Thanks to Norris

part 80- off track

A Few Days Off –

You woke up to the smell of coffee and the sound of Josi yelling at your kettle again.

"It's not supposed to sound like it's dying," she muttered in the kitchen. "I'm making espresso, not performing an exorcism."

You groaned, burying your face into the pillow. Lando was already halfway out of bed, hoodie tossed on, curls a mess. He smirked down at you. "She's been at war with that thing since 8 a.m."

You stretched. "Remind me why I don't live alone?"

"Because Josi pays half the rent and knows your coffee order by heart," he said, already walking toward the smell.

"Touché."

You dragged yourself out after him, socks mismatched, hair a disaster. Josi handed you a mug without looking up. "You've got five seconds to tell me why you snuck in at 1 a.m. like a teenager, or I'm texting Max."

You sipped your coffee slowly. "Because I'm considerate?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Because you were horizontal with a certain McLaren driver again?"

Lando choked slightly on his toast. "Wow. Good morning to you too."

Just then, Max and Pietra barged in without knocking, as usual. Max tossed his keys on the counter like he lived there. "Alright, who's in love, and why is no one hiding it anymore?"

"I said subtle," Pietra laughed, giving you a hug. "This is not subtle, Max."

You blinked. "How did you even—"

"Twitter," Max said simply, waving his phone. "You two aren't as sneaky as you think. Someone got a photo at the airport."

Lando groaned and leaned against the fridge. "Please tell me it's blurry."

"Oh no, it's crystal clear," Pietra said sweetly. "Matching hoodies, the whole rom-com package."

Josi clapped. "Finally!"

You stared at them all, stunned. "Wait, you're... happy about this?"

"Obviously," Josi said, deadpan. "We've all been waiting since Austria last year. You just finally got there."

"You're so predictable," Max added. "Even your playlist gave you away. You added The 1975 back. Again."

You tried to protest. "That doesn't mean anything."

"That's literally the 'I'm in love and a little emotionally compromised' soundtrack," Pietra grinned.

Lando raised a hand, mock defensive. "Can I just say: we didn't exactly plan for everyone to find out—"

"You spent four days glued together," Josi pointed out. "And you keep stealing her jumpers."

Lando looked down. "This is... her jumper."

Everyone burst out laughing.

⸻

Later That Day – Hyde Park

The five of you wandered the park like a group of overgrown teenagers on a field trip — coffee cups in hand, dodging geese, arguing over which bench had the best view.

Max kept elbowing Lando. "So... how's the hotel experience these days?"

"Oh my God," you groaned. "We shared a bed one time."

"Pretty sure it was more than just sharing," Pietra teased. "The 'tangled limbs' vibe was loud."

Josi was taking a group selfie. "Smile like you're not lying to your friends."