I'VE ALWAYS LOVED
Lando Norris X Ex!fem!reader
Summary: They ended things in a mature way, but unresolved feelings still linger between them. Especially now that they see each other daily at McLaren headquarters.
Words: 8.2K+
Warnings: ex to friends -> to lovers. Mentions of past relationships, Y/n works at McLaren, hidden feelings, very cute, romantic and flirty. Maybe a little angsty at the end, but happy. I don't know what else to say. 😩
Author: English is not my first language, so please excuse any spelling, grammar, or slang errors that may appear in the story.My profile is open for story requests, feel free to submit. 🍬🩷 This story was supposed to be short, but I got a little carried away. Sorry. 🥹🥹
MASTERLIST
They finished on a quiet afternoon, one of those quiet afternoons when the world seems to understand that something important is being decided.
There were no doors slamming, no accusations exchanged. Just two people too young to give up on their dreams, yet mature enough to understand that loving someone doesn't mean trapping them in your own way.
McLaren was at the beginning of a new phase, and so was Lando. Everything demanded almost his complete presence. At the same time, Y/n held in her hands the acceptance letter from an incredible university, with a scholarship that rarely comes along.
It was the kind of opportunity that makes your heart race and your hands tremble.
They knew weekends would no longer be theirs. Days off would be rare, time zones cruel. And neither of them wanted to turn love into demands. So they decided to let go. Not because the feeling had ended, but because it was too big to become resentment.
Even after that, they continued orbiting the same galaxy.
Dinners with mutual friends happened from time to time. They would sit, chat lightly, share genuine laughter, and discuss trivial things as if they were just two people who had once been important—and still were, in a way.
On her cell phone, brief messages appeared on the right dates. A happy birthday message sent at midnight. A heartfelt compliment after a memorable race. A proud congratulations when she posted something about her research.
He was mature. Gentle.
But feelings don't evaporate just because two schedules became incompatible.
In the middle of a typical day at university, Y/n sometimes found herself wondering if he had already finished his training. Lando, between simulator sessions, remembered how focused she was when she was studying. When they met, they maintained a calm demeanor, their smiles polite. They ignored the slight tightness in their chests that arose when they were too close.
Four years is no small detail. It's accumulated memories, inside jokes, birthdays, plans whispered before bedtime. They knew it wasn't the right time to try again. And perhaps for that very reason, they respected each other's space with even more delicacy.
Time passed.
When Y/n finished her course, diploma in hand and with the glow of someone who had overcome a difficult hurdle, she began looking for opportunities. She wanted something big, something challenging. It was Lando who casually mentioned an excellent position at McLaren that perfectly matched her profile.
He explained the details naturally, but there was something almost palpable about it.
She went to the interview with a firm posture and that smile that mixed nervousness and confidence.
Days later, the answer arrived.
Y/n barely managed to finish reading the email before picking up the phone.
She bounced around the room as she spoke, thanking him for mentioning the job opening and for believing in her. On the other end, Lando listened with a smile no one else could see, calmly saying that the credit was entirely hers.
Lando had only pointed to the door; it was Y/n who went through.
In the late afternoon, as the adrenaline began to turn into quiet euphoria, someone rang the doorbell to deliver a bouquet of vibrant orange lilies wrapped in graph paper. Inside, a letter with unmistakable handwriting: "Welcome to the team, sweetie! I hope it's an incredible journey for this incredibly intelligent woman! I'll see you at headquarters on Monday!"
Y/n let out a low laugh, the kind of laugh that comes mixed with emotion.
Her heart raced without asking permission, but it wasn't the time to pretend she felt nothing. In that moment, alone in the room with the soft scent of lilies, she allowed herself to love Lando Norris a little more.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Y/n went to headquarters earlier than needed.
She received a tour, saw the gleaming corridors, the meeting spaces with glass walls, and the almost choreographed flow of engineers and staff. She was introduced to her colleagues in the department, shook hands, and memorized names.
Her room was bigger than she had imagined, with a large table and a window that let in enough light so she didn't have to rely solely on the cold ceiling lights.
The hours passed quickly. She had already had coffee with a few more women and heard old stories from the team. Exactly as she had imagined over the weekend.
Now he was in his own office, his eyes fixed on the computer screen as he logged in to access the internal systems.
A soft sound at the door made her look up. Y/n allowed them to enter, perhaps imagining Zak or Andreas.
But his presence was so familiar that the mere outline of him in the doorway made her heart race in a way that only happened with him.
"Lan!" Y/n smiled as she stood up from her chair, ignoring her sweaty palms and racing heart.
"Hey, darling! Welcome!" Lando smiles, giving her a quick hug and then extending a small basket to her. "Some welcome gifts from one coworker to another."
Y/n chuckled softly.
Inside were her favorite chocolates. A delicate rose rested beside a mug with the team's symbol and the detail that practically made her heart skip a beat: a teddy bear identical to the first one Lando had given her on their first Valentine's Day.
The same embroidered smile and the same ribbon around the neck.
"I thought the bouquet was already enough." Y/n smiled and walked around the table. She motioned for Lando to make himself comfortable and sit down as well.
"I like to make a good first impression."
