F1 One Shots

#94 Checo - Long day

It was written during 2021 season

MARISOL POV.: After the race debrief, I told Checo to get back to the hotel alone, while I decided to pay a visit to Christian and Helmut. I never said it out loud, nor he did, but I see how their expectations are getting to Sergio... He knows his worth, what he's capable of and how good driver he is, but still he's struggling with presure and RB16B... Although he never tried to do what Gasly and Albon did before him, so adapt the car to his wishes, instead tried to learn how to drive it, and what HE should adapt in his driving style to that machine. And because of it, it's still hard for him to predict how it'll behave in particullar conditions... To top it all, stressed Checo makes more mistakes, like he did with Norris and Leclerc in Austria, and begins to be even more stressed, so it started to be a visious circle for him...

The talk I had with team bosses helped me a lot. Now I know what exactly they expect from Sergio, and what to tell him, to lift his spirits even a tiny bit, whenever he'll feel down again. We talked for an hour or so, about all the races since the end of March and many things between, analysing them all. It calmed me a lot, when I saw symphatic smile on Christian's face. Horner is very patient and kind with Checo, almost like you do in family, and we appriciate it a lot.
After I bid them goodbye's, I returned to the hotel myself, feeling more and more tired with every passing minute, but still at ease. It isn't strange, as I'm up since early morning hours, and a lack of sleep is starting to get to me...
Finally, I made it to our floor, and shortly after walked to the room we share for this weekend. It's very helpfull that the team knows about our relationship, and accepts it, not risking our jobs. This way, we get one room together every race weekend, and don't need to sneak around, to see one another during non-work hours. It really lifts our spirits...
I opened the door with my key, and stepped inside, hearing quiet music filling the room. It made me smile, as I closed the door behind me, and hid the key back to my pocket. I also didn't hear the water running, so it was a sign that Checo is somewhere in the room.
-Sergio?!- I asked rather loud, as I kicked off my shoes and hanged the coat on one of the racks. He didn't reply, and soon after that I saw him, in his pyjamas, peacefully sleeping on one of the armchairs, placed next to the large window.
-Checo...!- I sighed and aproached him -Wake up mi Amor...- I shoke his arm a bit, as I croached down, in front of him and took his hand in mine -Cariño...!- second try was succesfull, and I finally met his tired gaze.
-You're back...- his voice was deeper, horase and thick with sleep.
-Of course I am!- I exclaimed and reached out for him, to cup one of his cheeks in my palm -And you need to go to bed and get a proper sleep, so come on! Let's get you to bed!- I told him, and stood up, to pull him to his feet as well.
-Pero...
-Sleeping on this armchair won't do you any good, and I need to sleep to. So cooperate with me, and I'll be back in second, after quick shower- I managed to convince him, as I assisted him onto the bed, but with quite a struggle, as Checo isn't the lightest one to half-carry...
-Ok...- he sleeply agreed and lifted our joined hands to his lips, and kissed the back of my hand lovingly.
-Give me a few minutes...- I smiled at him, gave him a quick kiss to his cheek and then locked myself in the bathroom, to follow my every day night-time routine. Luckly, it didn't take me long, and soon after that I was back in the room, ready to sleep. And first thing I saw when I did that, was almost asleep Checo, fighting to stay awake.
-I told you to sleep Cariño..- I chuckled and got with him under the covers.
-Not without you- he blurbly replied, and pulled me closer to his chest, as another chuckle escaped my lips -I'm glad you're here... With me...- he continued, half awake, and pressed loving kiss to the crown of my head.
-And you're cute, when you're half asleep like this...- I giggled and shifted my position a bit, to lift my head and kiss his cheek -I'll always be by your side! Never doubt that!- I solenly promissed him, and lied down again, snuggling closer to his warm chest. Sergio didn't reply to my words, already deeply asleep, and I followed him soon after that, with light smile on my face. We really needed to gain as much straight and energy as possible for next days, as we possibly could. After all, our hard work doesn't end here yet...
THE END

Something shorter, but still sweet and home-like with Checo...
I hope you like it...!
Have a nice day! / Goodnight!
F.