Absolutely Not! (Lando Norris)

Belle

Lando sat on the end of our bed. Isaac had told me Lando had seen the post and was on his way back from the Saudi race. I couldn't look at him, I was embarrassed.
"Belle, you don't need to be sorry. This is not your fault" Lando grabs my hand, I continue looking out the window.
"I don't want to be a burden to you.....a disappointment"
"You are not a disappointment, lets make that very clear. I'm in awe with everything you do. You just don't see it. You're not a burden, Belle I love you" I can hear the pain behind his voice.
"I'm guessing Isaac told you everything"
"He did. I want to do what's best for you. You're my priority. If you don't want to go to a Clinic, I understand but you do need some help Belle."
"I can recover without going to clinic. I almost didn't make it out last time, I can't do that again"
"Like I say Belle, I won't force you to do something you don't want to do. This is how we are going to work, by coming to a decision together. I'm not like your family, I just want what's best for you."
I pluck up the courage to look at him, except I don't see disappointment or anger, I see someone who is genuinely concerned.
"Thank you Lando"
"I was thinking, you can say no but how about you travel with me this season. I know it's not what you wanted and that the Olympics was the dream but it would be good to have you with me. What do you think? Travel the world with me?"
It wasn't a bad idea, I mean who wouldn't want to travel and support the person they loved. If it also meant I didn't have to go back to the clinic, who was I to refuse.
"Ok. If McLaren don't mind, I will travel with you. Show me the world" I smile to him.
"It will be all taken care of." Lando leans in and places his lips on mine. " How about we order a takeaway in and watch some films?"
"Ok'

Lando had been home a week. I'd not gone out much, I was ordered to rest my feet and let them heal, which they were. Lando had made arrangements for me to attend with him for the 2024 season. I'd not addressed the post regarding my health and I had been ditching calls from my family, I wasn't ready to deal with them just yet. We were due to set off to Australia tomorrow, we were planning to get there early and have a few days of exploring and Lando and Max were taking promo shots for the new Quadrant merch line.

"Have you got everything?" I look to Lando who is grabbing the bags as we leave for the airport.
"Think so. If not I'm sure we can get it whilst we are away" He closes the apartment door and we head down to the garage.
"Can I drive?"
"Erm, sure" Lando nods, before heading to the passenger side door of the black Lamborghini Urus.

We board the plane, heading to our first class suite ready for the long flight to Aus. I wasn't a nervous flyer but at the same time, I'd much rather have my feet on the ground.
"You ok?" Lando looks to me as we take off and I grip the fabric of the armrest.
"Yeah, takeoff's just make me a little weasy"
"Take my hand" Lando holds out his hand and I do not hesitate to grab it. As the plane evened out, I could feel my blood pressure dropping and my anxiety creep back to a steady level.
Hours had passed but we still had a way to go. We were both laid in our seats, that had now been converted to beds, we were looking in to each other's eyes. Lando moves a stray hair from my face, placing it behind my ear.
"Did I tell you, you look beautiful today?" Lando smiles to me.
"Why thank you Mr Norris" I smile.
"I'm glad you're coming with me. It won't be so lonely" He pauses thinking about what he is going to say next "I'm just sorry its not the Olympics"
"I'm kind of happy I'm not going to the Olympics"
"What do you mean?" Lando looks to me.
" The Olympics were always my fathers dream and for a time I thought it was my dream too but it's took this to realise it's not what I want."
"What is it you want?"
"You're going to think I'm crazy" I shyly hide my face behind my sleeve of the hoodie I was wearing.
"No I won't. You can trust me" Lando moves my hand that is hiding my face.
"I love cycling but I've always wanted to do mountain bike cycling, you know like the Red Bull Hardline. There's a cycling race in the Alps called Megavalanche and I've always wanted to do it but I mean my dad would never let me do anything like that"
"Well now's your chance, what's stopping you?"
"I guess, I guess nothing's stopping me now" I look to him, he was right. What was stopping me now?
"You know I would support you in any decision you choose"
"I know, you have no idea how truly grateful I am to have you in my life" I lean in and place a kiss on his lips.
"Come here, lets get some sleep before we land" Lando holds out his arm, as I cuddle in to him.
For the first time in weeks, I was know longer fighting my inner demons, I was content, I was happy but most of all I felt safe and loved.