"First?"
"First, as a teammate!" He quickly corrected himself, raising a finger and smiling slightly. "Now it's official. We have to maintain professionalism."
Y/n stifled a laugh. "Of course! Extremely professional."
Lando glanced around the still half-empty room: the boxes leaning against the wall, the newly switched-on computer, the unused mug on the table.
"Did you like the space?"
"Yes!" She smiled, turning in her chair and looking around, setting the computer aside. "It's bigger than I imagined, I don't know where I'm going to put my few things."
Lando chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "If you'd like, I can help organize. I'm surprisingly good at that sort of thing."
Y/n crossed her legs, resting her arm on the backrest as she gazed at him with a sweet smile.
"You? Organization?"
Lando put his hand to his chest, feigning offense. "I'm extremely efficient when I want to impress someone."
"Impressive? Wow!" Y/n let out a low laugh, looking away for a second before returning to him. "I don't want to interrupt your day. You probably already have a thousand things to do."
"I always have it. But this here... It wouldn't be a hindrance. It would be an investment."
"Investment?"
"Sure. If your office is organized, you work better. If you work better, the team improves. If the team improves..." He shrugged, smiling slightly. "I win!"
Y/n laughed loudly, making Lando smile even more. "Okay, that's a great plan! I'll call when I'm cleaning up this whole mess."
"I'll be willing!"
Y/n crossed her arms, maintaining a slight smile as she looked at the computer screen. She felt his gaze on her and needed a few seconds to gather her own composure before looking back at him.
When their eyes finally met, time seemed to stretch a second beyond what was necessary.
Lando cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "If you need anything... like anything at all... coffee, help with the systems, someone to complain about long meetings... Just call me, I'll be a few hallways away."
Y/n smiled and held his gaze. "Are you offering this as technical support or as a distraction?"
"Both. I'm a multitasker."
Y/n laughed, and the sound seemed to fill the room in an unexpectedly familiar way. "I'll keep that in mind, Norris."
"Ah, so now it's Norris's turn?" He feigned indignation.
"Corporate environment, remember?" Y/n replied, pointing to the entire office, making Lando chuckle softly.
Before they could continue, someone knocked on the window outside. Y/n didn't yet know the man calling for Lando, but the pilot gestured for a minute and stood up.
"So... officially, welcome to the team."
"Thank you!" she replied, taking a few steps to the door and opening it for Lando.
Before leaving, he gently poked her nose, eliciting a spontaneous laugh.
"See you at the meetings, sweetie!"
"Absolutely, Colonel!" Y/n made a quick nod with her fingers to her head, and he chuckled before disappearing down the hallway.
After the door closed, Y/n stood there for a few seconds, as if the air still held his presence.
In the middle of the afternoon, during a break, the door opened with a light touch. Lando appeared with that naturally carefree air, but his overly attentive eyes betrayed that he was there for a specific reason. He invited me for coffee and, as if it were the simplest thing in the world, also suggested a tour of the trophy room.
Y/n didn't think much about it. She saved the document, grabbed her badge, and stood up smiling. She accepted it as if saying 'yes' to something trivial.
Lando pointed out details along the way, commenting on recent changes in the structure, inside stories, funny behind-the-scenes situations. Y/n listened with genuine attention. Sometimes he would stand a step behind, simply observing how Y/n analyzed each detail.
It was like returning home without having changed address.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
The first week passed in the blink of an eye. Meetings, reports, presentations, and in the midst of the intense routine, there was Lando. It was as if he knew exactly when she needed five minutes to breathe.
Sometimes he would bring her two coffees, handing her one with just the right amount of sugar so Y/n never needed more. One afternoon, he discreetly left a bag of mini caramel donuts on the table along with a small, carefully folded note, the kind she used to look for in the bakeries near their old house.
And, of course, he helped tidy up the office. Even though he had an important meeting about the start of the season, he showed up with rolled-up sleeves, rearranging boxes, adjusting shelves, and positioning books.
That afternoon had a different rhythm. The kind of rhythm that only exists when Friday starts to slip away at the edges of the clock.
Lando was sitting next to her, close enough that they could both look at the same monitor without having to lean too far. His shoulder almost touched hers whenever Y/n moved the mouse. She was reviewing the updated documents after that morning's meeting, focused.
"In the earlier meeting they suggested adjusting this projection here. They were concerned about the margin of error in the previous simulation." She zoomed in on a graph, moving the cursor precisely. "Before, we were considering this more conservative range, but now the proposal is to work with this line here, which is more aggressive."
Lando tilted his head, his eyes fixed on the screen. "Especially if you update that part of the correlation."
Y/n swiped to the next tab.
"Exactly. I've already started reviewing that part. And here..." She pointed to another graph. "We changed the way we're representing the comparison between the two scenarios. It's become more visual."
He followed her every small gesture, every thoughtful pause before she explained a point. He nodded in agreement, genuinely interested.
"What do you think of this part here?" Y/n turned slightly toward him, zooming in on another section of the graph. "They suggested tweaking this specific point, but I'm still not entirely convinced if it would really be on this graph..."
Lando frowned, analyzing the situation along with her.
