Chapter Text
Everybody knows that throwing a coin in a fountain can grant a wish. What not everybody knows is that in order for those wishes to come true you need to drink some of the fountain's water. Over the years most people have forgotten this rule. Every once and a while a lucky- one could debate, unlucky - soul comes along and drinks from a wishing fountain. In that case they find themselves at the hand of hundreds of wishes.
~
Lando Norris was having a great time. It was Saturday night and he had accompanied his friend for a much needed night out. His life had been really hectic lately. He was broke and his girlfriend had broken up with him only a few weeks earlier. So tonight was a much needed night off
He’d arrived at the pub around 9:00, only half an hour late. He always has a prepared excuse for his lateness, but his friends were used to him by now so he never got to use them.
He walked across the cobblestone, passing the large fountain in the middle of the public park. He’d made many, many drunk wishes in that fountain. None had come true, of course, but it was still fun.
Inside the pub the atmosphere was lively and loud. It didn’t take long to spot Alex and George over the crowd. They stood near the bar talking to Charles and Pierre while Oscar sat quietly observing.
It was Oscar that noticed Lando first. He waved him over causing the other guys to look over as well.
“Lando!” Charles’ voice carried over the music of the pub as Lando made his way towards his friends.
“Sorry, I’m late.” He told them as Alex slung an arm over his shoulder and Lando didn’t miss the look George shot Alex. Alex though was oblivious, talking fast and gesturing wildly with his free arm.
Considering they had only been there for half an hour before Lando, Alex already seemed well on his way to being drunk.
Which made Lando realize he didn't have a drink yet. He slipped out from under Alex’s arm and went to lean against the bar waiting for the bartender to finish with another man.
“Hey, mate.” Lando said, pulling Oscar’s attention away from the others.
“Hello. You’re late, again.” He raised his eyebrows at Lando.
“I know- I know-”
“I ordered you a drink earlier.” Oscar’s sentence came out of thin air, startling Lando.
“What? Why?” He stared at Oscar, who looked away as he took a sip of his drink. Lando almost missed his reply over the sound of the pub.
“I thought you would want one if you showed. You took too long though, so I drank it.” Lando felt his lips quirk up a bit.
“Sorry ‘bout that.” He didn’t know if he should feel guilty that Oscar spent his money on a drink that he didn’t have or flattered that Oscar knew his drink order.
Lando sure as hell didn’t know Oscars but that might just be because he wasn’t nearly as observant. Or he might just have a bad memory.
The bartender came over and Oscar disappeared into the crowded room as Lando ordered.
~
It wasn’t until much later that Lando realized Oscar hadn’t come back. He was fairly drunk himself now. He looked at his phone as he half listened to George and Alex flirt. Of course they didn't actually realize what they were doing was flirting.
Charles and Pierre had gone back to Pierres apartment around midnight much to his roommate’s chagrin. Esteban, Lando believed his name was. He was actually quite proud of himself that he remembered since he’d only met the guy once or twice
The time on Lando’s phone was now close to 3 in the morning. However, he was more concerned about his phone percentage being at 12% than the time.
He momentarily forgot what he was doing on his phone and was too stressed out about it dying. Then he remembered.
“Have either of you seen Oscar? I haven’t seen him since I arrived.” Lando asked George and Alex. They had moved to a booth away from the hustle and bustle of people but it was still loud and Lando almost had to shout to be heard.
“Said he was going home after he said hi to you, I think. Early morning or something.” George called back across the table.
Lando nodded. He was a bit hurt that Oscar hadn’t said goodbye but he was also too drunk to actually care that much.
He ordered another drink.
~
They only stayed a little while longer.
It was just after 3AM when they walked out into the street.
Lando stumbled slightly as he walked, his head already throbbing like it was going to explode.
George and Alex were giggling to themselves as they both tried to support each other.
Laughing, Lando pulled out his phone to take a picture of them. George would be completely and utterly embarrassed when he saw the state he was in tomorrow.
Lando watched as they both climbed into a cab. He waved at a really smiley Alex who waved back erratically, almost pressing his face against the window to see Lando as the cab drove away.
Lando stood in front of the pub for a bit. He regretted walking there.
Slowly he stumbled over to the fountain and sat down on the edge of it.
The streetlights reflected off the inky water. Just below the surface Lando could make out the glimmer of the coins thrown in as wishes.
The water looked smooth, with only the soft breeze disrupting it.
Without thinking Lando reaches his hand into the fountain, watching as the little ripples cascade out from where his hand had breached the water.
The water was cool and in a lapse in judgment Lando cupped some water in his hands and poured it into his mouth. It was cold against his throat unlike the fiery taste of that alcohol he had been consuming throughout the night.
He’d probably die from bacteria tomorrow but for now it was a welcome reprieve.
Lando swore softly as he struggled to stand again. He managed, but only after awkwardly almost falling back into the fountain.
As nice as the water was, he wasn't really feeling like swimming right now.
He started to walk (stumble) back towards his apartment. It wasn’t far which is why he’d walked, but being drunk made things way harder and made Lando move even slower than he normally would.
As he walked he wondered if his roommate Daniel would be home. Probably. He’d have to be quiet.
A small giggle escaped Lando as he pictured himself creeping through the apartment like a ninja. Then for some reason he started thinking about Oscar. He could probably pull off being a ninja.
He was quiet enough for sure. Wait, scratch that. Lando had heard him walk. It was like an elephant the way he clomped around.
Lando giggled again, as he passed a woman out on the street, cigarette in hand.
She gave him an odd look but didn’t bother him.
It was closer to 4AM when he got home. He fumbled with his keys to unlock the door, almost dropping them twice.
Once inside, he inhaled deeply. The smell of whatever Daniel had had for dinner filled Lando’s nose, making him hungry.
As quietly as he could, which was in no means quiet, Lando searched the fridge. He found his leftover pasta.
It had probably been in the fridge for way longer than was normally suggested, but in Lando’s defense leftover pasta was never the same the next day.
He’d been ignoring it until he could just say it had gone bad so he could throw it out.
Lando wasn’t sure Daniel realized he always did this because so far he hadn’t said anything.
Lando’s college roommate, Carlos had noticed almost immediately and had scolded him for being wasteful. After that Carlos had always eaten his leftover pasta.
Now Carlos wasn’t here to eat it so it just sat there sadly. Uneaten.
Right now however, Lando was drunk or maybe already hungover. He couldn't quite tell and was too hungry to care about the fact that it was cold and stuck in his throat. At least it wasn’t fish.
He ate slowly scrolling through his phone. Once he was done he sat there for a bit longer before realizing it was almost 5AM now. Although he didn’t have to work the next day he also didn’t want to waste his whole day sleeping either.
He threw out the empty takeout container and accidentally dropped his fork in the sink making a loud noise.
He swore making more noise than he’d meant to then retreated to the bathroom to get ready for bed.
It ended up being after five when he finally got in bed. His phone on do-not-disturb, the blackout curtains drawn.
His bed was comfy and he felt happy, except for the nagging worry that was always present in the back of his mind and Lando felt at peace.
He closed his eyes, willing his mind to stop wondering why Oscar had left without saying goodbye, and Lando Norris fell asleep.