It all started the day you walked into your first driver’s briefing, and you heard two very different voices talking in Italian - your native language. One was a very weird accent, definitely not Italian, and he was speaking in broken sentences like he was still learning. The other was very nasally, so maybe the other one was sick. You chuckled to yourself as you sat down next to Max. 

The actual briefing itself was boring. It was all common sense, in your opinion, and it was just reiterating everything you already knew. Don’t go beyond the white lines. DOn’t move more than once under breaking. You’ll have the chance to do practice starts at the end of each free practice session. If you do a practice start, don’t go until the driver ahead of you has pulled away. Yeah, common sense.

“You getting along with the other rookies?” Max asked, bumping his shoulder against yours after the briefing was wrapped up.

“Haven’t really had the time to,” You shrugged, “I know there’s quite a few this year. They all came from Formula 2, no?”

“Yeah, I can introduce you to some, if you want,” Max offered before looking around the room.

“That would be helpful,” You responded.

“That is Gabriel Bortoleto,” Max started, pointing over to the man in green. “He won the championship last year, and Isack, you’ve met him already, finished second to him.”

“Yeah, I remember Isack,” You nodded along.

“Jack Doohan over there,” Max continued, pointing over to the man in pink.

“Mick?”

“His son,” Max snapped his fingers, “Jack is racing for Alpine. Honestly, not sure how long that’ll last.”

“Don’t be mean,” You said, slapping his arm.

“Not mean, just realistic,” He chuckled, rubbing his arm. He turned to point at the two you were laughing at from earlier. “Then, there’s Ollie and Kimi.”

“One of them is Italian,” You said, matter-of-factly. “He sounds so Northern.”

“Why’d you say it like that?” Max chuckled as Kimi and Ollie walked further into the room and sat on the other side of Max. “Were you making fun of his accent?”

“Who’s accent?” Ollie asked, leaning over Kimi to be part of the conversation.

“Boys, this is my new teammate for the year, also a rookie,” Max said before telling them your name. “Your country mate, Kimi, and they were poking fun at your accent.”

“It’s just the way he says everything,” You said, tilting your head as you looked at Kimi. “It’s not a bad thing. You just say everything so precisely.”

“Ah, and you're Southern,” Kimi pointed out with a smirk.

“Oh, very,” You laughed, loud and unashamed.

“Please don’t do the regional thing,” Max groaned, already standing up.

“It’s already happening,” Ollie groaned too, and followed Max, “Can we stay within listening distance? I want to hear this.”

“You heard me say all of - what, three words?” You questioned, “And you’ve figured me out?”

“Your vowels did most of the work,” Kimi chuckled, sliding into the seat next to you.

“Oh, he’s an expert, I see,” You smirked, leaning closer to him, “Listen to yourself, sounds like you should be filing paperwork.”

“I speak clearly,” He replied, snappily as he kept the joke running.

“Exactly, every syllable is sober,” You said, mocking his accent.

“Is that a burn?” Ollie whispered to Max.

“Probably? I don’t understand Italian insults,” Max whispered back.

“You add extra sounds,” Kimi tilted his head at you as he looked you up and down.

“It’s called ‘emotion,’” You sounded it out, “You should try it sometime.”

“It’s called ‘time,’” He mocked, nodding his head in a condescending way, “The sentence needs to end eventually.”

“I am learning so much about Italy right now,” Ollie gasped, shaking his head, “Shocking, considering I’ve lived there for almost five years now.”

“Say something else,” You said quietly, leaning closer into his side.

“Why should I?” Kimi retorted with a raised eyebrow.

“Because it’s fascinating,” You admitted, “You pronounce Italian like it owes you money, or you are sick, and I’m not sure which one it is yet.”

“And you sound like you're singing to it,” Kimi huffed out a laugh despite your subtle diss.

“Alla fine, è una questione di equilibrio, no (In the end, it’s a balance, no)?” You smirked, biting your lip.

“Forse ci completiamo a vicenda (Maybe we balance each other),” Kimi continued your thought, leaning in further.

“Forse dovremmo uscire insieme allora (Maybe we should go out together then),” You said, subconsciously licking your lips as you felt Kimi’s breath ghost across them.

“Vengo a prenderti alle sette (I’ll pick you up at seven),” He replied in a soft tone as his eyes dropped to your lips momentarily before returning back to your eyes.

“Perfetto,” You whispered, gazing into Kimi’s eyes and smiling like it wasn’t the end of the conversation at all.

“Are they flirting? In Italian?” Ollie grimaced, looking between the two.

“Shhh, don’t ruin the moment,” Max chastised, slapping Ollie’s shoulder.

“È solo un esempio (It’s just one example),” Kimi whispered calmly, rolling his eyes at Ollie and leaning back slightly to look at him and Max.

“Oh god. It’s worse than that,” Ollie gasped. “They’re flirting in grammar.”

“Shush,” Max complained again, “that’s pretty on-brand for them.”

“Aspè (Wait),” You blinked as if you’d just woken up, “Did we just…”

“It was hypothetical,” Kimi said after clearing his throat, suddenly very interested in the floor.

“In the future tense,” You chuckled.

“With a time,” Max piped up.

“And a pick up,” Ollie joined in.

“Please stay out of this,” Kimi said, directing it towards Max and Ollie, who avoided eye contact with him. “Alle sette è un orario ragionevole (Seven is a reasonable time).”

“Never said it wasn’t,” You chuckled. “Does that still work for you, or do Northerners need to schedule further in advance?”

“I plan efficiently,” Kimi scoffed.

