Smudge Lines (Line 1)
Masterlist
A/N: My plan was, this was supposed to be posted yesterday however, it was a loooong day. So, this is the beginning of the 2x1 week. 😁
“Knock knock.” Y/N shakes her head. “Forget it, I'm already coming in.”
It isn't hard to know where she was, in her studio buried in papers; some in blank, another with sketches, a few with important pieces of information shattered in the chairs or the couch; don't blame her, the view from that window is out of the planet.
The forest at plain sight, as in the distance the mountain peaks covered with snow rises imposing and protector.
“Look what I brought.” Otto waits for her to come out, comfy clothes and 3 empty cups in her hands.
Y/N smiles watching the magazine and the detailed picture, the last of her works. The magazine of where the new BMW car is making the first big appearance.
“I thought Mr. Meyer will have it until next week.” Y/N said leaving the empty cups in the sink.
Otto rejoicing on the couch. “Oh you thought wrong. The boxes came this morning, the shelf is empty and the box at the back, near to that.”
“Can I see?” Y/N asks as Otto bluffs, it is not like she is the master mind in that.
Her opulent sharp and innovative drawings have been conquered by multiple brands and of course their wishes to work with her.
She opens a random page and smirks, instantly seeing the car in a fancy room illuminated by artificial lights. Y/N is delighted, an elegant look of how the new car will look.
“I'm such a talent.” Otto chuckles, pushing softly her head, causing her laughs.
He takes his magazine back, seeing her relax on the couch. Years ago when she arrived in the small town in the south of Germany, he swore she would only last a couple of weeks but as the time passed and they became closer, she turned that small town into her treasure home. Nowadays, it’s hard for her to leave there, at least she had important meetings, delivery of sketches in full secret, searching another fountain of inspirations or family events.
However, Otto came with bittersweet news too.
“This was in your mailbox.”
Otto extended to her a white/red envelope; her name in black, the address of the office mail and the big red and yellow logo with the black horse in the middle of it.
Y/N smiles tenderly as touch the Ferrari logo. It's been a while still she feels her skin crawl and her heart shakes.
“Do you need a moment?” Otto asks, his tone is soft like he’s fearing to ask.
“No.” Y/N put the envelope away. “I received the email a week ago, this is just the formality.”
It’s been 3 years since she left that world, with a slivered heart and the comfort of a racing family that assured her, she will always have a space in Italy.
“In three months there will be a tribute to the golden drivers and teams in Silverstone, they invited me to assist, claiming you were an important key.” Y/N laid back on the couch, her head upside down as her feet swung in the air.
“Sounds important.” Otto sounded out.
“Yeah, it does.” Y/N closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “I sent my gratitude but I apologize for not being able to go.”
Otto knows that chapter in her life and her decision to keep it that way. At the distance but not with bad memories.
His silence makes Y/N open her eyes to him, knowing what he wants to ask but refusing to do it.
“I'm fine, just surprised, that's all.” Y/N sit straight back. “And yes, they said they still will be waiting for me.”
Otto stands as extend his hand. “What about a walk around the town? It always helps you to relax.”
“I wish but…” Y/N pouts. “I have a meeting in 20 minutes, but what about if you invite me to dinner later.”
Otto laughs, as he grabs his magazine. “I suspect anything Italian for today.”
Y/N nods with a smile. “Maybe not today.”
°
One of the many things she loves about the town is the moment where the sun seems to freeze a couple of hours before hiding behind the mountains, the gold and blue light melting perfectly making the most stunning view.
Y/N froze in her car when was about to enter the house, making her scoff with a smile. She gets out of the car, calling for the attention of the old man sitting on her porch, illuminated by that sun.
“Oh no.” The man smiles, opening his arm for her. She smiles, shaking her head, walking to him, letting that arms envelope her as pat her back.
“My little baby.” Her father whispers as she hides her face on his shoulder.
With a messy dinner as they usually talk among laughs and jokes, they finally sit with a cup of hot tea and the question linger between them.
“How did they convince you?” Y/N ask follow for a short sip of her tea.
