The Winner Takes It All - Fernando Alonso
Pairing -> Fernando Alonso x Rival!male reader wordcount -> 1415
The checkered flag waves. Fuck. You finished second behind Fernando, your rival, which means you lose the title.
Your engineer speaks to you, telling you how well you did, how hard you tried, but you barely take any of it in. A thanks leaves your lips before saying some positive words about the team, all while your thoughts race.
Where did this go wrong? Will the chance of winning a championship ever occur again?
Before you know it you're parked in front of the P2 sign in the main straight.
Interlagos had never been one of your favorite tracks, today's result having been your best at the track… but only due to the lucky safety car.
Everything feels slow as you climb out of the car. Your number one mechanic, Kevin, is the first to greet you. He gives you a hug, pats your helmet and says a soft “it's okay”.
The noise of the track is drowned out by the defeat you feel, your eyes lock on him. The driver in red, who just won his third title. You can't help but envy him.
You walk past the team mechanics and engineers, giving them high-fives and receiving more pats on your back and helmet. It doesn't feel the same as it usually would.
Next thing you know you're in the cooldown room, not interacting with the other drivers and they don't seem to mind your silence.
It's only on the podium when you break, you've had tears in your eyes almost the entire time, though when the Spanish anthem starts they finally spill out of your eyes. You dip your head down, not wanting to appear weak in front of the other drivers, least of all the cameras which are pointed directly at the podium.Your shoulders shake as tears spill down your face, you wipe them away.
The anthems finish playing, which means that you'll finally get your trophy for finishing second. You lift your trophy, trying not to break down again. You don't participate in spraying champagne, only taking a sip of your own and trying not to get too much of the champagne spray from the other drivers on you. After taking your sip you grab your trophy, trying to make a run off the podium only to be stopped by one of the officials who tells you you still have to do the interview on the podium.
“Please just let me go.” You beg the official as you wipe your teary eyes again. The official shakes her head, you sigh. It's then that you feel his eyes on you, and in that moment you're sure he knows how you feel.
A sigh escapes your lips as you shuffle back, you put your champagne and trophy down on the podium before getting in it again to lose for the photographers with the other drivers.
The interview after the podium ceremony goes by quickly, you don't say a lot, even when asked, since you're still high in emotions. Through this all you feel his eyes on you, the world champion hardly looks away from you. He reaches out to you the moment the interview is over, however you've already bolted, wanting to get yourself ready for the interviews in the media pen.
–
You're in the media pen, your second interview. Your eyes are still red rimmed despite your best effort to calm yourself down. Just as you're about to answer a question from the interview you dip your head down, feeling the tears coming again as you're reminded of losing the championship.
“Ah.. sorry.” You murmur to the interviewer who gives you an apologetic smile. You take a slight step back as you take in a shudder breath, the interviewer letting you go, only to bump into someone.
“Woah there, amigo.” The voice of the guy you bumped into sounds, that familiar Spanish accent which you immediately recognise as Fernando's.
You turn to face Fernando, your eyes on the Ferrari driver. “Ah… congrats on the championship.”
“Thank you.” He replies with a soft tone to his voice.
The media pen is quieting down, most of the drivers just finishing their last interview while you’re only half way through yours. Just as you look away from the other driver, Fernando opens his mouth again, just to shut it, and you feel his hands on your shoulders. You can’t help but lean into the touch despite the public setting and the cameras all around.
Fernando moves closer to you, sensing you just need a hug from someone you're close to. He knows how hard you can be on yourself.
“What if this is it?” A soft murmur. “What if I never get the chance again?” You question again as you allow yourself to be weak in Fernando's arm, the press around you momentarily forgotten.
“Hey, you’ll be fine, you'll get another chance and you know better than to dwell on the what-ifs.” Fernando whispers against the side of your head. His lips brush past your ear, the warmth of Fernando's breath only makes this moment… intimate. It reminds you of the moments you've spent together in private.
You nod against Fernando's shoulder. You slip back into your professional racing driver persona as one of the other drivers walks past. “Uhm.. interviews.”
The air between you and him is awkward as you pull away. You take a step back and send him a reassuring smile, silently telling him you're fine for now.
–
When evening rolls around you find yourself back to your hotel room. You managed to go
through the rest of your media duties without issue, no more breakdowns or near breakdowns.
Earlier, Fernando had invited you to a post-season party, to celebrate, though you had kindly refused, not in a partying mood at all after the loss of the championship.
You’re in your bed, the soft sounds from outside the only noise present. You stare up at the ceiling as you lay on the bed, not under the covers. Just staring, thinking what you could’ve done differently.
A knock is heard on your door and you look at the time on your phone, 00:19 AM. Another knock is heard on the door, more insistent this time. You sigh as you get up from the bed. Who would even come here at this time? You ask yourself, though it’s obvious when you open the door,
“Shouldn’t you be partying?” You ask as you take in Fernando’s figure.
A smile spreads on Fernando’s face the moment he sees you. “It’s not fun without you.” He says in a soft murmur, stepping inside the room and closing the door behind him. You don’t get a chance to respond before his arms are around you.
A soft huff escapes you despite leaning into his touch. “Are you drunk?” You ask softly as you rest your chin on Fernando’s shoulder, not even smelling a bit of alcohol on him.
Fernando’s arms tighten around you. “I’m not drunk.” He whispers, his lips brushing against your ear. “Didn’t even have an alcoholic beverage."
A soft sound is heard as you shift in Fernando's arms. You shift your head, turning it so you can nuzzle against Fernando's neck. Your shoulders shudder a little as a quiet sob escapes you.
“Ssh..” Fernando whispers, his lips now just behind your ear. “You'll get another chance, okay? You're a good driver.” He adds before pressing a kiss to the side of your head.
A soft, comfortable silence falls between the two of you in the quiet hotel room. The outside sounds are still hearable, though now the main sound is your soft breathing. You pull Fernando to the bed, not saying a single word just yet.
You sit down on the bed with a sigh, your eyes on him. “I was just gonna cry myself to sleep.” You admit with a sad smile.
The sheets ruffle underneath you as you move to lay down in bed, like you had done before Fernando knocked on your door. You feel the bed dip next to you and before you can react you feel his arm slide around your waist, pulling you against his chest. “You’re not going to anymore?”
“No, you make this bearable.” You murmur softly as you turn, now able to hide your face in Fernando's chest. Before you can stop yourself you press a kiss against Fernando’s chest. “Stay.”
A soft chuckle sounds, a kiss is pressed against your forehead. “I’m staying.”
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