Chapter Text
A cloudy sky can be seen from the window as Lando wakes up cuddled next to his boyfriend, Oscar. The man quietly removes the covers to sit on the edge of the bed. He tries to rack his brain on the to-do list for the day. Going to the studio and a 3pm class is all.
As the morning progresses and Lando gets ready, he feels like something is off. He doesn’t quite know what, just that it feels weird. He shakes the feeling off before heading for the music studio.
Lando’s long term dream is to become a rock star of sorts. He’s grown a pretty good sized fan-base so far after marketing on social media and various music websites. Right now, he’s just waiting for the day some record company calls him to offer a label. What was not expected, was for that exact situation to unfold as Lando was about to have the first bite of his breakfast.
“This is so yum-“ The phone starts ringing, the song Friday startling Lando out of his first bite of food. It’s Friday then, now it’s Saturday, Sunday, what?! He quickly grabs his phone to check who’s calling. He sees it’s an unknown number, probably some sort of scammer. In the case it’s something important, Lando picks up the phone, swiping to answer.
“Hello?”
“Is this Lando Norris?”
Forgetting all formalities he stutters out, “Wha- uh yeah?”
“This is a representative from McLaren Records. We have seen your music online and we are incredibly impressed. We’d like to offer you a deal of a life time.”
Lando is at a loss for words. “You, what?!”
The rep continues calmly, “We are inviting you to join a band we are creating with stars such as Carlos Sainz aka: The Chili, Daniel Ricciardo, and Mad Max. The band is, obviously, those three already famous artists with three handpicked up-and-coming artists. You are one of the ones we have picked if you are to consider.”
“Oh wow, yes of course I would love too.”
“We’re glad you’re taking the offer into consideration. We have a house in Hollywood where the six of you will live. You will work together, make music, and you will occasionally be filmed for a tv series being made about Max.”
A silence echos on both ends of the phone. Lando is too stunned to say anything. He takes a second to reflect on what was just offered out. Finally, he’s able to get out the words, “Can my boyfriend come with me?”
The representative sighs. “I’m sorry, sir.” She sounds guilty while speaking, “It can only be you that stays. Everyone involved in this project is having to give something up if it makes you feel better.”
Lando is devastated. “Well, knowing that info can I have a second to think about it?”
The lady sounds sympathetic, “Of course dear, I know it can be a difficult decision, but think of where it’ll get you in the long run.”
This is all that Lando ever dreamed of and more. Oscar would surely be happy for him, right? Of course he would be, they’re each other’s support systems, basically willing to die for one another. Coming to a final decision he slowly says, “Okay, I accept. When this is happening?”
“Your flight leaves Friday at noon. Make sure to bring only personal belongings you think are necessary, we will provide other clothes and such.”
“Friday?! That’s only two days away!” Lando practically shouts in the phone.
“Yes, yes, we wish you could be on the plane tomorrow but we wanted to give you some time to prepare.” She softens her voice before continuing, “Lando, really, thank you for accepting our offer. Have an amazing rest of your day!” She brightly says before hanging up the phone.
Lando is left staring at his phone, trying to process what had just happened. The record deal that had been a goal of his since he was a kid was finally coming true. It didn’t feel right though, it felt sort of hollow when the thought of leaving Oscar popped into Lando’s mind. He reassures himself with the thought that Oscar, ever so kind and caring, will be happy for him no matter what. He lets himself feel happy for a moment, savoring the joy of new beginnings. Lando ponders over the food which way would be best to break the news to Oscar. He could text or call right now to get it over with, but that isn’t very nice. He decides to go home early, skip his afternoon class, and break the news as soon as he returns. As Lando steps out into the street to start walking back, rain starts falling, turning his already somber mood into a worse one.
The front door to the apartment creaks open. Oscar hears footsteps coming towards the living room where he’s lounging happily on the couch. Lando shuffles in the room looking very timid. Oscar questions the other man’s coming home, however, as he thought he was going straight to his afternoon class after work. He glances up from his phone, noticing the almost agonized look on Lando’s face.
