Crash and Burn - DR3 x Verstappen!Reader
Pairing: Daniel Ricciardo x Verstappen!Reader
Summary: Winning isn't everything when your life is on the line, does Daniel realize before it's too late?
Author's note: Took me all day. Enjoy :)
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The utterly deafening sound of silence tore through the entire paddock. Like a shockwave, it blasted me, leaving me deaf in its aftermath.
My hands shook as fear tore through me next. I stepped away from the monitor I was watching the race on, only moments ago.
The team was frozen behind me, watching me like a ticking time bomb. No one moved as I stepped into the puddles outside the garage that had collected after the rain.
I started walking, then jogging, then running- until someone slammed me down onto the tarmac.
The fans screamed for us as Max, Danny, and I entered the paddock together. Daniel’s arm wrapped around my waist, fingers brushing my lower back as he led me towards the Red Bull garage.
I waved at our fans as we passed by. My engagement ring sparkling in the little light that came through the dark clouds. Their screams intensified as Daniel laughed beside me.
“They are so crazy over us.” I laughed as well.
“No, they’re crazy over you, darling.” Daniel gave me a huge smile, leaning down a whole foot to kiss me as the fans continued to scream.
His kiss was patient, sweet, and beautiful. Daniel never failed to make me feel so loved.
When we pulled apart, I looked over at Max, busy signing hats, and at every fan who had their phone out recording Danny and I’s moment. Meant for us and them.
Gotta give the fans what they want, am I right?
Max hadn’t even needed to look up to know what was happening; he joined us after signing his last hat, returning it to a little boy.
“You only feed into their obsession.” He stated looking between both of us.
“They love us.” Daniel added.
We headed over to the paddock, joining both boys on the pit floor for their team meeting. The Qatar race was today, and the weather was not looking good. My brother and Fiancée were called in early to discuss a possible delay or move up in the race start time. I watched the team worked around the car as the sky grew darker. I hope they cancelled the race or waited it out. The mere thought of them driving in a storm scared me to death.
As soon as we stepped in an engineer called for the meeting to start. Everyone gathered around the garage circling Max’s disassembled car.
“FIA decided to delay the race until after the storm, we’ll most likely be here all day and night.” The race engineer declared.
“Means more time to go over strategy and potential emergency plans for anymore unexpected weather.” Another engineer added.
I instantly felt more relieved at their decision.
Daniel rolled his eyes giving me an irritated look at their decision.
“It’s better they do, I feel much better they’re waiting, rain and races make me nervous.” I whispered next to him.
“I know baby.” He kissed my forehead looking down at me.
Everyone dispersed from the meeting after the engineer had declared the delay in race start.
Daniel was called over to his team to go over some new modifications.
Rain had fallen heavy a few times over the course of the delayment. Not being able to delay longer, the FIA decided it was time for the lights to go out.
I had already wished my brother luck as he climbed in his car. I headed over to Red Bulls other driver.
Danny was suited up, all but his helmet. I wrapped my arms around my fiancées neck.
“Good luck, Danny. Please be so careful.” I spoke softly despite the loud crowd in the garage.
“I’m always careful, yea?” he smirked
“I mean it; it’s dark, wet…” he cut me off.
“The team knows what they’re doing, and I trust them.” He replied seriously.
“Okay, I trust you.” He patted my waist, keeping his hands there as he kissed me.
I pushed into it a little harder, to show how much love I had for him. He matched me, returning my energy. We held for a minute, taking our time before the race.
A crew member shouted, signaling lights out was in T – 5.
I wished him luck again as we hugged.
Someone handed me his helmet and him his balaclava.
Once he had it on, I adjusted the tiny hairs that stuck out in the front.
He thanked me, taking his helmet and pulling it down on his head.
He gave me a thumbs-up and climbed into his car.
I stepped back towards the wall as a hospitality member supplied me with a set of headphones to listen in on the team radio.
It was still raining. The race had been delayed 5 hours for it to pass and it never did. I was on the edge of my seat for lap 32 out of 57. A Safety Car had come out during the worst of it, slowing the drivers down to almost nothing.
I held my breath, nerves racking for Danny. I absolutely hated when they were forced to race in the rain.
It took about 8 laps for the rain to let up, the SC returning to the pits and the race back on.
It was dark at this point now, the flood lights illuminated the entire course, the cars zipping by at unbelievable speeds for such a slick track.
I continued to watch the monitor as the cameras showed Daniel trying to overtake Vettel.
Lewis Hamilton was leading the race by mere seconds. All Daniel had to do was overtake Vettel, and he’d catch Hamilton in the last corners.
Still on the edge of my seat, I held my breath watching the overtake begin to play out. On lap 46, they battled down the straight within 1 second of each other.
Each corner made me tense more and more, both cars sliding due to the rain.
Vettel trying to hold position while Daniel gained on him.
They were side by side now, taking the corners together. Daniel pushed past, his back wheels slick on the tarmac. Vettel retreating to avoid collision.
What I hadn’t saw in the blink of eye, was Vettel’s front wing clipping the back of Danny’s tyre.
