The whole point of a chill night in Monaco was to not get seen. You and Lando had already changed plans three times, avoided every hot spot and were now sneaking out of a back exit like you were on the run from the police.

It was supposed to be a simple dinner. Italian, low-key, just the two of you and some pasta. But of course, one blurry photo of your hand in his hoodie sleeve went viral in twenty minutes. Twitter had been unhinged ever since.

“Babe, keep walking” Lando murmured, tugging your hand as flashbulbs started popping. His voice was low and calm, like he’d done this a thousand times before. Because he had.

You on the other hand? You were one lens flare away from screaming.

“I’m literally gonna cry” you whispered, shielding your face with your free hand.

He laughed under his breath. “Don’t. You’ll give them a whole headline’ Mystery Girl crying on Date with Lando Norris’ They’ll think I dumped you mid-date”

“Maybe you did, I’m delusional enough to believe it”

He stopped at the end of the alley, pulling you into his side” You’re still in my hoodie”

“Exactly. I die in this hoodie”

“Dramatic”

You both ducked into his car, doors slamming just in time to escape the chaos. He exhaled and rubbed a hand down his face, then turned to look at you. His cheeks were flushed, curls a little messy, lips parted like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to start.

“You okay?” he asked finally.

You blinked “Are you okay? You just got mobbed”

He shrugged. “Comes with the job. I’m more worried about you. You didn’t sign up for any of this”

You softened, pulling the hoodie tighter around you “Maybe not. But I signed up for you”

The look he gave you was stupid. Like full heart-eyes, movie-score playing in the background, slow-motion zoom-in type energy.

He reached over, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “Careful,” he murmured. “You say shit like that, and I’ll end up posting you myself”

You snorted. “Not the hard launch.”

“Soft, warm, comfy launch, like the hoodie”

You rolled your eyes and leaned back in the seat. His hand found yours again, this time just resting there between you.

Outside, the cameras were still flashing.

Inside, it felt quiet.

And for once, you didn’t really care who saw.