#paddocklove

yourusername

liked by dccheerleaders, oscarpiastri, and 837,928 others

yourusername my favorite time of year 😉 biggest thank you to f1 for the opportunity and congrats to charlesleclerc!

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kleinepowell this girl was screaming big and loud for two hours straight

yourusername kleinepowell im even louder at home 😭

user1 ferrari one-two ik she was geeked

yourusername user1 STILL AM

user2 omg shes a ferrari girly? i kinda pictured her rooting for mclaren

user4 user2 i meannn she did grow up in italy

yourusername user2 ❤️ > 🧡 anydayyy

user1 yourusername you get it

jadaboo0203 texas loves formula one!!! 🏁

yourusername jadaboo0203 hi my f1 bestie!!!

user3 anyone peep her talking with all the other drivers one-on-one before the race? shes so cute

user2 user3 the way she made everyone genuinely smile and laugh likeee thats the peoples princess right there ☺️

user4 user3 her convo w oscar gave me life 🙌 thank u mclaren admin for mic’ing him up

user3 user4 when she was complimenting his freckles like omggggg

user4 user3 AND he was blushing hard af

user2 user4 every yn interaction literally ever

charlesleclerc thanks for the support!

yourusername charlesleclerc keep up the great driving! 😁

user5 yourusername my goats 🥲

yourusername’s story

formulaupdates

liked by user2, landonorris, and 72,982 others

formulaupdates new rumored couple: yourusername, dallas cowboys cheerleader, and oscarpiastri ?

picture one: spotted outside a downtown austin restaurant

picture two: yn’s story with a mclaren boy captioned “he lost the race but won a date 😌”

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user6 OMG???

user4 that could be lando then no? he lost today too

user5 user4 look at the hair in the first pic tho, no curls

user7 WHAT

user8 his arm around her oh im melting

user10 lando messy as hell liking this post 😭

user3 landonorris WHAT DO U KNOW

landonorris user3 🤔

user3 landonorris LANDO…

user1 normally oscar goes straight to the garage after media…saw him talking to a dcc in the corner of carlos’ interview…

user5 user1 WAIT I SAW THAT TOO BUT I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS YN

user8 user1 i did notice oscar was smiling a lot when he got back to the garage…

user1 user8 we got oscar falling in love with a cheerleader before his first win 😭

user2 user1 the yn effect

oscarpiastri

liked by biscottithepup, hattiepiastri, and 859,943 others

oscarpiastri life off the track :)

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user2 is that BISCOTTI.

user10 user2 whos biscotti?

user2 user10 yn's golden retriever!

user10 user2 👀

hattiepiastri which flowers did you end up getting?

oscarpiastri hattiepiastri you'll find out soon

user4 hattiepiastri flowers for who 😏

hattiepiastri user4 you'll find out soon

user4 hattiepiastri OMG U ACTUALLY REPLIED.

user6 biscotti liking this post...yn is not slick

user2 user6 shes acting like we dont know she runs that acc 😭

landonorris so that's how you got the hole in your jeans...

oscarpiastri landonorris 🤷‍♂️

yourusername

liked by oscarpiastri, reece_christinee, and 583,092 others

yourusername life off the field!

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user7 the lilies?? the text?? the matching caption?? someone cooked here.

user1 user7 ive said this maybe 81 times

user9 yn's over here getting sent flowers and love texts while i'm watching the rookie and doing laundry 💔

yourusername user9 i love the rookie!!

user9 yourusername okay ignore the rest of the comment then ig 😭

user2 the fact that oscar doesnt hire anyone to pick flowers, he picks them himself. im sick.

hattiepiastri good things happen when he listens to my advice

yourusername hattiepiastri ALWAYS!

yourusername

oscarpiastri

liked by dallascowboys, yourusername, and 927,409 others

oscarpiastri still don't understand how downs work but i think i yelled at the right times #gocowboys

