𝐁 𝐑 𝐄 𝐀 𝐓 𝐇 𝐄 [lando norris x oc]

𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

Lando was fidgeting nervously outside the Uber. They had arrived about five minutes ago, Carlos and Rebecca were buying merchandise inside, and Oscar was on a phone call, leaving Lando to stress himself out. 

She'd texted him a few minutes ago, saying that one of her managers was coming to get them and bring the group backstage to say hello before bringing them to the VIP area. 

"Mr. Norris? Mr. Piastri?" 

He swung his head around at the sight of someone familiar, the same woman that escorted Gabrielle into the McLaren paddock at Silverstone. "Yes, that's us."

The woman smiled and adjusted the notebook in her hands. "Great, I've been told Mr. Sainz and his date are looking at merchandise, they'll meet us there. For now, I can take you backstage."

She was English but Lando was having a hard time placing where she was from--the easy answer was London but she sounded very American. 

Oscar ended his call and stood by Lando's side, offering the woman a smile. "Hello!"

The woman smiled politely, clearly already anxious about the show, and motioned for them to walk. "Follow me."

Lando thought that bringing Oscar was a nice buffer: he was Gabi's age, very polite and completely clueless about everything. He actually listened to her music too, so at least there would be something to talk about if the room got quiet.

"My name is Daphne, I'll be the one in charge of you four tonight, so if there's any issues just ask for me." She spoke while the three of them weaved between security and publicists. 

"Sounds good, thank you." Oscar said, still smiling and glancing around at all of the people swarming them. Thankfully no one had recognized them--Lando was wearing a (non-McLaren) hat and sunglasses, a decent disguise that he would remove once he was out of sight. 

They finally made it up a flight of stairs and were let into a small, dark room that was only illuminated by a blue light. Daphne waved goodbye before shouting into the abyss about photographs, leaving Oscar and Lando to stand awkwardly as they waited for the door. 

"So." 

Lando turned to look at Oscar who was eyeing him. "What?"

Oscar raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to leave? Give you guys some...alone time?"

Lando glared at him. 

"What?" Oscar grinned. "Come on, I'll say hello and then make up some lie about leaving my wallet in the car. You'll owe me."

As much as Lando wanted to refuse Oscar and tell him he was being stupid, Lando wanted to be alone with her more than anything. Just to have peace and privacy with her, to not be surrounded by people neither of them wanted to look at. 

Before he could speak, the door swung open. The two boys glanced at the door frame and there she stood, in all her glory. Wearing a red minidress and red heels, Gabrielle looked even more beautiful than the first time he'd seen her. 

"Sorry I'm late!" She grimaced, stumbling into the room and shutting the door behind her. The boys stood, Oscar desperately trying to smooth his shirt while Lando just stared at her. 

"I hope everything went okay, security is really tricky here but Daphne had a whole plan." She smiled and Lando's heart skipped a beat. She was there. In front of him. Lando wondered if he could telepathically tell Oscar to get the fuck out. 

"Everything was easy, super smooth." Oscar nodded before walking over and reaching his hand out. "Oscar Piastri, I don't think we've met."

She shook his hand. "Yes, I don't think we managed to cross paths at Silverstone, but it's a pleasure to meet you here!"

Gabi looked over at Lando, smiling as she shook Oscars hand. He couldn't bring himself to say anything yet in fear that he would say the wrong thing. 

Oscar glanced at Lando. "Well, you know, I hate to leave but I accidentely left my wallet in the car, so I'll go run and grab that. See you in a second."

He grimaced at Oscar horrible lie, delivered so terribly that even Gabi laughed silently while she waved him off. The door shut behind him, leaving Lando and Gabi alone. 

"You look nice."

She grinned, looking down at her dress and her shoes. "You think so? Red is....a statement. But I think it looks good."

Lando took a step closer to her. "It does look good. You look good."

Gabi bit the inside of her cheek, looking up at him through her eyelashes and he came face to face with her. "Isn't it a bit early for the flirting?"

"It's never too early for the flirting--can I hug you?" Lando tilted his head at her as a grin pulled on his lips. She smiled and lifted her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist, pulling her closer to him. He missed being close to her and smelling her and touching her. 

"Thank you for coming." She mumbled into his chest while he rubbed her shoulder. 

He scoffed. "Are you kidding? I should be thanking you, this is insane."

She finally pulled away, much to Lando's disappointment, and fixed her hair. "I have to go in a second. Supposed to be backstage when Jaime goes out."

Lando nodded, still just as close to her with his hands fidgeting behind his back. "Okay."

Gabi smiled at him, biting the edge of her lip as she glanced at the door. She chuckled to herself and reached for Lando, taking his jaw in her hands and pressing her lips against his. 

She melted into him, allowing Lando to wrap his hands around her waist and press her against him. They melted into eachother, taking time between kisses to breathe and laugh quietly to themselves. He did his best not to mess up her dress or her hair but all of that seemed distant to him in that moment, all he could think about was the fact that she was with him, kissing him, holding him. 

Lando rested his forehead against hers, rubbing his thumb over her lips that were now red and flushed. She looked up at him, her grey eyes twinkling and her dimples popping from her rosy cheeks. Gabi brought her lips to his cheek, pecking him light and Lando decided he was never going to wash his face again. 

She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. 

"Ok, now I actually have to go." She laughed as she backstepped to the door. Lando kept ahold of her hand, letting their fingers slip away as he smiled. 

"I'll see you out there." Lando said and watched her as she slipped out the door, leaving him giddy like a little boy.