Her father giggles, taking a cookie; looking around the living room of her daughter. It’s not hard to understand why she feels safe and calm there; photos of their family visible but at the same hide, plants in every free space, cozy blankets and soft scent of bergamot in the house. Still he smirks seeing the sketches perking under the tables or between the books.
As father as daughter.
“How can I convince you?” Her father asks back, making her sigh.
“Dad, I… I don’t actually believe I have something to do there, you know?" Y/N lifted her shoulder quickly. “I don’t do anything like...”
“Besides giving the base of what could be a highly competitive car until… Well, they decided to change a little bit.” The poisonous tone with the eye roll makes her chuckle.
Yeah, he’s still mad about the changes that meant the loss of a high chance for fighting the constructor championship for Ferrari that year.
“I thought we over-passed that.” Y/N plays with him, making him laugh.
“Right. All I’m saying darling is… I would love to have you there, we deserved a little bit of flower just for one day…” Her father grabs her hand. “And celebrate our old but golden glories.”
Y/N chuckles, still doesn’t know how but her father always said the correct words. “I think about it ok? That's all I can say.”
Her father grabs her hand and kisses it softly. “And that's all I need.”
°
The red circle approaches more and more in her calendar. Why did she even mark it? Let’s call unconsciously.
“Where is the…” Y/N spun around in her chair searching for a sketch, pulling a few papers, making a box fall.
A slippery polaroid perks when she lifts the box.
Y/N instantly raised the corner of her mouth. She was 10, probably 12, the car of Massa at her back but she’s far away from paying attention to it, her eyes were shining because she was standing next to the boy of her eyes.
Max Verstappen.
He wasn’t even looking at her, his eyes were on the track where he kept monitoring the cars that were heating the tyres; cap in his head as his eyes started to take the shape of those cold and determined eyes.
Stick to that one, the next is like giving a jump in time, but is one she has never seen before, not at least she can remember; Y/N is wearing Ferrari clothes, leaning has her father points a few things on the monitor, she has her bottom lip among her fingers hearing carefully; at the distance a Max is observing her, he in his Red Bull suit and a cocky smile on his face.
Y/N giggles putting the photos again in the box. “Old glories…” She whispers; seeing in the other chair the sketches she’s looking for and going back to work.
°
Max nods hearing the last instructions of the team, in 2 weeks a tribute will take place, he thought of all the excuses he had and avoided going but he just needs one name and last name to feel his world is upside down.
“And that’s all, you can arrive at Silverstone the media day, we cover you.” Tessa mentions locking her tablet. “Have a good week Max.”
“Wait…” Max sees around the place. “You won’t force me to go?”
Tessa shakes her head. “Helmut mentions it’s ok, you don’t have to plus Yuki will go with us.”
“I mean yeah, but… I don’t mind going, you know, it’s a tribute and…. Why are you looking at me like that?”
Tessa has sheepy eyes and a grin on her face.
“I’m not stupid Max, and I was a rookie in those years.” Max rest importance with a pout. “Even though I don't know the full story, yes, I saw and heard some things.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Max smirks.
Tessa knows it is almost impossible to break Max's stubbornness…
“Well, again don’t worry Max, we cover your absence." She begins to walk again. “I heard the Ferrari crew are dancing on tip toes, the rumors about the Brawns coming are increasing.”
Max bluffs, Tessa is definitely capable of cancelling his invitation and making it look like he did it. He cursed the moment she adapted and graduated with honors from Max bitter moments training.
“Ok, I want to go, please.” Max gets down his head, until he hears a giggle.
Tessa is facing him. “I suspected that and confirm your assistance, don’t worry Max, your secret is safe with me.”
Max rolls his eyes reaching her. “Still you owe me a big explanation of how you know it.”
Tessa laughs. “Yeah, sure.”
°
“It’s a shame!” Carlos throws back his head as walks along Charles at the end of the GP. “I bet, now, I’m the number one, I have a better swing than her.”
Charles laughs, it was 2 years they were together in Ferrari still the nights where they used to sneak in hotels and play anything they could make the long and bad days, bearable and comforting in some way.