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user6 HE WAS AT THE GAME?? IM SHAKING

user9 user6 he had a whole moment on the jumbotron and they showed yn after! she was smiling BIG

user6 user9 the cameramen know what the ppl want

user2 THE SECOND SLIDE?? OHHHH OKAY THEN

user3 user2 theyre so locked in i cant

landonorris yelling at nothing mate 😭

yourusername landonorris its the thought that counts 😭😭

user5 landonorris omg lando was at the game too?? 😯

user9 user5 yes!! they showed him on the jumbotron a little before oscar and i could just tell he was third wheeling harddd

yourusername user9 i think i was the one third wheeling tbh

user9 yourusername girllllll you know damn well

yourusername

liked by oscarpiastri, dccheerleaders, and 830,092 others

yourusername the best week with the best team, the best boy, and the best dog

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oscarpiastri thanks for the hat

yourusername oscarpiastri thanks for the gas

user2 yourusername oh we're interacting in comments now okay let me breathe

user8 my parents 🥰

user10 she was def looking at oscar on the jumbotron in that first picture

user1 user10 oh 100%.

biscottithepup mama y papa

user5 biscottithepup yn we know its you 😭

yourusername user5 hate to burst your bubble but i rlly do not run that account ...

yourbestfriend user5 😉

user8 user5 we've been fooled...whole time its just ybf being messy HAHA

user8 "the best boy" I CAN'T

mckennagehrke love the lack of papaya orange

yourusername mckennagehrke ur such a mclaren hater 😒

mckennagehrke yourusername you used to be one too!! until someone changed your mind...

yourusername mckennagehrke landos a great driver what can i say 🤷‍♀️😁

oscarpiastri yourusername 😠

user7 how do i make that whole thread my wallpaper

yourusername's story

yourusername

liked by oscarpiastri, _kaylahayes, and 934,204 others

yourusername one year ago.

"do you want to get dinner?"

"like...dinner dinner?"

"yeah. just us. if you want."

"i'd like that."

"i'm looking forward to it."

"even if i show up in a ferrari shirt?"

"i'll survive."

one year ago i went on a date with an australian mclaren driver. one year ago i was introduced to the best thing in my life. one year ago i fell in love with oscar piastri.

one year ago i became the happiest woman alive. but i think i can break that record in year two 😉

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oscarpiastri lost the race but won the girl ❤️ happy anniversary my love

yourusername oscarpiastri the winner of my heart—in every country and timezone 🥰

user1 HOW HAS IT BEEN A YEAR ALREADYYY

user8 user1 i remember when they broke the internet with their paparazzi pictures #latenightfinds

dccheerleaders happy anniversary, yn and oscar! 💙🧡

user5 my parents 🥺

yourbestfriend happy anniversary! shoutout to the guy that makes her crazy in all the best ways

yourusername yourbestfriend i prefer the word passionate

yourbestfriend yourusername the texts and voice notes of you being down bad say otherwise

user2 yn ferrari era mentioned

oscarpiastri user2 she knows better now

yourusername user2 whats a ferrari?

user2 yourusername HELLOOOO YOU GUYS ARE INSANE

oscarpiastri

liked by yourusername, hattiepiastri, and 913,054 others

oscarpiastri i still don't know how downs work, but i know i love you.

thank you for being the best part of my busy life. one year down, infinity to go.

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yourusername happy anniversary to my other half ❤️ biscotti has the best dad

oscarpiastri yourusername and an even better mom ❤️

user9 THIS IS TOO SWEET SOMEONE CALL A DENTIST

mclaren happy anniversary to our favorite paddock couple! 🧡

user3 mclaren the lando shade 😭

user5 the people's princess and the future world champion 💕

hattiepiastri happy anniversary! still dont know how yn puts up with you tbh

oscarpiastri hattiepiastri 😒

user10 one year of my explore page glitching because of the soft launches and edits

user5 user10 especially when everyone was going crazy trying to prove that they were together

landonorris user10 one year of them having to bribe me to stay quiet

user2 landonorris guess theyre your parents too?? 😭

oscarpiastri landonorris mate do you ever shut up 🤦

yourusername landonorris kiss that kinder supply goodbye.

landonorris yourusername I THOUGHT I WAS FREE TO TALK NOW 🤕

🏷️ — my first smau! hope you guys like it as much as i did making it!

