My Brother's Teammate | Lando Norris

Exhaustion

The return journey from Austria had been relatively smooth, the flight giving Lando much-needed rest after his crash. He had slept nearly the entire way, his exhaustion evident in the steady rise and fall of his chest. Alexis, however, had stayed awake, her vigilance undiminished despite the hours of travel. Her mind was in constant overdrive, unable to shake the fear that something could go wrong if she let her guard down, even for a moment. She was too anxious to sleep, driven by a deep, unspoken worry for Lando's well-being.

Now back at Lando and Max's house in London, the atmosphere was a world away from the chaos of the track and the hospital. The living room was quiet, the curtains drawn to keep the room dim and calming. The TV was off, and a gentle, relaxing tune played softly from a speaker in the corner. Lando lay on the couch, his head resting in Alexis' lap as he continued to sleep soundly.

Alexis' fingers gently stroked his curls, a comforting gesture that both soothed her and provided some semblance of normalcy amidst the tumultuous emotions she had been experiencing. Her exhaustion was palpable, but she was determined to stay by Lando's side. She knew he was safe now, but the aftermath of the crash and the hospital stay had left her feeling drained and emotionally raw.

Max walked in, his presence immediately breaking the silence. He took one look at Alexis and let out a low whistle. "You look like shit." He remarked.

Alexis looked up, a tired smile forming on her lips despite the circumstances. "Thanks, Max."

Max chuckled, shaking his head. "I was just kidding. Seriously, how are you holding up?"

Alexis hesitated before answering, her voice betraying the weight of her fatigue. "Honestly? I feel like shit. I haven't slept in... well, since the crash. I've been too worried about him."

Max's expression softened with empathy. He could see the toll it had taken on her. "Yeah... it's been a rough couple days for both of you," He paused for a moment, then continued, "Listen, why don't you take a break? I can watch over Lando for a while. Go take a shower, have a nap."

Alexis's eyes brightened with gratitude. "Really?"

Max nodded. "Of course. It's the least I can do. You've been through a lot, and you're running on empty."

With a heartfelt thank you, Alexis stood up, her movements slow and deliberate as she stretched her tired limbs. She glanced down at Lando, who was still peacefully asleep. "Thanks, Max. I really appreciate this."

"Don't mention it," Max said, offering her a reassuring smile. "Just take care of yourself. I've got things covered here."

As Alexis headed towards the bathroom, she couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. Max's offer was a lifeline, and she was grateful for the opportunity to finally take a moment to care for herself. The shower was a brief sanctuary where she could wash away the physical and emotional grime of the past couple days, allowing herself to be enveloped by the soothing warmth of the water.

After her shower, Alexis lay down in bed for a much-needed nap, her body finally succumbing to the exhaustion she had been holding at bay. The sleep came quickly, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she allowed herself to rest, knowing that Max was keeping a watchful eye on Lando.

———🏎️———

Alexis stirred from her nap, her body feeling slightly refreshed but her mind still clouded with anxiety. The brief respite had done little to alleviate the constant worry gnawing at her thoughts about Lando's condition. She had drifted off with the hope that rest would bring some clarity, but as she woke up, the unease was still very much present.