Dinner had been quiet and uneventful, and everyone was too jetlagged to go clubbing. They decided to relax by the pool instead. Lewis lounged on a beach recliner, while Kika and Mila chatted with their feet in the pool.

Lando, Daniel, Charles, and Pierre were swimming. Max, Kelly, Penelope, and George played Jenga inside, with Carlos asleep on the couch next to them.

"Aren't you guys going to come in for a swim?" Pierre asked the girls as he tossed a beach ball to Daniel.

"I'm still full from dinner," Kika groaned. "The food was so good, but I had too much."

Mila chuckled. "Yeah, I'm good here too."

"Oh come on, you're being buzzkills," Daniel whined.

"Leave them alone, Danny," Lewis mumbled sleepily. "Not everyone is as high-energy as you. We're all tired."

Daniel pouted but went back to playing with Pierre. Lando got out of the pool and walked over to Mila and Kika. As he crouched down to get his towel, water dripped from his hair onto Mila again, making her squeal.

"Lando! Not again!" she screamed, quickly moving to avoid more water. But she misjudged the distance and slipped, falling into the pool with a large splash that soaked Kika and Lando. But Lando's smile faded when he saw that Mila wasn't moving to swim back up.

Concern overtook him as he searched for her movement but found none. Without thinking twice, Lando jumped into the pool, splashing more water on Kika.

He swam deeper into the 10-foot pool, seeing Mila's eyes slowly closing as if she were falling asleep.

He quickly wrapped his arms around her and swam back to the surface, carrying her to the edge and laying her down beside Kika. Kika gasped in fear, checking on her new friend as Lando carried her.

"What's wrong?" Lewis asked, getting up from his chair. Pierre, Daniel, and Charles quickly got out of the pool to check on Mila.

"Lani! Lani!" Lando yelled, pressing on her chest to make sure her lungs weren't filled with water. After a few pushes, Mila coughed out some water, and everyone sighed in relief. By now, Max, Kelly, and the others had gathered around the pool.

Mila's eyes fluttered open as she squinted. "Wh-what happened?" she stuttered. Without missing a beat, Lando hugged her tightly, closing his eyes in relief.

"I got so scared," he mumbled into her ear. Mila sighed, hugging him back lightly.

"I'm okay, Lanlan," she said, trying to ease his fear. He smiled softly and pulled away. Immediately, Kika hugged her.

"What happened here? Mila, are you okay?" Carlos asked as he walked into the pool area, seeing the crowd.

"Yeah, I just slipped and fell into the pool," Mila mumbled.

"You can't swim?" Kika asked softly, still concerned.

"I... I can, or, I mean, I could, but now..." Mila started to explain but was still shaken and shivering. Lando noticed and interrupted her, taking her hand.

"It's okay, Lani, we can talk later," he said, helping her to her feet and keeping one hand intertwined with hers and the other wrapped around her waist. "Let's get you some rest first, okay?"

Mila nodded slowly as everyone made way for them. Lando helped her up the stairs and to their room, where he offered her a towel to dry off her body and hair.

Lando poured Mila a glass of water as she wrapped a towel around her hair.

"Do you want to get changed and then lie down for a bit?" Lando asked gently. Mila nodded but stumbled as she tried to get up, still feeling weak.

Lando immediately caught her and sat her back down on the bed. "Okay, how about I get you a hoodie and you change here? I'll turn around."

"It's okay, Lan-"

"Lani, you can't even walk properly right now," Lando interrupted. "Just listen to me, okay?"

Hesitantly, Mila nodded. Lando walked to his suitcase, grabbed one of his McLaren hoodies, and then fetched a pair of shorts from hers. She smiled and mumbled a 'thank you' as Lando walked to the window and turned his back to her, looking out at the ocean. Behind him, Mila changed out of her black dress into Lando's hoodie and her shorts.

"Okay, I'm done," she said shyly. Lando turned around and walked over to her, placing his palm on her forehead to check her temperature.

"Okay, you don't seem to have a fever," he said. Mila looked at him with a big smile.

"What? Why're you smiling?" Lando asked, raising an eyebrow. After what had just happened, how could she be smiling?

"You're so cute when you're worried," Mila said with a grin. "Don't worry, Lando. I'm okay. Thanks for saving me."

"I got so scared, Lani," he said, sighing as he sat down next to her. "When you weren't swimming back up and I noticed you passing out, I was-"

"But I'm fine now," she reassured, gently laying her head on his shoulder. "Thanks to you."

