Steady as the Tide
Daniel Ricciardo x Reader
Word count: 4024 Quick Note: Hello everyone, this is my first ever fan fic that was based on a dream I had a few nights ago. I couldn’t get it out of my head so I thought it would be a cute/heartwarming story to share :). Please enjoy!
These are the drippy sand pillars/towers I am referencing
The ocean stretched out before me, calm and endless, the tide far out, leaving smooth patches of sand glowing under the sun. From my spot by the window, I could see him on the beach below, pacing back and forth along the shore. Every so often, he’d pause, crouching down to make those little drippy sand pillars he always liked, letting the wet sand ooze between his fingers and stack into tiny, delicate towers.
I sighed softly, watching him for a moment longer. His shoulders were tense, his movements restless. I wanted to go down to him, to hold him and tell him everything would be alright. But instead, I stayed in the quiet of the room, the letter in my lap waiting for the words I wasn’t sure how to write.
My love, I began, pressing the pen to the page, I’m watching you from up here, and it breaks my heart to see you hurting like this. The ocean is so calm, but I know that inside, you’re feeling anything but.
He stopped again, letting the sand drip through his fingers as he built another little tower, then stood and wiped his hands on his pants, pacing once more. I wanted to say the right thing, to find words that would take away his pain, but nothing felt like enough. Still, I kept writing.
I know how much you loved racing; how hard you’ve worked for everything. Losing your seat... I can’t even imagine how that feels. But I want you to know that it doesn’t change who you are.
I glanced back at him, still pacing, his head hanging low. I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued to write.
You’re still the person I fell in love with, the one who pours his heart into everything he does, who dreams bigger than anyone I know. Nothing can take that away from you.
The waves gently crashed against the shore, as he paused again, this time staring out at the horizon. I closed my eyes for a moment, then wrote the words I needed him to hear.
No matter what happens next, I’m here. We’ll face this together, just like we always have.
My thoughts were too scattered to finish it right now. I folded the letter carefully, slipping it between the pages of my journal. I stood and stretched, deciding it was time to go to him. Maybe being there with him sitting together under the sun would bring some comfort. Leaving my shoes behind I stepped outside barefoot, feeling the warm concrete of the path beneath my feet as I made my way around the side of the house. The bulkhead stairs leading down to the beach loomed ahead, weathered by the salty air and the mighty sea.
I slowed as I approached the stairs, careful with my steps. There was no railing to hold onto, and slick patches of seaweed clung to the edges from the last high tide. The cool, slimy surface of the stairs chilled my feet as I moved down, my toes gripping each step to avoid slipping.
When I finally reached the bottom, the soft, warm sand greeted me, but something was wrong. The beach was empty.
I stopped, confusion settling in as I looked around. Only the little sand pillars remained, fragile and delicate, standing in the spots where he had been just moments before. He was gone.
“Danny?”, but there was no response, just the gentle sound of the waves rolling in, indifferent to the ache rising in my chest. The only signs of him were the sand towers, small and silent, like echoes of his presence along with his footprints.
I stood there on the beach for what felt like forever, staring out at the empty shoreline, hoping he would appear, but he didn’t. A sinking feeling tugged at my chest, and I quickly pulled out my phone. My fingers moved faster than my thoughts as I dialed his number, holding my breath, waiting for the familiar sound of his voice.
But the call went straight to voicemail.
I tried again, my heart pounding a little harder, but it was the same. The texts I sent didn’t deliver either. He must have turned his phone off.
Panic began to set in, and I left a voicemail, my voice shaking as I spoke. “Please call or text me when you get this. I’m worried about you. I don’t know where you are... just let me know you’re okay.”
I hung up and turned toward the house, moving quickly, the sand slipping beneath my bare feet as I headed back up the stairs carefully as to not slip. Maybe he’d come back inside without me noticing. Maybe he’d slipped in through the sliding door while I was distracted.
I stepped inside and called his name, but the house was quiet. Too quiet. I moved through each room, checking every corner, every familiar spot where he might have gone, but there wasn’t a trace of him.
When I reached the entryway, something caught my eye. The only thing out of place—his shoes. They were gone, just like he was.
I couldn’t just wait here any longer. My heart pounded, and my thoughts raced, jumping to the worst scenarios. The empty house only made everything feel heavier. I hurriedly put on my shoes, but when I reached for the car keys, they weren’t there. My stomach dropped. He must’ve taken the Bronco.
Town was only a few miles away. If he had gone there, I could walk. I had to find him.
I grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen, then paused for a moment at the front door. The light outside had shifted, the soft glow of the afternoon sun starting to dip lower toward the horizon. Shadows were stretching longer across the yard. I locked the door behind me, stepping out into the cooling evening air.
As I walked through the gate and started down the familiar path, the sky was tinged with the colors of dusk, the sun sinking slowly into the ocean. The day was fading, but I couldn’t let that slow me down. With each step, my mind raced faster, but I pushed forward, determined to find him before the night swallowed the last bit of light.
By the time I reached the outskirts of town, the sun had fully set, leaving just a faint glow in the sky. The air had cooled, and the familiar streets were wrapped in the twilight I’d known since I was young. This town had always been a safe place for me, but tonight, it felt different—empty and uncertain, like it was holding its breath.
I started my search, moving through parking lots and checking the familiar shops we frequented when visiting. I showed his picture to anyone who would look, but every answer was the same—no one had seen him. My hope wavered as the sky grew darker, and I quickened my pace, scanning the streets, feeling the weight of each passing moment.
As I neared the edge of town, I checked the last few shops, trying to hold onto any thread of hope. But still, there was no sign of him. I was just about to give up when I turned the corner behind the last building, and there it was—a familiar black Bronco idling in the back of the parking lot. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I froze.
The door opened, and there he was—his familiar curls catching the last bit of light from the streetlamp. I could hardly believe it. "Danny!" I yelled, a mix of panic and relief rushing through me.
He turned, and when he saw me, he broke into a smile. Before I knew it, I was running toward him, my feet moving on their own. I leaped into his arms, wrapping myself around him burying my face in the crook of his neck, feeling the steady warmth of him beneath me. His laughter filled the space between us, he always tried to put a brave face for me, but I was too overwhelmed to speak. For now, just being there, with him, was all that mattered.
As I held onto him, his arms wrapped tightly around me, I could feel the steady rhythm of his breathing, warm and reassuring. His grip was firm, pulling me close as if he never wanted to let go. The second he enveloped me in his arms, I felt the dam inside me break. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I buried my face against his chest, letting the overwhelming relief wash over me.
“I’m sorry,” he began, his voice soft. “I just needed to—”
But I didn’t let him finish. I pulled my head back and kissed him, cutting him off before he could explain any further. I didn’t need to hear his reasons—not now. His arms tightened around me as I kissed him again, my lips pressing against his in a desperate attempt to erase the fear and panic I’d been carrying. My tears mixed with the kisses, and he held me closer with every touch.
“Don’t ever do that again,” I whispered between kisses, my voice breaking as a tear slipped down my cheek. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his forehead resting against mine. “I won’t. I promise. I didn’t mean to make you worry.” He wiped a tear from my face, his voice full of regret. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you. I wasn’t thinking.”
But the tears kept coming, and all I could do was kiss him again, not wanting to let go. “Just… don’t ever do that again.”
“I won’t,” he repeated, his voice full of guilt. “I’m sorry. I’ll never do that again. I promise. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
His arms stayed wrapped around me as the apologies continued, his voice soft and pleading. And as I held onto him, tears streaming down my face, all I could think was that he was safe—and that was all I needed.
After a long moment in his arms, he carefully let me down, his hands still resting gently on my shoulders. I held onto his arms desperately fearing if I let go, he’d disappear again. I wiped the last of the tears from my eyes and looked up at him. “We should head back to the house,” I said softly.
He nodded, agreeing without hesitation, and we made our way to the car. As we settled into the familiar seats, he reached for my hand, and I took it, our fingers intertwining. He drove us home, the quiet hum of the radio playing softly in the background, our hands never parting the whole way back. The ride was peaceful, but beneath the surface, I could still feel the weight of everything that had happened.
When we pulled up to the house, he put the car into park and turned off the engine. The silence settled in around us as I turned to look at him. His face, illuminated by the faint glow of the dashboard, looked troubled—guilty. His eyes were cast downward, and I could see the worry etched in his expression. He looked like he regretted every moment that had caused me pain.
“Hey,” I said gently, squeezing his hand. “I’m okay. Really. I’m just glad you’re safe. Don’t worry about it. I love you so much.”
He looked at me, his expression softening, but I saw the glossiness in his eyes. His voice was quieter now, almost vulnerable. “I’m sorry. I’m still trying to come to terms with everything that just happened. I just had to take a drive to clear my head. I should have told you.”
