Here you can find the list with links to all my writings.
Note: before reading, please check the disclaimers ahead!
⚠️COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER⚠️
I do NOT allow any copy of the content on this blog without my consent. Please contact me if you see things posted elsewhere.
⚠️CONTENT DISCLAIMER⚠️
The purpose of this blog, as the description says, is “self-therapy writing”. I write because it helps me releasing, processing and dealing with my emotions. Therefore, there could be triggering content for some of you: this is why I highly suggest going through the tags and notes before reading. Please, take care of your mental health being fully aware of what you expose yourself to.
All my writings are works of fiction. I do not mean to accurately represent, judge, shame or sexualize any of the real people appearing in my fics.
Lastly, I’m not an English native speaker. This implies that I have a poorer and weakened perception of what I write and some sentences could come across as unnatural. I apologize in advance and, in case you’d like to give some advice, definitely feel free to do so!
You can find info on Requests here!
F1
╰┈➤ MAX VERSTAPPEN #3 (#33, #1)
✎ || ALREADY HOME ||
genre: friends to lovers, slow burn (kind of), family drama, angst, fluff
special guests: Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz
state of progress: completed
plot: after an upsetting event has permanently changed your life, you meet someone special who could be able to make you forget the past and mark a new beginning. As feelings start to bloom, you have to take a decision: is it worth following your heart and putting at risk the relationship with the one who gave you everything you needed the most or is it better to preserve the only family you’re now left with?
Chapter 1. Spa’s Blues 10.5k
Chapter 2. Flying Dutchman 9.9k
Chapter 3. Chasing Shadows 8.6k
Chapter 4. Nothing Is What It Seems 11.6k
Chapter 5. Everything Has A Cost 10.1k
Chapter 6. First Time 12.3k
✎ || tape a of the series 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹 || 6.6k
╰┈➤CHARLES LECLERC #16
✎ || SECRET MOTIVES || 19.1k
genre: friends to lovers, angst, fluff and comfort
major tw: mention of death (not reader’s), mentions of grief, dieting and struggles with self-image
plot: nothing in your life came easy, and so did f1: facing hardship in your first year at Alfa Romeo, you are met with a familiar face, Charles’. Supporting each other and spending time together will inevitably bind two souls that seemed meant to be or, as someone could put it, that were predestined.
✎ || tape b of the series 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹 || 10.2k
! COMING IN THREE PARTS (AUG 30TH, AUG 31TH AND SEP 1ST) !
✎ || ? || 20.9k
genre: ?
plot: ?
drabbles:
✎ || living in vain || 0.7k
genre: extra angst, comfort
(requested)
╰┈➤PIERRE GASLY #10
✎ || UNPLANNED FAIRYTALE || 18.6k (requested)
genre: arranged marriage, angst, fluff and comfort
special guests: Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc
plot: you loved him, he loved you, and neither knew. Will an arranged marriage, an old love triangle and a special friend be enough to finally make you confess your true feelings?
╰┈➤ CARLOS SAINZ #55
✎ || SO? || 24.2k
genre: secret relationship, strangers to lovers, fluff, a bit of smut, angst
special guests: Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris
plot: what could possibly go wrong if you hooked up with a handsome man who you too late discover to be your brother’s teammate after said brother had tried to keep your existence unknown to his colleagues?
If this is your first time here on this blog, please check the Disclaimers here.
pairing: carlos sainz x leclerc sister!reader (feat. charles leclerc!brother)
genre: secret relationship, strangers to lovers, fluff, a bit of smut (minors DNI), angst
tw: panick attack, brief mentions of death (Hervé), swearing
other notes: relationship between Carlos and Charles SUCKS. Consider it out of character, if you will.
(Check Disclaimers above)
Also, on the desktop version (the themed one) some of the spacing formatting isn't working, so I suggest reading it on the regular page (does it make sense? the one with the blue background.
Edit: nevermind, the formatting glitches everywhere. Just... pretend it is fine.)
word count: 24.2k
plot: what could possibly go wrong if you hooked up with a handsome man who you too late discover to be your brother's teammate after said brother had tried to keep your existence unknown to his colleagues?
Hope you enjoy it ♥ If you do, please let me know! Thanks in advance to whoever will like, reblog and comment!
3 new messages from Lando
where are u?
want to celebrate with you
you were my lucky charm today
>>♥<<
A bored night in the warm breeze of May, laying on the sofa with eyes fixed upon your phone’s screen: it was all you needed to twist your life around completely.
Not even the breathtaking scenery outside the glass window could cheer you up: palm trees absorbing the orange shades of the sun, the placid ocean roaring on the shore, the pavements brimming with people. Miami’s perpetual heat weakened your limbs and consumed them slowly and steadily.
Charles had invited you to the race in the USA, hoping that the nice weather and the lively nightlife of Florida would perk your interest.
«I honestly can’t believe you’re not coming to the club with me, that’s rude.»
«Lan, you know why…»
To be fair, spending time with Charles should’ve been a valid reason itself to hop on board the plane, without subtle hints to help you choose. And yet, he knew you wouldn’t have accepted his offer as easily as your mother or your brothers would.
«Yes, but jeez, you can’t hide forever…»
«Charles won’t let me. He wants me for Imola and Monaco too.»
«No way he convinced you to do that.»
«He promised to pay for anything I want while travelling with him.»
It rubbed you the wrong way, and he knew it; he was sorry not to see you on any of his weekends, and you knew it.
«Oh, now it makes sense,» he pauses. «Must be sad to be alone, though.»
After you had landed in Miami, being the youngest and the newest of all Leclerc’s, those two days in the paddock had been a nightmare: you had been asked to release some interviews, always receiving absurd questions on your brother’s behavior towards you, as if you weren’t independent enough to take care of yourself.
The trap was set.
To which your reaction was hiding in the flat Charles had booked for you and at the same time dreaming of breaking the confinement.
«Maybe I won’t be alone…»
«Uh? What’s up?»
Exiting your first serious and disastrous relationship – as if anyone could know how to handle another person’s feelings at 21 – you had decided to experiment and not settle to rigid ties anymore, opting for fling burners instead, inspired by the air of freedom and possibilities of Florida.
«I’m currently… scoping the surroundings.»
You had created a Tinder account for the purpose. Scared that someone, despite your brief appearance in the paddock, could recognize you somehow, you had added pictures in which it was almost impossible to tell your face features apart and you had transfigured your surname in Clerc, enough to get away with it.
It was as easy as breathing: no strings attached only in the bio, search set on matches near you by location and swipes. Lots of them. As toxic as it could be, receiving so much approval enticed you greatly, but at the same time filled you with inexplicable sadness.
You knew nobody was there to stay.
«Need to search elsewhere when you have me? I’m not enough for you, am I?»
Despite how boldly you had followed your proposition, you hadn’t acted on your folly yet. Sure, you had been texting with some guys, but nobody had conquered your attention well enough to really drop the talk and meet them in person.
You simply craved someone to take notice of you and let you know.
«Lan! Of course you’re enough, silly.»
Because you had craved it all your life.
>>♥<<
Through the endless swiping of new faces that Miami offered you, spread on the couch, your half-closed eyelids suddenly batted open.
Chili.
Mmh. Weird nickname. Sus as heck.
But boy, was he handsome.
You kept staring at the photos of his card, and well… His facial features were barely visible, or not displayed all together at once – in one pic his lavishly thick hair, in another one his glossy eyes, in yet another one the plumpest and most inviting lips on earth… –, but you had quite made out his body, and it didn’t surprise you at all to read in his short bio that he was an athlete.
«I could tell, honey,» you whispered to yourself, still bewildered.
A pleased smile adorned your lips as you read the other lines of the bio.
Just searching for some good fun, no commitment.
All you wanted on a silver plate, right before your drooling heart.
A rush of excitement cursed through your fingertips as you swiped right and immediately opened the chat, halting in search of the right words to type.
hey, nice to
What the fuck, it doesn’t have to be this awkward and formal.
You pouted in reflection, then deleted and re-typed.
hey, want to hang out?
Too straightforward, it seems like you’re the neediest girl on earth…
love your profile, I’d like to get to know you more
And this is just pathetic. Clingy and stalkerish when he asked for no commitment. You huffed in frustration and threw your arm over your eyes to conceal the hard truth: your inexperience and naivety wasn’t to be changed overnight by downloading a dating app.
Looking back at the phone, you were ready to spend another hour figuring out what to say, when you noticed a new text on the chat.
are you free to hang out tonight?
Straightforward would’ve been fine, after all. Because the bluntness and directness of his text shook you deeply within, pulling strings of yearning, curiosity and utmost fascination.
yes, ofc
> can i at least know your real name? cause i don’t think it’s Chili, right?
You saw his typing dots.
Carlos
let’s meet at the Regent at 9
Panicking on Google Maps to search for the address, you saw another notification pop.
the dress code is quite elegant, but i’m sure you’ll wear something nice both for yourself and for me as well
can’t wait to meet you
Cheeks burning red, dazed by the whole interaction and its speed, dizzy with adrenaline, you had no more focus than what’s required to type:
> me too
>>♥<<
You tried to relax your muscles under the hot night breeze, as the sun still lingered on the horizon before setting down. Nervousness stuck the dress on your skin, as much as it dried your mouth and throat.
Your only shield: sunglasses. Wearing them at any time of the day was a habit you had unknowingly inherited by Charles. As soon as he had picked it up, he had bought you – well, gifted you, since he had an awfully huge collection of them – a pair of Ray Ban’s for your birthday. Whenever you two would hang out together, not often, and he’d invite you aboard his Sedici yacht during the summer break, at the sight of those sunglasses his lips would stretch in his unmistakable dimpled smile.
The walk on the pavement seemed endless and a thousand thoughts crossed your scattered mind: years and years of recommendations from Lorenzo thrown to the wind only to hang out with the first guy met online.
Not even met: just let him do the talk on his own and had you wrapped around his finger.
Your sandals moving in shorter steps as you approached the lounge bar, you eyed a standing figure, casually leaning near the entrance, whose small smile momentarily melted your knot of anxiety.
Carlos didn’t even give you time to greet him and take in his overwhelming presence that he placed his hand on the small of your back, gently but somehow already intimately, directing you towards the entrance.
«Sorry, I’ll explain later. Let’s get inside.»
«Sure!»
Your voice betrayed the attempt at sounding confident with its squeakiness. Mentally facepalming yourself for it, you couldn’t stray your gaze away from his hypnotizing features: he seemed older than what you had thought while observing his profile pictures (and you had consumed them with staring, so it definitely wasn’t due to lack of attention) and he exuded a timeless charm quite inexplicable.
As soon as he asked the waiter about his – therefore yours – reservation, you were both given room and led to an inner area of the bar, way quieter and with fewer tables crowding it.
He pulled the chair for you, like a true gentleman, and took a seat, grinning wide as you both settled.
«Sorry for the hurry, I didn’t mean to sound rude.»
«No need to apologize!» you quickly hushed, already blushing by the proximity.
«And sorry if I asked you to hang out with no warning, but I’m leaving tomorrow morning and… I definitely needed to meet you first, y/n.»
The name and the thick Spanish accent had sparked the thought, but his words were a confirmation Carlos was probably in Miami by chance, as much as you were.
«Well, I’m leaving tomorrow too, don’t worry. And I wouldn’t have accepted if I didn’t want to be here.»
You exchanged a delighted stare, while going through the menu in search of your cocktail order and, consequently, of relief. Though, the pleasant tension you had felt, like a string pulling you to him, as soon as you had seen him, had gradually disappeared and had left space to a growing sense of ease, almost familiarity: words, together with the liquid content of your drinks, flowed without interruptions, and you touched a wide variety of topics, always finding yourselves on the same page.
«Thank you for choosing a quiet place. My moves are constantly watched…» you sighed.
«I came here last year and I really enjoyed how chilled out it is. Makes me relax.»
Carlos leaned back into his chair, so that his collarbones immediately popped under his tanned flesh.
«So you’re always chased too?»
«Not as much as my brother, but yes.»
«Is it because of him? Is he known?»
«More than known, yes,» you smiled. «My life is reserved, compared to his.»
Carlos took a sip of his drink with a sympathetic smile.
«Would you prefer a quieter life?» he asked.
You raised your glass, lost in thought.
«Maybe, but that would mean my brother isn’t successful anymore, so no. I really can’t complain about my life, I’m… lucky,» you pulled a small smile.
«I wish I were as grateful as you are,» Carlos sighed, and his resignation intrigued you.
«Should you be?»
«Oh, yeah, I think so,» he took another long sip, then wetting his lips clean. «But I’ve had paparazzi around me since I was young and I can’t bear the media’s attention anymore.»
«There’s nothing wrong with that. You shouldn’t feel forced to gratitude,» you calmly prompted.
His pupils were quite enlarged, you noticed, and glazed with softness: your hand was laid close to his, almost at a fingertip’s distance, and for a moment you both glanced down at them, craving the same touch and connection your minds and feelings had experienced. It had only been half an hour since you had crossed The Regent’s threshold guided by Carlos’ hand and you were already perceiving a mutual tenderness none of you anticipated nor searched for, and which you now couldn’t let go of even if you tried.
After chuckling to each other at the miserable sight of your emptied glasses, you both agreed to order a second round of cocktails, which flowed effortlessly down your throats as a sweet-toned conversation left your tongues. You learned about his passion for most sports, laughing and being entertained by his anecdotes, only to feel flustered by his sudden questions about you.
Finally, after staring satisfied and content at each other, Carlos asked for the bill, which he insisted on paying. Waiting for it, you hummed to the music playing inside the cozy lounge bar.
He frowned, clearly amused.
«Do you like this song?» he asked.
«Of course I do? Who doesn’t?»
You light-heartedly mouthed him smooth operator as Sade’s voice sang the chorus, moving along to the beat. Carlos couldn’t stray his eyes away from your enchanting figure and acknowledged how smitten he had already become after only a casual talk.
He honestly wouldn’t believe you were only searching for a good time as he was.
Apart from looking desperately beautifully young, you had a cheerful glee in your manners, a youthful spark inside your eyes which lured him in way more than he would’ve liked. He had given up on his wicked intents as soon as you had cheered him down the street with your flustered smile; he had been soft and warm for you already before sitting at your booked table.
He had enjoyed talking with you more than he’d had with any past fling.
He could tell you were someone different, someone to be treated with care, somehow; and the biggest surprise was that he didn’t mind at all undertaking such a delicate task.
After paying the bill, Carlos got up right away, implicitly inviting you to do the same.
«Come, I want to show you a place.»
Taking your sunglasses in your fingers and lightly fidgeting with them, a smile still lingered on your lips from the thrill of conversation.
«Where?»
Carlos grinned, placing his hand on yours to stop the nervous work on the Ray Ban’s temples.
«Do you trust me?»
His touch sent your whole body in trance and sudden anticipation of further exposure all at once, like a rush.
Was it okay to trust a stranger? And on top of that, a devilishly handsome one?
Was it okay to let him guide you God knows where in a foreign country with the darkness of the night approaching?
You nodded.
«Yes.»
«Let’s go, then.»
And with a swift move, he took the sunglasses out of your loosened grab, wearing them on, leaving you breathless as the thicker frame fitted his masculine features stunningly.
The botanical garden was barely ten minutes away from The Regent, making it pleasant to walk under the setting sun of Miami. To your surprise, some areas of the garden were empty, so that your quiet stroll with Carlos felt like an intimate travel in astonishing oases of peace, silence and chirping birds, drowned in the relaxing green of leaves.
You walked alongside, so close and so slow that your hands were always on the verge of touching, until you both naturally reached to the other and sealed them in a secure hold.
You smiled, buzzing with warmth.
As sun rays cut through the leaves and chased your figures, you couldn’t help but be caught in staring at Carlos’ glowing skin while he was talking.
«Have you ever been to Spain?»
«No, never,» you shook your head.
«You need to come, for sure. The weather is even better than Florida.»
His genuine, happy grin made one burst on your face too, suddenly blinded by a sun beam.
«You should visit Monaco, then,» you replied with pride.
«You mean the Principality?»
«Yes. I live there.»
«Too bad I’ve already planned to move there months ago.»
You stared at him, shook.
How many chances were there?
«And now that I know you live there, I’ve got another good reason to hurry up.»
You eye rolled, flustered, brushing your upper arms in a poor attempt to dust off the cozy, warm feelings blooming in your chest.
«Can’t wait,» you murmured, smiling.
Abruptly, Carlos stopped as you were crossing a small wooden bridge inside the garden, facing you and gazing low to your intertwined fingers. The soft rocking sound of water and the inebriating smell of night descending on Florida slowed the flow of time.
«I, uhm… I’m going to be one hundred percent honest with you,» he began. «I really like you. This is the most fun I’ve had with someone without having to get naked since a long time.»
Carlos kept caressing your fingers with his, flickering his eyes back and forth from yours to your hands.
«I know that you probably expected something different from tonight…»
«No, it was perfect,» you stepped in.
«Indeed, it was,» Carlos smiled, still shyly looking down. «But my job makes me really busy. As much as I’d like to spend more days with you and enjoy moments together, I’m constantly travelling across the world and… I don’t want you to think I don’t care.»
«I wasn’t-»
«And I don’t want to force you to follow me everywhere I go, especially because we both would be exposed to the media and… I guess we’re both tired of it.»
«We… we don’t need to go at full speed. We can try to keep in contact the times you are available. There’s no rush,» you suggested, leaning a bit nearer.
Only then you realized how close you had got, Carlos’ starry eyes boring into yours.
«Don’t you feel an urge?» he asked, husky.
«I think I do,» you simply managed to breathe out, a bit shaky. «But I have no problems in waiting, and we’ll meet up whenever-»
It rained on your mouth, a waterfall of bliss and honey through the touch of his plump lips: instead of releasing a pent-up tension, it sharpened the yearn, hands searching for a place of belonging and rest on your respective bodies.
«I’ll text you every day,» he said in between the kiss.
«Don’t make promises you can’t keep,» you chuckled.
«I always keep my word. You’ll learn to know me.»
«Such a lover boy,» you whispered, leaning in for another kiss.
>> 2 new messages from Lando
so
did you hook up?
> hottest man alive, but we only kissed
lame
>> 2 new messages from Chili🌶
look who’s with me
You gaped, an immediate grin spreading on your lips.
guess when you’re seeing them again
«Y/n, can you help me with the vegetables? Charles and Alex are going to be here any minute!»
«Yes, mom, I’m coming.»
> omg have you planned something?
you bet
>> 1 new message from Lando
don’t tell me you’re down for him already
> i am, plus we’re seeing again
woah
what happened to the whole “I’m never going to date again PERIOD”?
> disappeared as soon as I met him ♥
gross
send me a pic of him rn
«Y/n?»
«I’m coming!» you said loudly, finally getting up the couch and walking towards the kitchen, eyes still glued to your phone.
>> 1 new message from Chili🌶
and what about you?
> what?
«Here you are! Take this, cut these carrots, please.»
have you planned anything for me?
Pascale sighed as she was still handing the knife to you.
> you bet
«Never mind.»
«No, mom, I’ll do it, give me the knife!» you whined, stuffing your phone in your pocket.
She immediately smiled at you, a glint of curiosity and mischief not going unnoticed to your trained eye.
«Who was it?» she chirped.
«Lando.»
«Oh, how is he doing?»
«Good.»
Your phone buzzed as new notifications popped in, wearing your nerves so thin you had to quickly take it out the pocket and put it on silent.
«Eager to talk to you, uh?»
«What?» you rapidly turned your head to her.
«Lando. It’s him texting you, right?»
You didn’t know, but something told you your cheeks were flushed, indeed, that they had been all along since you had stepped next to the kitchen counter.
A picture.
What if Lando could recognize Carlos, being into sports more than you were? What if Carlos didn’t want to be shown around, after the privacy talk you had shared?
>> 1 new message from Lando
want to judge myself
> gatekeeping his beauty from your unholy mind
> sorry
>>♥<<
During lunch, you stayed pretty much silent, always taking the chance to clear plates and bring them to the sink so that you could check your phone, unnoticed.
please tell me you’re free this weekend
i organized everything, you’re going to love it
You stared at the bottom of the sink.
it’ll be just us
no paparazzi shit
Plopping an apricot on the pottery fruit basket, you glanced outside the window above the sink, a line of gray clouds aligned at the horizon, casting a dark shadow onto Monaco’s corner of sea.
You placed the pottery full of fruits in the middle of the dining table and took a seat.
Charles swiftly grabbed an apple and unapologetically gave it a big bite, making everyone chuckle at his antics.
Everyone, but you.
«So…» he said, still chewing. «Ready for Sunday? The forecast says it’s going to be sunny all day.»
«Can we ride watercrafts this time? I don’t want to lay on the deck for twelve hours,» Arthur chimed in.
«Yes, of course,» Charles nodded, taking another bite. «But I’d do that in the afternoon, when the sun isn’t too bright.»
«Deal. We need to organize a watercraft race!»
«I know, right? What about-»
«I don’t think I’m coming.»
Charles, who was seated right in front of you, stopped chewing and gave you an expressionless glance.
«Why not?»
«I think I got a sunburn in Miami and I don’t want it to get worse.»
Charles’ left eyebrow quickly raised in annoyance, then he shook his head to himself.
«I don’t believe it, but you’re free to stay home,» he said monotone.
«I won’t stay home,» you said quiet, but still somehow assertive.
At this point, everyone at the table – Lorenzo, Alexandra and Pascale included – were staring at you in anticipation, trying to decipher your words.
«I’m going to Provence for the weekend.»
Charles scoffed, taking another huge bite out of frustration.
«You’ll spend two days hiding under a rock, then, if you really want to avoid sun exposure there.»
«Charles…» Pascale tried to warn him.
He bored his eyes into yours, so that you read right away his disappointment painted in bold letters.
«Some days I feel like I don’t have a sister at all.»
As your mother scolded him again, you could see drops of venom fall from his lucid lips, as he had stabbed a full syringe of it right in the middle of your chest, which had caused you to abruptly stand up, hands on the table, eyes wide like a mad woman.
«And I’ve been feeling without a brother every fucking day of my life, Charles.»
Lorenzo intercepted your arm as you fled to your room, getting up and chasing you but not fast enough to stop your march; he was met with the cold, white wood of your door like a slap on his face, still pleading you to open it.
A simple hiccupped sigh, tears pricking your eyes.
Vision blurry, you took your phone.
can we leave earlier than Saturday?
You spent the evening crouched on the bed, feet pressing the duvet, fighting feelings away.
It haunted you all at once, as it usually would: breaths would pick up the pace, matching your scattered thoughts, heart beating loud.
Lorenzo had knocked on your door several times throughout the evening, while you overheard a constant muffled talk in the living room, sure of the discussion your dramatic departure had ignited.
It was still a fresh wound.
It still bled through the skin.
Never having your father nor your brother aside when it mattered.
Lorenzo had tried to suffice, being the eldest; he probably was the only one who had seen you breakdown before, the one able to at least take your loneliness into consideration.
Out of all the people in the house, he was the one to patiently check in on you in the darkest hour of the night, knowing you’d be still awake. He was the one who hugged you and hid your sighs with reassurances, among your broken “I can’t do it”, the one to cup your wet cheek while sitting on the bed.
As every other night.
«Please, let me leave this weekend, I don’t want to come…» you chanted, like a prayer.
«Of course you can go, no one said you can’t. It’s all good.»
The one to cradle you, to caress your messy hair, to cuddle you to sleep in your twin bed.
>>♥<<
You landed in Jerez on Thursday, around midday. Crossing the exit of the airport with your suitcase in hand, you got swamped with a wave of heat.
Sun shining way too bright for your eyes to keep open, you placed a hand on your forehead, shielding them, so that you could spot Carlos’ car more easily.
It was hard; indeed, he hadn’t chosen anything fancy like most sportsmen do, but opted for something low-key instead.
Once you had caught sight of Carlos’ luscious hair and silhouette at the driving seat, you confidently walked towards the car, quite surprised to see it was barely decent and clean.
Without hesitation, you loaded your suitcase and took the passenger seat, throwing an inquisitive glance.
«Couldn’t you find anything nicer than this… car wreck?»
He chuckled.
«You’ll see why we need it.»
In a flash, Carlos leaned over to grab your seatbelt and put it on for you: he seized the chance to linger a few inches from your face, leaving a soft kiss on your lips.
«I missed you.»
«It’s been barely a week!» you giggled.
Since he still hadn’t moved away, you cupped his cheeks and left another quick peck on his lips, being too adorable and handsome not to.
«But I missed you too,» you added, soft.
«That’s what I wanted to hear,» he whispered with a grin.
And with that, he finally put on your seatbelt, ready to switch the engine on.
The road was a lonely stripe in the middle of burned-yellow lands, hills and the smallest villages punctuating the view. You pointed out all the Spanish flags you could see, amused, letting your arm wander in the warm air outside the window.
After more or less an hour of travelling from the airport, when the street started to get uphill and quite bumpy, you rapidly understood Carlos’ vehicle choice.
«Where are we going?» you beamed.
«Be patient, we’re almost there.»
You reached a crossroads: you could either keep driving uphill or follow down a path on foot. Carlos parked the car in the small space available before the fork.
«C’mon, let’s go,» he gestured.
«But we’re in the middle of nowhere!» you protested, getting out of the car.
Carlos opened the trunk and took your suitcase, snatching it before you could even imagine carrying it yourself.
«And what do you think this is?»
You raised your eyes up to the point he indicated and your jaw dropped: right at the side of the crossroads, there was a beautiful one-store small villa, with huge glass windows and a skillfully-made path of stones leading up to the entrance door. The white tint of the walls gave a sense of freshness and broadness, paired up with the same simplicity achieved through its squared forms.
Carlos approached the small gate, taking a pair of keys from his pocket.
«Is it for us?» you asked, dumbfounded.
«Of course,» he stated matter-of-factly.
Still struck by the beauty of the landscape – the sea roaring behind your back, the hill dominating it from above – you hurried up behind Carlos, following the stoned path.
«We’re staying here because this way we’re closer to the beach and to another place I’ll show you on Sunday.»
«Good, because I almost only packed swimwear, as you’ve told me.»
You both chuckled.
Eyes still wandering around the room, enamored with the designing choices – warm and light tones both for the wallpaper and the furniture – you then ultimately placed your stare back on Carlos’ towering figure, inevitably feeling a burst of excitement and thrill.
Before you could move an inch closer to him, he cleared his throat.
«Come, I’ll show you the rest of the house.»
The shower in the bathroom made you want to strip naked and immediately get the best out of its luxury: black stones, golden details, a small basket full of products only awaiting usage; a huge mirror above the modern-styled sink.
«I’m going to spend hours in here, I’m telling you,» you said, still in awe.
Carlos laughed whole-heartedly.
«I can’t blame you.»
You then walked into the bedroom, first noticing the king-sized bed; then, a huge, curtained glass window caught your attention, pushing you to get close and unveil the breathtaking scenery concealed behind it.
«That’s the beach we’ll go to,» Carlos said, still standing at the door frame.
You turned your head to him, lips slightly parted.
«Carlos, this is… It’s incredible, thank you so much.»
He walked over to you, smiling in delight, guiding you back into the sightseeing pose with his hands, gently.
«Thanks to you for accepting,» he said, low-toned.
Maybe it was May’s bright sun making heat creep up your cheeks, or maybe it was Carlos’ touch on your burning skin; maybe you hadn’t lied to Charles when you had said you had got a burn in Miami, a severe one, something not to overlook, because Carlos was drowning you in explosive helium, and the same reckless rush had ignited you both, bringing you under the hot sky of Spain.
And now that you were hypnotized by his overwhelming presence, you could only search for his eyes in the reflection of the window, gulping as you noticed he was doing the exact same. The vision of his fingers dancing on your skin hit you deeper than the mere tactile perception, as if you had just become aware of the tantalizing movement on your arm.
You saw Carlos’ face fade away from the reflection and felt suddenly naked, deprived of his touch. As an immediate reaction, you turned around to keep looking at him, something you couldn’t do without anymore.
«As you can see, there’s only one bed. If you don’t feel comfortable sleeping together…»
«No, Carlos, of course I want to sleep with you,» you blurted out in a rush, only to mentally facepalm for the unintended pun.
He smirked, both amused and finding your embarrassment endearing.
«Happy to know that.»
>>♥<<
There was something that either you had miscalculated or that Carlos had carefully taken into consideration while organizing the trip, something you hadn’t thought about while packing your favorite swimsuits and bikinis, alongside sarongs and summer dresses:
that you’d be both almost completely naked, all day.
After spending the morning in the cool, crystal-clear water, during the hottest hours you would drop back home to eat something on the fly – and change into a dry swimsuit –, then running back to the beach in the afternoon to walk hand in hand ‘til the sun set on the fine sand of the shore.
The first day was a nightmare.
You both felt a rush of electricity run through you whenever you’d touch by chance, while swimming in the waves or passing a towel to the other; you were always feasting on each other’s bodies, almost shamelessly, driven by exasperation; you’d obsessively remind each other to wear sunscreen, so that you could either give help with spreading it over or enjoy one’s hands doing what the other’s craved.
The only relief to the unbearable closeness was a profound, endless, affectionate conversation. Answers, follow-up questions, anecdotes, some common trivia about each other; you’d say the yearn for the physical was only a manifestation of a deeper emotional longing.
And that’s how, on the first day of vacation, you ended up looking at the soft reddish waves of sea calmly settling a layer of foam on the shore, both sitting on the sand as Carlos hugged you from behind, his chin resting on your shoulder.
You shut your eyes, impressing the beauty of the evening breeze and the sight in your memory, while Carlos pressed his lips at the base of your neck.
«You still haven’t told me which sport you practice,» you murmured.
«Basically any sport, you name it.»
«Are you a decathlon athlete?» you smiled.
Carlos looked at you with a raised brow.
«You really want to know, uh?»
«Am I right?»
«No, but thanks for trying,» he smirked.
«Why can’t you tell me?»
Carlos paused, and it was his time to gaze at the distance, enjoying the peaceful view of the horizon.
«I just want to keep you out of it as long as I can. Always around the world, people watching every single move and invading your privacy, pictures and video you can’t prevent from leaking…» he tsked. «This isn’t what I want for us. I mean, look at us now: no expectations, no hectic lifestyle, no rush. We’re alone, we have nothing else but each other.»
You nodded in small movements, almost to yourself.
«My brother is almost never home. He’s been involved in the sport since he was a kid and already when he was a teen he’d be nowhere near Monaco.»
Carlos rubbed your back as you talked.
«Did you feel alone?»
«Not really, no. I’ve got two other brothers.»
«Please, don’t tell me they’re all older than you.»
You smiled at his tone, giggling at his little “oh no…” as he realized it was the case.
«But apart from gradually growing distant from my brother, the thing that I’ll never be able to forgive is that my dad was always with him. Because of him, I lost both a brother and a father.»
Trying to drown out the tingling feelings of hurt failed as Carlos encircled you with his arms, pressing his lips on your temple in a tender kiss.
You swallowed hard before carrying on.
«So… If anything, I’m more scared of not being allowed in every part of your life,» you made eye contact with him. «And we would still have each other, no matter what.»
Tacitly thanking you for sharing your feelings, Carlos kissed you briefly before settling back his head on your shoulder.
«When you texted me you wanted to leave earlier, I was happy like a little kid.»
You grinned, eyes veiled with sadness.
«Yeah, I couldn’t wait.»
Carlos gently grabbed your chin with his fingers, demanding eye contact back again: you soon dropped it, as Charles’ poisonous words still rang in your ears.
«I wanted to run away,» you confessed, then resting your head onto your buckled knees, gazing at the sea.
«Did something happen?» Carlos asked, soft, rubbing your back in soothing motions.
«Nothing new. It’s always the same.»
He leaned in to meet your eyes again, his hand still resting on your back.
«Not today. It’s us, now.»
After hours of fast-paced teasing, the way your lips met in a kiss was slow, intimate; he brushed your hair with unexpected tenderness while deepening the kiss, getting to taste more of the sweetness he had drunk.
«It’s just us,» he whispered again, tilting his head on the opposite side.
A soft wind rolled shivers on your skin as much as his hands settling on your waist and gently squeezing it did; heart about to burst out of your chest, you pressed both your hands on his cheeks, to keep him steady on you, not to let go of the sweet pleasure of closeness.
It was only you and him on the beach, as the sun sank in the sea to let you two enjoy each other’s embrace: Carlos had spread one hand on your back, radiating a warm tingling feeling in your stomach as he slowly guided you to lie down on the bath towel beneath you. Despite the thought having lingered in the air, untold, for long, you couldn’t let yourself be bothered by where the night was leading, too pleasantly overwhelmed by his swift and yet careful moves.
Only when Carlos grazed your neck and you were lulled by his sharp inhales and his fanning breath over you, only when the bulge of his damp swimsuit involuntarily met your core causing you to grip a curl of his thick hair with your lips parted in bliss, only then you realized he was invading your entire space and driving your senses in tilt with too many feelings to process and to give into.
You moaned, helpless, as he brushed over your core once again.
Carlos halted, his dark irises contrasting with the white of the sclera even more, as his eyes were wide open; his chest, you noticed, heaved with an impatience that matched your own, electricity running through both your bodies.
He had forced himself to stop.
What are you waiting for?, a part of him said; and it was the impulsive one, the needy, the greedy, the one which had reached out for you in the Tinder matches only a week ago. The one which had him palming himself while staring at your pictures, anticipating the meeting with lust; the one that almost lost control by breathing in your scent after a few days he hadn’t seen you as he put the seatbelt on for you.
But then, another part of him had put the hand brake. The one which had felt a soft spot for you when you laughed at the bar listening to his jokes, the one that cherished you like a treasure meant to be preserved pure and rare in its beauty, the one that would hang from your lips and comply with your pace, your desire.
You stared at each other for seconds which seemed eternity; you caught every single movement of Carlos’ body, attentive like a deer observing the predator’s actions. He wetted his lips, he flicked his eyes elsewhere before being drawn on you, this time with a softer gaze.
His scent inebriated you as he leaned towards you, getting so close you could feel your own heart beating on the very edge of your skin, drawn like a magnet to Carlos. The concert of quickened breaths and pants blacked out the distant grating roar of the sea: your rhythm, your frequency, your tune was his to dictate.
As his hot breath signaled how he had got dangerously close to your ear, you kept your fingers intertwined in his hair, your entire body trembling in anticipation.
«I want you.»
His husky voice sent a violent shiver down your arching back, so deep in desire that your eyelids half-closed, fighting the instinct to push Carlos’ head on your neck to finally unleash his teasing.
He had waited, he had thought about keeping you that close since the first time you had seen each other: and still he had refrained from acting on his selfish needs, and he had crafted instead the most alluring trap for you, making it impossible to untangle from him.
Not that you wanted to.
You didn’t know how you had both been able to fall so heavily in love in less than a week, but it had happened out of your notice, and with his tanned torso occupying all your senses – hot and full to the touch, a light veil of his cologne lingering on it despite the sea salt – there was no way to take a step back.
Carlos couldn’t either.
Not with your skin palpitating before his eyes, before his lips, so kissable, so perfectly laid out for him to nibble at, to mark and stain with passion.
«Fuck, I need you…»
You were in too deep.
Your breath hitched at his husky tone.
«Carlos…»
His lips brushing yours with a circling motion, teasing them with a gut-wrenching delay, he whispered again honey-laced words.
«Tell me you want it as much as I do, please…»
Without time to answer, mumbling another desperate please, he sealed his request with a kiss, which immediately became sloppy and messy due to your impatient bodies pressing onto the other, grabbing, exploring, roaming for pleasure. Lost in the kiss, you couldn’t tell whether it was Carlos rubbing his hard-on you or you desperately searching for friction through the damp layers of your swimsuits.
However it might be, the result was the same: it had you whining and moaning, feeling the first stone-cold fabric warming through your throbbing cores, once rubbing couldn’t soothe the ache anymore. Carlos’ groan told you he felt the same way.
He couldn’t wait any more second: his body, mind and soul craved you all at once with the same disrupting force.
Looking around, hurriedly rummaging with one hand in the pocket of his dismissed trousers, he sighed in frustration, placing his forehead upon yours.
«I don’t have condoms here, for fuck’s sake…» he breathed out, a mix of disappointment and apology in his tone.
You brushed his cheek, half hiding a smile.
«But I promise I have them in the house. When we go back-»
You pressed your pointer finger on his lips to interrupt him.
«I’m on the pill.»
Carlos’ eyes widened in realization, and despite being pulled by a nosy curiosity as to why you were on birth control, his arousal got the best of him and cut short any feasible matter.
He had captured your lips back in another messy kiss, slow-paced, open-mouthed, and his fingers had immediately rushed to teasingly push down your bottom swimsuit, tracing your folds with the thick wetness he was welcomed by.
He growled into the kiss as soon as he noticed how turned on you were, feeling his own cock stir once more inside his swim trunks; with another groan, he left your glistening lips, smirking, and you understood why the moment his digits found your clit.
You couldn’t control a half-screamed moan.
«Nobody can hear us. I want you to be louder, baby.»
As he rubbed you with his thumb slow and steady, your mind disconnected and stopped working properly: it was just him, his fingers making you mewl and his bulge against your bare thigh.
Carlos’ stare was unbearable: it was so filled with lust you had to stray away not to feel a hotter wave of heat on your reddened cheeks, to shut your eyes in bliss, to look down at his hand disappearing under your bikini. And if only you could’ve sustained his eyes for more than a few seconds, you would’ve noticed how he was struggling as well.
Eight years of age gap.
Sure, he still had to turn thirty, but…
«Please, Carlos… I need to- GOSH!» you cried out.
«Use your words, love. What do you need?»
Maybe he was rushing it just for his own yearning, without taking you into much consideration. Not even a week after meeting each other for the first time and already hitting the fourth base…
«Fuck, I need your fingers inside… Oh, please!» you moaned, tilting your head to the side.
Or maybe he was simply complying to your desires as well.
«Like this?»
After all, you had already proved him that you weren’t a naïve little girl: your talks, your constant teasing (well thought-out, thanks to your provocative swimsuits), the way you hadn’t seem shocked or scared by his maneuvers but, quite the opposite, thrilled and longing for them.
You were both on the same wavelength.
«Ah, fuck me… Fuck!»
What was he supposed to do now? Now that you were a whimpering mess under his expert fingers, now that he had you right where he had needed you to be since the first moment – below him, legs open for him, nipples tensed and visible under the top of your bikini, begging for your release –, now that he had the green light, it took a while to realize he could go for more without risking being turned down.
«Carlos, please…»
Spaced out, he had raised back on his knees, and you had started panting out of breath at both the sudden lack of contact and at the scene before you, his hands slowly pulling down his trunks.
He was taken over by an unexplainable aplomb, moving carefully but surely at the same time, precise as a sniper in brushing your most sensitive spots: his calm had the opposite effect on your body, shaking in desire, swollen and aching, and you gripped his back once he leaned over you, his tip teasing your entrance.
>>♥<<
Your second day in southern Spain was spent in Carlos’ arms.
Stirring after a night of sleep next to him, mattress and sheets still warm, you had felt his boner pressing on your thigh, as you had cuddled together all night. After exchanging the most adorable sleepy grin with him, you hadn’t hesitated to take the matter in your own hands. Neither had Carlos: less than a minute in, frustrated by how poorly he could pleasure you while lying next to you upright, he had quickly ordered you to sit on his face, so that he could grab your thighs, squeeze them tight in place whenever you’d try to shift away from his skillful tongue.
He learned you quickly, cracking your body’s code after that abundant breakfast in bed; spending yet another morning on Playa de el Cañuelo, enjoying the vibrant shades of the sea water, wetting your ankles while sitting on the shore, eyes closed in delight and sunbathing, you didn’t expect you’d soon learn his.
At lunch, as usual, you both refuged back in the villa, welcomed by a cooler temperature. While preparing two bowls of salad, you felt a pair of hands sliding on your skin, rolling up your sarong to toy with the two nods holding the bottom of your bikini together.
Before you could even realize, the feast had begun, as you moaned his name gripping the marble counter while he thrusted into you with one single stroke.
Nibbling, biting and open-mouthed kisses were tell-tale signs of your mutual hunger, which Carlos’ cock satiated by providing you with a sickly-sweet full sensation, your stomach being filled with him. Out of impatience and urge, Carlos had satisfied his own leaning back onto the edge of the kitchen table and dragging you back with him through the firm hold he had on your hips, rocking you back and forth with ease and speed.
You were now sure the sunburn had got severe, it had caused a fever: and Carlos was both the rays and the refreshing after-sun lotion, sliding on your skin, penetrating it, nourishing it from within.
>>♥<<
The surprise he had warned you about came on Sunday late afternoon.
«Ready for a walk?»
He had waited for the heat to be less intense, making it pleasant to stroll undisturbed hand in hand on a dirt path next to Playa de el Cañuelo, which went up the hill, amongst the bushes. From up there, you looked back to the beach and caught a magnificent glimpse of the view: the sea seemed even broader and distant, roaring onto the shore.
Carlos stopped with you to enjoy the sight, reading into your sparkling eyes.
«Let’s go, we’re almost there.»
You had been walking roughly for ten minutes, when you reached a crossing: the dirt left room to a wooden walkway with railing, leading back down to the jagged coast.
«Este es el Faro de Camarinal.»
«This is what?» you giggled.
«Faro means lighthouse.»
Holding hands and playing push and pull like two kids, you stared at Carlos’ lips closely as to replicate the Spanish words rolling off them, since he was determined to teach them to you.
«Faster, now.»
«I can’t! It’s impossible, you’re too quick.»
«Try.»
You both chuckled at each other, taken over by exhilaration for no particular reason but closeness.
«Faro… Faro de Marinal?»
