HIT ON ME ! by KissLeclerc
April 6, 2024 # "Enlighten Me."

STANDING IN THE Mclaren garage, Thalia watched the final bits of the grand prix, clapping happily for Lando who was going to finish P5.

At some point throughout the race, a cameraman panned to her standing beside Calvin, with a headset on. She intently watched the stream before seeing that her was face zoomed in on. She couldn't help but feel awkward before smiling and waving to the camera.

She had barely seen Lando throughout the day. Being at a race recreationally rather than on a working schedule was a little more boring than she anticipated, Thalia was barely able to see him and Oscar or much of the drivers throughout the entirety of race week.

Exhaling at the satisfaction of another successful F1 weekend, Thalia happily waited through the final needs all the drivers had to attend to after a race ended. And since Lando didn't podium, she didn't have to wait as long.

Continuing to mingle with Calvin as the two stood near the media center. They watched Lando on the side as he finished up his final post interviews for the day. Thalia observed a nearby screen with subtitles.

"Yeah, so it wasn't the best race but anything to get some points in." Lando said, looking exhausted. Hands on his hips as he spoke with a reporter about his P5 placement.

"Very well, Lando." The journalist replied before moving on. "And lastly..." She continued. "The world wants to know what is going on between you and Thalia Tran." The subtitles made the model's brow raise.

"Everyone has seen the McLaren pictures, she was in the garage watching, is there any confirmation you'd like to address? Is there a romantic spark?" She brought the mic to his face, a visible sigh and attitude escaping his lips.

"No.." Lando shook his head. "Not at all, definitely not." He laughed as the reporter joined him. "It's just rumors."

Glancing at Calvin as shock overtook her body for a brief moment, her best friend was thinking the same thing. "Why would he say it like that?" He asked as she began to shake her head in disbelief. "Why can't he just confirm it?"

"That kinda hurt." Thalia laughed nervously as she felt a small sting in her heart. "Uhh..." She rubbed the back of her neck.

"Do you need a moment?" Calvin asked.

"I mean I-" She stuttered. "I understand him? But I also don't know. Maybe he and I need to have a conversation." She shrugged before taking a deep breath.

"I think I'm gonna wait for him in his resting room." Thalia notioned. "I'll text you later."

"You sure, babe?" Calvin questioned as she nodded. "Yeah, I'll debrief everything later." She assured him before walking off, running a hand through her hair.

Proceeding to walk back towards the McLaren garage and paddock, Thalia began to mindlessly fidget with her manicure as she battled a new rush of emotions she never really felt before.

She understands Lando wanted privacy but she doesn't get why he was so quick to deny it, or even seem disgusted at the question. It just hurt her a little bit.

She just wanted answers.

Walking into his driver room with no problem, Thalia sat on the familiar bed, beginning to mindlessly wait for him to come back.

As time went on, she scrolled through Twitter, noticing both her and Lando being big trending topics globally at the moment. From the betrayal of a post that McLaren had published along with clips of Lando denying the rumors, she felt a rush of emotions that she wish she didn't feel.

And with a final scroll, he finally came in.

"Thalia?" He was surprised to see her, closing the door behind him as she stood up from the bed.

"What was that interview?" Thalia was quick to jump into the conversation, crossing his arms and waiting for an answer.

"What?" He tilted his head with a confused look.

"The one you were just in, why were you so defensive about being in a relationship with me?" She asked once again, with hurt in her tone. "And don't play dumb. I know you know what I'm talking about."

"Thalia, I-" Lando sighed. "You know where I stand with this, it was such a sudden question and-" He paused. "I'm not ready for any of this, what don't you understand?"

"Trust me when I say I understand you." She took a deep breath. "It's just the way you addressed it, it did not make me feel good one bit."

"You know that's not how I meant it." Lando let out a breath, taking a step closer as she backed away.

"Do you even want to be with me?" She asked as he was quick to defend himself. "Thalia, of course I do!"

"It's already practically out there, and the more you deny just makes me feel really uncertain." She replied. "I've put a lot of trust in you, I've let you in, I've let my walls down, I just don't understand why you're so afraid." She paused.

"Why does it feel like you're ashamed of me? It feels like you're just leading me on."

"I'm not!" He took a step closer with furrowed brows. "I'm doing this because I care about you!" Lando explained himself as she glanced at him for a brief moment. "It might not seem like it's for your own good, but it is. And for mine as well.... I just don't want to lose you."

"Dude, you're not gonna lose me." Thalia scoffed. "What makes you say that?"

"Fans are ruthless." Lando exhaled. "I'm really trying not to make excuses but I don't think I'm ready to have you dragged into constant hate and negativity." He took a pause. "Or us in general for that matter." His tone was slightly breaking.

