READY OR NOT - Landoscar

14 - You're In My Mind

The hum of conversation in the university cafeteria buzzed around Lando and Alex, a low murmur that seemed to fade into the background as they sat across from each other. Lando hadn't touched his coffee; he was too wrapped up in his thoughts, watching the swirls of steam dissipate into the air, his fingers tightly gripping the mug's ceramic warmth.

Alex leaned forward, his brow creased with concern. "Lando," he began softly, his voice breaking through the fog of Lando's thoughts. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. What's going on?"

Lando sighed, the words tangled in his throat. He knew he could trust Alex—they'd known each other long enough that he didn't have to hide—but explaining this felt almost surreal. "Alex... I don't know how to put this into words," he started, his voice hushed, wary of being overheard. "I think... no, I know that Pia is someone more than he appears to be. His real name... it's Oscar. Oscar Jack Piastri."

Alex's eyes widened, a flash of recognition lighting up his face. He set his drink down, leaning closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Oscar Piastri? The one from the old tales? The... the vampire?"

Lando nodded, a wave of relief mingling with unease. "Yeah... that's him. At least, I think so." He took a shaky breath, his fingers nervously tracing patterns along the rim of his coffee mug. "It's all been coming to me through these dreams. They're so vivid, Alex. Every detail feels real. It's like I'm not dreaming at all, like I'm stepping into his world."

The cafeteria seemed to blur around them, the room somehow quieter despite the bustling students nearby. Alex's gaze stayed on Lando, his face a mixture of curiosity and something darker, something closer to worry. "I've heard of the stories... but I always thought they were just that. Stories. People used to say Oscar was this... beautiful, tragic figure. A young man cursed with immortality, living alone in the forest, hiding from the world. They said he was hunted down by the villagers for his... nature." Alex paused, shivering slightly. "It was said he never found peace."

Lando swallowed, nodding slowly. "That's what I keep feeling from him... this overwhelming sadness. It's like he's trapped in a cycle he can't break, and I'm caught in it too. The strange part is, when I call him by his real name, he reacts—sometimes angrily, as if hearing it pains him. And then... he drifts away."

Alex's gaze softened with understanding. "It sounds like he's torn between wanting to be seen for who he is and needing to stay hidden. Being reminded of who he was... it must bring everything flooding back for him." He hesitated, searching Lando's face. "Are you okay with this? I mean... that's a lot of weight to carry, to have someone's pain pressed into your mind, especially someone like him."

Lando gave a shaky nod, barely able to meet Alex's eyes. "That's what scares me. I feel this pull to understand him, like I'm meant to help him somehow. But it's taking a toll on me, Alex. I can't focus on anything else. Even now, sitting here, I feel like he's... in my head. Like he's watching, waiting."

Alex looked down, fingers tapping against the table thoughtfully. "You're probably feeling that way because he's... somehow left a part of himself with you. These kinds of bonds aren't supposed to be light or casual." He looked up, meeting Lando's gaze. "Maybe he's chosen you to share his story because he trusts you. You're a good listener, and you're not afraid of what most people would run from."

Lando scoffed, a tired smile playing on his lips. "Or maybe I'm just a little too reckless for my own good. But thank you, Alex. You're one of the only people I can talk to about this without feeling like I'm completely losing it."

Alex smiled, but his eyes held a shadow of worry. "Just... be careful, okay? Sometimes these things can take more than they give. I don't want you losing yourself in something you can't escape. But if anyone can handle it, it's you." He gave Lando a firm nod, his hand resting on his friend's shoulder in a brief, grounding gesture.