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( dutch ) a max verstappen, formula 1 girly, new girl, b99, the office, friends, schitts creek, modern family, lord huron, cricket, football girly oh yeah im a pinterest addict.
welcome my loves! this is your official home for everything f1! navigate and find all your favorite driver series! remember requests are open! no hate on any drivers will be tolerated! have fun and enjoy reading <3
Bestie im abt to read your Micheal schumacher daughter one where you mention that your dad loves him. (Posted like 2 yrs ago) Are you and your dad aware that allegedly hes no longer bed bound and is able to some degree communicate and supposedly watches the races! My heart is so full❤️
oh my god, I raced across the house to tell my dad!!
🏁 pairing : Daniel Riccardo x Verstappen!Sister!Reader
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10
🏎️ summary: he was the honey badger with a grin that could silence storms, and she was max verstappen’s little sister—always there, always watching, never saying too much. they’d spent years orbiting each other, but after singapore'24 when daniel quietly stepped away from formula 1, everything shattered. now she’s left wondering if he was ever just a friend or the great love she let slip through her fingers without ever saying a word.
themes : fluff, flirting, angst, over protective brother, anxiety, emotional, slight smut in a few chapters, overshadowing, loneliness
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
chapter nine : moving in and boxes
The house hunting was failing. The houses were too small, too far away from the office or had a creepy landlord. Y/N was losing hope and her will to stay in that hotel room for longer was fading. Daniel had made her a cup of tea while discussing options.
The plates from dinner are still on the table, half-empty glasses of wine, soft music humming in the background. Y/N sits curled on Daniel’s couch, picking at a thread on her sleeve, clearly distracted.
Daniel leans against the counter, watching her with that mix of nerves and resolve he’s been carrying since Max left. He finally blurts it out.
“Why don’t you just move in here?”
Y/N’s head snaps up so fast she nearly chokes on air. “I’m sorry—WHAT THE FUCK?”
Daniel shrugs like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “Yeah. Move in. Problem solved.”
She stares at him, wide-eyed, hands flying. “Are you insane? That’s the worst idea you’ve ever had. No, scratch that, it’s the worst idea anyone’s ever had.”
Daniel laughs, hands up like he’s bracing for impact. “Easy, tiger. I didn’t mean… you know… like that. I meant roommates.”
“Roommates? ROOMMATES?” Y/N throws a cushion at him. “Daniel, you’re literally you. And I’m literally me. That would be a disaster.”
“Why?” he asks, catching the cushion with a grin.
She shoots up from the couch and starts pacing. “Because you’re messy. You leave socks everywhere. You probably snore. And—oh, my god—you always leave the fridge door open.”
Daniel folds his arms, following her with his eyes. “Correction: I sometimes forget to shut the fridge because I’m in a rush. And I do not snore.”
“You totally snore.”
He smirks. “You’ve never slept next to me long enough to know.”
Y/N freezes, cheeks heating, and glares. “Don’t even start.”
Daniel steps closer, voice softer now. “Fine. But you’re still running out of time. You’ve hated every flat you’ve seen. And Max isn’t here anymore to bully landlords into being nice. You’re stressed out of your mind.”
She crosses her arms tight. “Because this is supposed to be my thing. My independence. I can’t just—what? Move in with you? That’s the opposite of standing on my own two feet.”
Daniel tilts his head, eyes softening. “Or maybe it’s just smart. You’d save money. You’d be safe. And—” his grin edges back, crooked and boyish “—you’d have me around to make sure you actually eat instead of just drinking coffee all day.”
Y/N huffs, but her lips twitch. “That’s not fair. You can’t throw the food card.”
“Deadly fair,” Daniel says smugly. “Plus, think of it this way: you’d have built-in pest control.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Pest control?”
“Yeah. Any spider, cockroach, random flying thing? I’ll handle it. No questions asked.”
Y/N bites her lip to stop from laughing. “That is… weirdly compelling.”
Daniel takes a cautious step closer. “So? Why not, Y/N? You don’t have to keep fighting me like I’m trying to chain you down. I just… want you comfortable here.”
She sighs, looking down at her hands. “You make it sound so easy. But it’s not. Living with you would be… complicated.”
Daniel swallows, his voice quieter now, honest. “It’s already complicated, isn’t it? This doesn’t change that. It just… makes it a little less lonely.”
For a long beat, she says nothing, the silence thick between them. Then she mutters, “You really don’t snore?”
Daniel grins, triumphant. “Not a peep. Cross my heart.”
Her groan fills the room. “I can’t believe I’m even considering this.”
“Considering? That’s progress,” he teases, and she throws another cushion at him.
This time, she’s laughing.
-
She returned to her hotel room that night, excited, confused but happy. The room was dim, the bedside lamp casting a warm glow against the cream walls. Y/N sat cross-legged on the bed, laptop propped open in front of her. The ringing tone ended, and suddenly Max and Kelly’s faces filled the screen.
“Hey babe!” Kelly beamed, waving. Max sat beside her, arms folded but eyes soft.
“Hi, you two,” Y/N said, a tired smile tugging at her lips.
Y/N sighed, rubbing her temple. “I… might have an option. But don’t freak out.”
Max’s brows rose. “What did he do?”
“Not him,” Y/N said quickly, then hesitated. “Well… kind of him. Daniel asked me to move in.”
There was a beat of silence. Kelly gasped like it was the best news in the world, while Max looked like he might combust.
“WHAT?” Max said, leaning forward at the camera. “Absolutely not—no way. Y/N, that’s insane.”
Kelly smacked his arm. “Max, shut up! That actually makes perfect sense. She’s been running around for days looking for a place, nothing’s worked, and he’s right there. He’s safe. He’s—”
“He’s Daniel,” Max interrupted. “Which is exactly the problem.”
Y/N laughed. “See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you Max.”
Kelly leaned closer. “Y/N, listen. It’s temporary, and you’ll save yourself so much stress. I think it’s a great idea.”
Max shook his head. “No. No, no, no. Do you two realize how messy that could get? What if things go sideways? What if he—”
“Max,” Kelly cut in firmly. “She’s not a kid. She can handle herself. And honestly… maybe this is exactly what they need.”
Y/N cut in a bit harshly, "Maximus I just want to mention that you pushed Daniel back into my life, making him my fucking guardian or something, so you have to be okay with this."