«Camarinal.»
«Faro de Camarinal.»
Grinning at you, he let go of one of your hands to guide you towards the lighthouse once again, letting your steps resonating through the wooden boards.
«Better. You improve very quickly.»
«Are you planning on teaching Spanish to me already?»
You both stopped in front of an old metallic door at the base of the lighthouse, on which a sign hung off: prohibido el paso.
«You know me so well and yet it hasn’t even been a month since we’ve met.»
«You make it sound like it’s a bad thing.»
«It just amazes me,» he looked at you. «You amaze me.»
The orange glow of the sunset warmed your cheeks, forcing you to suppress a smile after hearing Carlos’ comment.
«Let’s go.»
«But we can’t. Isn’t this a prohibition sign?»
«It is. But nobody ever comes here and it’s completely safe to go inside.»
He then proceeded to open the door, which was loosely closed, and invited you to step in, offering his hand to you given your reticence.
After carefully going upstairs being wary of any danger, you came at the top panting a bit, but the view managed to leave you wholly breathless: the sea, the glimmering of the distant waves due to the sun diving in and swimming in the golden water.
«I used to come here when I was a kid.»
«Did you come to this beach during holidays?»
«Yes. This was the refuge I’d run to when my mom showed up to tell me we had to go back home.»
You lowered your gaze and smirked, hit by the tenderness of the memory.
«Is this a way to say you wish this trip didn’t end today?»
«It is. And I also wanted to show you my favorite spot in Spain.»
You both engaged in sightseeing, Carlos hugging you from behind and resting his chin on your shoulder for a while, as he had grown accustomed to doing in those three days; you brushed his arms as he enveloped your waist, feeling cozy and happy in the embrace. Softly, gently, like a dance, he reached for the ribbon of your white swim dress and began undoing it, while you both imperceptibly moved your bodies to the rhythm of your hands.
«This swimsuit is the best you’ve brought on this trip.» Carlos whispered in your ear.
«Glad you like it… It was meant to be my small surprise for you.»
«Let me unwrap it so that I can get my real surprise, then…»
«And then what happened?»
«Lan. You know what happened.»
You paced back and forth inside your bedroom, grinning wide as if Lando could ever see the sparkling magic in your eyes as you were telling him minute by minute everything about the sweet romanticism that had gone down during the trip. He had called you because he knew would like to vent and extenuate him with every single detail of that perfect, dreamy vacation.
«Of course I do, but I want you to embarrassedly say it out loud so that you know how down bad you are.»
You heavily sighed, knowing he was smirking by the tone of his voice.
«Okay,» you licked your lips, biting your lower lip as the memories hit you. «We made love.»
«Oh, wow, made love? Please, you’ll talk to me about making love when you’re an elder or something.»
You chuckled, too embarrassed to reply with anything else.
«So… I guess it was good,» Lando said.
«It was out of this planet. It was dizzying, and he was just… perfect.»
«Did he make you cum?» he quickly added.
«LANDO!» you gaped, eyes bewildered.
«’m just asking.»
Sitting down on your bed, fingers fidgeting with a loosened thread of the comforter, your thoughts kept swimming in the sea of those recalled moments.
You couldn’t help but realize that with Carlos everything had spiraled out of control.
From complete strangers to lovers in a week.
And the scariest thing to acknowledge was that it felt right, all along.
Like puzzle pieces, you fitted seamlessly and now that you both had tangled up, there was no chance of ripping: you would text each other every other hour, hoping new opportunities to hang out together would arise, longing for connection after having discovered your new favorite pastime was looking in the eyes and talk.
The mere thought of the proximity you had experienced warmed your cheeks again.
«Yes, he did. Multiple times, if you’re interested!»
«Weird that you think I’m interested, but okay,» Lando giggled. «Glad to hear you’re happy, though.»
«Yeah, I just feel at ease around him.»
The line fell silent for a couple of seconds, giving you time to elaborate the sentence through a soft grin, head lowered.
«Gosh, I think I love this man!»
«Man? Is he old?» he laughed.
«No, he’s just a bit older than me. But he’s so youthful as well! Lan, I’m doomed,» you facepalmed.
«Seems like you are, yeah.»
You paused once again, not really sure how to continue the conversation and pondering whether you should add anything in your detailed report to Lando.
You heard him humming briefly, signaling he wanted to speak up again.
«When… When will you see each other again?»
As soon as Lando ended the question, your fingers harshly twisted the thread they had been holding, while you were still looking down at the bed.
«I don’t know… he’s busy this week, and I’m coming to Imola with Charles, so definitely not as soon as we’d like.»
«Well, you should invite him to Monaco for the Grand Prix, if he’s free. He’s a sportsman, he would enjoy it.»
«Invite him so that you can pester him with questions and my whole family can disapprove of both him and me? Or you want us to get caught in a storm of paparazzi and twitter threads of how irresponsible Leclerc’s little defenseless sister is?»
Lando tsked and you could almost see his brows knitting in frustration.
«Don’t try to steal my job and make it a big deal when things are that simple. You love each other? Yes. Then no one can say a thing. But even if you two were just fucking around, I mean…» he paused. «You should be free to hang out with whoever. It’s nobody’s business.»
«It isn’t only about me, Lan… I think he would get in bigger trouble than I would. It seems like in his sport everything is blown out of proportion.»
«A man who understands the struggle,» Lando added, bittersweet. «But what is all this secrecy anyway? I don’t trust someone who can’t even tell you what he does for a living.»
«Lan, I just could tell he was being honest… Plus, he really looks like an athlete.»
«And couldn’t you tell which sport he practices by his body shape?»
«No, he’s really fit overall, there’s no prominent feature,» you shook your head. «He told me that he loves cycling, but usually riders have a smaller frame, right? I have no clue, Lan.»
«Guess you just love some mystery man, don’t you?»
Lando was grinning, you could tell.
«Well, I haven’t told him everything about me either, so it’s only fair…» you breathed out. «I’m so scared of his reaction when he finds out about my family…»
«You make it sound like you’re the daughter of an Italian mafia boss.»
«You know what I mean by that…»
«Yeah, I do. And you know that I think it’s silly.»
You paused, gaze still down, in reflection.
«It’s going to be fine. Stop overthinking, you little muppet.»
>>♥<<
Earphones plugged in, you scrolled through some of the pics you had taken with Carlos on Playa de el Cañuelo only a couple of days earlier. The sand between your toes, the warm breeze, the sun kissing your skin already felt like a thin memory and the moments, the touches you had shared with Carlos desperately ghostly.
Laying in bed at night, the apartment become quieter compared to the chatter of the dinner you had had with your family, you had been unable, despite vainly trying, to keep your mind off your little escapade.
You had, therefore, found yourself stumbling upon some stolen shots of him, shirtless, hair wet and shiny, drops of water sliding on his tanned skin. You could anticipate its warmth, because you had felt it; you could almost evoke his fingers tracing your body with gentleness and precision, making you gasp.
Loosening your muscles in delight, you swiftly slipped your right hand under your leggings and underwear, giving relief to your core through friction and light touches.
Carlos’ absence had left a void which you found unbearably underwhelming: love-bombing for three days had got you used to his ways, to his constant physical touch – which, you figured, was probably his favorite love language, since he couldn’t stray his hands away from your body – and now that you were laying in a single-size and empty bed, mind full of hopes and desires, you coped as you could, shutting your eyes and trying to reproduce Carlos’ skilled movements with your fingers, gradually increasing the pace, biting your lip as not to let out a single noise.
I want you to be louder, baby.
You knew that if Carlos were there, he would rub you hard enough to make you cry and beg out loud for more; he would not care of your brothers resting in their rooms only a couple of meters away and he would pay no attention but to you only, sucking on every corner of your breast, down in your inner thighs, leaving a trail of kisses to reach your-
S♥O is calling . . .
Decline <- -> Answer
You nearly yelped as you felt your left hand vibrate because of the call.
Heart pounding out of your chest, partly because of the unexpected call, partly because you were in the middle of something, you hurriedly swiped to answer.
«Hola, baby!»
«Hi.»
Carlos, who at first wasn’t looking at the screen in order to get comfortable on a beanbag chair, raised a brow: you had spoken so low your greeting was almost inaudible, your room barely lit by a table lamp.
«Why are you whispering?»
«My brothers are in the rooms next to mine, I can’t make too much noise.»
«Haven’t told them about me yet?» he smirked.
«No. They can be a bit protective.»
«Well, then tell them not to open their socials on the… 22nd of May.»
You frowned, taken aback.
«What happens...?»
«I talked to my management, and I settled everything for us to go public with our relationship. That weekend I’ll be in Monaco for a competition, so I thought there was no better occasion.»
You stared at the screen, brain racing at two hundred miles an hour: Charles had asked you to be with him for the race, but it didn’t mean you were obliged to stay attached to his hips every single second. And even if you had to skip some sessions, nothing was more deserving of your time than to keep close to Carlos, support him and stick with him in such a delicate moment for him and for you both.
It wasn’t even a question.
«If you’re okay with it, of course,» Carlos added, an enquiring look on his face.
«Uh? Yes! Of course, I mean…» you sighed. «My brother asked for my presence at one of his races but he’s in Monaco too, so I’ll be running to you whenever I can, I promise. I’d desert completely him for you, but I can’t.»
«I see,» Carlos nodded small to himself. «He must love you a lot to ask you to be with him every time.»
«He’s been pretty insistent since Miami,» you smiled.
«Why? Did you bring him good luck?» he smirked, raising a brow.
«Hmm… Yeah, kind of,» you said, thinking of the podium picture Lando had sent you with Charles spraying champagne in the background.
Carlos sank deeper into the beanbag sack, keeping silent.
«What?» you asked at his reaction, still trying to keep your volume low.
«Can’t believe I need to thank him for having met you in Miami.»
«Bad thing, uh?»
«Yep, because I can just sense that once you introduce me as your boyfriend he’ll turn into a cockblocker.»
At first, you giggled at his comic frustration and at the – probably true – assumption he had made; then your attention landed on the deeper meaning of the sentence and lingered on its last word, that had your core throb suddenly.
You hadn’t stop slowly and lazily rubbing yourself, almost unconsciously, staring at Carlos spread out on the sack chair, and you definitely found it impossible not to keep touching when he represented such a strong and influential visual clue to your yearning.
«Are you good?»
Carlos’ voice woke you up from your trance: not sure about what to do or say, feeling once again near your release, you leaned your head on the pillow.
«I… Please, don’t judge me,» you whispered in plead.
«Of course I won’t. What’s the matter?»
«I was… I am…» you bit your lower lip, frowning as you felt the jolt of pleasure approaching. «…masturbating to you. I miss you.»
Carlos grinned affectionately at those words, finally able to interpret the subtle twitch of your shoulder he had been quite distracted by all along.
«I miss you too, love. And there’s nothing to be ashamed of.»
The hoarseness of his voice.
Your core clenched around nothing just by him talking.
«Are you close?»
His tone had turned almost serious, consequently lower; you nodded through whines, at this point quite failing at the proposition of keeping absolutely silent.
«Wanted to make a mess on the sheets before even going to bed? Wanted your brothers to walk in on you while screaming my name, uhm? Like you did on the beach while riding my cock, you remember that?»
Only a couple of sentences and you were over the edge.
You pressed your lips together, keeping your fingers on your clit to enjoy its throbbing and the riding out of your orgasm, wishing it’d never end.
«Fuck, I’d like to be there on the bed next to you,» Carlos sighed, almost talking to himself. «Feel better, now?»
«Feel amazing,» you breathed out.
«I’m really sorry we can’t hang out until next week.»
«It’s not your fault, Carlos. We’ll manage,» you reassured him.
As you leaned forward, sitting on the bed and seemingly about to get up, Carlos mimicked you on his beanbag chair.
«Do you need to go?» he asked.
«I’ll go clean up and then straight to bed,» you smiled. «What about you?»
«I wanted to go to bed too, but I think I’ll need to take care of my boner first.»
You covered your mouth to prevent your giggles from echoing louder in your room.
«Sorry!»
«Don’t worry, I was already pretty hard when I saw you in pajamas on the bed, so…»
«So?»
«So stop teasing me any further!» he laughed. «Good night, y/n.»
«Sweet dreams, lover boy,» you joked with a fond smile on your lips.
>>♥<<
Exiting the bathroom after cleaning up, you decided to go grab a glass of water in the kitchen, still flushed by the steam of the situation.
Moving in the dark only helped momentarily by the whitish light of the fridge, knowing every centimeter of the house like the back of your hand, you startled as the light was switched on.
«Oh, didn’t see you.»
Charles seemed genuinely surprised to find you there, pulling a sheepish smile while getting close to the fridge.
«I was thirsty,» you said, taking a sip from your newly filled glass.
«Yeah, me too,» he said, grabbing from the fridge the bottle you had just put back in.
You gripped the counter with your free hand, wishing to escape him as soon as possible, but he was quick to pour himself a glass and join you alongside the marble.
The glass against your skin felt as cold as the silence falling on you both.
Growing embarrassed, you glanced at him, drawing his own interest on you.
«Your cheeks are bright red… Are you okay? Do you feel like you have a fever?»
As Charles leaned over to you, full of concern and thoughtfulness – too unexpected and unwelcome, if coming from him –, threatening to touch your skin as to prove the temperature of its surface, you flinched backwards, avoiding him.
«No, I’m fine! I… Guess I should change the duvet, it’s still the wintery one.»
He raised a brow in a quick, frustrated move.
«Isn’t it the sunburn?» he asked, sharp.
Sunken.
Guilt pervaded you, head to toe.
«Oh, uhm… No, I don’t think so,» you stood in silence. «Charles, the sunburn was just a lie…»
«I know.»
On pins and needles, you waited patiently for him to carry on, knowing there was more when he turned around to face you.
«Where did you go?»
«To Provence, I told you,» you sipped.
«You flew off the country.»
Charles kept staring at you with a knowing look, waiting for an answer.
«Freak, can’t even trust Lorenzo…» you snorted.
«He told me he accompanied you to the airport.»
«Fine,» you took another sip. «I was in Spain.»
Charles nodded to himself.
«Did you go with anyone?»
«No, I was alone. Last minute decision.»
«I see.»
Charles retreated, thoughtful, staring at the bottom of his glass.
Had you always been this distant?
Had he ever had you closer than this? One step away, about to graze you if he only reached out, and still miles away from each other.
Sometimes he wondered if he could’ve done anything not to splinter the relationship between the two of you: instead of blaming himself, he took it out with fate, destiny, whoever had decided that his only passion in life would make him hop on planes all over the world, putting most of his relationships at risk.
But what if it had been him all along?
What if he could’ve done something to prevent it? What if not keeping in touch with you enough was a burden placed on his shoulders only?
«I’m… I’m sorry for what I said, last week. You’re free to choose who to hang out with, but I was frustrated. I never get to see you all often and you deliberately cancelling the rare time I’m here got me mad. Sorry.»
«We were both petty. It’s fine, Cha’.»
You weren’t his little sister anymore.
You had suddenly turned into an adult, and it was unbelievably hard for him to acknowledge that he couldn’t treat you like a baby anymore, that you could have different plans and willing.
Separate lives; nothing but a surname, a roof and a hurtful past shared between the two.
Despite Imola not being particularly sunny on Thursday morning, you decided to shield your sight with the sunglasses Carlos had stolen and given back to you in Spain. As if it wasn’t a clear enough sign of your unavailability to pictures, interviews and any type of approach, you kept your eyes glued to the phone engaging in a way more interesting pastime than looking at a crowded paddock.
> I hate it already and I’ve been here for barely ten seconds lol
I know, without me any place is boring
You grinned.
> unfortunately true 🥲
> how are things there?
crowded and busy
my first task begins literally now
I’ll text you later ♥
> love you ♥
You huffed, putting your phone down.
«Y/n, right?»
You scrutinized head to toe the woman dressed in red who had got closer to you, quickly guessing she could be a media manager by the obsessive worry she held her phone with.
«Yes.»
«Good! Charles asked us to give you a garage tour, so you’ll be joining the one we reserve for our guests, which starts in a few minutes. Please, follow me!»
Annoyed beyond comprehension, wondering why in the world your brother had decided to put you through such a torture – was it vengeance for having missed his family boat day? He was a menace, you had always known. He had told you he was sorry only to let your guards fall down and trick you right after, when you least expected it… –, you followed the staff, carelessly strolling in the back corridor of the box, reaching the garage. Too outraged to notice your surroundings, you paid no attention to the words the woman said (something about waiting for the other VIP guests) and wandered around mindless, gazing at the rows of headsets on the wall, some screens and the cars covered by black sheets.
Charles had you trapped in his own hamster wheel: the fact that he liked it wasn’t a good reason to force you in there as well. You knew nothing about driving and you couldn’t care less. Literally, it was a heated discussion topic with Lando as well, because there was nothing attractive to you in risking your life at 300 km/h. Absolutely nothing.
Knowing Charles, he had planned your entire day to avoid losing track of you as it had happened in Miami.
It wasn’t established in your deal.
Little shit.
Still fuming at the thought, carefully intending to search a boutique nearby – if any existed in that God forgotten Italian village – and force him to buy the most expensive dress of the lot, you snatched your sunglasses away, not bearing the thought of them being Charles’.
Phone vibrating in your pocket, you grabbed it and glanced at it.
1 new message from S♥O
love you too
His words melted your rage like snow under the brightest sun: they warmed your whole chest, making a smile linger on your lips.
Hearing people talking and walking into the garage, you raised your eyes from the screen; in the process, you involuntarily locked gaze with someone who seemed to be looking in your direction.
And you froze.
To be fair, you could tell he had been frozen longer than you had and that, in fact, he had caught your attention exactly because he was already standing still the moment you looked around you in the room.
Carlos’ doe eyes were meters away from you, as his body was wrapped in the Ferrari merch you were so used to seeing in your brother’s wardrobe, standing with his phone in his hands, like you were, lips parted in astonishment and confusion.
An unmistakable laugh emerging from the back of the garage together with the flow of new people put you in alarm, which was justified as soon as Charles strolled casually his way into the box: you immediately looked away from Carlos, terrified that small interaction could ever be caught.
As if you could slow down your heart thundering in your chest.
«What are you looking at?»
Carlos turned his head to Charles, who was leaning on the wall next to him.
«Nothing.»
Why would you be there?
You had a VIP pass hanging around your neck. Maybe you had got it thanks to your brother being a famous athlete… But he couldn’t spot anyone else among the guests around your age who could be your sibling; no one was as beautiful as you, no one even got near your perfection.
Did you know? Had you found out he was a F1 driver and decided to surprise him, to confront him? After all, the real mystery was how you hadn’t managed to discover it yet…
«I’m doing the tour, today,» Charles plainly said.
«What? You never want to,» Carlos smiled, knitting brows.
Looking at his teammate's casual pose, arms crossed and sunglasses on, chewing on a gum, Carlos suddenly realized something; and he wished he could turn around to compare him to you, as doubts and hypotheses sprung in his mind.
«Hello, everyone!»
But Charles had already gathered and greeted the guests, and Carlos found himself surrounded by mechanics to proceed with the seat fit.
Needless to say, you understood nothing of what Charles said.
Hyperaware of your surroundings, you tried to peek at Carlos, who talked to various team people – probably engineers –, then climbed into the cockpit and did checks you couldn’t see the purpose of.
Charles occasionally threw dimpled smiles to you while speaking, both hoping to entertain you and getting on your nerves, well knowing you couldn’t pull a tantrum at his workplace.
In five minutes, the activity inside the garage died down: Charles had dismissed you all, and you had glimpsed Carlos getting out of the car.
«Next, you’ll visit the hospitality. Follow me, this way!»
As the same woman you had met earlier gestured to all the guests to form a group behind her, you reluctantly entered the corridor towards the exit, not before glancing back, desperate to see Carlos one last time.
You almost gasped as you saw him quickly step towards you, who were then forced to face forward, somehow fearful: you could just feel his silhouette towering yours as he chased you close.
Before you knew it, in the mid of the corridor, he had grabbed your wrist and dragged you inside a small room, shutting the door behind him.
What now?
You had little to no time to elaborate the situation, to master the catastrophic impact of Carlos being a F1 driver and Charles’ teammate; putting pieces together, the overall picture still had blurry borders and it shook before your sight.
In that fraction of eternity – since meeting Carlos seemed to have halted time –, though, locking gaze with him, you realized a deeper truth.
He was in front of you, flesh and bones, body and soul.
He was the man you had incoherently fallen in love with in such a short amount of time and whom you couldn’t let go.
At unison, two listeners tuned into the same radio station and moving to the beat of the same song, you leaned close to each other and you pressed lips upon lips, body upon body.
You felt Carlos holding you tight in his embrace, afraid it was only a vision, a fathom, a ghostly appearance, and you clung onto his shoulders stronger to reassure him, since you definitely weren’t planning on withdrawing from his touch.
It took long to stop the kiss and get to talking; somehow, you both were always discovering a new corner of lips you craved to tease, to nibble at, to smother with kisses. Once you felt Carlos’ breath hitch and his movements ceased, as he tried to get your attention in order to speak up, you braced yourself for his words.
«Why are you here?» he let out in one breath.
«My brother… the one who’s an athlete…» you inhaled. «That’s Charles.»
Carlos spaced out, and you showed him a sympathetic smile while caressing his cheek with fondness.
«You’re from Monaco…»
«Yep,» you kept brushing his skin, appreciating the smoothness of it, able to guess he might have shaved that same morning.
«You were in Miami for the race, weren’t you?»
You nodded in small movements, waiting for his reaction.
«But like, how didn’t you recognize me? Did you pretend not to know?»
«I told you I never went to Charles’ races. I’m not interested in F1, I’ve never watched it on tv…»
«At least I know it wasn’t a lie, then…» he leaned his head back, sighing.
There was no way of hiding the hint of fear you felt while biting your lip, examining Carlos’ expressions as they changed rapidly. Through it all, though, he never retreated from your touch, keeping you tight in his arms.
«What a mess…» he muttered under his breath.
«He can’t say a thing, it’s not up to him to decide who I’m dating-»
«Y/n, there are… dynamics that you can’t understand. It’s much more than an overprotective-brother matter.»
«Then what is it?»
«Y/n!»
Carlos shut his eyes in annoyance as he heard his teammate, your brother, searching and calling for you.
«Y/n? Guys, did you see my sister?»
In mutual agreement, you stared at each other while reluctantly loosening the embrace; taking a sharp breath in, Carlos then placed his hand on the knob and opened the door.
«She was being nosy in the strategy room. She said she got lost.»
Without paying too much attention to Carlos’ justifying words, Charles only addressed you.
«Go reach Arthur and mom, we’re having lunch at the hospitality together.»
You simply nodded, regretfully walking out the garage without sparing a last glance at Carlos, who was then leaning against the door frame. As the Spaniard was about to follow you and exit the box too since his duties were carried out, he felt a hand wrap and drag his arm to prevent him from leaving.
«Y/n is my sister.»
Carlos tried to play it cool and smirked.
«I didn’t know anything about her.»
«And that’s exactly how it’s supposed to always be.»
Charles stepped closer to Carlos, never letting his smile falter.
«Don’t get near her.»
Something about his eyes, despite the attempt of coming off as friendly, something feral, almost murderous struck Carlos and left his heart blue, aware that there was nothing he could possibly do to change Charles’ disposition towards him. At the same time, however, he had to restrain himself from barking at his teammate: Carlos had sisters himself and had experienced protectiveness towards them, but he had never gatekept their existence from the entire world as Charles had done with you. He had never seen a picture of you, never known a younger Leclerc was part of the family… Cutting you off from his passion and his job only to then plead you to be a part of his life back again and suddenly dragging you around the world was simply selfish. He could tell why you would always tense up whenever you mentioned your arguments and your lacking relationship with him, and if you knew on which terms Carlos and Charles were, maybe you would’ve backed him up.
Maybe you would’ve picked his side instead of Charles’, as everyone else did.
No one could deny how much Charles was the most liked, protected and favored driver out of the Ferrari pair, and this partiality unluckily showed through divisions inside the team, which no one dared speak about. Mechanics, media staff, engineers: Charles had to be cherished like a baby prince, able to obtain anything, keeping people’s hearts wrapped around his fingers, to the point he could throw ultimatums and threat to leave the team and gain, in turn, the dismissal of a team principal with a favorable replacement.
Deep down, Carlos knew it was no one but Ferrari’s fault, with the team who had let Charles progressively identifying with the team until losing him would have a tremendous negative impact on the brand, and most of all everyone relied on him for the title championship’s fight without even considering any other person.
They had made him too important, and now they couldn’t afford to lose him, even if this meant sacrificing their other driver.
They had already signed Hamilton before the season had even started.
And that Charles himself didn’t like Carlos much, well, signs were between the lines, for the ones who could read them properly.
He had beaten Charles in the end of the first year as teammates, though people seemed to forget it. He had secured the only win of the team in the 2023 season, and had replicated it triumphantly in Australia.
What did he have to do to shine as bright?
What did he have to do to be… chosen?
>>♥<<
You waited in the interstice between Ferrari and McLaren’s hospitalities, barely hid in the shadow, sunglasses purposely on to avoid crossing gaze with the crowd walking up and down the paddock. Carlos had texted you, saying he would reach you as soon as lunch with the team would be over; on your hand, you had finished eating quite early since you felt no big appetite, sickened by a pounding question.
Had you rushed things with Carlos?
The question left your mouth dry, your hands clammy.
He had seemed too hesitant, too fearful, and at first too slow to commitment, always managing to pull out excuses as to why he wasn’t ready to go public.
What if it had been a fleeting moment? But how could all of it be a lie? Lying in the sand, limbs intertwined, giggling and whispering slices of life to each other as the sun set down.
A sigh revealed Carlos’ presence aside you.
«I’m going to be brief. Things between me and Charles are a mess, when it comes to dynamics within the team. It’s not even hate, it’s way more subtle than that…»
«It’s competition.»
«Unfair competition,» he spatted. «He knows the team will always back him up, whereas I’m currently without a seat for next year.»
You shot your wide opened eyes to him.
«What?»
«I was negotiating the renewal when they suddenly announced another driver they had been in contact with for quite a long time. The team told me nothing.»
You passed a frustrated hand on your face, trying to wash away mental fog.
«You don’t want Charles to be on your tail more than he is now, I guess.»
«I don’t want him to force you to choose either him or me,» he stared at you. «Because you can’t help choosing him.»
«No! I don’t care about him if this is the way he treats people! And why would you assume I wouldn’t choose you? I…»
You halted after suddenly noticing your hands were now resting on his chest; maybe too much of an intimate gesture, but delicate enough to soften Carlos’ expression, sewed with pain.
«You?»
«Y/n!»
You stepped back abruptly, before even turning around to see who was searching for you with such a greeting, before Lando’s curly locks bounced over to you.
«Oh, Carlos!» the Brit smiled sheepish. «Do you two… know each other?»
A F1 driver recognizing you right away with sunglasses on and cheering you as if nothing happened, only to be clearly surprised and slightly embarrassed locking gaze with him.
Math wasn’t mathing.
Carlos smiled, genuinely curious as to why his old teammate had approached you – or tried to, before noticing the presence of a third wheeler – so confidently when, according to you and your brother’s words, no one in the paddock knew a thing about you.
«No, not really. She is a VIP guest Charles asked me to treat good. Probably a friend of his.» Carlos grinned. «Do you know each other?»
You could tell by the tone that the question, though his eyes were on Lando, was actually directed at you as well, and you could easily imagine the confusion and the frustration reigning in Carlos’ head.
«Uhm, yeah.» Lan said, unsure. «We’re friends.»
>>♥<<
The knob clicked closed behind you.
It had been a long day: trying not to show your inner turmoil, trying not to think about him too much, trying to make sense of the situation that had formed before your eyes in the span of a morning.
we need to talk
i'll let you in my hotel room, i'm at the same floor charles is
8.30
You glanced at every clock your eyes could spot, compulsively checking the time on your phone’s screen, always managing to forget it and therefore forced to take a look again.
Hours drew longer and longer as the moment approached, they projected shadows on your thoughts, dark and frightening.
Clearing your throat, you knocked on his door lightly and it surprised you when you felt it retreat from your touch almost immediately, opening. You quickly shuffled inside, hoping not to be seen by anyone in the corridor.
Carlos vaguely glanced at you, as you could tell he was deep in thought. Not sure what to start with, you grabbed his hands, fidgeting with his fingers so that you keep your head low staring at them.
«How does Lando know you?»
«We met in Monaco without knowing that… that he was him and I was me. We became friends before Charles could even find out.»
«And how was Charles okay with it, given his “no sister” policy with us drivers?»
«I guess he couldn’t do much, at that point. But Lan told me that he had to swear he wouldn’t say a word about me.»
«The only secret he was ever able to keep,» Carlos scoffed. «It had to be the most precious girl, of course.»
You raised your eyes at him.
«What do we do now?»
Carlos didn’t answer, choosing to enjoy the silence and draw you near with his arm; he let you adjust in the hug, as you wrapped his waist, while he left a kiss on your head.
That shower of love reminded you how much you had longed for his presence; despite being hundreds of kilometers away from home, you still somehow felt in the right place.
You knew what Carlos was about to say.
Yet, his words came late, choosing to settle in the embrace a little more, adjusting just so that he could wrap you tighter and fit perfect.
«Charles can’t know.»
You shut your eyelids close, inhaling deeply.
Embarking in a secret relationship wasn’t on the plan, weeks earlier.
Neither was Carlos.
>>♥<<
His fingertip traced your skin, removing unwanted strands of hair out of your face, watching you sleep in his arms with a tender smile. He let his digit draw soothing lines on your forehead, willing to undo its knit.
It wasn’t going to be easy on any of you, lying to half world.
And yet, no other choice was left.
«Did you save me as “so” because it stands for “significant other”?»
Your cheek inseparable from the comforting warmth of his chest, you eyed up at him, irises glinting with amusement.
Carlos had invited you in his changing room inside Ferrari’s hospitality in order to chill and relax a bit before FP3 in Monaco. You were surprised to see there wasn’t a lot of space, forced to lay on a small couch.
«Where did you learn that?»
«Internet, of course,» he said, matter-of-factly.
«What, did you search the short form of “smooth operator”?»
Giggling, you threw another jokingly glance at him, noticing his brain gears moving as he spaced out.
«I never realized…» he shifted his gaze on you, «...until now.»
Willing to get closer, you flipped around and climbed upwards, resting your hands on his broad chest, still smiling at him.
«You’re my so, in every way.»
You left a quick peck on his soft lips, biting your own in awe, admiring how lost he seemed.
«So?»
«So,» you tenderly brushed your nose against his. «It’ll be my secret code for you, from now on.»
«I want it to be a secret code for me too.»
Carlos’ lips curled in a pensive pout, while you couldn’t stop yourself from leaving another peck on them, slower this time, but still feather-like.
«Then, you’re my… Sexy Owner?»
You both burst out laughing.
«What? It’s true, you’re both sexy and you own me.»
«I don’t own you, Carlos,» you eye rolled, still grinning.
«But we own each other,» he firmly grabbed your waist, as you still laid comfortable over him. «Or at least I own you, according to what you said last night…»
The light pat he gave on your bun, paired up with his breath fanning on your neck triggered a cheerful chuckle in you.
«What about Sweet Oath?»
You looked back at him.
«An oath?»
«An oath of love. That’s why it’s sweet.»
«You’re the one being sweet.»
Exchanging another small kiss, you got startled as Carlos’ alarm went off to warn him about the light training he was meant to do before free practice.
«Never lasts long enough,» he grunted, leaving another kiss on your lips.
«Are we hanging out tonight?» you asked, climbing off him reluctantly to let him go.
«Maybe right after qualifying. I need to attend a dinner with sponsors.»
«Business nights, uh?»
He grinned, as you both stood up.
«Be careful when you exit the room. Wait here a few minutes.»
«Good luck.»
«It’s just free practice,» he grinned.
After he had closed the door, you sat back again on the red pillowed coach, taking a closer look to the furniture: a painting with both Carlos and his father; a Spanish flag, to which you smiled reminded of the trip to Playa de el Cañuelo; the white varnish of the wardrobe.
That small corner of Monaco was dressed in Carlos' clothes as the only fortress of freedom in a country so foreign to him and so dearly close to you. The thought that he'd be living in Monaco too pretty soon and that seeing each other wouldn't be a problem through his off season quickened your heartbeat.
Your love was growing fast, faster than anyone racing in those streets.
Hearing nothing but stillness outside the room, you opened the door and got out without suspicion, ready to go downstairs.
«Y/n?»
Struck, you stopped and raised your gaze, who was following your feet's movement.
Lorenzo.
He was in the guests’ area of the second floor, phone in hand, staring right in your direction.
«Yes?»
Fuck, you knew he had seen you.
You could read it in his face, in the way the brows wrinkled his forehead, in the unsure tone he had used to call you, in the slow steps he made towards you.
He halted, pausing to place his phone back in the pocket.
«All good?»
«Yes, just need to use the restroom real quick.»
He nodded small as a sign to let you go.
Confirmed, he had noticed. He knew you were lying.
>>♥<<
Waving back to fans behind the pitlane fence as a form of greeting and thanking, Charles rushed back inside the garage.
The love he received in Monaco was comparable to nothing else.
Walking those streets, getting to drive them and own an entire country, wrapped around his fingers, was quite the power at such a young age. Still, Charles didn’t feel pressure from it, nor the need of controlling or maintaining it: when you’re comfortably in the lead, you only see the road ahead and you don’t focus on the position you’re in.
Entering the box, searching for Andrea, Charles didn’t expect to find you engaged in a conversation with his teammate.
About F1.
«… and they could undercut us.»
«Undercut? What does that mean?»
Watching Carlos talk and gesture data on a screen, hearing his words half eaten up by the noise of the mechanics cleaning the garage, Charles didn’t stray his stare once.
The way his hand lingered on the small of your back, almost without touching it but still hovering on you like a magnet's pole meeting one of the same sign, not able to make contact and yet forcing proximity, pressed an emergency button in Charles' brain. And even more so, as you gazed intently at the screen, willing to follow the Spaniard's explanations.
Because when you’re in the chase, the subordinate position you’re in never ceases to pound in your head as the deadliest sin.
Before he could even prevent himself, Charles was already walking towards you with hands stuffed down into his loose sweatpants.
«This is why in case of safety cars it's best to-»
«Pit so no one undercuts you. Right, Carlos?»
He knew.
Inside his eyes, Charles could read annoyance for the interruption, as he saw your attention shifting from Carlos to himself.
«Why are you guys talking about undercut? What did I miss?»
«Carlos was teaching me some stuff on strategies, since I had some questions.»
«You? Questions on strategy?» Charles scoffed, almost jokingly. «And why didn't you ask me instead?»
«Because Carlos is a great teacher,» you grinned. «And he was the only one available.»
Two bullets shot at once.
A glint, the fastest and subtlest, flashed in Carlos' dark irises, bright enough to catch Charles' attention.
Neither of them was keen on the idea of losing, but if there was anything Charles didn't want to be won over was a stranger engaging with you and getting your undivided attention better than he had ever done himself.
He couldn't bear anyone winning you.
«So?»
The angles of your mouth curved in a smile unconsciously, hearing that secret code escape Carlos’ lips with such a teasing tone; and it tasted even sweeter when Charles decided to simply walk away, answering nothing to the cruel evidence.
White and black waved at the cross line, as a red car flew on the straight.
The jewel had been caste onto his long due awaited Prince’s crown:
Charles had won in Monaco.
Emotion brimmed in every pair of eyes you met. First Lorenzo, then Pascale hugging you up, you stared at the screen and tried to make sense of your brother’s team radio being broadcasted, while you tried not to lose Carlos out of sight through the wide window giving you a majestic glimpse of the Principality.
You all ran downstairs, flooding the pitlane to welcome the winner, to see his fist brought up to the sky, to hear the screams and cheers muffled by his helmet, to release your breath as soon as Charles sighed in relief too.
As you followed his red suit launching into the mechanics crowd, you swallowed hard at the scene, Charles ruffling Arthur’s hair and hugging each other with joy. It was less than a couple of meters away from you, and yet it felt like joy was a matter only to be shared between them, as if that win they so much ached for was only meant to drown you down in a painful defeat.
Charles eyed you behind Ferrari’s president Elkan but didn’t linger on you much, swamped by other people congratulating him; Carlos, instead, embracing the man who was unconsciously guarding you from the track – said Elkan –, he took the opportunity to make a deep eye contact. You noticed he must be tired or bothered by thoughts too, and if only cameras weren’t capturing every single second of the happy chaos filling the boulevard, you would’ve leaned in to leave a kiss on those soft, plump lips of his.
>>♥<<
«I know you might disagree, but… Today was a really special day for Charles and it’d be great if you could join the celebrations tonight, with him. With us.»
Your mother hummed to Lorenzo’s words, glancing at you to check your reaction, which was more than slow to show.
«Charles, a-and Arthur as well, would be so happy to have us all together, like the family we are.»
The family you were.
You stood in silence, eyes purposefully avoiding theirs not to dwell on that unhappy phrasing, carefully pondering and recalling the brief conversation you and Carlos had barely managed to hold after the podium celebration back in his small room inside the hospitality, easily hiding when the full attention was placed on Charles.
There’d probably be a celebration of P3 too.
«Dad would’ve liked it as well,» Pascale added.
And what then? Wouldn’t a chance to see Carlos be more than enough to set resentment and old rotten feelings aside?
«Yes,» Lorenzo agreed, lowering his head.
«Where is he partying?» you asked, monotone.
«How come where? At Jimmy’z, of course.»
Your eyeroll was accompanied by a sharp inhale, regretting already the resolution you had just formed.
«I’ll go home as soon as I’m tired or bored.»
«Are you really coming?» Lorenzo asked surprised, as if he had just made peace with the fact you would turn the invitation down. «But of course! You can go home whenever you feel like it, since we’ll probably stay up very late… You’ll make him happy just by being present for five minutes.»
«Don’t give me ideas I wouldn’t hesitate to put into work,» you said, teasingly.
Pascale grinned wide, sincerely glad to have all the Leclercs on the same page – quite a novelty, lately.
«Good! Do you need help choosing your dress? Styling your hair, maybe?»
«No, mom, I’m fine. I can manage.»
«Okay, I see… Always the self-made woman!»
>>♥<<
The shiver and the adrenaline coursing through your blood as soon as you put foot in the club inevitably sprung a smirk upon your lips.
You knew it was a mistake, and still, you couldn’t stop yourself from falling for it.
You, Carlos and your brother dancing and getting wasted in the same room.
You had felt it right as you posed against the Jimmy’z cardboard next to Charles for some family shots, it was in the nice breeze travelling down your skin: you knew it was on you, and you only flashed smiles to the camera because you were aroused by that thought.
Carlos’ stare.
It told you everything you needed to know as soon as it found you among the crowd and rested on you; his eyelids had widened in surprise, while he frowned, worry and concern concealed by a layer of undeniable excitement.
In that quick exchange of looks, it was made painfully obvious to both of you that staying away from each other would be a challenging task, almost impossible, if only Charles’ delightful expression wouldn’t haunt your sight left and right.
«Lando! Lan, congrats, bae!» you slurred, lacing your arms around his neck.
«Thanks, babe! I wasn’t on the podium, but I appreciate,» he laughed. He then paused and checked you out with smiling eyes, trying to interpret your weirdly affectionate state.
«Who did you get all this cute and worked up for?»
«Uh?»
Lando had to repeat the question through the loud cheers of Charles’ friends near you.
«Whose heart are you trying to steal being this giggly and adorable?»
Eyes bored deep into his, suppressing a smile biting your lower lip, you faked the purest honesty and innocence of mind.
«No one’s.»
Your hidden mischief didn’t go unnoticed to Lando, who nonetheless decided to let it slide off his mind, letting his gaze wander in the packed floor.
«Want to dance?»
His quick request caught you off guard, making you turn around to him with a puzzled expression. You had barely even realized his hand was resting friendly on your naked shoulder, his fingers squeezing it gently as to silently repeat the offer.
«Yes, sure!»
Lando vibed to the beat, taking small sips while flashing smiles at you: he could see you were having fun and definitely not sparing any ounce of energy, letting your hair sway left and right to the rhythm.
Until, a flash.
Behind you, in the sea of dancing bodies, he had caught someone flicking his eyes on you. Lando decided to take another sip, considering it wouldn’t be unusual for people to notice you.
But then it struck again, and he managed to catch the person’s face.
«What’s wrong?» you half-screamed at Lando, trying to make yourself be heard.
«Nothing, thought I saw someone I know,» He then brushed your arm lightly. «I’ll come back in a second.»
>>♥<<
Drink in hand – an unnecessary one, since you were already quite tipsy, but absolutely required to argue with Arthur like lords far from the dancing chaos – you reasoned out loud that the only good thing about Jimmy’z was the music. He chuckled in agreement, taking a sip.
«The venue is cool, though, don’t you think?» he asked.
«Would be better off without those naked girls flashing everyone.»
«They’re not naked!» Arthur smugly replied. «But I see why you’re not interested.»
«Are you?» you asked, disgusted.
«I mean…»
You scoffed at his collected reticence.
«C’mon, don’t play the goody two shoes! I bet you wouldn’t complain if it was a sixpack on full display.»
«But I don’t want to be flashed every single second. I’m not always in the mood, you know?» you teased, placing your gaze back to the crowd.
Arthur kept staring at you, raising a brow and pulling a knowing smile.
«Oh, really?»
«Yes.»
«Then why have you been dancing like crazy all over Lando while wearing your revenge dress?»
You looked at him, genuinely puzzled.
«Revenge dress?»
