The Abu Dhabi celebration was wild, but Oscar wasn’t one for chaos. You found him leaning against the balcony railing, nursing a beer while the party roared behind him.

“You hiding from your own Constructors’ party?” you teased, stepping beside him.

He smiled faintly. “I figured the strategist deserved some fresh air too. You’re the reason I finished where I did this year.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Pretty sure you’re the one driving the car.”

“Yeah, but…” he paused, his usual calm cracking just slightly. “You’re the one I trust when it counts.”

Something about the way he said it made the desert night feel suddenly warmer. The two of you stayed out there longer than you should’ve laughing, talking, him leaning a little closer every time.

The rest blurred out music, champagne, his hand brushing yours when you walked back inside.

And then blackout.

You woke up in a crisp hotel bed, the skyline of Abu Dhabi blinding you through the curtains. For one dizzying moment, you panicked then you noticed Oscar, sitting at the desk, scrolling through his phone in joggers and a hoodie.

He looked up, relief softening his face. “You’re awake. Don’t worry, nothing happened. You fell asleep on the balcony, and I couldn’t exactly let you stay there.”

You groaned, rubbing your temple. “God. How embarrassing.”

But he shook his head. “Not embarrassing. Just… honest. You don’t usually let yourself be human around us. Last night was different.”

You blinked at him. “Different how?”

He hesitated, then set his phone down. “Different in the way that I realized I don’t just trust you on strategy calls. I trust you with… more than I should.” His gaze held yours, steady and intense. “And I don’t want to stop.”

It was in that moment you realized: Abu Dhabi wasn’t the only line that had been crossed.