CALL YOUR MOM | ln4

thirtynine.

{ jonesy }

"What do you mean he's out in Q1?"

As soon as I saw it on the screens, I had stopped taking pictures and run across the pit lane to the pit wall. I climbed up on the barrier and incessantly tapped Zak's shoulder until he paid attention to me. I'm not sure how I haven't gotten fired yet with how often I bother the man nowadays.

Zak sighed, rubbing his temples. "He had to abort the lap, there wasn't time for another."

"This isn't fair!" I groaned, running a hand through my hair as the other held onto the railing. "He's been doing so well and he needs this! He needs it for a chance at the WDC."

I wobbled a little when Zak gripped my arm, pulling me close to his side almost in a hug. "Stop stressing about it, ok? He'll make up the spots tomorrow no problem. Yes, street circuits are difficult to overtake on, but we both know him, he can do it."

I nodded, unfortunately knowing the man was right. I even muttered an apology to the CEO for my abruptness and unbelief. We'd grown closer lately and I'm not sure when, but I wasn't complaining. It was nice to finally have a father figure again.

Zak pushed the microphone away from his face and lowered his voice, "Now, go comfort your boyfriend. We both know how hard he is on himself." Did Zak pay attention to our unofficial official hard launch on instagram the other day or had Lando gushed about it? Or had he just been observant?

I know Lando and I weren't the most subtle people when it came to our relationship, but we definitely weren't over the top. Post walking in this morning, we've barely interacted with each other, trying to focus more on our jobs than each other.

Thankfully, there hadn't been much hate on social media regarding the hard launch. Well... there might have been? I wouldn't really know. Ruthie, Carlos, Charles, Max, Alex, and Lando were all working their asses off trying to make sure I didn't read too many opinions of myself. Sure, I should be able to have the self-control to do it myself as a girl in her mid-twenties, but it didn't hurt to have a little help.

Deciding against questioning the man, I just nodded and hopped down, making sure the pit lane was clear before I jogged back over to the garage.

While I was over on the pit wall, Lando had come back into the garage, his car parked in its spot. I wanted to go to him immediately seeing the solemn look on his face, but I couldn't. He needed to go over the data with Will so that they could strategize for tomorrow, to know where they needed to improve. And I needed to take more photos. We both had to do our jobs regardless of our feelings at the moment.

I decided to distract myself by taking photos of different things. The team, the cars, anything. Oscar had come back in the garage too, waiting for Q2 to start. So, I even took pictures of him conversing with his mechanics. I avoided taking photos of Lando with Will because I didn't want to intrude on such a vulnerable moment. I knew Lando didn't mind sharing his emotions with the world, he tried to advocate for mental health so much, but if I can choose to avoid exposing moments such as this, I will.

Regardless of how much my heart hurts for him right now and how much I want to go give him a hug to try and stick all of the pieces back together, I know I need to wait. We agreed the other day, our relationship, as good as it is and as much as we both enjoy it, cannot distract us from our jobs. We both worked far too hard to be where we are to let our relationship get in the way.

After a few moments of taking pictures around the garage, I decided to squat down by the car #4, taking pictures of all of the details. I forgot how beautiful these things were. All of the fine details were so impressive. Maybe if I weren't a photographer, I'd get into the designing part of Formula 1.

A hand tugging on my shoulder caught my attention, pulling my focus away from the car. I turned to see who the hand belonged to, my eyes finding the saddened face of my boyfriend. By the tears welling up in his eyes, I could tell he was finally letting his Q1 exit get to him. This weekend was meant to be a good one and it wasn't gearing up to be that way now.

Immediately, I stood from my squatted position, letting my camera hang around my neck and reaching for the hand he had on my shoulder. I brought it down, intertwining our fingers and letting him tug me all the way to his driver's room. As we're walking, I bring our joined hands up to my mouth, pressing a kiss to the back of his. His steps falter at the feeling and I can't help but smile softly at his reactions. Even when he's not in a good mood, my actions still affect him.

"Let it out." I hum as I walk into the room behind him, shutting the door and locking it. No one needs to barge in here when he's having a moment.

My heart breaks at the sight of the silent tears rolling down his cheeks. Oh, geez, when had he started crying? Everything in me wanted to just take him into my arms now, let him cry it out, but I knew he was more frustrated than upset at the moment. And when Lando's frustrated, he needs to talk it out before he can be comforted.

"It wasn't supposed to go this way." His voice is quiet, but he's talking... and pacing. "I finally have the chance to go for the driver's championship and now I'm out in Q1. How the fuck am I supposed to make it up far enough in the points to close the gap?"

He's being too hard on himself.

I stepped in front of him, stopping his pacing by putting my hands firmly on his shoulders. He stares intently at me, waiting for me to speak. "Because you've made up for it before, Lan." I wasn't here when he had, but I knew from watching all these years. I sighed when I noticed his tears start to slow, shifting my hands so they could reach his face and wipe his tears away. "Because I know that you can."

My sweet boy. He was always seemed so giggly and happy, but right now he was sad and that made me sad.

I knew sometimes his brain was a little hard on him. Sometimes he let what other people say about his skill get to him. But don't we all at times? I just hate to see him like this. I always want to make it better, even if I can't.

I could feel the tears stinging in my eyes. Marshall always used to make fun of me for this. If someone is crying, I usually end up crying. It's the empath in me. Lando must've noticed because his eyes suddenly got wide and I knew he was about to panic over me.

And I can't have that. So, I leaned in and kissed him. My hands still held his face and now his arms were looped around my waist. I'll never get over how amazing it feels to kiss the man. Every time our lips touch, it's like the feeling of a first kiss – magical and addicting.

"Now." I mumbled, breaking the kiss and blissfully ignoring the playful pout on Lando's lips. He obviously wasn't ready to be done. "Go do your media duties for the day and once Osc is done and I've got a few pictures we can leave."

"Where are we going?" Blindly following my direction as he walked toward the door.

He paused, looking back at me. I smiled brightly at him, patting his cheek on the way out.

"You're taking me on a date tonight."

"I am?" I could hear the laugh in his voice.

I nodded, not looking back at him, already making my way back toward the garage. "Sure are. I was thinking you'd take me out for a nice sit down dinner and then ice cream after. How's that sound?"

Lando's steps quickened and I leaned into his side as he hooked his arm around my waist. A giggle fell from my lips as he pressed a sloppy kiss on my cheek. I could feel him staring, that same stare he always did, the one with the look of adoration in his eyes.

"You're lucky I like you."

•

can we talk about how my max
fic ended at chapter 50 and
this one is on 39 and nowhere near
being over??? geez i guess i have more
to say this time around

also — i know i know i've been hinting
at another max/charles/lando fic...
but what about carlos??? i have a really
good idea that might be fun writing