“I already regret introducing you two,” Max groaned before getting up and walking back to the Red Bull garage.

~

“Truly, I thought you were sick the first time I heard you,” You admitted while you were laying in bed with Kimi. You two had been together for almost a year at this point, and you never thought to clarify your initial thoughts of him. Not until it had been a little too quiet after a race weekend. ”Just thought you should know that.”

“That’s what that comment was about?” Kimi gasped, sitting up and looking down at you. “I thought I actually sounded like I was becoming sick!”

~~~

Main MASTERLIST // F1 / Kimi Antonelli // HITLIST

~~~~~

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[ and it’s pole position!👆 ]

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olliebearman i love you ❤️ my good luck charm

yourusername i should just come to all your races

olliebearman please do 🥺

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yourusername me and kitty are more than ready ❤️🏎️

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user1 the best wag 😻

user2 ollie is so lucky to have you

olliebearman 🏎️❤️

yourusername 🥰

user3 f2 wag by day f1 wag by night ♥️ liked by author

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user1 congrats!! you were amazing ollie 🐻❤️

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user3 y/n’s comment?? i love them your honour

user4 the cutest couple ever i swear

[Reader's POV]

The first time me and Arthur met was on my birthday. I was out with a couple of friends in Monaco when I met Arthur in a club; I was a little tipsy and he was cute and too attractive to not take home for the night. I was drunk and horny and Arthur was willing to entertain me.

That night Arthur and I, ended up in my bed with some of the best sex I've ever had. This turned into a proper agreement; I was literally flying back to Monaco just to fuck Arthur with some of the most expensive gifts I could get my hands on. It was how I showed my love and appreciation, I told myself. I had become exclusive to Arthur. This felt like those stupid books where the reader falls in love with her friend with benefit when they explicitly said they shouldn't. But what was I supposed to do. The only person in my life that seemed to genuinely care about me was him. He would text me asking if I had food, or how the classes were. Sometimes, I wished I was doing my Masters in Monaco and not the UK but the flight was quite short. So, I would constantly be back in Monaco whenever he was around.

————————————————————————

Arthur was in the UK due to the race. I was very happy that we would get to hang out. I had tried to invite him over to family gatherings, as a friend obviously since I realised that I had started liking him. But he had always been busy due to the race or for some other reason. I felt a little disappointed but what could I do. He had apparently never mentioned me to his family; I only found that out when I went to meet him at the hotel when he was in the UK.

I handed the keys to my Porsche, to the valet and walked towards his Hotel room with a large bouquet of flowers, a box of his favourite chocolates from Italy, a new Rolex and a separate bag with some more chocolates for his brothers. I pressed the button to his floor on the elevator which took me there. I walked towards his room; knocking the door. A shocked Arthur opened the door. "Hi!!" I greeted, I wanted to hug him but my hands were full. "Why did you come here? I told I'd meet you at your place." Arthur muttered. "I wanted to surprise you." I exclaimed. "How did you get my room number?" he asked. "You told me silly, a couple days back, remember. Now, my hands hurt. Can I put this down?" I asked. Arthur reluctantly let me in. I saw both his brothers sat on the bed and chair. I placed the stuff on the table and greeted them. They looked at me confused. Arthur stepped in and told them I was a friend and that we would be leaving now. I handed them the bag of chocolates I got for them. "This is for you, as an apology. I'm gonna be stealing Arthur away for a couple days now." I giggled. "And these are for you, darling." I continued, placing the bouquet in Arthur's hands. He pulled me away, "Why'd you get all this?" he questioned. "I always get you stuff when I visit." I mumbled. "Well, you didn't have to. Let's leave." he dragged me out without even greeting his brothers good bye.

--------------------------------------------------——

The day of my graduation is when shit hit the fan. My family couldn't make it because my younger sibling was graduating and a Master's wasn't even a big deal they said. I asked Arthur if he could come but he was busy too. So, I spent my graduation alone. Until I got a call from Arthur the next day, so instead of flying back home, I flew to Monaco.

We hung out at Arthur's place getting drunk. "You don't usually get this drunk." Arthur commented. "I just wanna forget everything" I slurred. I reached out and pressed a kiss against his lips. "Let's get you some water." Arthur said getting up from the sofa. "I only need you" I said while pulling him back down. Arthur laughed, "sure, but only when you're sober." I straddled his lap while cupping his cheeks, "Please, don't leave, like everyone does." I begged with tears in my eyes. "I'm not going anywhere." Arthur whispered. "Promise?!" "Promise" he replied. "Because I love you so much" I mumbled. "You don't know what you're saying" Arthur sighed. "Drunk words are sober thought, babe." I replied. "Let's talk about this when you're sober." he suggested. "I don't think I'll have the courage to tell you this when I'm sober. I love you Arthur Leclerc, I have for a while. Sorry for breaking the agreement. I just couldn't help falling for you when you were so nice to me. But I know you don't feel that way. I've seen the way you are ashamed to be seen with me. That's the reason you've never invited me to your races or introduced me to your family or met mine, matter of fact." I rambled. "I-I-I" Arthur stammered. "It's ok sweet heart. I would be ashamed to be seen with me too." I let out a dry laugh. The lump in my throat was bigger and my eyes hurt. "I wish you loved me." I sighed "If you ever truly cared for me for even a moment then you'll reject me. So that I can finally move on from you." I suggested. "I'm sorry, I can't love you the way you want me too." Arthur said. Those words pierced my heart like a knife, I wiped away the tears that had started falling from my eyes.