THE ECHOING CHEERS from the audience practically shook the stage beneath your boots. you could feel their adoration, their admiration, their appreciation—all for you. you stood at the middle of the platform, teary smile across your face as you glance at the crowd in front of you. every single person, from the top of the nosebleeds to the barricade of the floor, was there for you.

all the sleepless nights spent crafting the perfect lyrics, the tired hours blending tracks, the heavy sighs after messing up a recording, the long meetings attended to discuss matters that could've been a simple email. all that work- no, the love you put into your art is being seen. heard. understood.

you made it.

with your in-ear monitor between your fingers, you listen to the chants, taking in the weight of the moment. you're breathless, but not because you're physically spent. because you're taken away by how beautiful it is—being yourself so unapologetically. so freely.

especially after abandoning the truest version of yourself for so long.

the breakup was rough. it was unlike anything you had ever gone through in your life. to say it scarred you worse than any blazing fire or piercing knife ever could, was putting it nicely.

one year ago, you lost yourself. but tonight, in front of the hues of over 50,000 lit bracelets, you know who you are. you know who you've always deserved to be.

locating one of the cameramen, you blow a kiss in front of the lense, the recording playing on the large screen behind you. you mouth a quick 'i love you guys' before smiling with a wave and making your way off the stage.

the music swells, the band performing the climax of the final song. the cheers grow louder when the final note is played—a final celebration of the show you've just put on.

but you're not listening to them anymore.

skin damp with sweat, hair littered with confetti, feet aching with exhaustion, you're running. damn near sprinting.

you felt the adrenaline still vibrating in your veins as you scan past the crew members and equipment.

a stage director tries to stop you, "hey, cameras are still-" but you're already gone with tunnel vision.

oscar's leaning casually against a wall, hair messy in the best way, head dipped low like he has no idea what's about to happen. he looks up just in time, the sound of your heels clicking against the floor catching his attention.

you throw yourself into his arms, laughing, breathless, and so in love.

you don't say anything. he doesn't say anything. it's just your fingers in his hair, his hands on your waist, and his lips on yours. it's long enough to be undeniable. it's not silent, but it's not loud. it's not shy, but it's not obnoxious. it's home.

back on the stage, the screen—meant to be displaying the closing credits of the show—somehow cuts to the live feed of the cameramen backstage, who was supposed to be recording for a new documentary.

then it gets loud. so. loud.

the stadium erupts once again, even as fans spill into parking lots and elevators. there's screens everywhere. the kiss is everywhere.

oscar pulls back only slightly, forehead still resting against hers.

"you said i was in your poems," he teases, voice soft and eyes glowing.

you grin up at him, "every single one."

neither of you realize that the whole arena- no, the whole world just saw the interaction. you're too wrapped up in each other to care.

a moment later, the two of you disappear backstage. hand in hand and smiling like idiots, completely unaware that your once-quiet love story is already making headlines making global headlines.

🏷️ — lowkey inspired by that one clip of taylor and joe (even tho we dont fw him…) but iykyk

"you're the coffee that i need in the morning"

lord knows you aren’t a morning person.

you were laying half-dressed in bed, mind awake but eyelids too heavy to expose yourself to the morning light.

you turn to your side, expecting to be cushioned by your boyfriend's chest but instead rolling off the pillow and onto the cold mattress.