"No... it's not exactly there!" He pointed slightly to the screen, still at a distance. "It's more... over there."
Y/n narrowed her eyes. "Right where?"
"Further to the right, dear. That slight variation."
"Here?"
"No, a little higher."
Realizing they weren't communicating, Lando leaned forward, instinctively pulling his chair closer. He reached for the mouse at the exact moment Y/n made the same movement.
Their hands touched. Skin against skin. Warm. Familiar.
For a second that was far too long, they remained like that. His hand on hers, their fingers touching in an almost innocent way, yet laden with four years of history. Her breath faltered slightly, and his gaze dropped to the point of contact before slowly rising to her face.
Lando was close enough for Y/n to smell his light, familiar scent. And close enough for her to notice the tense line of his jaw.
Lando cleared his throat, carefully withdrawing his hand and leaning back in his chair a little too quickly.
"It's... it's in that part there..." He pointed to the screen again, trying to pick up the thread of the explanation. "If you adjust that curve... maybe... maybe it will be more consistent with what you presented before."
The slight stutter did not go unnoticed. Y/n straightened up in her chair, feigning complete attention to the graph.
"Okay!" he murmured, taking a deep breath. "That part..."
The silence grew thick for a few seconds. But then she let out a small, nervous laugh, leaning back in her chair.
"I thought it was very professional of us."
Lando blinked, but chuckled softly, relieved that they hadn't let the atmosphere turn tense. "Completely technical. A purely strategic discussion."
Y/n crossed her arms, trying to hide the smile that kept growing. "Sure. Two colleagues debating curves and projections. Nothing suspicious."
Lando ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low laugh. "Exactly!"
Y/n laughed again, realizing that they had truly concluded the explanations from the meeting. But deep down, she didn't want him to get up and go back to his own commitments.
"Want to take a break?" Lando said first, clearly not wanting to leave either.
Y/n looked up from the screen at him, as if the proposal had broken an invisible thread. "A pause seems... productive."
He smiled easily, stood up, and extended his hand to her. "Productivity is all I value on a Friday afternoon."
She chuckled softly and accepted.
The late afternoon light filtered through the glass panels, casting a golden hue that softened everything. As they passed through the main lobby, Lando pushed open the door leading to the outside area.
"So... are you enjoying the city? Have you managed to explore anything beyond your apartment-to-work commute?" Lando asked, putting his hands in his pockets.
Y/n chuckled softly. "I'm trying... I still feel a bit like a tourist. I found a great café near my building, but other than that... basically just the market, laundromat, and here."
"Classic start to a change." He smiled. "And the apartment? Decent, at least?"
"Surprisingly, yes." Y/n laughed. "Small, but with plenty of natural light. I spent the last few years of university in a much worse place, so this already feels like luxury."
"University..." Lando tilted his head slightly.
The word touched a sensitive spot. It was there that everything ended for them and where her future began.
Lando didn't regret the path she chose. He just wished that, back then, there had been a version of the story where they didn't have to choose between dreams and love.
"How have these last few years been for you?"
"Intense... Lots of internships, lots of accumulated projects, sleepless nights revising things I thought were already finished." Y/n shrugged, but there was pride in her voice. "But I liked it. I like that part of solving problems. Of seeing something somewhat chaotic take shape."
Lando smiled. "I can tell. You talk like you're explaining a race plan."
She raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is that a compliment?"
"Absolutely. It means you care about every detail."
Y/n laughed shyly, and silence settled for a moment as they walked side by side around the lake that surrounded the headquarters' lagoon.
"And you? Are you still able to have a life outside of all this?" Y/n asked.
He let out a short laugh. "I try. Sometimes it feels like my whole life fits within these walls."
"I imagine it's difficult to separate the two."
"Yeah..." Lando stared at her for a moment longer than necessary. "But sometimes it's nice to have someone familiar around again. You know, it changes your perspective a bit."
The comment landed lightly, but full of meaning.
"I'm happy to be able to contribute with... new perspectives." Y/n smiled slightly.
"You're contributing more than you realize." His smile started discreetly and spread slowly.
The wind ruffled her hair slightly. For a second, Lando seemed to consider tucking a strand behind her ear, a gesture so automatic in the past, but he restrained the impulse and kept his hands in his pockets.
"Want to go out for drinks later?" he asked, turning to her. "Oscar, his girlfriend, and some other crew members are going too. It's nearby and probably close to your apartment."
The invitation hung between them. Light and full of possibilities.
"Are you inviting me to officially socialize with the team?" Y/n asked, with a half-smile. "Is this part of the onboarding process?"
Lando tilted his head, pretending to analyze.
"McLaren's unwritten internal manual. Article one: nobody survives the first month without at least one informal outing."
She laughed. "And article two?"
"I'm pretending I'm not trying to convince you."
"You're terrible at pretending!"
"I know!" He smiled crookedly. "But seriously... it'll be fine. Oscar and Lily confirmed they'll be there. And you'll like Lily too, a new friend." Lando nudged her shoulder gently. "What do you think?"
"You know how terrible I am at making friends."
"No, I'm still here." Lando winked and Y/n chuckled softly. "And Lily is easygoing, she'll like you too."
