THE END | Oscar Piastri

25. place in me

sav's pov

Lando just qualified p3. Not the best of the season, but it's still a good result.

Lan🩷

Still in the hospitality?

Yup

Okay stay there I'm on my way

I chose to watch qualifying from the air conditioned hospitality. It's so hot here in Texas and the humidity isn't helping either.

It takes longer than I expected for him to appear next to me. "Hey baby! You did amazing today, I'm so proud of you." I tell him as I wrap my arms around his neck, placing a kiss on his cheek. He bends down to help me out. Despite my heels, the height difference is still very much there.

When I pull away from him, he doesn't look happy at all. Actually, he looks frightened, like he'd just seen a ghost. "Are you okay?" I search his expression for any hints, anything that might tell me the cause of his expression.

He blinks a couple times, as if he'd just been somewhere else mentally. He takes a deep breathe, choking on his words when he tries to get them out.

"I have a meeting with Red Bull next week." He speaks in whispers, sounding like he didn't really believe what he was saying.

My eyes widen, and my mouth drops. "Lando! That's great!" I bring him into a hug again, but his actions don't reciprocate mine. I pull away slowly, brows pulling together in confusion.

"That is great, isn't it?" I ask, thinking I'd gotten the narrative wrong. He shakes his head, a small smile appearing. "No, yeah it is but... McLaren have given me so much." I can see the conflict in his eyes. I understand where he's coming from, but this is a huge opportunity for him. I know it. He knows it. They'll know it, too.

I take his hands in mine, holding them close to me. "I admire your loyalty, but they'll still love you. They still love Carlos, and even Lewis. Red Bull is a great team. It's an amazing decision for your career." I try to clear some of the conflict, lighting up the darker path for him.

He nods at my words. "You're right." His words are convincing, but the conflict is still present in his eyes. "You've still got a week until the meeting. Don't stress too much about it." I tell him, running my hands up and down the length of his arms, trying to comfort him.

-★-

He's very visibly freaking out, pacing the hotel room, and playing with the silver bracelet. I sit at the end of the bed and watch his back and forth motions.

His chat with Red Bull is today before the race. It's thrown his weekend off so far, qualifying p7 when he knew he could've done better at. At least they weren't cruel enough to set it after the race.

He decided earlier in the week that if they offer him a seat for next season, he'll take it. I let him make the decision all on his own, giving him very little of my own opinions.

"Babe." I speak suddenly, trying to pull him from his own thoughts. He doesn't respond. I don't even think he heard me.

"Lan." I try again. No response.

"Lando." I talk a little louder this time, keeping my tone gentle. He finally stops, looking at me with worried eyes. "They're going to sign you. You're a great driver, they would be crazy not to." Words of encouragement are all I have to offer.