People I got 13535 words and I’m not done yet…. Maybe this will be an ao3 exclusive 😭💀
I’ll probably upload a chapter every two to three days or smt over there once I’m ready and have polished the first few chapters
Struggled to come up with a full story line to build up on and suddenly I get a burst of energy in the middle of the night.
Now I’m writing with the ideas flooding in and tears lowkey welling up in my eyes. Had to take my glasses off in between 💀
My writing isn’t nearly as good as the scenes playing on repeat in my head so don’t expect too much but I can promise that I’ll do my best.
Tragic Launt story will be longer than the ones I’ve written before so it takes a bit longer. Sorry!
Still struggling with the Launt fic (I'm not satisfied with this at all) but here's the first ''Chapter'' because I feel bad for taking so long.
This is an unpolished version. If I upload the fic on AO3 it will probably be a tiny bit different just because I'll probably change a few things so constructive criticism is welcome! With that said I hope y'all enjoy!
1970
Their paths crossed on a sun-baked afternoon during the qualifying session at a British track. Niki had been on a flying lap, perfectly in control as he hit every apex with precision. Then, out of nowhere, James appeared in his mirrors, a blur of speed and audacity. Without hesitation, James forced his way past, shoving Niki off the racing line as if the rules of racing didn’t apply to him.
Niki was forced to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision, his car fishtailing slightly before he regained control. Anger surged through him as he pulled into the pits after the session, where he saw James casually leaning against his car, a smug grin plastered across his face.
“You call that racing?” Niki barked as he stormed over, his usually calm demeanor gone.
James barely looked up, his blue eyes glinting with amusement. “Come on, Lauda. Can´t handle a little push?”
Niki’s jaw tightened. “You shoved me off the line. My line. You have no respect for the rules.”
“Rules?” James chuckled, shaking his head. “This is racing, mate, not a Sunday drive. If you’re not willing to take risks, you’re in the wrong sport.”
For a moment, Niki stood there, his fists clenched at his sides, the urge to punch James in the face almost overwhelming. But instead, he took a step back, exhaling sharply. “Arschloch,” he muttered under his breath as he turned his back on James. He walked away, determined to focus on the next race. He had no time for brash idiots like Hunt.
James watched him leave, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Asshole.”
Yet, fate has a funny way of intertwining the lives of those who seem destined to clash. Over the next few months, as the season progressed, Niki and James found themselves crossing paths more often. At first, it was nothing more than icy glares and terse nods. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, things began to change.
It all started with a rain-soaked evening at a track in the middle of nowhere. The day’s races had been called off, the downpour turning the circuit into a treacherous mess. Most drivers had retreated to their trailers or nearby hotels, but Niki, ever the perfectionist, had stayed behind, poring over notes about his car’s performance in the day’s practice session. He sat in the back of his team’s garage, his brow furrowed in concentration, while mechanics packed up around him.
James, on the other hand, had been on his way to the nearest pub when he caught sight of Niki alone in the garage. For reasons even he couldn’t fully explain, he stopped in his tracks. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was just boredom, but instead of heading off to chase drinks and women, he found himself wandering over to Niki’s side.
“You know, Lauda, staring at that car won’t make it go faster.” James quipped, his voice cutting through the sound of rain drumming on the metal roof.
Niki looked up, surprised. His first instinct was to brush James off, but something in the Englishman’s easy grin made him pause. Instead, he sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“Maybe not. But understanding why it didn’t go fast today might help tomorrow.”
James nodded, hands in his pockets as he surveyed the sleek machine in front of them. “Fair enough. But sometimes you’ve got to step away, clear your head a bit.”
Niki smirked. “I’m guessing your idea of clearing your head involves a few pints and some poor woman you’ll never call again?”
James chuckled, unoffended. “Maybe. But you might be surprised. Sometimes, it’s more than that.”
Niki raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “More than that? From you?”
James shrugged, taking a seat on a nearby tool chest. “People see what they want to see. Doesn’t mean that’s all there is.”
That was the first real conversation they had, one that stretched on for a surprising amount of time as the rain fell harder outside. The next morning, Niki found himself thinking about their talk, replaying James’s words in his mind. Maybe there was more to the man than just reckless driving and reckless living.