Max groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re impossible.” He turned back to Y/N. “Look, I don’t like it. But… if it means you’re safe and not stuck in some shady rental, fine. I’ll deal with it. Just… promise me you’ll be careful, ja?”
Y/N’s throat tightened. “I promise.”
Kelly’s expression softened, her voice dropping to something gentler. “You’re still in love with him, aren’t you, babe?”
The words pierced the room like glass shattering. Y/N blinked fast, eyes watering as her chest tightened. She let out a shaky breath.
“Yeah, Kel,” she whispered, her voice breaking just slightly. “But loving him feels like holding my breath under water. I can’t tell if it’s keeping me alive or if it’s drowning me.”
The line went quiet, Kelly’s eyes glassy and Max’s jaw tight as he looked away, clearly fighting his own emotions.
-
In the next few days Y/N agreed to move in. And so it began, the constant boxes arriving from Monaco with endless clothes. Daniel pulled up outside the hotel, stepping out of his car with a grin that was just a little too wide to be casual.
He offered to grab Y/N’s bag, but she waved him off, hugging it close like armour. They didn’t talk much during the drive, the hum of the engine filling the silence, but every so often their eyes would flicker toward each other.
By the time they reached his place, the air between them was a cocktail of nerves and unspoken things. Daniel carried her smaller suitcase into the second bedroom, watching her wander the space like she wasn’t sure how to exist there. She fussed with the curtains, adjusted the pillows, lined her toothbrush up on the sink like she was trying to claim territory.
“Feel weird?” Daniel asked softly from the doorway.
“A little,” Y/N admitted, forcing a small smile. “But… thanks, Dan. Really.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “Don’t mention it.”
Hours later, after unpacking what little she had, Y/N padded into the bathroom for a shower. The steam clung to her skin as she wrapped a towel tightly around herself, tugging another through her damp hair. She felt… lighter, until she opened the laundry bag and realized.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” she muttered. “Everything’s in the wash.”
She groaned loudly, smacking her forehead with her palm, then froze. She didn’t want to, but… she had no choice. Taking a deep breath, she opened the bathroom door just enough to peek her head out.
“Daniel?”
He was on the couch, scrolling through his phone, but the second he heard her voice, he looked up. His gaze snagged on her—hair dripping against the towel, bare shoulders, flushed cheeks. His ears went pink instantly, and he blinked hard, like he was trying not to stare.
“Uh—yeah? You okay?”
She shifted uncomfortably, tugging the towel higher. “I… don’t have any clothes. They’re all in the laundry. Can I… maybe borrow something?”
Daniel shot up so fast the phone nearly flew out of his hand. “Yeah—yeah, course. Um, give me a sec.” He bolted into his room like the place was on fire, muttering under his breath as he tore through drawers. Sweatshirt, shorts—safe options. Definitely safe.
When he came back, he was holding them out like they were some peace offering. “Here. These should work. The shorts have a drawstring, so they won’t fall off.”
Her cheeks heated as she took them. “Thanks.”
Moments later, she emerged again, swimming in his clothes. The sweatshirt hung past her thighs, the sleeves covering her hands, the shorts cinched tight at her waist but still far too big. She looked small. Comfortable. Unbearably adorable.
Daniel bit back a smile, rubbing the back of his neck, a blush taking over. “Well, guess you’ve officially joined the ‘wearing Ricciardo merch’ club.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, tugging at the hem. “They’re huge.”
“Or,” Daniel said, eyes twinkling, “you’re just tiny.”
She shot him a glare, but the corner of her mouth betrayed her with the smallest curve. Daniel’s chest tightened, because seeing her like that—in his clothes, in his home—felt like something he’d imagined one too many times. She looked like... his.
And when she brushed past him to curl up on the couch, leaving behind a faint trace of her shampoo, he thought, God help me. I’m so screwed.
🏁 pairing : Daniel Riccardo x Verstappen!Sister!Reader
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10
🏎️ summary: he was the honey badger with a grin that could silence storms, and she was max verstappen’s little sister—always there, always watching, never saying too much. they’d spent years orbiting each other, but after singapore'24 when daniel quietly stepped away from formula 1, everything shattered. now she’s left wondering if he was ever just a friend or the great love she let slip through her fingers without ever saying a word.
themes : fluff, flirting, angst, over protective brother, anxiety, emotional, slight smut in a few chapters, overshadowing, loneliness
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
chapter eight : patch ups and glistening eyes
The glass panes were trembling faintly as Max and Kelly’s flight lifted into the night sky. Y/N’s eyes followed the plane until it was nothing but a blinking speck in the distance, the reality of being alone crashing into her chest like a weight. She blinked quickly, but the tears still slipped down her cheeks—hot, betraying.
She wrapped her arms around herself, pulling her jacket tighter, like maybe it could shield her from how empty she suddenly felt.
Beside her, Daniel shifted his weight, nervous energy rolling off him. He glanced at her once, twice, chewing on his bottom lip. He didn’t say anything, but the sight of those tears broke him in a way words couldn’t touch.
Slowly, hesitantly, he stepped closer. For a second, he hovered, close enough that his warmth brushed her arm but not daring to reach further. His heart hammered as though asking for permission he hadn’t been given.
Then, wordlessly, he slipped an arm around her shoulders and tugged her against him.
Y/N stiffened, her breath catching, instinct pulling her away from the very comfort she craved. But Daniel’s hold was gentle, careful—like if she wanted to, she could step away and he’d let her go without a word.
The seconds stretched. Her shoulders trembled. The ache of missing Max and Kelly dug deep, twisting raw. And finally—finally—she let her forehead tip against Daniel’s chest, her hands still tight around herself, but her body no longer resisting.
Daniel exhaled shakily, resting his chin lightly against the crown of her head. He didn’t trust himself to speak. Not now. Not when the moment felt so fragile, like one wrong word could shatter it all.
Instead, he held her tighter. Just enough to tell her she wasn’t as alone as she thought.
And in the silence of the emptying terminal, Y/N let herself melt, if only for a moment, into the hug she swore she didn’t need.
-
Daniel jogged a little ahead, tugging his keys from his hoodie pocket, and pulled open the passenger door for her.
Y/N blinked at him, the smallest frown tugging her lips. “Since when do you do the whole gentleman car-door thing?”
Daniel gave a half-smile, a shrug that was both sheepish and defensive. “Since now, apparently. Just—get in, yeah?”
She slid in, her bag on her lap, still feeling that hug at the airport lingering like a ghost. Daniel rounded the car, slipped into the driver’s seat, and for a beat, silence stretched between them.