Oscar quickly asks, “Are you okay?”
Lando looks around before speaking, avoiding Oscar’s eyes at all costs, “I got a call today.” He grimaces before continuing, “A big record company contacted me today. The company said they heard my music and they want me to make an album with them and other musicians. They said there is even a tv series role opportunity for me.”
Oscar’s eyes widen. A wide smile breaks out before he exclaims, “What?! Lando that’s amazing! Aren’t you excited? This is like your dream come true.”
“Well there’s more to it than that.” Oscar scoffs loudly. “What could there possibly be that has you so upset. This is a huge step forward in your career.”
Lando finally looks Oscar in the eyes before slowly saying, “They want me to move out west… to Hollywood.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“Wait, they want you to move all the way to America!? They just want you to get up and leave your home in England?”
The panic of the situation finally sets in. Oscar just stares at Lando intently, almost like he’s mentally willing his boyfriend to take back what he had said.
Lando sighs before answering, “Yes, the other erm… thing is that…” Lando trails off.
“What, just say it,” Oscar spits out.
“My flight leaves Friday. At noon. And I’m going to stay there for as long as the record company needs me there.” He pauses then simply mutters. “I’m sorry, baby.”
He says this as if he had not just shifted Oscar’s entire world upside down. The silence between them stretches thin. Threatening to snap any second.
It only really took one more second before the tension snapped. Oscar quickly got up off the couch. He walked into their shared bedroom, slamming the door so hard the walls shook for a moment. He pushes his back against the door before sliding down and bringing his knees to his chest. This is the worst possible news Oscar could’ve received. Just as he thought Lando and him were making a perfect life together. A nice, cozy apartment, both in university and working steady jobs. It seemed like it was all really gonna work out. Nothing ever seems to work out very long for Oscar. Anger is starting to bubble underneath the surface. He almost starts crying before there’s a small knock on the door.
“Oscar? Can I come in please?” Lando sounds so shy, so unlike his usual jovial demeanor.
“Sure. Fine. Whatever.” Oscar replies icily.
He regains his composure while getting up to open the door. Oscar barely reacts as Lando comes into the room. The other boy starts hastily grabbing his things, putting clothes, jewelry, and other items into a suitcase. It takes a second of looking around before Lando decides he has everything he needs. He starts to speak softly, Oscar flinching when he does, “I’m gonna go ahead and go, okay? I’m gonna stay with Charles tomorrow before the flight leaves. I think me going now will make it easier on the both of us.”
“What? No! You can’t just leave. We have life here together.” Oscar’s usual calm demeanor is cracking. “We were supposed to be together forever! You can’t just leave me!”
Lando suddenly snaps, all traces of guilt leaving, “Oh come on Oscar. This is my dream come true! I thought you’d be happy for me.” He crosses his arms and waits for an answer.
“I was so, incredibly, excited for you before you said you were just leaving me. I’m sorry I’m not happy the love of my life is walking out on me.” Oscar flails his arms trying to prove his point.
Lando is exasperated. “I have to do this, okay? This is all I ever wanted. I’m sorry, we can still talk on the phone and everything. It’ll still be us just… farther apart.”
Oscar gives in, feeling slightly guilty about his outburst. “I’m sorry. Yeah, it’ll still be us,” He pauses forcing himself to say something nice. “This really is amazing for you.”
He is confused and upset about how quickly this is happening. Just minutes ago he was on the couch mentally preparing for his engineering class. Now, Lando is leaving him, seemingly for a long time.
Lando starts to walk out the door so he starts following his boyfriend out the door and into the hallway. He stops at start of the entryway while Lando continued to the front door, swinging it open. He stares out it for just a moment before turning around to face Oscar for the last time. He steps closer, pressing a chaste kiss to Oscar’s lips. Oscar doesn’t have to energy to really even react.
“I love you, remember that please.” Lando offers a smile he hopes looks comforting, “Please don’t worry.” That’s the last thing Lando says before walking out the door, without so much as looking back.