Soft Launch - Lando NorrisXLogan Sargeant-Fanfiction F1

getting there

Logan in Monaco was... coping. The first few days were a mess. He barely got off the couch or out of bed except to let Leo outside. He'd bundle himself up in the biggest hoodie he owned, throw on a cap and sunglasses, and keep his head down during their walks, praying no one recognized him. It wasn't great, but it was something.

But Leo made it easier. Logan couldn't ignore the little dog's wagging tail or the way he stared up at him, waiting for attention. Leo didn't care if Logan felt like crap-he still needed walks and food and playtime. Slowly, Logan found himself getting up more, moving more. The walks became less of a chore and more of a routine.

By the second week, something shifted. Logan started noticing the little things on their walks: the crisp air, the quiet streets, the way Leo's ears perked up at every sound. He even started taking different routes, letting Leo sniff around new spots while Logan let his mind wander.

At home, he forced himself to try cooking. It wasn't anything fancy-just pasta or a simple stir-fry-but it was better than the endless takeout he'd been living on. When he told Lando about it over the phone, the Brit practically exploded with pride.

"You cooked? Like, actually cooked? That's amazing, babe!" Lando's voice was so full of enthusiasm that Logan couldn't help but smile, even as he rolled his eyes.

"It's not that big of a deal," Logan muttered, but the warmth in his chest said otherwise.

"It is a big deal," Lando insisted. "Next time, take a picture. I want to see proof!"

After the call ended, Logan sat on the couch with Leo curled up next to him, his heart aching just a little. He missed Lando so much it physically hurt sometimes. The apartment felt emptier without him, and no matter how good his day had been, there was always that moment after the call when the silence felt unbearable.

But he was getting better. He wasn't crying himself to sleep every night anymore, though a few tears still slipped out after he hung up with Lando. He cuddled Leo tighter on those nights, finding comfort in the warmth of the little dog who had unknowingly become his lifeline.

----

Lando and Logan spent a lot of time on the phone, no matter how busy or tired they were. The time difference was annoying, but they made it work. Logan would stay up late, and Lando would wake up early if that’s what it took.

One evening, while Logan was rambling about how Leo had tried to steal his sandwich during lunch, Lando was lounging in his hotel room, his phone propped up against a pillow.

“He’s becoming way too bold,” Logan joked, a faint smile on his face. “I think I need to start eating standing up.”

Lando chuckled, about to respond, when his door swung open, and Oscar walked in.

“Lando, you—oh,” Oscar froze mid-step, his eyes landing on the phone screen. “Is that Logan?”

Logan immediately stiffened, his smile dropping a bit. He felt a flicker of anxiety—he hadn’t talked to Oscar since everything happened. What if Oscar was mad at him for avoiding everyone?

But instead of anger, Oscar’s face lit up with pure excitement.

“Logan!” he exclaimed, coming closer to the phone. “Mate, it’s so good to see you!”

“Uh, hi,” Logan replied, a little awkwardly. “I, uh, wasn’t sure if you’d want to talk to me.”

Oscar waved off the comment like it was ridiculous. “Are you kidding? Of course I want to talk to you! I’ve been worried about you, but I figured you needed some space.”

Logan relaxed a little, though he still felt a bit guilty. “Sorry about that. I just… didn’t know how to handle everything.”

“It’s okay,” Oscar said gently, leaning on the bed next to Lando. “I get it. But it’s good to hear from you now. So, tell me—how’s Leo? Lando won’t shut up about him.”

Logan blinked, then let out a soft laugh. “He’s fine. Keeps me on my toes. I think he’s enjoying all the extra attention.”

The three of them chatted for a while, Logan telling Oscar stories about Leo’s antics while Oscar gave Logan the rundown of Lando’s “terrible mood.”

“You know he’s been unbearable, right?” Oscar teased, nudging Lando, who groaned dramatically.

“Don’t start,” Lando mumbled, burying his face in a pillow.

“It’s true,” Oscar continued, grinning. “He’s like a grumpy old man when you’re not around. Even his engineer noticed.”

Logan smiled softly, warmth spreading through his chest. It felt good to laugh with Oscar again, to feel a little bit of normalcy creeping back into his life.

By the time the call ended, Logan felt lighter. He even promised to check in with Oscar more often, which earned him a mock-salute from the Australian.

As the call disconnected, Lando sighed contentedly, his head dropping back against the pillow. “See? Everyone loves you. You don’t need to hide from them.”

After that the shift triggered, started small, almost unnoticeable. Logan would glance at his phone when it buzzed, instead of silencing it immediately. He started reading through the texts piling up in his inbox, one by one, feeling a strange mix of guilt and comfort.

Alex’s messages were the ones that stood out the most—direct, caring, and persistent.

Alex: Hey, mate. No pressure, but I’m here if you ever want to talk.
Alex: Leo looks happy with you. Charles sent me a photo. Take care of yourself, okay?
Alex: Seriously, Logan. Whenever you’re ready, just call me.

One evening, after putting Leo down for the night and sitting in silence for too long, Logan finally gave in. His hands trembled slightly as he typed a short reply.

Logan: Hey. Sorry I’ve been so quiet. I just… wasn’t ready to talk. Thanks for checking in.

He didn’t expect an immediate response, but within seconds his phone lit up.

Alex: Logan! Mate, you don’t have to apologize. I’m just glad to hear from you. Want to call? Or we can just text—whatever you need.

After a deep breath, Logan hit the call button. The phone barely rang before Alex picked up.

“Logan!” Alex’s voice was warm and relieved. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”

Logan managed a small smile, even though Alex couldn’t see it. “Yeah, you too.”

They talked for a while, mostly about nothing serious—Alex telling him about Lily’s latest antics, teasing Logan about Leo’s newfound fame, and even sharing a few light-hearted stories from the grid.

It was easier than Logan thought it would be. By the time the call ended, he felt like a small weight had been lifted.

From there, answering messages got a little less scary. He replied to Charles, who sent him a string of supportive texts and a few more photos of Leo. He texted back George, who had left him a heartfelt voicemail weeks ago. And, slowly, he started reconnecting with everyone who had reached out.

When Oscar called again, it didn’t feel so daunting. And when Pierre sent him a meme about Leo being the “newest addition to the paddock,” Logan even laughed.

The calls and texts became part of his routine, little by little. And though it was still hard some days, Logan started to feel like maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as alone as he thought.