After that night, they began to spend more time together. It wasn’t anything planned—just a few minutes here and there, small talk—brief exchanges about lap times, car setups, the quirks of different tracks. Then came the late-night conversations, where they found themselves discussing life beyond racing. James was surprised to find that beneath Niki’s stern exterior was a dry wit and a surprisingly sharp sense of humor. Niki, in turn, discovered that James was more than just a reckless playboy—he had an uncanny ability to see the bigger picture, even if he rarely showed it.
One weekend, during a break between races, Niki and James found themselves at the same shabby motel in a small town just outside the next race circuit. It was the kind of place that had only one pub, where all the drivers ended up after long days of practice and qualifying. That evening, after the usual chatter about the upcoming race died down, Niki surprised himself by agreeing to join James for a drink.
The pub was dimly lit, filled with the scent of spilled beer and the low hum of conversation. James, as always, seemed to know everyone, and within minutes, he had introduced Niki to half the room. Niki, more reserved, stayed by James’s side, sipping his drink quietly as the night unfolded around them.
After a few rounds, they found themselves at a table in the corner, away from the noise. James leaned back in his chair, a relaxed smile on his face. “So, Lauda, tell me something. Why racing? Why not some cushy job back in Austria?”
Niki looked at him, considering his answer carefully. “Because I need to win. I need to be the best at something that matters.”
“Doesn’t everything matter, in its own way?”
“Not like this,” Niki replied firmly. “In racing, there’s no gray area. You’re either faster, or you’re not. You’re either alive, or you’re not. That kind of clarity… it’s rare.”
James nodded, understanding. “And that’s enough for you? Just being the best?”
“For now,” Niki said, though his tone suggested there was more he wasn’t saying.
James didn’t push. Instead, he took a long drink, then grinned. “Well, you’re a damn sight more interesting than I first thought, Lauda.”
“And you’re not as much of an arschloch as I first thought, Hunt,” Niki responded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Here are the different EVA unit descriptions for each team!!
1. EVA-00X “The Prototype” (Mercedes)
• Design: Silver and turquoise color scheme, resembling a cutting-edge prototype F1 car. Sleek, efficient, and heavily reliant on AI assistance, mimicking the real-life team’s focus on data and engineering.
>Special Features:
• Extreme Stability Control: Advanced aerodynamics prevent instability at high speeds.
• Energy Recovery System (ERS): Can temporarily boost movement speed or power output using stored energy.
• Adaptive Halo Shielding: A reinforced frame around the cockpit area, inspired by the F1 halo device, providing additional protection.
• Story Role: The “corporate” team. Mercedes has the most advanced Eva, but its reliance on AI creates tension. George struggles with imposter syndrome, while Lewis is the veteran trying to balance idealism with survival.
2. EVA-03V “Berserker” (Red Bull)
• Design: A deep blue, red, and yellow color scheme, sleek yet aggressive with sharp wing-like structures on its back and Bull horns adoring its head.
>Special Features:
• Overdrive Mode: When reaching critical damage, the EVA enters Velocity Mode for approximately 30 seconds where speed and power drastically increase at the cost of all power. The team is currently working on exceeding the 30 sec. mark.
• Active DRS Wings: Can adjust its wing structures mid-combat for high-speed maneuvers.
• Unpredictable Handling: Like a Red Bull F1 car, it thrives on an aggressive but controlled chaos approach.
• Story Role: Max’s Eva has a tendency to go Berserk unpredictably, often winning fights in brutal fashion but leaving him mentally drained. Checo struggles with the pressure of being his backup.
3. EVA-04R “The Scarlet Arrow” (Ferrari)
• Design: Red and black, featuring smooth, elegant curves and golden accents resembling classic Ferrari designs. A beautiful yet temperamental Eva, built for high speed and lethal precision but suffering from synchronization issues (aka, Ferrari’s real-life strategy blunders).
>Special Features:
• Ultra-Lightweight Chassis: Built for sheer acceleration, allowing for blistering speed.
• Emotionally Linked Core: The EVA’s performance is deeply tied to the pilot’s emotions—frustration and desperation can enhance its capabilities but may lead to unpredictable malfunctions.
• Overheating Issues: Similar to Ferrari’s reliability problems, this EVA is prone to mechanical failures under extreme stress.