«This is the dress you wore the night after breaking up with that dickhead of your ex-boyfriend when we partied at Buddha’s. It’s the “partying ‘til I forget my name” sexy dress.»
The realization made you laugh uncontrollably hard, spitting out the sip you had taken back into the glass and obliging you to lean on Arthur’s arm for support. Of course, you couldn’t refrain from laughing long enough to let your brother know how drunk you actually were, how unstable you seemed to be on your high heels and how difficult it would be to let you go back home alone in that state.
While gripping Arthur’s arm tight for support, a trail movement at the back of the room perked your interest, and you were quick to see a group of people walking towards the VIP room, amongst which you easily spotted Charles – under his unmistakable Monaco flag – and, to your dismay, Carlos.
You flung yourself away from Arthur, rushing to the VIP room door before they could reach it, dodging waiters and bodies dancing around, trying your best not to twist your ankle in the process; ignoring Carlos’ widening irises, you grabbed the shuffling flag away from Charles’ head and bore your eyes into his.
«What are you doing?» you asked.
«We wanted to go inside-»
«I want to come in!» you pouted.
Charles, already quite wasted, stared at you, seemingly unable to make sense of your weird request.
He’d always thought you didn’t like the VIP room, he had it clear; still, your fingers gripping his shirt and your eyebrows knitted in plead were unequivocal signs of protest in utter contradiction with the past.
It didn’t even cross his mind why he would ever deny you the access when he had, in fact, waited for you to get closer to him and join him since the very beginning.
Since forever.
He would always have to see you party with your friends in other clubs, purposely avoiding the one he was in, just so that you couldn’t meet him.
It was a no brainer for him to giggle at you and ruffle your hair with a drunk smile, heart swelling with pride and happiness.
«Of course, let’s go!»
The shades of the dim lights were blue and red, creating nice purple shadows on the black leathered couches, on the uncountable glasses placed on the coffee table, on the features of everyone sitting around you.
Shameless, you couldn’t help but focus your entire attention onto seducing Carlos from across the table: index tracing the edge of your cup, taking sips from the straw while looking straight into him, crossing your legs so that the thin fabric of your dress would expose even more of your thighs.
An ineffable pleasure hit you when you noticed the gleam in his dark eyes.
He was hooked.
You had seen him seeking relief from the heat creeping on his body, pulling away from his neck the tight-fitting shirt with a finger, shifting in his seat, first leaning over with his forearms on the thighs in order to desperately get involved in the conversation and avoid staring at you for an unreasonable amount of time, then ultimately giving up, crashing his back onto the back of the couch, manspreaded.
Useless to say you fell into his trap.
His smug smirk, half-lidded eyes, warned you he had very well noticed your reaction; catching you staring was the sweetest revenge, but still let him unsatisfied. He had to swipe the palm of his sweaty hands onto his trousers and swallow hard, as he watched you drink your thirst away and diverge gaze, before one of you could call out the shitshow and drag the other out of the club to finally have what you both wanted, touch starved.
Luckily for you, nobody at the table had picked up on the intense and mutual riling up competition you had started:
except for Lorenzo.
His eyes had followed Carlos’ body spreading wide on the couch and his clear arousal after feasting on your poses all night. Lorenzo hadn’t missed the way you had bit your lower lip, immediately taking a long sip of your drink, visibly affected by the exchange of looks with Carlos.
Before he could process it any further, you abruptly popped standing up.
«I’m going dancing!»
Not that anyone really followed you; Charles, as well as all his friends, were deep in conversation – or, at least, drunkenly attempting to – digging up the past and cherishing the incredible victory achieved.
Carlos turned his head around, unable to stop following your silhouette everywhere like a sunflower chases the brightest star in the galaxy: you were that charming to him, that dear.
«Carlos, what about you?»
Carlos’ head snapped back to the table, breath almost audibly hitched, wide eyes placed on Lorenzo who had been the one to address him.
He hadn’t heard the question, because he had been too caught up admiring the way your hips would sway to the rhythm, tracing imaginary lines on your neck, along your collarbone, done to the neckline of your dress…
Fuck.
«Sorry, I spaced out for a second. What was the question?»
He knew Lorenzo hadn’t bought it, it was written in bold letters, between the lines, but Carlos acknowledged he had decided to let it drop for the moment, and he was, obviously, relieved.
«How do you feel about the podium?»
You were stoked.
You had rarely ever experienced such a high in your years spent in the most exclusive clubs of Monaco, and you could just feel everything was incredible: the blasting music, the drinks, the company.
It was the first time you had joined clubbing with all your brothers together, and it hadn’t gone south as you had always expected to.
Deep down, though, you couldn’t fake it was probably due to someone else’s presence getting your family off your mind and preventing you from focusing on anything and anyone.
He was still sitting on the couch, briefly talking to the others, but he always managed to peek at you amongst the crowd. You found the perfect hiding spot for your improvised dancing performance to Carlos behind the back of what seemed to be a guy about your age. It allowed you to momentarily disappear from his sight just enough to keep him searching for you, returning a wicked smile whenever he would small grin at you.
«Are you good, mate?»
Charles’ giggle alarmed Carlos once again, obliging him to nod at his teammate.
«You sure? You seem a little… tense.»
The chuckles and the laughter bursting from Charles’ side of the table didn’t please the Spaniard, making him rather confused.
«I’m fine, actually.»
They both stared at each other, Charles’ eyes sparkling in drunkenness and mischief, still smirking with both dimples on display.
«I have a gift for you, Carlos.»
Carlos gulped as soon as he saw Charles’ fingers gesturing as to bring something next to the table; the green eyes still fixed on him, Carlos tried to free himself from whatever was to come, reassuring Charles on the fact that if anyone needed gifts, well, that was the winner of the Grand Prix, not the third classified.
«But Carlos! You aren’t turning down my gift, are you?» he said. «Because in that case, you know what they say… Never look a gift horse in the mouth, right?» Charles leaned back onto the couch, resting his arm on the top.
Carlos tried to throw a last glance at you, not able to find you in the swaying sea of bodies, but as soon as he had turned his head over the dance floor, he had seen the ‘gift’ approaching, and his lips parted in surprise.
And disgust.
One of the many dancers hired for the VIP room, hanging around and serving tables with little to no clothes on, climbing the small three steps separating the table from the dance floor.
«Never look in the mouth, but… you can take a great look at everything else,» Charles smirked wide, enjoying the embarrassment and the amused commotion he had created between his friends.
As the woman took a step closer to Carlos knees, he was quick to halt her lascivious moves by standing up, driven by madness at how clearly Charles had planned it only to cause a scene and enjoy how he would entangle away from such a predicament, well knowing he couldn’t act on the rage coursing in his heated blood.
Carlos’ mouth went completely dry, despite the drinks he had had in order to forget he was sitting in the lions’ cage and hideously having to socialize with people who despised him as much as he did.
To forget that you were the sister of that bratty, annoying, childish prince of Monaco.
Carlos darted his eyes to Charles, fingers clenching into a fist, desperately trying not to give in and offer the reaction everyone awaited as to get him to be kicked out from the club.
A shatter of glass interrupted Carlos’ trail of thoughts, making him turn his head to the noise coming from the dance floor.
He noticed a waitress’ tray had crashed and wetted the floor, right above the stairs next to their table, as you rushed excuses and apologies to the girl.
Carlos was about to walk down and help you getting out of the embarrassment only to get rid of his own, but he needed no further convincing the moment he saw a pair of hands grab your waist from behind, drawing you close to his body.
It was a young guy, the same you had used as a shield in the crowd, who had ultimately turned around and noticed your dancing, mistakenly thinking you were addressing him with those moves and not your boyfriend sat meters away.
«What’s your name, sweetheart?»
It had escalated the moment you had tried to reach Carlos both to sneak away from the unrelenting advances and to shoo away the unwanted presence of one of the dancers near your man.
«Where do you think you’re going? We haven’t had fun yet!»
He had spun you around grabbing your shoulder, quick to press his body onto yours; out of fear, disgust and panic, you had pushed yourself away from him with all your might, tumbling backwards on your heels and hitting the waitress.
«Leave me alone!»
Carlos needed no more.
His eyes renewed with fire, in no time he had reached you and had snatched those foreign, dirty hands away from you.
«Are you deaf? Leave.»
No matter how loud the music was, you could feel Carlos’ low voice echoing in your chest, vibrations reaching your stomach: you hadn’t been that close to him all night and his sudden presence daunted you all at once.
«What? Who are you to tell me what to do?»
A couple of friends of the guy backed him up, as Carlos smiled out of utter disbelief and fury. You wrapped his wrist tight, hoping to hold him back in the unknown propositions you knew he might be harboring.
«Someone who could get you out of this country in less than two minutes.»
You turned around, surprised to see Charles dismiss the jovial and light-hearted grin he had worn all night to put on a devilish smile, his green irises concealing a hint of madness.
Carlos had wiggled out of your hold, scared that your brother could notice it, as you both stared at Charles with curiosity and bewilderment.
«Maybe three, if you leave immediately and forget to come here for the rest of your life,» he added, looking down at his Richard Mille.
Peeking behind their backs, the ridicule group gulped noticing a group of bodyguards approaching. Charles flashed them back with the smile of someone who has the entire world wrapped around his fingers and manages to win it all.
Still, glancing back at you, he felt no power, no control.
Lorenzo had approached you and was making sure you were okay, hands grabbing your arms delicately.
Carlos, who had stepped in first, didn't allow Lorenzo to take care of you alone, and stood close to you, worry painted in his eyes.
And what had Charles done?
What had he done for you?
He hadn't even noticed you were in danger. He was so focused on himself, on the mischief he had reserved for his teammate. It was the first time you were partying together and he had left you out of his conversations, his laughs, his memories' sharing, to the point you had gone dancing alone to find the company he hadn't given you.
Charles' head started buzzing, mental fog clouding his actions. He stared at you, lost, eyes glinting in drunkenness.
«I'll ask Arthur to bring you back home, okay?» Lorenzo said to you.
«I'll give her a ride.»
Like a magnet, your eyes flew to Carlos right as he spoke.
Your brother looked at him with an inquiring look, not sure why Charles' teammate would ever consider himself adequate for the task.
«You guys should all stay here and celebrate together,» Carlos smiled. «I was about to leave too.»
«Well, then... Thank you, Carlos.»
Lorenzo grinned while Charles blinked through the interaction without grasping the meaning, which was brutally revealed as Carlos put his hand on the small of your back and escorted you towards the exit of the VIP room.
And you were gone.
Again.
>>♥<<
Unbeknownst to you, inside the VIP room you had kept rather quiet, experiencing a moment of down after having drunk that much. After dancing it out and getting your adrenaline levels up with the incident, stepping back into the main floor of Jimmy'z, swamped by the overwhelming heat, you had to get a good grip on Carlos' shoulder not to lose balance.
«Hey, are you good?!»
Aaaand you fell. Of course.
Pouting and whining, you did what Carlos hoped you didn't: throw a drunk tantrum.
«I don't want to leave!»
He sighed, picking you up from the ground with ease and making sure you'd stand on your own.
«Be a good sister and obey your brother, huh?»
«I'd only obey... you,» and with your pointer finger on his chest, you smirked at him.
«Then let's go home.»
«Ughh, you're no fun! I want to stay!»
«Is everything okay?»
The voice signaled the approaching of Lando, fast enough to take an apprehensive look at you. As soon as Carlos met the Brit’s eyes, a wave of comfort washed over him.
«She's drunk and I've been told by her brothers to bring her home...»
Lando raised a brow at you suddenly hugging Carlos and complaining in slurred sentences.
«But she doesn't want to,» Carlos sighed, defeated.
«Need help?»
«Yep. Much needed.»
«Y/n!»
Escorted out of the club by the two of them at your sides, you only remembered getting in the passengers' seat of Carlos' car, while Lando showed him the way to your house from the backseat, with his elbow leaning just above your headrest.
Thighs pressed on the luxurious leather of the Ferrari’s seat, you let out a giggle out of nowhere, not sure what was making you happy: your best friend's presence paired up with the love of your life's seemed enough.
>>♥<<
«'Right, let's get you some fresh clothes.»
Lan moved quickly towards your wardrobe, knowing exactly where to search for a pair of shorts and a plain bedtime shirt. Carlos, while following his movements, flipped you upwards, since you had fallen onto the bed like a dead weight facing the mattress.
«Here!» Lando joined Carlos, staring at you with a sigh. «She can't put them on herself, I guess.»
«No, I don't think she can.»
«So… how do we do?»
Carlos reached for the hem of your top without a second thought, well used to the feeling of your warm skin on his fingers while sliding clothes off of you; spreading wide your rosy cheeks with a smile, you settled for his touches, complying to the well-practiced duet, sure it was the right reward after a night of mutual pining.
It seemed like Lando's presence wasn't relevant enough, or at least it didn't cause any second thought on proceeding with the stripping down before his eyes.
You raised your arms, teasingly, waiting for Carlos to remove your top, which he did, leaving you only with your bra on and your high-waisted shorts.
«Give me the shirt.»
Lan handed it to him, furrowed eyebrows, examining carefully Carlos' moves.
Smirking, you laced your arms around his neck and strived to leave a kiss on his cheek, but suddenly aware of the Brit’s stare, Carlos gave him a sheepish smile, placing a hand on your back as you didn't unglue yourself from him.
«Where’s my goodnight kiss?»
Lando, brows knitted and batting eyelashes quickly, examined the careful yet tender smile blooming on Carlos’ lips after your drunk request, followed by the peck he left on your forehead.
Melting under the touch, you cuddled back in bed, grinning wide like a child, while the two drivers silently switched off the lights and exited the room.
Firing up the engine, the revving noise of Ferrari’s horsepower covered partially the few words escaping Lando’s lips as a reflex of a realization.
«It’s you, isn’t it?»
«What?»
«You’re her boyfriend. You’re the guy she met in Miami.»
The sky had fallen silent, though the streets of Monaco shone and the pavement brimmed with people strolling by in search of fun.
Carlos glanced briefly at Lando, who was still staring and expecting an answer; then, gripping the steering wheel, he focused back on the road, unconsciously smiling.
«Is it that obvious?»
«I mean…» Lan gulped, avoiding gaze. «She was trying to kiss you, what other confirmation do I need?»
The smile spread wide, uncontainable at this point, fueled by the memory of the cute and clingy behavior you had shown off in front of both himself and Lando.
The ride kept silent for a while, as the Brit studied Carlos’ collected calm concealed under a sweating, hot body, veins in his arms popping out the tanned skin.
«She told me you were pretty secretive about it all.»
«Well, I didn’t want to rush her into a crazy public relationship full of formalities,» he stopped at a traffic light. «But if you really want to know, I had planned on going public next week.»
«It sounds like you won’t.»
«Because we can’t.»
«Why not?» Lando turned to face him.
Carlos gripped the steering wheel harder and stared back at the traffic light.
«Charles.»
«Charles what?»
«Told me to stay away from her,» he accelerated, seeing the green light. «And don’t tell me “Fuck that”, because you know I’m in no position to. I’m sure that if he wanted, he could convince the team to drop me mid-season.»
«Well, I see. It sucks.»
«Yeah.»
Pensive for a few turns of Monaco, Lando was quick to speak up again.
«But isn’t love stronger than anything else?»
«You can’t make a living out of love and carelessness, you know?»
«I’m just saying that… She loves you a lot.»
«I do too.»
«I think… I think she would give up on Charles, for you.»
«I don’t want her to sacrifice anything or anyone for me, let alone her loved ones.»
«Need to throw up, after this.»
Carlos had asked you to sleep in his hotel room without too much thought; as a quite established couple, though hiding it, he just wanted to put his arms around you and feel your body heaving by his side, especially on weekends in which the tension upon his shoulder started to take a toll on him.
The negotiations with Williams and Audi going south; the relationship with Charles wearing thin; the team starting to gatekeep the car development and excluding him from some technical feedback.
Some days he only wanted to take a deep breath in and exhale loudly, in silence, searching for inner peace; he figured it would be easy with your sparkly presence next to him.
He hadn’t anticipated seeing the situation affecting you as much.
With a hand resting on your stomach, he could feel your heartbeat quicken and your breath being sharp and irregular. Even though you were both supposed to be sound asleep, the room already drowned in darkness, he could tell you were fighting your fears, your imagination running wild in open fields he knew nothing of.
Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, soothingly, you curled up, to become smaller and smaller, to take less space, and Carlos matched your movements pulling you closer to him.
In the morning, watching you offer him a coffee inside the hospitality with the brightest smile, he’d be left wondering: which vulnerable side you were both trying to show and conceal to his awareness. And when you cuddled in his changing room, he’d be willing to ask and address it but then stopped as you fidgeted with his fingers, delaying the answer, inevitably discouraging him from pursuing the truth.
Still, whenever the two of you hid from the world to build a fort of intimacy and love - whichever place you’d find the most fitted to your hot-blooded desires: cramped in his changing room, late night sessions on the desk of the strategy department, making out in the backseat of a media van with tinted windows -, he could read the intense, swamping need of putting worries to sleep, he could taste it on your lips, on your collarbone, and he could sense it in the sweet scent of your hair, an implicit beg for freedom from an unknown chain. Through each breath, in each moan you let out, Carlos could hear faint pleads, a soft voice praying for him not to ask, not to speak, not to remind you, not to ruin the magic of the moment.
Carlos had, indeed, good reasons to think something beneath the surface was unsettling you.
You felt it too, during the shared flight with your brothers; and then while stepping foot back again in the land which had brought so much happiness to you and that, still, couldn't swipe away the nasty shadow eating you alive.
It followed you, haunted you.
Thursday, 20th June 2024.
Written in bold letters on an article about the F1 weekend you were reading, and suddenly the gloom took shape.
Seven years.
Raising your eyes from the screen of your phone, you glanced at Charles, searching for the same wave of despair and melancholy your heart was overcome by, finding nothing but a light tint of blue under his eyes.
Maybe you still had words entangled between your vocal folds yet to be spoken, yelled at him, buried inside your body under the compact soil of time; maybe prejudice had precluded a relationship not so unreachable or despicable as you had always imagined. Because maybe, well disguised by an uncracked mask, you were both harboring the same regret and grief.
Or maybe not.
>>♥<<
You walked down the paddock marching to Ferrari’s garage, smile on full display, Charles’ gifted Ray Bans shielding you from judgment as you sported your shirt with the confidence of a star; it was loose enough for you to swim inside of it but still letting the hem of your shorts show beneath it.
Ferrari
55
You didn’t miss the friendly smiles of the mechanics and engineers, who had got accustomed to your presence throughout the weeks, at the sight of the bright red merch. Quite pleased with the reaction, you glanced left and right with a single goal in mind, and as you hit it the grin grew wider, mimicking the one Carlos wore on his face.
«How do I look?»
You twirled around so that he could see better how the cotton draped your silhouette, clearly outlined by his imagination despite the lack of transparency. He had traced your body with his eyes, with his rough hands, with his thoughts way too much not to be obsessed by it, not to remember every single corner of it.
Charles, entering the garage in that same moment with a bit of a rush, since he was running late to the activities established for the day, distractedly took a look in your direction, only to turn his head a second time as he noticed his teammate checking you out with too much familiarity.
«What’s going on here?»
«Cha’! I was asking Carlos his opinion on my new outfit.»
He took a moment to let his eyes scan top to bottom a couple of times, before nostalgically smiling.
He had never wanted to see you on track during the kart days because your relationship wasn’t particularly good and he knew you wouldn’t agree anyway. But since F2, since your dad’s condition had started to worsen, since Baku, since his finger raised to show the Je t’aime papa on his rear wing, he had always dreamed of having you support him. He knew he was too old to hide in Pascale’s arms, but craving his little sister’s affection wasn’t as childish.
Still, it was way harder to obtain.
And having it now, eyes not missing the sunglasses you used as a hairband, so glad you appreciated that gift to the point you wore them that often, felt like that dream was coming true.
«So…What do you think, Carlos?»
The Spaniard, a bit surprised by the ball being passed to him immediately, hesitated some more in the staring.
«Red looks amazing on you.»
«Does it?» you asked, coquettish, turning your shoulder a bit.
Enough to show the number on the back.
«Yes, it does,» Charles said, anticipating Carlos’ answer. «Now we need to get done with the social media challenge before the briefing. Right, Carlos?»
«Yep. I’m coming.»
As Charles turned his back to move away, Carlos seized the moment to whisper in your ear.
«And my scent fits you amazingly as well…» you smirked in sync. «Did you steal it from my wardrobe?»
«Maybe.»
«Keep it. I want to rip it off of you tonight.»
«Tonight? Thought it’d convince you to find more time for me earlier in the day, but seems like I was wrong…»
Knowing you had hit a vulnerable point, you enjoyed Carlos’ hand brushing casually your hip while passing by and pretending to let you go, only to capture you with words.
«I’d fuck you right now on the counter next to the helmets,» he paused, licking his ruby lips. «But since you’re trying to rile me up at work, you’ll pay the price by waiting.»
>>♥<<
2 new messages from Lando
[picture]
you guys are going public or something?
You smiled staring at the photo Scuderia Ferrari had posted on X: it was a shot taken on the pit area of you with Ferrari merch – in fact, number 55’s one – and Carlos resting his hand on your waist.
> can’t a driver and his teammate’s sister pose together for a pic?
they can, but…
not being subtle at all here, just saying
>>♥<<
Dining at a table hidden away from Netflix crew and photographers, you chugged down water in large sips.
«Did he congratulate you?»
Charles smiled.
«Think he wished for me to have a mechanical failure like in 2022.»
You drank and drank again, hand never letting go of your glass, willing to extinguish the fire – once a mere fever – which had built up in your chest since first hearing your brothers’ words about Carlos.
An infuriating, consuming flame of love.
«He pushed me off the track in China… Don't know what he'll do in his home race, starting in front of him.»
«If the strategy is to save tyres, the team should ask you to keep the positions in the first stint at least.»
Charles snorted at Lorenzo's reasoning.
«I'm sure. Can't wait for his mother's comments defending him whatever shit Carlos does on track.»
«Can you please stop?»
Charles eyed you from across the table a bit surprised, visibly annoyed by the tone and the request.
«Stop doing what?»
«Talking shit about someone who's not present and whom you don't know a thing about.»
Charles almost burst out laughing in front of you, while Lorenzo threw you a confused and alarmed look, warning you about the dangerous territory you had stepped in.
«Oh, right, I don't know anything… Then tell me, what do you know about him, uh?»
Out of frustration, you stood up abruptly, struggling to form a proper answer.
«What I know is that you’re still a fucking child who can’t never, ever accept he’s wrong!»
«Guys, tone it down,» Lorenzo said, getting up and approaching you to grab gently your arm.
You brushed him off and stormed out of the room, hearing your older brother's steps following close behind you. As you were about to turn around and dismiss him, since you needed no babysitter, Lorenzo spoke the words you had expected him to spit out one month earlier.
Only you weren’t expecting to hear them now.
«What were you doing in Carlos' room?»
You kept facing away from him, not able to move nor to answer.
«Why do you keep attending race weekends only to disappear without explanation and avoid Charles and all of us like the plague?» he said, stepping forward.
«Did you really think I wouldn't notice?»
«Does Charles know?» you asked.
«No,» he said. «But if it's serious, you should definitely tell him.»
«If?» you turned around to face him. «Are you kidding me? Of course it's serious, indeed, very serious-»
«Then you need to talk about it, because this doesn't only involve you but-»
«I'm not listening to this bullshit, sorry,» you retreated. «You don't get to tell me how to live my life.»
>>♥<<
Watching them from the pitlane, two red dots moving in the distance, you sensed something was off.
Approaching them, dots elongating into silhouettes you so well recognized, you knew something was off.
Given the race just disputed – which you had followed from Ferrari’s garage, biting your lips – you kind of expected it to be, but nothing more than a scratch due to adrenaline still running high. Still, you quickly realized how the matter stood different, struggling to catch up with their strides, helmets swinging with force from their hands as they animatedly discussed.
Surprised to see they entered the hospitality instead of walking towards the media pen as expected, you rushed inside, panting from the effort finally compensated, only to be welcomed by yelling now fully unleashed.
«WHAT DID YOU FUCKING SAY?!»
«CHARLES!»
Screaming at the top of your lungs as you saw him tug Carlos’ suit, you tore him away, staring at him both furious and terrified, breathing harshly.
«Did you sleep with him?!»
«It’s none of your busin-» Carlos spitted out, bitter, enraged at the tone he had addressed you with.
«Shut the fuck up!» he barked at Carlos, then looking back at you with fiery eyes. «Tell me you didn’t, y/n.»
Your fingers weakened their hold onto Carlos’ suit, as you felt the weight of his own hand on your waist lift off from perception, and your mind suddenly went black.
You had lost him, yet another time.
Like you had ever had him.
You stood still, arms resting lifeless to your sides, eyes still piercing his.
What would he do now? What would he say next? How would he treat you from now on, after discovering that you had sticked with him through weekend races around the globe not to enjoy his company, but to sneak with a teammate he didn’t even like? Would he feel betrayed?
Would he feel as lonely as you’d always felt?
Would he… hate you?
His lack of reaction was the painful delay of the stab you expected in the middle of the chest.
A voice inside of you, from a hidden corner of your disrupted soul, screamed in the deafening silence around you, as your father’s face flashed you awake from that trance:
that was the weekend.
And those, poking your chest, stinging at the bottom of your lungs, those were the feelings.
You gagged.
It was inevitable; it had come too quick, too sudden to notice. You had seen the warning sign linger in the unthought thoughts, in the untold truths, ready to slip in any moment.
And it did.
When Charles stepped closer, your body jerked backwards, frantic, and you would’ve said it had been out of fear; but as you felt Carlos’ arms wrap your waist with might, you realized your knees had given up on your weight, and that you couldn’t, indeed, breathe.
Everything rushed around you: without knowing how, you found yourself sitting on a couch, Charles holding both your hands and talking gibberish you couldn’t follow, a cloud of people dressed in red crowding you two, when Carlos suddenly missing in the blurry picture of your vision almost unblocked the choking clench in your throat and made you cough, before turning into a panting mess.
«Can you hear me? What’s wrong, can you breathe?»
Charles’ words reached you like a metal screeching noise, not really able to grasp their meaning as you kept gasping and panting; you could only focus on his sweaty, warm fingers tightly gripping yours.
In distress, you shook them off, hands trembling like a leaf right after.
Charles, at a loss of words, gulped in terror, letting out a frustrated whine: he could do nothing.
«Lorenzo, where is he?»
«He’s not here,» Charles whispered, a sad and confused shade in his voice.
«I need him, I need… I… Lorenzo…»
«Hey, I’m here too…» he spoke soft, inching closer, willing to engulf you in a hug if only you’d let him.
He had never been there.
Charles had always left you on your own. Things had even managed to get worse, after the death of…
You wheezed, bringing your hand near your throat.
«Fuck, call the doctors from the medical center here at the track! Come on, go! Quick, for fuck’s sake!»
Focusing on the way his expression was shaped into panic and madness, the clench in your throat seemed to loosen just enough to make you sigh, as tears pricked your eyes due to fear.
«No, no no no, don’t cry, it’s okay…»
Charles was pained by your sobs, adding on top of your erratic breaths, and he placed a hand on your upper arm, hesitant but incapable of preventing it, because he couldn’t stand not being allowed to physically comfort you while you turned in shambles in front of him.
When you felt a hand gently place on your shoulder, you first had the instinct to flinch, but forced yourself not to as a small plastic-coated bag was handed to you from Carlos.
«Breathe into the bag.»
In and out, tears still running, you watched it expand and crinkle, full and empty, tuning into the rhythm of your heart slowly decreasing, and never letting slip into unawareness Carlos’ warm touch.
You dropped down the bag once your breathing had settled back into a constant flow, despite being still hiccupped by sobs. Crushing between Carlos' arms, you gripped him tight.
«Please, take me away from here,» you whispered, voice cracking.
Charles saw your back caged and shielded by someone else's arms once again; he heard yet another time those same words, ticking inside of him like a bomb.
He could still see you dressed in black, hair once combed and then miserably tousled, your frame smaller, seeking refuge in Lorenzo's embrace.
Your dad's funeral.
The day he realized he had not only lost Hervé, but he had also lost you.
Your name slipped off Charles' lips almost inaudible, like a plea, while he got closer and raised his hand to touch you, to beg both permission and forgiveness.
Carlos took a step back, drawing you even nearer to his chest to forbid him.
«You don't get to touch her after what you said.»
Why couldn't he never...
«I'll do what you should've done instead.»
Love you?
Spielberg 2024
Charles P11.
Carlos P3.
Another great performance by the Spanish driver, who granted a podium for Ferrari during his last year in the team.
_____________________
4 new messages from Lando
[picture]
are you guys for real
FINALLY official?
ON THE FREAKING F1 ACCOUNT?!
> ♥ yesssss
_____________________
Silverstone 2024
Charles P14.
Carlos P5.
A solid weekend for Carlos Sainz despite the car being clearly difficult to drive, with great performances in mixed track conditions both in qualifying and in the race.
_____________________
f1 ✔ It seems like Carlos Sainz and his girlfriend y/n Leclerc had a little romantic getaway in London right after the race 🤭
_____________________
3 new messages from Charles
we need to talk
please
call me back when you see this
«Nice try!»
«There was a gust of wind…»
«Yeah, sure. Keep dreaming of shots like mine.»
I’ve made so many mistakes
«So… Me +5, you +8, right?»
«Yep.»
there are so many things that I want to change
«Onto the next hole, then!»
please don’t ignore me
«Ready, babe?»
I’ve missed you so much
«Y/n?»
«Uh?»
You finally raised your eyes from the screen, getting momentarily blinded by the sun hitting the golf green grass: protected and unbothered on the passenger seat of the golf cart, Carlos was about to follow Lando to the next hole of the course.
«Don’t you answer?»
«I… No.»
«May I know who is it?»
You sighed, simply turning the screen of your phone towards Carlos so that he could read the preview of Charles’ flood of texts.
As the cart slowly started moving, you stayed silent.
«I know you won’t like what I’m about to say, but I think someone should tell you this.»
«What?»
«It’s your brother, y/n.»
You tsked, annoyed, crossing arms and looking on your right side, onto the endless fields of play.
«So? Does this give him permission to treat badly both of us? And if anything, you should be mad at him more than I am.»
«But I’d never ask you to hate him for me.»
You stared at him, as he kept driving.
«I know you love him, and I don’t want to see you sad and upset anymore because of anything that happened between me and him.»
«It’s not just about you two…»
«I know. But from his texts, it seems like he realized he was wrong and is willing to change.»
Approaching the new golf hole, Carlos stopped the cart right behind Lando’s.
«In four years, if I learned anything about Charles’ character, that’s his perseverance once he has a goal set,» he paused and then looked at you. «If you ignore him today, he’ll keep texting and calling you tomorrow, and the day after, until you give in.»
«I don’t want to give in. He always gets what he wants, and I want him to understand I’m not a trophy he can keep on his shelf just because it’s the only one he lacks.»
«I think you should hear his reasons anyway. You can always refuse afterwards, if you feel like he’s being superficial about it.»
>>♥<<
Monaco’s street merged with the gray of the liquid asphalt and the pouring column cascading from the plumbeous clouds. There was nothing more disappointing than to be forbidden the breathtaking scenery of the sea glimmering with sunshine splinters, and be left instead to a gray expanse of cold, humid and dampness.
You shook your umbrella, soaked in rain, squeezing it shut as you anticipated it being totally broken after the violent wind gusts blowing from the sea, and you brushed your lucid boots onto the rug, as you would always do.
Welcome Home, it said.
As soon as your jingling keys touched the small glass plate awaiting them in the hall, Charles was already springing up in front of you, visibly in distress.
«Why did it take you so long?»
Still struck by the violence of the storm which had welcomed you outside, and dazed by the hurry and urgence of Charles once you had got inside, you didn’t answer.
«Did you get wet? Wait, let me get you new clothes.»
You followed his erratic figure flinging in your room, opening the closet and scattering it through, in search of anything you might like to wear and change into.
«This, it will make you feel warm.»
«Cha’, I’m not cold…»
«No, this one! This one is good, for sure.»
Piling up clothes on the bed as he frenziedly looked through your entire wardrobe, you stood still waiting for him to stop.
«Here, let’s change into these,» he said, handing a shirt and some trousers to you.
Who… who was that?
What had happened to old Charles? The one you’d always known?
«C’mon, I don’t want you to get ill!»
«You… you need to exit the room.»
«Right!»
It had never once showed his concerns for you this openly.
You figured he had always been too far away from you and not present enough to make his worry evident; and yet you had never even dared dream about such a nurturing and caring brother. At least, you had never expected him to be, once you had fully realized he would never be that brother you so dearly hoped to have.
You sat on the bed, brushing the texture of the shirt he had chosen for you: a softness, a delicacy new-found in his madman behavior.
Where from? Out of fear of losing you?
Hypocritic.
Or maybe just finally acknowledged his mistakes?
Carlos’ words echoed in the silence of your bedroom.
Listening to him didn’t cost you anything.
«I’m sorry. From how I treated you and Carlos, to how I never once stepped up to improve our relationship even when it was more in my power than in yours to do so.»
You lowered your gaze, knowing full well what Charles was referring to and playing every scene, every talk, every fight in your mind like a rerun.
«Me and dad barely included Arthur in my driving experience. We thought that there was no point in including you, who were even younger than him, in something you didn’t seem to have a lot of interest in.»
«You both decided that for me.»
«I know. I know now,» he nodded. «It was a terrible mistake to exclude you from my passion because it indirectly excluded you from my life.»
«You weren’t even here when dad was at the hospital.»
«Don't you think I know? Don’t you think I’ve suffered for that?»
You, inevitably, cried; and he, inevitably, took you in his arms, hugging as strong and tight as he had ever done, as he had wanted to do the day he had come back for the funeral, the moment he had seen you cling onto Lorenzo’s shirt and be cradled by him. It should’ve been me, I should’ve supported you instead, his embrace now screamed. Charles undeniably loved you from the first time he had seen you: a little princess to guide and take care of, to cuddle to sleep when you were still a newborn, to shield from Arthur’s mischief dictated by jealousy from not being the youngest kid anymore.
«I missed you.»
The crack in his voice, the trembling of his chest upon yours warned you he was crying as well, inside your arms. You couldn’t help but sob louder, and grip his shirt tighter, burying your face in his neck.
And yet, he knew that he needed to let that princess grow into a queen and, instead of shielding her from life, support her along the way.
«As to Carlos…» he said.
«Cha’, I love him, I can’t help it,» you said as he wiped a tear from your cheek. «Please, don't ask me to choose because I won’t.»
«Y/n, I’m no one to say what you can and can’t do,» he dropped the tone of his voice. «And I’m definitely not entitled to say whom you can and can’t love.»
You stood in shock, elaborating his words.
«So…»
«So, if Carlos makes you happy, then I support it. I support… you.»
>>♥<<
«So you're good now?»
«Thanks to you, yes.»
You laid back onto the swim towel, pressing on the sand of Playa de el Cañuelo, staring straight at Carlos who was laying right next to you.
«I love the sun here in Spain, gosh…»
«Brings back memories, right?» he smirked.
«Yeah...»
«Why don’t relive them?»
In a glimpse, Carlos had grabbed you and you two rolled on the sand, so that you rested on top of him, giggling through the embrace you were now surrounded by. It was as natural as breathing the way you both leaned in to join lips in a messy kiss, smiling and grazing each other’s hot skin, building up steam in such a short amount of time.
Dreamy eyes, Carlos placed a strand of your wet hair behind your ear, speaking up again.
«I was thinking of buying the villa, so I can stop renting it every month for us to come here.»
«Really?» you beamed.
«Would you like it?»
«I'd love it.»
«So then we can expand it and add a second floor, to have space for a playroom for our kids...»
«What?»
«This will be our holiday villa, once we get married.»
Out of excitement, you peppered his face with kisses, secure in the hold of his hands. He then leaned in again, as the tips of your nose brushed on each other’s.
«So... Where were we?»
So... First of all, congratulations for making it through! I hope you liked it! Thanks for any feedback - negative, neutral or positive - you'll leave!
Wish you all a good day ♥
If this is your first time here on this blog, please check the Disclaimers here.
pairing: charles leclerc x female!reader
genre: extra angst, comfort
!tw!: negative thoughts, mental breakdown.
If any of the things above might trigger you, please DO NOT INTERACT. Take care of your mental health and stay away from triggers, please ♥
other notes: you can find the request here
word count: 0.7k
Cold spread from your fingertips onto your skin, printing shivers all over your arms as you braced yourself under the duvet. You trembled, hearing the howls of the wind shaking trees in the dead night, incapable of falling asleep.
You curled on one side, trying to get small upon the mattress.
That stone cold loneliness hardened your heart hit after hit.
Gripping the hem of the sheets tighter and closer vainly seeking warmth, you let out a sigh.
You felt like crying.
As any other day. As any other week, month, year.
Maybe bitterness and despair would eat your heart out and waste it gradually until you'd die, consumed; maybe tears would leave marks on your cheeks like acid rain digs holes on marble statues.
Maybe you'd be left sinking into pain for the rest of your life, laying sleepless in your bed every single night.
You pressed your cheek harder on the pillow, almost burying half of your face.
Thoughts popping up like your brain is a computer running with countless viruses.
Where's the bug?
Where's the bug in you?
Where's the infected folder? Your own WannaCry malware? Where's the option to turn off everything, shutting down the engine, putting an end to it?
You whined against the pillow.
You silently gasped, noticing Charles moving a bit by your side; you should've paid attention, instead of risking waking him up.
His precious soul, his shining armor blinding you with its brightness, the mere thought of his perfect love for you brought you to tears.
Again, you hid your shame, your guilt and sorrow against the pillow, and finally some warmth came through hot tears rolling down your cheeks.
The air flowing quickly in and out your parted lips matched the rapid gusts of wind whistling outside the window; you had perfected the art of silently crying just so that you wouldn't ruin Charles' needed rest time.
As not to ruin his life completely, at least.
So selfish to drag him down to your level just for your own benefit, when he could choose anyone else and live the fulfilling life he deserved.
Stuck with you.
What a senseless waste of time.
You covered your mouth with your hand, eyes shut in pain.
«Hey…»
Your breath hitched, not sure whether you had misheard him mumbling to you.
As his loving and warm touch sparked on your skin through the gentle grab of his hands, drawing you near his chest, surrounding you and creating a shelter of comfort, your sob cut through the silence of the bedroom.
He shushed you with tenderness, reaching over to your ear and carefully putting rebel strands of your hair in place, with soothing movements dictated by sleepiness.
«It's okay.»
You sobbed louder and tried to retrieve from his embrace at his words, knowing their falsehood, but Charles' arms didn't let you escape his nestle of care.
«Whatever is the matter, we're going to solve it together,» He then left a kiss on your shaking shoulder. «I'm here for you, okay?»
His fingers, spreading open on your stomach, felt like a caress to the soul. And though your head ached - from crying, from hurting, from the weight and the darkness of its content -, you couldn't help but notice the muscles of your body relaxing a bit into his hold.
«I love you.»
Another hot tear crossed your cheek, but at his words you smiled.
You took the arm draping over you and placed it higher, so that it would wrap over yours, shielding you completely; Charles complied right away.
«You're freezing cold… Want another cover?»
While Charles was about to roll over to get out of bed and grab another blanket for you, you caught his arm, silently pleading him not to leave you. Reading your will, he engulfed you back again, fully, wholly, unconditionally, affectionately, holding you with nurturing sweetness, resting his head next to yours.
«Let’s sleep.»
Such a simple sentence, yet breaking your heart into more sobs.
So many nights you had wished for peace to come quick, in various shapes and forms; what a relief, what a moving joy, what undeserved luck to have it, at last, in the purest of its manifestations.
Love.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! ♥
I’D REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU LEFT A NOTE FOR FEEDBACK, SO THANKS IF YOU DO!
HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE DAY! . · ˚✧
Since I'm definitely a fan of your writings and this tinkling feeling of requesting you something has been irking me, can I request something like an arranged marriage with Pierre?
Angsty and maybe a happy ending. That's upto you.
Love your works. Hoping for more great pieces.❤️
Happy New Year 🎊
(At the end of the fic I'll leave a note about this request ❤️)
Navigation || Masterlist
If this is your first time here on this blog, please check the Disclaimers here.
pairing: pierre gasly x female!reader (feat. esteban ocon x female!reader and charles leclerc as reader's bestfriend)
genre: arranged marriage, angst, fluff and comfort
!tw!: swearing, mention of s*x (not graphic), cheating, violence
word count: 18.6k
plot: you loved him, he loved you, and neither knew. Will an arranged marriage, an old love triangle and a special friend be enough to finally make you confess your true feelings?
Walking down the aisle, a bouquet clumsily held by trembling fingers, your whole chest was filled with quick butterflies batting wings, desperate to spread free.
He was perfect.
An astonishingly crafted smirk plastered on his face, ready for the flashes of the cameras to be captured, the suit slid on his athletic body without creases.
You reckoned yourself inadequate in that white, plain dress: feeling pins pulling your hair left and right after hours of work by the hairdresser, the steady arm of your dad was the only anchor to the present moment.
He never strayed his stare away from you, removing your veil in a slow, tantalizing motion.
There were no vows to be exchanged and get mistaken in anxiety, no rings to be put through the wrong finger: you were and had always been his since forever, without he even had to ask.
You peeked behind Pierre’s shoulder and saw Charles showing you an encouraging smile, which you tried to reciprocate despite sweating cold. You remembered his huge grin when Pierre had handed him the invitation: dimples on full display, Charles had flicked his eyes between the two of you and had been stoked ever since he was told he’d be best man. He’d been happier than Pierre himself had been about the news of the engagement with you and, consequently, about the wedding.