Y/n shrugged, still without answering. He watched with that almost overly hopeful expression. It wasn't just about socializing, it was about prolonging that afternoon.
"Is it really nearby?" Y/n asked.
"About a ten-minute walk. Probably in the direction of your apartment. I can pick you up and drop you off there afterwards." The casualness of the offer made her heart skip a beat.
"Yes?" He raised his eyebrows.
Y/n let out a low laugh. "Yes, I'll go! But only if you keep your promise to pick me up and take me back!"
"Sure, agreed!" Lando extended his pinky finger.
Y/n intertwined hers with his, laughing loudly at the old silliness they used to do years ago.
Later, he kept his promise exactly. When Y/n appeared at the building's door, Lando looked up and stood motionless for a second. She was simply dressed, comfortable, but seemed tailor-made for that late afternoon. He smiled genuinely, approached, and complimented her with that old glint in his eye.
The pub was just a few minutes away. Warm lights, wooden tables, the clinking of glasses, and laughter filled the space. Oscar was already seated with Lily and two members of the staff when they arrived. The introductions were natural, and Lily was exactly as Lando had described, which made Y/n relax almost immediately.
They laughed easily, exchanged knowing comments, teased each other with the same lightheartedness as before. The past existed, but it didn't weigh them down. There was maturity and something gentler, almost like a second chance that didn't yet have a name.
At one point, someone suggested a game of dice at a larger table. Naturally, Lando and Y/n teamed up. They didn't discuss strategy, but they functioned in their old rhythm; quick glances and small, coordinated gestures.
Between lively rounds and friendly banter, the competition heated up. Y/n surprised everyone with a precise sequence that turned the game in their favor. Lando celebrated as if he had won a decisive race, raising her hands in the air in exaggerated triumph, laughing loudly.
The evening continued lightly. Stories, plans, and laughter echoed through the pub.
When it was time to leave, Lando kept his promise. He walked Y/n home and dropped her off in front of the building. But before she left, they remained silent for a few seconds.
It wasn't the silence of someone who has
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
As the weeks went by, what began as a casual work meeting transformed into a small, sacred Friday night ritual.
Initially, the group was eclectic; Oscar and Lily brought a lighthearted energy, while on other occasions Lando dragged Carlos along, whose boisterous laughter filled the room, accompanied by Rebecca's sweetness. They alternated between teammates and close friends, but regardless of who was at the table, there was an invisible magnetic field that kept Y/n and Lando in a particular orbit.
It was visible in the subtle touches, his knee brushing against hers under the table, his hand briefly resting on her back as they walked down a narrow hallway, or the way Lando's eyes always sought hers to validate a joke.
On that particular Friday, however, the sky over Woking decided to dictate the pace. A torrential downpour poured down on the city, turning the landscape into a noisy, grey blur.
Y/n watched the curtain of water at the entrance to McLaren headquarters, feeling her chest tighten with each flash of light that tore through the clouds.
The fear of thunder was an old scar, something she tried to rationalize, but which, in the solitude of that wait, made her feel small. The parking lot, usually just a few steps away, now seemed like an insurmountable ocean, and the idea of running to the car under that thunderclap paralyzed her.
Y/n remained with her arms crossed, pressed tightly against her chest, the car key buried in the palm of her hand, her knuckles white with tension.
Behind her, the automatic door slid open without her noticing.
Lando was walking towards her, ready to leave, but he stopped when he noticed Y/n's tense figure. With a gentle movement, he approached and placed his hands on her shoulders, feeling the stiffness of her shoulders beneath the fabric.
"Is she stuck here too?" Lando smiled, but she startled and quickly turned around. "Sorry! I didn't know you were so focused!"
Y/n then laughed, relieved that it was him.
"Okay, okay." She smiled, and Lando stopped beside her, seeing that the rain was much heavier than it had seemed. "I'm just gathering the courage to leave in this storm..." She let out a low laugh, clearly uncomfortable.
Lando tilted his head slightly, watching the way she gripped the key between her fingers. "Gathering courage or waiting for the rain to negotiate with you?" he asked lightly.
"I'm assessing my chances of survival until I reach the car."
"Hmm... statistically speaking, you'd arrive soaked." Lando paused dramatically. "And annoyed!"
"I'm already a little annoyed," Y/n murmured, crossing her arms even wider as a louder clap of thunder echoed and chuckled softly.
Lando noticed the slight stiffening of her shoulders. But he didn't comment, only softened his tone. "Is your car very far away?"
"Far enough that I regret not leaving five minutes earlier." Another lightning bolt ripped across the sky, illuminating everything for a second. Y/n blinked too slowly and huddled slightly into her coat.
Lando watched silently for a moment, then made a simple decision.
"My apartment is literally five minutes from here. I can go before the rain gets worse."
Y/n frowned, finally turning her face to him. "Your apartment?"
"Yes. It's closer than yours." Lando pointed to the curtain of water ahead.
"We can go there and wait for the rain to pass. Take a hot shower because I know your feet are damp and cold right now."
