Beyond the Track - Oscar Piastri bxb

Stepping into the Light

It was a beautiful afternoon when Oscar and Nick stepped out of the hotel, their hands naturally finding each other. The buzz of the press conference still lingered in the air, but for the first time in a long while, Oscar felt a sense of relief wash over him. The world didn't seem as daunting as it had just hours before.

Nick glanced at Oscar, offering a smile that was both warm and teasing. "Ready for this?"

Oscar chuckled softly, squeezing Nick's hand. "I think so. We're doing this, right? No turning back now."

Nick's smile widened. "No turning back. We're out in the open, just like we should be."

They walked out of the hotel side by side, shoulders brushing slightly with every step. The sun was low in the sky, casting a soft golden light over the streets. It was the kind of evening that felt full of promise, as if the whole world was shifting in their favor.

The city around them seemed different. It wasn't just the usual noise of busy streets and honking cars. Today, the air felt electric, filled with the whispers of people noticing them, pointing, and talking, but not in the way they'd feared. The paparazzi were there, of course, but they weren't the only ones watching. Some people on the sidewalks smiled in their direction, offering encouraging nods, as if they too could sense the change that was happening.

Oscar could feel the weight of every gaze, but it didn't sting like it used to. Instead of feeling exposed, he felt... empowered. There was something about walking freely, hand in hand with Nick, that made him feel like he could take on anything.

As they walked through the bustling streets, Nick leaned in close to Oscar, his breath warm against his ear. "I can't believe we're actually doing this. It feels... kind of unreal."

Oscar's pulse quickened at the closeness, the way Nick's words sent a shiver down his spine. "Yeah," he replied, his voice a little breathless. "But it feels right. I feel like... like I can breathe now."

Nick glanced at him, his eyes soft but intense. "We've got each other. That's all that matters. The rest? Well, it can wait."

Oscar smiled at Nick's confidence, feeling his heart swell at the simplicity of it all. They were walking through the streets as a couple, no longer hiding in the shadows, and it felt freeing.

They found a small café tucked away on a quiet side street, far from the crowd but still within reach of the city's pulse. It had an intimate feel, with tables outside beneath large umbrellas, and the soft hum of jazz music playing in the background. They chose a table in the corner, out of view from the main entrance, but still in the open, where they could see people pass by.

Nick settled into the seat across from Oscar, their hands still clasped on the table between them. For the first time in what felt like forever, Oscar wasn't looking over his shoulder. He wasn't worried about being caught. There were no cameras in their faces, no flashes blinding him. It was just them.

As they ordered their drinks, Oscar leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Nick. "This is... nice. So normal, you know?"

Nick grinned, leaning forward a little. "Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. It's like the world hasn't caught up with us yet, but we've caught up with ourselves."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping their drinks and watching the world go by. The longer they stayed, the more it felt like they had taken control of the narrative. The whispers they'd heard earlier, the tension from before, seemed distant now, as if they were a world away. They were living in the moment, together, and that was enough.

As the evening wore on, the café became busier. A few more people sat outside, enjoying the evening air, and the sound of soft chatter filled the space. Just as Oscar was about to take another sip of his coffee, a couple walked by their table, and one of them paused.

Oscar looked up, his heart skipping a beat when he realized the person had recognized them.

"Hey, aren't you Oscar Piastri?" the woman asked, smiling brightly. She looked at Nick curiously, her expression soft but eager. "I saw you both at the press conference earlier."

Oscar's stomach did a quick flip. This was the moment. They couldn't pretend anymore. He straightened up, glancing at Nick briefly before turning back to the woman. "Yeah, that's us. Oscar and Nick."

The woman smiled warmly, her eyes full of admiration. "I just wanted to say how amazing it is that you're both so open about your relationship. It's really inspiring."

Oscar blinked, a bit taken aback by the positivity. "Thank you," he said, feeling a warm rush of appreciation.

Nick smiled too, his usual playful demeanor coming through. "Yeah, thanks for saying that. It's a big step for us."

The woman nodded before continuing on her way with her companion, leaving Oscar and Nick alone again.

Oscar let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The unexpected moment, so casual and kind, had shattered any lingering doubts he'd had about stepping into the public light. It wasn't going to be easy, but maybe, just maybe, it would be worth it.

Nick squeezed his hand under the table. "See? Not so bad after all."

Oscar laughed softly, nodding. "Yeah. Maybe we were worried about nothing."

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur of conversation and laughter, with more curious glances from the public. But each time someone smiled at them, or even whispered in passing, Oscar felt more and more grounded. They were no longer hiding, and the world was accepting them—not just as public figures, but as real people with real feelings.

When they left the café, the streets had darkened, the city lights twinkling like stars around them. They walked back to the hotel, their pace slow, their fingers intertwined. The night was still young, and they both felt like they could take on anything that came next.

Nick stopped just outside the hotel, turning to face Oscar. "So, what now?" he asked, his voice soft and playful.

Oscar smiled, his hand brushing gently against Nick's. "Now? Now we just keep walking. One step at a time."

Nick nodded, pulling him closer. "Together."

Oscar's heart fluttered as he looked into Nick's eyes, a sense of peace washing over him. "Together."

They stood there for a moment, basking in the quiet certainty of their choice. The world might have seen them differently now, but in that moment, as they stood together, hand in hand, it didn't matter.

They were free.