>>♥<<
«Okay, cool.»
That had been his answer to you two fathers’ decision.
They had grown best friends over the years, and they both didn’t like Pierre’s womanizer lifestyle, which was quite detrimental to his reputation. So your dad had decided to offer his own daughter to the Gasly’s like a sacrificial victim, knowing you had always had sympathy for the youngster and sure he would simply love you back with time.
Of course, you were painfully aware of Pierre’s usual behavior around girls and, even though befriending him in teenage had made you helplessly fall in love with him, getting married felt like the cruelest assault to your dignity.
For sure you would love him.
And for sure he would not.
Sitting on a couch right in front of each other, your parents discussing a couple of meters away, he simply bore his eyes into yours while drinking a glass of juice, legs spread out.
«We’re going to have fun the first night together or…?»
Your eyes threw a dagger to him, hit in your pride for the insensitive comment; Pierre wasn’t known for being delicate and considerate, when you used to hang out in group with him.
After all, his humor was one of the things that had you capitulate before his feet.
«Okay, I see. No jokes.»
You squeezed your fingers into fists, uptight, dissatisfaction cursing through your blood.
«Not on such things, Pierre.»
«Like what? Sex?» he raised a brow.
«My wedding,» you sighed.
«Our wedding, you mean.»
«Doesn’t seem as pivoting to you. Nothing will really change for you.»
«We’re both going to wear a ring, y/n. Never seen a marriage without the groom or the bride.»
He downed the last sip of the juice and placed the glass on the coffee table.
You knew from the start it wouldn’t be a fairytale.
>>♥<<
«Don’t think a bride should stand on her own and look so sad.»
Charles’ words whispered in your ear made you roll eyes and brought an immediate smile to your face.
«Don’t think a best man should bother the bride with stupid remarks.»
«Do you think it’s stupid?» he asked, raising his brow to insinuate doubt. «Pierre is having a blast and you… well, you’re here listening to the stupid remarks of the best man.»
The small stem glass of champagne you still held had dried out of bubbles, but seemed interesting enough to draw your eyes down; Charles, genuinely sorry to witness your let down expression, wetted his lips and briefly glanced back at Pierre, laughing and dancing with the other guests.
«Let’s go dance.»
Caught by surprise, you tilted your head back up, wide eyes.
«C’mon, don’t pretend you didn’t hear!» Charles chuckled, holding both your hands.
«We’re going to make fools of ourselves…»
«But that’s what we do the best when we’re together!»
You let yourself be dragged in the middle of the dance floor set up under an outdoor gazebo: Charles’ ridiculous moves made a visceral laugh emerge from the depths of your fears, as he tried to involve you in his bubbly fun, despite the dress not helping the flow of your groove.
«Geez, I feel so awkward!» you let out, head leaning backwards, invested by a childish happiness.
«Just dance it out, we’re doing amazing!»
The sun setting down at the horizon threw an orange gold ray cut through the air, hitting Charles’ profile, getting both enlightened and obscured in two poetic halves which danced relentless and made you twirl around without a single thought.
Out of notice, the guests had gathered around the two of you, enjoying the show you had put up; and when the music faded out to a slower tune, catching your breath in Charles’ arms, hands resting on his heaving chest, your sight found Pierre’s blue eyes, filled with an unreadable expression.
As slower notes filled the air, he walked over to you, confident in each firm step, putting Charles’ luminous smile in defeat: when Pierre was around, there was no chance for you to look at any other person.
He simply took your hands, implicitly warning Charles to move away and make room for him, tenderly joining the swinging fabric of your dress.
Too affected by his presence and by racing thoughts about the future you would share with him from that moment on, you placed your burning cheek upon his chest, right above his heart.
«Why didn’t you ask me to dance?»
His question breached your overthinking silence.
«You were too busy entertaining the guests.»
You didn’t mean for your words to sound as veiled of sadness and resigned as they did, but you felt somehow content in letting Pierre know how you felt about the whole situation.
He had you wrapped around his finger; his ring one. You were engraved in the inner circle of gold touching his skin, kissing it tenderly, vowing love to him any second.
«I thought I’d make you uncomfortable giving you all my attention. You dropped a glass during lunch because of it, and I don’t want you to get hurt.»
His smirk disseminated deep, red shame on your cheeks; why did you put blush on earlier that morning if Pierre was managing to do all the work by himself?
An unerasable pang of hurt chained your feet to the ground, unable to sink deeper into Pierre’s gentle hands holding you throughout the dance: you told yourself it wouldn’t shatter you completely if you thought he didn’t mean any of the things he did, he said.
Holding you closer, cheek resting on his white, unbuttoned shirt, he left an unexpected and unseen peck on the top of your head, as you both still lulled to the beat. He then leaned on a side, dropping whispered words into your ear.
«Want to see a smile on my wife’s face. It’s our wedding, after all, not our funeral.»
As much as you wanted to feel hatred, you let Pierre’s jokingly voice sink, unconsciously obliging to his request right away.
You felt young, drunk, foolish.
You’d enjoy every bit of attention he’d spare you.
Every single scramble.
>>♥<<
Pierre had insisted on picking you up before entering your newly bought apartment, to stick to the tradition; between giggles and laughs, you had admired you two’s mothers astonishing work of petals and candles signaling the way over to the bedroom.
The dim lights enchanted your sight, as you stood speechless before the bed.
Pierre’s hands caressing your forearms and slowly making their way up to your shoulders awoke you and froze you at once.
The tip of his nose brushing your neck, you didn’t dare move nor speak as Pierre pressed soft kisses all over.
Were you ready?
Pierre encircled your waist with his arm, both relieving and accentuating the knot forming in your stomach.
Would you ever be ready?
You hadn’t talked about that moment, you hadn’t considered there’d be the need to.
You thought he wouldn’t even touch you, once everybody’s eyes would be out of sight.
So why was he taking all his time carefully unbuttoning the back of your dress, leaving open mouthed kisses on the bare skin he had available?
«Pierre…»
You soon realized your moan had been an incentive to Pierre when an airy chérie was whispered upon your shivering skin.
«Pierre, I don’t know if we should…»
«It’s our first night married, y/n. This is exactly what we should do.»
His voice was warm, slightly raspy, perfectly calm and collected, concealing a burning desire underneath.
Pierre tucked a lock of your neat hair behind your ear, leaving your neck shivering at the touch.
«I know this probably isn’t how you hoped your wedding to be… But now I’m your husband, and I’m willing to do everything I’m supposed to. I’m not backing down.»
«Will you ever love me?» you asked, suspended.
Pierre tucked another strand of hair in the same spot.
«I can’t promise that.»
Of course, how would he?
«But I’m always going to respect you, no matter what. I swore it and I’ll stand by it.»
You slowly turned around to face him, picking up the gown of your dress and pressing a hand to your chest so that it wouldn’t slip off due to the strings being loosened.
«Please, don’t… Please, promise you won’t hurt me, Pierre.»
The pleading tone of your voice unexpectedly pulled a string inside Pierre’s chest.
«Do you really think I’d do that on purpose? Y/n, we’ve been… we’ve known each other for so many years.»
«That’s what scares me.»
You diverted your gaze, staring at your own reflection on the window: you were now gripping at Pierre’s shirt, the bodice dangerously threatening to slip down, eyes brimming with tears.
How could you be more miserable than asking your husband not to hurt you?
«Y/n, I’m not a teen anymore. And I’m kind of offended that you think I’m what other people say and what the media want to make everybody believe.»
«I wouldn’t have agreed to the wedding, if I believed all the things they said about you,» you whispered.
«Then trust the words I said at the altar.»
Pierre delicately cupped your cheek, leaving a slow, tender kiss on the opposite temple.
«For better and for worse…» he said, boring his eyes into yours.
«For richer and for poorer…» he carried on, swiftly freeing your arms from the dress’ sleeves.
«In sickness and in health…» Pierre breathed upon your lips, grabbing the dress fallen down to your hips.
«Until death do us part.»
Gripping tight Pierre’s arms, you let him take your breath away with his sloppy kiss, shivering, despite your face feeling warm and flushed in heat.
«I will love you, y/n,» Pierre tucked yet another strand of hair behind your ear. «Maybe not like a charming prince, but I will love you as much as I can.»
His fingers pressed on your shoulders, silently asking you to sit on the edge of the bed, to which you obliged without even thinking twice. The air was thick in pleasant tension: Pierre had let his jacket shuffling its way to the floor, staring at you as he unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt; on your side, you had joined his intentions fidgeting with the buttons crossing his chest and abs, fully focusing on the slow, tantalizing task, instead of searching the force to bear his magnetic eyes.
The golden shade casted over your cheeks, blending with the natural reddish shade of feelings spreading over your skin, left Pierre with an unexplainable tug inside the chest, pushing him to bend down and trap you on the mattress with yet another kiss, suddenly impatient. His shirt long forgotten on the floor upon the jacket and his tie, Pierre’s roaming hands dragged your dress down, making sure you’d slip completely out of it, so that you’d be bare for him to avidly see, touch and savor.
Senses overwhelmed by his presence, helplessly amazed at how he could enchant your limbs and make them so reactive and sensitive to his touch, your fingers searched for relief on his body, between his brownish locks of hair, on his muscled neck and upper arms. Anything, to release the growing yearning he was masterfully building and lighting up inside of you.
Pierre stopped all of the sudden, one elbow keeping him up, eyes lost in focus, as the fingers of his free hand traced an imaginary line from your sternum, down your chest.
Before you could swallow hard at the gesture, he placed a lewd kiss right where his pointer finger had stopped. Again, uncontrolled, a soft moan escaped your already opened lips, tugging at his hair as to both pull him away and push him deeper into your soul.
He raised his eyes to look at you hungrily, lips still stained with your skin.
«I will honor you all the days of my life, y/n.»
Pierre read the soft stare you gave him and the lovingly caress of your hand on his head as an invitation to drag his mouth upon your tender breast, finally free from the white cloth he had wished to tear apart since he had seen you walking down the aisle, swearing to himself he’d not be satisfied until he’d heard you scream his name from the top of your lungs, with his own hands, eyes and heart full of you.
The wedding being held in Italy at the beginning of September, right after Monza’s race weekend, you both had spent only a couple of days in the new house in Milan, in the attempt of building the sense of affectionate routine you would inevitably lose after taking the flight for Azerbaijan, following Pierre in the double-header awaiting him.
The media had called it “racing-moon”.
It was no ordinary honeymoon, travelling across the globe to support your husband, watching him with a pair of headphones and staring at him from a screen inside Alpine’s box, shying away from paparazzi’s cameras ready to capture glimpses of intimacy you didn’t even know how to spark yourself.
A night of love wasn’t enough to erase the helpless feeling of distance and separation around Pierre: you were friends, sure, but your heavy crush on him had always prevented the relationship from growing further as it had happened with Charles. Daydreaming about him laying down your bed, earphones plugged, you had known every single detail about the things he liked while being in your early teens; now, looking at him packing his suitcase, standing at the doorframe you realized you either had never known him before or you had forgotten anything at the altar once he had kissed you alive.
«Do you need help?» you asked, closing and releasing your fingers from a fist, feeling useless.
«Oh, didn’t notice you were there,» he quickly peeked at you. «No, thanks! I don’t know how, but it took half the time.»
You raised a brow, leaning against the frame with arms crossed.
«Maybe… it was the perfectly organized wardrobe I spent two days filling up with all your clothes?»
«Mmh, I’m not really sure… Maybe I’ve just got quick with packing, since I’ve been doing it every other week for years now.»
His smirk triggered an eye roll in you, so noticeable that Pierre turned to you, taking the suitcase off the bed and letting it roll on the floor.
Not kind of expecting him to get that close to you after only stopping by the room, suddenly aware of how his stare could get your whole body drawn to him, succumbed to him, enchanted and gravitating around his brightness, you let yourself be courted by Pierre’s teasing fingers running up your arms.
«I’m done now, so…» he said.
«So?»
«The bed is clear.»
Throwing him an amused glance, about to laugh at how lewd his voice had sounded while hinting at the endless list of things you could do there, you pretended not to get his point.
«Well, good job! We have somewhere to sleep tonight then.»
«There’s no way, right?» Pierre squinted his eyes, hands still warming your skin caressed by the hot Italian wind blowing from the window.
«Way to do what?» you asked, faking innocence once again.
«I think you perfectly know.»
September’s heat had paired up with the warmth creeping up your ears while Pierre encircled your waist and inched over, causing butterflies inside your chest to awake your heart, moving past your thoughts to put them to sleep, as an overwhelming flow of love made you crave that heavenly attention and touch every second more.
Pierre seemed to stop in his relentless chase of a kiss: he stood still, enjoying the closeness, the intimacy of the moment, with your arms enclosed around his neck.
There was no rush.
The house was hollow and silent; only your breaths could be heard, mixed with the distant chatter coming from the street.
Maybe that was the happiest and most peaceful corner of life he would ever know.
Maybe holding your waist knowing that you were his wife, that he had settled his forever home, maybe spending his life with you was happiness.
He struggled forming deep rooted love feelings towards you, yet could picture the two of you having kids so easily, travelling together, filling that empty house with memories.
Maybe it was the fondest look in your eyes making every fantasy so incredibly near and easy.
There was something, though, that Pierre didn’t find hard to spark at all.
«Changed your mind?» you whispered, teasingly but soft.
Attraction.
Pierre was so desperately enamored with your body; to be fair, he had always quite been. Untouched by innocence, back at the time you would hang out in group, he would see you utterly oblivious to how other guys glanced at you and wonder if you had ever had sex before. The night of your first time together – the wedding’s – he had both been unfazed and surprised about noticing you weren’t a virgin: it totally made sense for someone as beautiful as you to have been with a guy, but at the same time he had no clue of who you had appointed as the one, and it was weird, because you used to hang out with the same people.
He had always thought you had been in his universe, like a satellite, and had always taken your presence for granted, without ever considering he could be the planet on the margin of a totally different galaxy you shined in.
Pierre was so intimately envious of a past you didn’t allow him in, and his only way to cope was making sure he could be your only future.
«Not at all.»
The fastest flicker of his eyes down to your lips was the warning, which you took in with delight: and Pierre was all over you, dragging you into his lighthearted desires and plans, igniting a shy flattering shade beneath your cheeks.
Pierre had insisted on entering the paddock hand in hand; in return, you had insisted on giving your right hand, standing on his left side.
He had frowned just enough for you to capture it, not able to understand your request.
«As you wish.»
But you knew why: and your thumb gently stroking his wedding ring knew as well.
Unexplainable excitement was the first feeling which had insinuated in you as you put foot past the turnstiles: Pierre had reminded you quite a few cameras would be following you in a bee line right around you.
You were too happy to care, in your first outing as a married woman.
As a married couple.
«Oh, hello to the royal couple!»
You couldn’t stop yourself from eye-rolling at Charles’ comment, drinking Pierre’s laugh like a shot of bliss.
«What, are you jealous?»
They laughed and joked around, giving friendly pats to each other, while you watched them with a grin plastered on your face, enjoying the luck of spending time with people you loved.
So many things had changed, but it still felt like you were still sixteen, walking without destination in group, young and careless, emptying your pockets full of dreams and using them as currency of exchange between each other.
«Catch up with you later, I’ve got a meeting now!»
«See you later!» you waved at Charles, as Pierre greeted him.
Entering Alpine’s hospitality you squeezed Pierre’s hand in fright: out of the blue, a deafening clapping concert made your heart fly across the room, as mechanics, engineers and other people from the staff celebrated you two.
Pierre looked down at you, curious to see your reaction, still infected by the serene and uplifted atmosphere, swimming in delight as soon as your eyes clicked with his and saw you flattered. There was a bit of pride in showing you off like a trophy, proving everybody wrong with the assumption he’d never settle down and never find the one.
Well, he didn’t really choose you out of love.
But nobody was meant to know that.
«Congratulations, mate.»
The voice reaching from behind your back made you turn, despite it being directed at Pierre.
Your eyes flew high to Esteban’s face, enlarging in surprise: he wasn’t looking down at you, caught in the weirdly friendly interaction with your husband. But as soon as Pierre was dragged into pats and hugs by team members, you were left with a whole bag of memories and discarded feelings coming back to the surface, standing still next to someone you once knew.
«It’s like the old times, isn’t it?» he casually said, as you both stared at the packed room, side by side.
«No, Esteban. Everything changed.»
Bittersweetly shoving your left hand before his face to make a definite statement, he carefully grabbed it and brushed your ring with the thumb, taking a close look.
«I don’t believe so,» he let go of your hand, smiling politely.
«What are you talking about?» you asked, kind of annoyed.
«You still think you have Pierre all to yourself when we know nobody does.»
«Don’t… don’t you dare talk crap about him in my presence. You know nothing.»
Staring into the void, you tried to stay calm and collected, swallowing the phantoms of the past.
«I respect that. But I just wanted to remind you of when you were the one talking crap about him in my presence.»
«That was years ag-»
«And I was there to listen to you.»
You dropped the accusatory finger you had brought dangerously near his chest, mind invaded by guilt and yellowed pages of life.
«I’ll still be here for you when Pierre messes up again.»
«He won’t, Este.»
«We’ll see,» he shrugged, glancing back at the room. «But I’ve spent more time with him in the last year than you have, and I know he is no easy character.»
«I’m not going to change my mind, if that’s what you’re trying to do,» you raised a brow, skeptical.
«I simply wanted to wish you good luck.»
Esteban’s impassive tone left you with the urge of replying: as much as you were filled with doubts and fears, you somehow trusted Pierre and his promises and wouldn’t bear anyone implying stuff.
Especially Esteban.
Because, to a degree, he knew the situation better than any other.
His eyes, that despicable spark of mischief, anger and regret inside of them told you things you didn’t want to hear.
«The staff would like to get to know my wife if only my teammate would let her be.»
Pierre’s amused interruption startled you, almost feeling caught red-handed with the most terrible crime: talking to a guy he trusted and had grown to hate over time.
«Sorry, Pierre! My fault. I was… keeping up with the Gaslys’.»
The awkwardness and the tension of the moment didn’t go unnoticed to any of you, and you mentally thanked Pierre’s hand resting on your waist, slowly guiding you away from Esteban, who still stared at you with a small courtesy smile.
«We’ll have to bear his presence, I know. Trust me, if I could, I’d rather have him on the other side of the planet.»
Pierre sighed defeated while whispering those apologies laced with hatred in your ear and a pang of nostalgia, guilt, sorrow pushed you a little closer to him.
«He’s not a problem, Pierre. We know how to be civil.»
He looked at you, faking amazement at your reply, nodding his head with raised brows.
«You’re more mature than I thought.»
«More mature than you are? For sure.»
You expected him to laugh; instead, he grinned in silence, a strange sparkle wobbling in his irises. A part of you clung onto it, wishing it was a veil of tenderness, affection, or anything like it towards you.
For a moment, you held the hope in your hands, and you carefully caressed it, cherished it, making room in your heart to plant it and nurture it there, as if that single twinkle could ever be the seed of love.
>>♥<<
Baku’s street didn’t seem as bumpy to Pierre, now that he was walking on it with a small group of engineers; the main straight heading to the finishing line seemed unnecessarily long, especially since he had just travelled the entire track and had the pitlane as destination.
Left with nothing else to discuss with his team, he enjoyed the sun setting and painting the city gold, taking it easy and slow.
«Pierre!»
The Frenchman turned around and immediately grinned wide, waving to Charles jogging to him.
«Track walk? Thought I’d see you speeding riding a bike.»
Charles chuckled, adjusting his jingling bracelets.
«I wanted to enjoy the atmosphere better.»
«Yeah, me too.»
They strolled pensive, no rush to be drowned by the buzzing life of the paddock.
«I can’t believe it.»
Pierre looked at his friend, who had a pleased grin painted and hung by his dimples.
«What?»
«This is your first race weekend married. And I was your best man. Isn’t it crazy?»
«Time flies, Charles,» Pierre scoffed with a smile.
«I saw you celebrated in the hospitality, earlier.»
As Pierre narrated the small party the team had organized to Charles’ ecstatic eyes, his thoughts lingered on you, on the myriads of unexpected congratulations he had received for choosing such a kind and fine woman and making her his. Though, there were moments he felt like he was just above an acquaintance to you.
Pierre sighed.
«What was that?» Charles asked.
«Sometimes I think I don’t really know y/n. Not as much as I should, I mean.»
«You do know her, though. You’ve been hanging out together since high school.»
«Charles, I don’t even know who her first boyfriend was.»
Pierre’s pinch of helplessness caught Charles by surprise, reciprocating his sudden stare with bewilderment.
«Did- I didn’t even know she’s had a boyfriend,» the Monegasque stuttered.
Pierre looked down at the asphalt.
«Hoped you did. But you see? We don’t really know her.»
«Well… You’re married now. You have all your life to get to know her.»
Charles put his arm around Pierre’s shoulders, giving him an encouraging look.
«Yep. That’s my best man right there!»
Pierre reciprocated the grab and smiled as the two of them walked down into the pitlane, serving friendly smiles and beautiful shots to the photographers buzzing around the garages.
>>♥<<
«Hello?»
«Uhm, am I disturbing you?»
«Yes, absolutely. But I’m going to be the nicest just for you.»
«Thanks for the usual teasing, Charles.»
«What’s up?»
«I… I’m deeply embarrassed, but I think I’m lost. I can’t find the way to the track.»
«Never heard of Google Maps?»
«I’ve tried, but I ended up exactly back at the hotel.»
«Ooof. There’s actually someone out there who’s worse than me then.»
«Ah, I wouldn’t have called you if Pierre wasn’t busy.»
«Can’t I be busy as well?»
«Cha’…»
«I’m just joking. Are you at the hotel?»
«Yep.»
«’M on my way.»
The bubbly air of that Saturday morning brushed your bare arms, anticipating the warmth falling onto the grey asphalt, as you walked quickly alongside Charles, trying not to get stopped by fans too many times.
«Why didn’t you come to the track with him?»
«I think he tried to wake me up, but I… uhm… fell asleep.»
«It’s incurable, right?»
You both chuckled, still marching towards the paddock.
«How is it going?»
«Uh?»
«With Pierre.»
A horn startled you, while Charles waved towards the Tifosi on the other side of the street and smiled under his Rayban’s.
«Good! I mean, way better than I thought.»
Charles studied your expression, letting your own statement sink in.
«You know, I talked with him yesterday. He asked me if I knew who your first boyfriend was.»
«Did you tell him?!» you gasped.
«Of course not, I’m not that mad,» he looked straight ahead. «But he seemed somehow disappointed. He really wants to know you on a deeper level.»
«And tell him about my hookups as he did with us? No, thanks.»
«Not necessarily about past relationships. There are so many things you could rediscover now as a couple, and he’d like to. He… he cares. Pierre isn’t the asshole you believe him to be.»
«You know my reasons, Charles.»
«I do, y/n. But I also know Pierre, and I’ve never seen him as determined and serious in any other relationship before.»
A doubtful glance at him turned into an amused snort, as you saw Charles’ dimples already exposed for you to admire.
«I should give him a chance, uh?» you joked, kicking a pebble.
«Yeah, you definitely should.»
«I hate you.»
«What’s that for?» Charles chuckled.
«You’re too convincing.»
«Maybe you only wanted to hear someone else’s confirmation.»
You took a moment to reflect, still looking at his green eyes, letting the sentence resonate inside of you.
Perhaps you had only been waiting for a sensible reasoning to justify the senseless, self-destructive and visceral need of trying to build a stronger relationship with Pierre.
>>♥<<
Crossing the room, hands intertwined with yours, Pierre felt alert, almost knowing something about bringing you along to that small reception organized for commercial reasons only was intrinsically wrong.
Until he spotted a pair of brown eyes lingering way too long on the fine straps grazing your shoulders’ skin.
Esteban’s.
Despite the years, despite trying, despite the countless shots he had given to their relationship, Pierre couldn’t let go of hatred: the memories of the three of you in the same couple of meters, in the same suffocating room were still a fresh wound which had reopened once more.
Unaware of anything, you reciprocated with a reassuring smile Pierre’s tighter hold on your hand, an enquiring look on your face. He expected you to stiffen at Ocon’s mere sight; instead, you stood like a fragile yet flexible flower against the blowing wind, only caring about being… as marvellous as you were.
Pierre had been learning it to his disadvantage each day a tiny bit more, trying not to read too much into your rosy cheeks and your fond, unmistakable stares.
The delicacy and the grace you would use with others any time you got the chance to talk with people from the team, the paddock, the entire world, really, hit him in an unknown spot of the soul.
Probably as hard as Ocon approaching the two of you with a champagne glass in hand did on his nerves.
«Didn’t expect to see you here,» Esteban said, only addressing you.
Chewing a lump of awkwardness, you threw the quickest glance over to Pierre to check his reaction after being deliberately ignored by his teammate.
«Here I am,» you whispered, pressing your lips together with an embarrassed smile.
«Wasn’t I clear enough when I told you to stay away from her?»
A lightning struck the room.
The bitterness in Pierre’s tone triggered a light-hearted laugh from Esteban, theatrically opening the arm and letting the small wave of champagne wash the resentments of the past away.
«Come on, Pierre! How many years passed? We aren’t teenagers anymore.»
His fingers grabbed your hand tighter, restraining himself from spitting words of fire against his former teammate once again: the bottled-up anger, though, had resurfaced much to Pierre’s surprise, and to yours as well, pressing the button “play” on the reruns of the day their entire relationship crumbled.
No matter what you could’ve done to avoid it, Pierre and Esteban were born to disagree. Nobody could stop that tickling bomb hiding in both their chests as soon as they would spend enough time together to let it explode. Even without you, they would’ve nurtured antipathy for each other; that was how it was supposed to be, and they both knew it.
Nestling against Pierre’s loving arms draping you all, you stared at an indefinite point of the packed, but still empty, room.
«Do you think it’s my fault?»
Pierre placed his chin on your shoulder to listen to your whispered rumbling, joining you in the contemplation of the void.
«No, I don’t. He was a douchebag even before treating you the way he did.»
It didn’t seem like he was lying, to be fair.
You knew very little about the stormy past between the two, since you had met Esteban way later than you had befriended Pierre; he had never told you a thing about a terrible kid who grew up with like a brother and then discarded him due to insane competitiveness.
Esteban was dead to him.
A Mr. Nobody existing without any string to his life but hate and resentment’s.
Unspoken truth, they both liked you and cared for you in very different ways, so it was only natural for them to notice each other’s evident preference for you and clash because of it; that was how it was supposed to be, and they both knew it, deep deep down.
«Can we please forget about him?»
The careful urge of the sentence was paired with a swift brush of his hands taking yours, silently asking you to dance to the music now blasting through some speakers in the room.
Maybe lightness was all you both needed to be happy.
Singapore’s humidity clung onto your lungs like a suffocating net, twirled around your trachea, squeezing it tight.
With an invisible layer of sweat all over your skin, heat as well as worries and doubts made you melt before the evidence, before reality.
Two weeks and you had already become a ghost.
Imprisoned in the highest tower of the lies’ castle, your honeymoon had turned into a tour around the globe inside a golden cage: everybody saw you as the “trophy-wife”, a peculiar and exotic animal stupid enough to bear Pierre’s company, showed left and right, avidly and superficially looked at, never considered as a real person.
Any time Pierre would come home from unbelievably long training sessions and meetings of all sorts, you didn’t even have the strength to start an argument and cry your loneliness out.
He’d absent-mindedly kiss your cheek, go take a shower and leave you to your unfinished essay draft sitting in the dust of your laptop’s memory.
Eating some take-out he’d leave you choosing in religious silence, punctuated with brief chat, you’d often watch a movie on the couch: staring blankly at the screen, you’d focus on how foreign the touch of his arm around your shoulder would feel.
An afterthought, quick enough to disturb the turbulence of your headspace.
I simply wanted to wish you good luck.
Luck.
It would’ve never been out of love, but out of pure chance.
As if Pierre could never learn to love anyone.
Still, admitting to yourself Esteban was right would’ve been an unnecessary added humiliation.
«We’re too slow in the middle sector, I’m understeering everywhere…»
It was a secret you wanted to keep buried in your chest.
«But you gain in the last sector, you see? Our top speed is good.»
Not being reciprocated.
An ineffable hurt.
You miserably looked at your husband debriefing intensely with his performance engineer, standing at the back of the garage so that you wouldn’t be in the way of the many mechanics working around the car.
Envious, you fixed your gaze upon the fan Pierre held in his hand, still busy talking and pointing at data on the screen. The air felt too thick to be breathed in, too dense to slide down your lungs and swoop your dark thoughts away.
You had agreed to be his wife, due to the endless love you had.
But what if he let that love slowly wither and die?
What if you could grow out of love? What if finally having him was enough for you to become indifferent?
What if neither of you could remain loyal to the promises you vowed?
Swallowing hard, you shut your eyes shooing the sudden dizziness away; and at the very same time, you felt a gentle weight lingering on your right shoulder, asking quietly for permission.
You opened your eyes, obliged to wide them as soon as you saw it was Esteban.
«Here, drink this.»
A water bottle was handed to you, still struck by the soft eyes and the attention being addressed to you.
«It’s electrolytes. With this weather I always make sure to keep hydrated, since it’s easy to lose liquids and mineral salts as well.»
A thousand questions ran through your mind, to the point Esteban could almost see them being scattered from one pupil to the other. He invited you to drink once again, poking pride sitting in his chest as he had noticed you being in discomfort first.
First than… him.
The quick glance Pierre gave the two of you was enough to stir up even stronger satisfaction, a lovely victory in the endless mind-war they fought.
«Thank you.»
It came out stifled, high-pitched, a bit squeaky, but somehow filled with unexpected sadness.
Pierre crossed the garage in a couple of strides, wearing a mask of concern you couldn’t read the authenticity of, shielding you with his body from the unwanted attention Esteban had provided you with.
«Are you okay? You could’ve told me you were thirsty.»
«Pierre, I’m fine,» you told him off, almost whispering.
He darted a glance at his teammate once again as soon as his hand reached yours to grab the water bottle back, willing to take off the hideous smile he wore on his face.
Lots of eyes inside the garage had observed the scene in silence, still glancing over you, as Pierre’s attentions and barely noticeable physical touch felt all too much to bear at once.
You would’ve died for it, only a couple of months earlier.
If only the wedding weren’t a well-thought plan, a pact between family friends, a tie nobody but you craved intimately and deeply because of the loving, totally disregarding the real practical reasons behind it.
Ocon’s silhouette being drowned in his side of the garage made your mind slip back into the past, unboxing a metallic box of memories you had buried six feet underground.
Disappointed.
The disapproval you had read in Pierre’s face right as you showed up to the club next to the “new friend” you wanted to be joining your historical trio had your heart shattering like a glass of wine from a polished tablecloth, painting the floor in red diamonds.
Pierre had dragged you in the middle of the dancing crowd, leaving Esteban hanging at the entrance before a confused Charles.
«Why did you bring him here?!»
«He’s… I wanted to introduce him to you and Cha’!» you yelled, in order to be heard amidst the chaos.
«I know him already, and he’s an asshole. Now tell him to leave! I don’t want him anywhere near me!»
«You can’t force anyone to leave a public place! And… And I want to spend time with all of you.»
He bored his eyes into yours, letting the blasting music take over your thoughts.
«I’m not hanging out with you if you buzz around him.»
It was definitive.
«Call me when you’re done wasting time with that piece of shit.»
Giving you his back, you saw him dive into the sea of people, to find and rapidly grab the waist of the brunette who had accompanied him to the party; he didn’t even bother to be far enough so that you wouldn’t see him shove his tongue down her throat, a tangle of hands messily roaming, touching, squeezing yearning skin.
Este’s hand softly intertwining yours guided you towards a quiet table, to which Charles sat waiting, with drinks for the three of you; and as much as you would’ve liked to be grateful for Charles’ delighted stare, for Esteban’s soothing words, your heart still drowned in bubbles at the bottom of your cocktail.
He’s my boyfriend.
Those were the words you were about to say at the door of the club, to Pierre. You had already anticipated the sweetness of the moment, the satisfaction in proving you weren’t his little puppy, a slave rebelled to the master showing him the jingling keys which had freed him.
The mere need to prove him anything was the undeniable sign of slavery.
You’d never be free.
>>☆<<
«Are you sure?»
«Yeah…»
«Here? Don’t you want to go-»
You shut Esteban up pressing your lips on his, carrying on the messy make out session you had started in the club’s bathroom.
«Y/n, are you really sure?»
The kiss was interrupted once again, leaving you with an unbearable, unsatisfied yearn making your heart swell and explode in ashes of frustration.
«Don’t you love me, Este?» you whined, your fingertip dragging his bottom lip down in the drunken attempt to seduce him even further.
Of course he loved you.
He had agreed to take your virginity away as you leaned your back onto a bathroom’s door, during the most boring and miserable of nights out, accepting to be humiliated by Pierre in front of you, his own girlfriend, and dancing awkwardly in the crowd before you dragged him there to pour out the unexplainable need of getting your brain fucked out.
Esteban loved you purely, too purely, to be fair: he felt like a noob and inexpert, an amateur he was not, while listening to your heavenly choir of whimpers and profanities, with his fingers gripping tight your hips, as not to lose you. Deep down he knew he should’ve been satisfied and content, he should’ve enjoyed that piece of pleasure and love – but was it love to you? Esteban wasn’t quite sure – because he had managed to snatch you away from Pierre’s clutch, he had laid his hand onto someone he hadn’t had already: he had won where Pierre had lost.
Still, thrusting into you as waves of pleasure rocked your body and transfigured your expression, Esteban only felt like he had lost you, indeed, like he had never truly had you, not even physically. And when your warm hand caressed his cheek, he got the confirmation: you pitied him, because no matter how bold the “boyfriend” tag could be, your heart could only crave, think of and wish Pierre.
The break-up was, nonetheless, harmful.
After damning yourself, considering how nice and kind Esteban was to you, how sweet some of the moments you had spent together had been, you had come to the conclusion that no other feeling in the world could replace or overshadow the consuming love you felt for Pierre.
You didn’t need it to be easy and satisfying; as hurtful as it could be, you only needed him.
And to his own dismay, Esteban knew it.
«Can you drop me off at that bar over there?» you pointed at the end of the street.
«Why?»
«I simply need to hand this to Pie-»
«Oh, no, just save it. I should’ve known.»
You frowned, looking at his tensed arms.
«Is there something wrong?»
He scoffed, gripping the steering wheel ‘til his knuckles turned white.
«Absolutely not! My girlfriend only runs after another guy who also happens to be a moron and doesn’t give a shit about her while I’m being the third wheeler to my own relationship!»
Esteban harshly braked in front of the bar.
«Y/n, we’re done.»
«What?» you gaped, still stunned by the whole conversation.
«I don’t want to be with you anymore. Now get out of the car.»
Beyond bewildered, you searched for sincerity and honesty in the brown chocolate eyes you had often lost yourself into, stung by hurt as you found them.
«Are you seriously breaking up with me for this? I just need to return this hoodie to him!»
Esteban’s eyes bore yours outraged, almost incredulous to your words.
«Can’t you see the problem? Can’t you notice how you’re chasing after him and are not willing to treat me nearly the same as you treat him? You share clothes with him and you’ve never even asked once for my hoodies!»
«Did you want me to?»
«That’s not the point, y/n! The fact is it seems like I never cross your mind, whereas Pierre is always in your thoughts. Sorry, but I can’t bear to see you love him more than you love me. I can’t do this anymore.»
Gasping for air and for words, you found none: you witnessed helpless as Esteban got out of his seat and reached to your side to open the car door and invite you once again to get out.
«Y/n, don’t force me to be drastic. Come on.»
«You’re being nonsense! Este, please, you can’t do this!»
Watching your first relationship crumble under the weight of painful lies, you desperately held onto the car door, despite Esteban’s hand trapping your wrist, firm.
«Y/n, I told you to get out.»
As you pleaded him, whispering “sorry”s like prayers, few tears pricked your eyes, which seemed to sort the opposite effect of what you had hoped for.
Esteban, blinded by hurt and rejection, pulled your wrist towards him in an attempt to drag you out the car, and as an unconditional reflex you cried out to him, a tear cutting through your cheek.
«Este, please… Please, don’t do this to me!»
«You didn’t care about hurting me, why should I care about hurting you?»
As he spitted out these words, scornful, he managed to pull you out the car with a jerk, eliciting a chain of heavy tears to reach the ground, which blurred your vision.
Esteban was still talking to you, wrist aching to be freed underneath his hold of steel, but your mind refused to make sense of any of the insults directed at you, as much as your eyes couldn’t clearly distinguish his angry face. You had stopped fighting him, though, surrendered to the sad truth he had unveiled despite you trying to cover it up.
A truth made of lies.
Exposed to your own blade, humiliated and full of regret, you stood still, frozen, incapable to react.
And it was then that you saw Esteban’s body being crashed violently onto the chassis of his car with a loud thud.
Your wrist was suddenly snatched from the grab, and you swiped some tears to witness clearly the scene unfolding before you.
Pierre holding Esteban by the collar.
Pierre was shouting onto his face, unleashing his fury, barking his disgust and hatred; and though you and him both expected some sort of reaction from Esteban, you both watched him stay silent at the accusations.
«Don’t ever touch her again! Don’t you even try to show up again, understood? Go fuck yourself and stay away from us!» Pierre shouted, putting a protective arm around your neck and bringing you close. But he couldn’t protect you from those brown eyes, which swallowed down the secrets you weren’t ready to share with Pierre. Esteban judged you in the harshest way possible: leaving you to your own conscience.
«It’s okay, now. You don’t have to cry anymore.»
Pierre wiped your face off, pulling your head to him for his chin to rest upon, rubbing your back with his hand, as you watched Esteban get back in the car and disappear in a cloud of smoke.
«He won’t bother us anymore, I promise. You’re safe, with me.»
What a paradox: safe in your captor’s arms.
You let yourself be cradled by Pierre’s honey-laced reassurances, trying to digest the shock of the whole situation bit by bit, failing not to feel sorry for having deceived Esteban and yourself.
You had believed you loved him; which wasn’t and could never be true.
And the awareness weighed on your chest even heavier while being held in Pierre’s arms.
HOT NEWS: Alpine’s driver Pierre Gasly is told to had been seen very intimately close to another woman during a formal gathering with top sponsors of the team. Has the recent marriage with y/n cracked already?
Paralyzed on the spot, you let the phone gently thud against the kitchen counter.
It was nothing you didn’t expect to happen to you; you had lived through it even before whispering with soft eyes “I do” at the altar, when you used to scroll his Instagram picture-perfect shots with his girlfriends, but the timing he had chosen was way off your forecast.
The thunderstorm had darkened your sky too early. You hadn’t seen it coming, you hadn’t heard a single roar of the wind in the distance.
Nothing.
Pierre had given you nothing either to hate or to love.
Somehow, a small part of you felt sickly relief in knowing you could finally turn your eternal suspicion into hatred: you wished you could mold it in shape, form sentences to dagger him with, cries to let out your throat with violence.
Nothing came.
Nothing.
You stood by the counter as you let the bloody red liquid boil into the pan; staring at it, you absentmindedly kept stirring the sauce, not able to do anything else.
Your ringtone blasted through the empty kitchen and it pierced your ears unexpected, instilling in your nerves a hit of anxiety which caused your hand to hit the pan; it dropped inevitably off the stove, collapsed to the ground, poured its vermilion content on the luminous tiles.
Dodging quickly enough not to have the pan falling on your feet, still hearing your phone ringing, your chest benched inward with a deep, exasperated sob, sharply taking in air to fill your shaky body with.
Waves of tears ran down your eyes, arms still half-hanging in the void, as if you waited for someone to pick you up and nail you to a cross, to cease your unsubduable sense of betrayal. It all crushed down on you, eyes closed, stilling liquid sadness, which ricocheted between the walls of the emptiest and loneliest flat in the world.
The phone stopped ringing.
It seemed to calm you down at first; the silence left you with curiosity to see if the nightmare was over, opening your eyes back to the disastrous sauce on the floor, which was supposed to be ready for dinner.
With caution, your trembling fingers grabbed the phone from the marble counter, and you jumped on your feet as it started buzzing and ringing against your skin once again.
A name appeared, impressed on your retina.
You couldn’t help but suffocate a sob: the grab on the phone tightened together with the clench wrenching your heart, making it as small as a crumble.
>>♥<<
«Charles…»
He didn’t hesitate to take in your wandering hands, flinging towards him and holding onto his shirt.
Right as he had read the news, he had reached out to you: for he had witnessed you breaking down because of Pierre too many times not to know you would, eventually, need a leaning shoulder.
He wore the friend’s armor with the usual embarrassment of being both friend to you and to Pierre; he was used to balancing between two sides, trying not to pick one, working as a bridge to keep you walking in the same direction. Charles always felt helpless before your broken heart: he knew Pierre and how he would’ve never done anything to hurt you, but still, he had, undoubtedly, and there was no defense Charles himself could put up.
Especially if he had you weeping and sobbing in his arms, so painfully close to his heart.
«I can’t do this anymore, Charles.»
«I know, y/n. I know.»
He swallowed hard, caressing your hair, searching for comforting words even though he was damn aware there were none.
«W-why? Where did I go wrong?»
Charles’s heart panged at your words: he immediately took your face in his hands, wiped tears off it with both thumbs and silently hoped to find an answer.
The truth is he hadn’t a single one of them.
Glancing at you, Charles wished he hadn’t been excited and bubbly about the marriage as he had been; he had nurtured so much joy, watching the relationship timidly sail the month before the wedding. He had pictured you and Pierre being the couple everyone would envy, perhaps even building a family together.