Then, at the exact same second, they both said:
“So, we should talk.”
They froze. And Daniel—nervous, restless Daniel—burst out laughing, the sound sharp but genuine, bouncing off the quiet of the car. Y/N didn’t laugh. She pressed her lips together, her fingers gripping her bag tighter. But her chest loosened, just a fraction, because maybe this didn’t have to be unbearable.
“Okay,” Daniel said once he’d caught his breath, turning toward her a little, still grinning. “At least we agree on one thing.”
“Yeah,” Y/N murmured, her eyes dropping to her lap. “That’s a start.”
Another silence. Not hostile this time, but heavy with everything unsaid.
Daniel swallowed, tapped the steering wheel once, then spoke softer. “Look… I don’t even know where to start with you. I feel like I’ve screwed it all up a hundred times over, and if I say the wrong thing now, you’ll just—” He broke off, shaking his head, jaw tight. “You’ll walk away for good.”
Her throat burned. She stared at him, really stared, and for once his smile wasn’t there to hide behind. He just looked raw. Scared.
“I don’t want to walk away,” she whispered. “But you made me feel like I wasn’t… enough. Like I was an option you could just… put on a shelf until you were ready.”
Daniel winced, leaning back in his seat like her words were a blow. “I know. God, I know. And it’s the last thing I ever wanted you to feel. I thought—” His hands flexed on the wheel. “I thought I was protecting you. From me. From my mess. But all I did was make it worse.”
Y/N’s chest ached. She shook her head, a bitter laugh slipping out. “You don’t get to decide what I need protecting from, Daniel. That’s not fair.”
He looked at her then, eyes wide and pained. “You’re right. You’re completely right. I was a coward. I told myself it was better to keep you at arm’s length than to risk losing you, but—” His voice cracked slightly. “Turns out I almost lost you anyway.”
Her lip trembled. She forced it still. “So what now, huh? You say all the right things, and I’m just supposed to forget?”
“No.” His answer was immediate, steady. “You don’t forget. I don’t want you to. I just… I want the chance to prove I can do better. That I can be better. For you.”
The air between them burned. Y/N’s fingers finally unclenched from her bag, her palms rubbing against the fabric of her jeans. She wasn’t melting—not like at the airport—but she wasn’t storming out either.
For the first time in a long while, they were sitting in the middle. Facing the mess. Facing each other.
Y/N let out a long breath. “Then don’t just say it, Daniel. Show me.”
Daniel’s smile was faint, broken at the edges, but real. “I will. I swear I will.”
The car felt smaller then, but not suffocating—more like the beginning of something that might, just maybe, be rebuilt.
-
Y/N adjusted her bag on her shoulder as she pushed through the revolving glass door of the hotel. She was going house hunting! Her office had given her a few options and she had a week to choose from them. She was already rehearsing polite landlord-smiles in her head when she froze for leaning casually against his car, hands shoved into his pockets, was Daniel.
“Are you serious?” she muttered under her breath.
He spotted her instantly and straightened, offering a small, tentative smile. “Hey Y/N.”
Before she could ask why the hell he was there, her phone buzzed. Max.
She answered with a sigh. “Max, I’m literally just—”
“Ja, I know,” Max cut in. “Listen, Daniel’s going with you.”
Her head snapped toward Daniel, who was suddenly very invested in the zipper of his hoodie while letting out a weak chuckle. “What? No, Max, I can do this by myself.”
“I’m not asking,” Max’s voice sharpened, the protective edge that always made her roll her eyes but never win against him. “You’re my little sister, schat. I don’t care how independent you think you are—new country, new people, new place. You need someone in your corner. You’re not arguing this.”
“Max—”
“Don’t push it schat,” he warned. “Daniel will go with you. That’s final. For my sake Y/N.”
Y/N pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering, “You are the most infuriating human alive.”
“And you love me for it. Bye, schat.” He hung up.
She shoved her phone back into her pocket and glared at Daniel. “Did you know about this?”
Daniel raised his hands in surrender. “I mean… Max might’ve called me this morning. Don’t be mad, alright? I’m just here to… y’know, help.”
“Help,” she echoed flatly.
He scratched the back of his neck, sheepish. “Yeah. Drive you around, maybe make sure you don’t end up in some dodgy place with moldy ceilings and creepy neighbours.”
Despite herself, she laughed a little. “Fine. But don’t act like you’re in charge.”
“Oh, no worries,” Daniel grinned as he opened the passenger door for her. “You’ll definitely boss me around. I’ve accepted my fate.”
At the first house, the landlord was an older man with thick glasses. After a short tour, he clasped his hands together and smiled warmly. “Such a lovely couple. You’ll be very happy here.”
Y/N choked. “Oh, no, we’re not—”
“Thank you, mate, the last week has just been so romantic,” Daniel cut her off with an easy smile, slipping his hand around hers so naturally she forgot to breathe. “We’ll think about it and let you know.”
Back in the car, Y/N yanked her hand away. “Why would you—why did you agree with him?”
Daniel grinned at the road. “Easier than correcting. Plus, you were about to trip over your words hun.”
“I was so not-” she argued. “Totally were,” he teased, eyes glinting.
At the second place, the landlady smiled the second she saw them. “Oh, you two! Newlyweds, I can tell. Look at how he holds your hand crossing the street, so sweet.”
Y/N’s jaw dropped. She hadn’t even noticed Daniel sliding his fingers through hers as they’d stepped off the curb.
She hissed once they were inside, “Seriously? Was that necessary?”
Daniel shrugged, trying to look casual but failing to hide his smirk. “Hey, busy street. Didn’t want you getting run over.”
“I know how to cross a road, Daniel.”
“Yeah, but what if a kangaroo showed up?” he deadpanned.
She groaned, but her cheeks were warm.
By the third place, it was almost comical. The young landlord beamed, offering them tea. “So, how long have you two been married?”
Y/N’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “We’re not—”
Daniel squeezed her fingers under the table before she could finish. “Feels like forever, mate. Just waking up and seeing her face, it's all so perfect”
She kicked him under the table, and he coughed into his hand to hide a laugh.
When they finally got back into the car, Y/N threw her bag onto the seat and glared at him. “You are impossible.”
Daniel put the car in gear, glancing at her with a lopsided grin. “Maybe. But you didn’t let go of my hand either.” He raised their still intertwined hands.