“charles?” you call out in no particular direction, voice raspy with exhaustion.

instead of a verbal response, you hear the whir of a machine coming from the kitchen. lifting your head slightly and forcing your eyes open, you peek through the open bedroom door, watching as a hooded figure moves between cabinets and drawers.

you rise from the mess of blankets that was your bed, throwing on a pair of pajama shorts conveniently lying on top of your dresser. you notice your house slippers placed perfectly on the floor, allowing you to slide into them without struggle.

your face is scrunched in confusion as you walk into the kitchen, but your expression softens as soon as you see your boyfriend sliding a spatula under a buttery pancake and flipping it ever so delicately.

wordlessly, you watch him move over to the coffee machine, pouring frothy vanilla creamer into the freshly-brewed drink and sprinkling cinnamon on it—just the way you like it.

his back is still to you as he moves the cooked pancakes onto a plate. he only realizes your presence when you walk over and wrap your arms around his middle. you lean your head on his back and close your eyes once more.

“thank you, my love,” you hum, voice still reflecting your lack of energy.

he doesn’t say anything, he simply places his own hands over yours, thumb brushing over your skin softly.

“you’re my sunshine in the rain when it’s pouring”

it was supposed to be a perfect day. clear skies, cool breeze, and warm sun to accompany your plans of a yacht day with your boyfriend and mini daschund—all the things you loved on a sunday afternoon.

but the weatherman was wrong. you were wrong. nothing but ugly overcast and heavy drops of rain that mocked you in every way you despised.

so you were all stuck in the apartment. no sun, no yacht, no perfect day.

you silently scrolled on your phone, still slightly pouting. not even the couch cushions and your favorite throw pillow could boost your mood.

on the rug at your feet, charles sat with leo, scratching the pup’s ears and mumbling to him in quick french sentences you couldn’t fully understand. charles looks up, noticing how quiet you were. he nudges you, gently poking your calf to get your attention.

your gaze moves to him, watching as he simply smiles at you and raises leo’s paw in a waving motion as if he was saying “hi” to you. the corners of your lips upturn just slightly before you resume scrolling through your feed.

charles furrows his eyebrows and looks down at leo who tilts his head like he’s confused for the exact same reason.

a moment later, you feel moisture tickle your shin. looking down again, you see charles holding leo up as the dog licks playfully. this time you let out a small laugh. you ruffle leo’s fur lovingly before returning to your phone once again.

charles’ shoulders drop with disappointment at your lack of reaction. he pulls leo back into his chest before settling on one final plan.

barely a minute of silence passes before you’re being smushed into the cushions and smothered with kisses from both leo and charles.

you feel leo’s cold nose brushing against your neck while charles peppers short kisses all over your face—cheek, lips, forehead, jaw, everywhere.

they don’t stop at the sound of your echoing giggles, instead cuddling closer when you finally drop your phone from your hands and pull them into your embrace.

“you’re my water when i’m stuck in the desert”

winning a grand prix always called for celebration. it was recognition and respect well deserved. so when charles won in italy, he was swarmed with love from all directions. proud fans, eager journalists, excited mechanics—they all made sure to show their support and appreciation.

but after the podium celebration, all charles could think about was being in your arms. not in front of a camera crew, not with a mic clipped to his shirt, not in the middle of a sea of fans—in your arms.

but, of course, he would never turn down a selfie or “quick” interview. and that is exactly how you ended up not seeing him until over an hour past the race’s end.

you were waiting in his driver’s room, keeping to yourself as you replied to congratulatory messages and sipped a chilled glass of water.

when finally made his way out of the public eye and into the private confines of his room, he let out a sigh of relief. he loved talking with fans and answering questions, but he loved being around you more than anything.

“mon amour,” he says with a growing smile.

you lift your head to look at him (still clad in his fireproofs, mind you) before getting up from your chair and hugging him tightly.

your arms wrap around his neck, pulling him down slightly as your chin rests on his shoulder.

“i’m so proud of you, charles,” you whisper.

you feel him curl into your embrace as he kisses your head with his arms around your waist.

the noise immediately gets drowned out. because you know exactly how to calm him down. how to ground him. you reel him in and remind him how good he truly has it. you make him feel alive even in the quietest moments.