He had got enamored with the way your wedding dress fitted you, how the golden ring adorning your hand had lit up your smile and your complexion even more, how every piece seemed to be finally falling into place.
In a few weeks’ time, he had witnessed the cast away of hopes.
Charles wanted to tell you Pierre would’ve never done anything like it, he would’ve sworn it, if only facts didn’t force him to question everything he presumed to be sure of.
«I know you’ll hate me for it, but…» he tucked a strand of your hair behind an ear, «…we should know exactly what happened before judging him so harshly.»
«Charles! Do you think I really want to know the details?» your chin twitched. «I don’t need to know where… how… and since when they started fucking.»
Shaking your head while picturing the atrocious scenes in your head, you put a hand on your forehead, face dropping down, incapable of tolerating Charles’ eyes boring into yours with an awful mixture of pity and sorrow.
«It disgusts me,» you said, even feeling your stomach upset.
Charles watched you spit out hatred as he rubbed a hand on your upper arm, slightly squeezing it in reassurance. He was friend with both of you and wasn’t keen on the idea of losing either, nor choosing where to stand.
Somehow, he couldn’t pick a side.
«Don’t I deserve better? Don’t I deserve to be loved?»
Charles looked at you sternly, almost scolding you for such a question.
«No doubts you do,» he said, definitive. «But Pierre knows that too. Before being his wife, you’re his friend.»
He placed his firm hands on both your arms, searching for eye contact as he kept addressing you with a gentle tone.
«He’s always loved you and respected you, even if it might have been hard to notice.»
«He’s never going to love me… He never will.»
You both stood in the hall of Charles’ suite: the silence wrapping the luxury furniture was punctuated by your quiet sobs, your shaking breath, the strenuous beating of your heart. The air was warm; it flushed your cheeks and Charles’ as well. After a more attentive look, his green eyes seemed dull and tired.
The night was already projecting its dark shadow onto the sky, and it was the sign which put your soul into a state of guilt: right after Charles had called you, you had run to him without a single worry of disturbing him.
You had left a mess in the kitchen.
You hadn’t prepared the dinner Pierre had asked you for, like the perfect lovely wife you had been up until that moment would request you to.
As much as you could try to hate him, a solid and unbreakable part of you held onto the hopeless love of him, never ending source of suffering, yet inevitable.
At the thought of your condemnation, you sobbed and cried a little louder, pulling Charles’s shirt near you, defeated, exhausted, distraught.
>>♥<<
The quiet sound of clinking metal timidly reached you and awoke you; you stirred, onto the couch, feeling a bit sore from sleeping all night in the same position, cranked.
The sun filtered through the curtains, lighting your cheek right as you got seated.
The room seemed to wheel ‘round you, on and on: thoughts started racing the new circuit of your mind, lap after lap, causing you to shut your eyes and block the incessant flow which was making you dizzy.
Putting memories in order, you recalled the events.
You had spent the night at Charles’ place: he had offered you to sleep in his bed, but you had decided not to profit of his generosity. In the quiet darkness of the suite, you had thrown your phone on the carpet, nestling against the squared pillow, shying away any thought concerning Pierre.
But you had failed and wondered, haunted, if he might have been searched for you.
After all, you weren’t home, when he clearly expected you to be there.
He might have noticed.
Or maybe not. Perhaps he had been taken care of by that daddy’s girl; maybe he had left you a text saying he wasn’t coming home either, leaving you wasted and rotten together with your nicely cooked dinner.
If only there was a dinner to see rotting ; the red liquid crusting on the kitchen tiles printed on your mind like a crime scene you wanted to forget.
The idea of your house being empty crashed your insides and twisted them in helpless disappointment.
Still sitting, you eyed the phone, lying backwards on the floor, turned off since last night.
What was the point of switching it back only to be flooded with more rumors you would never be ready to face?
You then finally stood up in the middle of the living area, looking around you like a stranger, and followed the noise coming from the small kitchen.
There you found Charles, jogging around the counters, attempting to cook.
You checked the time on the clock hung up on the wall: Monday, 1:12 p.m.
«Oh, finally! Good morning!» Charles chirped, interrupting the trance status you had swamped into.
«Good morning. Are you cooking lunch?» you asked, getting closer to the stove.
«Yep! Some pasta with pesto for lunch!»
You gulped at the mention of food.
«I just woke up, Charles… I don’t know if I want to eat so much for breakfast.»
«I’m sure you’re going to be hungry as soon as you see my delicious plate,» he chuckled, right before quickly removing the lid to the pan which was about to overflow in white bubbles.
Done with stirring up the water, he turned towards you, who were already seated at the table, and leaned his palms onto the marble behind him.
«How do you feel?» he asked.
You rubbed your temple.
«Tired.»
Charles sighed.
«You should’ve slept in my bed and let me take the couch as I-»
«I’m not tired physically, Cha’. I slept quite good.»
He nodded to himself in silence, looking down.
«I see.»
You drowned in the white noise of the pan boiling and the kitchen fan filling the otherwise dead silence, mentally visualizing the blurry picture you had been shocked by. The dizziness grew stronger and a large, deep pit in your stomach opened like a black hole swallowing your feelings.
«I’ll talk to him about it as soon as I see him.»
You heard Charles’ voice, but didn’t listen, as the cooking water roaring against the steel was the sound you had tuned into, and it grew louder and louder, almost unbearable to your focused hearing.
With a quick glance, you saw the white foam resurfacing behind Charles’ silhouette.
«Charles, the pan!» you urged.
«Oh, fuck!»
>>♥<<
You stared at the plate, keeping it at a distance ahead of you with your fingertips, listening to Charles’ chewing, which never seemed that loud.
The chewing stopped, together with his fork clinking against the ceramic, and you felt his eyes fixed upon you.
«You need to eat something, y/n.»
«Sorry, Charles, I have a messed-up stomach… After all the things I read…»
«I know, but please, just have a few bites,» Charles gently pushed the plate back near you. «I can’t see you like this.»
It was meant to be an unheard thought, just above a whisper, but the kitchen was so silent you could listen to his breathing.
The shining fork on the tablecloth, a small piece of penne pierced; half a bite.
Eyes closed, and Pierre was still there.
Maybe he hadn’t even texted you: he hadn’t wondered about you at all, but left without warning, completely indifferent to your absence.
The invisible wall built brick after brick in the last two weeks suddenly turned gray and heavy, painfully present.
Pierre would never love you.
The fork crashed against the plate, hand covering your mouth; Charles raised his eyes and stopped his every movement to observe you once again. He saw you hesitantly get up from the chair, quite unsure about what was going on, until the air punched your stomach and caused it to fling upwards, together with all its content. With no time to reach the bathroom, panic building in your chest, you abruptly turned towards the sink behind you, fingers unable to stop the wave climbing up your throat.
Charles got up, as you intended hearing his chair screeching. Not quite sure about what was happening, he first let his arms raise up a bit only to be lowered back down, helpless, indecisive, confused; then he got near you, pulling your hair out of the way, trying not to feel grossed out by the scene.
«’m sorry…» you mumbled, breathing through your nausea, hoping the worst had passed.
«Are you okay?» he rushed.
You shook your head in denial.
«Y/n, what’s up?»
Your marriage was in shambles after a couple of weeks only and an insufferable urge of hiding from the entire world pulsed like a drill in your head.
«I don’t know, but I’ve kind of been feeling sick the last couple of days.»
«Are you ill?» Charles sighed, sorry.
To think he was lying in somebody’s arms, cuddling in someone else’s warm touch, careless enough to forget about your existence and your feelings, your ego so easily, paired up with the sudden shock and horror of throwing up in front of Charles, put you in the worst state of anxiety and despair.
Then, the realization.
A sly thought, slithering tantalizingly amidst your scattered mind.
What if…?
You gripped the counter so hard your knuckles turned pale, washed out, eyes wide opened and bewildered, in fright and disbelief. Your heart ran wild, as your thoughts did, while a sigh of hysteria and awareness triggered your cry.
Charles, who had opened the tap in the meantime and had handed you a piece of paper towel to clean yourself up, slowly put down his hand and frowned, disturbed by how exasperated you sounded.
«Please, please, it cannot be… It can’t be true,» you chanted low and quick, but slow and high enough in tone for Charles to understand your words.
«What can’t be?» Charles asked, searching for your attention and your eyes through your erratic movements: you rinsed your mouth with water, closed the tap and swiftly dried your face with the piece of paper he was still holding.
You stared at him intensely, as much as he did: he immediately read the fear overwhelming you, but still failed to see the reason, which you hoped to be able to communicate without giving it form with words.
A couple of seconds were shared in that exchange of terrified glances; and before he was able to say anything else, Charles looked at you pacing quickly to the couch, raising all the pillows in search of something.
«Where’s my purse?» you asked, frenzy.
«I- I don’t know!»
«Did you see my wallet at least?!»
You picked up your phone from the ground and pressed in hurry the switching on button, cursing as it took an insufferable amount of time to turn on.
Charles stepped right behind you, glancing left and right, pondering your request quickly.
«What do you need money for?» Charles shouted, set in panic by your erratic behaviour.
With a swift turn, you stared at him once more, eaten alive by anxiety.
«A pregnancy test.»
You could hear his soundless breath of surprise as he left his mouth ajar, as well as his brain’s gears in motion, getting a grip of the situation.
«You… You two…»
You gave Charles a regretful and desperate stare, pleading him with your eyes not to judge you harshly for falling into Pierre’s trap, chin twitching, tears pricking your eyes.
«It was our wedding night. I just… I just wanted to be happy.»
You broke down in tears before you could end the sentence, covering the face and the shame it displayed with your hands.
Charles froze, trying to clear his mind and think of the next step he should take; your cries, though, only distracted him from doing so.
«Y/n, hey, come here.»
He carefully engulfed you in a hug, shushing you, in an attempt to calm you down.
«I’m going to buy a test now, okay? Stay here, sit on the couch and relax. I’ll come back in a second.»
The lightweight kiss he pressed onto your head as you plopped down onto the sofa, spent, felt distant and muffled, as much as the door closing shut behind his hurried figure.
You stared into the void, replaying the night of the forbidden love over and over again, in search of any possible mistake you two made, to no avail: you had been so enchanted by Pierre and buzzed in bliss that the rerun became fader and fader, the memory even more distant, as if it were a mere fruit of imagination, as if you and Pierre had never been happy together.
Before you could realize it, Charles was already flinging the door back open, pouring the content of the whitish plastic bag onto the table, unwrapping the test and placing it in your hand, closing your fingers shut around it.
«Okay, so… It says to hold the stick downwards, so maybe it’s better if we use a cup or something.»
Charles opened a cabinet of the bathroom and took out a plastic cup, which he handed to you.
«"If testing early, use first urine of the day"… Well, that’s perfect, because you’ve just woken up! “Don’t drink lots of liquid”, done as well… I think we’re good to go.»
Sniffing, you stared at Charles, in wait.
«W-why are you looking at me like that?» he nervously chuckled.
«I need to pee.»
«Right!»
He immediately rushed out of the bathroom, pressing his lips together in embarrassment.
He leaned against the door, impatiently waiting for you to signal to him to enter back again, which you didn’t.
After a couple of minutes, Charles knocked, not able to bear any more silence.
«Y/n? Can I come in now?»
No answer.
Charles put his ear against the varnished wood, trying to capture any sound, knocking once again.
He got startled by a sudden yelp echoing from inside the bathroom.
«Y/n?»
Charles was about to put his hand on the knob, when he heard the lock being sealed under his helplessly slow fingers, which vainly tested the knob in a rush, too late.
«Y/n? Please, open the door!»
As if it weren’t enough, his phone started ringing and buzzing in his pocket: moving a couple of steps away from the door with a loud sigh, he was struck by the caller.
«Pierre?»
His name pierced your ears like the tick of a bomb: the pregnancy test in your trembling fingers, you bore your stare into the bright lines signalling the positivity of it.
A child.
Pierre had just cheated on you and, of all the moments, the pregnancy news had sprung at the most inconvenient time.
«Have you heard from y/n? Do you know where she is? I’ve been trying to reach out to her, but she doesn’t answer.»
«Yes, she is…» Charles swallowed hard and glanced at the wooden door, still perfectly closed and sealed. «She’s here with me, at my place.»
«Oh, thank God. How is she?»
«What?» Charles almost choked at Pierre’s enquiry.
The thought of your benching figure throwing up in his sink was still vivid and his shirt was somehow slightly damp and stretched.
Pierre sighed.
«She trusted the news, I suppose…»
Charles’ end fell silent for seconds, in which he stared at the door opening and showing your silhouette marked with tears, emotionless, holding the pregnancy test upwards so that he saw the result right as you stepped close to him.
«I’m coming over. Don’t let her go, okay? See you soon,» Pierre concluded, impatient.
«Bye.»
You both stood in silence, thoughts taking over the room.
«How can I raise a baby without a father?»
The sudden question melted Charles’ heart.
«Y/n, it’s going to have a father: Pierre would never leave you alone, even if you two weren’t married and the child weren’t his.»
«But I don’t need him as an uncle, I need him as a father and a husband who’s present and loves us both!»
To that, Charles couldn’t answer anything: he couldn’t swear Pierre’s love for you, it wasn’t in his power, though he would’ve liked to reassure you in any way possible. He hugged you for the umpteenth time, cradling your never-ending weeping self, mentally uncovering the weight of tragedy: not only you might be hurt by Pierre refusing your affection, but preferring someone else’s physical, carnal company. Discarded, thrown away like a valueless thing, having to face one of the biggest challenges of a woman’s life without the certainty of support from the man you loved.
Charles noticed a swelling point near his heart, tormented by the whole situation, which soon turned into utter panic as you twisted abruptly into his arms, startled by a loud knocking on the door.
«Who’s that?» you asked, holding the pregnancy test to your chest and looking around, trembling and confused.
Some other knocks thundering through the suite.
«Charles! Open the door!»
You daggered your eyes to the Monegasque, torn between utter terror and betrayal: why had he made him come over when he was supposed to keep you safe from the whole world, especially from Pierre’s cruelty?
Charles stared at you, motionless, waiting for you to make the first move and implicitly give him the consent to unlock the door.
«He cannot know,» you stated, attempting to sound firm, and failing to conceal panic.
«But-»
«You owe me this, for allowing him to come here in the first place. Don’t you dare to say a word about it.»
Charles shook his head, eyes full of disapproval yet showing pity; then, without adding any other word, he watched you fiddle with the pregnancy test to hide it beneath your shirt and approached the door to let Pierre in.
«Where is she?» Pierre urged, hurried.
Your sitting silhouette towered on the couch right in front of him: your profile contrasted the long curtains of the living room and the pale, greyish tones of the weather outside casted on your skin a livid, gloomy shadow. He knelt down before you, trying to get your eyes to look at his, but he was met with the deadliest still stare he had ever seen: your glossy irises worked as a push for his hand to reach and stroke your cheek, but you shied away his touch.
«Can you leave us alone for a few minutes, Charles?»
The Monegasque mumbled a “Sure” under his breath, drained by the whole situation.
Pierre never stopped observing you with attention, which cost you a lot of effort into not locking gaze with him; and when you finally did, a clench of rage shut your jaw, annoyed by his behaviour.
«Aren’t you tired?»
«Tired of what?» you spitted out.
«Of consuming yourself after a false accusation.»
You reluctantly strayed away your eyes from him once again, unluckily charmed by his proximity.
«But you’re not consumed, right? You expected it from me, you were waiting for me to make a mistake, weren’t you?» he sarcastically added. «You swore you would love me and trust me until the end of your life, but you didn’t hesitate to buy into whatever lie someone spread to ruin my reputation once again!»
«Your reputation! Always your fucking reputation first! And what about mine? Don’t you care about how people will think of me from now on?»
«I’m not saying I don’t care, I want to point out the fact that some bastard sold the news on purpose to damage me!»
«I don’t give a shit about who did that, you cheated on me!»
«I DID NOT! For fuck’s sake, this is what I’m trying to tell you! Someone took an out-of-context picture at a dinner where photographers weren’t allowed to try to ruin me and our relationship as well! Are you so stupid to fall for it too?»
At this point, you were crying without containing anymore; after the heated altercation, you stopped and felt your chest sting with hurt pride and feelings.
«I’m stupid for having fallen in love with you since the day I met you.»
Your words seemed to stun Pierre: his lips had parted in surprise at your confession, as much as his eyelids had uncovered completely the majestic blue eyes now bored into yours.
The silence which followed your unwanted declaration made you curl into a ball, sobbing loudly to yourself.
As soon as you felt a pair of arms embracing you, you fought back to avoid them with little whines and cries, only to be defeated by its comforting warmth: you let Pierre seal your bubble of despair, like a shield.
«I’ll prove to you I did nothing, y/n, I promise. Nobody should’ve dared to write about us the way they did.»
What Pierre reckoned to be soothing words weren’t reassuring to your ears at all: the missed reaction to your hopeless love for him fuelled your fears concerning the buried, but growing life in your womb.
How could a child live without love?
How could you?
A sudden wave of nausea made you break the embrace Pierre had engulfed you in, bringing a hand over your mouth yet another time, eyes shut.
«Don’t you feel good? What’s wrong?» he unconsciously put his hand on your thigh, affectionately squeezing it, as he asked.
«I cooked some pasta and it tasted awful. My fault.»
You quickly glanced at Charles, who had rejoined the room, getting near the couch. His stare on you was stern and tender at the same time, communicating both his blame and his will to help you cover up the pregnancy, for the moment, at least.
«You’ll never learn how to cook, right?» Pierre snorted.
«Probably not,» Charles huffed a smile, happy to have brightened the mood of the room a tiny bit.
«I’m a bit hungry, though. Got anything in the pantries?» Pierre asked.
«I’ll go check!»
While Charles walked away and left you alone once more, you sniffed and dried your cheeks, gazing down, looking away from Pierre’s burning and suddenly careful stare.
«I called you a thousand times yesterday,» he spoke low, as not to be heard.
You shook your head, smally.
«I think you know why my phone was switched off.»
«I came back home and I saw the mess in the kitchen,» he ignored your words.
«What? Were you disappointed about not having dinner served?»
Pierre pressed his lips together, holding back the quick answer rolling off his tongue.
And then he decided to let it out.
«I was worried about you.»
No, he wasn’t, you told yourself. He’s trying to fool me.
Still, the heartfelt tone he used to deliver the sentence rose a commotion deep in your soul: the gentle chords of golden love vibrating for him only were put in restless motion at the sound of the confession. It was just so small, but your entire feelings could feast with it for months, for years, after bearing starvation for as long.
«I’ve already talked with my lawyer to sue the journalists and the source of the rumour for defamation,» he caressed your cheek, slowly, as not to startle you with the touch. «I won’t let anyone come between us. Soon it’ll be again just you and me, only us.»
As much as you would’ve liked to trust his whispered words, soft as you had never heard him talk ever before, your choked lie laid untold and yet high like a wall in the room.
Pierre leaned his forehead against yours, closing his eyes, fingers still lingering over your face. Flushing your eyelids down, you recalled the same tenderness being offered to you on other occasions, too short to your liking, too faintly impressed in the memory’s film, too brutally in contrast with the bittersweet tumult raging inside of you.
«I need you by my side.»
Maybe you had imagined it, as it left Pierre’s lips lighter than a whisper; or, maybe, it was the first time you had witnessed some kind of fragility and sweetness in him, just so that you could fall for him even deeper and harder.
The following days, the tension you anticipated to lay between you and Pierre was replaced by a layer of anguish and plainness, wrapping you like a wet, cold cover: the pregnancy test you had hidden carefully haunted your thoughts throughout the day, making you insensitive to Pierre’s attempts at building back again a sense of familiarity, and kept you awake at night, gripping the sheets tight, shaking away the loneliness of the present and of the future.
You knew you didn’t have much time before being forced to tell Pierre: but you had never been as scared to lose him as you were, walking side by side into the paddock, sitting on a stool in the garage, avoiding your husband’s stare while he kissed your cheek, gentle.
The weight of your mind drew your gaze down, to the floor.
«It’s so cold in here, isn’t it?»
You peeked upward at Esteban entering the garage, rubbing his arms as to shake them up from coldness; to be fair, Texas’ air was far from cold, and you struggled interpreting his sardonic smile.
Pierre turned around to throw an annoyed look at him, as he gathered the upper part of the suit higher to zip it up.
Having gained both of your attention, Esteban fixed his eyes on you, in mischief.
«It’s so sad to see a couple being so distant and cold to each other…»
You frowned, surprised by the unusual tone of his voice and the sparkle of malice shimmering on his features.
Esteban tilted his head, still looking at you, his expression now turning to an unbearable shade of pity, masked by a sinister grin.
«Poor y/n… I had told you Pierre would mess up.»
«It’s none of your business, you don’t know a fuck!» Pierre shouted, crossing the garage to face him directly. «And stop addressing her like you’ve known her forever.» he added in a lower tone, threatening.
Esteban glanced at you back again, letting out an amused scoff.
«Didn’t you ever tell him?»
«Stop talking to her! Take it out on me and leave her out of this!»
The increasing tone of Pierre’s voice, as well as Esteban’s cornering words, made you stand up from the seat and left your mouth dry like the desert, no chance to reply.
«Pierre, she can decide on her own if she wants to talk with me or not, you don’t control her. Is he always acting like that with people getting close to you?»
Pierre, of course, anticipated your reactionless self.
«No, only with dickheads like you! Fuck yourself and don’t get near to her!»
«Isn’t it a bit pretentious for someone who cheated on his wife?»
The sentence sorted the effect Esteban clearly was expecting: Pierre’s fingers gripped his suit tight, pushing him a few steps backwards due to the threatening force he used.
«IT WAS YOU! You made the picture, you were there!»
«Pierre, please…» your voice, shaky and feeble, made Esteban laugh.
«Stop fucking laughing! Who gave you the right to ruin both our lives?!»
«Oh, trust me, Pierre, if I wanted to ruin her, I had a far more interesting story… Which I think you should hear.»
With one, fierce shrug, he got rid of Pierre’s tight grab, pointing his eyes back at you.
«I was her boyfriend, back in high school, when you used to hang all out together with Charles.»
You stood lifeless, dreading the moment Pierre would turn to give you a disappointed or maybe even mad look; but he didn’t.
Esteban kept going.
«You’ve always had her on your tail, but you never noticed she was in love with you… I’ve never seen anyone more pathetic,» he let out a snort. «She had so little self-respect to let me take her virginity away in a club’s bathroom… She used me like a fuck-toy and then discarded me. This is the girl you married.»
The whole garage fell silent, since nobody dared to interrupt the helpless flow of words.
An involuntary yell escaped your lips as Pierre ferociously crashed Esteban’s back onto the back wall, finally getting a reaction from the mechanics and engineers, trying to get in between the two to separate them.
Pierre was screaming in French, at the top of his lungs, defending you – unbeknownst to you; Esteban simply stood without reacting much, as he had done years earlier at the same physical attack he had experienced, but this time his revenge was consumed.
He knew he had won after hearing Pierre shouting it was over; seeing him approaching you with big strides and hugging you, leaving the box without uttering any other word.
Reading your expression on the verge of crying, a sick pleasure overtook him.
He had won the war.
«Cheers, les gars!»
«Cheers!»
Amongst the choir of glasses jingling, toasting in delight, you raised yours without being able to reach everyone’s cup, then obliged to set your eyes on the non-alcoholic beverage you had ordered.
You had received numerous side-eyed glances and mocking exclamations for even daring to ask for a banal juice on the celebration night of Pierre’s new contract with Aston Martin, which came after the unexpected departure of Lance.
«Someone will have to drive us home tonight, and I don’t think Pierre is going to spare himself…» you half-joked, as an excuse.
Everyone bought it with a loud chuckle, except for Charles, who didn’t miss any of your movements, bearing the incommensurable weight of truth on his chest.
He had been texting you quite a lot in the last few days: you had informed him of the explosive moments lived inside Alpine’s garage, ultimately leading to Pierre signing with Aston for next year; he had asked you, in turn, how things were now going with Pierre, if you trusted his version of the story.
A few nights earlier, while reading Charles’ texts, you had looked down at Pierre, who was peacefully heaving against your chest. You couldn’t tell whether he had fallen asleep to the soothing head scratches you had been giving him since you had snuggled on the bed, as silence and quietness lingered in the air.
“Did you tell him?”
Pierre’s arm encircled your waist, radiating warmth all throughout your core: it served as another subtle reminder of the news yet to be shared. Though, you had never felt more terrified: it was the first time in years that you perceived Pierre’s affection being that close.
Announcing the pregnancy might have taken away the precious blossom of his love, which you now couldn’t live without.
Charles knew your fear, he could read it well between the lines, and he hoped you would soon rely on Pierre to get the support you’d need.
Drinking plain juice didn’t prevent you from joining friends on the dance floor, gripping handfuls of hair and shaking it to the thick, hot air of the club.
Standing still at the edge of the crowd, sipping on a cocktail with eyes fixed on the group – on you, mainly – Charles and Pierre talked, undisturbed.
«What are you looking at?» the Monegasque asked with a smirk.
Pierre didn’t answer, he didn’t stray his irises from your dancing silhouette, drowning and resurfacing in the crowd.
«She’s beautiful.»
«As if you haven’t been telling me this for the past ten years, Pierre.» Charles chuckled, taking a sip from his own drink.
«It’s different, now.»
«How so?»
Pierre hesitated before answering, gathering the right words to express his muted feelings.
«Last Monday, when I came back home and I couldn’t find her, I freaked out as I’ve never done before. I called her twenty-five times, left a fucking voicemail – who does that anymore? I just didn’t know what to do, I was panicking. I slept on the couch thinking she’d wake me up after coming back at night.»
«I should’ve warned you she was with me, sorry.»
Pierre lightly shook his head.
«No, I think I deserved that, for all the times I treated her bad.»
After a small pause, Charles, frowning, prompted another question.
«So what’s changed?»
«I… I’m falling in love with her,» he breathed out in realization, enchanted by your vision, watching you move like a fairy amongst the large group of his friends enjoying the blasting music.
Charles couldn’t stop himself from snorting and laughing.
«What?»
«That’s a lie.»
Pierre looked at him puzzled; Charles took another sip, smiling in delight and amusement.
«You’ve always loved her; but you didn’t know what love was yet.»
«Said the philosopher!»
Their laughter was so bright and loud that you turned your head towards the two of them patting each other friendly. Pierre’s features were painted in deep, rich warm tones, under the dim lights of the club; the sudden need to refuge in his arms and rest your lips on his draw your eyes to him like an undefeatable magnet, whose force he seemed to feel as well.
«I think I know now,» Pierre said, gaze turned back again on you.
>>♥<<
Exiting the bathroom, you saw Charles waiting right near the door frame, arms crossed, distressed expression, wetting his dry lips as soon as you got near him.
«Is it all good?» he asked.
«Jeez, Charles! Can’t I just go to the bathroom now?»
«You ran away at the speed of light! Pierre was confused and I had to stop him from following you.»
Sighing, you quickly rubbed your temples.
«Listen… I don’t like lying to Pierre. You need to tell him, y/n, he has to know.»
His pleading voice twisted your stomach in a pang of regret and fear.
«I want to see a doctor first… And I need to come back home for that.»
«Why don’t you try with a clinic here?»
You darted your eyes at Charles, half in disbelief, half surprised at the idea.
«I can help you find one, I’ve got some contacts. Plus, I think you should check as soon as possible if everything’s okay with…»
«With me, yes,» you breathed out, feeling Pierre’s heavy stare on you both.
Before you knew it, he was making his way amidst the crowd with a frown, seeing you and Charles confabulate away from indiscreet ears.
«He’s coming,» you whispered.
Charles, visibly frustrated and failing to hide it, huffed and waited for the storm to run over both of you.
And it came. Pierre’s body was burning a few centimeters away from you, igniting shame and terror, knowing you were putting the newfound trust on the line, like a fool.
But it isn’t your fault, a part of you said.
«Why did you stop? I want to hear about the State affair too.»
Not willing to test Charles’ trust for the umpteenth time, you jumped in before he could add anything to his deadly stare directed towards Pierre.
«I was telling him I’m tired and I’d like to go home, but he thinks we should stay here a bit more since we’re celebrating you.»
A soft caress of his palm was enough to melt the hurried tension entangling your muscles, sure he had bought into the lie after seeing a veil of fondness cover his blue eyes.
«Oh, don’t worry, I was thinking of calling it a day too. We can always party more than once, after all.»
>>♥<<
The shirts had slipped away swiftly in a matter of seconds, as your shivering skin warned your senses. You kissed in passion, somehow already accustomed to each other’s pace, yet so new and undiscovered beneath the physical layer of quickened breaths, intense heartbeats and roaming hands.
Pierre dragged your head up with his long lasting, tantalizing kiss, trapping both your wrists with a smirk which spread further blush on your cheeks.
«So that piece of douchebag was your first time?»
He didn’t seem to wait for an answer, as he leaned down to your neck, tasting your skin open-mouthed. You simply moaned, incapable of uttering a word.
It was the first time he enquired you about the awful talk you had had in the garage with Esteban and, noticing the unexpected silence on the topic for days, you had simply guessed he would never tackle it again.
Still, getting drunk had probably loosen him up more than he would ever admit.
«Pierre…»
«What? I’m just curious.»
«I don’t want to be reminded of that day,» you whined, already out of breath.
Mischief gleamed in Pierre’s blue irises, pupils enlarged to take in as much of you as they could. You were able to interpret his intentions a few seconds after his stare: he buried his face behind your earlobe, teasing your skin with his teeth, just enough to gather a shot of blood cursing pleasure and electricity with its flow right where he was leaving kisses.
«Is it because you don’t feel… proud of yourself?» he murmured against your neck.
Guilt tangled in the middle of your chest, words and acts painfully reminding you of the infamous night. Only after years, you could realize how despicable and poor your choice had been; though, you couldn’t bring yourself to blame it.
After all, it had led you to embracing Pierre as close as you would’ve never even imagined in your wildest fantasies.
«Is it because you think you acted selfishly?»
A sweet yet poisonous bite was left just above your collarbone, another soft breath escaping your control.
«Because you hurt people around you?»
Now Pierre looked hungrily at you, halting just a few centimeters from your parted lips, letting your focus drift towards his quick hands unbuttoning your jeans, as if they didn’t know any better. The stormy meaning hidden behind those words seemed senseless to you, impossible: and still his irises showed turmoil… Hurt.
You were almost about to mouth a question, something along the lines of “What do you mean?”, maybe you even did; but you couldn’t tell, because Pierre thrusted his body upon yours all of a sudden, diluting your thoughts in a stain of useless reasoning, moans and whimpers the only incoherent reactions.
«Is it because… you wished you were with someone else?»
The floodgate of your heart crushed open: it rocked your body in such an intense wave that you had to hold onto Pierre, gripping his shoulders tight, while he kissed down on your neck once again, lavishly, anywhere he could print his love on you.
Overwhelm of senses almost ended up in a gracious state of numbness, in which Pierre seemed to be the only actor: he handled you with ease and carefulness, though intoxicated by the physical contact, and before you had realized, the night was consumed, the abatjour casting a gentle warm shade on your bare, entangled bodies.
Drunk in love, you chuckled in silence, warmed by Pierre’s touch.
«What’s that?» he asked.
«I… When I’m with you, I feel both anxious and so happy I could die.»
«Why is it funny?»
«Because it’s childish. I’m still crushing on you like a kid, I only know extremes.»
He hummed, pausing for a few seconds.
«Why do I make you nervous?» he then enquired, again.
«Because I’m scared to lose you.»
It sounded so fragile that Pierre involuntarily tightened his arms around you, drawing you nearer. And deep in thought, he stared at the void.
«I think I know how you feel.»
«What?» you turned your head around to look at him, as if you hadn’t paid attention to his words.
«I’ve felt this way too, since… forever.»
>>♥<<
The faint sound of fingers typing filled the kitchen, otherwise silent.
You had woken up early, after rolling in the sheets for hours, not sleeping much; you had had a little bit of breakfast – as much as your upset stomach would allow you to – while you scrolled the online page of one of the clinics Charles had suggested you, searching for a cell phone number.
You stopped, engraving the digits in your mind.
If you had dialed, a spiral of appointments’ calls, check-ups and exams would follow, and you wouldn’t have been able to stop it from tumbling and assaulting you.
Pierre would know soon.
The mere thought scared you to death.
As you saw Pierre's ruffled hair and creased eyes peeked out inside the kitchen area only to direct the slow and unsteady steps towards the bathroom, you bolted as fast as a lighting.
«No, the bathroom is mine!»
You stomped the door in front of his face, preventing him from stealing the precious space and time to clean yourself.
Pierre quickly eyed the laptop on the marble counter, figuring out you must've been up for quite a while; a stained mug and tiny crumbles were other signals of your silent presence, lingering around his numbed senses through the waking.
He had missed the warmth of your body, the securing hold of his arms around your waist, the sweet scent cursing through him while resting his head close to yours, near enough to perceive the undeniable pull drawing him like a magnet.
«You're lucky I love you!» he yelled, in order for you to drink in his amused tone.
You wished you didn't.
That only sentence made your guts twist and horribly enhanced the dizziness, obliging you to grip the sink tight.
You had waited so many years for those words to have a meaning and now you might have it.
Still, you found yourself to dread them.
You were about to ruin everything.
He had not intended to; he had tried, vainly, to stop himself from looking at the screen of your laptop, but the gaze dropped involuntarily, fast, the quickest glance, while placing the mug on the counter.
And the first words he read only invited him to linger on the page further.
A clinic.
A phone number written in bold cyphers.
«Y/n?»
Resurfacing from the trance status you had fallen into while lazily brushing your teeth, you answered with a whine.
«Can you come here for a sec?»
You deeply inhaled in annoyance, sure it was either to pull a prank on you or to get some help with the absurdly expensive coffee machine Pierre had asked for in the suite - and didn't quite know how to use yet.
The puzzled look on his face told you right away all you needed, as much as his fingers brushing the laptop’s pointer pad.
«Why were you searching-»
«Why are you going through my stuff!?»
You flung yourself onto the pc, pulling it away from his touch and his sight, hoping that could be enough to erase the content from his thoughts.
As you imagined, it didn't.
«What's that for? You left it spread open, how was I supposed not to see it?»
Pierre followed your gushing figure placing the laptop back in the bedroom, closing the door after you two.
«Can you please stop a second and explain to me what's going on?»
Your body seemed to slip under Pierre's touch, then ultimately gave in, anxiety paralyzing all movements but trembling. Immediately noticing your distress, he stroked your hair in reassurance, trying to calm himself down as well through the action.
«Y/n, I'm not asking again. What's the clinic for?»
You avoided his stare as much as answering.
«Did something happen? I need to know, y/n,» he wetted his lips, visibly frustrated. «It isn't just you, now. It's both of us. We're in this together.»
After minutes spent crafting the most realistic lie, painfully witnessing Pierre being tender and caring only to be fooled by you, you were finally ready to utter a word.
«I had booked a routine appointment with a gynecologist before I knew about the trip, but we aren't getting home soon, and I didn't want to miss it.»
Pierre's forehead distended like a folded sheet laid spread and fresh onto the mattress, irises still concealing a hint of doubt.
«Why didn't you tell me?»
«I thought it'd be embarrassing… for both.»
«It isn't to me,» he said, softly. «And you can talk to me about anything, you know that.»
You rested your cheek upon his palm, enjoying the caress with eyes closed, quietly accepting the lie still holding up the invisible wall of miscommunication you purposely built.
«Especially when the topic is dear to me.»
Pierre's smug tone lifted a stone from your shoulders, as well as dropping it in your chest, heart swimming in a lake of mixed emotions.
You would’ve liked to cast a spell and stop the flow of time, because bittersweet guilt and happiness were the telltale signs a fairytale was possible, after all, almost within reach.
And you had ruined it.
>>♥<<
A thought had been flying around his mind all day: jogging lightly before free practice, revising the track with his performance engineer, laughing and joking around with other drivers ahead of media duties. It hadn't bothered him, it hadn't shown; not even when he came back to the hotel and didn't find you there as he expected. It slipped from his consciousness even while drifting into sleep, your scent dazzling and lulling him.
It harboured beneath the surface, though, and its stealth presence made itself evident - yet misunderstood - on Saturday morning.
«Where's my shirt?» Pierre asked abruptly, entering the bedroom in a hurry.
Despite him trying to get you to get up multiple times as he got ready, you were still lying in bed, sick to the core, unwilling to admit it, exhausted already by the day.
«Y/n, c'mon, we need to go!» Pierre huffed, poorly concealing the annoyance.
You whined, weakly raising the duvet in order to get seated. Before Pierre could snort again and feel even more dissatisfied with the sudden lack of energy you showed, he hesitated on your dark eyebags, on the slow movement you dragged your limbs with, on the aura of fatigue encircling you.
He stepped closer, taking your arms and lifting you up, guiding you to the kitchen steadily, but still rather quickly.
As you took a seat, he placed before you an amount of food – for breakfast – which you would've always considered sufficient and that now seemed exaggerated.
«If you're not hungry, drink at least. You need to keep hydrated.»
Pierre's demanding voice partially saved you from the impasse of refusing food, so you obligingly sipped the cup of coffee he had pushed towards you without adding a word.
From that moment onwards, Pierre eyed you with a carefulness unknown before.
He only realized now how sluggish and overall low-key you had been behaving: though, the restless rhythm of flights, hotel check-ins, suits packing and racing sessions were draining enough to present themselves as valid reasons for your lack of verve.
Taking your purse underarm in a hurry, you crossed eyes with Pierre’s.
«I’m ready, let’s go.»
Dumbfounded by his sudden aplomb, you stood in silence, hair barely brushed, shirt carelessly half untucked in your jeans; you didn’t stray your stare from Pierre’s while he slowly took your hands in his, a strange thoughtfulness guiding the movement.
The silence said more than you two were capable of.
It seemed to be thrown back in time to those longing, perusing stares you studied each other with, always analyzing expressions and reactions, never sure of getting it right yet desperately needy of the other.
You both swam comfortably in that tacit conversation, exchanging fears, doubts, loving care; but Pierre knew it was time to go – it had been for a while, already – and couldn’t restrain himself from clearing his throat.
«Yep, I told you. Let’s go,» you whispered.
>>♥<<
It had been Charles' idea, to have a brunch all together inside the paddock: he had found a small sort of restaurant, right in front of Pirelli's backdoor, unfrequented by VIPs and paparazzi.
If you didn't know Charles well enough, you would've guessed he simply wanted to check on you; but him craving some good old company and wanting to shy away from the crowd of the track was the most likely scenario.
Hanging out together, the three of you, felt like a fever dream, every single time: the memories would merge, the jokes and the laughs would crack on their own with such a flow and an ease unexplainable to anybody else.
Sitting next to the most important people of your life was a luck you would never take for granted.
«…should buy one. What do you think?»
«I think that’s awesome, really.»
You became self-conscious of the wedding ring pressing Pierre’s name onto your skin as an endless kiss, recalling the ebbing moments of the day you became one.
«Y/n?»
Again.
The wave knocking at the pit of your stomach, the sudden harmony of smells emanated by your dishes was quick to stir your quiescent sickness.
«Y/n? Did you hear the question?»
Charles’ voice obliged you to answer.
«Uh? Yeah, yes, I did,» you composed yourself as quickly as you could. «I think it’s a beautiful opportunity for you.»
«We’ll help you, if we can do anything for it. Like, if you need taste testers, we’re more than happy!» Pierre chuckled.
You forced a smile too, in order not to contrast your husband’s bright expression.
However, it all spiraled when a pile of used tires – the F3 free practice had finished less than a half an hour earlier, you reasoned – was dragged in a small interstice near Pirelli's building, leaving an unbearable smell of burned rubber. You felt yet again nauseous, making it blatantly obvious clasping your mouth and nose, focusing on your breathing, eyes closed.
Pierre and Charles' stares laid on you in a single motion, both catching on what was happening (with different awareness, clearly).
Pierre couldn't let the memory of your missed breakfast fade into nothing, and his racing mind quickly figured you must be ill; he trapped your free hand in a grab which you immediately complied, he got up and kneeled next to you, seeing you didn't give any signs of the clench in your stomach loosening.
In the meantime, Charles quietly and politely asked you if you needed a glass of water, if you'd want to go to the restroom, to which your silence only fueled his helplessness and sly embarrassment.
«I'm okay, guys,» you breathed out, finally removing your fingers from your lips, but still too scared to open your eyelids and be attacked by their sharp stares.
«No, you're not, y/n. You've been sick for at least a week.»
Pierre's statement worked as a tymbal clang to both you and Charles, so that you looked at each other briefly but intensely, wondering whether the ticking bomb laying untold amongst you three had just exploded without you noticing.
“Tell him” was painted in capital letters, bold, inside Charles' green irises.
Internalizing the truth impossible to fool, you let Pierre's fingertips gently move your chin towards him, since you had enchanted in reflection on Charles. Suddenly confronting your husband's – yes, because he was your husband – unexplainable beauty like it was the first time you really saw him, the news seemed to brim out your lips, overflowing with contrasting emotions you weren't able to conciliate.
Gathering all your courage despite the trembling of your chin, you reciprocated the hold of Pierre's hands: it was building up, from your chest up to the throat, bypassing the rationality check.
«I need to tell you something.»
It was nothing but a whisper; Charles, unknowing to either you or Pierre, slowly got up from his chair, standing near you and placing his hand on your shoulder, squeezing it for comfort.
Pierre waited in silence for your words, pupils scattered all around your features trying to get the smallest hint of which nature the news was.
The tears pricked your eyes as soon as the thought hit your synapsis.
«I'm pregnant, Pierre.»
Releasing the pent-up distress, finally relieved by the burden of secrecy, you cried freely, ready to face the consequences of the news.