Lando lightly tapped her foot against his, and Y/n let out a genuine laugh as she looked down. Her shoes were indeed wet from a failed attempt to run minutes earlier, and the hem of her pants and her jacket already showed dark damp stains.
Y/n lowered her head, smiling, but shivered slightly when a cold wind blew. "You don't have to do that."
He shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I know." His gaze softened, briefly dropping to her hands still gripping the key. "But you're practically ripping that keychain off from squeezing it so hard, and I'd rather that than you wading through a mini-flood alone."
Y/n exhaled slowly, realizing he had noticed more than she would have liked. "I'm not scared..."
"I didn't say I was." The response came calmly, without confrontation. "I just think you don't have to face this alone."
Another thunderclap rumbled, closer by. Y/n blinked and this time couldn't hide the slight shiver.
"Okay, I'm scared." Y/n closed her eyes, but laughed at herself.
Lando took a step closer, closing the distance between them and wrapping her in a protective side hug.
"Let's do this, I'll get my car and bring it here for you to get in," he suggested gently. "I promise I'll do the heroic part of opening the doors for you in the rain, and when you're in my warm apartment, I'll come back to get your car."
Y/n felt her heart waver between the fright of the thunder and the comfort of that closeness. It was such a typically male gesture, a mix of practical chivalry with that silent need to ensure her safety.
"Are you going back in the rain to get my car?" Y/n laughed amusedly, trying to hide her racing heart.
"The heroic part, remember?" Lando stepped back a little, but kept a hand on her shoulder.
"Alright, I accept that offer... But only today!" She raised a finger, smiling slightly.
"Just today?" Lando repeated, raising an eyebrow with a wry smile. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that restrictive part of the agreement."
"It's a temporary contract," Y/n teased. "Without an automatic renewal clause."
"Hmm... we'll see." He tilted his head, observing her with that calm glint in his eyes that always disarmed her.
Without saying anything more, Lando released the hug and reached for the zipper of Y/n's damp coat. He opened it with slow, careful movements, sliding the garment from her shoulders to reveal the shirt underneath, also damp from the rain. And in a fluid gesture, he took off his own dry, warm coat and put it on her. Lando adjusted the collar around Y/n's neck, closing it slightly to block the wind.
She remained still, allowing the caress to unfold, feeling his familiar scent envelop her instantly. The coat was too large, the sleeves concealing her hands, but it was the perfect refuge.
"Your coat is already half soaked," Lando explained. "If you keep wearing it, you'll get even colder."
Y/n frowned. "And you're going to go without and weather this storm?"
"It's nothing special. I run fast."
"And..."
But he was already turning toward the rain. "Five minutes. I promise."
Y/n rolled her eyes, but a smile escaped her. As he took his first steps out of the covered area, she called out.
"LAN! Wait!" He turned around in time to see her damp coat being thrown toward him. Lando caught it in mid-air by reflex. "MINE IS ALREADY WET!" Y/n shouted over the sound of the rain. "Wear it!"
Lando glanced at the noticeably smaller and soaking wet piece of fabric in his hands, then at her, letting out a little chuckle.
"This won't work for me!"
"I know, so get it into your head, genius!"
Lando laughed loudly, a sound that drowned out the noise of the water, and with a surrendered smile, he did exactly as she suggested. He awkwardly placed her coat over her head and ran off across the asphalt.
Moments later, the headlights of his car shone through the water. He stopped right in front of her and quickly got out, coming to get her. Without saying anything, he moved Y/n's coat to make a small tent over her head, protecting her while reaching out to guide her.
Y/n intertwined her fingers with his, feeling the firmness of his grip as they crossed the short distance. Lando opened the door, made sure she got in safely, and walked around, getting into the driver's seat completely soaked and with drops streaming down his face.
"I think I got the seat a little wet..." Y/n commented as the sound of the rain became a muffled echo inside the car.
Lando turned to her, his hair disheveled. "It's okay. At least you won't catch a cold."
Y/n observed his state and, on impulse, reached out to further ruffle his hair, brushing a damp strand away from his forehead.
"So you're officially immune to colds, then?"
Lando laughed, leaning toward her. "I have an immune system trained under extreme conditions."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes. It includes races in the rain, excessive air conditioning, and questionable decisions."
Y/n laughed loudly, a crystal-clear sound that filled the interior of the vehicle and made Lando smile slightly.
"Questionable decisions," she repeated, shaking her head while her hand still hovered near his face.
Lando held her gaze for a second longer, the playfulness giving way to something deeper and gentler. "This, for sure, is not a questionable decision."
Her heart stumbled in her chest, an erratic beat that betrayed how much power those few words, spoken with such certainty, still held over her.
It was these small gestures, the way he anticipated her needs, the specific gleam in his eyes when he teased her, the vulnerability disguised as a joke, that had made Y/n fall in love with Lando years ago.
Seeing that, despite the time and changes, his essence remained intact, made her feel that same old warmth rekindle.
The journey was quick, accompanied by the comforting sound of windshield wipers and casual conversation. Upon arrival, the building's covered parking offered the necessary refuge.
However, she slipped a few times on the short walk to the elevator, letting out short laughs of surprise. Each time, Lando was quicker, wrapping his arms firmly around her waist to steady her. The contact was brief, but charged with a silent electricity.