She opened her mouth, then shut it again, staring out the window with her heart pounding.
He drove, content in the silence, a small smile tugging at his lips every time her hand brushed against his on the center console.
i came across this on x today. what the actual fuck is wrong with people? this isn’t funny, this isn’t quirky, and it’s not showing loyalty or love for your driver.
not liking another driver is okay, but saying something so vile and disrespectful is absolutely unacceptable and frankly inhumane. how can you type something like this and look at yourself in the mirror?
fandoms are meant to be safe places to show appreciation and discuss opinions, not places for toxic fucking shit like this.
attached is the picture of the tweet which refers to the recent news about a shooting, pls proceeded with sensitivity.
🏁 pairing : Daniel Riccardo x Verstappen!Sister!Reader
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10
🏎️ summary: he was the honey badger with a grin that could silence storms, and she was max verstappen’s little sister—always there, always watching, never saying too much. they’d spent years orbiting each other, but after singapore'24 when daniel quietly stepped away from formula 1, everything shattered. now she’s left wondering if he was ever just a friend or the great love she let slip through her fingers without ever saying a word.
NOTE : IM THE WORST SORRY! I've been so swamped with work and studies, my writing has literally taken the biggest hate. as u all know I don't put something out until it's a 100%. idk if this is, but you'll decide!
themes : fluff, flirting, angst, over protective brother, anxiety, emotional, slight smut in a few chapters, overshadowing, loneliness
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
chapter seven : airport goodbyes
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains of the hotel room. Y/N sat cross-legged at the small table, her laptop open, a half-finished cup of coffee beside her. Max and Kelly were already halfway through breakfast when she closed the call with her manager.
Y/N sighed, rubbing her temples. “So… that was Eloise. She wants me to take on this new project in Australia. Four months.”
Max looked up from his plate. “Australia? That’s huge, zusje! What’s the project?”
“She says it’s a special expansion deal. New structures, fresh designs, and apparently, I’ve got the right mix of experience and… whatever else.” Y/N waved her hand vaguely. “She made it sound like a big deal.”
Kelly leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm. “It is a big deal. And she’s right — you’re brilliant at this. Four months could open massive doors for you. Promotions, new contacts. This is the kind of thing people dream about.”
Y/N bit her lip. “Yeah, but… I don’t know. It’s far. And it feels like everything’s already… messy. I mean Daniel is here and regardless of what I do I need to face him one way or another.”
Max tilted his head, studying her. “Y/N be so fucking for real please. Messy or not, you can’t let personal stuff get in the way of your career. You’ve worked too hard schat. If you hate it, come right back. But you have to at least try”
“Max is right,” Kelly chimed in softly. “You deserve this. And besides, four months isn’t forever. You’ll still have us and everyone back home.”
Before Y/N could answer, the sound of small footsteps pattered against the carpet. Penelope shuffled out of the bed, rubbing her eyes, hair sticking up in every direction.
“Bubba?” she mumbled, her gaze landing on Y/N. “What’s happening?”
Y/N forced a smile. “Hey, sweetheart. Nothing big. We were just talking about work.”
But Penelope caught onto more than she should have. Her little face scrunched up, and she walked straight over, climbing into Y/N’s lap. “You’re leaving.”
Y/N froze. “No, no, baby, not like that—”
Penelope’s lip trembled as tears welled in her eyes. “Don’t go! I don’t want you to go.” She wrapped her arms tightly around Y/N’s neck, clinging like a koala.
Kelly reached over gently. “Pen,baby, it’s just work. It doesn’t mean Y/N won’t be back.”
Max gave a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. “You know Y/N could never stay away from us that long. Especially from you.”
But Penelope buried her face into Y/N’s shoulder, muffled sobs shaking her small body. “You’re my bestest,” she whispered, voice broken.
Y/N blinked rapidly, fighting tears of her own as she hugged Penelope tighter. “Oh, Pen… you’re my bestest too. I’m not going anywhere right now, okay?”
Kelly met Max’s eyes over the table, both of them softening.
Max leaned back with a quiet sigh. “Looks like someone has already decided for you.”
Y/N managed a watery laugh, stroking Penelope’s hair. “Yeah… looks like it.”
-
Tucked into a corner of Melbourne, the cafe was calm. The morning rush already gone. Max stirred his espresso lazily, watching the steam curl upward. Across from him, Daniel leaned back in his chair, hat pulled low, sunglasses still on despite being indoors — classic Daniel camouflage.
For a while, they talked about racing, the track, little bits of gossip from the paddock. Easy, light. But as the conversation drifted, Daniel went quiet, his smile slipping when Y/N’s name came up in passing. Max noticed immediately.
He leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. “You know, mate… you don’t do a great job of hiding it.”
Daniel lifted his head slightly, defensive but curious. “Hiding what?”
Max arched a brow. “Come on, Daniel. Y/N. What you think I don't know?”
Daniel’s mouth pressed into a thin line. He looked away, suddenly fascinated with the spoon beside his coffee. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Max gave a short laugh, but it wasn’t mocking. It was warm, brotherly. “Yeah, you do. You’ve been quiet the second her name dropped. That’s not like you.”
Daniel didn’t answer. He just kept his gaze down, jaw tightening.
Max softened, his voice dropping. “Listen, man. I"m going to tell you something but she might kill me when she finds out. Y/N might move here for four months. Work project. Big deal, apparently.”
That made Daniel’s head snap up, eyes widening under the shadow of his cap. “Four months? Here? In Australia?”
“Yeah,” Max nodded, watching him carefully. “She told me and Kelly this morning. She’s… hesitant. But Eloise, her manager, thinks it’s massive for her career. A promotion could be waiting on the other side if it goes well.”
Daniel sat back, but there was no relaxation in it. He swallowed hard, as if trying to process it all. “And she’d… she’d be here, in Melbourne?”
Max shrugged. “Probably between here and Sydney, depending on the project sites. You look like someone just dropped a bomb on you which technically I did. But I thought you didn't know what I was talking about??” He smirked as Daniel blushed.
Daniel rubbed his face, groaning quietly. “Because… I don’t know, Max. She deserves everything. But the idea of her being here, and me…” He trailed off, shaking his head.
Max leaned in again, voice firm but gentle. “Listen, mate. With all due respect, this is not about you in the slightest. I know things are tough. Whatever happened between you two? It’s not my business. I’m not here to dig. But I need you to hear me.”
Daniel’s eyes flicked up, wary but listening.
