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Lando truly wasn’t sure about this dating app idea. He’d used dating apps before – hell, he still used Raya now – but there was something about a totally anonymous dating app that truly scared him. This new one, Bantr, had been gaining popularity in England but mainly in the football world, Ginge was the one to suggest it to him (albeit jokingly).
The premise is that you can’t send photos, can’t use your real name, your location is only set to the country you're in, and you don’t even submit a gender preference or your own gender itself. The only thing you submit is your age, preferred age range, and the languages you can speak. The goal is for people to focus on personality rather than looks and apparently it was working.
He sighed as he clutched his phone tightly. The avatar that had been chosen for him was a pink smirking unicorn. Lando cringed. He definitely wasn’t homophobic by any means, he couldn’t exactly be homophobic when half his fans were probably gay men, but there was just something about gay imagery that stressed him out, made him feel weird feelings that he definitely did not have the time or energy to unpack.
@norizz 24 | English
favourite movie: Rush | favourite song: MONACO – Bad Bunny
I really like music and sports
I travel a lot for work but I’m not afraid to put extra effort in a relationship in other places
I like to party but I also like just staying in and playing video games
Lando cringed, it was quite a weak bio, he’d never really had to make one properly, usually Formula One driver was enough to get flooded with matches.
After triple checking his bio for spelling errors, Lando swiped to the home screen where he could make his matches. Most of the bios didn’t really interest him or were very obviously men. He swiped right a few times but he still wasn’t really sure about them.
@realnamegucci 26 | English | Dutch
favourite movie: Rush | favourite book: Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
I travel a lot but my time is all yours ;)
It’s impossible for me to choose a favourite song because I like all music
I love going out but I’ll also stay in and drink Red Bulls all night long with you while we play whatever game you want ;))
Hmu if you’re interested!
Lando couldn’t help but blush. This girl seemed perfect, there’s no way she was real. A Dutch model (he assumed) who also loved Rush, wanted to game, loved music, and knew how to flirt? Lando swiped right immediately.
An hour later, after he’d moved on from his doom-scrolling on Bantr to focus on more important things – doom-scrolling on TikTok while he waited in his living room for his dinner later that night – when he received a notification from Bantr.
@realnamegucci It’s a Match!
Immediately Lando followed through to the chat where he could see Gucci typing.
realnamegucci: you really do have no rizz
realnamegucci: your profile is so weak
norizz: and yet you matched with me anyways?
realnamegucci: low standards ig
Lando laughed, his stomach twisting as he very quickly fell in love. He loved the feeling of not being in control in a relationship, it’s why most of his previous ones ended.
norizz: ouch
norizz: your favourite movie is Rush?
realnamegucci: yes i love that story
realnamegucci: it’s a big inspiration for me, a lot of people don’t like how successful i am in my profession and their rivalry inspires me to stay strong despite the haters 🤭
realnamegucci: wbu?
norizz: well they’re just big inspirations for me
norizz: i really like motorsports
realnamegucci: oh i like motorsports too! but i honestly prefer football
norizz: i also like football!
realnamegucci: oh shit we really have a lot in common
norizz: yeah lol
norizz: where do you live when you’re not travelling?
realnamegucci: monaco
norizz: OMG same!!
realnamegucci: woah we REALLY have a lot in common
norizz: i wonder if we’re in the same circles or smth or if we’ve seen each other
realnamegucci: i doubt it
realnamegucci: monaco is small but not THAT small
norizz: oh
norizz: well i’m going out rn so chat later?
realnamegucci: yes but you won’t believe it
norizz: what? are you also going out?
realnamegucci: yes 🤪
norizz: lmaooooo hopefully we run into each other!
Lando’s smile refused to leave his face no matter what. Butterflies had found their way home in his stomach and he pressed his hand against the twisting knots. This all felt so weird but so right. She was so perfect. He did have to leave though, he was going to be late and Max hated when he was late.