Amaranthine - [L. Norris]

1.9 || Savior

Lando felt encouraged to get to Brazil after getting some decent points with a P7 in the United States. Since Formula 2 didn't have Interlagos on the calendar, Lando was fairly new to the circuit, but he had raced it plenty of times at home and at the McLaren center on the simulator to prepare well for the race. The practices in the wet hadn't been his thing and he lacked pace and, as he said himself, he lacked skill as well. Lando had been a bit annoyed with his poor qualifying result. Still a P11 wasn't bad as Carlos didn't even qualify, but he'd rather see himself in the top 10. His normal, naturally bouncy behavior had sunk a bit througout the weekend and Fiorenza hated to see how critical he was on himself. He was doing great for a driver who had never raced here and he shouldn't be so hard on himself. Fiorenza leaned against the wall as he got dressed for the race.

She watched how he pulled the fireproof tights up his legs and his suit followed, his upperbody still shirtless as his overall dangled around his waist. The muscles in his back rippled when he took one of the long sleeved shirts from the couch and pulled it over his head to tuck it into the tights. "You don't have anything to tell?". Fiorenza asked when he sat down and was about to tie his shoe laces. "Not even about how you much of a rookie you're going to be on the track?". She used his own words and it caught his attention with a light chuckle. "I don't know". Lando admitted, sitting back next and taking his cap off his head. "The last two days sucked a bit and I really want to make it right". He said, moving his hands through his curls. "If you really want to, I'd expect you to be a little more energetic...?". Fiorenza suggested and pushed herself off the wall to get closer to him.

A small smile got onto his face when she stood in front of him and he sat a bit more up, his hands sliding to her lower back and down to the back of her thighs to pull her into his lap. "Or a bit more smiley about your girlfriend who hasn't done anything but support you". Fiorenza said with a soft giggle, her thumbs tracing his cheeks. "I'm sorry, babe". Lando said and looked up at her gorgeous face. Her hair was braided down her back and she looked beautiful in just her working outfit. "I'm sure you'll do great, a lot of laps to get to those points and you already won the qualifying battle". She smiled and he laughed now. "Carlos didn't even qualify, so that one doesn't count". "In the F1 stats it does". She cocked her head sideways and he gazed into her eyes. Lando sat up and cupped her neck, tracing her soft skin before he leaned forward to kiss her lips. He hummed contently against her mouth.

A shiver ran up her spine as he softly squeezed her thighs, but he knew he had to pull away from her to be on time for the driver's parade. Lando lifted her up with ease and put her gently down on the floor while standing up. "It's time for me to go. I probably won't see you after the parade, right?". Fiorenza shook her head. "I'll be there after the race". She replied and he nodded before kissing her lips a last time and he reached back to get his cap. "Be safe and go get them, okay?". She asked as she looked over her shoulder. "Yeah". Lando smiled and watched her walking out of the room.

"I'm worthless". Lando sighed over the boardradio. Carlos had driven from P20 to P4 and he just made it to P8. He felt so disappointed. "You're not worthless, mate. It was a good race for the team". Jarv replied and Lando didn't say anything. They had informed him about the possible penalty for Hamilton already and that would mean that McLaren had a podium again in a very long time and Carlos' first podium in F1. He wanted to get that P3. He wanted to be the guy they would all talk about. Lando parked his car in parc fermè and looked for Carlos. He still wanted to congratulate him with his result, he wasn't a person to be bitter about it. The team mates hugged and Carlos' words were encouraging, but he barely listened to them as he just nodded. They'd have to wait for the briefing with the FIA after the podium ceremony and the press conference to let the team know if they had gotten a podium or not.

Lando took his helmet off his head and ruffled his sweaty hair that spiked everywhere now. He held his helmet in his hand and let the FIA members note his weight before stepping off and finding Jon and his trainer ready for him to take his helmet and exchange it for a bottle of water. Lando put the straw between his lips and didn't say much on the way to the media paddock. He was trying to not be negative about it. Over all, it was a good race. He got into the points and they were useful for the constructor's championship, but for him it wasn't good enough. Fiorenza already knew with what kind of Lando's she'd be met in a couple minutes when he was done with the interviews and she waited for him in his driver's room. Lando would get changed there before helping the team to pack up for the last race of the season. And if Carlos would indeed get a podium, he would be at the celebrations.

It was hard to swallow as it was a position he positively envied. Lando knew Carlos was much more experienced and this was his rookie year, but he still considered himself to be on more or less the same caliber. He let out a big sigh as he returned to his room and he closed the door behind him, letting the McLaren teammembers know he'd rather have a moment for himself. Lando nearly caught himself breaking when he saw his girlfriend and she didn't anything when she let him into her embrace. Lando rested his head atop of hers while his arms curled around her petite body and he closed his eyes while swallowing the lump in his throat. "Fuck". He muttered and she let her head rest on his chest, hearing his heart beating steadily. "You still did amazing, Lando". Fiorenza said. "You might not be McLaren's hero this weekend, but you're mine every weekend. Although I know you'd much better like the other option". She leaned back in his arms to look up at him.

A small smile pulled on his lips and his fingers traced circles on her lower back. "I love you". Lando replied and surprised her with the firm kiss he pressed to her lips. "You're my saviour every weekend". He said and pulled her even closer. "I wouldn't know what to do without you". Fiorenza smiled back at him. "I think you have a podium to celebrate for your teammate". She said as she heard the cheers coming from the garage. "I'm not really in the mood". Lando huffed and started to get changed, yet he knew he had to get over there. "You can always drown him with champagne". She jokingly said and he chuckled lightly. Lando got changed and they walked out the McLaren garage together. "Will you wait for me at the paddock exit?". Lando asked, holding onto her before their paths would split up. "As always". She smiled and he returned it. He truly wouldn't know what to do without her.