“you’re the tylenol i take when my head hurts”

saturday wasn’t the best. he was late for a last-minute discussion. qualifying didn’t go the way he wanted. p11 wasn’t very promising. and now he had a pounding headache. the cherry on top.

when he got back to the hotel, you could tell he was upset. drained, even. his shoulders were tense with stress, his eyebrows furrowed with discomfort, his jaw was clenched with frustration.

he kicks his shoes off as he runs a hand through his disheveled hair. you meet him at the door, kissing him on the cheek wordlessly before pulling him to the couch.

you dim the lights in the room, turn down the volume on the television, and fetch the garlic bread you had leftover from lunch. you offer it to him after having it warmed, sitting down next to him on the couch as you rub his back and ask if he wants to talk.

without speaking, he takes the bread from your hand and places it on a napkin lying on the side table. you’re confused at first, but the confusion is replaced with understanding the moment he moves to lay down.

his head is in your lap when you place a hand on his chest, just over his heart as you feel the beat steady under your touch. your other hand runs through his hair slowly, coaxing him into a state of relaxation as he allows his eyes to flutter close.

he lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. his shoulders drop against the cushions. the ache in his head slowly fades away. before he fully falls asleep, he turns his head ever so slightly. just enough so that he can gently kiss your hand.

you immediately understood what he was saying. because actions always spoke louder than words when you were with him.

🏷️ — first fic! hope u guys liked it and didnt wanna block me by the end of it…

YOU'RE LEANING CASUALLY in the back of the mclaren garage, texas heat seeping in like a challenge. your hair was pulled into a ponytail beneath your baseball cap—a simple white one with the logo embroidered in the signature orange color. normally you would be repping the blue and green hues of your basketball team, the dallas wings, but in the paddock, you were all about papaya.

you're watching lando get swarmed by fans and reporters with every stride. he's laughing, signing hats, and taking selfies, but there's a subtle ache in your chest seeing him smile so easily for everyone but you.

you're proud of him. of course you are. hell, you'd shout it from the rooftops if you could. but you can't. so you keep a low profile for the sake of your relationship.

when he finally makes it back to the garage, livery suit tied around his waist and curls damp with sweat, his green-blue eyes scan the room. the second your gaze meets his, the tension in his body melts away and the smile on his face turns genuine.

he's first to move, weaving through mechanics and dodging media admins. his hands are on you as soon as you're within reach. the hug is full and firm, your arms around his neck and his around your torso. his face is buried in your neck and you swear you can hear his breathing steady.

"you were unbelievable out there. i'm so proud of you," you whisper, "wish i could tell the whole world."

lando's lips twitch into a smile as he pulls you closer, "careful. keep talking like that and i might have to kiss you right here in front of everyone."

you laugh softly before pulling away, but his hand finds your waist once more as he guides the two of you back to the driver's room. you're half-shielded by the chaos of lingering staff, yet neither of you care who sees.

"y'know," he says, glancing at you with a smirk, "for someone who said we should keep things secret, you really jumped into that hug."

"please," you roll your eyes, nudging his side, "you were the one looking around like a lost puppy."

he laughs, tugging you a little closer, "only because my favorite person was trying to hide behind a stack of tyres."

"don't gas me up just 'cause you're sweaty and emotionally vulnerable right now," you grin with a shake of your head.

"you love me like this," he murmurs, lowering his voice.

"unfortunately i really do," you say with a mock-dramatic sigh.

in the private confines of the driver's room, the door clicks shut behind you. lando flops onto a small chair, grabbing a towel and slinging it over his head.

"so," he peeks at you from under said towel, "what exactly would you have said if we weren't pretending to be strangers?"

you lean against the door, arms folded with a sly smile on your face, "that i'm in love with a dork who smells like champagne and burnt rubber."

back at the hotel, you were both comfy and clean. you're sat on the cushions of the sofa, one of lando's hoodies draped over your frame with your legs in his lap as he absentmindedly traces shapes on your calf.

the suite is dim and quiet, curtains drawn with a 'do not disturb' sign hanging on the door handle outside. it's peaceful. until it's not.

your jaw drops, "oh my god. lando. we're in an edit."

your boyfriend peers over at you, eyebrows furrowed, "what?"

