"You always look like you're thinking of the dirtiest joke possible, but you're too chicken to say it out loud cuz your grandma would beat your ass," I said, a thoughtful look on my face as I looked at Daniel. 

Lando coughed loudly as he choked on the water he was just drinking, prompting Carlos to slap his back aggressively.

George was laughing so much that his eyes began to water.

"That is so accurate, oh my gosh," Charles laughed, wiping the corner of his eye.

"Alright, now that was a tad bit aggressive," Daniel muttered, his expression clearly amused. 

"Oh fuck off, there's no such thing," I rolled my eyes. 

We were out for dinner at a fancy restaurant, Charles' recommendation of course. The restaurant was booked out for F1 crew as we all sat down to enjoy a nice dinner. 

Lando sat beside me, and George and Daniel sat across from me. Charles sat with Carlos at the head of the table, leaving a seat empty beside me. 

Alessandro. 

He still hadn't showed up and we had just finished ordering. 

"Anything to drink?" the waiter asked, leaning down beside me. 

"Water is fine, thank you," I smiled as he nodded, disappearing into the kitchen. 

It was a small family run restaurant that reminded me of the local businesses near my house in LA. A homely feeling settled in my chest as I fiddled with the serviette in my lap. 

"I'm going to give Alessandro a call, he's unusually late," Lando frowned. 

I felt for Alessandro. The day had started out well and everyone was hoping he'd score decent points or even a podium. But instead, he ended up with DNF and a bad mood. 

Moments later, Lando took his seat beside me. 

"Dumbass overslept and missed his uber too."

"He needs an uber?" I chuckled, sipping my water. 

"Yeah, I took the keys to both our rentals on accident," Lando replied sheepishly. 

"Typical," George shook his head with a grin. 

"Ugh, now I have to go pick him up," he groaned, pocketing his phone. 

"I can get him if you want?"

"Nah, it's alright."

"Lando, you haven't even ordered yet. You can't seem to decide from the limited non fish items," Carlos rolled his eyes. He had been trying to convince the Brit to order fish, something Lando absolutely despised. 

Lando stood with a conflicted look on his face before turning to look at me.

"Would you please?" he gave me his puppy eyes, making me roll my eyes. 

"Keys," I sighed, holding my hand out. 

He handed me the keys to his Mercedes rental, a grin on his face. 

The sun was setting as I unlocked the car, a light breeze ruffling my hair. 

I coughed, rolling down the windows as the overpowering scent of Lando's cologne hit my nose.

I swear Lando is like a year 7 boy and spraying massive amounts of perfume.

The Hilton hotel loomed overhead as I pulled into the vallet, spotting Alessandro coming out of the lobby. 

"What took you so damn long?" he asked as he got into the seat. "I was about to go back to sl- you're not Lando."

"Great observation Sherlock," I smirked, putting the car in drive. 

He sighed, leaning back in his seat. 

"Have a nice cat nap?" I teased, glancing over at him. 

"After a shitty day, best cat nap ever," he muttered. 

"Unfortunate, really. But you drove well."

"No, I drove like shit," he snapped back, clenching his jaw. 

"No, you didn't Alessandro. Stop being so hard on yourself. There was something wrong with the car."

"I just-" he stopped, a frustrated sigh leaving his lips as he fisted his hands. 

"This whole season has been shit. I've got into a team that's in championship contention and a really good car. But nothing is fucking working. I can't get good points, I can't get podiums, I can't even finish the fucking race. It's like someones cursed me and I'm having endless bad luck!" he spat in frustration. 

"Alessandro," I said softly, turning to look at him as we came to a stop in the parking lot. 

"What Dakota?" he snapped. 

"It-"

"If you tell me "it's only your first year Alessandro" I swear I'm going to lose my shit," he interrupted, staring straight ahead in anger. 

"I think you need to stop being so hard on yourself."

"Oh fuck off," he muttered. 

"I'm being serious Alé. It's not healthy. Tell me, are you half assing your work?"

"What? No! Of course not."

"Exactly. The team is working hard, here and back in Woking. And you're working even harder. Alessandro, you're living some little kid's dream. There's thousands of people that would give anything to be in your position. Make the most of it."

He stayed silent, gazing off in the distance. 

I sighed, getting out of the car. I opened his door, holding my arm out. 

"After you, my kind sir."

He rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips as he got out. 

"Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?"

"Oh shut up. Don't act like my motivational speech couldn't be straight out of a documentary," I smacked his shoulder. 

He chuckled, shaking his head as he opened the door for me. 

"After you, your highness."

------------------------------------------

"See you in Baku!" Daniel waved, taking steps backwards towards his car. 

"Hasta la vista!" I called, waving at him and Charles. 

"Hasta la vista indeed," Carlos grinned, giving me a hug before joining Lando in the car. 

And then there were two. 

Alessandro let out a long sigh, leaning against the car. 

"Tough day at the office?"

He narrowed his eyes, the look on his face asking "Did you really just ask that?"

 I stifled a laugh, nudging his shoulder. 

"Come onnnn, live a little!"

"Tough day? No it was a total crap, fucking, shit awful day at the office," he said, quoting the Mercedes team principal. 

I let out a loud laugh, unable to contain how funny I found his emotionless reaction. 

"You're bad for my health," he muttered, uncrossing his arms. 

"How so?" I asked, following him as he walked away. 

"I feel like I'm getting grey hair every time you speak."

"Ha. Ha. Very funny."

The harbor was just a short walk from the restaurant. The water was calm, gently lapping a the wall. The seagulls squawked overhead, fluttering in the gentle headwind.

A gentle breeze blew, sending strands of my hair flying. 

I smiled to myself, wrapping my arms around myself as we stood facing the harbor. 

Alessandro clenched his jaw as I leaned my head against his shoulder.

"Oh come on, Sandro. Stop being such a hardass," I teased, poking his cheek. 

No response. 

I poked his cheek again. 

Then a third time. 

"Hey!" I exclaimed as he caught my finger in his hand. 

His green eyes glimmered in the light, a mischievous look swimming in their depths. 

"You're so goddamn irritating," he said, catching me off guard. 

I pulled away from him, my cheeks burning pink. 

"Thanks," I mumbled, fiddling with my fingers. 

"Kota," he whispered, goosebumps rising on my skin at the nickame. 

"Hm?" I hummed in response, looking up at him. 

"Nothing. We should head back," he said, taking a step away from me. 

I frowned, watching his retreating figure.