As soon as Lando opened the apartment door, they were both still catching their breath, laughing about one last near-disastrous slip in the elevator that almost sent them tumbling into a mess of arms and legs in the hallway.
When he stepped aside, inviting her to come in, Y/n paused for a moment.
The familiar scent of "home" hit her like a wave: it was a specific blend of his woody perfume and the disinfectant he always insisted on using for cleaning. It was the scent of her comfort zone.
Although the address was new and the view was no longer of London, the arrangement of some objects and that characteristic aroma suggested that, deep down, nothing essential had changed. It was still their Lando Norris.
"Okay... first rule of the house: no slipping and suing the host," Lando joked, closing the door.
Y/n laughed, hugging herself as the cold of her damp clothes began to bother her. "I wouldn't sue you. Maybe I'd just complain dramatically."
"This I can survive." Lando approached carefully, his hand landing lightly on her lower back, a touch that was both guiding and affectionate. "Come on! The bathroom is this way, and I promise the floor isn't treacherous."
He guided her down the hallway with slow steps, attentive to her every move. When they reached the bathroom door, he made room for her to enter.
"So... over there's the shower. The hot water takes about ten seconds to get perfect, but then it works like magic. The towels are in the cabinet below. And..." He opened the small cabinet above the sink. "I should warn you that the variety of products is... limited."
Y/n tilted her head, amused by his expression. "Limited how?"
"Limited to being a 'three-in-one shampoo that promises to be shampoo, conditioner, and who knows what else.'" Lando made an amused face. "I don't have those jars full of complicated words that you usually use."
Y/n let out a light laugh. "So my hair is going to leave here with Lando Norris's personality."
"Look, considering the storm outside, he's been through worse today." Lando smiled, his gaze softening. "I'll get you some clothes. They'll probably be a bit big, but at least they'll be dry."
Y/n simply nodded, her bright eyes fixed on him for another second.
"Thank you, Lan."
He winked at her with a knowing look. "Always."
And he closed the door carefully.
Alone, Y/n rested her hands on the marble sink and stared at herself in the mirror. The reflection showed her mascara slightly smudged, her hair tousled by the dampness, and her cheeks flushed. But it was the sparkle in her eyes that held her attention. There was a light there that she hadn't seen in a long time, a warmth emanating from within, a sense of belonging that she had tried to bury under layers of indifference in recent years.
And being there seemed dangerously certain.
Minutes later, a soft knock sounded on the door. Y/n opened it a crack and found Lando holding a pair of gray sweatpants and a soft black cotton t-shirt.
"Mission: improvised wardrobe," Lando said, tilting his head. "But it's comfortable!"
Y/n picked up the clothes, smelling his scent lingering on the fabric.
"The towel is in the downstairs cupboard, like I said. And... if you need anything else, just call." Lando took a step back, but his eyes lingered on her for a moment, as if he wanted to memorize the scene.
"Thank you again."
"You're welcome, sweetie." The nickname came out naturally, effortlessly, instantly causing heat to rise to Y/n's face. Lando smiled slightly and winked again before closing the door and disappearing down the hallway.
The hot bath was a balm, relaxing her muscles and trying, unsuccessfully, to organize her thoughts. When she got out, she put on his clothes. The t-shirt reached mid-thigh and the sweatshirt's cuffs covered her feet, forcing her to bend them.
As she walked down the hallway, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee guided her to the kitchen. Lando had his back to her, focused on the coffee maker, but turned around when he heard the rustle of his sweatshirt on the floor. The smile that spread across his face was immediate and genuine; seeing Y/n wearing his clothes in his kitchen seemed to fill an empty space he barely knew existed.
"I made coffee. I just wasn't sure if you still prefer sweetener or sugar. So I left both there." He indicated the small containers. "I didn't want to risk spoiling it."
Y/n approached, picking up the steaming mug. "Do you still remember this?"
"I remember a lot of things..." Lando shrugged, but the intensity in his gaze belied the casual tone. "Including that you used to complain when someone added sugar without asking."
Y/n smiled, feeling the warmth of the mug in her hands. "I still complain..."
"Great! So I was right not to touch it." He rested his hands on the counter. "By the way... where are your car keys? I can go get them."
"No need. I'll look into it later."
"Y/n..." He used that patient tone she knew so well. "The storm could get worse. If it starts falling, it could cause damage." Lando held out his hand, waiting.
She chuckled softly. "Do you always insist like this?"
"Only when it's worth it." Lando gave a charming, sideways smile. "And I'd say the car and its owner are worth it."
Y/n rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was impossible to hide. She went to her bag, took out the key, and placed it in his palm.
"Drive carefully. I like that car in perfect condition."
Lando put his hand to his chest in a dramatic gesture. "I'm an excellent driver."
Y/n chuckled, picking up her coffee mug. But before Lando could leave, he returned to the kitchen seconds later and stopped in the doorway.
"I'm going to stop by the bakery and get something for us to eat. Do you want anything specific?"
"Anything is fine." Y/n smiled.
"Anything? That's dangerous."
"I trust your good taste."
