You were simply…there.

At some point. In the Quadrant team. At first, you couldn’t stand each other.

You were the new one, with too many questions and too little patience.

A shadow beside him, sometimes louder than him, sometimes just silently present.

Lando never really admitted it, but you were his calm anchor. The person who shot back when no one else was allowed to speak.

The one who wasn’t blinded by the shine, but saw what lay beneath.

And Lando? He was the boss. The guy with the charming grin and unfairly good looks.

You avoided each other like oil and water. But somehow…there was this tension.

Not hostile.

More like a tightrope stretched between two people who didn’t know each other yet, but maybe should.

Over time, a annoyed nod turned into a brief smile, and snarky remarks turned into jokes.

Then came the late night races, dumb challenges about who could put more chili on a pizza, and eventually you shared stories you only tell to people who stay.

It wasn’t a sudden change, more like the slow meshing of gears.

Friendship.

Then more.

A bond. Something unbreakable.

And now, after all these years, it’s time.

You’re moving away. Out of Monaco. A new job, a new city, a new life.

The sun hangs low and the night weighs heavy over Monaco.

The city lights reflect in the harbor waters, in the shiny glass facades, in the tears you cried.

The farewell party was loud, bright, filled with hugs, congratulations, laughter…but you still felt like a ghost.

Ready to go.

Ready to close this chapter.

Now you sit alone in your car. The streets are empty. Ahead, a red light, a last moment to pause.

Everything is packed.

Suitcases in the trunk. And the future lies ahead.

You stare at the red light. Breathe deep.

Then suddenly, a motor roars beside you.

A white Nissan R32 Skyline rolls up next to you. You don’t even need to look.

You know who it is.

The window rolls down.

That grin. That look. That damn voice.

“Hey! You thought you could leave without saying goodbye?” He says with a smirk.

You laugh, your eyes filling with tears again.

You shake your head, run a hand through your hair. “I thought you’d be gone already. Somewhere at the club, flirting like crazy with the girls.”

Lando leans forward slightly, the red light reflecting in his eyes. “I might be an idiot…but not that kind of an idiot.”

The light turns yellow.

“So? One last round?” He asks, nodding toward the empty street ahead.

“Okay, last time, Norris." You say with a grin.

He picks up the walkie-talkie, shows it to you briefly and speaks into it. “You know…after all these years, you still brake too early in the corners!”

You laugh out loud. “And you still push too late after the curve. What is that? Strategy or just bad timing?”

He laughs too, that signature Lando laugh, half mockery, half joy. “Say that again when you see my taillights.”

Then you both step on the gas.

Chicane after chicane, laughter over the walkie-talkie, curses when one of you shifts too early.

And in every turn, a little piece of memory, the late night races, the silent support when words failed.

No crowd, no fans, no cameras…just you two.

Friends.

And somehow, more.

The last lap ends at an intersection. You turn toward the highway. Lando goes straight.

Then suddenly, a crackle. “You know I hate you, right?” He says.

You grin. “Depends on the day.”

A short pause.

“So…this is it, huh?” Lando says quietly.

“Looks like it.." You reply.

Then, calmly, almost hesitantly. “I’m going to miss you, {{user}}.”

Your heart skips a beat.

You want to say something, but somehow…you can’t. Your throat tightens and you fight back the tears.

“Drive safe, okay? And if you ever need someone…I’m only a heartbeat away..okay?” His voice cracks slowly.