“She’s my baby sister,” Max continued, steady. “My rock. Through everything o the mess, the pressure, the noise , she’s the one that’s kept me steady. And I can’t be everywhere at once, especially with the season starting. So if she’s here… I need to know someone’s got her back.”
Daniel’s chest rose and fell, something heavy pressing on him. “Max…”
“I’m not saying babysit her,” Max cut in, smiling faintly. “Y/N doesn’t need that. She’s stronger than both of us combined most days. But she’s also… she gives everything. To everyone. And sometimes, she forgets she deserves the same back. You get me?”
Daniel’s throat worked as he swallowed again, his voice rough. “Yeah. I get you.”
Max reached across the table, nudging Daniel’s cup with his finger, his tone lighter but still loaded with meaning. “Then take care of her, mate. If she ends up here, just… be someone she can lean on. That’s all I ask.”
For a moment, Daniel just stared at him, blinking rapidly like he was trying to keep something in check. Finally, he let out a shaky laugh. “Bloody hell, Verstappen. You make it sound like I’m about to marry her off or something.”
Max smirked. “Relax, I’m not giving you my blessing yet. Just… my trust.” His gaze softened, almost brotherly. “Don’t break it.”
Daniel nodded slowly, the weight of the words settling over him. “I won’t. Promise.”
And for the first time in weeks, Max saw something flicker back into Daniel’s eyes — not just the mask of the joker, but a quiet determination that told him his sister would be safe.
-
Y/N’s fingers curled tight around the steering wheel as she parked by the departures lane, the hum of the airport all around them. Her chest felt heavy. Max and Kelly leaving meant this new chapter in Australia was suddenly very, very real. And very very scary.
Kelly leaned across the back seat and squeezed her shoulder.
“You’re going to do amazing, you know that right? This project is huge, bebe. You deserve it.”
Y/N smiled faintly, forcing lightness into her voice.
“Yeah, I just… can’t believe you’re actually leaving me here.”
Kelly laughed softly. “You’ll be fine. Probably better than fine. But don’t forget you have us on speed dial.” Max, however, hadn’t moved yet. He unbuckled slowly, then turned to Y/N. “Come here, schat.”
She frowned but leaned over. He pulled her into a hug so firm it made her ribs ache. She buried her face into his shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne and aftershave.
Max’s voice was low, almost stern, when he spoke. “You are independent. That’s lovely. That’s great. But this is a new place. This isn’t Monaco, it isn’t our home. You can’t just walk around thinking you don’t need anyone, Y/N.”
Y/N pulled back a little, rolling her eyes. “Max, I’ll be fine. Don’t start. Cmon-”
His expression hardened. He tightened his grip on her arms, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “No. Listen to me. You always do this—you push people away and say you’re fine. I don't care if you think you don't need anyone. I know you do. You’re my baby sister. I need to know someone is in your corner when I can’t be here.”
Y/N blinked at him, irritation rising in her chest. “I am fine. I don’t need—”
“Y/N.” His tone cut through her words like a blade. Stern. Commanding. It was the same tone he used when he was leading a race and the radio tried to distract him—unyielding, immovable.
“You do need someone. You’re not alone, not here. And I won’t let you pretend you are.”
Confused, Y/N frowned. “Max, what are you even—”
“Look.” He gently turned her by the shoulders.
Her eyes followed where he pointed, and her stomach dropped.
Across the pavement, leaning against a column, was Daniel. Sage green hoodie, hands shoved into his pockets, that nervous little smile tugging at his lips. He lifted a hand in a small wave, almost hesitant.
Y/N whipped back around to Max, eyes wide. “What the fuck, Max?!”
Max didn’t flinch. His jaw set, his blue eyes as unrelenting as ever. “Don’t use that tone with me schat. Mama asked me to take care of you. I discussed this with her too. Before you chew him out, I asked him to come. Because like it or not, you need someone. Someone who actually cares, even if you two are too stubborn to admit it.”
Her mouth opened, but Max cut her off, voice sharp.
“You don’t get to argue with me on this. I’ve seen you these past days—walking around with that fake smile, pretending everything’s fine. But I know you. I know when you’re hurting. And Daniel—he may not be perfect, but he’s here, he showed up.”
Y/N’s throat tightened. “Max, you can’t just—”
“Yes, I can.” His words were final, unwavering. He leaned closer, lowering his voice but not his intensity. “You are my little sister. You don’t get to stand here and act like you don’t matter enough for people to stand by you. So swallow your pride for once and stop shutting him out. Because I won’t be here to drag you out of your own head. He will.”
Y/N felt her chest burn, torn between fury and the ache behind her ribs. She glanced over her shoulder again—Daniel, still standing there, still waiting, his nervous smile now faltering into something softer, almost tentative.
She spun back to Max, whisper-shouting, “I can’t believe you did this.”
Max only arched a brow, pressing a kiss to the top of her head like he used to when she was a child. “You’ll thank me later schat.”
🏁 pairing : Daniel Riccardo x Verstappen!Sister!Reader
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10
🏎️ summary: he was the honey badger with a grin that could silence storms, and she was max verstappen’s little sister—always there, always watching, never saying too much. they’d spent years orbiting each other, but after singapore'24 when daniel quietly stepped away from formula 1, everything shattered. now she’s left wondering if he was ever just a friend or the great love she let slip through her fingers without ever saying a word.
NOTE : sorry for no updates my lovelies, a recent message from one of you guys motivated me to upload the next chapter cause it's unacceptable that I left you guys hanging for so long :( wont happen again <3
themes : fluff, flirting, angst, over protective brother, anxiety, emotional, slight smut in a few chapters, overshadowing, loneliness
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
chapter six : where do broken hearts go
The air between them buzzed with the weight of all she had said. Daniel blinked, stunned, still watching her. His mouth opened like he wanted to speak but he hesitated.
Y/N’s head had dipped, shoulders trembling as silent tears slipped past her cheeks. Her breathing was uneven now, more shallow, like holding it in had become too much.
“I didn’t know…” Daniel said finally, his voice rough. “I didn’t know it meant that much to you. I thought you were just..just being kind. I didn’t want to take more from you. I didn’t want to ask--”
“Don’t,” she muttered, voice hoarse. Her hands had curled into fists at her sides.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt you,” he continued, desperate now. “I thought I was protecting you. From me. From everything. I didn’t want you to get caught in the fallout of--”
She looked up sharply, her eyes burning, her accent slipping out so naturally, so furious it made the word land like a slap.