"That sounds like pressure." He pointed at her, feigning seriousness. "And... you don't mind if I go in your car? It's nearby."
"Lan, you can go. Everything's fine."
He relaxed, his hand already on the doorknob. "I'll be right back. Make yourself at home, and don't you dare use up my Kinder stock."
Y/n raised her chin defiantly. "No promises."
When the door closed, silence filled the apartment. Y/n stood there, alone in the kitchen, surrounded by the steam from the coffee and the comforting silence. She allowed herself to let her guard down.
Silent, warm tears streamed down her face. It wasn't sadness, but an emotional overflow, for everything they had lived through, for the lost time, for the pain of absence, and especially because Lando was still himself, in every detail, and the man for whom her heart never stopped beating.
And the following weeks turned into months, and the tension between the two became undeniable.
What began as a cautious reunion blossomed into a shared routine. Quick coffees after work turned into dinners that stretched into the early hours of the morning. Lando cared for her in quiet ways: a coat left on her chair when the air conditioning was strong, a firm hand on her back to guide her in crowded places, or the way he pulled her closer to him at social events with a possessive and protective touch.
These were the same attitudes from years ago, reinforcing the fact that her heart always knew how to choose.
On her birthday, he avoided the obvious. He took her to a secluded corner in the team headquarters, decorated with a cake he had made himself, visibly crooked but laden with effort. The gift was a relic of an old memory they shared, proving that he cherished every fragment of the past as something precious.
The tension between them reached its peak one night on his apartment balcony. Under the clear sky and the silence of the city, Y/n laughed at a silly story, and when she met Lando's intense gaze, her laughter vanished, replaced by an electric anticipation.
Lando stepped forward, and Y/n remained firm.
His hands encircled her waist with an almost reverent gentleness, while Y/n's hands moved up to his chest, feeling Lando's heart beat against her palms. They leaned towards each other, the distance closing until their breaths mingled. Their lips were millimeters apart, the outside world fading away.
However, the weight of the past and the fear of total vulnerability acted as an invisible brake. Instead of the kiss that seemed inevitable, Lando simply rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes tightly. They stayed there for a long time, united by silence and the unspoken promise that this time they wouldn't let what they felt slip away.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
To celebrate the end of the first half of the season and to renew the team's spirits, the environment was transformed into a welcoming setting, with filament lights creating an intimate and warm atmosphere.
Y/n moved gracefully between the groups, exchanging kind words with engineers and mechanics, but her senses were on high alert.
They didn't need to be glued to each other for the connection to be obvious to anyone who knew how to read the signs. It was a natural orbit: if she went to the appetizer table, Lando would soon appear in conversation two meters away. If she sat down, he would find a way to position himself where he could maintain eye contact.
In recent days, Y/n's resistance had crumbled. What she felt was no longer just the echo of a beautiful past or the comfort of a renewed friendship. It was love.
A love that demanded far more courage than the first time.
Y/n was leaning against the marble bar counter when she felt his warmth even before hearing his voice. A firm, warm hand landed on her lower back, sending a familiar shiver down her spine.
"I leave for five minutes and you decide to monopolize the bar?" His voice came low, with a provocative rasp, very close to her ear.
Y/n didn't turn around, a slow smile appearing on her lips. "I'm assessing the quality of service. Someone needs to maintain standards."
Lando's hand slid lightly, his fingers spreading along the side of her waist as he leaned in, almost pressing his chest against her back.
"And what's the verdict so far?"
"I need more tests." Y/n tilted her head, feeling his breath on her neck. "Maybe a second opinion."
"How lucky you are." Lando murmured. "I volunteer!"
The bartender handed her the new drink, and before she could react, Lando took the glass. He swirled it slowly, observing the liquid before looking intently at her.
"May I?" he asked, already bringing the glass to his lips.
Y/n raised an eyebrow. "You just asked after you did it."
He tasted it, keeping his eyes locked on hers over the edge of the glass. The world around them fell silent.
"Sweet," Lando commented, handing her back the glass and letting his fingers brush against hers deliberately. "But it has a slightly dangerous touch at the end."
Y/n took a small sip, her gaze challenging. "Funny... I've heard that description before."
Lando chuckled softly and moved even closer; the distance was now merely a fragile formality.
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
"Doing what?" Y/n feigned innocence, though her heart pounded against her ribs.
"Teasing me." His hand moved up to her side, gripping her more firmly.
"Me?" Y/n murmured. "Never."
Lando tilted his head, his gaze drifting down to her mouth before returning to her bright irises. "You become very dangerous when you pretend you don't know the effect you have."
"And you become very conceited when you think you know."
"I don't think so." Lando whispered, his voice vibrating with certainty. "I'm sure of it!"
Y/n's hand moved up to his shoulder, her thumb tracing the fabric of his shirt in a hypnotic, circular motion.
At that moment, the McLaren event vanished. The sponsors, the cars, the music, everything turned into a gray blur. Lando began to tilt his face, their breaths becoming one, their lips millimeters apart, about to collide in an explosion of pent-up feelings.
But suddenly, a voice in the background called out Lando's name, breaking the spell. Y/n recoiled abruptly, reality hitting her like a bucket of cold water.
