The air in Abu Dhabi feels thick. Oppressive. Like I’m breathing through a wet towel. My fireproof sticks to every inch of my skin, the sweat already soaking through before I’ve even zipped up my suit. I’ve rolled it down to my waist for now. Jon stands behind me, holding a small fan to the back of my neck, trying to give me even a hint of relief. It’s useless, really - but I’m grateful anyway.

The championship stands on a knife’s edge. I’m leading the points. Barely. Just a few ahead of Oscar. One race left. One chance to finally take this title I’ve been chasing for years.

I close my eyes and breathe.

⸻

It’s hell inside the cockpit.

Fifty degrees, maybe more. Sweat runs down my back, into my gloves, stinging my eyes despite the balaclava. The drink tube’s long since gone warm, offering nothing but a reminder of how dry my throat is. My hands grip the wheel tighter with every lap.

Oscar is there. Always in my mirrors. Always close enough to remind me one mistake is all it takes. But I don’t crack. Not today. Not when everything I’ve ever wanted is within reach.

The laps tick down. Ten to go. Nine. Eight. Every braking point feels sharper, every apex tighter. My tires are fading, but I squeeze every last bit of life out of them.

And then - final lap.

The roar in my ears is deafening. The world narrows to the track ahead. My heart pounds in rhythm with the engine as I launch out of the last corner and see it - the checkered flag waving.

I cross the line first.

Not just in the race.

In the championship too.

World Champion.

“YESSSSS!” My scream rips through the radio, raw and unfiltered. “We fucking did it!”

The tears blur my visor instantly. I pound the steering wheel with both fists, laughter and sobs tangled together in my throat. The noise, the fireworks, the chaos - it’s all a blur. None of it matters. I unbuckle, climb out, and the moment my feet hit the ground I know where I’m going.

I don’t even think.

I run.

Across the paddock fencing, through the marshals trying to guide me, past the cameras chasing every step. And then I see her. {{user}}.

She’s right there behind the barrier, eyes wide, hands pressed over her mouth.

I vault over without a second thought. Grab her. Lift her straight into my arms as the crowd explodes around us. She’s laughing, crying, kissing me all at once, her legs wrapped around my waist as I spin her in circles like the whole world belongs to us.

“I knew you’d do it.” She whispers against my ear, voice shaking.

I can barely speak. My chest feels like it’s going to burst. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

And for the first time all night, the noise doesn’t feel overwhelming. It feels perfect. Because she’s here in it with me.

Because this - this moment - is everything.