“Bullshit.”
Daniel flinched.
“You didn’t protect me,” she spat. “You erased me. You made decisions for me. You put me in your silence like I was something to be ashamed of .... something disposable.”
“I never thought that--”
“Then why did you act like it?” Her voice broke again, louder this time. “Why did you fucking leave? Why did you stay gone?! Nothing stopped you from running back, reaching out, fucking apologising.”
Daniel blinked hard, his own eyes glossy now. “I didn’t think I deserved you.”
Y/N let out a bitter laugh. One that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Shut the fuck up Daniel. I was better when you weren’t in my life, Dan.”
Her voice was flat now. But her chest was still heaving.
“I was better, goddammit.” Her dutch accent was slipping making every curse hit harder like a dagger to Daniel's heart.
Daniel shook his head, a helpless tremble in his jaw. “Y/N, don’t—fuck, I know we fought, I know I messed up, but please—don’t say that. Don’t tell me that.”
“Why the fuck not, Dan?!” she snapped, suddenly loud again. “Why not? Isn’t it the truth? You left. You moved on. And now you’re back and I’m—what? Supposed to pretend none of it happened?”
She took a deep breath and exhaled like it hurt.
“I’m done with this,” she whispered.
“Y/N, please—”
“I’m sorry for wasting your time,” she said, her voice fragile but final. “And for ruining your night.”
Her thumb moved.
And just like that—
Call Ended.
The screen went black.
And Daniel was left staring at his own reflection, whispering her name into a silence that didn’t answer back.
-
He sat on the edge of his bed, still in the same hoodie he’d been wearing when she called. The room felt too big, too empty, and the light from his phone screen kept burning into his vision even though it was black now. Call ended. No missed calls. No new texts.
Across the world -well, across the city- Y/N sat at the foot of her hotel bed, her hands pressed to her face. She hadn’t bothered turning the lights on, letting Melbourne’s street glow spill through the curtains. Her phone was still in her lap, screen dark, but she swore she could still hear his voice. That sharp “Y/N, please.”
She was lost, so intensely lost in her own thoughts.
Daniel leaned forward, elbows on his knees, raking his hands through his hair. He’d been so sure (so sure!!) that night in Singapore had been her blindsiding him. That she’d stood there, poking at his already cracked pride. That she’d meant to push him away. But now…
Now he was replaying it differently.
Her eyes, nervous but warm, the way her voice had been soft when she’d first suggested Cadillac. The fact that she had stayed. Stayed in that sticky, humid night when most would’ve just let him walk off.
He saw it all again—and hated the way his chest ached. He had lost her. He fucking self sabotaged. He left knowing full well he could hear her tears and silent gasps,
Y/N pulled her knees up to her chest on the bed, chin resting on them. Her mind was a floodgate now that the call was over.
Daniel laughing on the pit wall during a rain delay.
Danny balancing two coffee cups in one hand, grinning like he’d won a world championship just finding her almond croissant.
Dan's voice late at night when everyone else had gone, low and warm, telling her she was one of the few people who made this whole circus bearable.
She blinked hard, forcing the tears back.
She wouldn’t let him make her cry again. But she was failing. She missed him, more than anything in the world. He was making her cry again but this time she was the one who initiated it.
Daniel finally pushed himself up, walking over to the window. Melbourne’s skyline glittered, indifferent. His reflection in the glass looked tired, older somehow. He remembered the way she’d looked at him the last time they’d been good—before Singapore—like she saw him and liked what she saw.
She was his best fucking friend. His confidant. His... everything. The feels he harboured for her, she would never know. All she would know is the pain he caused her. That is it.
He rubbed a hand over his jaw.
Now she looked at him like he was just another driver who’d passed her in the paddock. Except he wasn't even in the paddock anymore. He was just on the outside looking in.
Y/N stood to plug in her phone, avoiding looking at the background photo she’d never changed: her, Max, and Daniel on a yacht in Monaco, all sunburnt smiles. She should change it. {She wouldn’t.}
Daniel set his phone on the nightstand ,charging it, like if he kept the battery alive longer, she might text.
two beds.
two rooms.
two people lying awake with the same memories.
just different wounds.
🏁 pairing : Daniel Riccardo x Verstappen!Sister!Reader
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10
🏎️ summary: he was the honey badger with a grin that could silence storms, and she was max verstappen’s little sister—always there, always watching, never saying too much. they’d spent years orbiting each other, but after singapore'24 when daniel quietly stepped away from formula 1, everything shattered. now she’s left wondering if he was ever just a friend or the great love she let slip through her fingers without ever saying a word.
NOTE : sorry for no updates my lovelies, a recent message from one of you guys motivated me to upload the next chapter cause it's unacceptable that I left you guys hanging for so long :( wont happen again <3
themes : fluff, flirting, angst, over protective brother, anxiety, emotional, slight smut in a few chapters, overshadowing, loneliness
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
chapter five : the world is crashing down
The memory video played a few more times as Daniel sat on the edge of his couch in apartment, one elbow resting on his knee, the other hand clenched around his phone like it was the only thing tethering him to Earth. He was still watching the slideshow of his pictures with Y/N. Again and again.
The slow-motion reel of blurry memories Y/N’s phone had stitched together now lived on a loop in his Photos app. A cruel, beautiful mosaic of everything they were before his own goddamn fear turned him into a coward. The video clip of Daniel grabbing Y/N and tossing her into the pool made him feel sick. He couldn't even recognise himself anymore.
He didn’t know what it meant. Why she sent it. Whether it was by mistake or some passive olive branch. But the second he saw it in his inbox, unprompted, just with the text she meant to send Kelly—he felt it in his spine, his bones and his heart.
She missed him. Maybe not in a way she’d admit. Maybe not in a way that forgave him yet. But something in her still saw him. And that was enough.
“Fucking hell,” he whispered under his breath, raking a hand through his curls. He stared at her contact name, thumbs hovering.
Then he started typing.
Daniel Ricciardo:
“Y/N. That memory. I haven’t stopped watching it.”
Backspace. That sounded desperate.
He tried again.
Daniel Ricciardo:
“Guess the algorithm has better timing than I ever did.”
“Can we talk?”
“Please?”
“Whatever it is… I’ll listen. I swear I will this time.”
He waited. No reply. He looked again.
Not Delivered.
“What the fuc—?” he muttered, sitting up straighter. He sent another message.
