Final Lap - Sambucky AU

117

Natasha stayed there stunned. When suddenly snapped back to reality when she rushed out looking for a Clara.

"Clara!"

The music was too loud so no one would hear her anyways... she scanned the room for the tall woman. "Come on Clara..."

She continued looking for her, simply wanting to talk, to find out what that was. Natasha was an intelligent girl, but when it came to topics like this, she was clueless.

She truly didn't think someone would want to look at her like that. She sighed as she couldn't find Clara. She held her head and shook it slightly. "I'm crazy..." she said to herself.

The music filling her mind, only adding to her state of confusion. She just went back over to her table and sat down. She watched everyone having a good time dancing and just having smiles on their faces.

Natasha was just tired...

Too tired to do anything anymore. She held her head as she sat at the table. Life was hard for her, especially since she got into F1. It was a game she just didn't want to play anymore, and now she is rejecting the thought that she can love or be loved by someone.

Natasha's mind drifted to her bike. She just wanted to go ride and let the wind flow around her as she only heard the sound of her bike.

She just wanted some sort of peace.

Clara was hiding in a room. She sat at a table and held her head as she played that moment over and over in her head.

"I'm so stupid..." she mumbled to herself as she heard someone walking up to her from behind. She turned and saw her mother.

Clara turned her head and just closed her eyes. Peggy sat down next to her and looked at her. "Is there a reason as to why you're hiding?" Peggy said as she sipped her champagne.

"Yes."

"And... what is it for?" There was some silence until Clara sat back in her chair.

"I'm hiding from Natasha." Clara said. Peggy looked at her confused as she sipped her champagne.

"Oh. Yeah, I um, almost kissed her." Peggy choked on her champagne. Clara looked at her as she did.

"Yes... shocking isn't it." She said as she handed her mother a napkin. Peggy took it.
"I didn't know you were interested in her." Peggy said a she gathered her composure.

"Yeah... I have been for awhile. Probably since the beginning of the season..." Clara said as she thought back.

"Oh wow... why didn't you tell me?" Peggy said looking at her rather surprised she didn't know sooner.

Clara chuckled sadly and shrugged. "I don't need another reason for you to defend mee from the public. So I didn't tell you so you wouldn't have to put out fires." Clara said but suddenly Peggy held her daughters hand.

"Sweetie... darling. It is worth it putting out the fires for you, and taking the burns for you instead of watching you suffer. You liking a girl is nothing bad... and if the media drags you for it, they'll have to get through me first." Peggy said.

Clara looked at her mother tearing up. She just hugged her mother. Peggy hugged her tightly and kissed her head. "I love you so so so much. You are my pride and joy, my treasure, and the greatest gift I could have asked for."

Clara teared up more and nodded. "You're the best mom anyone could've asked for..."

The gala came to an end and Natasha was getting ready to leave. She didn't bother to put her heels back on. She would just walk out barefoot.

She was just so tired, and just didn't care. She walked in front of the paparazzi to her car. The sound of cameras roared in her ears. Sam and Bucky were getting ready to come out. They saw her and we're about to rush out to her when someone rushed past them.

Natasha covered her face when suddenly, a jacket covered her. She looked up slightly and saw Kylo covering her with his jacket. "Kylo?"

"I got you..." he said with a soft smile. He knew she was tired, and didn't want to have to look like she was having a good time.

He walked her down to the car and got in with her. She just leaned her head against his shoulder. "Your dads said they were gonna let you go ahead first. They figured you'd want some peace." He said as he covered the window with his jacket covering her.

She held his hand and just started to cry. He looked at her worried. She was just so tired.
When they got far enough, he lowered his jacket and held her close. He stayed quiet as she cried.

He knew her life in F1 is far from desirable. She was at her lowest right now, and he really didn't know how to help her. "Everything will be okay, Paloma..."

She just stayed against him, silently crying. He leaned his head against hers and sighed as she started to fall asleep against him.

By the time they got to her hotel room. She was asleep. He looked at her and saw the tears on her face. Carefully, he wiped them away and then carried her up to her room.

Kylo cared for her a lot. He cared for her as if she was his sister, and he knew she knew. He held her in his arms as he knocked on the hotel door. Darlene opened it.

"Oh my goodness! Is she okay?" She asked. He sighed softly and nodded. "Yeah... she just needs to sleep before tomorrow on the track." He said as he walked in and laid her on her bed.

He got her clothes set up for tomorrow. Had advil on her nightstand. He went over to the closet and grabbed his spare clothes and got them ready for the following day.

As he set everything up, Natasha sat up tiredly and held her head. She saw him. "Kylo... you don't need to help me..." she said. She was thankful, but she didn't like causing burdens on people.

He sighed and walked over to her and knelt down in front of her and held her hands. "I want to help you. Okay?"

She teared up and a bit and nodded. "Alright.. good. Now..." he unzipped the back of her dress and handed her her bed clothes so she could do the rest.

"... you need to sleep so you can be the amazing Natasha tomorrow. Okay?" He said with a soft smile.

She just hugged him. He hugged her tightly as she did. "Thank you..."

"No problem, Paloma."