Formula 1 | One Shots (1)

Simply Loving | George Russell

Author's Note: long & angsty hehehe 👀
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"Jo you really have to sit in the Red Bull garage today?" George asked, his voice still sleepy. He was lying on his side, watching Joanna with a pleading look. The two of them were still curled up in bed, savoring the peaceful morning before the chaos of the race.

Joanna giggled, stretching her arms above her head before turning to face him. "Georgeeeee, we talked about this. Of course I do! It's Max's home race. I have to support him," she said.

George sighed dramatically, pouting a little as he pulled her closer. "But you could sit with me instead," he mumbled, burying his face against her shoulder. "Wouldn't that be more fun?"

She laughed, running her fingers gently through his morning hair. "You're cute when you pout, you know that?" she teased.

George lifted his head, pretending to be grumpy, but his lips twitched into a smile. "I just like having you around all the time," he admitted.

Her heart melted at his words. "I know," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "But you also know how much I love my brother. I can't not be there for him today."

George sighed again, but this time, it was more playful than sulky. "Fine, fine," he said, sitting up and stretching. "I guess I'll allow it...but only if I get a goodbye kiss."

Joanna rolled her eyes but leaned in anyway, pressing a sweet kiss to his lips. "Happy now?" she asked with a grin.

"Very," he murmured, smiling as he pulled her in for one more quick hug before they both got out of bed.

As they got ready for the paddock, George kept sneaking looks at her, his heart full. He loved the way she cared for her brother, even if it meant she'd be in the Red Bull garage instead of by his side. And deep down, he knew that no matter where she sat, she'd always be cheering for him too.

Joanna had grown up in the shadow of the racing world, but never fully inside it. Max had always been fiercely protective of her, keeping her at a safe distance from the high speed, high-pressure life he had been in. He never wanted her to get caught up in the chaos, the media scrutiny, or most of all...the drivers.

"Dating a driver is out of the question," Max had told her countless times. "They're all the same...focused on racing first, everything else second. They mess around, never get serious. I won't let you get hurt."

For the longest time, Joanna had listened. She respected Max and knew he only wanted the best for her. But everything changed one summer weekend when she visited him in Monaco.

She had no plans other than spending time with her brother, soaking in the sun, and enjoying a break from her usual life. But fate had other ideas.

It happened by chance. She had been wandering the marina while Max was busy with meetings when she quite literally bumped into George. He had been mid conversation with Charles, laughing about something, when Joanna had noticed them.

"Charles? That you?" she said.

George had turned to look at her, his brain nearly malfunctioning at how beautiful she was. 

Charles smirked beside him. "Joanna, long time! How are you? Are you visiting Max?"

Joanna smiled, nodding. "Yeah, just for the weekend. Thought I'd see how my big brother is doing before he disappears into racing mode again. It's good to see you," she added, genuinely happy to run into him.

She had known Charles for years...ever since he and Max had been karting kids together. He had always been around, sometimes at their house, sometimes on the track, always part of Max's world. Despite what the media stirred, Charles and Max were good friends off the track.