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Race Condition - Ghoulcy x Formula One AU

Summary

Every race is built on thousands of calculations. The best drivers ignore them. Lucy MacLean has spent her career believing every answer could be found in the data—until the numbers begin predicting people instead of races. As Formula One falls under the influence of Vault-Tec's powerful new technology, veteran driver Cooper Howard becomes the last variable that refuses to fit the model. Together, they'll discover that some things can't be simulated: instinct, choice...and the quiet kind of love that grows between two people who spend years learning each other one heartbeat at a time.

Sneak Peek

There was a particular kind of silence that only existed inside a Formula One garage before dawn. Not quiet—Formula One was never quiet—but a silence born of routine, of hundreds of people who knew exactly what had to be done and saw no reason to waste words while doing it. The circus hadn't arrived yet. That was how Cooper thought of it, anyway. In another hour the paddock would belong to television crews, hospitality guests, sponsors, FIA officials, and reporters who somehow managed to ask the same three questions every race weekend while sounding convinced they'd come up with something original. But right now... Right now the garage still belonged to the team. [...] Lucy MacLean didn't announce her arrival simply by walking into a room. If anything, she had an almost supernatural ability to slip into the background, crossing the garage with her attention already fixed on the tablet tucked beneath one arm as though she'd walked through those doors halfway through a thought and intended to finish it before acknowledging the rest of the world. Cooper noticed her before anyone else did. Not because she demanded attention. Because after eight years of working together, he'd learned the quiet rhythm of her entrances. Lucy always arrived looking as though the day had already begun an hour before everyone else caught up. [...] "You absolutely do not." "I object." "You've used the phrase 'statistically significant' before breakfast." "Because it is statistically significant." He laughed. "There are mornings I genuinely wonder whether you dream in spreadsheets." "I don't." "No?" "I dream in simulation outputs." He regarded her for a long, thoughtful moment before nodding once. "...That's somehow worse." [...] "I found it." He leaned beside her. "That sounded encouraging." "It isn't." "What did you find?" She traced one finger along the branching lines. "This model normally explores thousands of ways a race might unfold." "And now?" "It still explores them." She paused. "...It just keeps deciding they all end almost the same way." He frowned. "The drivers?" Lucy met his eyes. "Everyone."

🏁 Read Chapter One on AO3

brainstreams

Underused Ways to Show Two Characters Have History

Everyone writes: “We’ve known each other for years!"

But we can do better than that—let's make things actually interesting.

Here are some quick tips for writing two characters with history (without saying, "we've known each for years"):

• They reach for the same object at the same time without looking

• One of them uses a nickname no one else is allowed to use

• They start arguing mid-conversation like the first half already happened

• They move closer when the other looks uncomfortable

• One of them says, “Don’t start,” before the other has said anything

• They know exactly which buttons to press (and press them immediately)

• They unconsciously drift toward each other in crowded spaces

• They anticipate each other’s reactions before they happen

• One quietly moves something (a drink, weapon, chair) because they know the other will reach for it

• Someone might say something, and the other immediately responds with: “You’re still doing that?”

• They suppress laughter at the same time over something no one else noticed

• One character still treats the other based on who they used to be

• A certain place, smell, or song causes them to exchange a look

• Their arguments sound rehearsed, like they’ve had them before

• They touch each other casually without asking (fixing clothing, nudging, taking something from their hand)

• They stand closer than strangers normally would

• They borrow items from each other

• They bring up something embarrassing from ten years ago

• They sit in silence together and it’s either very comfortable or extremely tense

• One of them automatically orders the other’s drink

• They interrupt each other and still somehow finish the same sentence

• One starts a story and the other finishes it automatically

• They argue about the details of shared memories

• They mention people or events without explaining them

• A simple phrase or nickname triggers an entire inside joke

• They notice tiny things about each other no one else would catch

Real history sounds like unfinished conversations, old habits, and arguments that never really ended. When you show shared history (instead of telling) your characters seem that much more alive and believable.

On a similar note: Not all shared history is comfortable. Sometimes shared history means unresolved tension or an old rivalry:

• They refer to something only as “that” or “before.”

• Someone says “You know why.” without explaining further

• Standing slightly farther apart than expected

• Fingers drumming or fidgeting when they’re forced to talk

• Avoiding eye contact for just a second too long.

• A small disagreement suddenly becomes heated.

• One character reacts sharply to something that shouldn’t matter anymore.

• A casual comment triggers silence or defensiveness.

• One character starts explaining themselves but trails off

• One character makes small, cutting remarks disguised as jokes

• They still know each other’s preferences or weaknesses

• They speak in fragments when the past comes up

• They fall into familiar conversations and then awkwardly break them

If you enjoy digging into character dynamics like this, my printable novel planner has detailed sections for relationships, character arcs, and story structure. It’s perfect for organizing a fanfic or mapping out an entire novel!

⤷ my printable novel planner

#oh this is the EXACT vibe i’m going for with Lucy and Cooper’s working relationship

elisabethbenet

Golden rule, motherfucker.

saintgroovy

Back when I had Twitter this got ripped and put on Pinterest, enjoy

brainstreams

haikcute

actually writing Race Condition: 14% of my time

researching F1 and getting distracted down the wikipedia/youtube/etc. rabbit hole: 86% of my time

#my entire algorithm is formula one #youtube will show me F1 content until the day I die bc I decided to write a ghoulcy fic #maybe it’s time to accept my fate and become a proper fan of motorsports #ao3 writer #writing memes

faembrosia

Finally finished all the base stuff for the entire song!

It gets a little... mature... near the end, so-- don't show your kids, I guess?

You have no idea how absolutely obsessed I was making this. I felt like I never took a break. I'd super love to fully flesh this one out-- full drawings, color, and what not. Someday! Thanks for giving it a look!