"Lan..." She stepped back, her face burning. "Sorry!"
Lando pulled away, his chest heaving as he watched her avoid his gaze. Before he could protest, the call came back. Y/n picked up her glass with trembling hands and stepped away from the counter, visibly shaken. Lando, however, didn't let her go without first placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Can we talk later?"
Y/n forced the best smile she could manage, even though her eyes were moist. "Yes, of course..."
Lando returned the smile, sweet and full of promise, gently patted her back, and continued in the direction from where he was being called.
Alone, Y/n felt a long sigh escape her lips as the first tears, the result of months of emotional tension, began to well up.
She moved away from the bar and walked towards the spacious balcony. The space was serene, with deck chairs and plants swaying in the evening breeze. Y/n walked to the railing and rested her arms on it, watching the frantic movement of the cars below.
The tears now fell silently, mingling with the drink she sipped slowly, feeling a deep anguish at loving someone who seemed both so close and so unreachable.
The soft sound of the curtain fabric moving announced his arrival, minutes later.
Lando crossed the balcony with calm steps, observing her silhouette against the city lights. He approached and placed his hand on her back, a gesture of anchoring.
"I knew you were going to escape to the most dramatic viewpoint in the place," Lando commented, trying to lighten the mood. "Very cinematic of you."
Y/n smiled awkwardly and turned away. Seeing her red eyes, his smile instantly faded.
"Hey..." He frowned and, with his thumb, wiped away a tear that stubbornly threatened to fall. "What happened, darling?"
Y/n took a deep breath, her voice choked with emotion. "I just... Sometimes I think I underestimated what coming back meant."
Lando kept his hand on his face, attentive to every detail. "Come back here?"
"Back to everything." Y/n looked back at the horizon. "I thought I had left certain things resolved. That time had done its work..." She laughed, a dry, sad sound.
"And you didn't?"
"It did... in parts." Y/n swallowed hard. "I learned to live without you. I built a routine. I convinced myself that some stories are beautiful precisely because they end. But being here again... close... made me realize that maybe I just pushed everything into a comfortable corner. What scares me the most is realizing that maybe I never stopped feeling."
The silence that followed was dense, filled only by the sound of the wind. Lando took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on her with a rare vulnerability.
"I understand," he said, his voice hoarse with sincerity. "More than you can imagine. I tried to move on, truly. Everyone said life goes on, and I got very good at pretending I was over it." He gave a sad half-smile. "But there's one person who never left me. It didn't matter the country, the podium, or the season. I compared everyone to her, and nobody came close. I never dated anyone after that. It felt wrong, like I was trying to replace the irreplaceable. I loved having her as a friend again, but I was terrified of crossing that line and losing her forever..."
Y/n lowered her head, sobs now escaping. Lando pulled her to his chest, holding her firmly by the shoulders.
"I thought I'd learned to live with it," Y/n murmured against his shirt. "But today, when you came so close... it was like nothing had changed. And I don't know if I'll survive another goodbye."
Lando cupped her face in his hands. "I don't want another goodbye. I'm not doing this to let you go again. I never stopped loving you, even when I thought the right thing to do was to set you free."
"How can I be friends with someone I loved so much?" Y/n asked, her voice fragile.
"Maybe we tried to convince ourselves that friendship was enough because it was the safest way to avoid getting hurt," Lando whispered. "But...you're hurt now, aren't you?"
Y/n nodded, crying openly. Lando wrapped her in a tight hug and she buried her face in his neck, inhaling his scent, the scent of finally being home after so long.
"I never meant to pressure you, sweetie. I was afraid of scaring you."
"I'm afraid to open that door and discover that the world is still too big for the two of us," Y/n sobbed.
Lando smiled, his eyes welling up with tears. "The world has always been big, my love. The difference is that now I don't want to face it without you. I don't want to love you halfway."
"Do you still love him?" Y/n whispered.
"Yes. All these days and years... I love you very much."
Y/n smiled through her tears, feeling a weight of years lifted from her shoulders. "I thought I was just a phase in your life."
"You were never just a phase. You were home, my first love, and certainly my last. I don't want to live in a world where you're not by my side."
Y/n intertwined her fingers behind his neck, pulling him closer. "I'm still scared...but I'm even more scared to leave."
"Then stay! Stay with me as someone who wants to try again."
"I promise to try." Y/n smiled sweetly.
"Me too my love."
Lando didn't wait any longer. He sealed the space between them with a kiss that carried the urgency of years of longing.
It started gently, a lip exchange, a "welcome back, sweetheart," but it soon became intense and profound. His hands explored her face and hair with a firmness that said "you're mine," while Y/n pulled him by the collar, merging their bodies together.
It was a kiss that healed old wounds and wrote new promises, a meeting of souls that had never truly been apart.
When they parted ways, they were only centimeters apart, their foreheads touching, smiling like fools.
"Hi!" Lando murmured, his eyes sparkling.
"Hi, darling." Y/n laughed, her heart light.
"No goodbyes this time, okay? Pinky promise!" He held up his pinky finger, making her laugh and seal the promise with hers.
"No goodbyes. I love you, my love."
