My Book of Fics

Picture It - Daniel Ricciardo

"Don't look at me like that" you mumble from behind your camera, the race car driver you're focused on grinning in response. "Like what Y/N?" Daniel teases, you smile at his childlike behaviour, having gotten used to it since you began working for McLaren, "like you're trying to seduce me into your bed" you explain nonchalantly. Your eyes stay on the small display screen of the camera so you don't notice Daniel shifting in his car seat at the laid back response, even though your heart is pounding as you start to regret the minuscule sexual implication you made. "Hey Y/N?" You look up and see another one of the photographers waving you over, "what's up" he immediately goes into a small pitch for an idea he has, meaning that you were able to get away from the awkward situation you created with Daniel. Surprisingly not reacting to the sound of the two McLaren cars leaving the garages for a practice session.

••••

Later that day you're walking through the paddock, your camera slung across your body while tapping away on your phone. The area is more or less deserted since all practice sessions are done for the day so you don't expect to hear your name called behind you. At first you think it's just your mind playing tricks but then you hear someone calling you again, which makes you look over your shoulder with a confused expression on your face. You see Daniel jogging to catch up, your eyebrows raising in surprise as you put your phone away. "Shouldn't you be resting?" you ask when he's within hearing distance, he shrugs and throws an arm across your shoulders, "I could ask you the same thing Y/N" he replies. "A photographer's job doesn't end when there's nothing to capture" he grins then proceeds to walk with you still by his side, "I think it should" you shake your head but smile, the two of you falling into a silence.

After a few steps you let out a loud yawn making Daniel laugh, you hit his chest in response, "aw come on Y/N, you're tired lets head back to the hotel" you sigh while looking up at the Aussie, "I hate when you're right" he winks which makes you lower your head to hide how red your cheeks have become. "You know, I didn't appreciate the teasing you did earlier" the statement does nothing for your red cheeks, "I don't even know where it came from, I'm sorry" he chuckles, "don't ever say sorry for unplanned flirty comments" you look up at Daniel to see him smiling softly at you, "but it's not appropriate, especially when you're meant to be focused on driving" he just tugs you closer, "when the pretty photographer has all of her attention on you it's already hard to do that" the butterflies in your belly go crazy, just like earlier in the day.

"Dan" you warn while sliding out of his hold, he catches your hands before you get too far, "I know, but we have this chemistry that shouldn't be ignored" he pleads, his warm brown eyes locked on yours, "this job means everything, I love it so much and I don't want to lose it". He steps closer to cradle your face gently, "you won't, I promise" you take a shaky breath, "you don't know that Daniel" he lowers his head so that your noses are touching. "I'll do everything in my power to stay true to that promise" you place a hand on his chest as your body tingles at the close contact, "let me think about it" he moves his thumb along your cheek then steps away, "alright, don't leave me hanging for too long though" you nod, quickly kissing his cheek before jogging the rest of the way to the hotel, unsure of what you'll decide.

••••

The next afternoon there's an excited buzz in the air as you make your way to the McLaren garage. Like every other qualifying day a small smile is present on your lips while fidgeting with the camera settings that would be optimal for the upcoming photos you're going to take. "Were my eyes deceiving me or did I see you and Dan taking a romantic stroll through the paddock last night?" you lift your head at the question, your closest friend at McLaren smirking at you, "shhhh be quiet" you exclaim while looking around to make sure no one hears her. "So it's true!" you huff , "yes, I didn't plan it though, I thought I was the only one left in the paddock" her smirk turns into an excited smile. "You guys are so cute, please tell me that you'll finally get together" you roll your eyes, "I told him I'd think about it" she squeals before pulling you into a tight hug. "My babies are growing up" you laugh and she kisses your cheek, "we've been waiting for you two to realize how perfect you are for each other" you lift an eyebrow curiously, "we?" she nods, "everyone sees the chemistry, I'm pretty sure Lando has been taking bets to see when you'd bite the bullet with Dan" you snort as the two of you finally step into the Brit's side of the garage, separating to go do your respective jobs.

You take a break from shooting between sessions 2 and 3, a smile sneaking onto your face because Daniel managed to get into the top ten. "I see you smiling Y/N" you shake your head as she squeezes your shoulder, "he's had a tough go, this is good news" she nods, "you know what else would be good news? If you gave Dan a chance and listened to your heart for a change" you lower your head then bite your lip. "I don't want to lose all of this" you add a couple of seconds later while lifting your head, "you could never babe" she reassures you, "friends no matter what" you nod then look up at the screen showing the Q3 broadcast. Hoping that it turns out okay for the Aussie that never fails to make you smile.

After nearly missing the end of qualifying because of your focus on taking photos you run back to the garage. A grin comes to your face when you hear excited chanting and cheering, so you pull your camera up to your eye, snapping quick photos of the engineers and pit crew celebrating the top-5 spot on tomorrow's grid. You find Daniel in the chaos, his grin bright and laughter contagious, so you snap away to capture the joyous moment in a season of unexpected lows. With a quick movement you cover the lens of your camera and sling it across your body before walking up to the Aussie. He easily pulls you flush to his body, your hands going to his shoulders, "any good shots on there?" you shrug, "just some driver celebrating a top-5 start for tomorrow's race" he chuckles which makes you smile. "Dan I've thought about what you said" he smiles, "what's the verdict?" you bring a hand up to his cheek while looking into his dark eyes, "I want to give us a shot" he fist pumps so you giggle. When you let your heart take over you bring him in for a much awaited kiss, his arms moving to wind around your waist, everything slotting into place as you feel at home while in Dan's embrace.