Daniel Ricciardo:
“Y/N?”
Still undelivered.
His stomach sank.
“Airplane mode,” he realized aloud, letting out a dry, humorless laugh. “Classic Y/N. Run away the second things get hard.” He rubbed at his jaw, still staring at the little red exclamation marks beside his texts.
“Fine. I’ll wait,” he whispered, but he didn’t stop staring at the screen. He couldn’t.
Elsewhere, 1:07 a.m.
Y/N hadn’t moved from the bed.
She'd been sitting cross-legged with a blanket wrapped around her, laptop open but screen dark. Her phone lay beside her now, mocking her in its eerie silence.
What the fuck was happening? In a matter of hours all the hard work she had put into moving on and being okay had gone down the drain. Not only had she physically has a spat with Daniel she had now texted him with the video that made her look fucking ridiculous.
She’d gone the last few hours pretending she didn’t care. She played music. Filed receipts. Lit a candle like that would fix anything.
But the longer she ignored it, the louder her curiosity became.
She exhaled, picked up the phone, and swiped up to turn off airplane mode.
It blinked once. Then flooded with a series of "pings".
Buzz.
1 New Message from Daniel Ricciardo
Buzz.
1 New Message from Daniel Ricciardo
Buzz.
1 New Message from Daniel Ricciardo
“Oh my god,” she whispered.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened them.
Daniel Ricciardo:
“Guess the algorithm has better timing than I ever did.”
“Can we talk?”
“Please?”
“Whatever it is… I’ll listen. I swear I will this time.”
Y/N blinked. Her chest did that aching-crack-open thing again.
She quickly hit the side button—intending to screenshot and send it to Kelly with a thousand exclamation marks and a WHAT DO I DO?!
But her thumb slipped.
And instead of screenshotting—
The screen turned green.
FaceTime Calling: Daniel Ricciardo…
“NO—OHMYGOD—wat de fuck gebeurt er in mijn leven! (what the fuck is happening in my life!)” she squeaked, yanking her phone away from her face, pressing random buttons in a panic. But before she could even think of hanging up—
The call connected.
And Daniel’s face filled her screen in dim warm lighting, eyes wide and so present, voice cracking softly as he said—
“Hi, hun.” Y/N wanted to fucking punch the tan Aussie man through the screen.
-
Y/N stared at the screen in horror. His face—his face—was right there. Warm eyes and that tiny wrinkle between his brows when he was trying to be careful.
Everything inside her felt like it was crawling, trying to escape. She gripped the phone like it might explode.
“This was a mistake, Ricciardo,” she said, voice clipped and shaking. “I’m hanging up now.”
She reached for the red button. But then Daniel spoke.
“Running away never fixed anything, Y/N,” he said quietly, and the weight of his voice made her fingers pause. “Please.”
Silence.
She looked down and away, jaw tight, breath shaky. Her thumb hovered. Daniel saw it.
He exhaled slowly and leaned in, his voice no longer soft—just steady, real.
“Why do you always do that?” he said, not unkindly. “Why do you disappear the second things get messy? Why won’t you just stay, for once? Why won’t you let yourself talk to me? I mean we used to be friends Y/N. Actual genuine friends.”
Her lip trembled.
“You sent that memory,” he added. “You sent it, Y/N. So don’t act like none of it meant anything. Don’t act like I didn’t mean anything to you. That you didn't care about me. I guess you're some bight who's just closed herself off and is too good for old friends like me now—”
She snapped.
The screen shook as she yelled.
“HOW DARE YOU—”
Daniel didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. He just watched her.
“How dare you fucking accuse me of running,” her voice cracked, “when I was the only one still standing there the night you walked away!”
Her breaths came fast, her whole body tense with the force of everything she had buried.
“I was there, Daniel. I was always fucking there. I was there when you and Max crashed. I was there when you won a race. I was there when McLaren dropped you. I sat with you when you couldn’t even look at yourself, I stayed when it wasn’t my job to. I comforted you when you pushed me away, when you pretended none of this hurt you—like it didn’t fucking gut me too!”
Tears blurred her vision now, but she didn’t stop.
“You don’t get to stand there and throw your own guilt at me. You don’t get to ask why I’m scared—when you were the one who made me feel like I was nothing more than convenience.”
Her voice wavered, then cracked completely, tears now flowing freely.
“I held it together for you. I kept showing up for you even when it broke me a little more every time you brushed me off like I was just—just a fucking placeholder in your life.”
Daniel opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
“I was your friend,” she whispered. “Your fucking friend. And I wanted nothing more than for you to be okay. Even if it meant I had to stitch my own heart back together every time you looked at me like I was just there.”
The tears came then. Not dramatic, not loud. Just quietly real. She wiped her face once, shaking.
“So don’t ever tell me I didn’t care. Because I did. And the only reason I am the way I am is because of YOU. And I’ve spent months trying to forget the way it felt to be nothing to someone who was everything to me.”
She exhaled sharply and shut her eyes.
And on the other end of the line, Daniel still hadn’t said a word.
His chest was tight. His throat ached.
And for the first time in forever, he realized—he didn’t know her pain at all.
🏁 pairing : Daniel Riccardo x Verstappen!Sister!Reader
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10
🏎️ summary: he was the honey badger with a grin that could silence storms, and she was max verstappen’s little sister—always there, always watching, never saying too much. they’d spent years orbiting each other, but after singapore'24 when daniel quietly stepped away from formula 1, everything shattered. now she’s left wondering if he was ever just a friend or the great love she let slip through her fingers without ever saying a word.
themes : fluff, flirting, angst, over protective brother, anxiety, emotional, slight smut in a few chapters, overshadowing, loneliness
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
chapter four: nonchalant tears
The evening breeze hummed softly through the open patio of the restaurant. Strings of yellow lights hung overhead, twinkling against the navy sky. The table for four was nestled in a quiet corner — just the way Kelly liked it.
Max was slicing into his steak, Kelly delicately twirling her pasta, and Y/N was keeping Penelope distracted with a kids' colouring menu and three broken crayons. Everything was normal. Almost.
“So then,” Penelope chirped, breaking the calm as she leaned across the table to Kelly, “we saw Danny!”
Y/N's fork froze midair.
Max looked up instantly.
“Daniel?” he repeated, eyes darting to his sister. Kelly blinked. “Where baby? Where did you see him?”
