It started like everything always did—with a laugh. His, to be exact. That bright, boyish laugh that made his shoulders shake and his eyes crinkle, the one that always made you smile without even meaning to.

You were at some random post-race dinner, sitting beside him like always, your leg pressed to his under the table, his arm casually thrown around the back of your chair. It wasn’t new. None of it was. You and Lando had always been close—best friends since forever. That kind of close that made people assume there had to be something more. But there wasn’t. At least, that’s what you told yourself.

Until he turned to look at you.

You had said something dumb, a joke you hadn’t even meant to land properly, and he laughed—head tilted slightly, eyes gleaming under the dim light. And then came that smile. His smile. That sheepish little grin he only ever gave when he was really happy, the one that made his dimples pop, the one that made his hazel eyes twinkle like they held secrets only you would ever understand.

And just like that, something in your chest cracked open.

You stared at him, heart catching in your throat, and you didn’t even try to fight it this time. Because for the first time, you saw it—the way he looked at you like you were the only person in the world. The way his fingers had slowly started brushing against yours without him even noticing.

You were in love with Lando Norris. And maybe you had been for a while now.

He caught you staring, dimples deepening. “What, {{user}}?” he asked, voice soft.

You shook your head, cheeks warm. “Nothing.”