« so american »

𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕪 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕣

{ lando's version }

_

max f

im pushing my plan back
new one

mate
what

riley invited us to miami
she's going to invite the group
im going to do it there

wait actually
that's not a bad idea
more personal

see
i make smart decisions

uh huh

_

I sat on the bed, watching as Riley got ready for the day. Since it was media day, we would be leaving together and this was the first time she let me watch as she got ready for all of it. She was sitting on the sink, humming a bit of music that was softly playing in the background. It was a sweet sight, honestly. Something I could get used to.

Her hair was clipped back as she did her makeup. I didn't think she needed it but she was going to do it no matter what I said. Something about being near cameras all day or whatever. I could understand it.

"So, this is what takes you so much time every morning?"

She threw a playful glare at me from the mirror. "You take like thirty minutes on your hair, hush."

"You like my hair."

She turned around, lipliner in her hand. "I like all curly hair, you're not special."

"Riles, that hurt."

"Drama queen."

I gasped, standing up to walk into the bathroom. I could see that little thing she did when she was fighting a smile, and I didn't even try to hide mine. I put my hands on the sink, boxing her in and leaning close enough I could see the bits of gold in her eyes and the darker green that lined the edges. It looked like she was holding her breath and all I could do was smirk as I bumped her head, moving to go lean against the door frame.

"Twat."

"Keep talking, charm."

_

The paddock was packed, as always. We said hi to the other drivers as we walked past the gates. I split off going toward the fans calling my name and Riley went to the ones calling for her. I kept glancing at her and watched as she became more comfortable with the fan interactions, her smile looking real as she chatted.

It made me happy that there wasn't too much hate yet. I worried about that more than I should've when it would come to these parts of the weekend. But it was just a few more days until I could try to play out my plan. I hoped I wasn't being an idiot when it came to this. I didn't want to ruin what we had because I was an idiot and fell for her.

I signed my last cap, waiting for Riley to finish her conversation before meeting me to walk to the garage.

"That one seemed better?"

"I think I'm slightly getting used to it. The cameras will always still be weird to me."

I snorted. "It won't ever get easier."

She shook her head, her smile growing as Izzy ran up to her with a camera. I let go of her arm to give them some space as Izzy shoved the thing into her hands.

"A photographer is sick, can you handle the camera for the day? Please!"

"Woah, Iz. Calm. Breathing."

Izzy nodded, taking a few breaths until she stopped looking like she was going to explode with anxiety.

"Good. Now, relax. I got it."

"You are a freaking lifesaver. I will buy you a drink tonight."

Izzy pulled Riley's head down, kissing it before she ran off. I watched as she burst out laughing, trying to keep the camera steady as she doubled over.

"Oh god, I love her." She turned to me. "Feel like playing photographer with me until the press conference?"

I pulled my camera from my bag. "Let's go."

She grinned, taking my hand and dragging me into the garage. I watched as she tucked her sunglasses into the pockets of her jeans, leaning down to take pictures of the cars and everyone running around the garage. My subject was, as always, her.

It wasn't like I didn't take other pictures but she was just... there. And seeing her in the zone like this, working and just being in the moment, doing her thing. It was perfect. Some of these photos would make it into the dump but I was going to keep most of them for myself. It was surprising how many I had but when the light hit her like it did, everything was just glowing and it felt wrong to not capture what was right in front of me.

I moved with her for a bit, making sure to take a few other photos as well but then I decided to move to the other side of the garage. I got her in a different angle as she moved to capture the garage with the track in the background. I watched as she caught me, standing up with that smile of hers and I snapped as many as I could.

"Lan, I am not the subject."

"But you look so perfect."

She rolled her eyes and I took a few more.

"Lando!"

"What?" I tried to stop myself from laughing.

"You're a twat."

"You're starting to sound like me, charm."

She rolled her eyes and raised her camera, taking a couple of me. I posed a couple of times, doing the goofiest things I could think of and it worked. I got her to laugh. That heavenly sound. I snapped a few more as she laughed and then some when she flipped me off.

My smile didn't leave as we went back and forth, doing silly little poses and after a bit, I realized that this was possibly the worst thing I could have done. Because while she went back to her actual job and I went to change, I looked through the photos. My heart seemed to flutter at each one.

I was stupid. I was so stupid. I didn't come into the second half of the season with this in mind at all. I wanted to win. I was fighting for a championship. Hell, a championship I actually had a shot at. But here I was.

I was the idiot. And I didn't even plan it.

I had completely and utterly done it.

In just a few months, not even fully realizing it.

My heart was gone and it only belonged to Riley Sargeant.

________________________________________________________________________________

a/n: someone play down bad by taylor swift. but like. heheh. i am having so much fun with this, you have no idea. lord. anyways. love it or don't :p