Beginning Of The End | Daniel Ricciardo

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Authors Note: This storyline was requested by: harrysmoonlight_02

Lil bittersweet, lil fluff!
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The humid air of Singapore hit Emilia as she walked through the paddock, trying to take in every moment, every detail. It felt surreal, knowing that this weekend marked the end of an era, not just for Danny but for the two of them together in this chaotic, exciting world. She had grown to love the sound of the cars zooming by and the cheers of the fans.

Today, though, it all felt different. As she walked past the pit lane, she watched mechanics joke with each other and other drivers casually chatting with their engineers. Everything seemed so normal for them, but for Emilia, every little thing struck her as significant. She lingered by the wall near Danny's garage, feeling a mix of pride and sadness swelling inside her.

She thought about the first time she stepped into a paddock, nervous but curious, back when Danny had brought her to her first race. Since then, there had been countless moments, victories, heartbreaking losses, endless travels across the world. Each one had built their story together. But this weekend, with Danny walking away from racing, it was all coming to an end.

Emilia leaned against the barrier and closed her eyes for a moment, listening to everything around her. She knew Danny was probably with the team now, going over last minute strategies, his usual smile hiding whatever emotions were bubbling under the surface. He had always been the one to face everything with a grin, but she knew how much this moment meant to him. How much he was trying to stay strong.

Taking a deep breath, she turned towards the track, the place where Danny had built his career, his dreams, and memories they would cherish forever. The thought that this would be the last time she'd see him race, the last time she'd hold her breath during a qualifying session or cheer for him on the podium, weighed heavily on her heart.

Yet, amidst the sadness, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. To have been by his side for these past few years, to witness his journey and be a part of it, no matter what the future held, she would always carry these memories with her. For now, she wanted to savor this one last race weekend, soaking everything up and keeping a piece of it with her forever.

She adjusted the Enchanté cap on her head, the one with Danny number on it and smiled softly to herself. They still had one more race to get through, and she wanted to make every second count.

Emilia made her way back to Danny's garage. The noise around her felt distant as she focused on what awaited her inside. Today wasn't just any race, it was Singapore, one of Danny's favorite tracks. It was almost ironic the last track he'd race in, would be one of his favorites. 

As she reached his garage, she paused by the front, watching from afar as Danny suited up. His focus was entirely on his ritual, zipping up his race suit, adjusting his gloves, and putting his headphones in. She could see the care he put into each movement, like he was savoring the routine for the last time.

But it was the expression on his face that caught her breath. Even from a distance, she could see that familiar smile, the one that was just sooo Danny. It was a little smaller than usual, but there it was...a sad, bittersweet smile on his lips that made her heart ache. She knew him too well to be fooled by that smile. It was the one he used when he didn't want to let the world know what he was really feeling inside. When he was trying to keep everything together, even when he was struggling to let go.

Danny looked up then, catching sight of her standing there. For a moment, the smile shifted, softened into something more genuine. He gave her a little wave, raising his hand just slightly, and she returned it with a small, brave smile of her own. Emilia could see the mix of emotions in his eyes...sadness, nostalgia, but also a sense of pride and acceptance.

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