Now, Charles is the only one who remains in Ferrari of the three of them, inside they hope Y/N accept the invitation but at the beginning of the week, the team announce she appreciates that considering her, although sadly she doesn’t believe could make it.
“I know but I guess we don’t make the proper pressure, But yeah, it’s a shame.” Charles mumbles. “But I think we’re not the ones who will have a broken dream when we find out.”
They see Max with a cheer up mood, talking more than normal, rambling with every person he finds and asking unusual but direct questions to Charles.
Charles and Carlos just need to have two neurons to find out what was happening between Y/N and Max; the stole glances, the blush in Y/N’s face every time Max was in her sight, the click of her pen after a brief talk with him and the sighs he stole from her every second; Max wasn’t way behind, his question about if Y/N was already in the paddock, his discreet way of looking around every time the Ferrari crew was there, his smile hide under his cap when he saw her, and after a bad day his usual running ot the back of the garage with a coat, hoodie or jacket in his hands.
Charles and Carlos witnessed the broken heart of Y/N after they found her hiding behind the tyres with silent tears sunning down her face, holding their hands she only whispered to them.
“If… he just needs to ask me to wait and I will do it, I swear I will.”
A week after the announcement she will be leaving the team hit them like ice cube, in a crowded room looking at each other, as the team mumbles the multiple reasons, Y/N faking a smile with a trick tear in her eye, they made a silent promise, if they can it’s they time to protect her.
°
The farm is 15 minutes away from Y/N’s house, and the path for getting there is actually one of her fountains of inspiration. The owners are Mr. and Mrs. Muller, a lovely and old couple who had lived all the time there and opened his house, arms and heart when a lonely and melancholic girl used to sit along the path.
“I believed you were in a fancy first class flight.” Mrs. Muller screams seeing Y/N walking to where she is picking lemons.
Y/N raises the corner of her mouth as shakes her head. “Is everything all right?”
Mrs. Muller sees Y/N already doing what she teaches, how to collect a nice and juicy lemon.
“I bought the ticket.” Y/N approaches a lemon to her nose, smelling it, and yeah, it’s perfect, fresh and firm all around. “But my legs shake just thinking about coming back again.”
Mrs. Muller observes her, she’s there but her mind is traveling fast as the cars which she used to work in.
“I’m scared of falling again.” Y/N mumbles.
Mrs. Muller grabs her hand and squeezes it. “Maybe but like you say, a bad line doesn’t mean that all will be a bad drawing.”
The breeze hits her face, making her smile. “Maybe this is the proper closure you need and maybe it should be done face to face.”
She sees a little squirrel running at the back of Mrs. Muller, falling from a branch but standing one more time to keep running.
“Would you mind making me a lemon pie to take courage?”
Mrs. Muller laughs as she nods. “All you could need.”
°
“I remember why I didn't come to this.” Max said with teeth tightened as smiles to the cameras.
He’s wearing what he bets it’s his only tuxedo as people keep asking him photos and interviews that gladly are cordially denied by Tessa, claiming today is an honorary event.
Finally inside there are plenty of iconic figures, such as multichampionship drivers, brilliant engineers, directors, designers, etc and of course their families. Present and past gather in a fancy event and where he could bet somewhere are expensive drinks.
Max recognizes the actual faces talking with the old ones, laughing and passing a nice time.
“I thought you said, you won’t even think of coming.” Vettel approaches Max with a drink.
Max takes it and shallow it. “I heard there will be nice drinks.”
Vettel laughs, shaking his head. “Well, I won't call it the best drinks but they're quite off pricey.”
As they walk inside, iconic cars settle under bright lights, big frames with photos of winning teams, unforgettable podiums, emotional moments and sketches of each team with their most competitives cars in the grid.
Max sees at his right a big photo of his first championship making him grin.
“I hate to see myself in the big pictures.” Max mumbles making Vettel giggles.
“Mr. Brawn.” A woman said. “Mrs. Brawn, welcome.”
Max's neck practically cracks when he turns around seeing the Brawn elegantly dressed as they approach the Ferrari car, the one which brought multiple victories to Schumacher, and of course a car that Ross Brawn became a key part of.
