Maybe in another life-formula 1

Some people want to stay

Max climbed out of the car, helmet still tucked under one arm, sweat tracing a line down his temple as he headed straight for GP. The usual post-qualifying adrenaline hadn't quite worn off he was wired, sharp, ready to dissect his session.

"Sector two felt off," Max said, taking the bottle GP handed him. "Rear stepped out on entry into 11."

"Yeah, we saw that," GP replied, tapping at his tablet. "Perez had the same issue, but not as sharp. Might be wind direction."

Max nodded absently, already glancing around. "Where's Angelus? He usually floats in by now."

GP didn't answer right away. Instead, he kept scrolling through data before finally gesturing across the garage. "He's over there," he said, then added with a short, amused breath, "Debrief's about to start... but honestly? I've never seen that workaholic this laid back. I almost feel bad calling him."

Max followed his gaze.

There, just near the pit box, Angelus was sitting on the curb. Legs stretched in-front of him, hands moving as he talked, expression bright. Pedro was next to him, laughing with the kind of ease his eyes wrinkled at the corner . Angelus's voice wasn't loud, but the energy in his gestures carried. He looked light, alive, almost boyish. Close to the way he used to be. Back when things were different.

Max remembers when he used to be on the receiving end of angelus rants.  Now their conversations seem to be kept at a ten word maximum.

Max frowned, lips pressing into a thin line. He looked back at GP, who gave him a brief shrug and turned back to his data.

Max walked across the garage, slow and even.

"Hey," he said when he got close. "Debrief's starting."

Angelus looked up. There was no guilt on his face just the soft flicker of recognition, like someone waking up from a dream. He glanced at his watch.

"I didn't notice, okay lets go then max ."

Pedro was already standing, almost instinctively, like he knew what was coming next. He offered a steady arm without being asked, letting Angelus push himself up with practiced ease.

"I'll see you later," Angelus said quietly to Pedro, his voice low and warm.

Pedro nodded, his smile not quite fading as he let go. "Don't overwork yourself ."

Angelus didn't reply just gave him a faint smirk before turning to Max.

"Come on lots to talk about, " he said.

Max didn't say anything for a beat. Just looked at him at the way Angelus's smile lingered even after Pedro had turned away. At the way his eyes didn't meet his, not fully.

Then Max nodded, sharp and silent, and started walking.

Angelus followed, half a step behind.

The debrief had dragged on longer than usual. The room was mostly dark now, lit only by the screens still displaying lap data and tire degradation charts. Most of the team had already trickled out. Max leaned back in his chair, stretching, but Angelus was still hunched forward, rubbing his face with both hands, elbows balanced on the table.