This one is actually such a cute concept and I love it so much. Enjoy! Also sprint went really well congrats to you Ferrari fans and the grid also looks good for you lot tomorrow. light warning, anxiety, like social anxiety, and a fear of loud noises.
Austrian Grand Prix. 2023. Sunday. The race was not until 15:00 but you still decided to arrive early, you wanted to beat your teammate today. To do that, you needed time. You had previously texted your best friend Esteban to be ready soon. You had severe anxiety when it came to loud noises, that obviously weren't your car. So he offered to help you with it.
You picked up your phone as you finished up getting ready, transferring your music from your speaker to your headphones. The time read 09:06, and an unread message from the contact 'Gentle Giant❤️'. You had a crush on the French driver, and have for quite a while. Shaking off the thought you read the message. 'I'm outside your room whenever you're ready to go :D' The notification was a minute old. You walked towards the door of the hotel room and opened the door peaking your head out you saw the tall driver. You stepped out of your room and quietly closed the door behind you.
"Morning pretty boy" You said starting the conversation. "Morning shorty, can I have an earbud?" He responded. You rolled your eyes at the nickname and gave him one of your earbuds. He grabbed your right hand and began walking with you towards the elevator. You smiled gently, his protective mannerisms were extremely sweet. You noticed your beaded bracelets were brushing against his arm. You gently pulled your hand away once in the elevator and reached your left hand around to take off your bracelets but he stopped you before you could get the chance.
"I know how you can be about your bracelets, don't move them for me. Especially if it'll help you stay grounded." He said softly staring down into your eyes. He knew of your troubles with loud noises and anxiety, and when things got loud you often fiddled with your bracelets. It helped you keep your touch on what was real and what was fake. You smiled a wide toothy grin at him and he reciprocated it pulling you into a warm hug. You could smell his cologne and shampoo that were used just this morning. The elevator doors dinged open and he grabbed your hand once again, giving you your other earbud so you could block out as much noise as possible.
The lobby of the hotel was slightly crowded with other teams, team managers, pr managers, and others. Needless to say it was quite noisy and you were thankful for your earbuds, the smooth jazz dancing around in your brain calming your nerves. You squeezed Esteban's hand tighter as you walked past the group of guys wearing McLaren uniforms, they were shouting at each other, disagreeing over something. Esteban walked faster practically dragging you along with him.
He led you to his car where he opened the passenger side door for you. You thanked him gently and once in the car you took out your earbuds and talked quietly about the upcoming race the entire ride there. Once you two had arrived you were automatically swarmed by reporters and you tried answering some of their questions. "So y/n you've won the past two races, the main competition this weekend being your very own teammate Max, do you think you can win" The reporter asked. "Bwoah, well it's supposed to rain so anything can happen." You responded keeping your answer short and sweet. (I MISS KIMI)
Out of the corner of your eye you saw Esteban finishing with a question. You excused yourself and joined his side grabbing his hand and intertwining your fingers. He leaned down placing a kiss to the top of your head. You knew for a fact that you'd see that on Instagram later. People would assume the two of your were dating, as they usually do. Honestly you were ok with it, but Esteban would never feel the same, right?
You two began walking farther into the paddock and once in you heard a crowd of people begin chanting your and Esteban's name. Esteban turned to you immediately letting go of your hand so you could put your earbuds back in. He smiled gently at you and grabbed your hand again. You had decided the noise was manageable nodding at Esteban. You walked towards the crowds of people signing a few things and smiling for some pictures.
Then everything went south, everyone lost their minds and started screaming when Lewis and Charles walked in together. You immediately panicked the earbuds not blocking out as much noise as you liked. Tears began to well in your eyes and breathing started to quicken. Esteban looked down as he felt his hand being grabbed. He realized what was happening immediately when he saw you. You squeezed his hand twice signaling you wanted to leave immediately. He smiled at Lewis and Charles and exchanged a few words in French before placing one arm around your shoulder, the weight already making you feel better.
As soon as the crowd screaming faded you took out your earbuds putting them into your pocket along with your phone. Esteban removed his arm from your shoulder and moved it down to hold your hand. The two of you continuing the walk to the Red Bull Garage quietly. Once there you saw Christian who moved immediately to hug you. "Hey y/n, you're ok now you're here." He said and then turned to face Esteban, he shook his hand smiling "Thank you, you don't even know how much you help me, I might have to start paying you." Christian said cracking a joke making Esteban smile. "It's no problem, but I wouldn't mind getting paid." Esteban responded laughing as well.
You smiled gently, happy that the scary part was over. Christian walked away shortly after leaving you and Esteban in quiet conversation. He turned to leave but in the spur of the moment you grabbed his hand. Mind going blank you squeezed his hand once 'I' a second time 'love' and a final third time 'you'. You immediately started to panic realizing what you had done.
Before you could fully let the panic set in he grabbed your chin gently forcing it upwards looking into his eyes. "Can I kiss you." He said so quiet only you could hear. "Please do" You immediately responded. Your eyes fluttered closed as he brought your faces closer together. Finally bringing your lips together he kissed you. Slow and gentle. It was perfect, better than you had ever dreamed. He pulled away and picked you up by your waist hugging you like you were a teddy bear. Wrapping your arms around his neck he whispered into your ear "I love you too".
Giggling he put you back down bringing you into another kiss. "Alright alright, lovebirds let's move. Esteban we have to go get ready for the race. You two can suck each other's face off later." Your kiss was interrupted by his teammate Pierre. "Uhm, hi Pierre. Good luck on the race today." You said quickly after pulling away from Esteban. "Same to you, come on Estie. Your PR manager is looking for you." He said a smile forming on his face. Pierre turned to walk away and you looked up at Esteban. You pulled him down by his shirt and placed a peck on his nose. "Good luck on the race today, I love you." "I love you too y/n. I'll see you on the podium darling." Esteban responded quickly. It was a good race with a Red Bull one two, and a surprise Alpine guest in third.
I ACTUALLY KINDA LOVE THIS ONE. Happy early birthday to me :D posting this about 20 minutes before my birthday, I'm expecting to have one or two out tomorrow for y'all ;)
As normal if you lovlies need anything feel free to talk to me about any of it. Also if you want to request leave it on the first page or message me!!!
