Radio Silence ━━ Lando Norris

2021 (Silverstone)

In the days leading up to Silverstone, Lando filmed a video for Quadrant. Amelia sat just out of shot, watching the gameplay unfold with a grin that said, this is ridiculous, and I'm having the best time watching you all make fools of yourselves. When Lando stacked it and landed awkwardly on his arm, she was there in an instant, fussing over him.

A small portion of the clip made it into the final edit. Her on her knees, laughing, while Lando pouted dramatically, waving his arm around like it was much a more dramatic injury than just a scratch. It was lighthearted, sweet.

Everyone went crazy for it.

-

WhatsApp - 2021 F1 Groupchat

Lando N. Quick question. does anyone have any spare gloves?

Valtteri B. Like... racing gloves?

Lando N. Nah, just regular gloves. Leather, ideally.

George R. I've got some driving gloves in my car.

Pierre G. Of course you do.

George R. What's that supposed to mean?

Pierre G. Nothing, nothing.

Lando N. Can you bring them to me? Amelia's a bit icky about touch today, thought gloves might help. We're heading to the track now and I couldn't find any at my parents' place.

George R. Yeah, I'll give them to Will.

Lando N. 👍

-

It wasn't a stim. It wasn't a meltdown.

It was just... discomfort.

She sighed in relief as Lando slid the brown leather gloves onto her hands. She swallowed, wiggling her fingers and letting the tension bleed from her shoulders.

The leather was soft and probably expensive, considering the gloves were George's.

Lando squeezed her hands. "Better?"

She nodded, smiling. "They match my boots." She held her gloved hands next to her knees, where her brown riding-style boots reached.

He snorted, laughing softly. "I don't think George planned that, but I'm glad you feel fashionable, baby."

Amelia glanced over her shoulder. Daniel wandered over, wiggling his eyebrows. "Excited for your home races, mate?" The question was aimed at Lando.

Amelia watched Lando, noticing how his face shifted; something complicated, something soft, but also guarded.

"Yeah. Just want to do well," he shrugged, his smile a little too tight.

She frowned, instinctively leaning in. "You will."

His smile flickered, uncertain. "I hope so."

-

Max didn't ask about the gloves. He just wrapped his arm around her shoulder and dragged her into his driver's room, ignoring her confused protests.

He slammed the door, sat on the cabin bed, and stared at her.

She hovered, uncertain, glancing at the door before looking back at him. "Um..."

"I want to tell her the truth," he said, eventually.

She stared at him for a beat, trying to decode his words, and then, slowly, her eyes widened. "You- I thought you told her months ago! Are you serious?" She choked out.