It was almost 1 a.m. when Lando appeared at your door, hoodie half-zipped and eyes sparkling with that familiar, chaotic energy. “Come to the sim room,” he said, already pulling you by the hand. You barely had time to protest before you were dropped into his racing seat, oversized headphones around your neck. He leaned over you, close enough that the scent of his cologne wrapped around you. “Okay, first rule” he whispered, guiding your hands on the wheel “don’t panic when the car moves.”

You panicked immediately.

The moment the virtual car shot forward, you yelped, jerking the wheel way too hard. Lando burst into laughter, doubling over behind you. “You’re worse than my friends,” he teased, wiping a fake tear from his eye. But then he gently slid his hands over yours, steadying them, his voice dropping lower. “Relax. I’ve got you.”

You tried again, slower this time. He stayed close, talking you through corners, celebrating even the smallest progress. The session ended with your car completely totaled and Lando dramatically declaring you “unfit for F1 life.” But when he pressed a quick kiss to your temple on the way out, whispering “Still my favorite co-driver” you knew he didn’t mind one bit.