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He knew perfectly well that it was completely impossible for him to ever achieve his goal with Oscar. He was well aware that his teammate had a girlfriend and that, even if he didn’t, he wouldn’t stand a chance. His mind constantly reminded him how painful it was to like someone and have to hear them talk lovingly about their girlfriend all the time.
Lando ignored those thoughts. He had to focus on his career as a driver and leave all those intense feelings behind. He forced himself to push aside all thoughts about his emotional state.
He often saw fans on social media posting content of him and Oscar, both laughing and sharing funny moments on camera. They genuinely enjoyed themselves and played along in different dynamics. It broke his heart into a thousand pieces. He spent hours at night watching those videos. Even the fans seemed to notice his true feelings—everyone except Oscar, who seemed completely oblivious.
Perhaps he was playing dumb, pretending not to know how his teammate felt. Maybe Oscar knew perfectly well that Lando liked him but chose not to talk about it to avoid ruining their relationship. Possibly, Oscar felt disgusted by him—surely, he couldn’t stand him anymore.
Lando talked to his therapist about his situation multiple times, and the therapist suggested either discussing his feelings with Oscar to clear the air or moving on to someone else. But that wasn’t an option for Lando. He was in love with Oscar Piastri and no one else. He had eyes for no one but him. For Lando, Piastri was his entire world. He would kill for him and do anything to win his love, to be embraced by him, to celebrate a Grand Prix win with kisses, to have his attention all the time, to be his boyfriend. He wanted him all to himself.
That’s why, on his birthday, he finally decided to do something. He completely disregarded everything he had worked on with his psychologist and followed his heart. Lando turned 25, and Oscar came over that night, bringing drinks and a special gift for his friend.
“It’s just a simple watch because the real gift hasn’t arrived yet. The delivery was delayed,” Piastri explained as he handed him the gift bag.
Lando hugged his teammate as a thank you. “You didn’t have to,” he said kindly. “Just having you here is enough for me. You’re great company; I like being with you,” he added.
Such comments from Lando weren’t unusual—he always behaved like that with everyone. But something caught Oscar’s attention, and it wasn’t Lando’s behavior. It was his eyes. They were red and swollen, as if he had been crying.
“Lando, are you okay?” the Australian asked with concern, noticing how his friend’s eyes began to glisten again.
“Yes, just ignore it, please,” Lando pleaded almost desperately.
Obviously, it was hard for Oscar to ignore it, and it broke his heart, but he didn’t know how to fix the situation. He didn’t know why Lando had been crying and couldn’t force him to talk if he didn’t want to.
They sat on the couch to spend time together and genuinely enjoyed themselves. They watched movies and talked about recent races, sharing opinions and strategies.
Later, when Oscar went to the bathroom, Lando stayed on the couch, deep in thought. When Oscar returned, Lando decided to say what he had been hiding for so long.
“Oscar, I need to tell you something,” Norris began.
Piastri sat back on the couch and listened attentively.
“Well, I don’t know where to start. I guess from the beginning, right? When they announced we’d be teammates, at first, I thought we wouldn’t connect at all, you know? I thought you’d dislike me because of our different personalities. We’re almost polar opposites, and I’d never have believed we’d end up spending my birthday night at my place, watching a movie. Let alone that I’d be telling you what I’m about to say. In fact, I never thought this would happen in my life. You know we get along great and have formed an incredible bond. You’re always there for me when I need you, and vice versa…” he started, speaking quickly but clearly, with determination. His eyes began to water. “…you’re a beautiful person, inside and out. I want you to know that I’m always grateful that life brought you into my path and allowed me to be part of yours, for listening to me when I needed it and offering your shoulder to cry on. Thank you for not judging me every time I share my opinions and for listening attentively even when we both know I’m wrong. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful moments with me and allowing me to share them with you. For all of that and so much more, I’m here, sitting in front of you, ready to tell you something I’ve been hiding for so long…”
Oscar listened intently to every word that left the Brit’s mouth. He had a clear sense of where this was headed but had no idea how to respond. He decided to remain silent and let him speak.
Suddenly, they fell into silence. They were close to each other, tears about to fall from Lando’s face. Out of nowhere, he cupped Oscar’s face in his hands and kissed him. Their lips stayed together for a few seconds before separating. Lando had feared Oscar would push him away or react angrily, but instead, Oscar froze, unsure of what to do.
“I… I’m sorry. Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… shit,” Norris apologized repeatedly, guilt consuming him.
Oscar took a deep breath and moved slightly away, just enough to look Lando in the eyes. He didn’t want the moment to feel like a cold rejection, but he knew he had to be honest.
“Lando…” he began softly but firmly. “You’re someone very special to me. Your friendship, your support, everything we’ve shared—it means so much to me. And what you just told me, what you just did… I value it because I know it wasn’t easy for you.”
Oscar paused, his heart racing. The moment was overwhelming for him, but he knew what he had to say.
“There was a moment when I felt confused, when I wondered if what I felt for you could be something more,” he admitted honestly. “But I realized it wasn’t love in that sense. It was admiration, a connection… but not the same as what I feel for her.”
Lando lowered his gaze, but Oscar gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I love you too much as a friend to lie to you or let this ruin what we have. My heart belongs to my girlfriend. She’s the one I want by my side. But that doesn’t change how much I care about you. I’ll always be here for you, Lando.”
Oscar’s voice trembled slightly at the end, reflecting the emotional weight of the moment, but his words were sincere. He didn’t want Lando’s confession to drive them apart.
Lando felt as if the weight of the world was crushing him after his confession. Oscar stared at him intently, his eyes shining with a mix of emotions. The silence in the room was deafening until the Australian let out a small laugh.
"You know what, Lando? This is... a joke," Oscar said with a nervous smile.
Lando looked up, confused, his heart still pounding.
"What do you mean it’s a joke?" he asked cautiously, unable to process the situation.
Oscar took a deep breath and stepped closer to his teammate. "It’s not true that I’m still with my girlfriend. I broke up with her a few weeks ago because... because I wanted to confess something to you, but I didn’t know how. I wanted today to be the perfect day to tell you this."
Lando’s eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at him, waiting for a clearer explanation.
"Lando, I’m in love with you," Oscar finally confessed, his voice breaking slightly. "I’ve been holding back all this time because I didn’t know if you felt the same, but after what you told me, I can’t keep pretending."
Before Lando could respond, Oscar leaned in and kissed him softly, their lips fitting together perfectly. It was a kiss filled with repressed emotions and long-awaited hope. At first frozen by surprise, Lando responded to the kiss, his hands finding Oscar’s face.
When they pulled apart, they looked at each other with nervous smiles and glistening eyes.
"This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me," Lando whispered with a small laugh, wiping away a tear that had escaped.
"Happy birthday, Lando," Oscar replied before hugging him tightly, as if he never wanted to let go.
That night was etched in their hearts as the beginning of something beautiful. Their relationship was never the same, and for both of them, that was exactly what they wanted.