His car flew sideways, wheels locking up. Vettel, unable to stop from the rain, smashed into him from the side.
His car spun out of control hitting the wall.
Daniel’s car never stopped; my hands gripped the edge of my seat. Holding my breath, I watched in horror as his car flipped, flying over a chicane, it barrel rolled, obliterating the barricades of the track.
I felt the explosion before I saw it. The car bursting in flames. Sky high as announcers shouted for a red flag.
The feed had cut from the accident to the drivers slowing down to enter the pit lane.
Devastating wasn’t even the word to describe the moment. Annihilating and soul-crushing felt more like it. My ears were deaf to the world around me, locked in my head, I only had one thought. Danny.
Flames licked the stars as blue and red lights bounced around me, I saw little and heard nothing.
I clutched the fireproofs of someone I couldn’t recognize, the orange of their suit blurring into the flames that roared before me. I was pulled into their arms, kneeling on the pitch-black, slick surface of the pit lane.
I heard Max in my left ear, talking to someone, but it all sounded like nothing. I suddenly felt something drip onto my arm, I reached up to touch my cheek and felt the slippery reminder of what had happened.
Reality seemed to hit me at that moment. My chest felt like it had exploded at the crushing thought of the man I love. Flying through the air at 200mph, finally smashing through the barricades of the track.
My body slumped forward into the orange-suited man, my hands death-gripping his suit. His arms still around me as the rain began to fall again. I realized his arms were clutching me as well, as if preventing me from breaking free.
I’m not sure how long I’d been crying for, but long enough for them to stop. My eyes dried out and throat raw from sobbing. I don’t quite remember how I ended up on the ground either.
I looked up into the man’s eyes.
Lando Norris was holding me, restraining me, preventing me from reaching Danny. Clutching me as hard as I was him.
Tears collected in his eyes as he took in my appearance, his helmet still on, rumpled fireproofs from my grip. He leaned his head to the side as if he was apologizing.
The world started moving faster again as my brain caught up, time had stilled as I cried in agony.
My body surprised me as I hit Lando.
Without meaning to, then I did it again and again.
I pushed his chest and hit his arms. He let me until had I no strength left, he restrained my wrists with one hand and pulled me closer to him with the other.
“I know” Landos’ strangled voice reached my ears.
Sound had returned to me, slowly I heard him whisper over and over again to me.
Nothing about this was okay.
My body had decided to give out, giving in to Lando, I dropped my arms and pushed my head into his chest.
His hands rubbed circles across my back, the rain soaking my jersey, Daniel’s jersey.
“Lando.” My brother’s voice filled my head.
He said something else I didn’t hear. Whatever it was, Lando started to stand, bringing me with him.
I couldn’t care less about standing up or functioning ever again without Daniel.
Lando knew I wouldn’t budge because he picked me up in his arms and carried me back to the Red Bull garage.
What was once my home felt like betrayal as I stared at Daniel’s face on the banner. He set me down on a bench in the back, away from everyone.
Max kneeled in front of me, his hands on my knees as I stared straight ahead. I wasn’t sure if I had blinked at all. The last time I had known I did; Daniel’s car was flying through the air.
“Look at me.” Max demanded
I refused, not able to turn my head. I did nothing.
I continued to look at the garage entrance. Hoping. Wishing, my fiancée would drive through any second.
“I know how this feels, I know what this looks like, but you have to snap out of this.”
I turned my head to look at him, new tears forming in my eyes.
“They pulled him from the car.”
Max’s words stopped my heart.
I broke down again wrapping my arms around his neck I cried into his shoulder.
My Danny survived an explosion, a horrible crash that should have killed him.
“He’s going to the hospital; we are going.” His words were final as he pushed away from my sniffling.
Still in his fireproofs, he pulled me from the bench, dragging me down the hall and to a waiting car behind the paddock.
I fidgeted with my ring the whole car ride; the driver made quick work of getting us there within minutes.
Max laid his hand on top of mine. Giving me the smallest smile I’ve ever seen.
For the first time tonight, I really looked at him.
I saw fear in his eyes; I couldn’t imagine how he felt. I knew this was a front for me, to stay strong for my sake in case Daniel hadn’t made it.
The car stopped in front of the ER; I pushed my way out of the door. Reporters were lined side to side, yelling and screaming at me. Snapping photos of me in one of the worst moments of my entire life.
Max joined my side, his hands on my shoulder, walking quicker towards the door. Security was stationed outside, only allowing us in. A nurse met us at the door, telling us to follow her to a waiting area.
I sat down, still in disbelief as she spoke to Max on my left side.
I heard, critical condition. Surgery. Miracle.
Tears threatened to fall once again, but I wiped them away. Taking a huge deep breath max joined my side.
His head turned towards me, deciding if he should tell me what I already heard.
“He’s in surgery….” He took a long pause.
“They are unsure if he’ll make it.” He studied my face as I registered his words
I only nodded my head to show I had heard him.
Hours had passed when I woke up; I had fallen asleep on Max’s shoulder.
I looked around to find the entire grid sitting around me, some in fireproofs and some not.