I gave his hand another reassuring squeeze and smiled softly at him. “We’ll figure it out together. I’m here. We’ll get through this.”
As I squeezed his hand, offering reassurance, he reached out with his other hand and gently placed it on the back of my head. Slowly, he pulled me toward him, our foreheads meeting as we both closed our eyes. I could feel his breath, shaky and uneven, as if he were trying to hold back everything he was feeling.
“Thank you for everything,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You are my light in the dark, my support, my everything.”
His words made my heart ache, and without another thought, I moved forward and kissed him deeply, pouring all my love and gratitude into that single moment. His hand stayed on the back of my head, and I could feel the intensity of everything he hadn’t been able to say. It was a kiss filled with relief, love, and the promise that we would face whatever came next together.
After the kiss, we slowly let go of each other, our hands lingering for a moment before we pulled back. We sat there in the quiet, just looking at each other, the intensity of everything settling between us. For a few seconds, neither of us spoke, lost in the moment.
“I love you,” I finally whispered, breaking the silence.
He looked at me, his expression softening even more, “I love you too.”
We shared a quiet smile before we both unbuckled and stepped out of the car. Together, we walked through the gate, the cool evening air brushing past us as we made our way into the beach house, the door closing softly behind us.
Inside, the quiet crashing of the ocean waves outside created a peaceful backdrop as Danny and I moved through the kitchen, preparing dinner together. There was no need for many words—just the simple, comforting rhythm of us cooking side by side. Every now and then, our hands would brush, and I’d catch a soft smile from him, a quiet reminder that we were okay.
The food sizzled in the pan, filling the air with the familiar smell of home-cooked comfort. When everything was ready, we sat down by the window, the moonlight casting a silver glow over the waves. We ate together, talking quietly here and there, but mostly just letting the calm of the evening settle around us.
After dinner, we cleaned up and made our way to the bathroom. Standing together at the sink, we brushed our teeth side by side, the normalcy of the moment grounding us. Our eyes met in the mirror, and a small smile passed between us—just being there together was enough to start easing the tension of the day.
Then we stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading over us as we stood close, washing away the stress and worry. Our hands moving gently over each other, letting the steam and warmth soothe our tired bodies. The touch was intimate and calming, a silent reassurance that we were here, together, and everything was going to be okay.
Afterward, we wrapped ourselves in towels and padded quietly to the closet to get into our night clothes.
We climbed into bed, the cool sheets; a relief against our skin. Danny pulled me close, his arm draped over me as my head rested against his chest, the steady beat of his heart reassuring me in the dark.
“I love you,” he whispered softly, his breath warm against my forehead.
“I love you too,” I murmured, already feeling the pull of sleep.
As the night settled in, the gentle sound of the ocean outside lulled us toward rest, knowing that tomorrow would bring a new day, and whatever came next, we’d face it together.
*The next morning*
The morning sun filtered into the room, casting a warm glow over everything. I blinked slowly, the soft light pulling me gently from sleep. Behind me, Danny was still fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, arm draped over my waist. The stress of the past few days had clearly taken a toll on him. He’d been sleeping in more lately, and honestly, he needed it.
Carefully, I turned around, making sure not to wake him. I watched him for a moment, his face relaxed and peaceful, the lines of worry smoothed away. He looked so calm, so free of everything that had weighed him down, and it made my heart swell. I loved seeing him like this—free from the burden he carried.
As I lay there, I suddenly knew exactly what I needed to write. The words I’d struggled with yesterday now flowed easily in my mind. Quietly, I reached over to the nightstand and pulled out the folded letter from my journal, my pen already waiting beside it.
I opened it, smoothing the paper over my lap, and began to write:
When I look at you, I see so much more than what the world sees. You are not just the driver, not just the competitor everyone admires. To me, you are everything—my strength, my heart, my light when everything else feels uncertain.
I know losing your seat felt like losing a part of yourself, and maybe it feels like no words can fix that. But I need you to know that this doesn’t define you. You are still the incredible person you’ve always been, the one who fights with everything he has, who dreams bigger than anyone I know.
There will be more opportunities, more moments for you to shine again, and when that time comes, I’ll be right there with you, cheering you on every step of the way. But until then, remember that it’s okay to rest, to take time for yourself. You deserve it. You’ve worked so hard, and I’m proud of you—not for the trophies or the wins, but for the man you are.
I love you more than you know. You are my everything.
Forever yours,
Y/N
I smiled softly as I finished the letter, folding it back up and placing it beside me. The words felt right, like they had finally found their place. And as I looked over at Danny, still sleeping soundly, I felt a quiet peace settle in my heart.