Lando hummed as he pulled her into his arms, lying her down on his chest as he too lay down. Mila noticed Lando mindlessly rubbing circles into her arm. She rested her chin on his chest, looking up at him as his eyes flickered to hers.

"Lanlan," she mumbled, and a smile immediately crept up on Lando's face. Even in just a day, he'd grown to find the nickname adorable when coming from her.

"Yes, sunshine?" he asked, trying to hide the smile but failing as Mila grinned at him.

"Sunshine?" Mila laughed, blushing at the nickname.

"Yeah, you're always so happy and you cheer up everyone around you with just your presence," he explained, running his hands through her hair. "Ever since you walked into my life, you've brightened up all my dull days, like a ray of sunshine."

"You've made my days better too, Lando," Mila added. "I'm happy I decided to go to that bar that night and ran into you. I can't imagine my life without you, really."

As they shared their feelings, Lando looked deep into her eyes, feeling that strange sensation in his chest again. He couldn't imagine his life without her either.

His mind drifted back to the beach, remembering how she had closed her eyes in anticipation when he leaned in for a kiss. Would it be the same now?

As he wondered, he subconsciously leaned in. Their faces were inches apart, and just as he was about to kiss her, Mila yawned, snapping him out of his trance.

So instead, he kissed her forehead softly. Mila smiled and closed her eyes, cuddling closer into his arms. Lando pulled the blanket over her to keep her warm.

This wasn't the first time Mila and Lando had fallen asleep in each other's arms.

Sometimes, during movie nights, they'd doze off without even realizing it. They often found themselves cuddled up together, even without intending to.

Despite being best friends, they had an unspoken understanding that made their bond strong. They just clicked. So, it never felt strange.

But this time felt a bit special. As they drifted off, they both sensed something was different, though they couldn't quite pinpoint what. Even though they were still just Mila and Lando, best friends, behind closed doors, this time felt unique. It was a good kind of different, but they couldn't quite explain why.

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Mila woke up to her phone ringing and saw it was Lando calling. She realized she had fallen asleep in his arms, but he wasn't there now. Answering sleepily, she asked, "Lando? Where are you?"

"Morning, sunshine," Lando's voice chirped, making her smile, "I have a surprise for you. Get ready and meet me at the beach in 15 minutes. I picked out an outfit from your stuff already, hope you don't mind," Lando said.

"Why the surprise?" Mila asked, curious.

"Just because I wanted to do something nice for you," Lando replied, "Ryder said you love thoughtful surprises, so as a good fake boyfriend and a great real best friend, I thought I should plan one to make you happy. Don't be late, okay? See you soon, love you!" He then quickly hung up before Mila could ask more.

Mila laughed and checked the time. It was only 5:10 AM. She wondered what kind of surprise required them to be up so early, but she didn't mind since she was a morning person, anyway.

She quickly got ready, finding a white sundress Lando had picked out for her, along with a single daisy he had managed to find somehow. Smiling, she went downstairs quietly to head to the beach, not wanting to wake anyone up.

Walking to the beach as the sky brightened, Mila spotted a small figure in the distance. As she got closer, she realized it was Lando, still in his clothes from the night before. Facing the ocean, he didn't see her coming. She quietly snuck up behind him and shouted, "BOOH!"

Lando screeched in surprise but quickly recovered, turning to see Mila laughing hard, clutching her stomach. "You're not funny," Lando glared, fighting a smile.

"Surprise!" Mila laughed as Lando ran towards her, tackling and tickling her. She tried to run, but Lando, being faster, easily caught up. He picked her up and spun her around, making her scream and laugh.

Finally giving in, he set her down, gently tucking her hair behind her ear and leading her to a surprise picnic he had set up.

Mila looked at the setup in awe. "Ryder told me you used to love having picnics on the beach and that you love sunrises, so I thought I'd combine them for you. Do you like it?" Lando asked.

As Mila looked up at him, he noticed tears forming in her eyes. Frowning, he quickly approached her, wiping away a tear. "Hey hey, what happened, Lani? Don't you like it? Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry if I—"

"I love it, Lando," Mila mumbled, calming his concern. "It's beautiful. I just... thank you. So much."

Lando's worry melted into a smile. "I'm glad. Please don't cry. I wanted to make you happy, not sad."

"I am happy," she reassured him. "These are happy tears."

Lando chuckled, gesturing for Mila to sit on a beach chair next to him. A small table between them held fruits, lime juice, and breakfast items. "How about breakfast while we watch the sunrise?" he suggested, and Mila nodded eagerly.

TW !!

As they quietly ate and the sun began to rise, Mila spoke up. "I almost drowned," she confessed, catching Lando's attention.