I clocked Lando immediately sitting next to a window, where I noticed the sun was beginning to rise. He rested his head against it, looking exhausted, his eyes met mine as he felt my gaze. His face softened as he walked over to me.
“Can I sit?” he asked, gesturing to the seat beside me. Without waiting for my answer, he took a seat.
My mind was flooded with things I should say to him, I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
“It’s okay.” He reached for my hands, gently taking them in his.
“I understand and you do not have to apologize.”
“I do, though, Lando.” I watched him waiting for my response.
“I am so sorry.” Tears wanted to fall, but nothing would. They had dried up long ago.
He leaned over, side-hugging me, trying to bring me any comfort he could manage.
Max watched our interaction carefully beside me.
My brain was once again a jumble of thoughts trying to form a sentence. I gave up when I heard a nurse call for Ricciardo family.
I flew out of my chair, Max and Lando right beside me.
She took one look at my terrified face and abandoned any question she was about to ask next.
“He’s in recovery now, you can see him but I advise only 1 person at a time.” She stopped to look at us.
“I can take you to him now.”
With no hesitation I nodded my head, Max squeezed my hand, insisting that he accompany me for support. The nurse reluctantly agreed as we followed her down the hall and to an elevator up 2 floors. The ride was quiet as a million thoughts ran through my head. Max still squeezing my hand.
When the elevator stopped, we followed her down another hall where she slowed down towards the middle of the hall. The door slightly open, lights blinding from inside.
I thanked her and slowly crossed the threshold to the room. Max had let go of my hand tailing me from behind.
Nothing had prepared me for the beating my heart would take yet again once I laid my eyes on Daniel.
A sob fell from my lips, Max’s hands touched my shoulders, holding me in place.
Daniel’s face was a mess of bruises in every shade Imaginable. His right leg in a cast, and his arms wrapped from his shoulders to his fingers.
The nurse spoke beside us, quietly.
He suffered multiple broken bones, his ribs, leg, and 2nd degree burns across his upper back and arms.
I’m not sure what was worse, hearing or seeing the damage I witnessed yesterday, today? I wasn’t sure anymore.
I moved towards the bed, taking his hand in mine.
Max pulled a chair up for me as I fell into it. I stroked my fiancées hand, staring up at his damaged face.
He left right after to get me some food, not that I would eat anyway, but I appreciated it.
For the moment my emotions had settled, Danny was alive. I was no longer a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
I checked my pocket feeling for my phone. No surprise when I found I had nothing that belonged to me. Probably all abandoned back at the track. I set his hand down to lean back in the chair. The quiet consumed me in a good way, eliminating my negative thoughts and self-destruction. Only the beeps of the heart monitor could be heard.
A sliver of golden light appeared at my right, a streak that had escaped through the crack in the side of the blind. I stood pulling the string to let the light in. The blind snapped up at my touch, bathing me in a warm golden glow only the morning light of sunrise gives you.
I felt utterly exhausted, mentally and physically.
I once again became lost in my thoughts when I froze at the faint whisper of my name.
My head whipped around, my body tripping into the chair I grasped to prevent falling. Daniel Ricciardo was looking at me, eyes open and mummering my name.
I pushed the chair to the side leaning into him. New tears fell from my eyes as I shushed him to conserve his energy.
“Oh Danny, your awake, your okay.” I cupped his face with my hands kissing him on the lips, careful not to use too much force.
His lips faintly returned my kiss, too weak to move much. A million words came from my lips that he probably couldn’t even understand.
“No need to baby me.” He tried to joke as he groaned in pain. His voice barely a whisper.
“Danny, I love you so much; you have no idea how I felt knowing I could have lost you.” My voice breaking.
I brushed my hand across his forehead, careful to avoid his cuts.
I could only imagine what he was thinking, looking at my too-battered face from the 12+ indescribable hours that fell before us.
“I love you.” He choked out, a tear falling from his eye as he registered the pain in my voice.
“I’m never leaving you, you hear me? I’ll always be right here.”
His hand gripped mine as best he could, trying to give it a squeeze.
Max had chosen that moment to walk in, dropping the food on the counter, he rushed to my side. Taking in the moment that Daniel had awoken.
I turned to smile at Max. Putting one hand on each of my boys.
It’s a beautiful day to go racing in the heart of Belgium. We were currently supporting Max during the following F1 season. Daniel’s recovery had been long and hard, forcing him to retire from F1 much too early in his career.
I watched as Daniel retrieved our helmets from the locker, handing one to me, he kissed my temple. Today we were out driving team Red Bull cars on one of the many stops of our honeymoon.
That’s right, as soon as he could walk again, he insisted we get married. No longer wanting to waste any time. For our honeymoon, we decided to follow the F1 tour, attending races in support of Max and the team, while also exploring every part of the cities and countries he had never seen during race weekends.
And of course, being Daniel, there was no way he could give up racing. I reluctantly agreed to this as long as I was next to him.
We both settled into our cars, the engineers starting the engines.
I looked over at Danny in the other car. Blowing me a kiss, he took off onto the tarmac of Spa.
I smiled, full throttling the gas pedal, tailing right behind him.
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This is my own original work and thoughts.
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