Chapter 13: Under pressure

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The pressure of the upcoming race hung heavy in the air, not just in the paddock but in the dynamic between Lando and Oscar. They had just come off a thrilling but exhausting Grand Prix weekend, where every turn on the track had seemed to test their limits. But it wasn’t just the racing that had Lando’s heart racing.

With the sun setting on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the paddock, Lando found Oscar leaning against a wall, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the fading light. There was something about the way Oscar carried himself in these moments—so calm and composed—while Lando felt like he was teetering on the edge of chaos.

“Hey,” Lando called out, trying to sound casual even as his heart thudded against his chest.

Oscar turned his head, a small smile breaking through his usually serious demeanor. “Hey. You okay?”

Lando nodded, though the tension in his shoulders told a different story. “Just thinking about tomorrow.”

Oscar pushed off the wall, taking a step closer. “You’ve got this. Just remember what we practiced.”

“Yeah, but what if it doesn’t go as planned?” Lando’s voice cracked slightly, revealing his anxiety. “What if I mess up?”

Oscar tilted his head, studying Lando with an intensity that made him feel exposed. “You won’t. You’re too good for that.”

The way Oscar looked at him sent a shiver down Lando’s spine. It was both comforting and unsettling, igniting something deep within him that he couldn’t quite place.

“Thanks,” Lando mumbled, his gaze dropping to the ground. He felt a rush of emotions—fear, determination, and something more profound, something that had been building between them for a while.

Oscar took another step closer, closing the distance between them. “But if you do need to vent or if things get overwhelming, I’m here, you know?”

Lando nodded, but the weight of unsaid words hung heavily in the air. It was as if they were both skirting around the truth that had been simmering beneath the surface. The more they spent time together, the more Lando felt the pull towards Oscar—an undeniable attraction that was hard to ignore.

“Can I ask you something?” Lando said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Of course.”

“Why do you always seem so… calm?” Lando’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I mean, you’re always in control. Even in the heat of the moment.”

Oscar chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling. “Maybe I just know how to handle pressure better than you do?”

Lando couldn’t help but smile, but there was more to it than that. “No, it’s not just that. You make me feel… safe.”

The admission hung in the air, and Oscar’s expression shifted, surprise flickering in his eyes before something warmer took its place. “I want you to feel safe, Lando. You don’t have to pretend with me.”

Lando’s heart raced as he took a step closer, drawn in by the gravity of the moment. “But I’m scared. Scared of what this means, scared of ruining what we have.”

Oscar reached out, gently placing a hand on Lando’s arm, his touch grounding. “You won’t ruin anything. Trust me. You’re not the only one who feels this way.”

The confession caught Lando off guard. “You do?”

“Yeah.” Oscar’s gaze was steady, sincere. “I’ve felt it for a while now.”

The air around them shifted, crackling with a newfound intensity. Lando searched Oscar’s eyes, looking for confirmation, for assurance that this wasn’t just a fleeting moment. But all he saw was honesty and a hint of desire that made his breath hitch.

“I want to know what it’s like to be with you,” Lando admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Oscar’s expression softened, and he stepped even closer, their bodies almost touching. “Then let’s find out together.”

And in that instant, all the uncertainty melted away. Lando leaned in, their lips meeting in a tentative kiss, testing the waters of this new dynamic. It was soft at first, hesitant, but then it deepened, and Lando felt the warmth of Oscar’s body against his, igniting a fire inside him.

Oscar’s hands found their way to Lando’s waist, pulling him closer, grounding him in a way that felt exhilarating yet safe. Lando melted into the kiss, feeling the weight of their unspoken feelings lift off his shoulders. It was as if the world around them faded, leaving only the two of them and the chemistry that sparked between them.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless and wide-eyed, Lando couldn’t help but smile. “Wow. That was… intense.”

“Yeah,” Oscar agreed, a grin spreading across his face. “But in a good way, right?”

“Definitely in a good way.” Lando’s heart soared, feeling lighter than it had in weeks. “So, what now?”

“Now,” Oscar said, stepping back slightly but keeping a hand on Lando’s waist, “we take it one race at a time. Together.”

Lando nodded, feeling a rush of excitement and relief. With Oscar by his side, he knew he could face anything—on the track and beyond. The pressure of the race was still there, but now it felt different. It felt like they were in it together.

And as they stood beneath the stars, hands intertwined, Lando realized that this was just the beginning of something incredible.

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