Thanks to Norris

part 73- practice

You sat on the pit wall, legs dangling, suit half-zipped, cooling off before the night session. The golden hour light reflected off the glass paddock walls, casting long shadows.

Lewis slid into the seat next to you, quietly sipping from his water bottle. He studied you for a moment, eyes hidden behind sunglasses, but you could feel it — that familiar, big-brother energy.

"You're grinning like someone just told you you're winning the championship a year early," he said, smirking.

You tried to play it off with a casual shrug. "Just good vibes today. City's beautiful. Track feels sharp."

Lewis tilted his head, unconvinced. "Uh-huh. But that's not why you look like someone pressed play on a romance film and you're the star."

You snorted. "Come on."

He leaned in slightly, elbow bumping yours. "Alright, I'll bite. Spill it. Who is he?"

You hesitated.

He blinked. "No."

You met his eyes, barely able to hold back the smile. "Yes."

Lewis's jaw dropped slightly, then he chuckled under his breath. "You and Lando?"

You glanced down, fingers fidgeting with your gloves. "...We kissed. Last night. After all the teasing and pretending, it just... happened."

Lewis was quiet for a beat, processing, but his face softened.

"No more PR stunt," you added, voice quiet. "It wasn't for anyone else. It was real."

Lewis leaned back with a long exhale, smiling like he already knew.
"I've seen the way you look at each other. That wasn't fake even when it was supposed to be fake."

You laughed, half-nervous. "Max said something similar. You guys are nosy."

He grinned. "We're observant. Big difference."

Then, a beat.
"You okay though? With all of it?"

You nodded. "Yeah. I mean, it's terrifying. But it felt... right. Like something we'd been circling around forever."

Lewis clapped your back. "Then good. Just don't let it mess with your head when he tries to outbrake you tonight."

You smirked. "Please, he'll be too distracted thinking about the kiss."

Lewis cackled. "Now that's the attitude."

The call came in your ear — time to get ready for FP2. You stood, pulling your suit up the rest of the way, and shot Lewis a look.

"Don't tell anyone."

He raised a hand in mock oath. "Scout's honor. But... I'm rooting for you two. Just don't let him beat you. I'll never hear the end of it."

You rolled your eyes, but your smile was impossible to hide.

As darkness settled across the city, the Marina Bay Circuit came alive with light. It wasn't just any race weekend — this was Singapore. Glamour, grit, and a track that punished the smallest mistake.

You climbed into the cockpit, the engine already humming. The team gave you the green light, and just like that — out onto the circuit you flew.

The streets blurred beneath you, each corner tight, each braking zone biting. But your mind wasn't entirely clear — flashes of last night, of Lando's hands on your skin, of Lewis's knowing grin, lingered in the back of your mind.

Still, you pushed.

⸻

20 Minutes Into the Session