A part of you expected an endless chain of angry sentences and despair, complaints, immaturity. And the part of you who didn't expect such a reaction, or at least hoped for a better outcome without much conviction, still managed to astonish before the taken aback but sweet curve of Pierre's eyebrows, unbelievably moved by your words.
«Really? Are you sure?»
His mistrust annoyed you slightly and made you scoff through tears. But before you could answer with a snappy remark, he was all over you, hugging your sadness away, melting in an embrace that swiped bad omens, that dissolved the clouds of doubt in a sparkling, bubbly dust of relief.
Pierre left a long peck on your forehead, which only freed tears from running ceaselessly.
«I can't believe it…» he whispered out of an uncontainable smile.
Your body and soul, both in shock from experiencing the most releasing happiness, trembled like leaves under the wind of Pierre's affection. He glanced at Charles, looking for confirmation, which he found expressed through the dimples of his best friend; then focused back again on you, whose reaction Pierre couldn't quite make out.
«You're happy, right?» he asked, almost fearful of the answer.
Sobbing a laugh, you leaned against his hand cupping your cheek and enveloped it with yours, fond.
«Of course I am.»
He paused, taking a full look at you in excitement and amazement, letting the thought settle in his heart.
«When did you find out?» he asked, cupping your cheek as a fragile corolla of petals.
Your mouth dried out, your throat was still knotted; thankfully Charles beat you on time in answering.
«Almost two weeks ago.»
You waited for it, you anticipated the hatred and the – righteous – disappointment in getting to know that his best friend had witnessed and received the news first. Fear invested you once again, through sobs and hiccups.
«Y/n… Look at me.»
It all seemed to down on you at once: sat in your weakness, you had disclosed all your cards and were now the most vulnerable you’d ever been with him. Not even when you had promised in front of your families to love him for the rest of your life, not even lying in his embrace and cuddling with him after breathing out affection and pleasure on top of each other’s skin; no rejection could hurt you more than now, while carrying two lives inside of one body, two souls, doubling the sorrow. His serious demeanour only spiked up your anxiety, as you realized you weren’t ready at all, neither emotionally nor mentally, to face him yet.
He shut his eyes closed, he prepared himself to talk; you braced yourself for the impact of the cruel reality.
It had been fun, until it had lasted.
This is no fairytale, you chanted to yourself, lulling your crying soul.
«I love you.»
You looked at him dumbfounded, waiting for the answer to be completed with a "like a friend", or something of the sort which would've stabbed your heart with pain as he would always do; but a peaceful silence followed his words, and the longer you stared at each other, the deeper the realization would set in your heart.
The promise you had been waiting for since the day you had met Pierre, which you expected to hear at the altar, was now vowed to you, him still kneeled down.
«When…?» you involuntarily voiced your reasoning, not able to make sense of it, caught by total surprise.
«Since forever. It just took me a while to realize…» he then glanced at Charles. «… and the help of a friend.»
Spontaneously, you flung your arms around him, heart aching in joy and bliss. You watered and creased Pierre’s shirt, feeling life flourish just by listening to his words; to seal them, he plastered a kiss on your reddish, smooth lips, and heaven reached earth.
«A baby, uh?» Pierre said almost to himself, placing his spread hands on your belly.
You couldn’t help but have eyes brimming with emotion, gently brushing with your fingers his: was there anything which could make you happier and more strongly bonded together?
«Charles… I think we’ll need plenty of your ice-cream in the near future.»
«Hey!» you patted Pierre’s shoulder, amusingly offended.
«Oh, for sure. I’ll make you a discount, since you’ll buy it in large quantity.»
«Guys!» you laughed, trying to stop their endless flow of jokes.
With your left hand still pressed onto Pierre’s, you gazed down at your wedding ring, shining and glimmering under the sunlight.
Maybe, no matter how unhoped and unplanned, yours was truly a fairytale.
to @gaslysainz: Thanks again for the request! I really hope you’ll like it…I’m not fully satisfied with how it turned out, but I couldn’t work on it any further 😂 I’d be glad to know what you think 🥹❤️
AND TO ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND FOR BEING PATIENT!
I’D REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU LEFT A NOTE FOR FEEDBACK, SO THANKS IF YOU DO!
HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE DAY! . · ˚✧
: ̗̀➛ tape a of the 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹 series
If this is your first time here on this blog, please check the Disclaimers here.
pairing: max verstappen x female!reader
genre: established relationship, angst, fluff and comfort
!tw!: swearing, mention of s*x without any description of it
word count: 6.6k
plot: drinking your disconnection from the world away, you forget your diary next to your glass of wine. Max can't help but read: what have you been hiding behind those lost and distant stares?
«I’m home!»
Max locked the front door and sighed, tiredness nestling inside his bones, shoulders finally falling in relaxation.
He had attended a dinner downtown with Horner, Marko and some representatives of a new sponsor willing to ride the wave of success at Red Bull. Because of the business-driven and extremely formal setting, Max had thought it would be better if you didn’t come along with him, since he knew how boring dinners like these could turn and how much you had grown to despise them, through your father’s work. Plus, throughout the night, he would be able to hold onto your thought, wondering what you were doing instead, and anticipating the moment he would reach you.
He turned around and followed the dim light of the living room, unconsciously switching on the light when he halted at the door frame.
You were sat down on the floor, hands slowly brushing the rug until you would lose sensitivity and a soft burn would cover your skin. You clung onto that feeling as an anchor to the world, as a sign you were physically present, licking your lips drenched in wine.
It had started like every other night: you had come home, opened the cabinet where you would usually store bottles and grabbed a glass, drinking to unplug, to disconnect from yourself and let the alcohol flow until a pleasant numbness would enclose your senses.
Still, now you desperately wanted to escape your thoughts and embrace feeling once again.
You weakly smiled when you noticed his standing figure.
«Welcome home,» you said, looking around you.
Leaning onto the glass coffee table of the living room, you clumsily placed your wet fingers on your spread-open diary, wrinkling the once smooth, yellowish paper soaked in with ink and words.
There was no sweeter pleasure than jotting down a flow of consciousness without fully being yourself: you may cry, twist your face in pain, laugh and whine in frustration, but always perceiving the warm buzz of alcohol softening feelings’ sharp edges and blossoming on your cheeks. Any time you decided to use wine as your socially acceptable but private emotional outlet, your diary was always beside you.
Max stirred a smile, quickly eyeing all the cues of the room and piecing them together.
«Seems like I’ve missed a fun party,» he joked, raising the bottle of wine you had opened.
«You can join now!» you brought up your glass as an invitation.
«Don’t tempt me, it’s time to go to sleep.»
He crouched down, studying the lost look your eyes threw at him. Max found your drunk ways teasingly cute, too much for him to bear without smiling and feeling the most endearing swell in the middle of his chest.
«Let’s get up.»
He took your hands and quickly lifted you up, with such a force you bumped inside his arms, holding onto him, scared you could fall back down.
«I’m tired…» you slurred.
Max wiped your cheek while checking whether you were wearing makeup he would remove, happy to see your skin was bare.
«We’re going to bed, don’t worry.»
Going back to the living room, he got near the coffee table and reached out to the bottle to put it away, but his eyes inevitably fell on your diary: he then let the glass bump against glass, enamored with your calligraphy. He stared at it long enough to acknowledge his curiosity and be taken over by it; he grabbed it and sat down on the couch in religious silence, afraid to break the spell of violation.
He took in hand the glass of wine you had left still full and got comfortable, in search of peace after a consuming night spent condescending sponsors.
In the dark lit room, your eyes got used to the long gray shadows forming onto the rug beneath your thighs.
You felt nothing but loneliness.
With the lights off, it almost seemed like you were utterly alone on earth.
The diary spread open, you were only able to write the same old shit every entry, because nothing has really changed: you still poured wine down your throat in search of disconnection, in search of peace, hoping it would help, knowing it wouldn’t.
You didn’t know anything anymore.
Every time you had tried to talk to Max about your feelings, words disappeared or got lost between your teeth, like you had never experienced or felt those things, so nothing was meant to be said.
Max had shared anything with you, and you had too, for a while: but then something had inevitably shifted. Something had turned off, inside of you. Inside a bubble, you could only witness Max’s happiness without feeling included, him thinking he was living the same fairytale with you.
How fucking miserable did you have to be? Getting drunk on the floor all by yourself, waiting for your boyfriend in the darkness, not able to be honest with him? What kind of future would your relationship have if you had completely lost the ability to connect with him, if you wouldn’t trust him?
Max’s brain shut off, slowly internalizing those words. He flipped some of the previous pages, reading the entries’ dates, surprised to find that many, completely unaware of your secret emotional life.
Throughout the dinner, gazing down his feet, he had anticipated the sweet scent of your shampoo he so dearly loved whenever he would press his lips onto your nape, the pearly white of your teeth blinding him with a smile, the velvet caress of your fingertips upon his skin.
He felt a particular type of comfort in coming back home, in your apartment, and dismissing his front to embrace his full range of emotions, exploring them with you and being intimate.
After years of gray, turning off the volume of his soul not to feel hurt, not to feel fear, not to feel anger, not to feel regret, after falling in love with you he had begun acknowledging his own feelings more, carefully unveiling them, allowing himself to experience them, in a safe environment.
What had made it safe in the first place was you being honest and vulnerable as well.
Max had perceived a subtle shift, which he considered effect of time, of habit. You seemed more closed off, but he had always known you were more onto the introverted side of the spectrum: he would have never imagined something deeper would be at the route.
But now he needed to dig deeper; he needed to know.
He quickly reached the first page, written in a hurry, full of whirls and small spots of ink.
You hadn’t paid attention to the dress you had chosen for the night; you had been in a rush, since you had completely forgotten about the dinner your father was having, though he had profusely talked it out to you.
«It’s an important occasion, so I’d like you to be there with me.»
«What is it? Boring investors?».
«No, this time I am the investor. We’re hosting Christian Horner, do you remember him?»
«Oh, yeah, I do. The energy drinkers.»
Your dad deeply inhaled.
«They’re… not, I’ve told you, they are running one of the most successful teams in motorsport.»
«So… Are you trying to get on board and get a slice of success too? Bet they’re already packed with sponsors, if that’s the case.»
«My investments and my plans for the future were compelling enough to persuade Red Bull’s team principal to hear about them even more as my guest, so I earned my slice with hard work. That’s real success, y/n.»
You had welcomed Horner and the small group of people accompanying him at the door; you had guided them through the glamourous hall of your family’s villa and reached the dining room with indifference; it was usual for you, an oiled ritual of circumstance smiles and premeditated words, calibrated.
All predictable, except for the man who entered the room for last.
A blue blazer, the shiniest white shirt and the most polished, neat and fine features you had ever seen in a human being. Ethereal, unreal, he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt, hypnotizing your poor and lost eyes with such an insignificant gesture.
«Y/n, I’m glad to introduce you to the best driver of the sport and the current world champion, Max Verstappen.»
You completely neglected Horner’s words being directed towards you, as your attention was completely drawn to the enchanting eyes of that silent and unreadable creature, visibly contracted in attending such a formal event, yet relaxed and laid down.
«Nice to meet you.»
In a single second, your entire insensitive and confident façade had broken in pieces and let the sea of doubt water your thoughts: his polite manners made you feel inadequate and out of place, made you question everything about the way you looked, the way the dress fit, your choice of words, the judgement he had already formed about you.
You had stopped being a lonely planet; you had entered his orb and started gravitating around him.
«The dining room is this way,» you quietly breathed out, turning around and guiding them.
Anytime you were about to stuff a bite in your mouth or filled your glass, anytime you moved from your unfazed stillness, you felt a burning stare upon you, an unconditioned reflex of Max tracking you, scared to lose sight of you, curious about your gestures, and the burning would soon turn into ice blue whenever you crossed eyes.
Studying each other from across the table, it was easy to stumble by chance on Max in the majestic balcony reserved for the guests to admire the garden your father had designed; it was easy to start a conversation, champagne in hand, and offer him a tour of your life wandering in the silent nature; it was easy to listen to his anecdotes and stories, hanging off his smiling lips, and it was definitely impossible not to rapidly fall in love with his charm, his unique humor, his both delicate and sharp ways, as he asked you to join him for a ride on his sportive car.
Running away from business and obligations, on board with a stranger, you had never felt freer and safer in your whole life.
Sardinia’s sun was just about to rise, a deep red disc painting the clouds orange, rippling the slow waves with gold. Enchanted by the view, taking in the heavenly peace of the moment, you leaned your head against Max’s shoulder, who was sitting next to you.
He had invited you on his yacht, giving you the chance to live an Italian summer in his company, and he had demanded you’d see the sunrise with him.
Getting up early had definitely been worth it.
Wrapped by the same beach towel, you had whispered a conversation waiting for the sky show, enamored with the calm setting: nobody was around when you arrived at the dock and had sailed unseen.
Your cheek still pressed on his warm skin, you wondered how you had managed to be so lucky and get to spend precious time with such a precious person.
You and Max weren’t official yet, but you both knew you weren’t simply engaging in a platonic relationship, and that had been clear since the beginning.
Though, you were walking one step at a time, without rushing into things, taking time to savor every milestone, as if you both had a limitless amount of time ahead of you which you were sure to spend together.
#
The sun now burned bright and the sea had acquired its naturally bluish tint, speckled with white, luminous splinters of light.
Coming back to your deck chair with a tube of sunscreen, you sat down and squeezed the plastic envelope to put some on and avoid a sunburn.
«Do you want me to put it on your back?»
«Oh, no, thanks! I can manage!» you said, patting a handful of cream behind your neck.
Max looked at you, exhilarated, as you tried to reach with your fingertips your upper back, without great results.
«Uhm… Maybe I could use some help…»
Max shook his head in fake disapproval and sat behind you, carefully taking the tube away from your grab.
«You gave up pretty fast,» he chuckled. «Just admit you wanted me to put sunscreen on you as soon as you walked on the deck.»
Enjoying his gentle hands massaging and distributing the cream, you stuttered at his words.
«What? No way. You were the one who was dying to and immediately offered help. You’re down for me so bad…»
Max stopped his motions, leaving you hanging while he grabbed new cream upon his fingers, and surprised you both with the cold texture hitting your back and his reply.
«You don’t need any more suncream, but you still haven’t stopped me and neither have you complained about it, so you must be down bad for me as well.»
You both smiled without letting the other see it.
That type of teasing had been going on for a few weeks already, and the small banters always ended with a silent, omitted, shared conclusion: you were in love with each other.
It lingered in the air, but none of you had said it out loud yet.
Letting Max’s arms encircle your shoulders while he leaned back into the deck chair taking you down onto his chest, softness dug into your heart: lost in the middle of the sea, cuddling together, kissed by the sun, nothing seemed as perfect.
«I think I love you,» you whispered, hiding your flushed face against his arm.
Max’s joyful giggle, paired with the quick peck he left on your cheek, made your heart flip around.
«I love you too, silly! Thank God you said it, I couldn’t go on much more with this urge.»
«Urge?» you asked.
«Yes. The urge to say it. I’ve been thinking about it for a while,» he gazed in the distance.
«Why did you wait then?»
«Because I wanted to hear it from you first.»
«You’re such a tease…»
«And that’s why you love me, right?»
You wished you could say he was wrong without shamelessly lying.
After all, his carefree-self had brought a peace and gust of youth you would never give up on; the way Max was able to hit every soft spot amazed you, scared you, charmed you.
It never felt right.
Every time you heard your father speaking through the phone, addressing you with confidence and composure, perfectly measured, you were never able to understand where his voice came from.
You knew it wasn’t him.
You knew it couldn’t be.
Maybe you had only imagined the words he had reserved for you in the past; they weren’t actually directed at you, they were never spitted out between your dad’s teeth in the outraged tone you remembered, they were never accompanied by his accusing pointer finger.
Maybe it had always been a dream, an illusion.
He had asked you once again to attend a gala, sure you would eventually give in to his persistence, and counting on the fact you would follow in his businessman footsteps.
You had turned down the invitation without hesitation, to his dismay and surprise.
He had tried to talk it out with you on the phone, only aggravating the situation, insensitive to your choice, until you had mentioned you weren’t feeling quite good physically.
Who would ever want a pale, bored out daughter sitting at the table next to prestigious colleagues?
He had dropped the topic right as you excused yourself and demanded you to rest and recover.
A foot pushing down the cushions of the couch, one cheek resting onto your brought-up knee, you heard the shuffling noise of metal clashing against metal, a distant signal Max had come back home.
«Thanks for helping me with the bags, y/n, always so attentive,» he joked, speaking from the kitchen.
«Y/n?»
His steps were inaudible, but his presence was clear to you the second he approached the door. There was no need to talk or prompt any more questions: Max acknowledged your silence with patience, carefully taking a seat next to you.
He stared at you with softness, and you wished you could dare to look at him, but your eyes were lost in a point ahead of you.
As soon as his fingers brushed your skin to put a strand of hair behind your hair, tender, in an uncontrolled reaction, you felt the need to justify your behavior.
«Dad,» you whispered.
«It’s okay,» he kept brushing locks of hair upon the first one. «We don’t have to talk about it.»
Lulled by the repetitive movements, you were, though, totally unresponsive to them, both physically and emotionally. You could see your hair lightly dancing on your shoulder as he put it in place, but you felt trapped inside a glass bell.
«…be alright. You know that?»
Max’s question dropped in silence.
It was rhetorical, but he expected some sort of reaction from you.
Your eyes dodged him, none of your muscles moved under his fingertips.
He had never seen you so distant.
He carefully placed his hand on the side of your head and pulled you close to his chest, getting comfortable on the couch. If he couldn’t get you to talk, at least he would cuddle you until you fell asleep inside his arms, amongst small kisses to your temple and caresses.
And it worked.
He felt your cheeks gradually warming, blossoming in red life, your body slightly shifting in the embrace.
A lump of words was stuck in your throat, but you wanted to say something to Max. You wanted to at least try describing the veil that had you trapped in numbness.
«Max…» you groaned.
He simply hummed, listening.
Every word faltered as you began summoning them and you were left with the only comfortable ones, residues of your intentions.
«I love you.»
Max’s arms couldn’t help but tighten the grab in affection, while his lips sealed the gesture on the top of your head.
«I love you too, y/n.»
Your dad never really understood that you hadn’t become Max’s girlfriend as an excellent entrepreneur choice, tying your surname to his and therefore strengthening a contract the two of you had no interest in.
He would never understand what love felt like.
Max had anticipated a couple of scenarios as he entered the house party with his arm draped around your waist: he had imagined the two of you dancing together until dawn, drunk of joy for yet another race win; colorful shadows adorning your face in the dark of the floor, sure you would stand out and shine of light to his eyes; giggling as idiots while coming back home holding each other.
He hadn’t anticipated the one he was in.
Head buzzing, Max searched for your scent, for your clothes, for your hair, for your eyes through the packed venue, incapable of relief as you seemed to have disappeared without warning. He had already asked everybody about you, to no avail; he had checked the restroom at the ground floor, he had even waited for people to come out to see if you had simply gone to the bathroom, but you were nowhere to be found.
Max’s head was starting to spin.
Flinging his head in every direction to search for you clearly wasn’t helping.
He adventured upstairs and, annoyingly enough, it was quite easy to find you: one of the guestroom’s doors was open enough for him to recognize your shoes hanging off the bed.
Max immediately pushed the knob and was inevitably left confused by what he saw.
You were laying down on the white duvet, staring at the ceiling, without moving a muscle.
«Y/n, what are you doing?» Max asked, swallowing as his head pulsed in pain.
Instead of answering, a faint breath escaped your lips, and the shadow of a smile appeared on them.
«Am I floating?»
«Sorry?» Max kneeled down near the bed, in order to hear your mumbles.
«Am I floating?»
He got lost in the silence that followed, digging in your enlarged pupils, incapable of making sense of the soft words you muttered between unexplainable giggles.
«I’m floating alone, Max. Look at me.»
«Y/n, you’re…»
On a bed, that’s what Max wanted to say; but his words died as soon as tears were springing from the corner of your eyes, crossing your temple.
His eyebrows clashed in confusion and alarm, but your deaf laugh, concealing your sobs, worried him even more.
«Are you okay? Y/n, what’s wrong?»
The lightweight of his thumb swiping your tears came softened to your senses.
«I can’t feel it…»
«What are you talking about?» Max said, massaging his aching forehead in order to soothe his headache.
«I can’t feel it, Max.»
«What’s the matter? What aren’t you feeling?»
The surrendered and pleading tone he addressed you with broke every wall.
«I can’t feel anything.»
It was a whisper, but Max didn’t let it slide easily: it played in his mind non-stop, incessant, oppressive, so hard to process it ran him mad.
And the only reaction offered after an unmanageable and incomprehensible statement was frustration.
«C’mon, let’s go home.»
Your teary eyes looked at him for the first time since he had stepped into the room, left confused by the collected order.
«Let’s go home, y/n,» he tried to persuade you with a calmer tone this time, gently helping you up into a sitting position.
To be honest, you were too shit faced to even properly stand on your own, let alone walk out the house on your feet without Max’s help. His arms felt so warm and secure around you to the point you couldn’t help but scoff a smile while sniffing, going downstairs.
And when his hands abandoned your body, you felt lost, like a kid at the store who can’t see her parents anymore around the countless shelves, scared of the unknown faces.
«Give me a second and we’ll leave, okay? One second, I’ll be back.»
Max stormed into the large kitchen, now almost emptied due to the intense dancing happening in the living room: that only made his objective easier to accomplish.
In a few strides, Max reached the counters and rummaged through the bottles, opened and closed the cabinets in furious motions, quickly scattering glass left and right, before turning towards the poor barman called for the evening and spitting out word of fire against him.
«What the fuck did you give to my girlfriend?»
He was desperately trying not to leash out on that young boy, visibly terrified at his accusation, but the trail of gin tonics he had downed throughout the night wouldn’t offer much help.
«I-I don’t even know who she is…» the bartender answered, shaking.
«Don’t fuck with me, you saw us here before the party even started.» Max got closer, boring his eyes into the man’s frightened ones.
«She… She came here once and- and she asked if we had red wine, but I told her there wasn’t any.»
«You didn’t pour for her any fancy high alcohol content shit you motherfuckers always hide, right?»
«No, no, I swear! You can check anywhere, if you want!»
«I’ve got no time to waste with you, dude.»
Max snorted and shook his head as he walked off the kitchen and frantically searched for you; luckily, he immediately spotted you right where he had left you, lost, by the stairs.
Only approaching you and feeling your tender hands gripping his forearms tight, glancing at him with glistening eyes, Max felt his heart cave and hurt for your state.
«Can we please go home?» you asked with trembling voice.
Max engulfed you in a hug and left a kiss on the side of your head, caressing your back while you quietly sobbed against his chest.
«Yes. We’re going home.»
Max loved being invited to your father’s dinner nights.
It wasn’t for his presence, of course: he actually quite despised the annoyed and avoidant look in your eyes, attributable to him. Max didn’t even fall in love with the spectacular mansion your dad would flaunt in front of his clients and partners, finely adorned with the most kitsch style he had witnessed in his life. Your dad’s cars could be appealing to him, though, but the collection definitely wasn’t what he enjoyed the most.
If there was anything that those nights could provide the both of you with and that no other circumstance would ever top, it was the intense and inevitable sensual attraction building up throughout the evening between the two of you.
The rapid glances thrown at each other, him knowing you couldn’t wait to run away from the set table, you buying into his unnoticeable smirks were the first signals of on-going teasing; then you would both unconsciously filling your glasses a bit more often, drinking smiles and desires away, before the two of you would excuses yourselves early and rush down the hall, under the disappointed but not surprised glance of your father, not leaving the house until you had released a bit of yearning with a sloppy kiss against the car door.
There was an unexplainable thrill coursing through Max’s fingers gripping the steering wheel in speeding back home, anticipating the sweetest ending to the night, breaths overlaying and filling up the car with tension, interrupted by your faint requests of slowing down.
He knew none of you wanted the ride to last any second longer.
And every time he would receive confirmation by the way you both assaulted each other’s lips as soon as the door clicked open, shutting down any other thought or worry.
It was only you and him.
#
The teasing had grown unbearable for you that night.
Not even being able to savor Max’s touch inside the walls of your cozy apartment could relieve your desire, always begging him to lean closer, to kiss deeper, to give you more of his undivided attention.
«Please, Max…» you pleaded in-between the messy kiss. «I need you so bad.»
Max was quick to reach behind your back and pull down the zip of your dress, covering every centimeter of the bare skin just exposed with the gesture right as it was displayed before his eager eyes.
Fingers running through the locks of his hair, you had never seen him so passionate and utterly dedicated to pleasuring you as much as he could, never stopping the trail of open-mouthed kisses under your collarbone, slowly shifting down to your chest, tantalizing, taking his time. Quiet whines escaped your lips, fruit of dissatisfaction, obliging Max to lift his eyes up and address your unexpected behavior.
«Am I doing something wrong?»
The uncertainty in his words pained you enough to close the gap and warm his chest with a passionate kiss, while you desperately tried to shake off the feeling of restlessness tingling your body.
You could see Max was doing everything just right; his hands were all over you, as much as his plump lips, as much as his eyes searching for your reaction to his touch.
You were his only worry, his only care.
But you couldn’t feel it.
It was too late when you felt yourself slip away and look at the scene from above, over your head, in a timeless space, as an outsider, not in charge of your limbs anymore. You knew your hands were touching him, and that you were supposed to brush his fine strands of hair, the ones you’d get lost staring at while cuddling, but you were met with a stone-cold insensitivity. And every time Max whispered some sort of reassurance – “Do you like it, baby?” – or boldly murmured under his breath an “I’m going to make you feel good”, you gripped him tighter, you held him closer, without getting to be awarded by the warmth of his embrace which you were desperately seeking for.
«Max…»
There was no way you could prevent your voice from pleading, almost veiled with fear, since the idea of not feeling close to you the person you loved the most made you bare and naked, a shivering mess before the terrifying thought of loneliness.
He slowly halted his movements, hovering his head upon yours, sweetly looking down at your furrowed brows.
«I’m here.»
His hot breath fanned on the crook of your neck, on which he left peppering kisses all over, trailing back down where he was, and you were left with a boiling lake of feelings both blooming in your stomach and in the middle of your chest, overwhelming.
Making love to him, you cried for the first time in front of him after months; he cradled you so softly, wiping tears away from your face pressed against his arm, as you plastered a kiss on it. He didn’t ask you anything, even though he had tried to stop as soon as he had noticed. Your hands pressing him back onto you, your lips whimpering and begging him to carry on had nurtured a caretaking love for you, tender, fragile, vulnerable, but uniquely crafted.
It was only natural for the both of you to breathe out “I love you”s against each other’s skin right as you got off, resting tangled up, tired but satisfied, incapable of depriving yourselves of the warm touch. Finding peace staring at his flushed cheeks and at the blondish curve of his eyelashes, you bittersweetly came to terms with the fact that Max was the only one able to drag you out of numbness, lulling you into consciousness, wishing you would feel instead of wanting to drown out the world.
And you had never been more scared in your life.
There was no such a risk as not being able to perceive his touch, his painfully gentle caresses, his delightful kisses.
His undying love.
Cupping his cheek, you let another tear cross yours.
He was tired, and you had neglected his feelings for a while.
You wondered how he was capable of handling everything so well, perfectly dealing with being a Formula One world champion, an amazing partner, a beautiful human being.
Compared to him, you felt miserable.
Yet, you couldn’t help but wish he’d never notice, so that you could share that love a couple minutes more, nestled against him, completely safe within his hug.
The water was lukewarm.
You wished it still emanated the boiling heat which comforted your soul and distended all your muscles, but you had been sitting still inside the bathtub for long enough to let it cool down.
The soap had stopped plopping in bubbles, merged down the water, tinting it whitish.
You had run the bath to relax, but tiredness weighed your limbs, resting on the ceramic as if rocks tied them down.
Your eyes felt heavy.
Nothing in your headspace.
Nothing.
Peace.
«Nah, sorry, I’m not coming.»
Max.
You heard him talking on the phone.
«… No, I’m not a child, you know?»
You slowly stirred your fingers in the water, you shifted in your sitting position.
«We talked about this already, I told you I’m busy.»
Your knees buckled up, pressed against one another, with your palms resting upon them.
«So what? If you have a problem with it, it’s your business, not mine.»
Listening carefully to the conversation, you began running your soapery hands up and down your arms, rubbing your legs, your nape, your shoulders, ‘til a veil of pink showed through, beneath the bubbles.
«I really don’t get what’s the point of this. What’s your problem?»
Intensive rubbing needs rinsing: you dived down the water, hiding from chaos, refusing to listen to those words wakening rivulets of unwelcome memories.
Lulled by the water, you tried to ignore the knot in your throat, the pressure of your father’s voice pulsing in your head like a drill, your lungs longing for air.
I wish you were a better daughter
A small slip of your brain, and water was crawling inside your nose, falling down your throat.
Your hands frantically searched for the edge of the bathtub, gripping it as best as the wet skin could allow, propping you up with an abrupt motion which rocked the water in a violent wave.
You coughed uncontrollably, immediately spitting the hate, the sorrow, the fear with the water you had inhaled. But how could you get rid of the fear at the bottom of your lungs, of the disgust at the pit of your stomach?
«You okay?»
Max knocked at the door.
Trying to answer him, you kept coughing.
I didn’t have a kid to have her living at my expenses until I die
You dug your nails in your skin, leaned your forehead between your joined knees.
Would you ever grow out of that nightmare?
Would you ever live your life with your father completely out of the picture?
«I’m coming in.»
Why did he warn you?
Why did he have to be so sickly respectful of you in any given circumstance?
Why hadn’t you met him earlier?
«Did you breathe water in?»
He ran a hand on your wet hair, caressing it with care as you finally stopped coughing.
You simply nodded, head still buried down.
«Did you get scared?»
You then finally looked at him.
How on earth such a lovely and tender human being could blossom from such a traumatic upbringing?
A little voice inside of you urged to answer “Yes, I did”: every time your dad had raised his voice against you, every time you had seen disapproval in his stare, every time you had hidden behind the wooden door of your room.
You had lived in fear.
And it was so difficult to experience such a pure and delicate love after hurt.
«Do you want me to rinse your hair with the shower head? It’s still full of soap.»
No parts of you opposed his hands moving your shoulders towards his side of the bathtub, so that he could properly see your scalp, while he rinsed off the white dust of memories from your head.
You had seen the day spiraling right as you had started it.
Missed the flight, almost lost your luggage, failed to find the address of the hotel and had to ask Max, busy with media duties, to pick you up.
Seeing him drop 16th in qualifying for mechanical issues caused during free practice was the last straw of a bad day.
«I told them to check everything and still we had the same fucking issue! I fucking knew it! They were all joking and laughing when I entered the box at the beginning of Q1 and nobody did what they’re paid to do!»
Max furiously paced up and down the preparation room, in which he had locked the two of you, trying to calm down.
«Maybe they didn’t expect the damage to be that serious, since they haven’t had a lot of time to verify…»
He dead stopped, looking at you with mad eyes.
«I DON’T GIVE A FUCK, y/n! It’s their damn job! Why the fuck are you defending them?!»
You swallowed hard, fingers opening and closing uncontrolled.
It was the first time you had seen him getting furious and taking it out on you, something you clearly weren’t ready to face yet.
A fire trail of words grew in your chest, fueled by an unknown rage, combined to the uncontrollable twitching of your chin.
«Don’t ever talk to me like that again,» you whispered.
Max, who had got back to walking back and forth passing a hand through his hair in frustration, turned towards you, taken by surprise.
«Don’t ever yell at me again, understood?! I-I’m not someone who’s going to tolerate being screamed at! I’m not that type of person!»
Coming down from his adrenaline high, Max’s brows clashed in a soft and regretful expression, slowly getting closer to you.
«I would never withstand this kind of treatment, okay?!»
His arms engulfed you in a hug full of sorry’s and exasperation, which you held on to.
«I’m not weak!» you cried out.
Max looked at you, eyes brimming in sadness, and carefully dried tears you didn’t know had been running down your skin.
«You’ve been nice to me all day and I disrespected you in return… That was shitty of me. I’m sorry, I’m just- You didn’t deserve this. Nobody does.»
Vanished.
Your bravery was thrown to the wind by those simple words.
Your fears, your anxiety all torn apart like scrap paper: Max transmuted every demon into a beautiful origami, solved, nicely crafted, snatched from chaos.
Max pressed a kiss on your cheek and stared at you.
«I’m cancelling any plan tonight so that we can stay together, if you’d like to, of course.»
An involuntary smile bloomed on your lips.
«As if I’d ever decline.»
Max, despite the effort, couldn’t stray his eyes away from the page.
A myriad of questions, doubts and sad truths had invested him and dragged his body down towards the couch, paralyzing him.
You didn’t like talking about your dad and he had always respected your choice, since the same went for him; but he had never imagined something deeper, something he both didn’t and did want to know more about was boiling beneath the surface.
The thought you had been treated poorly as a daughter made him sick.
«Max, can you come cuddle? I can’t sleep without-»
He tilted his head towards your sleepy self, who had just walked in on him reading your diary comfortably sat in the living room, undisturbed.
Clarity of mind lost in the drinking session of the evening, you bursted crying as soon as Max got up from the sofa and approached you with sorrow painted in his eyes.
You didn’t know what he had read, but it was almost as if you did.
His reaction was the biggest clue you could be ever given.
«You no longer need to deal with him alone,» he planted a kiss on the side of your head. «We’ll face him together.»
«I don’t want to face him…» you sobbed, grabbing his shirt tighter. «I’d like to never see him again.»
«You don’t owe him a single thing, y/n. Financially providing for you was a duty, not something he can blackmail you with and make you feel guilty about,» Max said, placing a strand of your hair behind your ear. «I promise we’ll have a beautiful life and I’ll help you forget about him. You deserve so much better…»
You leaned your wet cheek on his hand cupping your face, carved up by the love you felt for him.
«I thought I couldn’t love you more,» you managed to say.
Max captured your lips in a quick kiss, born from a raptus of affection he didn’t stop.
«Let me love you like you do, then.»
Finally hereeeeeeee!
Thanks for waiting with patience, as always! Huge props and a love shower (?) to whoever will leave a note of feedback ♥ You have no idea how much I appreciate those who do! ♥
If you haven't already, you can check tape b of this series here!
Otherwise...
If this is your first time here on this blog, please check the Disclaimers here.
pairing: charles leclerc x female f1 driver!reader
plot: nothing in your life came easy, and so did f1: facing hardship in your first year at Alfa Romeo, you are met with a familiar face, Charles'. Supporting each other and spending time together will inevitably bind two souls that seemed meant to be or, as someone could put it, that were predestined.
genre: friends to lovers, angst, fluff and comfort
!tw!: mention of death (not reader's), mentions of grief, dieting and struggles with self-image, car crash, swearing, insecurities
If any of the things above might trigger you, please DO NOT INTERACT. Take care of your mental health and stay away from triggers, please ♥
other notes: set in an alternative-not-really-defined 2023 season
word count: 19.1k (feel free to use dividers to split the reading into chunks!)
Hope you enjoy it ♥ If you do, please let me know! Thanks in advance to whoever will like, reblog and comment!
Black. Blank. Silence.
Calm.
After speed, tension and rush, after the chaos and the endless chasing of time, after the high-pitched sound of the engine pierced in your brain as a usual background noise, mixed to the incessant heartbeats dictating sharp breaths, at last, stillness came.
A peaceful void.
The voices of the press, of other people's expectations, of your team’s, of yours, they dissipated under the heat of the Spanish sun and they flew away with the wind's gusts.
They were nothing but an agglomeration of words, sounds without shape, content without form, thus lacking meaning.
You weren't underwater, but it felt like it: floating, soft, every sensation coming to you muffled, delayed, lightened.
You blinked.
Imperceptibly moving your fingers, you listened to the rhythm of your heartbeats slowing down, as adrenaline gradually decreased. Your heart was pulsing harder, compelled to pump more blood in a reduced pace.
«...okay? Y/n, are you okay? Can you hear me?»
You heard your engineer's voice without listening.
He didn't sound that worried, to be honest.
You didn't care that much either.
«Y/n, radio check.»
A warm flush radiated through your cheeks, a tickling feeling formed in your throat, and you let out a choked cry: you were suffocating.
«Can you hear me?»
You let out a cough, unable to breathe.
Was it… it?
Was that how it felt like to die?
At the thought, your mind emptied once again, enjoying the kaleidoscope of light dots dancing before your eyes in a disorganized pattern.
A sudden yelp of the crowd partly awoke you.
You'd had a crash.
Your car had smashed against the wall at turn 14, probably at around 120 kph; your hands had immediately left the steering wheel before the impact and were now lying lifeless onto your lap, unable to move and possibly switch the radio on, in case you could talk.
But you couldn't. Not a single word would come out of your lips, parted under the balaclava, either to speak or try to breathe.
Right as you gave up to the choking clench, expecting it to hurt, to release the pressure building up in your throat and drift into unconsciousness, you noticed a shadow protecting you from the intense heat of the sun.
Something tugged your seatbelt and, as soon as it loosened, your whole chest took the most out of that freedom, spasming in search of air, while panting and coughing. Something turned into a pair of hands grabbing your shoulders and carefully squeezing them, probably to get a reaction out of you.
Gasping for air, you finally raised your head and your sight welcomed a bright, deep red suit, occupying your entire vision; some muffled words came from the Ferrari driver and got mixed with your engineer's voice, who kept trying to assess your state. Then, in a moment of radio silence, you captured the message of the man screaming under his helmet.
Are you okay?
For a second, you felt the impulse sent by your brain which asked your muscles to smile.
Dying inside your cockpit after a crash, staring at his sparkling eyes could've been... sweet.
Your seat in Alfa Romeo would've never been questioned again; your career in F1 would've come to a stop not due to the media's opinion or the team’s decision; you would've been remembered, politics and discussions aside, female or not. Everything you had been wanting to fix in your life, every bad habit, regret, nostalgia and sadness would disappear.
But after giving in to the idea for hundredths of seconds, you immediately swept the thought away: how irrational and terribly stupid to think death could solve anything. And the mere possibility it could be used to enhance the narration of "women cannot drive in F1 and y/n's death is a clear example of it" killed you more than G force ever could. The face of your mother covered in tears while watching the race, sitting on the couch and sniffling with a tissue in hand started haunting you without a break. And watching him, bent over, trying to rescue you, eyes wide in alarm, couldn't help but make you feel miserable and ridiculous for even considering such a scenario.
With a shaking hand, you gestured your difficulties in breathing, bringing it near the throat.
FUCK!
A yell of frustration from him, another pant of struggle from you.
Charles needed to get you out of the car, but didn’t know whether you had trouble walking, if your legs were fine after the shunt towards the barrier, if you would pass out while he was panicking trying to decide what to do.
He carefully placed his hands under your armpits, beginning to lift you up; he did it with ease as you matched the movement and his effort with your hands and feet.
«Oh dear! We’re so glad to see y/n out of the car!»
As you kept breathing erratic and frenzy, Charles frenetically reached under your chin to help you remove the helmet and got rid of your balaclava, so that you could have an easier access to fresh air.
«And we can see that Leclerc is taking off y/n’s helmet with quite a bit of rush! Hopefully everything’s okay…»
You inhaled and exhaled quite harshly, brows knitted in the effort and the struggle of the task; Charles’ hands prevented your chest from bending forward and crouching down, keeping you up and steady despite your body’s will to cave in.
«Right now, Charles Leclerc is… calling for some help from the marshals, I think.»
«SHE NEEDS HELP, come on!»
The visor of his helmet was lifted, so that you could see his eyes searching for reassurances, which you were unable to provide. His concern pained you and only made you hyperventilate more, trying to get to talk.
«Does your back hurt? Is it your ribs? Your head?» he kept asking with insistence and worry.
The lost and shattered look inside your eyes gave a simple answer:
You had no idea.
«Yeah, he’s gesturing towards them, he wants them to come closer… And look, he’s talking to her, probably making sure she’s alright.»
«Try breathing slower and deeply, like this. Does it still hurt?»
Your fingers gripped tight his arms, reciprocating the hold Charles had on yours.
«It was a huge shunt, and it’s not hard to believe she’ll need to undergo some checking at the medical center.»
«Not hard to believe indeed, considering the great crash we witnessed at lap 18 of the Spanish Grand Prix…»
You didn’t notice the medical car had arrived until you saw two doctors coming out and jogging on the gravel towards you and Charles.
One of them, against your will, moved you away from Charles’ reassuring grab and began talking to you; while his words blurred in the heat and merged with the loud cheers of the crowd, your eyes were fixed upon the Ferrari driver in front of you, who was busy discussing with the other doctor.
You vainly tried to focus on his suit, on the mark the balaclava had gently pressed onto his skin, on his lips moving to articulate sounds and sentences you failed to grasp: his sight cradled you, calmed you down and helped you slowly regaining control over your breath, as you noticed your body being guided towards the ambulance which had just arrived, reluctantly letting go of Charles’ presence.
#
«Miss, could you please tell me your name?»
You crossed your arms, visibly annoyed.
«I’m y/n, I’m okay and I know I’ve had a crash,» you replied, annoyed.
The doctor flipped a page of the results from the exams they had run and then sighed, almost amused at your stubbornness.
«Miss, from the data the race control has sent us, you’ve had a 17G impact, and the driver who aided you reported you had problems regaining your breath right after the shunt. You might feel fine right now due to relatively high levels of adrenaline, but it is not something meant to be underestimated,» he smiled politely. «May I go on?»
You lightly nodded, pensive.
You had no measure of comparison when it came to G-force in accidents, but it had definitely been the worst you had got into.