"Lando." Thalia groaned into her hands. "I can handle it."

"But I can't." He argued. "That's the thing."

"Why are you trying to commit to a relationship if you're not even willing to take chances?" She asked in disbelief. "What was the point of you asking me to be your girlfriend if you can't even, Like I-" She stuttered. "I don't even know what to say because I'm just speechless right now." Her frustration was rising.

"Like trust me when I say I can handle it? I don't need you to be worried for me." She insisted. "Death threats aren't going to bother me, let alone chase me away from you."

"What's the point of us even being together?" Thalia finished.

"What?" A wrinkle in between his eyes formed as his eyebrows furrowed. "What are you insinuating?"

"Maybe for now." She took a breath. "You gather your thoughts.. and then get back to me when you can be in a relationship." Her eyes avoided his gaze as she wasn't even sure what she wanted anymore.

"What are you talking about?" Lando asked. "Are you being genuine?" He continued as she took a deep breath to think, slight tears forming as her rush of emotions overwhelmed her.

"I'm not saying we should end. We've just started." She let out a frustrated laugh. "I just don't think right now is a good time for either of us." She shrugged. "Or at least you, because I know what I want."

"Thalia, I do want this. More than anything-"

"I'll just see you in Miami." Thalia cut him off, not even wanting to continue this conversation as she felt her heart sink more and more. "Because I really don't know if I can do this right now."

"What? You're not going to Shanghai?"

"I was planning on it but I'm not so sure anymore." She let out a groan and wiped away the loose tears, trying to calm down from her rise of frustration.

"It also just frustrates me that those pictures were posted. Lando mentioned as he came closer, now standing in front of her as she continued to avoid his gaze. "It wasn't even on my own terms." He sighed.

"Thalia, can we talk just about this? I want to at least get somewhere with this conversation while we're here."

"When you can be in a relationship with me where it doesn't make me feel like you're ashamed to be together or make decisions on my behalf because of what you think I can or can't handle..." Thalia quickly replied as she took a breath. "Then I will talk to you."

"Thalia-"

"Lando, I fought my way into the modeling industry, I guarantee you I've been put through worse." She defended herself, trying to convince him that his assumptions about what she can handle were dead wrong. "Lousy negative comments are the least of my worries."

"It's not just that Thalia I-"

"Okay then please enlighten me!" She sighed in frustration, cutting him off once again. "Tell me it all. Don't leave any detail out. I need to know what's on your mind because I really don't know what to think." She paused.

"You said you'd ask me to be your girlfriend in your best interest, but was it even in your best interest?"

"Thalia," Lando repeated her name once more. "I'm already scared of not being good enough for you." He admitted. "And I'm afraid of the media, or people in general agreeing with that fact... and as everything has been getting more real and serious, it's just been a lot to me." He said as she finally looked him in the eyes.

"And I'm sorry that I'm now only realizing that maybe I need more time."

"Lando.." Thalia mumbled. "I don't care what people think about you or if they disapprove of us being together, nor should you care." She frowned. "I like you. And that's really all that should matter."

"I..." Lando now avoided her gaze this time. "I find it important to be able to give you everything I can because you're one of a kind. You deserve loads- I just don't know how to explain it." He finished with a shaky breath as she nodded, subtle tears sliding down her cheek as her thoughts were now lost, falling into a silence with him.

"Okay." Thalia finally spoke up. "Then maybe you do need more time." She paused. "It really seems like you're not ready for something serious at all." She shook her head. "And it hurts to admit that."

"You're right." Tears filled his eyes as he gazed at her. "Unfortunately." She successfully tried to lighten the mood but it just felt dead again.

"Maybe this gap between now and Miami, I will figure it out." He nodded as he wiped away a tear.

"Right." Thalia nodded before laughing, fighting back the urge to cry right in front of him but her face already said it all. "Then that's that I guess." She shrugged.

"Ended right before it could even start." Lando let out a small breath as she shook her head.

"I wouldn't say it's ending. I just think it's a small pause." She tried to make it sound better but she already knew what it felt like.

VERA'S VOICE!
well.

guys big reminder 💕💕 not all relationships are perfect!!!! 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

this was a complicated argument to write in my mind. bc in the end, they're both just lowk undermining each others feelings and that's just pent up frustration they both have....

so now let's analyze rq... VERA NOTES!!!!!

thalia is valid to express her hurt and confusion about his behavior & questioning his commitment. and lando is valid in expressing his fears and insecurities about the potential consequences of their relationship being in the public eye. Like CLON.....

Anywho. this note is getting a lil long bc i'm yapping so... ima clock out.

tysm for 169k 😍😍😍😍 and HELLO BELLE AND ELENA, I SHOUT!!!!
VERA LOVES YOU!!! BYEEEEE!!