Thanks to Norris

part 40- day off

You and Josi pulled up to your house just past midnight, the city wrapped in quiet shadows. The weekend's whirlwind finally catching up with you, exhaustion tugged at your limbs like a heavy blanket. After dragging your bags inside, you barely managed a few exchanged words before slipping into bed, surrendering to deep, much-needed sleep.

Monday morning, your phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Max Fewtrell, full of his usual upbeat energy.

Max: "Hey! What are you and Josi doing today? Pietra and I are just hanging out — thought we'd take it easy, maybe grab some fresh air. You two should come by!"

You glanced over at Josi, who was already smiling.

You: "Sounds perfect. We're in."

The day unfolded like a welcome pause in time. You and Josi joined Max and Pietra for a relaxed afternoon, full of laughter and lighthearted teasing. The four of you wandered through parks, joked about sim racing fails, and sipped strawberry matchas while catching up away from the spotlight. The stress of the race weekend melted a little with every shared smile.

As evening crept in, Max invited everyone back to his place for dinner — a casual, chaotic affair with Max trying to manage the stove (and failing spectacularly), Pietra rolling her eyes but keeping things on track, and Josi and you chatting about everything and nothing.

Just as the plates were cleared and the group was settling in with glasses raised, the door swung open.

In walked Lando.

For a moment, everything froze.

You and Lando locked eyes across the room — a weird kind of silence stretching between you. Neither of you moved or spoke, both caught in the strange tension of a dozen unspoken words.

You (half-smiling, trying to break it): "Look who decided to show up."

Lando smirked, still holding your gaze.

Lando: "Couldn't resist. Spent the whole day at MTC, figured I'd crash here for the evening."

Max laughed, clearly enjoying the awkward dynamic.

Max: "Of course, you would."

You and Lando took a few steps closer, standing side by side but still strangely stiff, like two rivals forced into a truce neither fully wanted.

The room buzzed around you — Josi chatting with Pietra, sharing a story, Max teasing everyone — but you two just stared at each other for a beat too long, unsure what to say, how to bridge the gap that hovered between playful rivalry and something more complicated.

Finally, you let out a soft laugh.

You: "So... anyone want more wine?"

Lando's grin softened a fraction, and he nodded.

Lando: "Yeah. Definitely."

The moment passed, and the rest of the evening slipped into easy camaraderie. Though the silence between you and Lando remained a little charged, it was no longer uncomfortable — just part of the unspoken rhythm that only you two seemed to understand.

For once, it felt less like a competition and more like... something like peace.

Later that night, Pietra posted a picture on her Instagram story — Max and Lando side by side, laughing and looking way too comfortable. The caption read:
"My buddies are back together 🥂"