No questions.
«Do you remember the dynamic of the crash?»
You hesitated, staring into the void in search of those moments; as the scene unfolded before your eyes, you began speaking.
«I was behind Cha- I mean, Leclerc. I think he made a mistake at turn 13 and I was quicker than him in the last corner, so I wanted to overtake him before the main straight.»
Unsure whether you had to continue or stop the report, you glanced at the doctor, who simply waited, silent.
«Uhm… Yeah. Since I thought Charles would keep the outer line, I tried to overtake him on the inside. It didn’t work, obviously,» you snorted, sarcastic and let down by your own move.
What a stupid choice.
«I shouldn’t have been so daring and optimistic,» you added.
«If it helps, Leclerc didn’t seem upset at you at all about that move,» the doctor smiled in reassurance.
Reasoning on his words, your eyes went wide, since only at those it struck you.
You had taken Charles out of the race.
For some unexplainable cause, you hadn’t considered it; seeing him helping you out felt too good to be true, a fairytale dream in which Charles had pulled over and deliberately stopped driving his race to rescue you.
Of course, you had dragged him into your mistake, potentially causing damage to his car and putting his life at risk as well.
What a reckless, inconsiderate move.
«Is he okay??» you asked, urge laced in your tone.
«Yes. His car stopped before impacting against the barriers because of the angle in which you two touched,» the doctor calmly explained. «He was a little bit slower than you as he entered the corner and he spun a little, so your trajectories towards the wall were different.»
With lost eyes, you stared once again at the void.
It was your third crash of the season.
At the Albert Park’s circuit, a collision at the restart had ruined your race.
In Monaco, well… It had been your mistake, in qualifying, and it had prevented you from starting in the grid on Sunday.
And now Montmelò. The worst shunt out of the three, which would cost a fortune to the team.
You closed your eyes, defeated.
You knew it would be tough, you’d always known, ‘cause it had always been.
«So, now you’ll be taken to the nearest hospital just for some more routine exams we couldn’t take here, but you should be fine,» the doctor said, standing up. «Take care, miss.»
You shook the hand he had offered you, a tad confused, and turning around you were met by your assistant’s worried face.
She was in her first year at Alfa Romeo as well; you hadn’t had the time to bond with her deeply, but she probably was the only one you fully trusted in the whole team.
Which wasn’t ideal.
#
«So? Any news?»
«They told me they’re taking her to the hospital for further checks, but she seems to be fine.»
«Are you sure? She had serious problems breathing…»
«Well, all the drivers are breathless after a huge shunt. But you know this better than I do.»
Charles sighed at his manager’s words.
He had walked back to the hospitality, got changed and contacted Nicholas Todt right after, in search of news from the primary source. Then, strolling towards the media pen for the routine mid-race interviews after a crash occurred, he had spent the last twenty minutes insistently asking himself what had caused such a contact: he needed to look at some on boards to get it clear, but he wanted to talk it out with you, still worried about your conditions and confused by your driving behavior.
He didn’t expect you to try for an overtake there.
He wouldn’t expect any driver to.
It just… didn’t make sense, for a driver like you.
When he saw you arriving at the pen with your assistant, Charles couldn’t help but leave hanging the journalist who had just begun introducing her question.
His approach took you off guard, but you deeply inhaled, definitely not shocked to have him searching for explanations.
«I thought you were doing some other checks at the hospital. Are you alright?» he asked, barely audible.
«Yes, it was just… uhm… routine stuff. You know, for the deceleration of the impact.»
«Thank God,» he let out, in a sigh, looking elsewhere.
«Listen, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin your race… And put you in danger, of course… It- I thought there was a gap since you were going a bit slower than me, but it was nonetheless a terrible idea, and-»
«Don’t worry about my race, I was struggling massively with the tires anyway,» Charles smiled, half trying to calm you down, half downplaying his frustration. «But you’re right, I made a mistake. I should’ve paid more attention to you. You know, I’m not used to rookies going at the speed of light and not having any mercy.»
His gentleman smile sparked some light inside of you as well, and you naturally mimicked him.
Something… something about the look in his eyes reminded of a distant memory you couldn’t pinpoint.
You just shrugged it off: your assistant gently touched your shoulder, suggesting it was time to feed journalists with well-crafted lies.
✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼
Ice cream wrapped around his fingers, he stood next to the fence watching Arthur’s kart speeding past him, waiting for him to jump off the seat and let him hit drive to the limit once again.
It was Sunday, but it had rained throughout the night, so the track was green - little to no grip available for the small tires to hold on to - and, because of it, empty. No one had dared to show up in such conditions, except for, that is, two families: Leclerc's and yours.
You had never properly introduced yourself to each other before that day, but you were well aware of the phenomenal performances of the fifteen years old guy eating ice-cream with his suit hanging off, ruffled hair, focused on the action.
You had raced once against Arthur, his younger brother, but stupidly enough you didn't expect them to be related. Seeing the entire family at the track was unusual, indeed.
«How did the tires feel?» your father asked you.
«Good, but…»
«But?» your father prompted.
«…but some corners are very slippery.»
Undisturbed, your eyes didn't fall upon your dad's face once, lost in contemplation. It was only natural for you to miss the other question he addressed, since you were still staring at the white-suited boy, a hand gripping the metallic mesh of the fence.
«Y/n?»
«Uh?»
«Are you listening?» he raised a brow, skeptical.
«Sorry. What was the question?» you shrugged.
Your dad, subtly, glanced at the point you had been staring, immediately noticing the spark of your interest.
«I asked if… if you want to have a snack. It's almost lunch time,» he asked, glancing at his watch.
«Yes! I'm hungry!»
You both came back with a sandwich in hand, chit chatting about the upcoming race and your latest performances. Before you could make it back to your van, heavy bullets of rain hit your skin and head: the dark clouds covering the track had turned into a waterfall without any warning.
You both ran to your kart, trying to cover the seat so it wouldn't get soaked, putting two umbrellas over it, but depriving yourselves of repair.
«Let's go in the trunk!»
The air was humid and thick. You sat next to your dad, staring at the rain, him with crossed legs, you with a cheek resting on one of raised knees.
He looked at you and laughed at your antics.
«Don't be so sad, y/n. You put in a lot of laps yesterday.»
«But I wanted to do more. Now we're stuck here and we can't do anything.»
«That's not true. We can… enjoy the moment. Look up there, the clouds cover the treetops.»
You turned your head towards the point he was showing you, but your eyes were soon caught by a figure walking towards the two of you, under a red umbrella.
«Do you need help with the kart?» the man asked, with a thick French accent.
You stared at your dad, only to see him indifferent to the offer.
«No, thanks, we're good.»
You almost rolled your eyes.
He was a proud man. He had sacrificed a lot to make you enter the karting world and didn't want you to be considered less of a serious competitor because of money and facilities: you already had to face the prejudices of being a girl. He didn’t like getting help from others, since he had always provided you with everything, and wasn’t willing to give in, at all.
«Uhm… I think it would be better to put the kart under our gazebo,» the man said, pointing at it. «It isn't big, but it's better than nothing.»
While your father pondered the proposal, you enthusiastically smiled and thanked the man, running towards the kart and starting to push the cart.
As you both placed the kart next to theirs, the man - Arthur's father - got near your once again.
«We have some ice-cream, if you're hungry.»
Your eyes sparkled, and your father knew there was no way of stopping you. Hervé, that was his name, called someone in French words and spoke words you were unable to understand.
Your dad first smiled at you, enjoying the smile lighting up your face, then looked back at Hervé Leclerc.
«Thanks for… all of this. But… Why…?»
Hervé interrupted him.
«I know what it feels like to give up everything for your child's dream. I respect you and your daughter a lot. We don't have a lot either, but I'm happy to share it with you.»
Your father, stunned, at a loss of words, didn't get the chance to thank the man again, as Arthur and his brothers stormed with a box of ice-cream, yelling in thrill and joy as they chased each other.
A bit unsure, you waited for Arthur to serve himself first, then got near and looked at the flavors, indecisive.
«Hazelnut is the best,» you heard behind you.
Turning your head, you crossed a pair of big, bright, dreamy green eyes.
Your heart was flinging towards them, and you felt so enchanted you wanted to show to everybody such a beautiful sight.
«Don't you like it?» he asked, noticing your lost expression.
«No, I love it!» you shied away, starting to fill your cup.
You both sat down at a small table as Hervé and your father talked; you awkwardly smiled whenever that mysterious Leclerc's eyes would meet yours.
«What's your name?» he suddenly asked, probably worn out by the silence.
You played with the plastic spoon out of nervousness, flattening a curl of ice cream before answering.
«Y/n. And yours?» you shyly said.
«Charles.»
«Can I begin? Perfect. So, I think the first topic on the list that we need to tackle is today’s crash…»
Your lips twitched in a sarcastic smile filled with tension and hatred.
«Y/n, you know this is your third crash this year and our budget-»
«Thanks for asking how I’m doing and checking up on me at the medical center. Glad to see you place more value in money rather than in someone’s life.»
As all the engineers slowly turned their heads to glance over at your crossed arms, your eyes pierced the wooden desk, deafening silence.
«I’m pretty sure your assistant was there.»
«So what? Do you think that’s an excuse? Even Charles, who drives for Ferrari, treated me better than my own team!»
You saw Alunni Bravi, Alfa’s team principal, snorting in annoyance.
«Speaking of! If you two have to talk all lovey-dovey, please don’t do it in front of cameras… We’re full of problems as it is…» he said, rubbing his temples to soothe a heavy headache.
«I… thought he was going to confront me about the crash,» you lowered your chin.
He sighed, hid his face in your hands.
«Y/n, listen… You know what we both need: results. The team needs points and the least damage possible, and you need that yourself, to prove you deserve your seat in F1. You see, we are heading toward the same direction, so why don’t we join forces instead of clashing against each other?»
«Do you think I crashed on purpose?!» you asked, bewildered.
«No, but you can’t afford to be too aggressive, otherwise you’ll get today’s result. It puts at risk your and other drivers’ safety, your team’s finances and gives the mechanics an awful amount of extra work.»
The thought of the mechanics staying up late, not respecting the curfew, without receiving any raise for it reminded you of your dad doing the same back in the karting days, always working for you, with you.
You swallowed hard your pride.
Shifting on your seat to find a more comfortable position, you cleared your voice.
«I’ll do better.»
The team principal lightly lifted the corner of his lips.
«I’m sure you will, y/n.»
Push.
You’re worthy.
Stronger.
You deserve it.
Until.
You fought for this.
You.
It makes you feel alive.
Make it.
The gym’s mirror reflected your mechanical, precise, controlled movements; you followed them with the sight, eyes and thoughts running wild across the room.
The burn igniting your muscles, the sweat glowing in pearls under the neon lights, the skin wrapped inside loose-fitting clothes felt like heaven upon your body.
«Okay, that’s it!»
At your coach’s voice, you abruptly turned around.
«What?» you asked, panting.
«We’re done, you did all the reps,» she plainly said.
«Already?» you asked, picking up from the ground your water bottle and taking a sip.
«We’ve been here for two hours, y/n… Aren’t you tired?» she laughed at you.
You shrugged, unable to perceive the weight of exhaustion.
«I feel fine,» you replied.
«Right, Miss Fine, let’s do a bit of stretching.»
After your coach had given you info about the diet and the workout plan for the next day, you waited for her to leave the gym before changing into a clean outfit. You removed the oversized shirt you always used and looked down at the waistband of your leggings, running the gap between the cloth and your skin with the thumb.
You closed your eyes, both tasting the satisfaction of the moment and remotely despising the need for the achievement. But you couldn’t hide it: you were happy you had lost some more weight. You had been working so hard on improving your performance and proving you were putting your maximum effort into it.
It was sick, you felt it: you carried out the exercises like a machine, engaging your muscles and your core to extract all the potential benefits from the workout, convinced that it would automatically lead to better results.
You struggled to define it, but it was such a self-consuming delight.
✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼
Being fifteen was difficult.
Low self-esteem, identity crises instead of identity building, paranoia, confusion, hormones taking over, fear of the future, broken illusions.
Things nobody at that age is programmed to deal with it anyway.
However, being a fifteen-year-old girl competing against pimply guys proved itself to be even more challenging than teenage already managed: more so, if those underdeveloped brains couldn’t spot anything that made you a girl to their eyes. Apart from social isolation and lack of friendships and acquaintances during karting competitions, that is.
You had cut your hair short so that it would be easier to put your helmet on and no strand would get in the way; you were as tall as other drivers were, in some cases even taller; and you were thin, lean, light as a feather, dancing on your kart with grace. Clearly, they expected something different: they wanted to see more than a flat chest under the fire suit, more than a nonexistent bun; perhaps a soft and lost stare, the insecurity of someone who doesn’t belong the sport, the ingenuity of the newbie, the incapability of being a serious competitor.
You let them down and proved them wrong, one by one.
You spared nobody, killed them with obstinate tenacity, flashing smiles only whenever you stepped on the highest stair of the podium.
Unluckily, they had another reason to crack jokes about you.
Behind the fence, cheering for you, helping as much as possible with the kart setups, the tires, the engine, there was your mother.
In the wide multitude of fathers, uncles and big brothers, your mother was the only woman getting her hands dirty and oily to help you out. Mistrust and envy were the inevitable dues to pay, every race, every time you two entered the track holding hands.
#
«There are too many people,» Charles said, grumbling.
«C’mon, you’re doing it for Arthur!»
«He’s a lucky brother,» he sighed.
Lorenzo and Charles were walking towards the heart of the small paddock and searched for their younger sibling; an impossible task, since the entire place was packed with teens they were navigating through.
Slowly moving past people, Charles couldn’t help but overhear a piece of conversation.
«Did you see her mom?»
«Yeah, they’re both ridiculous!»
«Why, what’s wrong with them?»
«Arthur!» Charles called, recognizing his brother’s voice. «Finally, here you are.»
Without paying attention to the hand resting on his shoulder, the blonde driver still looked astonished at his mates.
«Why does her mother come to the track with her?» he asked.
«Because her father died.»
Charles pieced the conversation back together and blinked a couple of times, making sense of it. As a reflex, like he already knew, he immediately spotted you in the middle of the crowd, holding your cup, hugging your mother. He struggled to make out your face, with the new haircut, but he still could tell it was you, the same girl eating ice-cream and often racing with Arthur, the same driver his father had told him about.
He remembered you sitting in your dad’s lap, laughing with him, under the gazebo, surrounded by the sound of the pouring rain, as he spied on the two of you from inside the van, too scared to talk to you any further and ruin the special moment between a father and his daughter.
A sea of people separating you, a sidereal space of loneliness and time creating an unbreakable wall: maybe you didn’t even remember who he was. However, Charles searched for thoughts of comfort to offer to you telepathically, not really able to find much; he didn’t know what he really meant to lose a parent and didn’t want to dwell too much on it.
Still, a few years later, looking at some pictures taken on that rainy afternoon, watching your fathers half hugging and smiling to the camera, the two of you sat behind them, being reminded of hidden memories and fears, forcing tears to run inside without showing, getting a taste of the same bitter loss’ cocktail you had tasted, sitting back onto the couch and staring at the void, he would.
«Alfa Romeo has announced some major changes inside the team. In the last couple of weeks some leaks hinted at the possibility of y/n y/l/n being replaced mid-year, during the summer break.»
«I don’t think there’s anything wrong with women in Formula One, but… they need to meet certain standards, you know? And I’m not quite sure y/n is doing that.»
«She's not going to stay in the sport too long without getting results... It's a simple equation: results equal money which equals contract.»
«A lot of drivers would die to have her seat and I’m sure Alfa Romeo has started looking around to see if someone has the right profile… Because let’s face it, it doesn’t seem like y/n does.»
You put down your phone and slowly stirred a cup of coffee the team had offered you.
Tiredness crawled in every hidden angle of your body.
News like those were filling up the internet since Barcelona; and as if luck hasn’t been abundant enough, you’d had yet another mechanical failure, the second in the span of three races. Some malevolent voices implied they were due to the previous crashes you’d had.
You truly wanted to get angry, but you didn’t care anymore.
You felt defeated.
It felt so miserable to be following the race from the box, sitting there, helpless, either willing to scream or cry, watching the world go round in circles, without you.
After all, that feeling wasn’t new to you.
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The first time was tough.
Arriving at the track, taking the kart out of the van, setting everything up; ignoring the foreign stares, resting your hands upon the steering wheel, driving the first lap.
It was beyond rough.
You weren’t as focused as you wanted to: you made a lot of corrections, went wide multiple times, missed the apex a couple of times. You inevitably felt frustrated by your own lack of pace and performance.
That was only practice for what was to come; the first race was even harder to handle.
A burden down your shoulders and chest made it difficult to breathe, your heart struggled pumping your adrenaline-fueled blood fast enough.
You didn’t want to let him down.
It was the secret promise you’d made with yourself without even knowing, something you’d always kept silent to others and to your own conscience.
After endless laps of chasing, constantly turning back to see how close your rivals were, examining the gaps and choosing different lines, you crossed the start and finish line and you felt hot tears wetting your skin: you had won the race.
It was a strange type of happiness, a conflicting one, which you would get familiar with over time.
You quickly wiped your cheeks, jumping out the kart: you just remembered running towards the podium, overwhelmed by that new brimming feeling pulsing inside of you, not capable of determining whether it caused tears to flow in joy or sadness.
Proudly holding the cup you had been handed, you lifted it to the bright blue sky, and you looked at him.
With the little trophy in your hand and the helmet hanging off your fingers, you walked to the van and sat in the passenger seat, wrapped by silence.
Lost gazing inside the golden reflection of the cup, you cried. Head tilted back, eyes shut in pain, you held your sobs in as much as you could.
It was tough, hitting the track for the first time after your father had passed away; but what hurt the most was that trophy, that unexpected win, which definitely meant you would have to – and could – go on without him, doing what you had always done.
Your promise, your secret motive, you’d live for it: as if he watched you from the grandstands, followed you with his careful eyes, cheering for you, and driving you back home after every race, while you peacefully drifted away next to him.
✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼
You sat on a bench inside the paddock as it emptied of life, people leaving and walking around you as industrious ants crowding the space.
«Y/n!»
At the call, you naturally turned around: it was easy to spot Charles, still rocking Ferrari merch, approaching you.
«Hi, Charles.»
«Hi,» he said, sitting next to you and looking at the setting sun.
You secretly wondered what had brought him there, absorbed, in silence. He seemed peaceful, but you knew his race hadn't been particularly rewarding because of a grid penalty at the start, and you could almost see disappointment and dissatisfaction creating turmoil inside his irises.
A small realization hit you, and it raised a pinch of embarrassment in you as it did: because, since Charles was enchanted by the sunset and you were intent on reading his expressive eyes, you were both caught staring at two beautiful sights.
«Your pace was really good,» he let you know.
«Are you saying this because you struggled to overtake me after your pit stop?» you asked, a bit amused.
«Well...»
At his hesitation, you both laughed.
«You had pace and your defending was annoyingly good,» he finished with a smile. «Without the mechanical failure, it could've been an easy P6 for you.»
«But I had a mechanical failure, Charles. It doesn't matter what could've been, if it hasn't happened,» you bitterly remarked, staring back at the sky.
«It does matter, instead,» he looked at you. «You made a lot of progress since the beginning of the year and I'm sure you'll score your first points very soon.»
«If I'm not out by mid-season.»
At your lapidary comment, Charles blinked, thinking, then looked at you again.
«The team needs you. I know Zhou and he's a good driver, but in terms of pace... you're better.»
«But he brings the car home and I don't.»
«You've always out qualified him,» he reminded you.
«How do you know?» you asked, shocked.
You hadn’t even noticed it yourself, how could he know?
He shrugged.
«Overheard a conversation.»
Charles waited a few seconds before speaking up again, still thinking.
«You've worked hard to get here. Don't bring yourself down because of what other people say.»
You sighed and faced the sky, a shiver running down your spine as a gust of night breeze caressed your cheek.
«They're trying to drown me, Charles,» you sadly reflected out loud, dropping your head down.
Charles, looking at your hand gripping the bench, put his hand upon yours.
«You know how to swim, y/n. I think nobody else in the grid knows the pressure of the sport better than you do, and since you made it this far it would be stupid to let go right now.»
On his features, you read a feeling you didn’t expect: regret. It was all over him, in the way he searched for words, wetted his lips, glanced around, then stared back at you.
«You can count on me. For anything, really,» he added.
Regret was soon replaced by comfort; the weight of his palm's skin onto yours radiated a wave of calm, quiet, peace.
And as the sun dived into the horizon, offering its last rays of orange gold, on that bench isolated from chaos, you felt safe.
As you crossed the start and finish line, your eyes flicked towards the billboard in the pitlane.
A rush of excitement freed the breath you had been holding all along: the race was over.
«P9! Good job!»
«Y/n, congrats on your first points. Had a strong pace all weekend, well done!»
«Thank you, thank you, guys.»
Switching off the radio, you screamed under your helmet: in joy and disbelief, because you finally got to the place you deserved to be; in frustration, because you knew the strategy had concealed the true potential of your form and the feeling you had found with the car, making it hard to fully appreciate the results without fantasizing about what could've been.
Nonetheless, thanks to the adrenaline and the G-forces loosening their grip, you felt a small weight being lifted off your shoulders: you had achieved your first milestone in F1 and nobody could contest it. Nobody could take those points away from you.
Arriving at the pitlane, the team engineers seemed to react lukewarm to the performance; the mechanics, though, engulfed you in a group hug and clapped at you, visibly satisfied and content with yours and their work as well.
«Y/n! How does it feel to score your first points in F1?»
«Well, of course,» you smiled, a bit nervous at the unusually welcoming question. «I’m satisfied with today’s race, but… I think there is more work to do. Our pace deserved more and better results are definitely within our reach.»
«So hungry for points after tasting them for the first time!» the journalist joked, laughing.
As you tried to shy off embarrassment with a smile, holding onto the barricade a bit tighter, you felt a soft touch brushing your back, halfway between a greeting and a request of permission; the light weight lingered a few seconds, before a figure dressed up in red reluctantly positioned next to you to be interviewed.
His smile only made you smile bigger and redder.
«Good job!» Charles spoke in a soft tone, his fingers still vaguely tracing circles on your back, unbeknownst to the cameras facing the two of you.
«You did a good job too, with George. Some fair and hard racing!» you referred to a scene you had been able to see on the screens throughout the race.
«Tell me about it,» he laughed. «But what did I say? Was I wrong about your first points?» he added, subtly tickling your back with his fingertips.
Lost in the bliss of the interaction, flustered because of the heat and the cameras pointing at you, the redness of your face lit up brighter as the journalist spoke.
«What’s that, Charles?» she asked, intrigued by his words. «Did you tell her she would score points in this race?»
He mildly smiled, getting closer to the fence – and to you – looking down to collect his thoughts.
«No, I didn’t,» he laughed. «But I was sure she would end up in the positions that matters pretty soon and… here she is!»
His body involuntarily leaned over to you to answer the question, combined with the kind and gentle tone he was delivering compliments with, made you glance elsewhere and forced you to suppress a smile.
«So did you guys talk about it?» the journalist teased again.
«We bumped into each other in the paddock and I told her, yeah.»
«You seem to trust her skills a lot.»
«I do. I mean, I’ve seen her race in karting and in minor formulas a couple times and I could see it with my own eyes. She was well-known for her talent and hard work, and now she’s proving it in one of the toughest and most competitive motorsport championships of the world. To be honest, I’m not surprised and I’m happy for her because she clearly deserves it.»
«Y/n, how do you feel about these words?» the journalist finally addressed you once again, waiting for your answer with a grin.
«Grateful. Usually people are complaining about my performances…» you laughed, a bit uptight. «So… hearing appreciative words from a driver I highly respect and look up to means a lot.»
Charles couldn’t help but grin in delight at your words: he had involuntarily kind of followed your career up to Formula One, and the idea you had possibly taken him as a point of reference flattered him deeply.
He had always known you would make it.
✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼
Fidgeting with his Ray Ban sunglasses, Charles walked inside the paddock alongside Pierre.
«The weather is so nice here.»
«It’s Brazil, what do you expect?» the Frenchman snorted.
«I’m just saying,» Charles replied, putting his glasses on.
Not paying attention to the cameras taking pictures and videos of them as they casually strolled by, Pierre suddenly awoke from his silence and spoke.
«I forgot to ask you something.»
«What is it?»
«You know the girl who races in F2 with Arthur?»
Charles hummed, looking back at him.
«Yeah, y/n. What about her?»
At his best friend’s confidence, Pierre raised his brows.
«Do you know her that well? I don’t even remember her last name.»
«Well, didn’t expect much more than that from you.»
The inevitable jokingly taps and protests Charles deserved for that comment caused laughter between the two of them.
«So? What about y/n?» Charles asked, going back to the topic.
«They say she’s racing for Alfa Romeo next year.»
«Well, she’s leading the championship right now,» Charles said, matter-of-factly.
«Yeah, but do you understand how big the news is? A woman in F1 after so many years…» Pierre lowered his head, in thought. «Alfa must be in a difficult situation if they’re doing this.»
«Why?» Charles quickly inquired.
«Because sponsors will court her, which means a lot of brand deals… and money to the team.»
Charles knitted his eyebrows together and walked looking at his shoes.
It wasn’t possible that a talent like you would only get hired because of money. He had seen you drive, win against his brother and a lot of other good drivers, he had seen your determination every time he had celebrated one of Arthur’s podiums, because you were always in the top three. On the other hand, Charles couldn’t say he was a stranger to the financial difficulties Alfa Romeo was facing: the lack of upgrades, the never-ending waltz with sponsors and actionists, the upcoming renewal as Sauber and then Audi. Alfa danced in a sea full of uncertainty, so it probably represented the only team in the position to gamble and provide a seat for the first female driver after such a long time.
Once again, his father’s words of appreciation towards you resurfaced: Charles hoped the rumor to be true, because he was sure you deserved it.
#
«Thank you, Esteban. Charles, I’m coming back to you: can you share with us your thoughts regarding the news too? We know your brother is racing in F2 as well and we’d like to have your piece of mind.»
He raised the microphone, smiling to himself, sure he would be asked about it as soon as he had heard the question.
«I’ve attended and watched some races because of my brother, as you’ve mentioned, but I think numbers speak for themselves. She’s leading the championship and from what I know she’s always performed brilliantly in minor formulas too.»
«Right. We know that you and y/n share the same agent, Nicholas Todt. Were you ever introduced to one another by him?»
Charles frowned at the follow-up question.
«Uhm, no, we never met through him.»
«Okay, thank you very much. Moving on to the next question…»
As Albon was addressed by the journalist, Pierre, sitting next to him, raised a brow and gave Charles a inquiring look, perceiving a lack of clarity in your answer.
The Monegasque simply glanced over him and pretended not to see his confusion, keeping to himself that distant but lifeful memory of you.
✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼
«And this is the end of the tour,» your assistant said, gesturing with her hands to the hospitality hall.
«Thanks, it looks… fresh,» you commented, still looking around.
Exiting the building, you followed her steps, going towards the media pen for some brief interviews of that Wednesday.
Your first ever week in F1.
Before you could notice, your assistant waved at a girl dressed in red, focused on her phone; greeting her as well, the two approached one another and engaged in a conversation.
«Hi.»
As you heard that unforeseen greeting, you finally noticed Charles, whose assistant was caught talking with yours.
It was the first time you were seeing him after such a long time: the rubber smell, the oily hands, karts speeding on the track for hours. A pang of nostalgia hit your stomach like a punch, paired with those green eyes you’d never been able to forget and a tiny smile onto his lips.
«H-hi!» you only managed to say.
«I’m sorry I didn’t congratulate you before, but I thought I’d do it once I saw you on track. Really happy for you.»
«Oh, thank you.»
The contrast between the deep conversation running right next to you and the silence full of untold memories sharpened the veil of embarrassment trapping you: you both couldn’t stop glancing at each other briefly before diverting gaze as soon as you got noticed. The moment your assistants seemed to be over the intense chatter, you almost sighed in relief.
«See you soon, y/n!» Charles greeted, walking away.
With a small hand gesture, you reciprocated his kindness with awkwardness. It was hard to hide it: receiving such a pleasing treatment from another driver warmed your heart, as much as the thought of his young face and the few moments spent together did.
Sitting onto a leather couch, pressing your knees together, you peeked at the jewelry exposed onto the crystal table coffee in front of you. Lost in contemplation, you immediately raised your head as a pair of heels echoed through the room.
«So… This is the winter collection we’d like to promote,» the woman said, sitting in front of you. «We’d like you to pose and take pictures with the bracelets first and then with the entire parure on. Then, if there is the chance, you’ll be joined by one of our biggest promoters for some overview photos of both the male and female collection.»
«Of course.» you nodded.
You would’ve never thought being a female F1 driver could have perks… But it did. And one of them was that an endless number of brands wanted to be promoted by you.
At first you had been reluctant at the thought of spending part of your summer break going through sponsors activities and promos, but at the sight of the building location chosen for the shoot and the fine jewels laying before your eyes, the laziness left room to placid enjoyment of the moment.
At least you were sponsoring some good products.
#
«Raise the arm a bit higher, please… Perfect! Beautiful!»
Enjoying the breeze onto the balcony, you glanced over at the sea behind you, caressing your arms’ shivering skin. The light reflecting upon the water made a mesmerizing scenery to stare at, joy filling the eyes.
The blissful haze got suddenly interrupted by a bunch of steps, shuffling and chatter: it all quickly marched towards you, invading the space of the balcony and disturbing your peace. In confusion, you scanned the faces of the newcomers, only to be met by the graceful figure of Charles.
A rush of electricity linked you both as you made eye contact.
«Y/n, this is the person I was talking about earlier, Charles Leclerc,» said the woman who had given you instructions at the beginning of the shoot.
Charles couldn’t help but laugh a little.
«Oh, don’t worry, she knows,» he told her.
«Oh, really?» she gaped.
«We’re… we’re both F1 drivers,» you said, nervously chuckling.
«Right! I’m so sorry! I feel embarrassed now… Well, I see no introductions are needed, then,» she blushed heavily.
«It’s okay, there’s no need to apologize,» he reassured her.
He swiftly moved next to you and started whispering without looking at you, a courtesy smile plastered on his lips all throughout as he joined you scanning the surroundings and the staff moving around erratic.
«I didn’t know you were a sponsor as well.»
«Didn’t expect to find you here either,» you raised brows, to display surprise.
Charles simply leaned his forearm onto the handrail of the balcony and gazed inside the living area, still smirking.
«Well, let’s show the world how to do this properly.»
One person from the staff came back to you with the jewels you had to wear, offering Charles some as well.
#
«Last but not least… We’d like to have a picture with this necklace.»
As it was handed to you, you stared at it in awe: your eyes brimmed with the Swarovski’s reflection of the fine piece, delicate and bright as a snow crystal under the sun.
«It’s beautiful,» Charles said, stealing the words you had in mind.
«It is,» you remarked.
Seeing your hands open the necklace and bringing it closer to your nape, Charles immediately halted your movements touching your hands, gently stopping them.
«What… What if we take the picture while I put the necklace for her?» he asked, addressing the staff.
Your wide eyes read excitement and appreciation in his proposal.
Without even acknowledging the fact those movements were mere acting for the shoot, you sincerely enjoyed the moment, getting surprised by Charles’ tenderness while brushing your hair away, while you were looking down at the charm and admiring it between your fingers, unconsciously smiling. You couldn’t help but quickly turn your head and look at him, too fast to think of how close that would bring your faces, your lips a few inches away. Green, gold and pink heavenly mixed on his features as colors on a canvas, taking over your senses.
«Amazing! That was awesome. Thanks!» the photographer said, getting the attention of the both of you.
With a silent sign of end of activities, while the staff moved around to bring all the equipment back inside, you turned around ending up between Charles arms, still spinning around the shining charm.
«Do you like it?» he murmured, fingers brushing your forearms.
«It’s… It’s beautiful, really,» you replied, eyes down on it. «And you? What do you think?» you asked, smiling.
«It looks absolutely perfect on you.»
Flustered, since your question wanted to refer to the collection and not on the way the necklace fitted you, you mentally thanked the sponsor manager walking up to you.
«Well, thank you for your time. You did an extraordinary job and I’m sure the launch of the collection will be a success!»
With a thanking smile on, you didn’t expect to hear the words Charles said right after.
«Can she keep the necklace?»
Almost choking on your own saliva, your eyes wide opened in shock; the manager hadn’t anticipated that either, at a loss of words.
«I can buy it, of course,» Charles quickly added, afraid her puzzlement was caused by the impossibility of gifting for free the jewel.
«No, there’s no need to! If… if you like it that much, we’re more than happy to gift it! There’s nothing better than sponsors who love our products.»
After the weird conversation, you both stared at her walking back inside the apartment, still standing next to each other on the balcony.
«Why did you do it?» you looked up at him and asked.
«Because I wanted to ask you something and I need to hear a yes,» he chuckled, while you mouthed a “What?”. «No, I actually think it looks good on you, so I thought you should have it.»
«What’s the question?» you quickly let out, in order to shoo away his flattering comment which made you blush.
«Why don’t you join me for the rest of the summer? To work out, go to the beach, spend time together, you know.»
«I can’t believe you’ve bribed me with a necklace you didn’t even pay for,» you laughed.
«So? Did I hurt your pride?» Charles asked, subtly encircling your waist.
«Yes, and I’d like to avenge…» you said. «But unluckily I’ll need to come along with you if I want to.»
«Oh, that’s bad news,» Charles raised his brows, mirroring your playful grin. «That sounds like a plan, then.»
«It does.»
Sunkissed, you enjoyed the rays tickling onto your skin, eyes shut due to the light, propped onto your hands. Waves, iodine and freedom rocking you back and forth like a baby inside a cradle, your lips naturally curved upward, in bliss.
«Hey, y/n!»
Turning your head in reaction to the call, you noticed it was one of Charles’ close friends.
«Do you want to play table tennis with us?»
«Of course!» you chirped, quickly getting up from the deck chair you were sitting on.
«Who is winning?» you asked, when you came close to him.
«We’ve just started, but Charles is already losing somehow,» he laughed.
«Good job!» you joined him.
The inside of the yacht was finely crafted, emanating comfort and luxury, but it didn’t feel cold: decorations and clutter clearly characterized it, added a personal and unmistakable touch that made it even more welcoming.
Walking to reach the guys playing on the opposite end of the boat, you were caught by a picture on a shelf, which hit you like a freight train full of memories, nostalgia and tenderness all at once: looking at it, you struggled to recognize your father’s face, realized the sound of his voice was so hard to recall. You quickly diverted your eyes from the happy stare of your dad’s, focusing on two teens in the background, sitting onto plastic chairs: you were eating ice cream with a leg huddled and the other touching the ground, while Charles sat leg-crossed, looking at you.
You couldn’t believe time had flown by so fast, so destructive, so insensitive and so careless in pulling strings that crossed the years, only to bring you in that yacht and contemplate the beauty of destiny.
«Good memories, huh?»
Charles’ voice surprised you, making you turn your head abruptly to glance.
«Came here not to feel the burn of defeat?» you asked, teasingly.
«You wish. I’m winning, I think that’s obvious,» he said, overconfident.
After the quick exchange, you both looked back at the photograph, incapable of ignoring it for too long.
«I didn’t know they took a picture that day,» you said, more to yourself than really talking to him.
«Arthur took it. And this is why we’re also in it, even though it should’ve been just them,» Charles said, unable to hold a smile at his brother’s poor skills.
«Do you think it is possible to make a copy of it?» you asked, after a couple of seconds.
«I think so, yes. Do you want it?»
You hesitated, then nodded towards him.
«I’d like to gift it to my mom, she really likes looking at old pictures. But cut us out, I’d prefer the photo with just the two of them,» you said, pointing at the younger versions of yourself.
«What?! We’re so cute, why do you want us to be cut out?» Charles asked, infecting you with his laugh.
«You can make a separate picture with the cutout,» you joked.
«I will, for sure. I mean, we look too good,» You chuckled at his words. «Me wearing a suit dirty with engine oil and you eating ice cream like you care about nothing else.»
«On plastic chairs,» you added.
«On plastic chairs,» Charles remarked, nodding and widening eyes at the umpteenth funny detail. «But the fact that it’s ridiculous makes it interesting.»
«I can’t believe the only photo we have together has me eating in it,» you laughed.
«We can always take new pictures.»
As you felt Charles’ eyes on you, you immediately searched for them, locking stares, a bit surprised by his offer.
«Charles, where are you?» someone shouted from outside.
«We should go,» you awkwardly said.
«Yep,» he immediately turned around on his feet, embarrassed as much as you were.
#
You hadn’t played table tennis a lot before, but being Charles’ teammate didn’t help increasing your winning chances.
You miserably lost.
«I couldn’t see anything, I had the sun in my eyes!» you tried to protest.
«Your complaints are music to our ears.»
«Guys, come on!» Charles pleaded in frustration towards his friends.
«Nope, you promised before starting the match.»
«I promised nothing, I wasn’t even there at the beginning!» you contested.
«But you joined, so now you’re in this together.»
You threw a desperate look at Charles, who simply covered his face with his hands and scoffed with a smile.
«I think we don’t have a choice, y/n…»
The idea of jumping in the water fully clothed and going around all wet until dinner made you uncomfortable and annoyed already, but you hadn’t time to ponder the dare further as Charles quickly splashed into the sea.
Carefully getting close to the edge, you looked down the boat: you had never feared heights, however the blue expanse below you seemed an endless abyss, the yacht being far and far away from the coast.
«Are you scared?» Charles’ friends asked, half-way amused and confused by your reticence.
«Of course not,» you tried to play it cool.
Charles, moving his arms to stay afloat, could read the hesitation blocking you.
«I’ll catch you, don’t worry,» he shouted.
The impact with the water was softened by the waterfall of bubbles following your body and lifting you up towards the surface. Before you were able to notice, resurfacing, your body slid onto Charles’, who had swum next to the point you had fallen. The friction of your clothes brushing against each other seemed to slow you down in re-emerging: you clearly felt his skin caressing yours under the soft texture of his shirt, his fingers quickly searching for your body gliding on his.
When you came to the surface, gasping for air, his hands were already firm around your waist, and you couldn’t tell if you were breathless out of effort, fear or because of the unexpected and sudden closeness with Charles' striking stare.
«Are you okay?» he asked you with a husky tone.
You knew he didn’t mean to do that, that probably his voice had dropped in order not to be heard – as if the rocking sound of the water wasn’t enough to hide your breaths – but his words, his presence, the unexpected intimacy of the moment made you crave to drown back down. The contrast between the warmth he radiated and the ice-cold water surrounding you dazed you, your head going in tilt.
«Yeah, I’m good,» you frantically nodded, still holding tight on to him.
«Let’s go, then.»
Charles’ friends had a trip planned out for the week following your adventures on the yacht in Sardinia, so they left; you and Charles, though, kept hanging out, going back to Monaco.
The days you had with him were pure fun, shading momentarily your uncertainties and doubts regarding your future in F1; and if not bright enough to put them aside, Charles was always receptive to your needs, willing to discuss them and listen, since you were both navigating the same environment.
You hoped that spending time with him could help you, somehow.
#
«Is it that bad?» he inquired, unsure of his cooking skills.
«No, it’s pretty good.»
Charles tasted it and hummed in delight.
«Finally! Something that doesn’t taste like death.»
A lazy movie night had suddenly turned into testing Charles’ abilities in the kitchen: he wanted to order some food, you joked he could cook instead, he took it as a challenge and he decided it was time to finally improve at it. You had teased him all along, questioning his choices, his measurements, the ingredients he was using… and you both laughed throughout the process, until you sat down with steaming dishes.
Charles saw you slowly moving the fork around the plate.
«Aren't you hungry?» he asked, snorting with a laugh.
«Not... not really.»
His amusement turned into a serious expression, surprised at your lifeless response after all the laughter you had shared just some minutes earlier.
«Is everything okay?» he inquired, a veil of worry weighing upon his brows.
«Yeah, I've just lost a bit of appetite because of the new diet I'm following.»
You looked down as you spoke, and he noticed. As soon as the topic was brought to the table, Charles subtly clenched his jaw a bit, poked his inner cheek with the tongue, then parted his lips as if to say something.
He refrained the words he was about to use, opting for some cautious ones.
«I see. I know I’m not the one in charge of it and shouldn’t… interfere, but you're the lightest driver on the grid, y/n. I don't think that's needed to improve your performance.»
«It's not just about the weight, I'm trying to work on my strength as well and I... I had to readjust my diet a bit.»
«Fine,» he said, shaking his head.
The lies adorning the truth made it feel like a whole bunch of bullshit: deep down, you knew you were going way too strict about it, that it was nobody’s but your idea, though you thought that was, indeed, the only way things would get better, the only way you would get better, the only way people could see the best in you.
The only way to prove you were worthy.
«I don’t know what the diet involves, but as a guest of mine, you have to taste once again the first decent dish I’ve cooked in a very long time and deeply enjoy it.»
Charles rediscovered playful tone managed to pull out a shy smile from you.
#
You both agreed on working out together, to make it more fun - and consequently see each other more. There was an intimate complicity between the two of you, a murmured comfort in the moments you shared: smiles, fleeting exchanges of glances, jokes and laughter. Neither of you could describe it, but in each other's company your personalities matched, merged as one. The fear, the weight of expectations, the voices and malice of the people around you would lose meaning, set aside for as long as you could stare at one another.
«Here we are,» he announced, coming off the locker room.
«So classy! » you laughed, pointing at Charles' shorts.
«Stylish, right?» he said, looking at them and laughing as well. «Isn't your shirt too big?»
«I like being comfy,» you simply said.
«I see,» he kindly smiled.
