𝐁 𝐑 𝐄 𝐀 𝐓 𝐇 𝐄 [lando norris x oc]

𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞

The first thing Lando did when he entered the dimly lit lounge booth was pull Gabi into a soft hug--one that she didn't resist because as much as she hated to admit it, she couldn't stay mad at him for long. Even if they were fighting or arguing, something in Gabi forced her to stay. 

He smelled like he always did--some European cologne that she couldn't name, and Tide laundry detergent. His sweatshirt was stiff but warm as she melted against him and began to slowly forget why she was so upset. 

"Congratulations on today." She mumbled, still pressed against his chest. "I'm sorry if I ruined your mood."

Lando pulled away and looked at her. "You didn't ruin anything, I ruined it. I ruined everything I had been building with you, Gab, and I'm not sure if I can fix it but that's what I'm here to do."

She fell silent. She didn't want to say that he was right, but she knew that if she opened her mouth she would. 

Gabi sighed. "I don't appreciate being...I don't remember the english word. Belittled. Degraded?" She was struggling--whenever she was nervous she forgot English. "It hurt."

Lando nodded, urging her to continue. 

"I don't care what we are. I enjoy being with you and being around you, and you make me feel happier than with anyone else--like I can actually breathe without anything hurting." Gabi started. "And I have been so hurt, Lan. God, I have been through so much, I can't begin to explain how sore my soul is just from growing up the way I did. And I know I'm sensitive, okay? I know that I can get hurt easily and take things too personally, but that's who I am and you have to be okay with that."

His expression softened but he didn't interrupt as she opened her mouth to speak again.

"I understand that we shouldn't be public. I never wanted to be, I just didn't want us to be reduced to something so insignificant, and it felt like...it felt like you thought I was insignificant."

Lando stared at her for a few moments, taking in what she said. 

"You are not in any way, shape, or form insignificant to me." Lando finally spoke. 

She swallowed. "I know you might say that and it might be true, but that's not how it felt. I know what it feels like to be insignificant, Lando. My parents--" Gabi paused and shook her head, unable to get the rest of the sentence out.

He took her face in his hands abruptly. "You are not insignificant to me." Lando said slowly, enunciating every word without breaking eye contact. "I will say it as often as you need me to, I will prove it every day if I have to."

The lounge was silent after he'd said that, save for the slight pitter-patter of rain on the window. Gabrielle was inches from him, from a boy who she never expected to even speak to, a boy who she would've scoffed at the thought of kissing. Suddenly that boy dissappeared in her eyes. In his place, was something new. 

"Okay." It was more of a breath than a word. 

"I'm so sorry. I will never make you feel like that again, alright?" Lando rested his forehead against hers and she could hear his heartbeat. "Never."

They stood there together, holding eachother for a few minutes longer, listening to the sound of the rain and the in-and-outs of their breathing.  

By the time they'd left the lounge and met Max in the lobby, neither of them had checked their phones to see the missed messages and calls. Neither of them noticed Max's distraught face, nor his subtle attempts and getting Lando alone. 

Finally, Gabi had pulled out her phone and furrowed her brows at the onslaught of notifications. 

stankies 🫶

BRIDGERTON
uhh gabi check ur phone
BRIDGERTON
fuckkk this is bad gabi pick up ur phone

LILLITH
shit gabs where tf r u
LILLITH
hv u seen the article yet

BRIDGERTON
shes w lando rn im calling daphne
BRIDGERTON
lilly go find her

4 missed FaceTime calls from stankies 🫶
2 missed calls from LILLITH
1 missed call from BRIDGERTON

"Gabi!" Her eyes flicked up at her redhead best friend sprinting over to her from the other side of the lobby. "Max, does he know?"

Lando and Gabi made confused faces at eachother as Lilly hooked an arm in Gabi's.

"What's going on?" Lando finally asked and Max's inhaled deeply. 

Lilly gave Max a disapproving look. "Fuck. Okay, Gabi come on. Don't check your phone yet."

"What?" Gabi, still completely confused, allowed Lilly to pull her away as Max mumbled something into Lando's ear. She didn't know what he said, but whatever it was made Lando's once calm demeanor turn panicked and fearful as she was pulled into the elevator and out of sight. 

A/N: hello my lovies 

sorry i havent been posting recently, ive had a rly bad few days and had like zero motivation to do anything

mental health has been quite low but im gonna still try to keep posting and updating as much as i can!

also thank u sm for 30k i never thought id get this many views i love u all