• Story Role: The tragic heroes. Charles has a deep emotional bond with his Eva, but it often fails him at the worst times. Carlos is the pragmatic warrior, keeping them afloat despite Ferrari’s chaotic leadership.
4. EVA-07A “The Immortal” (Aston Martin)
• Design: Dark green with neon yellow accents, heavily armored but still sleek, resembling a fusion of a tank and a hypercar, specializing in high durability and counterattacks.
>Special Features:
• Regenerative Armor: Can withstand heavy damage and self-repair over time, making it incredibly durable.
• Grip Adaptation: The EVA’s feet have adaptive grip controls, allowing it to move effortlessly across different terrains.
• Ancient Core Synchronization: An older unit, yet inexplicably keeps up with the latest models due to the pilot’s (Nando’s) unmatched experience and having seemingly unbounded fortune.
• Story Role: Alonso, the immortal warrior, is an old veteran who’s seen it all and somehow always survives. Lance struggles to prove he belongs (gets told he only got into the Eva program because of his father and that he actually never was one of the chosen children)
5. EVA-05M “The Papaya” (McLaren)
• Design: Bright orange and blue, lightweight and compact. An experimental Eva excelling at ranged combat with a powerful energy rifle.
>Special Features:
• Adaptive Handling AI: The EVA constantly tweaks its movements for optimal combat efficiency, making it unpredictable to enemies.
• Hybrid Power Mode: Uses a combination of traditional energy cores and an advanced turbo boost system for short bursts of hyper-acceleration.
• Precision Over Power: Unlike other EVAs that rely on brute force, this unit specializes in tactical strikes, often falling behind to analyze before charging at the enemy.
• Story Role: The underdog team. Lando is talented but relies too much on the Handling AI, while Oscar adapts quickly to the high-stakes environment. They push each other forward, but McLaren’s leadership often lets them down.
6. EVA-08B “Phantom” (Williams)
• Design: Deep blue and white with sleek, minimalist lines. A lightweight, nimble Eva with enhanced agility, designed to outmaneuver rather than overpower its enemies. Lacks raw firepower but makes up for it with tactical precision and evasion.
>Special Features:
• Lightweight Carbon Fiber Frame: Focused on raw speed but fragile in direct combat.
• Experimental Jet Boosters: Gives it an edge in acceleration but has limited energy reserves.
• Legacy Core: One of the oldest Evangelion models, upgraded over time with modern enhancements.
• Story Role: The ultimate underdog team. Alex is an elite pilot trapped in an outdated machine, constantly pushing it beyond its limits. Logan struggles to prove himself, dealing with self-doubt as he watches others outperform him. Williams’ engineers work tirelessly, but their limited resources keep them on the back foot.
7. EVA-09H “The Beast” (Haas)
• Design: Black and white with red highlights, a brute-force EVA with a reinforced exoskeleton, built for durability and close combat.
>Special Features:
• Heavy Armor Plating: Takes extreme punishment but sacrifices agility.
• Twin Blades System: Uses dual energy weapons for raw offensive power.
• Unrefined Power Core: Prone to overheating and shutdowns in prolonged battles.
• Story Role: Haas functions as the scrappy backup, holding the line when stronger teams falter. Their Eva is not the fastest or most advanced, but it refuses to go down without a fight. Eva-09H is often deployed in desperate last stands, buying time for others to regroup or retreat. Nico is excellent at damage control and making the best of tough situations. Kevin embraces Eva-47’s brute force, his raw instincts make him unpredictable but sometimes reckless in high-stakes engagements.
8. EVA-10A “The Storm” (Alpine)
• Design: Metallic blue and pink, an elegant yet fierce EVA specializing in precision combat. A high-speed, high-maneuverability Eva, designed for close-quarters combat with plasma blades on each arm. However, its systems tend to overheat and malfunction under stress (side eye).
>Special Features:
• Adaptive Power Core: Balances attack and defense based on combat needs.
• Energy Blade Enhancements: Can channel its core energy into plasma-based weapons (blades).
• High-Altitude Maneuvering: Optimized for aerial and vertical combat.
• Story Role: The dysfunctional duo—Ocon and Gasly are constantly at odds, refusing to work together even when survival is at stake. Their inability to synchronize properly leads to repeated failures, yet somehow, they scrape by.
