Thanks to Norris

part 79- no hide

You woke up tangled in warmth — a leg slung over yours, a quiet snore against your shoulder. The hotel curtains were only half-closed, letting in a soft glow that turned everything golden.

Lando mumbled something incoherent and rolled onto his back, arm still brushing yours.

It would've been easy to stay like that. Just five more minutes. Maybe ten. Maybe forever, if no one asked too many questions.

But the real world didn't wait. Especially not in Formula 1.

You slipped out of bed gently, brushing a kiss against his hair. "Go back to sleep," you whispered.

"Never left," he muttered, smiling without opening his eyes.

You laughed quietly, already pulling on yesterday's jeans and tiptoeing to the door.

⸻

Breakfast

Charles was already seated at the hotel café, sipping an espresso like he'd been awake for hours — and judging by his unreadable expression, like he'd also seen a ghost.

"Morning," you greeted, sliding into the seat across from him.

He looked at you, then at the empty chair beside you, then back at his cup. "So," he said. "You and Lando..."

You cut him off with a look. "Coffee first. Interrogation second."

Charles smirked, raising his hands in surrender. "Fair."

You were halfway through your croissant when the glass door swung open.

Lando walked in — freshly showered, hoodie clean, like last night hadn't happened. Like he hadn't spent half the evening tangled up in you or dodging pillows.

But what gave him away was Lewis, trailing behind, grinning like he knew everything and wasn't about to let either of you forget it.

"Morning, lovebirds," Lewis said as they joined you.

"Don't start," you warned, as Lando took the seat beside you without hesitation.

"Start what?" Lando said, innocently buttering a slice of toast.

Charles looked between you two. "You're not even pretending anymore."

You and Lando exchanged a glance — something warm, settled.

"No point," you said simply.

Lando grinned. "Turns out we're terrible liars."

Lewis lifted his coffee in mock salute. "Finally. Took you long enough."

Charles smiled quietly over his espresso. "About time."

There was no fanfare. No big announcement.

Just the four of you, seated at a table, sharing bread and peace like nothing had changed — except, of course, everything had.

And for the first time, you didn't care who saw.

The four of you had just finished breakfast when someone spotted the small crowd gathering across the street.

Fans — maybe fifteen, twenty of them — clustered near the hotel entrance, holding flags, phones, notebooks, McLaren caps and Ferrari shirts. A few waved shyly when they saw you through the glass.

Lando squinted. "They've been out there all morning, haven't they?"

"Yup," Charles said, already reaching for his sunglasses.

Lewis finished the last sip of his espresso and stood up with a stretch. "Well, come on, then. Let's not keep them waiting."

So you all headed outside together, laughter still hanging in the air as you crossed the pavement to the fans.