Chapter Text
“You need to tell him.”
Lando scowls and buries his face against Carlos’s chest. The alpha tuts at him, and runs an affectionate hand through Lando’s curls. When he starts massaging Lando’s scalp, the omega can’t help melting. Carlos knows what he’s doing and Lando’s loving it.
“Zak can tell him,” the omega manages to mumble though, because he knows what he's doing too.
Carlos tuts again and pointedly slows the massage, “Zak will tell him, of course. But I am sure Zak will say that Daniel should talk to you too.”
Yeah, that’s exactly what Zak will say, because Zak knows the medical facts of Lando’s panic disorder but he hasn’t ever experienced it first hand. The idea of Zak panicking at all is actually hilarious. Lando grins despite himself.
“And if you tell Daniel, he can help you like this,” Carlos continues.
Lando lifts his head to look up in disbelief at his teammate, former teammate. He still hates that, even if Carlos is completely wrong right now.
“That would be the end of my life, because Max would kill me,” Lando points out.
Carlos makes a dismissive noise, “Max loves you. He will definitely want to help. You can cuddle them, or maybe cuddle Daniel’s hot Alpha coach.”
Lando socks him in the ribs for that, colour staining his face, “Fuck off.”
Carlos’s grin is wide as he easily grabs Lando’s fists, stupid alpha strength, “No, I think you want to be fucked by him.”
Lando doesn’t deny it, he doesn’t even know Michael that well, but he does know that Michael’s a very hot-looking alpha who seems friendly and easy-going. He’s an alpha coaching an alpha, he must be easy-going, and super-strong for that to work. He’s definitely hot.
“Daniel trusts him around Max,” Carlos adds, his grip gentling around Lando’s wrists. “And Max trusts Daniel. I think you can trust them with this.”
Lando sighs, yeah, he thinks he can too. But it’s not like he enjoys saying ‘hey, so I’ve got an anxiety disorder so severe that sometimes my body physically shuts down because I’m panicking so much. And I need alphas around me that I don’t see as a threat who can ground me and maybe draw me out of it.’ He hates exposing his weaknesses in a way that he’s trained against for years, his biology already making him seem vulnerable to too many people. It’s hard enough for him to get taken seriously, being the youngest omega on the grid. He can feel a sharp pitch of worry, the kind that makes his fingers start to curl and his skin feel too tight.
Carlos croons comfortingly and strokes Lando’s back, holding him close. Carlos has been the perfect fit; an alpha who doesn’t want to mate, who’s happy to help Lando with his heats but who doesn’t demand anything but friendship. He’s protective of Lando without acting like he owns the omega. It really has been perfect.
Lando revels in Carlos’s peppery scent, nuzzling the alpha. Lando feels safe here and not patronised or tolerated. It’s really hard to find that in motorsport.
“Daniel is not going to jeopardise his McLaren dream by breaking you down,” Carlos says quietly. “I have not heard anything to say he would ever do this to anyone.”
Alphas talk, Lando knows, they say things to each other that they don’t say around omegas. They posture and boast and he knows Carlos does it a bit too, it helps Lando’s situation though he still gets alphas in his personal space, wanting to touch him and whatever. So Daniel doesn’t boast.
“They say he’s a hard bastard to mate with Max though,” Lando murmurs, just to point out that Carlos isn’t totally right.
Carlos snorts, “We both know who is the hard bastard there.”
Right, and Lando knows that Carlos used to be teammates with Max and that they never slept together and that Max was very aggressively defensive but that Carlos gave Max his space in a way that Max always questioned because he’d been prepared to fight for everything. They’d managed a wary friendship eventually, which Daniel credits with easing his own relationship with Max because Max hadn’t been so spiky after Carlos.
Lando knows that Max smells like sweetened ginger because he’s content with Daniel, he’s secure and he’s happy. Lando feels secure around Carlos.
Carlos squeezes him, “I’m sorry I can’t help you with your heats anymore.”
Lando lifts a shoulder, it’s not like they can do anything about it. Ferrari’s made sure of that. Lando’s trying not to think about it, he’s got months before his next heat thankfully.
“Maybe you will ask the hot coach to help you?” Carlos continues slyly.
Lando shoves at Carlos and Carlos laughs, but it’s not mocking or cruel.
“I can tell them, if you want,” the alpha says.
Lando wrinkles his nose, no, that does feel wrong, like he’s being ceremonially handed over. Carlos seems to get that because he nuzzles Lando gently.
“So you will tell them.”
Oh God, he’s made his point. He thinks he’s so clever. Lando shoves Carlos again, but then cuddles up with him, breathing in the smell of home, “We’ll still be pack though?”
He doesn’t mean to make it a question but it hangs like that in the air and Carlos nuzzles him firmly this time, scent-marking him, holding him close without any ulterior motive or embarrassment.
“We will always be pack, querido .”
///
A lot of people seem to think that Lando and Daniel are close friends already, because they can both joke around and have fun on Twitter and Insta. But it’s only really once Daniel is officially part of McLaren that they spend any proper time together and Daniel seems to be who he’s always been - funny and charming and willing to take the piss out of everyone, including the media, in a way that few drivers dare publicly, which Lando likes. Daniel’s also obviously totally in love with Max, displaying his mating bite and not avoiding talking about his mate in interviews, though he won't go deep and revealing either. He’s steely when anyone pushes. Lando likes that too.
