One
Remus longed for nothing more than to rest. His off-season plan was simple: stay in London, relax in his apartment, and do just enough to maintain a reasonable level of fitness. Yet, it seemed the universe had other ideas.
"Did you see it?!" Lily's voice, brimming with excitement, pierced through as Remus answered his phone.
"Of course, I saw it," he replied, striving to mask the moodiness he felt. He didn't want to dampen Lily's enthusiasm.
"This season's going to be epic!" she exclaimed. "Sirius is up against his brother, and now, out of nowhere, Ferrari signs James Potter! I just hope our car lives up to Mary's claims. It'd be a real disappointment if we couldn't compete for the title. Honestly, I think I'd literally die – my organs would just give up."
Remus couldn't help but chuckle. While he was competitive like everyone else in the sport, Lily Evans was in a league of her own. Her existence seemed solely fueled by competition. Having worked at Red Bull for a few years, she began as an intern after winning a scholarship. By twenty-one, her quick wit and ability to think on her feet in stressful situations had her climbing the ranks at an astonishing pace.
"Not so fast," Remus cautioned, "I couldn't manage this without you. Without your support, I'd probably lose my mind, or worse, my temper, landing me in prison."
"I still think you should consider therapy," she suggested.
"So, it's Potter to Ferrari, then?" Remus diverted, changing the subject.
Remus could almost picture Lily shaking her head at his feeble attempt to change the subject. However, her excitement over the news was palpable, and she decided to let him off the hook this time.
"It does make sense, doesn't it?" she mused. "McLaren couldn't possibly provide a championship-winning car with the current design team. Mary mentioned she knows some of the guys there, and according to her, they're not exactly the brightest."
"Mary criticizes almost everyone but herself," Remus countered. ". She keeps criticizing her own designer team.”
Stepping out onto the balcony, he reached for his nearly empty cigarette pack and the flickering lighter. This conversation is going to be long, but maybe the remaining five cigs will last until the end.
Lily, seemingly amused, continued, "That's what you call constructive criticism. Say what you will about Mary, but last year's car was second fastest in the entire field. And now, I think she's really onto something groundbreaking."
"Don't get your hopes too high, Lils," Remus sighed, the weariness evident in his voice. "It's not the end of the world if we don't win. Even if Mary delivers the fastest car, Black could still wreck it in every other race."
His tone betrayed a hint of bitterness. As a Formula 1 mechanic, there were two types of drivers he particularly disliked. The first was the incessant complainer, always blaming the team. The second, and more frustrating, was the kind who destroyed the car at every second race. Sirius Black, unfortunately, fell into the latter category over the past half-season.
"Enough of this," Lily chided him. "We need to trust our drivers. You don't have to like him, but he's a crucial part of our team. He's probably our best chance for success in a long time. Marlene is capable, but she's not quite championship material."
Remus couldn’t argue with that. Marlene McKinnon had talent, but her lack of interest in competition was evident. Sirius Black, much like Lily, was driven by an insatiable desire to win.
Yet, Sirius was impulsive and reckless, often risking everything once the race heated up. In just half a season with Red Bull, he had managed to demolish the car four times. Remus cared little for Sirius's victory in his debut race; what mattered was the endless nights spent in the garage, piecing together a Formula 1 car from the wreckage. The fact that Sirius never even offered a word of thanks only added salt to the wound.
"He doesn't care about the team," Remus grumbled into the phone, taking a deep drag from his cigarette.
"He's young and impulsive; he'll mature," Lily argued.
"He's the same age as us," Remus pointed out.
Lily exhaled deeply. "You know what I mean. Last season was only his second. He skipped F2 and F3 entirely! Sirius has a lot to learn about teamwork, but that's the least of our worries."
Remus didn't press the issue, not out of agreement, but because the argument was tiresome and all too familiar. All he wanted was to enjoy his off-season rest. The debates with Lily could wait until winter testing, which was just two weeks away.
With the argument seemingly settled, Lily shifted the conversation back to James Potter. Remus was interested, though not as enthusiastic as Lily, so he let her continue, leaning against the balcony railing and chain-smoking.
An hour later, they ended the call with a promise to resume their discussion once Lily returned from her trip to Milton Keynes. Her plan was to spend the final week at home, mostly with Remus and her parents, before they headed to Bahrain together.
Remus stubbed out his last cigarette and stepped back inside. He needed a new pack, but there was no way he was venturing out into the streets today. He cherished his friendship with Lily dearly, but the day's social interactions had reached their limit for him.
His plan was to spend the night in front of his racing simulator, gaming away. Although he wasn't a great driver in reality, with enough practice, he managed to hold his own in the virtual world, a pastime he genuinely enjoyed.