"look."

you tilt your phone towards him, showing him the short video that popped up on your 'for you' page.

he leans in closer to get a better view, "that's us?" he asked, squinting.

the quality of the clip wasn't the best. it appears to have been taken from a distance way outside of the garage. and it's not long by any means, being only a few seconds in the opening introduction of the edit. but it’s definitely you.

"they really went full fan-cam," he mumbles, watching it replay once more.

"the caption literally says," you bring the phone back to your chest, "'whoever she is...he really loves her' with, like, five happy-crying emojis."

there's a small smirk on lando's face when he shrugs, "they're not wrong."

you deadpan at him, hands and phone dropping in your lap, "lando."

his smile grows, "what? i'm just saying."

"it already has four thousand likes. and someone id'd me in the comments," you point out.

"well," he breathes out, settling back against the couch cushions, "there goes out secret romance arc."

"okay dramatic," you scoff with a smile, "but i kinda liked being your mystery girl."

"you can still be mysterious," he offers, "just...with verified identity now."

"i should be mad at you, y'know," you glare at him, but your grin only grows wider.

"mmm," he hums before grabbing your hand and pulling you next to him, "but you're not."

you sigh, burrowing into his side, "i'm not."

a moment of silence passes. it's not awkward or uncomfortable. it's easy. familiar.

lando speaks up first, "you okay?"

"...yeah," you say softly, "i think i am."

"good," he replies, kissing your head, "because i don't think i would've survived another season of pretending i didn't wanna kiss you every five minutes."

"you're so damn dramatic," you giggle.

"and you love it," he nudges you.

"unfortunately, i do," you sigh with a soft smile.

he pokes your side once more, "let's watch it again. i wanna see the part where you jumped on me."

"lando-" you groan.

"don't fight it, we're trending now!"

🏷️ — two blurbs in one night who am i 😱 shoutout to the dallas wings even tho we lost today…

THE RING OF the doorbell echoed in your ears like a familiar song you tried to forget. you knew who it was before you even got up from the couch.

turning the door handle, you pull it open to reveal the very man you were expecting. his brown hair was messy and slightly damp, presumably from the downpour of rain silverstone was currently experiencing. his brown hoodie, also a little wet, hung relaxed on his frame to match his loose sweatpants.

"charles," you breathe out with a smile. you don't try to act surprised anymore.

"hello," he mirrors your smile, "i'm sorry, i should've called beforehand but-"

"missed your flight again, did you?" you finish for him, teasing smirk replacing your welcoming grin.

"just...lost track of time unfortunately," he shrugs sheepishly.

you stare at him for a moment, scanning his features—his green eyes, his freshly shaven face, the upturn of his lips. the way he looked at you made resisting harder each time he showed up at your door. it was impossible to ignore him.

which is exactly why you can't help but say: "get in here before someone snaps a picture of you looking like a wet dog."

"so…do i need to set alarms on your phone to get you to board your flights on time?"

charles lets out a laugh as he settles back against the couch cushions, a glass of wine resting in his hand as he gets comfortable.

"my assistant does that for me already," he informs you before taking a slow sip.

you plop yourself down next to him, legs crossed, knee brushing against his like it doesn't mean anything.

"well, you seem to miss the mark quite often considering how many times we've done this," you point out, eyebrows raised teasingly.

he shrugs, "call it jet lag."

“of course,” you nod, slightly sarcastic. you drink from your own glass, white wine smooth and slow down your throat as you lean back against the couch cushions. “i watched the race earlier.”

“did you?” charles asks, eyebrows raised in amusement.

“i did,” you confirm, “it’s the only one i watch, really. besides monaco.”

he tilts his head, “monaco? why monaco?”

you freeze at the realization of your small slip-up. shrugging like you didn’t mean it, you say, “just…because.”

“because…” he looks at you expectantly but you avoid his eyes.

you sigh, “…because it’s your home race and i know how much it means to you.”

charles’ head tips back slightly, like a small nod of understanding. his lips are pursed like he’s impressed by your answer.