Assuming she meant the previous day, he started, "I wouldn't have let you—"

"Not yesterday," Mila interrupted, seeing Lando's confusion. "It was in 2018. I was drunk, walking on the beach, and suddenly, I couldn't control my steps. I kept going into the water, deeper and deeper. I was... too drunk to swim back up. Water filled my lungs, and I was running out of air. Somehow, someone saw me and rescued me... but I woke up in the hospital two days later. I had pneumonia and stayed in the hospital for three months. My parents made me go to therapy to overcome my intense fear of water that developed after that, even in showers. That's when I stopped going on beach picnics. It was just... too hard"

"Lani, I didn't—" Lando started, but Mila knew what he was going to say.

"Yeah, I know," she sighed, her voice tinged with sadness. "It was stupid. I got drunk because I caught my ex-boyfriend cheating on me with my roommate and close friend at the time. I tried to forgive him, but he said loving me was too difficult. He felt overshadowed by my career and tired of being known as 'Milana's boyfriend.' He left with her, leaving me alone in the apartment. I drank all the alcohol we had and just wanted to go for a walk on the beach but I don't know how..." She trailed off, reminiscing about that painful memory.

End of TW !!

Without a word, Lando rose from his seat and approached Mila, wrapping her in a tight hug. She hugged him back gently, closing her eyes, feeling comforted by his embrace. She hadn't talked about that incident in years, and hardly anyone knew about it. But sharing it with Lando felt right; she trusted him not to judge her.

As if he understood her thoughts, he murmured during the hug, "You should be proud of how much you've grown, Lani. Loving you is... effortless. You're like the most wonderful person, always joyful and kind."

When he released her from the hug, he held onto her, urging her to look at him as he continued, "Loving you is as natural as breathing. Your family, friends, and fans—they all see the real you and love you for it. And you shouldn't have to downplay your achievements to make others feel better about themselves. You've worked hard for what you have. So, embrace it, okay?"

Slowly agreeing, Mila turned her gaze away from his, feeling overwhelmed by the sincerity in his words. It felt like he truly meant every word he said.

"Do you... do you wanna walk into the water?" Mila suggested tentatively, looking at Lando, who seemed unsure.

"Are you sure about this?" Lando asked, concerned. Mila nodded, though her words didn't sound entirely convinced. Lando could see the fear in her eyes, mixed with a longing as she looked at the ocean.

Taking her hand, Lando started walking into the water, Mila following closely, gripping his hand tightly.

"If you want to go back, just tell me, okay?" Lando assured her as the waves splashed around their feet. "I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you. Ever. Okay, sunshine?"

Mila smiled at the nickname, feeling a surge of happiness as the waves splashed around her feet.

"Let's go a bit farther," Mila suggested with enthusiasm, her smile contagious. Lando laughed at her excitement.

"Are you sure you want to go further?" he asked, still concerned.

"I'm with you. I know I'll be fine, Lanlan," Mila replied, her smile contagious. Lando felt a rush of warmth, knowing she felt safe with him, trusting him completely and knowing he would protect her no matter what.

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milacooper

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Liked by - landonorris, francisca.cgomes, danielricciardo and 5, 324, 778 others

Tagged - landonorris

chasing sunrises with you 🌅🧡

Comments

landonorris my sunshine🧡🧡
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danielricciardo When did you guys sneak out without us? 😔
↳ landonorris It was a surprise for her, man

user1 Not Lando setting the bar so high🥹
↳ pierregasly Literally. Happy for them but he needs to chill out and let the rest of us catch up🙄

lucyhealeymusic Seeing you back at the beach after so long🥹
↳ milacooper I missed it sooo much
↳ lucyhealeymusic Remind me to thank Lando for this later
↳ landonorris No need to thank me. Anything to make Lani happy🧡

flonorris1 You're so beautifulllll😍
↳ milacooper Says youu😩

user2 I love how he does these small things to make her smile
↳ landonorris I have my selfish reasons. I love seeing that smile
↳ user3 OMG HE IS SOOOO IN LOVE
↳ user2 THEY BOTH ARE #MILANDOSUPREMACY

user4 IM GOING TO CRY

user5 Seeing her so happy after so long, my heart is so full🥹
↳ user4 Everyone say "THANK YOU LANDO NORRIS"
↳ user1 THANK YOU LANDO NORRIS
↳ user6 THANK YOU LANDO NORRIS
↳ user5 THANK YOU LANDO NORRIS

user8 She's not even that pretty
↳ user9 Yeah and she's only using him for clout
↳ user4 She literally has more followers than him 😂

user8 Lando can do better

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