9. EVA-11V “Golden Child” RB’s Experimental „golden Child“ EVA (VCARB)
• Design: Black and gold, a flashy, aggressive EVA designed for showmanship and performance. A hyper-aggressive, speed-focused Eva that sacrifices durability for extreme agility. Think of it as an F1-style ninja, striking fast before dodging away (In theory)
>Special Features:
• Instant Torque Boosters: Allows rapid acceleration but drains power quickly.
• Counter-Attack Mechanism: Absorbs kinetic energy and redirects it into high-powered strikes.
• Unstable Synch Ratio: Potential for extreme power spikes but hard to control.
• Story Role: The EVAs main goal is to search for young, new, drivers whose sync rate exceeds the „normal“ average. Yuki is a hotheaded, instinctive fighter, sometimes reckless but always fearless. Daniel provides experience and charisma, trying to keep things fun even in the face of disaster. Their Eva is prone to system failures due to its lightweight and experimental structure.
10. EVA-12S “Specter” (Stake F1/Sauber)
• Design: Chrome silver with black and green highlights, a futuristic and experimental EVA with advanced cloaking technology which often needs recalibrating which can take up to multiple days or even weeks due to employee shortage.
>Special Features:
• Liquid-Metal Armor: Can shift its form slightly for minor shape adjustments mid-combat.
• Silent Mode: Cloaking technology which works kinda like a chameleon (its always a gamble (ha) if it actually works tho) and Reduces energy signatures to avoid detection.
• Story Role: Eva-79 is designed for hit-and-run tactics, intelligence gathering, and long-range support. Its stealth capabilities make it a valuable asset in ambush operations, striking from the shadows before vanishing into the chaos. Calm, methodical, and precise, Valtteri excels at tactical combat. He leverages Eva-12S’s agility to control engagements, striking from unexpected angles and retreating before enemies can react. Zhou is skilled at reading battlefield conditions and adjusting his approach. His ability to execute last-second dodges and counterattacks makes him a dangerous opponent in duels but in disadvantage against multiple targets.
When it comes to writing ff I always have to create a playlist for it first to be really able to put my head into the situation but if I’m just out and enjoying my day while I come up with the (in my eyes) best ff idea I’ll just write it down like a mindless scribble on a post-it and that shit looks like this:
Something changed him. Ofc people say it’s the fire. The hot inferno that cost him half of his face and almost his live but there was something else. Those blue eyes you could feel like needles in the back of your head whenever he was close, where colder, all traces of any human emotion, even if some people would argue that there weren’t any to begin with, seemingly gone and replaced with pure hate and rage.
A shudder ran down James’ spine as he watched him, those blue eyes piercing into him and making him feel more than uncomfortable. The stare caused a wave of physical sickness spread through his body.
He knew he fucked up and he tried to apologize at the hospital, only to be stared at and sent away. Hunt hasn’t heard him say a word since the beginning of that race on August 1st. It’s as if the man had gone mute. Tho he was already saying enough with his eyes, causing everyone to avoid him as if he had a shield or an aura that made everyone shit their pants if they’d got too close. Burning everyone who tries to come close.
He averted his gaze with a slight nod but he could still feel the rats eyes on him.
His stomach was almost betraying him in keeping his breakfast down as he silently regretted every choice he’d ever made in his live. His hands were trembling as he looked down at them, grabbing his helmet in an attempt to busy them and stop the shaking. James forced myself to stay rooted in place, though every instinct screamed at him to run.
Hunt doubted he’d get out of this race alive, not if those eyes would follow him.
English isn’t my first language and I think German grammar goes into this a bit too much so bear with me
The final GPDA meeting was held in that helmet
Just so y’all know;
I have a few ficlets prepared but idk how much I’ll be able to post during this week bc I’m at a festival.
Next one will be Launt tho because although I have lots of Simi prepared I don’t want to neglect my fav boys 🙂↕️
Lots of work to do this week but I’ll post the Simi ficlet later today, I promise!!
thanks sebby, you always know what we want
Niki as Karl Lagerfeld and James as Jacques de Bascher.
I said what I said
Any questions? Feel free to ask here or in the discord (to @ararararo and @raikkonenvettels)
Friends call me Nik - 20 - German - He/Him Multi fandom but mostly F1 and Ghost bchttps://hopp.bio/phosphorus
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