Charles smiles more than a politely, probably a joke was said for the way Charles laughs as his smiles become almost invisible, after the hug of Mr. Brawn.
Max didn't even realize how close he was until he was really close to the Ferrari F2002 standing next to the RB7 of Vettel.
“It’s a shame she couldn’t come.” Charles said with a melancholic tone.
Mr. Brawn smirks. “You know her Charles, she’s a box full of surprises.”
“I found someone in the entrance, like a lost puppy.” The voice of Carlos is heard at Max’s back.
“I curse to high heels for not being able to run.” Her voice made Max breathless. “He reached me in a blink.”
“YOU CAME!” Charles exclaimed seeing Y/N held at one arm by Carlos and the other by Rebeca avoiding her run away.
They only let her go when Charles and Alexandra hugged her.
“Look at you!” Charles smiles bigger. “I’m sorry, I’m talking to the brain of BMW, my apologies.”
Y/N hit Charles' arm. “Today, I’m just Ross Brawn's daughter.”
Carlos scoff rolling his eyes. “Yeah, that doesn’t change anything, Miss, I designed one of the brilliant Ferrari tails.”
“How did you call it dad?” Y/N asked after kissing his father's cheek. “Oh, I remember, old glories.”
The laughs in the small circle make Max feel a little insecure. It’s like the old times; she is immersed in the red world, just… she isn't even looking at him or even searching for him, she is just laughing and talking with him at her back like he's just another random person in the room.
As the time passed Max talked with a nice amount of people, enough for that helps him to relax, not counting the few drinks.
Walking back after getting something of fresh air, Max stops in one of the rooms where a few people are observing the big frames with sketches in black in white; under the blue light with the Ferrari logo next to the plaque that has her name and the description.
Oh yes, he already saw it of course and made him smile. It's Y/N’s design, but he didn’t see that next to that sketch is one of Mercedes and in front of it, is Y/N, arms around her like a hug and head tilt.
Max is a little bit tipsy and for sure brave enough to make his way to her without a second of thought.
“You deserve to be with the genius.” Y/N skin crawl hearing the same raspy and confident voice of Max.
She has seen him talking and laughing with different people, still not able to even say hi without the previous feeling of old memories. It's far away from the young boy who she used to observe at the distance giving short and cold answers, now he’s a multiple champion, name grab in gold along the biggest drivers of history.
Y/N raises the corner of her mouth giving him a simple smile.
“Max.” Then she turned around to see him.
Max takes a deep breath, he thought with time those feelings will calm and fade away, that maybe he was holding a ghost, but seeing her this close, the face that brings him comfort, the voice that calms his tormented mind… Y/N, that meant… no, that means the world to him is more lively than ever.
“God. I miss you so much.” Max whispered only for her. “I really do.”
Y/N hiss looking around, a few people immerse in the old sketches, ignoring them.
“Max I…” Y/N sees honesty in his eyes, but right now, that’s the last thing she wants to see, it’s a torture for her.
“I should stop you.” Max starts to declare, not even caring who is around. “I should tell you, please wait.” Max laughs dry. “I must find you.”
“Hey, Max, I don't think it's the place.” Y/N hugs herself tight. “We can tal...”
Max nods. “I know.”
Did his voice break?
“But I’m going to tell because I refuse to waste any other second.”
Y/N grabs her arms tight, hearing the people walk away, feeling the room subtly turns out colder.
“I’m stuck on you.” Max put his hands on his waist. “Not in the bad and ugly way, in the most deep and devoted way, I was scared back then but I’m not anymore, please let’s not mention the stupid I was. I’m stuck on you and I never felt like this after or before you.”
Y/N closes her eyes, feeling her chest hurt, as a spark lights on.
“I’m tipsy but it's a far way to mean I’m lying to you. You’re all I ever wanted and lost.”
Y/N sees him stumble almost about to fall, she takes one step, Max found the perfect moment to lay his head on her shoulder breathing long and heavy. “Could you come back to love me? Please.”