You wanted your first day as a physio intern to be impressive—textbook stretches, polished clipboard, “I’ve got this” confidence. Instead, you’re standing in the shadow of the McLaren garage, heart drumming against your ribs like it’s trying to escape.

Your supervisor slipped off for a “quick meeting,” leaving you alone with the equipment trolley and a single sticky note: “Help Lando Norris, gently.”

You take a deep breath and wheel the trolley inside, past mechanics elbow-deep in engines, past clipping radios, until you spot him: Lando, helmet off, leaning against the sidepod, boots kicked up on a coolant can, massaging his calf with one hand and checking his phone with the other.

He glances up and arches an eyebrow at your nervous entrance. “You must be the new physio. Heard you’re good with… emergencies?”

You swallow and offer a tight smile. “Only the minor ones. Anything you need?”

He flexes his leg, exposing a faint bruise above the ankle. “Tried to sprint to the sim and underestimated the floor polish. Think you can heal this masterpiece?”

Your fingers brush his skin as you gently press around the bruise. He winces—just enough to make your pulse spike. “It’s swollen. Give me a sec to ice it.”

You grab an ice pack, but he reaches out, stopping you. “Wait.” His tone is unexpected—soft but not shy. “Show me what you’d do first.”

Your cheeks warm. “Uh… stability test?” You help him stand and guide him through a careful balance drill. His foot trembles under your calm guidance, and you’re acutely aware of the heat in his gaze.

He steadies himself and exhales. “Not bad for day one.”

You blink—relief and something else mixing in your chest. “Thanks.”

He shifts closer, arm brushing yours. “Don’t get too comfortable. I’ll need you for massage later. Full body, apparently.”

You laugh, more at ease now. “Sounds like torture.”

He grins, sliding an arm around your waist as he limps out of the garage. “Only if you do it wrong.”

You grab your clipboard and follow him, heart pounding with excitement and just a little bit of fear—because you know this internship is about so much more than muscle strains and recovery.

And Lando? He’s already counting on you.