𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Final Season|Formula One AU| Request

AN: I received a request to write for Formula One racer Leon, and I decided to make Y/N the journalist the person covering his final races and farewell. They try to stay professional, but like always, they end up falling for each other! 

I got carried away with the word count for this one...something about F1 Leon just does something to me!

---------------------------------------------

I raise my hand to block out the sun threatening my view of the Monza circuit, engines roar to life as the familiar buzz of race day has everyone thrumming with energy. It's the Italian Grand Prix, one of the most anticipated races of the season, and nobody wants to miss a single second just because of the beautiful weather we've been blessed with. I snap a few photos with my phone, then jot down a few notes as I observe the Ferrari fans filling the stands, cheering- or more like screeching- for the current number one racer of the season, Leon Kennedy. Flags wave and chants echo as the audience goes wild in anticipation, I can't help but to grin at the same excitement running through me, not just for this race, but of the future and the massive project ahead of me. There's a reason more people than normal are rooting for Leon; it's because this season is his last. He's still young and has a whole career ahead of him, but regardless the fantastic racer recently told media outlets that he was hanging up the helmet and is planning to begin to settle down and start a family with the right person. The enthusiasm was mixed, but regardless the media gulped it down, and that was how I was assigned to cover the story from one of the most popular media outlets. 

I watch as the checked flag finally waves, and then the cars begin their first lap of the circuit. I watch Leon's car steadily as my palms sweat, my eyes never leave the sight of his red Ferrari and the numerous sponsors on the sides. He's quick to take first place, then holds it for long enough to put my nerves at ease. Everyone wants him to win, but there's been fierce competition the last couple of years with fellow racer Chris Redfield. When Leon gains seconds on Chris, I finally settle and slump into my seat, knowing that Leon's going to be fine as long as he keeps this up. I watch the race with my best concentration, but I can't help but to let my mind wader to the first time I met Leon S. Kennedy, and how far we've come since a few weeks ago. I was so nervous, especially since I knew everyone and their dog would be following my articles and social media posts on behalf my job, I'd rented out an office for mine and Leon's first meeting and interview, somewhere that felt professional yet private. The second Leon stepped into the office, shrugging off his leather jacket and looking me up and down with an intensity that heated me to the core, I knew I was in deep. I kept professional, even when he gave me blunt answers and seemed to want to turn tail and run.

"So, how does it feel to be entering your last season? Are you upset or regretful about your decision to step away from the profession?" I'd asked with a kind smile. My fingers had gripped my pen so tightly that I could hear the plastic cracking slowly. Leon had just arched a brow, looked away dismissively towards the window, and then shook his head before mumbling a reply. 

"I'm going to race, and I'm going to win. There's nothing to be sad about if I leave with a lasting impression." I almost snorted at the answer, it was so ironic for him to be talking about good impressions when he literally was making a bad one with me. Leon had taken notice of my immature expression, maybe I'd let my feelings show on my face, but instead of arguing or calling me out, he'd just softened a little, cracking a smile before adding "I'll miss the racing, but I'm sure the dating scene will be just as fast paced." His chuckle had made butterflies erupt in my stomach, and from there on our interactions were a lot less cold. We remained professional as I interviewed him every few days, documenting his preparations and life, and we'd even shared a few dinners as I'd pried gently into his personal life, asking about his journey, family and heroes. The media hadn't been kind to his privacy these last few years, so going against my professionalism, I vowed to respect Leon's boundaries and give him the space he needed, even if it cost me a good article. Leon seemed to open up to me though, letting me have snippets he'd never shared with other journalists, and our bond grew.