Working in Formula 1 was all-consuming, but it paid well enough for him to indulge in such expensive hobbies, even if time wasn’t much time he could spend with them.
However, even as he immersed himself in the game, his thoughts kept drifting to the upcoming season. The rules had changed this year, signaling a potential shift in the power dynamics within the sport. He had to acknowledge that their team boasted a formidable driving duo. Marlene might not have been overly passionate, but her consistency was invaluable.
And then there was Sirius Black. Exceptionally talented, he not only brought a surge of attention and sponsorship to the team but also an air of mystery, especially concerning his relationship with his brother.
Regulus Black had been a driver for Mercedes for four years, starting at the remarkably young age of nineteen. His talent laid in maintaining control under extreme conditions, finding grip where others struggled, rarely making mistakes. The only thing keeping him from a world championship title was not having a car capable of clinching it.
Regulus had followed a textbook career path: starting with karting at a very young age, progressing through the feeder series, and making his Formula 1 debut at eighteen with Williams. After earning his first points, Mercedes swiftly signed him. People speculated about the strict upbringing by their parents as a factor in his success; some argued it enhanced his skills, while others believed it might have stifled his full potential.
Sirius, on the other hand, was an enigma wrapped in chaos. Few knew the true story behind the Black family's dynamics, but certain facts were public:
One: Sirius began karting and winning from a young age, just like Regulus.
Two: Upon reaching eligibility for Formula 3, he abruptly ceased racing.
Three: Two years ago, he made a dramatic comeback, dispelling doubts about his talent being inferior to Regulus’s.
Four: Within the Black family, it seemed as if Sirius practically didn't exist.
Like everyone else, Remus was intrigued. Drama was no stranger to Formula 1, but the saga of the Black brothers was unique and compelling. Should they compete against each other for the championship in the upcoming season, the fans would undoubtedly go crazy. And who could blame them?
✩*⋆☾⋆｡°✩
When Lily arrived, she and Remus immediately agreed it was the perfect time for some drinks. Remus assisted her with her luggage and then fetched their favourite Chinese takeout while Lily showered. They devoured their meal as if they hadn’t eaten in weeks, and then headed to their beloved Irish-themed pub via the underground.
Spending time with Lily was always effortless, a quality Remus cherished. They had become friends in high school after discovering a mutual passion for basically everything witch had an engine in it. Lily had always aspired to be a motorsport strategist, whereas Remus was content as long as he was around cars, leading him to become a mechanic. It was Lily’s remarkable talent and determination that eventually brought them together on the same team.
Sitting in a secluded booth at the pub, beers in hand, Lily mused, “I think I want to spend all my time in London here in this sacred spot.”
“What’s stopping you?” Remus inquired.
“Family,” Lily murmured, sipping her drink. “My parents want me to meet Petunia’s new boyfriend. Or is it fiancé? I think they're engaged now, though I’m not entirely sure.”
“How can you not be sure about your sister’s engagement?” Remus asked, puzzled.
Lily just shrugged. “To be honest, I’m not that invested. She doesn’t really care about me, so I’ve stopped trying.”
Remus knew this wasn’t entirely true but chose not to press the issue, understanding Lily’s relationship with Petunia was a delicate topic.
“Let’s talk about something else,” Remus suggested. “What do you think of our new livery?”
Lily rolled her eyes. “It’s practically the same as last year. And the year before. It’s been the same ever since Red Bull became Red Bull.”
“But it has its own charm. It’s recognizable, at least. Besides, Ferrari’s been red forever, and no one complains about that.”
“True, but Ferrari has a legacy.”
“And Red Bull will too, soon as we finally win a championship.”
It had been their dream for years. Recently, they had inched ever closer to being a top contender, a real threat to the other teams, but they always fell short against Ferrari, and before that, Mercedes, though Lily and Remus hadn’t been part of the team then.
After a moment of reflection, Lily added, “I have faith in Mary, Sirius, Marlene, and of course, myself.”
“What about the pit crew?” Remus asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lily playfully smacked his shoulder. “You’re an idiot. The team would be lost without you guys.”
Remus let out an exaggerated sigh. “Good to know. I was starting to think you’d become one of those snobs who act like we’re invisible or, at best, second-rate.”
“You know I despise those types,” Lily replied, sounding slightly offended.
“It was just a joke, Lils.”
Lily took another sip of her beer, and Remus rolled his eyes affectionately.
“You’re worried,” he observed, noting Lily’s lack of response. “It’s the off-season. Save the stress for later. This is our time to relax.”
“It’s just that...” Lily looked away, avoiding Remus’s gaze. “Ferrari has a strong lineup this year.”