Daniel doesn’t reveal anything to Lando either, which Lando understands. They might be spending more time together but it's not like they’re instantly close. Daniel teases him for being a child and for being a streamer but there's no meanness to it. Lando teases him for being old. Daniel never growls or postures about being teased by an omega or when Lando does better in the simulator. He's not happy but that's never about Lando's dynamic. That’s already a relief.
So they're not close but Lando enjoys the sort of friendship they're building and the fact that Daniel doesn’t seem to care that an omega can beat him. Lando doesn't want that to change or for Daniel to look at him differently once he knows about Lando's condition. But Daniel does need to know why Lando ducks out sometimes for no apparent reason (to quietly have a panic attack). He needs to know that Zak sometimes needing to talk privately to Lando isn't about favouritism. McLaren functions so well now because it's literally a full level team effort. Lando thinks about Carlos’s warm firm hand on the back of his neck, the alpha’s quiet calming words and presence, how he’d just hold Lando when Lando felt exhausted.
There’s no guarantee either Daniel or Max will be comfortable with that level of help. Lando sighs, staring down at his phone, feeling suddenly sickeningly pathetic. He hates this, but it’s as much a fact of his life as being an omega. It's all a matter of management.
So he messages them both and asks if they want to get something to eat tonight, and could they bring Michael? That’s definitely weird, but he doesn’t know what he can add - ‘I need to tell you something really private that might affect you guys now too?’
He does his breathing exercises, reminds himself that he’s taking all the medication he can, and that he’s meeting people he likes, a mated couple and someone they obviously trust. His skin heats up when he thinks about Michael. He imagines Michael’s hand on his shoulder, on the nape of his neck. His breathing eases. Oh, okay, very good to know, but he’s not telling them that.
They all meet up at a really good burger place. Daniel and Max are hand in hand, relaxed and happy. Max hugs Lando easily and briefly, Daniel doesn’t, seeing as Lando’s an unclaimed omega, but he claps Lando on the shoulder. Lando briefly bares his throat to Daniel and Michael. Michael just smiles, hanging back slightly like he doesn’t want to crowd Lando but he doesn’t exclude Lando from conversation either. Lando melts a bit inside. He smiles back and really hopes his cheeks aren’t colouring too much.
Everywhere is busy today and it’s England so there are people who double-take a bit when they see them but the group is tucked away in the back and people are usually on their way out with takeaway so they mostly get left alone. Daniel and Michael eat huge platefuls and Max steals chunks of Daniel’s meal without any concern. Daniel’s doing something to him under the table, pinching Max’s thigh from the way the omega smacks him. Michael watches them with indulgent fond exasperation, a look that he shares with Lando. Lando grins in agreement and completely enjoys the way Mchael’s gaze feels on him.
The conversation rambles through music and video games and McLaren, without dropping anything that Max is gonna feel compelled to bring up to his team, and Lando feels relaxed but what he needs to tell them is preying on his mind. The alphas at the table can definitely smell his worries, because he gets concerned looks, but they don’t say anything in public. It’s not until they’re outside the restaurant that Lando shoves his hands in his pockets and takes a deep breath of cool evening air before trying to think of a way to get everyone somewhere more private without it involving going back to his flat. Daniel solves the problem for him.
“Come on, free beer and kicking your asses at FIFA."
The conversation’s quieter on the way to Daniel’s flat but it doesn’t feel unfriendly. Lando can still smell their concern, it’s getting stronger by the minute, and they keep glancing at him. He can see that Max is desperate to ask but somehow Daniel’s keeping him quiet. Lando’s grateful, it’s definitely not a conversation he wants to have out in the street.
He breathes deeply and steadily, aware of Michael watching at his shoulder. It makes his skin heat but not in a bad way. Michael's presence is steadying. Lando smiles lightly, wishing he knew Michael well enough to brush against his side or get even closer. He hopes the evening breeze is blowing his scent away from the alpha. He concentrates on his breathing.
The flat isn’t surprising enough to break through Lando’s breathing exercises. He sits in an armchair and watches as Max and Daniel share a sofa and Michael sits on another chair close by, like it's the obvious place for him to be. Max and Daniel’s scent is really strong in the flat, Michael’s is pretty strong there too. It's something else Lando finds steadying, comforting too; they're like a little pack, strong and happy, and they've invited him onto their territory.
Everyone’s looking at him, he realises. And they’re looking at him like he could be really fragile and they're trying to work out why. It’s a terrible feeling so Lando blurts out,
“I have panic disorder, anxiety. You can probably smell the meds.”
The scent in the room turns shocked. Lando is very aware of Michael but continues, “It doesn’t affect my racing, it’s everywhere else. Sometimes, I get triggered and I’ll get an attack, so you’ll probably see me disappear because it’s not something I like doing in public."
“Doesn’t medication stop the attacks?” Max asks curiously.
