imagine it?

"Lando?" 

Theres no answer. Not from the bedroom, nor the living room- and its with a heart beating far too fast and eyes wide that Oscar almost runs towards the door. 

He can't have imagined it

"Lan?"

And its just as he's about to call, hands reaching for his phone - that the door bell rings. 

Oscar opens the hotel door to find Lando Norris standing at the entrance. 

The Brit stands with a trophy in his hand, hair mussed up and theres a bag next to his feet and its when oscar exhales, heartbeat reducing as his eyes focus on the scene that he sees the coffee cup that was being held out for him. 

"You can't be serious," and it makes him burst out laughing, teeth shining at the incredulity of the boy he had just woken up with- now leaning on the door with an infuriating smirk and then at the company of the coffee in his hands. 

Lando doesn't mind, not with how he holds out the cup- letting their fingers entwine all while he watches Oscar laugh. 

"You know my name yet Oscar?" 

The only response he gets is a hand enclosing his shirt collar and pulling him in right as the door shuts behind them.

"Lando Norris, I think I have to tell you that I'v seen you before" Oscar grins up at the boy who's hand encloses him against the wall, breath smelling of coffee and roses. 

"Oscar Piastri," Lando drawls softly, the eyes that oscar had fallen in love with crinkling as he smiles- "I think I have to tell you that I love you"