I carefully slipped out of bed, taking the letter with me as I moved quietly, not wanting to disturb Danny. He needed the rest, and I couldn’t help but smile as I glanced back at him, still peacefully asleep. I headed downstairs to the kitchen, the early morning light filtering through the windows.
With the letter set aside, I busied myself preparing breakfast, letting the smell of sizzling eggs and freshly cooked bacon fill the room. Once the final touches were done, I plated the food, arranging everything neatly. I grabbed an envelope from the drawer, slipping the letter inside, and doodled little hearts all around his name on the front. Smiling to myself, I placed it in the middle of the table, along with seashells I had collected from past visits to the beach.
Just as I finished setting the table for two, I heard him stirring upstairs, his voice calling out for me.
“I’m in the kitchen,” I called back.
I could hear him getting up and moving around, and soon enough, the familiar sound of his footsteps echoed on the stairs. I went over to meet him at the bottom, smiling as he came into view.
“Close your eyes,” I said, grinning as he raised an eyebrow but complied. I stepped behind him, gently covering his eyes with my hands to make sure he wouldn’t peek and guided him toward the table.
“I smell something delicious,” he said, his voice filled with warmth, the smile that I loved so much spreading across his face.
I hummed in response, savoring the moment. We stopped just before the table, and I uncovered his eyes.
“You can open them now.”
He open his eyes, lighting up at the sight before him. “You did this all for me?” he asked, his voice full of surprise.
“Of course I did,” I said, smiling up at him. “You deserve it.”
He pulled me in for a hug, his arms wrapping around me tightly as he rested his chin on top of my head. “Thank you so much,” he whispered, his voice full of emotion. “No one has ever done something like this for me before.”
“You deserve this,” I said softly, looking up at him. He smiled down at me and gave me a deep kiss, and I leaned into it, savoring the closeness.
When we finally pulled away, I smiled and said, “Let’s dig in.”
We sat down together enjoying the breakfast, I couldn’t help but watch as he savored each bite. His eyes sparkled with happiness, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. Then I noticed his gaze shift toward the middle of the table. His eyes landed on the envelope; he must not have noticed it at first.
“What’s this?” he asked, his eyes glancing toward the envelope.
“Something special” I said with a soft smile.
He grinned back at me, then carefully picked up the envelope, sliding the letter out and unfolding it. As he began to read, I watched him closely. His breath started to tremble, his chest rising and falling unevenly as the weight of the words hit him. His eyes glossed over, and a few stray tears slipped down his cheeks, each one making my own eyes well up with emotion.
He looked up from the letter, his eyes locking with mine, filled with gratitude, love, and something deeper—something vulnerable. His voice was shaky as he spoke.
“I... I don’t even know what to say,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “This is the most beautiful thing anyone’s ever written for me. I don’t deserve you.” He paused, his hand trembling slightly as he placed the letter down. “You’ve always been my rock, my constant... even when I didn’t know how to stand on my own.”
A tear rolled down my cheek as he continued, his words soft but full of meaning. “I’ve never felt so loved, so seen. You’re everything I need... more than I could ever ask for. Thank you, for reminding me who I am, for being the one thing that’s always steady in my life.”
He reached across the table, his hand finding mine. “I love you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I love you more than I can ever say.”
Tears filled my eyes as I listened to his words, each one making my heart swell with love. I reached across the table, squeezing his hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his touch.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I whispered, my voice catching slightly. “You deserve everything, Danny. You’ve been through so much, and I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me. No matter what happens, I’ll always be here. You’ll never have to face any of this alone.”
His eyes softened, the tears still glistening on his cheeks. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he said, his voice barely audible.
I smiled through the tears, standing up and moving around the table. He rose to meet me, pulling me into a gentle embrace. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine, the weight of everything we’d been through dissolving in the quiet of the moment.
“I love you,” I whispered against his chest.
“I love you too,” he replied, his chin resting on top of my head as we stood there, holding each other.
The moment felt timeless, like the rest of the world had fallen away, leaving just the two of us. Slowly, we pulled away, but he kept his hand in mine, our fingers intertwined.
“Come on,” I said with a soft smile, wiping the last of my tears. “Let’s go finish our breakfast.”
We sat back down together, the sun now fully shining through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. As we finished eating, there was no rush, no need for more words. We simply enjoyed the quiet moments, together, knowing that whatever came next, we’d face it side by side.