Soft Launch - Lando NorrisXLogan Sargeant-Fanfiction F1

Race day

The days leading up to the race were a careful balance between tension and routine. Logan stayed at the hotel while Lando navigated his obligations at the circuit. He filled his time with small comforts—laps in the pool, light workouts in the gym, and quiet moments in their suite with Zandee nestled by his side.

While he was far from the buzz of the paddock, Logan couldn't completely escape the weight of what this race symbolized. The memories of his own time in F1 lingered in the back of his mind, but he did his best to focus on the present.

Each evening, just as the sun dipped below the skyline, Lando would return. The sound of the door unlocking became Logan's favorite part of the day, the moment where his waiting ended and the world felt a little brighter.

One evening, Logan was sitting cross-legged on the couch, scrolling through his phone as Zandee gnawed on one of her toys. The soft jingle of Lando's keys and the click of the door opening pulled his attention.

Lando stepped in, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he spotted Logan. His face was a mixture of exhaustion and relief, and Logan couldn't help but smile as he stood to greet him.

"Welcome back," Logan said softly, walking over to meet him.

Lando dropped his bag by the door and reached for Logan, his hands finding their way to Logan's waist. "Long day," he muttered, pulling Logan closer.

Logan didn't reply, instead cupping Lando's face and leaning in for a kiss. It started soft, gentle, but quickly deepened as Lando poured every ounce of his stress into the embrace. Logan held on tightly, grounding him, letting him take what he needed.

When they finally broke apart, Lando rested his forehead against Logan's, his breath warm against his skin. "You have no idea how much I look forward to this," Lando murmured.

Logan chuckled, his fingers trailing lightly through Lando's hair. "I might have an idea. You're getting longer every time."

Lando smirked, brushing a quick kiss to Logan's temple. "Can you blame me?"

"Not at all," Logan replied, stepping back slightly to let Lando shrug off his jacket. "You hungry? I ordered room service. Should be here soon."

"Starving," Lando admitted, kicking off his shoes and following Logan into the living area. He flopped onto the couch, scooping up Zandee when she jumped onto his lap.

Logan watched them with a fond smile, sitting down beside him. "Rough day?"

"Same as usual," Lando said, scratching Zandee behind her ears. "But it's easier knowing I get to come back to this."

Logan reached over, resting a hand on Lando's knee. "I'm glad. You deserve it."

----

The race was tense, the atmosphere crackling with pressure as Lando found himself battling Max Verstappen once again. On the track, it was every driver for themselves, but emotions ran hotter when the stakes were high, and their rivalry simmered just beneath the surface.

Logan sat in the hotel room, his hands gripping the remote as he watched the drama unfold on TV. He couldn't take his eyes off the screen as Lando and Max went wheel-to-wheel, the tension palpable even from miles away. His heart raced as if he were still part of that world, and when the incident happened—a minor clash, but enough to draw heated words over team radios—he felt his stomach twist.

He hated this. Hated watching from afar, unable to offer any immediate comfort or support. And worse, he hated that his own fears kept him from being at the track, from standing there when Lando needed him most.

Zandee, sensing Logan's unease, padded over and rested her head on his knee. He absently scratched behind her ears, his mind spinning. Finally, he picked up his phone and opened the voice recording app, his fingers trembling slightly as he pressed record.

"Hey, Lando. I know you're still in the middle of it all, but I needed to say this while it's fresh in my mind." He paused, swallowing hard. "I'm so proud of you. No matter what happens out there, no matter how tough it gets, you're incredible. I know things are hard with Max, and I know it feels like everything's piling on top of you. I wish I could be there for you. I wish I wasn't such a coward."

His voice broke slightly, but he pushed through. "I hate that my own feelings are getting in the way of being there when you step out of the car. You deserve so much better than that. But I'm here, okay? Always. And when you get back, I'll make sure you know just how proud I am of you."

He ended the recording and stared at it for a moment before sending it to Lando.

---

Lando stormed into his driver room after the race, slamming the door behind him. His chest heaved with frustration, and his mind buzzed with a mix of anger and disappointment. The clash with Max had thrown him off, but it wasn't just that—it was everything. The pressure, the expectations, the fragile balance between rivalry and friendship. He missed the simpler days when it all felt less... heavy.

He yanked off his gloves and threw them onto the bench, sitting down and burying his face in his hands. For a moment, he let himself feel it all, the weight threatening to crush him. But then his phone buzzed on the table.

Lando hesitated before picking it up, his heart softening slightly when he saw Logan's name. He noticed the voice note and pressed play, closing his eyes as Logan's voice filled the room.

"Hey, Lando..."

The words washed over him, each one chipping away at the anger and frustration that had taken hold. Logan's voice was shaky, filled with emotion, and Lando could hear the guilt and love woven into every syllable.

By the time the message ended, Lando's shoulders had relaxed, and his breathing had steadied. He opened his eyes, staring at the phone in his hand. Logan might not have been there physically, but his words carried more comfort than anything else could have.

He quickly typed a reply, keeping it simple but heartfelt:
"You're not a coward, Logan. You're my rock. I'll be back soon, and we'll be okay. I love you."

Lando leaned back, closing his eyes again, but this time he felt calmer. The frustration lingered, but it was muted now, replaced by the warmth of knowing Logan was there for him in the only way he could be.