"Graveyard" of F1 short Fanfictions (boyxboy, girlxboy, driverxdriver)

Thank you I have anxiety - Logan x Alex

The post-race paddock was buzzing with the usual banter, a mixture of tired laughs and congratulatory backslaps. The drivers, still coming down from the adrenaline of the race, settled into the small space, hydrating and catching their breath. Logan Sargeant stood a bit off to the side, politely nodding at everything being said around him, offering soft-spoken congratulations to whoever made eye contact with him.

Alex Albon, fresh off another solid performance, noticed Logan's reserved demeanor as he joined the group. Logan was always polite—almost overly so. It was something Alex had noticed ever since the young American had joined the Formula 1 grid. Whether it was a simple "please" or "thank you," Logan always seemed to go out of his way to be respectful, as if he were on his best behavior at all times.

Alex found it endearing, in a way. But today, something about Logan's demeanor made him curious. The kid seemed more tense than usual, his polite smiles not quite reaching his eyes. As the others broke off into smaller groups, Alex made his way over to Logan, who was quietly sipping on a bottle of water.

"You did well today," Alex started, giving him a friendly nudge. Logan looked up, surprised but appreciative of the acknowledgment.

"Thanks, Alex. You too," Logan replied, his voice as polite as ever, but there was a tightness to it that Alex couldn't ignore. Not his normal bright smile.

"You know," Alex began, his tone soft-caring, "you're always so polite."

Logan's response was almost immediate, a soft, bland answer that caught Alex off guard. "Thank you, I have anxiety."

Alex blinked, not sure he'd heard right. There was no sarcasm in Logan's voice, no hint that he was joking. Logan looked at him with a small, tight-lipped smile, as if what he'd just said was the most natural thing in the world.

Logan gave a small, self-conscious laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's easier to be polite, you know? If I'm nice to everyone, then maybe... I don't know, maybe they'll be nice back. Less to worry about. And I won't offend anyone quickly, I don't like confrontation."

Alex's expression softened as he watched Logan shift uncomfortably under his gaze. He hadn't expected such a candid response, but now that it was out in the open, it made perfect sense. The constant politeness, the way Logan seemed to always be on edge in social situations—it all pointed to something deeper.

"That's a lot to carry around," Alex said quietly, his tone more serious now. He leaned against the wall, making sure to give Logan some space but also letting him know that he was there, that he was listening.

Logan shrugged, though it was clear that he was uncomfortable with how much he'd already revealed. "I guess. I just... I don't want to mess up, you know? This is F1. Everything's a big deal. And everyone's so good at... being here, like they belong. I feel like if I make one wrong move, everyone will see that I don't."

Alex shook his head. "Logan, you belong here just as much as any of us. You've earned your spot."

"I know," Logan said quickly, but then he hesitated, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I know, but... it doesn't always feel that way."

The confession hung in the air between them, heavy with the weight of Logan's insecurities. Alex felt a pang of empathy for the younger driver. He'd been there once, too—feeling like the odd one out, struggling to prove himself in a world that seemed so much bigger than he was. Ah yeah, Red-Bull days. It was easy to forget that even the most confident-looking people could be fighting their own battles beneath the surface.

Alex considered his next words carefully, not wanting to dismiss Logan's feelings but also wanting to reassure him. "You know," he started, "I felt the same way when I first started. I was so worried about making mistakes that I forgot to enjoy the fact that I was living my dream. I mean, we're in F1, Logan. That's huge."

Logan looked at him, his eyes searching Alex's face for any hint of insincerity. When he found none, he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "How did you get past it? The anxiety, I mean."

Alex smiled softly, remembering his own journey. "It's not something you just 'get past.' It's something you learn to live with, to manage. Some days are easier than others. But what helped me was realizing that everyone's too focused on their own performance to really judge yours. We're all just trying to do our best out there."

Logan nodded slowly, absorbing Alex's words. It was comforting to know that someone like Alex, who always seemed so composed and sure of himself, had gone through similar struggles.

"Thanks, Alex. It helps... talking about it."

"Anytime," Alex replied, his voice warm and genuine. "And for what it's worth, you're doing great. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and it shows in the way you race—and in the way you treat people. Don't lose that."

Logan managed a real smile this time, the kind that lit up his eyes. "I'll try. It's just... hard to remember sometimes."

"I get it," Alex said. He glanced around the room, where the other drivers were starting to head out, leaving just the two of them. "How about this—whenever you're feeling anxious or like you don't belong, just come find me. We can talk, or just hang out. Sometimes it helps just knowing someone's there."

Logan's smile widened, a mixture of gratitude and relief washing over him. "Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks, Alex."

As they walked out of the garage together, Alex threw an arm around Logan's shoulders in a friendly gesture. "No problem. And hey, don't worry so much about being polite. We're all a bit of a mess underneath, anyway."

Logan laughed, the sound light and free. For the first time in a long while, the anxiety that usually weighed on him felt a little less suffocating. With Alex by his side, maybe, just maybe, he could learn to navigate this new world without losing himself in the process.

"Hey, Logan," Alex said, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

"Yeah?" Logan looked up at him, his blue eyes catching the soft light from the setting sun.

"I was thinking," Alex began, his heart racing a little faster now, "maybe we could hang out more. Outside of all this, I mean. You know, just you and me."

Logan blinked, a little taken aback by the suddenness of the suggestion. But then, as the meaning behind Alex's words started to sink in, his expression softened, and a slow smile spread across his face.

"I'd like that," Logan said quietly. There was a new lightness in his voice, a hint of something that hadn't been there before. "I'd like that a lot."

"Great," Alex replied, unable to hide the relief in his voice. He gave Logan's shoulder a gentle squeeze, his thumb brushing against the back of Logan's neck in a way that felt both accidental and deliberate. "We'll figure something out."

They walked on, side by side, neither in a hurry to end the moment. Alex's heart thrummed with a mix of nerves and excitement, and he couldn't help but smile as he thought about the possibility of something more with Logan. The thought had been lingering in the back of his mind for a while now, but it wasn't until today that he'd finally found the courage to act on it.