Flowers || Lando Norris || Mick Schumacher

16. race day

The Race was quite eventful with a lot of dnf's and mechanical failures, thankfully no crashes as big as Mick's qualifying. Mick's car was wrecked so he couldn't race which to be honest was a relief.

Max came first followed by the two Ferrari's. Lando came in seventh, i'm sure he's disappointed but I think he did incredible.
Poor Yuki didn't even get to start the race but Pierre made it to eighth, I got some great pictures of Pierre celebrating with the team.

By the time the race was over I was wiped, night races can be rough. The next morning I edited all the photos and forwarded them onto the team leaving the whole day for myself.
I power my phone back on after turning it off to prevent myself getting distracted. It's flooded with messages from the paddock group chat, I skim through it all.

They've planned a party back in Monaco to celebrate the race results. Private planes are flying us out in the morning and Mick's already confirmed that we will both attend.

-

I slept through the whole plane ride to prevent myself from being too tired to go out the next day. Thankfully the Red Bull private plane had a lot of spare room for me to have some peace.

I stretch my muscles after the long flight, stepping out onto the runway. The cool morning air helps me pull myself together and pull out my phone to check the time-
2.30am.

My brain feels fuzzy as I drag my case through the airport desperate to get into my own bed. Max, Checo, Daniel, Yuki and Pierre appear to be in a similar zombified state as they trail besides me.

The drivers from the other planes are waiting by the doors waiting for us to regroup. Mick's engrossed in a conversation with Lewis, he's got way too much energy after the flight.
The group gathers to talk about some of the logistics of the party which i'm completely uninterested in.

I spot Lando sitting against the closest wall with his head leaning against a suitcase. His eyes are squeezed shut and dark under eye bags stand out against his lightly tanned skin.

"Didn't get much sleep on the plane?" I press my back against the wall, sliding down to sit beside him. "Hm? No." He decides I look more comfortable than his suitcase and shifts to nuzzle his face in my neck.

"They wont be long, you'll be home soon." I nudge him gently. "I'm sharing a hotel room with Carlos so no home for me." He mumbles. He lazily searches for my hand, intertwining our fingers after a few failed attempts.

"You're not going to your apartment?" I ask, running my free hand through his curls.
"The floors being replaced so it's a no go."

"Stay with me," I blurt out, I cant let them sleep in some random hotel when we live local. "both of you." I motion towards Carlos who is standing beside the group.

Lando lifts his head, his big eyes meet mine. "I don't want to intrude."

"You're always welcome, Lan."

He reluctantly nods "Thanks."

-

I'm in and out of consciousness the whole drive home. By the time we reach the house Lando is out cold, using Carlos as a human pillow. Mick thanks the driver and silently begins unloading the boot.

"Hey, we're home." I shake Carlos who's drifted off beside me. He nods, turning to wake Lando up.

I join Mick on unloading the car, rubbing my eyes in an attempt to wake myself up. Our guests emerge, grabbing their bags and suitcases.

Mick carries both our suitcases as I trail behind him into the house. Carlos immediately throws off his shoes and collapses on the couch. "I'll sort out blankets for him." Mick states.

I turn to our other guest, "You can have my room, I just need to change." I offer and Lando doesn't resist, following me up to my bedroom.

"Where are you sleeping?" He asks, shutting the door behind him. I pick a random pair of shorts and tshirt to change into.

I leave the bathroom door cracked slightly open so we can chat while I change.

"I'll share with Mick, he won't mind."

"I don't want to take your bed." He complains, I can hear him pacing around the room.

"I'm too tired to argue Lan, just take the bed." I push the door open to reveal him perched on the end of my bed waiting for me.

He reaches for me, managing to grasp my hand and tug me towards him. "Let's just share, it's not like we haven't done it before."

"You're that desperate to sleep with me?" I smirk. 

"More than you know, Love."

"Gross."

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding Come here."

I settle on my side, staring out the balcony's glass doors. The inky sky is full of stars, it reminds me of our talk on the balcony those few months ago.

"Can I take my shirt off? It's so hot in here."

"Of course."

I hear him shuffling besides me as he disregards his shirt. "Better?" I ask. "Much better."

The room goes silent after this. Despite my exhaustion, I struggle to fall back to sleep. My heart is beating hard against my chest, the close proximity of him is driving me mad. There's an awkward tension in the room, as though we both desperately want to reach out and touch each other.

Time passes, ten, fifteen minutes maybe? I'm not sure. I'm not even sure if Lando's awake anymore.

"Alli?" He whispers, guess that answers my question. "Are you awake?" I turn my body enough to peer over my shoulder and meet his gaze. "What's up Lan."

"Can I hold you, please?" I nod, scooting closer to him. My face flushes as his bare chest brushes against my back.

I lift my head and allow him to extend his arm beneath it, his other arm wrapping around my waist. I turn in his arms, pressing my ear against his heart. His rapid pulse gradually slows into a soft beat, lulling me to sleep.

-

A loud ringtone blares through the room, Lando shifts beside me letting out a quiet groan. "Lan shut it off." I complain, planting my face into my pillow. "Sorry Beautiful, It's Charles."

I shift my head onto his chest looking up at him and adjusting my body on-top of his.

"Hello?"  His husky morning voice making me swoon. "How are you so awake?" He pushes my hair behind my ears, tracing my face with his fingertips. "I don't know Charles i'm not home." I can hear Charles' muffled voice, his accent sounds more prominent through the phone.  "Just give me a sec."

Lando mutes the phone to talk to me. "Could I use your PC?" He asks, moving one hand down to rub my back.

"Yeah? What for?"

"Twitch stream, everyone's playing Goat Simulator."

"Use whatever you need." I plant a kiss on his cheek to reassure him. He goes back to Charles and confirming he's available. "20 minutes? See you then."

He throws his phone onto the bed beside him. "I need to download some things is that alright?" "Whatever." I plant a kiss on his bare stomach before rolling off him.

-