#strollers

today my mum suggested a wheelchair for my chronic pain. it scared me a lot because I worry about how increasingly debilitating my pain is getting. I’m not ready for it yet, but thinking about it sort of like a pram is kinda making it less scary!

you jumped onto the back of the drivers’ parade truck with a bounce in your step and some sun peaking theough the clouds landing on your cheeks.

lando , your teammate, was already deep in chaotic banter with alex and charles, which you usually joined. but today, your attention drifted.

just a few steps down, leaning against the railing and mostly ignored, was lance stroll.

he wasn’t talking to anyone. no headphones, no phone, just watching the crowd quietly.

so, naturally, you beelined for him.

“hey lancey,” you said cheerfully, hopping up beside him. you've been calling him lancey since formula 2. you two used to be good friends but he got into formula 1 a few years before you did and he never really stayed in contact.

he blinked, clearly surprised. “oh. hey.”

“figured you looked a little lonely over here.” you nudged his arm playfully. “you good?”

he huffed a laugh. “just… tired.”

“mind if i stand with you?”

lance blinked. “me?”

“no,” you said, plopping down beside him. “the other quiet canadian driver on this truck.”

a beat. then he smiled. wide. warm. surprised.

“sure. yeah. of course.”

the two of you stand together and the ride begins. you have and smile at fans and take lots of pictures.

lance followed your gaze, then looked back at you.

“you’re kind of a big deal,” he said, voice dry but not mocking.

you nudged him lightly. “so are you. you just don't give yourself enough credit.”

he went quiet again, but this time it wasn’t awkward. it felt like a small, shared peace.

you grinned. “you don’t talk much, but when you do, it’s always something low-key philosophical. you're like, introverted and mysterious. and because you’re wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day.”

he cracked a smile, a real one, and it made your stomach flutter.

“you’re observant,” he said.

“i’m nosy, and i remember from when we were close” you corrected with a wink. “but thanks.”

he shook his head, chuckling. “you’re different from the others.”

“in a good way, or in a ‘oh god please stop talking to me’ way?”

he looked at you for a beat too long. “the first one.”

the race didn’t go great for him. p14, no points, a quiet garage.

but for you?

p2.

you were still buzzing when you climbed out of your car, helmet still on. lando was already off celebrating somewhere and you were about to follow when you saw lance standing near parc fermé. still in his suit, still helmeted, just watching you.

you jogged over before you could think twice.

“hey,” you said breathlessly. “you okay?”

he nodded. “just wanted to say congrats.”

you smiled under your visor. “you didn’t have to wait for me.”

“i wanted to.”

your heart squeezed.

then, before you could react, he pulled you into a hug. firm and fast and helmet-to-helmet, arms around your waist.

you froze for half a second, then melted into it.

“you drive like hell,” he mumbled and pulled up both of your visors so you could make eye contact. “in the best way.”

you laughed. “you really know how to make a girl blush through helmet.”

he pulled back. “you’re unreal out there.”

“you’ll get ‘em next week,” you said, bumping his arm. “i’ll be cheering for you.”

he tilted his head. “even if i beat lando?”

you smirked. “especially then.”

interviewer: “Y/N! Congratulations on P2! That’s your fifth podium this season. how are you feeling?”

you beam. “like i could run a marathon. maybe not in this fireproof suit, but emotionally unstoppable.”

interviewer: “amazing drive today, especially those last laps with leclerc, that was some gutsy stuff. but we also noticed something else…”

you tilt your head, eyes wide. “what was it”

interviewer: “you and lance stroll had a bit of a moment after the race. can we call it the 'helmet hug?’”

your eyes widen and you laugh, trying to hide the blush rising to your cheeks. “seriously? that’s what you’re calling it?”

interviewer: “it was adorable. and rare! lance isn’t exactly known for… public affection.”

you playfully fan yourself. “what can i say? i bring out the soft boy energy.”

interviewer: “so… is there something going on there.”

you bite your lip, trying not to smile too hard. “look, i’m just gonna say this; lance is a really great guy. he’s kind, funny, and way more charming than people give him credit for.”

interviewer: “is that a yes?”

“that’s a ‘i’m very fond of him and the helmet hug wasn’t the only sweet thing he did today.’” you glance off-camera for a second, and your smile softens. “he waited for me. after not such an amazing race for him. that means a lot.”

interviewer: “you’re going to break the internet with that answer, you know that, right?”

you shrug with a grin. “if it crashes because of me and lance, i won’t even feel bad. now lets get into the actual race questions please.”

after the champagne was sprayed and the media died down, you caught up with lance again in the paddock.

this time, no helmets. just the two of you, standing in the golden post-race light.

“so,” he said casually, “do you always go out of your way to rescue lonely canadians on parade trucks?”

“only the cute ones,” you said, then immediately blushed.

he smiled, soft and slow. “i’m flattered.”

you rubbed your neck awkwardly. “i mean it.”

he stepped a little closer. “then i guess it’s my turn to say something impulsive.”

your eyes widened. “oh?”

he leaned in, not too close, but just enough.

“you kind of make race weekends my new favourite thing.”

you tried, tried , not to squeal. “was that the impulsive part?”

he nodded. “also, i like you. a lot.”

“well,” you grinned, “you’re in luck. i like you back. a lot.”

@yourusername.racenumber

are we calling this a helmet hug now?

comments:

@f1lover: STOP??? helmet hugs are the new love language

@landonorris: that should have been me

@f1girlies: lance said “not all wins come with champagne” and WE FELT THAT 😭😭

@oscarpiastri: P2 in the race, P1 in stroll’s heart apparently 😅 congrats mate

@alexalbon: this is the most emotion i’ve seen from lance since 2019. iconic

@user1: they’re both blushing under those visors i just know it 🫣

@gridgirlz: “Y/N saying ‘i bring out the soft boy energy’ about lance stroll has me on the FLOOR”

@y/nbiggestfan: “why is their chemistry insane?? they’re like sunshine and sad boy in love”

@lando4president: “lando’s gonna be so smug about this isn’t he”

@f1updates: "Y/N comforting Lance after the race + their helmet hug?? romance arc of the season??"

@mclarenfangirl69: "YALL. not the way he waited for her after p14. I’M UNWELL 😭"

@lando.jpg: "since when does he SMILE like that?? i feel betrayed."

lance texts you a screenshot of the interview later that night.

lance:

“soft boy energy?? 😳”

you:

“am i wrong?”

lance:

“no comment. but i’d like to file an official request for more hugs. no helmets next time.”

you:

The Card Sharp on the Boulevard

Artist: Louis-Léopold Boilly (French, 1761-1845)

Date: 1806

Medium: Oil on panel

Collection: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, United States

Description