Fields of Gold; Daniel Ricciardo

Endings and possibilities

I'm pacing in Daniels room, the meeting has been going on for over an hour. I'm glad Blake is there with him to make sure that no matter what, the business part will be taken care off.

After another 15 minutes of me pacing, I'm sure the floor will have a path in it from the miles I've been walking on it today, I hear the door open.
I turn to see Daniel looking absolutely deflated and I know what we feared has come true.
"Fuck." I walk to him and he throws himself into my arms. I hold him as tightly as I can and he has me in a hug so tight I can almost feel my ribs crack. But I don't care, I'm here for him and he can hold me as hard and long as he needs.
He breaks, his body is shaking from him crying and I try not to break with him.
"I've got you, I'm here." I whisper in his ear as he sobs in my arms.

"I'm not good enough. They are dropping me for Oscar, because I'm a fucking loser."
My heart breaks hearing him say these things about himself. This is the Daniel nobody gets to see, just me and Michael.
"Don't you dare say that about yourself. I know you feel like that now, but you have to know that's not true." I don't expect him to listen to me right now, but hopefully later he will. I just need to say these things.

"You should probably find somebody else. I'm just a washed up driver now, you should go find somebody who isn't such a loser." He sobs as he pushes me away from him.
"As if. You should know better Daniel. I'm not going anywhere. I've told you many times already that I don't love you for what you do. I love you, you're the love of my life, my soulmate. Whether you shovel shit all day or drive a fast car. I give zero fucks and you know that, so don't you dare try pushing me away. I'm here to stay. Until we are gray and old remember." I put my hands around his face to force him to look at me.

I see the heartbreak in his eyes which tears me up inside. Michael warned me that Daniel would try to push me away, but I also know I'm not going to let him.
"You might think I don't need you, but I do. You have my heart remember. And things look dark now, this door closes, but another will open. I know that. So you can try to push me away, but you know deep inside I'm not going anywhere."

I pull him closer again and he tries to resist first, but soon he caves and wraps his arms around me.
"I don't know what I did to deserve you. You say I'm your rock, but you are mine. I love you so much baby." He says when he finally calms down a bit.
"I love you too babe, I've got your back." He looks me in my eyes and even though they are red from crying, I also see desire burning in them.
"Want to go back to the hotel?" I ask, before we are being caught on camera again.

He nods and we go outside where Michael and Blake are waiting for us.
I give them both a reassuring smile and they look relieved.
"You really hit the jackpot with that girl of yours Dan." Blake says and I blush.
"I know Blake. I don't deserve her." Daniel looks at him with a sad smile.
"Mate, you do. That's the whole point. You do!" Michael hugs Daniel.

On our way to the car we see Zac and Andreas walking around and when they look over I give them a dirty look. I'm not their biggest fan right now and I never will be again.
The drive back to the hotel is quiet. Michael and Blake have another car, so it's just me and Daniel. He's driving and I have my hand on his leg. I don't have to say anything. He knows I'm here for him when he wants to talk.

In the hotel lobby Lando comes over to us. He must have gotten the message, because he looks quite upset.
"Guess you're going to be mentoring a rookie next year mate." Daniel says with a sarcastic smile.
"I'm sorry Dan, I didn't know they were actually going to do this to you." Lando seems afraid Daniel is blaming him.
"Looks it's business, I don't perform as they need so they will try somebody else. It's not your or the kids fault. I'm sure you'll be fine next season. Let's just try to make the most of it after the summer break." I'm proud of him, I just know everything will be fine.