“It helps, I have less attacks now, but it doesn’t totally stop them,” Lando explains. “And sometimes I’m trying out a new dose or a new med and that can make things worse.”
Daniel looks thoughtful, “Zak asked if we’d talked at all, said he’d be around if I had any questions.”
That helps. “Yeah, he knows, obviously. And Jon and Charlotte, and the FIA.”
That hadn’t been a fun meeting but he’d been examined and observed and he was confirmed as being able to race without any deficit or advantage.
“You’re okay right now?” Daniel asks suddenly, his concern spiking again.
Lando takes a deep breath, “Okay...yeah, I’m not great , talking about it. But you need to know, we’ll be doing media together.”
Daniel nods slowly, “Is there stuff I should do, to stop the triggering?”
Relief breaks through Lando so headily, he has to take a few deep breaths. Daniel’s reaction is the same kind Lando got from George and Alex. It’s exactly what Lando wants. He smiles softly, shaking his head at Daniel’s question.
“I wish there was, just I might leave suddenly when we’re doing stuff.”
Daniel grins now, “So if you’re a rude fucker, I know what’s up. I see how it is.”
Lando laughs, “Yeah, I might take a lot of breaks.”
They grin at each other, then Daniel asks, “Should I get you to Carlos? Like, on race days or whatever? Would that help?”
Lando’s grin fades. He wishes that was possible too. He notices Michael shifting in his seat a bit, maybe like he wants to ease Lando’s upset scent. Lando wants to lean into that help so badly.
“Ferrari has rules,” he says quietly, trying to smile again. “They don’t know anything about the anxiety, they just know me and Carlos have been heat buddies but yeah, that’s not gonna happen anymore. And I can’t be in their garage and he can’t be in ours so there's a limit to how much he can help now.”
Daniel growls quietly, it’s not aggressive but Lando bares his throat a little. Max pushes closer to his mate, murmuring and nuzzling, and Daniel calms easily.
“That’s fucked up,” he pronounces. “Jesus, mate, it helped, right? Having an alpha around?”
Lando nods, Daniel’s picked up on that without Lando spelling it out. It’s a relief really, especially when Daniel smiles gently, not smelling put-off at all.
“Well, I can’t help with heats but if you need pack-style comfort, sure.”
It’s that easy? Max nods in agreement when Lando looks up, “I wish you’d told us sooner.”
He means he wishes Lando had told him sooner. His scent is hurt and Lando whines softly, hating that he’s hurt his friend, “I really don’t tell people. It hasn’t always worked out, people can't handle it, you know, or they think it shows omegas shouldn't be driving or there's alphas trying to pounce.”
Both Michael and Daniel growl now.
“Alphas have tried it on when you’re panicking?” Daniel asks, sounding seriously pissed off. “Fucking really?”
Lando half laughs but nods. Yeah, it’s happened more than once. Times when he can feel his chest starting to get tight and alphas have tried crowding him and offering to take him some place more comfortable, like they’re concerned. But he’s got a working nose.
“No wonder Carlos kept you covered in his scent,” Daniel mutters. “Here, if you want.”
He extends his free arm, the one that’s not wrapped around Max, like an invitation. Lando crosses the room quickly, and sighs as he cuddles next to Daniel, smiling as Daniel nuzzles his hair and rubs fingers down Lando’s arm. It’s friendly and kind. Lando relaxes into the touch even more.
“Thanks,” he sighs.
He feels a hand touch his, it’s Max, lacing their fingers together and squeezing. Lando smiles carefully, the hurt in Max’s scent has disappeared and the omega doesn’t smell upset about Lando cuddling up with his mate. Lando nuzzles closer, crooning quietly.
“Return him in working order, it’s all I ask,” Max says to Lando.
Lando laughs delightedly, “I’m only interested in you anyway, Max.”
Max grins triumphantly, poking Daniel in the ribs, making the alpha yelp before he tries to grab Max in a headlock.
“He’s interested in me! I need to be in working order too!” protests Max through a full-throated laugh.
Lando scrambles out of the way and ends up near Michael’s chair. The alpha smiles warmly, “Thanks for trusting me with this.”
Lando knows he’s flushing but answers casually, “You’re around Dan so much, you’ll probably see me have an attack.”
Michael nods, “Is there anything we should do when that happens?”
Lando smiles gratefully, not everyone asks that. He thinks they assume they should always get the team doctor.
“Get me breathing slowly and deeply, using a paper bag if possible. I usually carry one or Jon does. And get me to cool off, so not loads of people around me too. If I get worse, then you should get the team doctor.”
Michael takes it all in and his scent doesn’t change. He really is easy-going, and he’s still really hot. Lando wishes he could sit on the arm of Michael’s chair and get closer. He likes Michael’s scent, it’s like sun-warmed metal.
“Lando.”
Daniel and Max have righted themselves and Daniel throws Lando a controller. “The ass-kicking starts now.”
Like Lando hasn’t just dumped something super-heavy on them all that’s gonna affect the way they all see him. It feels really good, different to being with Carlos but just as good.
Grinning, even though he knows Carlos is later going to unload an ‘I told you so’ on him, probably in song, Lando rejoins them on the sofa.