“Stronger than ours?”
It was a tricky question. While it was crucial to have confidence in their team and its members, they also had to remain grounded in reality. The prevailing belief in racing was that a driver could only be the best if they truly believed they were, regardless of their track record. Remus, however, found this notion to be somewhat unrealistic. To him, true excellence came from a constant pursuit of improvement and striving for perfection.
Lily often claimed they were the best in every aspect, but deep down, she was a realist, even if she was reluctant to admit it.
“Moreover,” Remus continued, realizing Lily wouldn’t respond any time soon, “Potter might be talented, but he’s no Alice Fortescue. And as for Pandora, she’s skilled, but she can’t compare to Marlene.”
“Or Black,” Lily added, her expression warning Remus to tread carefully with his next words.
“Yes, or Black,” he conceded, rolling his eyes again.
“Careful, you might get dizzy if you keep that up every time Sirius is mentioned.”
“It makes tolerating him easier,” Remus retorted.
Lily gave him a knowing smirk, which Remus found unsettling.
“What?” he grumbled.
“I think I’ve figured out your issue with constantly complaining about Sirius Black.”
Remus was both confused and slightly annoyed by Lily’s smug expression.
“Do enlighten me with your theory,” he said, half-sarcastically.
“Oh, come on, Remus!” Lily scoffed. “You fancy him.”
Remus nearly spat out his beer, but not wanting to waste it, he managed to swallow it, though not without some difficulty. Lily looked at him with a mix of amusement and disdain.
“I hardly know the guy!” Remus protested once he recovered from his coughing fit. “You know I barely interact with the drivers.”
“I didn’t say you’re in love with him; I said you fancy him. I mean, the guy is pretty,” Lily conceded.
“Yeah, pretty ignorant and irresponsible,” Remus countered.
“Or irresistibly so, perhaps?” she teased.
Remus felt a surge of frustration. To be honest, he didn’t understand his own irritation. Yes, Sirius Black was undeniably beautiful, but that didn’t mean he fancied him. His feelings were more akin to annoyance.
“You’re being ridiculous,” he said, shaking his head.
Lily just shrugged nonchalantly. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“Worry about your own sleep,” Remus shot back. “If you keep stressing like this, we’ll lose our main strategist within a year. It’s not healthy.”
“Oh, shut up! You’re hardly one to lecture about health,” Lily retorted.
Remus couldn’t help but laugh, which finally coaxed a smile from Lily. She had a point; his own habits of smoking and poor sleep weren’t exactly the epitome of health.
“Let’s just hope James Potter doesn’t live up to Alice Fortescue’s legacy, and we’ll have the upper hand with the car,” Remus concluded, a sentiment they both could agree on.
James Potter seemed like a rare talent, but replacing Alice Fortescue was a tall order. She was a legend in Formula 1, having won her seventh world title just the previous year before retiring at her peak. Some drivers preferred to bow out while still on top, rather than risk a decline.
Understandably, Ferrari was in a bit of a panic after losing their star driver. They were still the team to beat, having been the fastest for the past few years, making them the coveted choice for almost every driver.
Almost.
Neither Sirius nor Regulus had taken Ferrari’s offer, a snub that surely stung. Remus knew Regulus’s loyalty to Mercedes was strong, but Sirius’s decision was puzzling, given Red Bull’s current standing. It didn’t add up in Remus’s mind.
Ultimately, Ferrari signed James Potter, a move that was as good for their image as it was for their performance since everyone loved the guy. James was always smiling, always playing nice and fair. He fooled around outside the track and was a beast on it.
Maybe Remus should consider a switch to Ferrari. But then, he wouldn’t have Lily by his side.
Soon, they agreed to put work discussions aside for the day, and the conversation lightened. They talked and laughed over several more beers, discussing what little leisure activities they could squeeze into their tight schedules in each country. Lily wanted to visit a casino for the first time, and Remus agreed to join her as long as they also visited a cafe in Amsterdam where they can eat brownie with weed in it, because Remus hadn’t tried it yet that way and he heard it had a longer effect.
They made fun of Petunia, because it made Lily feel better and they joked about the orphanage Remus grew up in, because it made him feel better. They also poked fun at Netflix’s Formula 1 series, 'Drive to Survive,' finding humour in its dramatization of their profession.
The topic of therapy came up, but they quickly dropped it when Remus became defensive. He knew damn well he should seek professional help; he just liked the idea of sweeping the problem under the carpet much better.
After finishing their drinks, they stumbled back to Remus’s place, collapsing on the sofa to watch a movie. They barely made it ten minutes into the film before falling asleep in positions guaranteed to cause back pain the next morning.