“don’t make it a thing, leclerc,” you roll your eyes.

“i would never,” he assures you with a teasing tone.

you deadpan at him, “you’re making it a thing.”

“making what a thing?” he plays dumb, an innocent grin on his face to match his tone.

you shake your head with a small smile, your breathy laughter filling the room. his eyes brighten at the sound, but you're too busy sipping your white wine to notice.

just a moment after, the energy shifts. silence falls for a second too long. your nail clinks against the stem of your glass.

"do you ever think about what we'll be doing in five years?" you ask suddenly.

charles shrugs, "still racing. i hope. maybe a world championship or two."

you nod, "i just hope i'm...happy."

"are you not?" he looks at you after a beat.

hesitantly, you say softly, "some nights, yeah. nights like this."

you peer over at charles. his defined features are soft in the warm light of your living room. his hair pokes in all directions, but it's not messy, it's real. when he meets your gaze, his green eyes search yours with remnants of a "what if?"

it's all too intimate, too comfortable. but when he pulls you to his chest, you don't resist.

for the next two hours, you’re intertwined between cushions and throw blankets. an american movie from the 90s plays in the background, but you're both too caught up in each other.

he brings up something leo did to a fan at the last race. you mention a recent interaction with a cranky barista. it was all nonsense, but neither of you cared. any excuse to stay awake together.

just before the clock hits two, there’s a pause where the silence feels heavier than before. like something is about to be said. or a risk is about to be taken.

but then, like it’s practiced and learned, you shut it down before it could even start.

“you should get some sleep.”

you offered charles your spare bedroom, but the chill that spread across your skin when you walked in ruined that plan. you blamed the broken heater, but the flutter in your chest when you told him to sleep in your bed told a different story.

at first, he insisted on taking the couch, not wanting to put you out. but the second your fingers entwined with his, urging him to your room, he caved.

"was this all just some plan to get me in bed with you?" charles asks teasingly.

"you wish," you scoff, throwing a pillow at him.

when you're both under the covers, the lights dim. the conversations slow, but don't cease. you slump against the mattress, eyes fluttering closed and chest steadying with each breath. he catches himself staring.

thinking you're asleep, he rolls onto his back, hand on his stomach as he stares at the ceiling.

then, you speak softly, barely even audible, "are you gonna be here when i wake up?"

charles turns his head, looks at you. your eyes are still shut, hair fanned out on the pillow beneath.

he wants to tell you everything. he wants to tell you how bad he wishes he could wake up next to you every morning for the rest of his life. he wants to tell you how these moments with you are the reason he looks forward to silverstone every year.

but he holds back. because he knows he can't. not now.

suddenly, you feel his hand on your face, fingers grazing over your cheekbone slowly. his voice is low and quiet when he talks.

"goodnight, y/n."

you don't reply. you don't trust yourself to. so instead, you pull the blanket tighter to your chest.

you think about the night you've had—how he was so charmingly attentive. how he made you laugh until you couldn't breathe. how you got along so well, like you always do.

it was frustrating because you knew how good you would be together, but neither of you would dare to advance beyond late nights and layered tensions.

before you drift off to sleep, you tell him "goodnight." not because it felt right, but because you weren't sure when you would get the chance to again.

you wake to the sound of pure silence. your eyes are closed but you're far from asleep. you're disappointed when you look across the bed and see nothing but an empty reminder. but you're used to it. you expected it.

sighing, you get out of bed and make your way to the kitchen. you water your plants, make your coffee, dust your shelves as if nothing ever happened.

and then the front door opens.

and then he walks in with a white paper bag, logo of your favorite bakery printed on the front. you spot your spare key in his hand, the one you kept in your bedside table.

he approaches you, grin steady and genuine.

"you know i don't miss my flights by accident, right?"

a pause. a look. a smile.

you don't say anything, just take the bag from his hand. the silence between you is clear—no hidden intentions, no missed chances. because this time, he's not going anywhere.

🏷️ — thank you guys for the love on my first fic 🫶 hope you like this one too !