F1 Oneshots (Boy x Boy / Driver x Driver)

Lando Norris x Michael Italiano (Part 1)

TW: mentions of the incident at Wembley and Lando struggling with the aftermath

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"Hey, what are you still doing here? I thought you'd already left because you said bye like 2 hours ago." Michael walked up to Lando, sitting on the floor in a quiet corner behind the paddock on Saturday evening. The closer he got, however, the more he realized that the other was definitely not okay.

The older man had already noticed the change in Lando's behaviour over the whole week. Ever since that incident after the football match at Wembley, he hadn't been the same. He was always on edge, didn't want to be touched but also didn't want to be left alone. He was clearly still scared and traumatized.

Lando quickly wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his oversized hoodie.
"Yeah yeah, I wanted to leave ages ago, I just... I couldn't..." he bit his lip and lowered his head in embarrassment. He didn't want Michael to see him crying. He felt so stupid for not being able to walk to his own car because he was too scared. His teammate's trainer surely thought he was a pathetic little child now.

"Hey, it's okay!" Michael quickly sat down next to him on the cold floor but then hesitated, not sure if it was okay for Lando if he would touch him or not.
"Do you want a hug?" he therefore asked and opened his arms invitingly.

Lando almost immediately threw himself at him, burying his face in the crook of Michael's neck, who gently put his strong arms around the smaller man's shaking body.
"Shh, it's okay. I'm here now, I won't let anyone hurt you ever again, I promise.", he whispered and Lando pressed himself even closer, breathing in Michael's comforting scent.

For a few minutes, they just stayed in this position, holding each other, before Michael spoke up again.
"I don't know if you knew, but I was at the game, too. I was probably still celebrating while it happened. I felt so bad when I heard about it from the team the next day. If only I would have left at the same time, so I could have been there to help you. It all probably wouldn't have happened then, I'm so sorry."

Lando lifted his head from the Australian's shoulder and looked up at him. "It's not your fault, Mike! You don't have to apologize."

"I know, but I still feel bad. I really don't like seeing you like this. The thought of you being attacked and hurt scared me so much. Especially when I was so close while it happened. You didn't deserve to be treated like that and I hate seeing you suffer now because of those assholes. I wish I could just turn back time and protect you." Michael whispered and tried to swallow the lump in his throat.

"I'm not hurt, you don't have to worry about me." Lando objected weakly.

"But you're also clearly not okay. I miss your goofy laugh and your cute little smile. Haven't really seen them yet, this weekend."
Lando blushed but a little crooked smile spread across his face at those words from Michael's mouth.
"See? That's so much better." Michael returned the smile.

"Now, it's really getting cold here, do you want me to walk you to your car?", he added, as he saw Lando shiver slightly.
"If... If you don't mind it, that would be great." the Brit admitted, breaking the eye contact and looking down at his hands, nervously fidgeting in his lap.

Michael got up and offered Lando his hand. "I don't mind it one bit. I'm actually really honoured and glad that you trust me and I would do anything to see you comfortable and happy again."

With a grateful smile, Lando took his hand and let Michael help him get up from the ground too, but didn't let go of his hand as they made their way towards the car park.

He gave Michael a nervous side glance from time to time, not sure if it was okay for the older man, that he was still holding onto his hand tightly, but as if he could read his mind, Michael only gave him a reassuring smile and gently brushed his thumb over the back of Lando's smaller hand to calm him down.

When they reached his McLaren, the Brit slowed his steps a little, so he could hold Michael's hand just for a little while longer.
He tried not to show the reluctance on his face when he eventually had to let go of the personal trainer's hand, to get inside his car.

As he already had one foot inside his car, Lando turned around again and pressed a light kiss to Michael's cheek. "Thank you so much!", he murmured before turning around again and quickly getting into the driver's seat.

As he drove away, he could see Michael still standing there with a smile on his face, waiting until he had left the car park safely.

And if Lando's heart was beating a little faster than it normally would, that was surely not just from being scared anymore.

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A very rare pairing (especially here on Wattpad), that I absolutely adore, so I just had to write it.

I might write a second part, let me know if you'd want to read that :)

xx