Penelope beamed. “At the café! I ran to him and hugged his leg! And he picked me up and spun me and I made him sit with us! Because obviously! and - and - uhhh oh yeah! That's it”
Y/N forced a smile and carefully resumed cutting her grilled chicken. “Yeah. Briefly. We bumped into him by accident.”
Max tilted his head slowly, chewing with a slightly furrowed brow. “You didn’t mention that.”
Y/N shrugged. “Didn’t seem important Maximus.”
Kelly exchanged a quick look with Max before gently setting her fork down. “What was it like? Seeing him again Y/N? I mean last time you guys spoke, needless to say it was messy.”
“It was fine Kel,” Y/N said, tone airlight. She reached for her water. “Bit awkward. Nothing dramatic really.”
Penelope, ever the chaos agent, kicked her legs under the table and added, “They were fighting about the money! Y/N wanted to pay but Danny kept pushing her and she said, ‘Don’t touch me,’ and then she looked sooo mad, and Danny looked so confused—”
“Okay, Penny, that’s enough,” Y/N said, laughing softly but pressing her napkin into her lap a little too firmly.
Max stared at her. “You fought with him?” he asked, his voice calmer than it looked like it cost him. “No,” Y/N said breezily. “It wasn’t a fight. It was just—he offered, I refused. It escalated. It’s fine really.”
Max sat back, chewing on that. Kelly leaned forward slightly. “Y/N… it’s okay to be upset.” “I’m not upset,” she replied too quickly. Kelly didn’t push. But Max did. He gave her a long look, then exhaled and said, “Lieve zusje, don’t do that.”
Y/N blinked, startled by the soft Dutch nickname. “I’m not doing anything Max. I'm fine. Everything is fine.” she said.
“You are,” he said. “You’re pretending again. Like Singapore didn’t rip you up inside.” She didn’t look up. Her heart had stopped, the lump in her throat grew heavier as every second passed.
Max continued, quieter now. “You came to out hotel room that night and cried so hard you couldn’t breathe. And now you're sitting here like he’s some stranger you bumped into on the street.”
“I have to sit here like that, Max,” Y/N finally said, voice low and sharp. “Because I did everything right and it still wasn’t enough. So I’m done trying.”
Kelly reached across the table, gently brushing Y/N’s wrist. “You’re allowed to be hurt, honey. You don’t have to pretend.”
Y/N glanced at her, then back at her plate. She silently grabbed Kelly's hand and took a gentle breath.
Penelope, now fiddling with her lemonade straw, looked up at Max. “Is Danny in trouble Maxie?” “No, schatje,” Max said, tousling her hair gently. “Just… adult stuff.”Y/N let out a breath and forced a smile toward the child. “No trouble. Just old friends figuring things out.”
But Max saw it—the slight tremble in her lip she quickly covered with a sip of water. The tightness in her jaw. He wasn’t fooled. Neither was Kelly.
And across town, Daniel Ricciardo still hadn’t slept.
-
After dinner Y/N made her way back to her room in the hotel. She settled into comfy PJs after a fresh shower. She snapped open her laptop in order to finish more work. The blue glow of Y/N’s laptop screen and the low clatter of her fingers racing across the keyboard was the current sight.
Draft plans, vendor emails, interior lighting revisions—she welcomed every bit of it like armour, like distraction. Anything but stillness. Stillness let her think. And thinking? Thinking meant feeling.
She hadn’t so much as blinked since she got back from the café earlier that day. A small Post-it on her screen read in her handwriting:
“You’re too busy to bleed.”
She meant it.
A sigh slipped out as she closed one PDF and opened another. Her phone buzzed from somewhere under her desk clutter, but she didn’t bother checking. Probably another logistics update. Or Penelope’s sixth FaceTime attempt to show her a lizard she’d found in the hotel hallway.
But then her laptop began glitching—not technically, but emotionally.
The screen dimmed slightly as her iPhone buzzed again—this time in that soft, sentimental Photos tone. Curious and half distracted, Y/N reached for it.
A Memory had generated. The title appeared in cursive at the top of her screen. “Danny Boy Since 2016.” Her heart stopped. Then twisted. What the actual fuck.
The screen filled with a collage of blurred candids, laughing selfies, pit lane snaps, blurry 3 a.m. diners, a video of her screaming at him for nearly crashing a scooter in Monaco, a clip of him throwing popcorn at her on a couch during a horror movie. A photo of him and Max dozing off on her old apartment floor. A slow-mo of him catching her when she’d run at him in celebration after some pointless simulator win.
God.
Her chest caved in.
It hurt. It hurt so much she thought her heart was collapsing.
She blinked fast, shaking her head like it would make the pain spill out through her ears. The moment she saw the photo options, she panicked. Needed to get rid of it. Bury it under trash or text messages or literally anything else. She swiped, hit the share icon, and before her brain could keep up with her thumbs, she selected the first contact that popped up:
Kelly. She assumed. Typing out a quick "what the fuck is in the air today? look what my phone did kel."
Hit send.
The moment it flew off, she gasped—realizing the name wasn’t Kelly.
It was Daniel.
Daniel Ricciardo.
No. No no no no— FUCK NO PLEASE NO.
“Oh, my god.” she whispered, shooting up from her bed, nearly knocking over a half-drunk tea
She opened the message.
The entire memory.
Sent.
Not to Kelly.
But to the guy who ripped her heart out.
Just a digital coffin of everything she'd been trying to outrun. She froze, eyes wide, thumb hovering over the unsend option—
Too late. Sent turned into Read and that turned into the typing bubble.
And then:
Daniel Ricciardo:
“Guess u missed me after all, hun?”
Then another.
Daniel Ricciardo:
“Y/N. Pls respond. We need to talk.”
Her phone nearly slipped from her grip.
“Fucking hell.” she gasped, shock clinging to her features as she tried to make sense of what just happened.
Her breathing became shallow. The room was spinning. Her carefully compartmentalized world was cracking at the edges.
Her phone buzzed again.
Daniel Ricciardo is typing…
Y/N hit airplane mode. Instantly. Threw the phone onto the couch like it had just lit on fire.
“No. Nope. Nope. Not doing this. Not tonight.”
Her voice trembled but her tone was steel.
She ran a shaky hand through her hair, chest rising and falling too fast. She sat back down, trying to pull up the project specs again—but all she could see was his grin. His hand in hers. His damn laugh.
And her name in his mouth.
"Y/N. Please respond." is the only thing in her mind,
