Tinder - [Lando Norris]

2.5 || the disappointment

Lando's first weekend of the year had some ups and downs. They could see that their car was full of potential and so was Lando himself, they just had to discover how to get the maximum out of it. Carlos' hadn't finshed due to some issues, Lando had gotten P12. He would've liked at least some points, but his engineer had told him that they had received some good data from the race and they would've able to improve those things over the season. They didn't have a bad car at all. Lando kept his head up as it was the first race of the season. He brought the car home and that was very important too. He was sweaty and hot after the race and he had a moment of rest after spending time in the media pen where he was interviewed. Lando laid on the massage bed in his driver's room, resting his head on his hands while Jon was pushing and pulling at his limbs, and it could hurt pretty well at times. "I haven't told you yet, but I think it's better for our schedule to stay in Australia next week". Jon started.

"You want to stay here?". Lando asked, his head perking up and he looked at his trainer from over his shoulder. "Yes. Training in this heat is good, as our next destination is Bahrain. Carlos is staying as well and as far as I know many other drivers. Besides, we don't have to go through the jetlag of traveling back and forth". Jon explained. It all sounded very reasonable, but Lando rather had a jetlag than not see Dagmar for three weeks straight. "Is it the best decision to make?". Lando muttered. "I think it is, yes". Jon answered. "Alright, then we stay here next week". He said, his jaw clenching. He could imagine that Dagmar would be disappointed. He promised he'd be there next week so they could spend some time together before he hopped on the plain to Bahrain. "Hey, guys". Lucinda came into his driver's room. "We're having the briefing in ten minutes, is that fine for you?". She asked and they nodded. "I'll give my girlfriend a quick ring". Lando said, taking his phone from the desk. "I'll leave you to it". Jon gave him a small smile and left his room.

Lando sat up and dialed her number. "Hey, Lando". He grew warm at the sound of her voice. "Hello, love". He said. "You did so well". Dagmar praised him and for a moment the things he felt earlier, like he wasn't good enough, faded. "Thank you". He smiled, even though he couldn't see it. "Is everything alright?". She asked next and he swallowed hard. "My trainer announced to me that we're staying in Melbourne next week. He wants to train with me in the heat to be better prepared for Bahrain". He explained, sucking his lower lip into his mouth. "You won't be back in London this Tuesday?". Dagmar asked. "I won't, baby. I'm sorry". Lando said. "It's okay, I understand". She softly replied. "Your trainer probably knows what's best for you". She added. "He does". Lando confirmed. "I'll get back to the UK in two weeks then". Lando continued the conversation. "It's going to be a busy couple of weeks, but I'll try to call you at least every day, love". He said. "I can't wait to see you again". She said next and his heart swell in his chest.

"I can't wait either, I love you". Lando spoke. They briefly chatted some more before he had to end the phone call. He sighed deeply and moved to lay back on the massage bed. This was going to be a tough couple of weeks and he hated that he had to be this kind of boyfriend at this point in their relationship. But Dagmar had to understand that he wouldn't be able to be the kind of boyfriend that wakes up next to her every morning or is able to spend all of his free time on her. Because his free time existed of simulator training, gym training or meetings at the MTC in Woking. Lando pushed himself up again, remembering that she told him she understood and that it was okay. They'd get used to having this kind of relationship soon and they'd be fine, just like Pierre and his girlfriend Caterina, who was often at the track as well. He looked forward to taking her to his races and he hoped it would be possible soon.

Dagmar understood everything about the situation, but that didn't take away her boredom when she wasn't able to spend at least one day a week with Lando. She didn't want to bother him, so she didn't try to text him or call him when she thought he might be busy. It was a bit difficult and she couldn't really settle into the feeling yet, however she figured she had to adjust a little and then it would be fine. While Lando was traveling from Australia to Bahrain, she worked on her assignments for her study. She was glad the exam period was coming right up and she had to focus on that. Dagmar wanted to hide that feeling of disappointment, but at the same time she remembered that they were so young and they shouldn't 'claim' each other. And she certainly couldn't claim Lando to spend all the time he had with her. This was good for them and it would make the time they could have together worth a lot more.

Dagmar's days pretty much looked the same while she was having no-class days to keep up with studying for the exam period. She went to work during the evenings and connected more with her colleagues there. She loved Sarah loads, but it felt good to make some new friendships as well. Sarah didn't really get that she could miss Lando. Obviously because Sarah nearly didn't have a relationship for longer than two months and she basically didn't want to have anything steady in her life at the moment anyway. She decided to tell her closest colleague Jessie about her boyfriend and who he really is. Jessie had a boyfriend herself and she could imagine how much Dagmar must miss Lando. It was good to have someone who understood the feelings she had and reassure her that it was totally normal and not dramatic at all, which Dagmar was afraid of.

In those situation's Dagmar wished she had a relationship before Lando, just to get used to the 'being a couple' situation. Nevertheless she wouldn't wish for another first boyfriend than Lando at the same time either. She was counting down the days till Lando would come back to London and he said she could go to his apartment to study if she felt more comfortable there. It felt a bit weird to enter his apartment while it was empty, but she decided to do so to and she felt better when being in an environment filled with him in general. Lando had let her know that she shouldn't wait up for him while he was traveling back, however Dagmar tried it anyway. After work, she was at his place, curled up on the couch with one of the chapters of the book she had to learn for her exam and she was marking the important things, working with concentration on writing a summary, drawing mindmaps. Dagmar had showered, dressed in one of hoodies and she was settled on the couch to watch some TV before he would arrive.

Lando was surprised to see the light was still on in his living room when he turned his car onto the porch. The headlights flickered off when he turned the engine off and he made his way to the front door, taking his suitcase with him. Lando opened the door to enter the hallway, leaving his luggage there as he looked for Dagmar in the living room. A smile curled his lips when he saw her curled up on the couch, the hood of his hoodie pulled over her head and she was asleep already. He crouched next to the sofa, his hand reaching out to caress her face before he lifted her into his arms to get her to bed. "Lando?". She sleepily mumbled. "It's me, love". He replied, feeling her nuzzle her head into his chest. "Missed you". Dagmar hummed. "Missed you more". He told her, carefully laying her down on his bed. She was out again as soon as her body hit the mattress and Lando looked at her for a moment, a small smile still on his face and his thumb moved over her cheek again.

He went downstairs to have a glass of water with himself, turning the lights off in the living room. He joined her in bed not much later, stripped from his clothes and he crawled under the sheets. She seemed to notice his presence as a soft, sleepy whimper came from her when his arm curled around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. Lando sighed contently, happy to be home again. Suddenly, she turned around in his arms and her eyes opened slightly to peak at him. Dagmar didn't say anything, she just felt her chest flooding with warmth and her eyelids fluttered when he caressed her face again, the warmth of his touch hot against her cheek. He kissed her softly and they felt complete again.