Enemies to lovers // C. Leclerc x C. Sainz

Chapter 12: A Fan's Obsession

{{{[N O R R I S' POV]}}}

The energy of the Mexico Grand Prix was still buzzing in the air as we made our way through the paddock. The race had been intense, and the crowd's enthusiasm was contagious. But today, something felt off. As much as I tried to shake it off, a sense of unease lingered at the back of my mind. Oscar and I had just finished a media session, answering questions and sharing our thoughts on the race. We were heading back to our team area when a group of fans approached us. Autographs, selfies, and quick chats were all part of the job, and we were happy to oblige. One fan, however, stood out. She seemed overly excited, her eyes fixated on Oscar with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. She pushed through the crowd, determined to get closer to him. 

"Oscar! Oscar! I love you so much!" she exclaimed, practically throwing herself at him.

Oscar, ever the gentleman, smiled and tried to keep things light. "Thank you! I appreciate the support."

But she didn't stop there. She grabbed his arm and, before anyone could react, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Oscar's smile faltered, and a look of shock crossed his face. A pang of jealousy shot through me, sharper than I expected. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but it was hard to ignore the churning feeling in my gut. "Hey, that's enough," I said, stepping forward to intervene. "We need to keep things respectful, okay?"

The fan's expression shifted to one of disappointment and frustration. "But I love him! He needs to know how much he means to me!"

Oscar gently pulled away, trying to handle the situation with grace. "I appreciate your support, but this is not appropriate. Please respect my space."

Security stepped in, guiding the fan away from us. The incident left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I could see the discomfort in Oscar's eyes. We made our way back to the team area, the atmosphere noticeably tense. "Are you alright?" I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Oscar nodded, but I could tell he was shaken. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just wasn't expecting that."

"People can get carried away," I said, trying to reassure him. "You're a public figure, but it doesn't mean they can cross boundaries like that."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. It's just... weird. I've never had someone do that before."

We took a moment to sit down and collect our thoughts. The paddock was still bustling with activity, but the incident had cast a shadow over an otherwise great day.

"Hey," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "At least you know you have some pretty dedicated fans."

Oscar chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

As we sat there, I realized that this was just one of the many challenges that came with our lives as professional drivers. The highs of victory, the lows of defeat, and everything in between. But through it all, we had each other's backs.

I couldn't help but think about how much Oscar meant to me—not just as a teammate, but as a friend and maybe something more. The jealousy I felt when that fan kissed him was a clear sign that my feelings ran deeper than I had admitted to myself.

"Let's get ready for the debrief," I said, standing up and offering him a hand. "We've got work to do."

Oscar nodded, taking my hand and standing up. "Thanks, Lando. For everything."

We headed back to the garage, ready to focus on the tasks ahead. The road was filled with uncertainties, but as long as we faced them together, I knew we'd be alright.