Throughout the workout, you did a few circuits, alternating at machines, adding a bit of challenge and variety to what would’ve been a quite repetitive activity, if done alone. Charles had a lot of fun, enjoying your presence, peeking at you during some exercises and smiling to himself.
«Time to stretch!» Andrea said.
You cackled at Charles protesting pleads, while sitting on the floor.
«Turn on your side and hold your knee, like this,» your coach instructed you.
Charles, told to do the same, pointing his head toward your lying body. The oversized shirt you wore had risen a bit in the movement, revealing a portion of your skin and showing some ribs.
Charles quickly tried to divert gaze, not wanting to be caught in contemplation, a bit flustered by it.
«We're done, guys! You can go change!» Andrea said, with a clap of hands.
«It was fun,» Charles stated, searching for confirmation.
«Yeah!» you replied, a bit taken aback by his sudden comment.
«Maybe... We can do it more often, whenever we have the chance...?»
You turned to face him before entering the female locker room and pulled a small smile.
«Of course!»
Charles grinned as well as he very slowly headed to the door next to yours.
#
You opened your bag, searching for your clean shirt, then took off the one you had on.
You halted.
Don't, you said to yourself.
But you did; you gave in to the quick impulse of reaching the mirror of the room and checking yourself out.
It seemed... fine. And the idea killed you, because it still wasn't enough, it still didn't help your performance, it still didn't look as good as you imagined it to.
You turned to take a look at your profile: sucking your stomach in, you pulled the skin above your bellybutton to make it even flatter, hands gripping under your bra, to see what you wanted to see, what others wanted to see, the unreachable goal you had been chasing for years, setting yourself up for failure.
So skinny, and still not successful on track.
So skinny, and still everyone despised you.
As you watched, tantalized, your ribs showing, both proud and disgusted of what you had achieved after years of obsessive discipline, you didn't notice a silhouette appearing in the reflection of the mirror.
«Y/n.»
You gasped.
Facing the mirror once again, you avoided looking at him, vainly covering the sight with your arms.
You tried to ignore it.
«What are you doing?»
But you couldn't: the fear he would start thinking lowly of you, that he could be ashamed of what you were doing froze your blood.
Charles had been eaten by self-doubt for a while, but had finally decided to ask you if you wanted to stay at his place until the end of the summer break, since he had been enjoying your company a ton; during the small walk from his locker room to yours, he had been rehearsing the words he needed to say in order not to freak you out or be rejected, so he definitely wasn’t paying attention while entering. He didn’t expect to be met with the sight of your almost bare chest; and above all, under the loose fire suit or a t-shirt, he had never imagined to see such a thin, small-waisted and fragile looking body.
Charles got closer with caution as you stood still, walking with hesitance, not entirely sure of what the real situation concealed beneath its surface.
But those ribs, the same he had clearly seen while you were stretching, were marked in his irises, fear and confusion taking over him.
«Please, look at me,» he pleaded, soft.
As those words left his mouth, your mask fell off, dragging tears with it, and Charles swallowed hard as a realization started to set in.
«What's this, y/n?» he whispered, hoping you would tell him off, somehow, maybe reassuring him it was all a dream, prompting an explanation that he failed to find.
But you cried hard and you couldn't offer any word of comfort.
Charles engulfed you in a hug, feeling his heart race faster to follow the thread of his thoughts, eyes scattered around the room in search of answers, while his fingers caressed your hair through the weeping.
«Why are you doing this to yourself?»
Words died against your vocal folds before they could turn into sound. Your weeps were low, inaudible at times, desperate.
«It’s not enough.» you breathed.
A sting hit Charles’ chest.
«I… I don’t know what to do… It’s never enough, Charles.»
As your voice cracked, new tears fell down to fill your abyss.
«Enough for what? Enough for who?»
Holding your face upward, he awaited your answer.
But you froze.
What were you doing all of this for?
If you knew it was wrong, if you felt it was wrong, then you certainly weren’t doing it for you.
Was it for your team? To prove your effort, your dedication, to show that you cared about the sport above anything, above yourself as well? Was it for the press to notice you deserved that seat, that opportunity?
And then, finally, like lightning cutting through the air and reaching land, shattering your entire world, a realization struck: it had started way before entering F1.
The sense of control, impulsive discipline, always aiming for unreachable perfection had been your self-destructive coping mechanism for your father’s loss. That promise you had made to yourself, to never disappoint him, never let him down, prove yourself worthy of the love he had given you broke before your eyes like glass. The oppressing fear of not being enough, of not repaying the immense sacrifices he had done for you, the idea of all his life being wasted to chase your dream had triggered the guilt you’d been living with for years.
Letting it all go against Charles’ shoulder, holding onto him like an anchor, scared of being suddenly left broken and alone in such a vulnerable moment only made his hug brace you with a firmer grip, hand caressing your hair.
«It’s not your fault,» he whispered to your ear, like a lullaby. «Whatever it is, it wasn’t your fault.»
Loosening the hold a bit in order to look at you, he softly wiped tears off your cheek.
«We’ll solve it, I promise. You’ll never have to feel like this again or do this to yourself.»
«I didn’t mean to do it,» you sobbed, shaking your head in denial.
«It’s okay, y/n,» Charles pulled you back into the hug.
«I’m not leaving you alone.»
You woke up early, tiredness deep inside your bones.
The initial plan was to go back home and spend more time with your mom, but after the day at the gym Charles had insisted you to stop by and stay at his apartment for a little while.
You had hated seeing him so heartbroken and gutted for you, since it wasn’t his responsibility to take care of you; still, he had said multiple times he wanted to help you out, that he had ways, that he knew people, proving with facts that he genuinely cared.
You quickly got up from bed and headed to the kitchen to have a tasteless breakfast, bitter thoughts taking over as you opened the cabinet.
The cliff of uncertainty had always been your environment since the beginning, but you had never felt so close to falling as you did in that moment. You had never been that high either, so it was only natural to be afraid of stumbling down in such a position.
Putting the moka pot onto the stove, you then walked towards the window, catching a glimpse of the waking world, a thin layer of fog hugging the skyline.
Your phone vibrating onto the table distracted you from contemplating.
Seeing a big “Mom” written on the screen didn’t surprise you.
«Hi, mom,» you greeted, with a smile.
«Hi, dear! How are you doing?»
You lightly nodded to yourself.
«Good, I’m relaxing a bit before the final rush.»
Your mom simply hummed, leaving the end silent for a few seconds.
You hadn’t told her why you had refused to come back home.
It was true you had simply accepted Charles’ offer, but on the other hand you were quite relieved you didn’t have to fake calm and inner peace with your mom despite being in a stressful situation.
«Y/n, how is it really going? You know you can tell me anything.»
Her regretful tone urged you to provide reassurances.
«It’s fine, why wouldn’t it be?»
«I… I’ve heard about your seat being at risk and… I don’t like to be nosy and I know that you want to be the only one worrying and being responsible for everything, but I can’t help worrying, y/n. You and your father have worked so hard for this-»
«It’s just rumors, mom, don’t worry about it,» you interrupted her. «I’ve talked with the team and they’ve reassured me about the renewal of the contract.»
Lie.
«Really?! And you didn’t tell me?!» she almost screamed in joy.
«I wanted to wait a bit because… because there’s actually a bigger team interested and Nicholas is negotiating.»
Lies.
Nothing but lies.
«Oh darling, I’m… I’m so happy for you. I was sure people would notice your talent! You deserve all of it! Oh, I’m so glad…»
«Mom, there’s no need to cry…» you said, tears forming in your eyes as well.
«Of course, right,» you heard her sniff. «But thinking of everything you and dad did back then and seeing where you are now… It makes me emotional, you know?.»
«Mom…» you kindly scolded her.
«Okay, I’ll stop! I have to go anyway, the shop is about to open.»
«Love you, mom.»
«Love you more! Bye, y/n!»
As you hung up, words finally started to weigh down on you, sinking your heart like rocks.
You had no reason to play with your mother’s feelings only to postpone a disappointment that you couldn’t avoid anyway.
When did you become so shamelessly cruel? Which sick part of you could only imagine Alfa Romeo was willing to renew your contract and at the same time another team was striving for having you on board next season? Not even your wildest fantasy could be that delusional.
How many other people did you want to let down?
Why did you keep setting impossible expectations and standards? Where did your hunger of perfection stem?
The thud of a mug being placed onto the table made you turn around.
Charles had woken up to the sound of your voice and followed it toward the kitchen, unintentionally eavesdropping on the conversation, and he had tried not to interrupt or make himself noticeable.
After hanging up, he saw your hand reaching your temples, and he knew right away how you were feeling.
Because he had done the same exact thing with his father.
He knew, better than anybody else. But at the same time, you knew as well: for once in his life, Charles didn’t feel alone in his regrets, in his doubts and struggles, and could relate to someone else’s experiences and fears. The tension between the two of you had always been an invisible string pulling you close, uncovered but present, binding lives that still had to unfold and show their similarities.
Taking a mug from the cabinet in order to make himself noticed, Charles had waited for you to stare at him.
You didn’t know he had been there all along, but the truth was already emerging from his expression, sweetly scolding you, as he moved a few steps towards the stove.
«You know you don’t need to protect her from everything, right?» Charles said, pouring some coffee for himself.
«It seems like the only option, at the moment.»
You got close and served some coffee for yourself as well.
«It seems, but it never is,» Charles sighed, opening another cabinet.
«Do you want biscuits?»
You turned your head while walking in fast-paced steps, trying to escape his grab.
Your laugh sounded like heaven, punctuated with light rain drops sliding onto Charles' tanned skin.
Running to reach you, he fell in love with every detail of the moment: the chase, the heart filling up of pure joy, your teasing steps, as you stopped to let him catch up a little, only to sprint again away from him.
With the sand becoming more compact under your feet thanks to the gentle rain, Charles was gaining pace advantage over you, until he finally managed to stop the hunt, gripping your wrist; you both almost fell as you halted, laughing uncontrollably and senseless.
Your breaths were heavy, but through your smiling lips they came out as a rhythmed symphony, eyes locked, matching stares brimming with happiness. Charles' hands roamed onto your arms, while yours rested upon his chest.
It felt pure, magical.
Timeless.
Charles was the first to break the silence, looking up to the grey clouds.
«We should go home.»
«Should we?» you asked, enchanted by the falling drops. «I really like it here.»
I do too, Charles thought to himself.
«We'll get ill, if we don't. But don't worry, I have an idea for when we come back home.»
His words enlightened you.
«Really? What is it?»
«Follow me,» he said, taking your hand into his and locking fingers, while a smile lit his face.
Passing a hand through your damp hair, you eyed Charles entering the kitchen, away from your sight, so you decided to go change your clothes.
Putting the clothes back in the wardrobe right after, you saw Charles approaching, armed with two spoons, a can and a mischievous grin.
«Is it ice-cream?» you asked, surprised.
«How can it be a summer holiday without ice-cream?»
«You’re right,» you smiled.
Before you knew it, you were sitting upon your king-sized bed, crossed legs like two kids, bending over the can placed between the two of you.
«Isn't it going to wet the comforter?» you asked.
Charles hummed, in thought.
«I'll keep it for us, then,» he said, grabbing it and taking off the lid.
Without warning, he took the first spoon of it, leaving you speechless, but getting to taste Charles' smile while he watched your reaction.
«Hey, bring it here!» you said, moving near with the spoon.
Stuffing a mouthful of ice-cream, you were soon surprised by the flavor.
«It's hazelnut,» you thought out loud.
He grinned, looking down at the can like a little kid being caught red-handed, while he took another spoon of it.
«You remember, right?»
The sound of the rain falling down, you two sitting in front of the other, hazelnut ice-cream, lingering eyes.
«I do.»
Diving the spoon back again, you only took a few millimeters of ice-cream, observing it before quickly licking it away, in thought.
And Charles noticed.
«Don't you like it?»
«It’s the best hazel-nut ice-cream I’ve ever tried, but… We shouldn't be eating so much of it.»
«But today is cheat day,» he raised a brow, sure to win with a counterattack.
Since the night he had caught you staring at your fragile body and breaking down inside his arms, the wheel of change had been set into motion: Charles had promised to do anything to help you, and he kept up with the promise. You had dumped the coach who was supposed to follow and guide you and Andrea, Charles’ athletic trainer and dear friend, had suggested you a new one whom you had liked way better just at first glance. Without even realizing it, as you spent more and more time with Charles, you began opening up to him about it and started noticing thoughts patterns you were utterly oblivious to beforehand. His presence brought comfort, trust, support and clarity in your life, as much as fears regarding your future in F1 couldn’t be subsided completely.
But Charles made life so easy.
He could turn ice-cream on a rainy day into the most perfect and appealing way to spend time together.
The idea he had thought through it, that he knew you’d be concerned about the diet and had chosen your cheat day on purpose so that you wouldn’t have to worry, so that you could both enjoy the moment, sparkled something inside of you, a kind gratefulness, a warm joy. You would’ve crawled closer to him, cuddled with him ‘til the daylight, either laughing or saying nothing, so that all your doubts would move away like rainy clouds.
«You’re right,» you said, taking another small spoon of it. «Geez, it’s too good,» you complained, humming.
Charles chuckled at your heartbroken expression, ice-cream melting in your mouth.
Spa never spared itself when it came to unpredictability.
The few times you had raced there when you competed in minor formulas, chaos had taken over the results, crashes and crazy overtakes being the main characters of event-packed GPs.
The forecast had announced a small chance of rain throughout the weekend, pushing every team to choose a low downforce set up; indeed, in both free practices and qualifying only a few drizzles of rain sprayed the track, nothing crazy or unforeseen, and you had managed to earn a decent position to start at for the race.
However, as you had learned over the years, Spa never ceased to amaze, playing the unexpected.
#
The rain falling down onto the dark asphalt, making your medium tires slide throughout lap twenty-four, after a lasting and on-going, strenuous defending against the DRS train which had formed behind you, felt like pure violence.
«In sector two it's pouring,» you warned your engineer.
«Copy.»
«What's the forecast??» you encouraged, hoping to get them to consider the situation carefully.
And get them to box, possibly.
«It should rain for the next twenty minutes.»
Laps chalked up, wrapping around the tires, making them even more slippery, as every driver in front and behind you disappeared inside the pit lane and left you alone on the track, struggling with grip.
«Can we box?» you asked, almost with a pleading tone.
«Negative, we'd like to extend this stint.»
How? Are they stupid?
The tires were already quite worn out and in order to stay on track with the rain you were driving inevitably slower than everyone else, hence becoming prey of undercuts.
«Guys, we're losing time! It's raining too much!»
Unheard.
Neglected.
Nobody answered.
You sighed, frustrated.
«Thank you.»
#
The pale, yellow light of the panels installed around the track, reflecting through the thick layer of pouring water, struck Charles, who started gently braking, only to hear Xavi speak to him through the radio right after.
«Safety car deployed, safety car deployed! Keep the delta positive.»
Charles exhaled, relaxing a bit, as well as slowing down the car.
«What happened?» he asked, more out of habit than really meaning it.
As he carefully drove through Pouhon, his question was automatically answered: a car was smashed against the barriers, but he couldn’t even tell whose team the car was, due to the heavy rain.
«Fuck, who is it?» Charles asked his engineer, thinking how bad the impact must have been, considering how fast that specific corner was.
«I-it's y/n.»
Charles didn't hear.
His ears could suddenly capture the sound of the waterfall of rain crashing against the track, the engine and the power unit revving behind him, the cheers of the fans around the circuit. A piercing fear rummaged inside his bones, his stomach, crawling up his heart and clenching it, unable to process the information.
Not in Spa.
Anywhere, but there.
Anyone, but you.
«Is she okay? Did she get out? Is she hurt?»
«I will let you know,» his engineer answered, as calm as he could possibly be.
Charles urgently pressed the radio button once again.
«No, Xavi, I need to know! Please.»
«Copy, she's still in the car.»
«Is there any team radio or...?»
«Not at the moment, but I'll keep you updated.»
Charles stared intently at the red lights of the cars in front appearing and disappearing before his eyes through the rain.
He wanted to disconnect his brain, to forget everything, to focus on the race; but there was no way he could.
#
«Are you okay?» your engineer said, crackled.
Breathing in and out your mouth, heavy, tired, full of fear, you looked around you, unable to see anything due to the rain.
You pressed the radio button to answer, but you noticed the small activating light didn't lit up in the process.
The radio was gone.
Still breathing erratically, you bursted out crying.
Unheard.
Why did they leave you on slicks, aware of the danger?
Neglected.
The umpteenth race thrown to the wind, when you were fighting for good and well-deserved points.
Frustrated.
Your cries ricocheted inside your helmet, hoping someone would hear you, hoping someone would care, hoping efforts could be rewarded, sooner or later.
#
«She's out of the car, she seems to be okay.»
«Was she still on inters?» Charles asked his engineer, as he drove into the pitlane after the race had been red flagged.
«No, she was on mediums.»
Mechanics placing a gazebo upon the car to shelter him from the rain, Charles reasoned Xavi’s words, trying to make sense of them.
Everyone had stopped to put intermediate tires and, right before the safety car’s deployment, a lot of drivers already had boxed for full wets.
How could she possibly drive on slicks with those conditions? What sick strategy was that?
No, it could only be a joke.
«Mediums? Are you sure?» Charles double-checked, hoping his engineer had got confused.
«Yes, y/n hasn’t pitted since the race start.»
Charles’ chest filled up with a wave of rage and deep frustration, so strong he thought he wouldn’t be able to control himself and would get out the cockpit, running towards Alfa Romeo’s garage in order to ask them what their plan was, if it was an attempt to kill you or if they were fucking blind and couldn’t see the track’s conditions. He couldn’t bear it at all; not after what had happened in Spa’s rainy days, not after losing already two of his friends on track.
And Charles, while drops of rain were hitting the gazebo, indifferent to the mechanics’ movement around the car, sitting still with a downpour of feelings sliding off his hands, couldn’t even process that he had just risked losing you as well.
✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼
The fresh smell of grass and soil itched your nose, sharp and nauseous, fueling the tears gathering above your waterline. The sun was hidden behind the soft veil of clouds, casting a feeble light on the field.
A valley of grey marbles cut open new wounds.
Staring at it, you recalled your mother asking you to choose a picture you liked, but you immediately regretted seeing it plastered upon the grave: the happy memory behind it would've been forever merged with mourning, grief.
Death.
Birds chirped from high above a tree, drowning out your mother's weeps.
How do I keep them quiet?, you wondered.
How to fade out the inner noise, the chaos, the pain flowing out of your eyes?
You walked out.
Indifferent to the eyes pointing at you, indifferent to your mom crying louder, indifferent to her sorrow, you marched towards the gate out of Hell.
How were you supposed to watch your father being buried? Your dad, the one who taught you how to walk, how to race, how to love? How could you do that? How did people cope with it? How did your mother keep her composure, holding the handkerchief close to her nose so that no feeling would run out? How didn't she scream from the bottom of her lungs, losing her voice, scratching her skin with the nails, tugging at her hair while doing so?
Why was everyone seamlessly indifferent to him? Why did everyone stand his death like anything normal, a simple news to be heard and forgotten?
Did anyone but you love him at all?
How come you were the only one devastated by it?
Why did it amplify, ricocheting inside your soul, doubling, growing stronger and more unbearable?
Birds answered your sobs with a graceful melody, as a sudden ray of sun reached your shaking shoulder.
✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼ ҉ ҉ ҉ ҉ ✼
You managed to hold your tears before the cameras, pride poking your eyes.
You wouldn't give in to provocations and feed the journalists with whatever they were trying to gain from you; Charles had told you a bit about his own press experiences, he had advised you and you had agreed with each of his reflections, hence followed his suggestion.
You were stronger than that, and that was something you had learned from him: he had shown and proved it to you, how you didn’t need other’s approval and validation but your own.
Still, on the verge of falling down like glass and helplessly breaking in thousands of pieces, held back by anxiety and fear, you frantically looked left and right at the media pen in search of one person only. You had waited for him until the end of the race, your assistant long gone after your interviews, but you had felt incapable of facing the pouring rain and the walk of shame twice.
You had tried to enjoy the race from a small screen inside the pen but, to pretty much everyone’s dismay, Charles had been forced out of the track after the restart caused by your crash and had ended the race tenth after running third all along.
It wasn’t fair.
As soon as he stormed inside the interviews’ area, Charles halted his steps abruptly at your sight, almost about to leave the journalists hanging and bring you far away from worries and guilt. His assistant’s hand, though, reluctantly convinced him to first get done with his duties, but not without throwing a last glance at you, who still hadn’t noticed him and were searching for his appearance.
Once you did, you never lost sight of him, holding onto his frustrated body language, his shrugs full of disappointment.
And then it came sudden.
His hurried steps, his pained eyes, the pair of arms skillfully grabbing your waist, anchoring light, firm but not too tight: it made your world crumble and shatter once for all.
You both stayed silent, as tears reached your twitching chin and Charles wetted his lips, frowning, frustration visible through his tensed features. In a matter of seconds, he was already holding your hand, guiding you far away from the chaos, dragging you out of the suffocating atmosphere.
#
Charles flung his room’s door open and left your hand in order to lock it. Founding yourself in a safe place, alone, you sobbed louder, letting your brows clash upward, face crumpling. As he turned and saw you, a pang to his chest, he waited for you to crush inside his embrace.
What can I do?, he asked himself.
What was there to say? How could he erase mistakes from the script of your life, of his own? How could he make it beautiful and happy so that no tears, no sorrow had to be shed inside your souls?
«I gave everything,» you cried.
«I know,» Charles said to himself, caressing your cheek.
You drank in his touch, thirsty for love, but those words didn’t empty the box of sadness trapped beneath your chest.
It didn't feel enough to you.
«I gave everything for this, Charles,» you tried to say, voice cracking. «I…»
At the sudden thought of your father, you stopped talking and cried harder, filling a deafening silence.
«I know.»
Charles struggled to prevent his thoughts and breaths from running, so he tried to point all his attention upon you; putting strands of hair back in place, wiping tears away, keeping your face upward and fighting against its natural tendency to drop down.
But the more he looked at you, the more his own thresholds were being knocked over.
«My father...» you bit your lip.
«No, it's okay, y/n,» Charles immediately pulled you back into a hug. «It's okay, don't think about it.»
He couldn't listen to it.
He couldn't bear hearing from you to the thoughts he was trying to subside in his own mind. Every word was a stab, a crack through the wall, willing to create a breach.
However, you couldn’t surrender and suffocate in his hold everything you needed to say, so you rebelled and loosened the grip.
«It's not fair.»
«Y/n...» he almost pleaded.
«I don't deserve it. You don't deserve it, Charles! You...» you sniffed and sobbed before proceeding. «You are worth so much more than that.»
You saw his irises wavering.
Then, finally, a lonely tear slowly began travelling towards the side of his nose, nestling onto his skin.
«I don't know what to say.»
In the way his voice dropped and trembled, you knew that was the last straw.
You sat onto the couch, both at the same time, with slow movements, hands cupping each other’s faces.
You were so close you couldn't tell whether the tears falling onto the leathered couch were his or yours; there was something intrinsically intimate and desperate in crying that close, in receiving each other's sobs, foreheads touching, noses brushing.
There was nothing else to be said, words wouldn’t fulfill the purpose: a stronger bond, a deeper sharing replaced unsatisfying talking.
Crying had never tasted so sweet and purifying.
You didn't simply feel understood: you felt felt. It was two bodies and one soul, one shared fate.
And as one, you both leaned in, lips connecting softly.
As everything in your life, joy had chosen its place to spring amidst the storm, nurtured by the rain falling down, lacing sorrow and tears.
«I love you,» Charles said.
«I love you,» you said back, still crying.
«I love, y/n,» Charles breathed, leaving a kiss onto the corner of your mouth. «I love you...» he kept repeating, as a prayer, peppering kisses all over your face and then sealing his words onto your lips once more, hands holding your face as the dearest and most fragile flower of the world.
«I love you so much,» you whispered.
A smile crossed his face broken by sadness and mended it, like trails of gold gluing splinters of a vase.
«We shouldn't do it here,» you said, breathless.
Charles leaned in and stole another kiss from your lips, which you were completely unable to resist, hands unconsciously pulling him even closer.
As he broke the contact painstakingly slowly, about to smirk, Charles stopped only a few centimeters away from your face.
«Sure? You seem to like it.»
You jokingly patted his shoulder as you both smiled at each other, getting your bodies the farthest they had been in ten minutes.
Sat upon a chest of drawers belonging to Charles’ preparation room, you stared at him, tracing with the sight his perfect features, the fireproof shirt draping him and clinging onto his skin, fingers playing with his bracelets, while you twisted the charm of the necklace he had gifted you, and you then gazed at his rosy lips, so bright and tempting.
He joined your hand and caressed the charm, only to close the gap between you two once again.
You had never made out with anyone so sweetly, so tenderly, going at a gentle pace, careful of vulnerabilities and wounds, lust being replaced by a soft yearning. A bloom of butterflies spread all over your body whenever Charles' hands unexpectedly moved, making you discover angles of skin you didn't even know you had, seeking refuge in the comforting warmth of his kisses.
«We need to go...» you tried to dissuade him after he began leaving quick pecks from the corner of your mouth down to your neck.
«Just five more minutes,» he moaned, still caught in his tantalizing kisses.
«My mom is waiting for me, Charles...» you laughed.
«Mine is too,» he briefly replied, without letting his lips stray from your skin.
«Another reason to go greet them.»
Charles looked at you, inhaling as to refrain from kissing you again.
«Fine,» he sighed. «Let's go. I also have a gift for you.»
«Really?»
Charles wiped your cheek as your whole face lit in joy.
«Yes. But let's get out of here quickly, please,» he pleaded, smiling.
#
«There you are!» your mom exclaimed, gesturing towards you and Charles walking in, a shy smile as you stood a little bit too close to him.
«I thought you had forgotten about us,» Pascale teased, following with the sight his son, who reached a bag abandoned on the floor and approached the three of you once again.
«Early Christmas!»
Charles handed a package to your mom, who opened her eyes wide, one to Pascale and, lastly, one to you.
«That’s so nice of you! Can I open it??» your mom asked, thrilled.
«Sure!» Charles smiled.
You watched her unwrapping the paper with excitement, gaping as soon as she recognized the jacket your father wore in the photograph she was holding.
«When did you take this picture?» Pascale joyfully asked, staring at the same framed photo your mom had.
«Must’ve been a long time ago,» your mom said, smiling, but voice low. «Thank you so very much, Charles!»
«It was y/n’s idea to print a copy for you,» he added, willing to point out the thoughtfulness was all yours.
Blushing a bit, you looked up at him, fluttered.
«C’mon, open yours,» Charles gently encouraged you, speaking in a lower tone.
But there was no surprise: it was, indeed, the cut-out picture you had talked about, with you two only. You had expected it to be funny, a photo you two would laugh at; however, as Charles’ hand joined yours in holding the frame and stared at the picture with you, out of the blue you sensed a soft and delicate aura you hadn’t perceived the first time, as if Arthur had caught you in an intimate moment no one should’ve seen or disturbed, inside a bubble of innocence and sweetness.
Pascale and your mother felt the same way looking at you two being lost in gaze, both holding the frame, so close to each other, and smiling like two idiots.
«Can we see it?» Pascale asked after an awkwardly long silence.
The spell being broken, you both tilted your head up at the question.
«Of course!» you stuttered, handing it over.
Your mom couldn’t help but flip her eyes between you and Charles, searching for the invisible string tying the two of you.
«Who would’ve thought you would meet again…» Pascale commented, handing the frame back to you.
Those words warmed Charles’ heart up, as memories of the last months played in his head: it was more than simply meeting again. It was bonding, connecting on a deeper level without really knowing why, the same way you had done that rainy day; taking care of each other, supporting through hardships and enjoying little, special moments together.
It didn’t feel real.
And deep down, recalling his feelings on that first time you met, he had known something was different about you from the beginning.
He definitely hadn’t seen the beautiful ending coming, both falling in love with each other.
But he loved every second of it.
#
As you walked back to the hotel in your mother’s company, she looked back at the pictures Charles had given you.
«You seem really happy, y/n.»
A bit taken aback by the statement, you glanced at her, trying to read into her words.
«I am,» you smiled, genuinely content.
«Is it because of Charles?» she asked.
You diverted the gaze, pressing your lips together in an attempt to hide the grin that was about to light up your face.
You had never felt so comfortable around anyone, protected by the harshness of the sport, free to be yourself, loving and loved.
It didn’t feel real.
For the first time in years, your mother didn’t fear leaving you deal alone with your life in the majority of your trips all over the world: she didn’t have to silently check over and worry about your health, both physical and mental, because she clearly saw happiness written inside your eyes, and she had acknowledged you weren’t alone.
«Maybe,» you rushed, with a mischievous grin, shrugging your shoulders.
«Does he make you feel good?»
At the question, your father immediately came to mind: you overlayed the feelings you had from happy memories in his company with some of the ones you’d had with Charles, and a suffused bliss permeated the both of them, almost blurring into each other.
You smiled, joyfully nostalgic.
«Yes, he does.»
When you received the call on Saturday evening, the bubble of happiness you had been trying to live in for a while plopped before your eyes.
In silence, staring at the void, you replayed Bravi’s words in your head over and over again, in search of the deeper meaning hidden beyond those.
Talking about the contract the day before a race, and not any, but Monza, which was pretty much home for the team, put you on the edge more than it would’ve normally.
It must be serious, you thought.
Exiting the hotel, you saw Charles still caught signing and spending time with fans after the stellar pole position he had taken in the afternoon; you tried not to get noticed, which you managed to do successfully, and sneaked out heading to the track.
#
«Hi, y/n. Please, sit down.»
You never stopped looking at him, watching every movement, fathoming the desk for signals and signs onto eventual sheets of paper that offered clues.
«There’s a race tomorrow.»
«I know. What about it?» he asked, baffled.
You deeply inhaled.
«You shouldn’t make huge decisions before a race, since it could affect the results of it.»
«Do you think I would do that if I knew it could deny us the chance to confirm the P5 you conquered in qualifying today?»
«I don’t know,» you shrugged.
Bravi backed down onto the chair and reached a drawer, picking up a folder from it and placing it in front of you.
«Audi is scoping the surroundings to find drivers suitable for the team and have them experienced and ready for its debut in the 2026 season. As you can imagine, it’s hard to sign contracts with drivers who are still under other teams and whose futures are still uncertain, so… they decided to take a look inside their own garden and, apart from the mistakes you’ve done due to inexperience, they were pleasantly impressed by your performance as a rookie.»
Gently smiling at your loss of words, Alessandro kept talking.
«They would offer a three-years contract, so that you would be part of the team throughout the transition to Audi as well and would be driving, of course, in 2026. To be fair, the contract looks more like a 1+2, since they still need to evaluate you next year… But it’s an incredible offer nonetheless, y/n.»
He moved the folder towards you with his fingertips.
«You can examine the contract with Todt, but please note that you have two weeks to either sign or refuse the offer.»
Here it was.
The passport to your dreams, the chance of your life being renewed in ways you had never even dared to imagine.
What had you done to deserve it?
You stopped that trail of thoughts immediately: you had worked so hard, you had been on the edge for months, reaping success but failures as well, partly dictated by the stress of the situation you found yourself in. Still, you had learned from it, you had improved, and everybody knew it, Audi knew it. It was time to let go of doubts, to judge and see yourself the same way others did, without dwelling on the negatives.
What did you need to do in order to prove you deserved it? How could you turn that news into grateful motivation?
There was only one answer.
«We’ll have it.» you said. «We’ll have that P5.»
#
«Good morn- fuck, it’s 9.20,» Charles growled, one hand still wrapped around your waist, the other one checking the time on his phone.
«Good morning to you too,» you chirped, turning around to face him and greet him with a quick peck on the lips.
You saw Charles slightly frowning with a smile.
«You seem really happy.»
«I am,» you admitted, looking down.
Adjusting a strand of your hair, he took the opportunity to lean in and kiss you; then, tender, he brushed the tips of your noses in a slowly intimate awakening gesture.
«Is it for the race?» he asked.
You raised your eyes up, in thought, then shook your head with a pout.
«Is it… because of me?» Charles smirked before bursting in a loud laugh, downplaying his own suggestion.
«Partly,» you answered, coquettish.
«Then what is it?» he asked, wrapping his arms around your body and bringing it closer to him, still grinning.
You diverted your gaze, smiling both at the thought of Audi’s offer and Charles’ curiosity.
«I can’t tell you yet.»
Disappointed but playful, Charles gently loosened his hold on you.
«Why not?»
«It’s not official,» you giggled.
He studied your expression with challenging eyes, then suddenly got on top of you, placing his hands at the sides of your head, so that you were trapped down between his detective stare and the pillow.
«So, now… What’s this unofficial thing that’s making you so giggly and happy?»
«Charles, I haven’t even talked with Nicholas about it…»
As he widened his eyes in surprise, only in that moment, you realized you had just slipped up mentioning you two’s manager.
«Did Alfa renew you??» Charles urged, now more serious.
«Kind of,» you replied, nonchalant. «Audi offered me a three-years contract. But, you know, they still have the chance to drop me at the end of next year, so…»
«And did you sign?» Charles asked.
«No, as I told you I still need to read the contract and evaluate it. But let’s be real, I don’t think I’m getting a better offer in two weeks…» you laughed. «I still can’t believe they’ve chosen me.»
«They did it because you deserve it. You’re talented, hard-working and you managed to achieve results the team hasn’t seen in years,» he said. «Also, despite some stupid journalists, fans support you and love you because they can see how much passion you put into driving, and everybody knows you are so…»
«So?» you waited for him to end the sentence.
«… Lovable,»
«This doesn’t seem like a very technical comment, Mr Leclerc,» you laughed, patting his chest.
«Was I supposed to be technical?» he asked, slowly bending down to slowly press his lips at the base of your jaw, right under the ear.
«No, you weren’t, but still,» you said, caressing his hair as he pulled away.
He took a few seconds to stare at you, trying to read your expression.
«Does it add pressure for today’s race?» he asked, his tone low, gentle, almost careful.
«No,» you answered, lost in thought. «They made the offer before today’s results, so that just motivates me even more for the race.»
«I’m so happy for you,» he added with a smile, getting close to give you a proper kiss. «And for us.»
Confused, you raised a brow as he settled back to your side.
«Waking up with you before free practice, warming up together ahead of qualifying… Making out to get ready for the race…»
As he ended the list smugly, you pat his shoulder, earning his heaven laughter.
«Travelling the world with you and sharing the passion that brought us together. Doing life with you, going at the same pace. Quite literally.»
At the pun, you couldn’t help but cackle.
«Don’t laugh, you’re quick with that little Alfa,» he pointed out.
«Little Alfa? Are we so insignificant to you?» you joked, still laughing.
«Of course not.»
You laid facing yourselves, both your pair of hands brushing, tracing with featherlike weight each other’s features, insatiable of touching, of closeness, of intimacy. No words were needed: silence was enough for you to communicate and bond, while everything else cluttered a background you didn’t even pay attention to.
You had never experienced anything like it, and it was the best feeling you’d ever had.
«Should we get up?» you whispered, scared to break the dreamy atmosphere.
«We still have a bit of time,» Charles said, caressing your forearm.
«Okay,» you smiled, completely content with cuddling in bed for a little bit more.
«Okay,» he murmured.
#
«Safety car in this lap, y/n.»
«Copy.»
Waving on the straight before the Parabolica in order to put your front tires into temperature, you mentally assessed the situation.
Rolling start.
Four laps ‘til the end.
Still P5.
You’d been extremely lucky the safety car had been deployed: you had stopped to put hard tires quite early in the race and your rear had been slipping for the last couple of laps, facilitating the comeback of Russel, who had been behind you all along, but at a safe distance.
Among the sea of information your engineer had provided, one thought prevailed:
let’s bring it home.
#
Smoke.
All you were able to see was a whitish cloud of burned rubber, which entered your nostrils and made you inhale the smell of fear, danger but, most importantly, of victory.
You quickly realized Perez had suffered a huge lock up braking towards turn 1: he ended up into Carlos’ rear, which caused the Spaniard to strike Verstappen as well, who was taking the outer side of the chicane to oppose Charles at the inside.
An absolute carnage you didn’t expect, and that you managed to avoid.
Driving through Curva Grande, you checked your mirrors waiting for one of those cars to appear once again, to no avail.
«Russel behind, at 1.5,» your engineer warned.
«What about the mess in turn one?» you asked, breathing heavily.
«They are in the middle of the group, but they all have damage, so they’re either stopping or retiring. No need to worry about them.»
«No red flag?» you questioned, scared of how big the risk would be for you if another restart was needed.
«No, they managed to keep going, it’s okay,» your engineer tried to reassure you.
But you couldn’t believe it.
Charles’ car was ahead of you, leading the race, and you followed pretty close, despite clearly not having the same pace as the Ferrari did, in second place.
#
Time had taught Charles there were different tastes of happiness.
To be fair, the one he had tried the most had the pinch of bitterness and loss in it, a much-demanded karmic price but probably not a sufficient reward for suffering.
Whenever sadness laced joy, tangling its dark tails around the golden rush, feelings doubled and echoed louder inside Charles’ chest, a nostalgic symphony resonating all over, marking memories with the indelible sign, every time.
But not that day.
He crossed the finish line waving in delight to celebrate his win in Monza, fans roaring strong enough to rock the world, a rude red awakening of passion.
It felt right, deserved, earned: shared with the explosive energy of Tifosi.
And shared with you.
Looking in his mirrors and seeing your Alfa made his beating heart swell in excitement and thrill, unable to fully process what was happening. Charles, being himself, would’ve loved fighting on track for the lead, in Monza, but he knew as well that his pace advantage was unfair and such a fantasy was unrealistic.
Though, through the lap of honor, waving at the grandstands, he frantically searched for your car and slowed down in order to proceed side by side, grinning with his whole eyes, raising a thumb towards you with might.
It felt like happiness lacing happiness, gold upon gold, far from being sickening, burning brighter than the sun.
Down the pitlane, he got out, standing on the nose of the car, throwing a fist to the sky as a loud roar followed his gesture in cheer. He ran, faster than he could, and threw himself inside the mechanics’ embrace and pats, sharing the rush and the adrenaline after achieving the dream win.
His name, like a chant, echoed through the crowd, numbing his senses and unlocking the secret drawer of emotions to open and overflow, pour down as warm rain nurturing the soil of his heart.
«Charles, here! Please, Charles!» the photographers asked for his attention.
In vain.
He had turned his head behind, searching for you, and he had found you: still sitting inside the cockpit, visor opened, hands reaching your eyes.
It took nothing else for his feet to carry him next to you and lean down, touching your shoulder with love, and he smiled.
You were shedding tears of happiness.
«Congratulations for your first podium. You were amazing,» he tried to let you know through the helmet.
You stared at him, incapable of speaking.
You wanted to congratulate him as well, you needed to express your love and affection and pride so much, yet felt speechless.
So, instead of talking, you started unfastening your helmet, and Charles involuntarily mirrored your movements. And as your balaclava freed your hair from its protection and you stood up gripping the halo with one hand, you did the only thing you were able to do: you pulled Charles close into a kiss. Your intention was for it to be quick, a simple and fast peck placed onto his lips in sign of gratitude; though, you didn’t feel surprised as you felt his arm wrapping around your waist to hold you up, deepening a kiss which was meant to be brief.
You both didn’t pay attention to the loud whistles, you were too lost into each other’s embrace; foreheads tenderly touching, rosy cheeks after an intense race, you two couldn’t help but grin, catching breaths.
«I love you,» you whispered.
«I love you more,» he replied, not as whispered, almost aiming to be heard, willing to let the entire world know.
And he showed.
Offering his hand to help you get out the cockpit, after you had just put down your feet to the ground, adrenaline still running high, Charles lifted you off bride-style and twirled around, both giggling.
Wiping off a tear and chuckling at the same time, you held your arms around his neck when Charles reached the interviews’ area and brought you back down.
Russel was still ecstatic and thrilled narrating his race while you and Charles faced each other, silently exchanging affectionate stares and speaking a few words.
«I’m so happy for you, gosh… You won, Charles!» you said, unable to contain excitement.
«It was hard, but it feels so good,» he exhaled, shutting his eyes in a tired and relieved motion. «And you don’t even know how special it is to share this win with you on the podium as well,» he added, caressing your cheek.
Up from your podium step, the sea of people flooding the track, the flags, the giant prancing horse pulsing in front of you was the scenery of a movie playing all years as a ritual, but you felt like it was the first time ever seeing it: the afternoons spent on the couch watching F1 with your father suddenly disappeared, leaving room for astonishment and the childish curiosity of toddlers before the amazing simplicity of the things.
Once you were handed the cup, feeling everybody’s eyes on you, especially Charles’ next to you, you raised the trophy to the sky, the crowd cheering for you. Among the choir of chants, voices, screaming Charles’ name, in that ocean of faces, in the clouds above the track, everything reminded you of your dad, and you could hear him cheering in joy for you.
Champagne already flying up in the air and drenching confetti falling down, Charles knew exactly what you were thinking as soon as he caught you scanning your surroundings, a bit lost in the overflowing feelings. He raised the champagne bottle forward, waiting for yours to join in a celebration toast.
Off guard, Charles started spraying champagne all over you, engaging in an endless war nobody could enter or halt, no chance to interfere or dissuade you.
You had your secret motives to celebrate; and you would both keep dancing under liquid gold until your arms got tired of holding, until your eyes got tired of staring, until your lips got tired of kissing.
Until your hearts got tired of loving.
I'm really sorry if there are typos or mistakes, but it was really hard to revise such a long fic. Hope you'll be understanding 🥺
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