Formula 1 One-Shots (II)

Lando Norris [Random Jealousy]

A/N  Lando suggested by dylannyyy. This is pretty random, but I hope you like it :D

WORDS: 1153

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PROMPT: "Are you jealous of a warm water bottle?" "Considering how tightly you hold that thing... Yes."

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When Lando returned home that evening, he wanted nothing more than to lie down with his girlfriend, cuddling her against his chest. However, when he stepped into the shared living room, things took a different turn. His girl was cuddled up on the couch, her face illuminated by the flames of the fireplace, a book in her hands. Usually, he would like to watch her for a moment, but a frown appeared on his face instead.

She is wrapped into his favourite blanket, making his heart ache softly because he knows she usually only does this when she misses him dearly, but there is something else that tastes bitter. In her arms is this big fluffy hot water bottle someone got her for her birthday and since then it has rarely left her side.

Lando knows that deep down it isn't the hot water bottle that bothers him, it's something else projecting on that thing but he can't stop himself from having that jealous feeling in his chest. He ruffles a hand through his curls, trying to shake off that feeling, but he can't quite get rid of it.

"Are you jealous of a hot water bottle?" She suddenly asks, not looking up from her spot, her voice filled with amusement while Lando freezes. Unsure if she is joking or if she somehow managed to sense the discomfort he has bubbling inside of him. "What?" Lando asks back, voice sounding strange in his own ears. He didn't think it was that obviously where he stared at.

She tilts her head to the side, noticing his fidgeting, features softening. "You're acting a bit strange Lando and considering how tight I hold that thing I think...yes, are you jealous of a hot water bottle?" She hesitates before asking the question again, but she is keen to know what bothers Lando.

His stomach twists and he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. Feels a rush of emotions he isn't used to. "No." He quickly says. "I am not jealous of that thing."

She rolls her eyes at his bad lie, finally looking him in the eyes, making him realise that she isn't just amused, but genuinely concerned because of his behaviour. "You are acting like you are in a competition with an object." She informs him that his jealousy is weird.

"I don't know what's wrong. I just don't...I don't know why I feel like this. It's stupid." Lando sighs, fingers brushing over his temples in the hope of calming the coming headache down.

She places the hot water bottle beside her, before stretching out her hand to invite Lando to come closer. Lando takes it, letting her pull him closer and he sits down on the couch beside her, feeling grounded by her touch. "Hey." Her voice is gentle. "What is going on? You have been off all week."

Lando hesitates for a moment, unsure how to even explain his feelings which swirl in his head like a hurricane. His girl always had a way of making him feel like he could tell her anything, even things that sound silly or which he is most afraid of. "I guess it just feels like..." He lets his voice trail off, trying to figure out the right words. "Sometimes it feels like I am not enough like I am competing with something that doesn't even matter. And I don't know if it is because of racing, winter or whatever else might trigger such feelings. I just feel overlooked."

Lando doesn't dare to look up, even though when she carefully intertwined their fingers with each other and especially not when she pulls him close so that his head is bedded on her chest. "Lando, you know it is not like that." She whispers, fingers of her free hand brushing through his hair, something that usually calms him down. "I love and need you, only you."

The warmth of her embrace helps with the swirling feelings, but there is still some tension in his chest. He can't help but feel a bit lost.

"The way you are holding that damn bottle triggered something. "

"Are you really trying to compete with a hot water bottle?" She interrupts his talk with a soft laugh, but at the same time a serious undertone, depending on which mood Lando will need. He chuckles lightly, making her shoulders sink in relieve.

"Maybe I am." He says with a soft voice and presses himself more against her. "Maybe I feel like I am the one losing."

"You're not losing anything!" She says firmly. "This thing might hold me warm for the moment, but it is neither holding my hand, nor kissing me and it is especially not making me laugh like you can."

Lando looks up, heart pounding a bit faster, kind of needs these words right now, but it is not stopping his spiral of feelings. "It feels like it is the most important thing right now, you are cuddling with it and all." He knows it is ridiculous but at the same time, he feels so vulnerable.

She thinks about his words for a moment, trying to figure out what might be the right thing to say. "Lando, you are warmer than any of these bottles." Placing her hand above his heart she looks at him only to see his expressions turn to confusion.

"What?"

A laugh leaves her lips. "I mean I could cuddle with it for the night, but it would feel dull at some point. With you, I would be warm forever, plus I would feel safe in your arms."

A wave of relieve rushes through Lando. "So, no competition then?"

"No competition." She confirms with a wink. "That thing is great for physical warmth, but you will always be the one I choose." A promise to him makes Lando smile. They sit in silence for a moment until Lando speaks up again.

"Sorry for feeling like that, I don't know what is wrong right now."

Her heart clenches, only cuddling herself closer to Lando. "We all have our moments of doubt from time to time. But remember that I will always be there for you." She lifts her head to kiss him, trying to drown his insecurities with love.

"Okay." Lando mutters against her lips, stealing another kiss before grinning widely.

"But next time you're cuddling with me instead of that thing."

She needs to laugh as well, confirming his deal and snuggles back against his side. Fire cracking in the background while she makes herself a mental note to check up on Lando on a regular basis now. This wasn't about the hot water bottle it rather showed how the uncertainty in ways of supporting him during the season from his team makes him feel vulnerable to different things.

But right now, in that moment Lando knows he is enough the way he is.