F1 One Shots

#33 Checo - Punch

MARISOL POV.: It's Friday again, and we're in Hungary for the last race before summer break. First half a year wasn't easy for me and Checo, as we both transfered from Racing Point, now Aston Martin, to Red Bull, him as a driver, me as his PR. As he said, he doesn't want anybody else than me in this position. We're close friends, and we trust each other with everything so it's not weird for me. But working with him that close is very hard for me around a year now... Why?! Because I developed some deeper feelings for him, and I think he doesn't feel the same way... It's hard, but I'm his friend and he counts on me, just like the team...
Right now it's the middle of first free practice, so both Checo and Max are on track, testing different compounds and strategies, which might be useful during the weekend. I really hope that they will do the best... Gap between Max and Lewis in championship battle is smaller because of the accident and Hamiltons' win in Silverstone two weeks ago, and Checo finished out of points, what caused him to fall from 3rd to 5th behind Norris and Bottas. What I think is that he needs to finish at least 2 positions higher than Valtteri to be 4th, and he'll catch Lando in next races, as he already proved he can. As about championship, teams started to announce their line-ups for next year, and the rest of the drivers are in talks with their or different teams. Sergio and I are keen to stay with Red Bull, and are not really nervous about it. Christian and Helmut said themselves that they want hold Albon in DTM for at least one year more, and Pierre is AlphaTauri's star, so they don't want to change that too soon. So we're not really concerned about that, and are pretty positive that Checo will stay with the team for at least next year. They're happy with him, and he's happy with them, so there's no point in taking risks and changing teams. Besides, he finally has a car competitive enough to show the world what he's capable of and fight for high positions and wins.
-He's doing OK...- Kenzie said and sat next to me on the stool.
-Yeah. It feels quite strong for him..- I agreed - How is Max?
-Thankfully good. I was really worried, so was Jos...- she exhaled loudly.
-That's good. It looked really scary...
-Tell me about it!- Kenzie shoke her head.
After that we talked, to kill the time. When FP1 ends, we'll have a break before FP2, so time to rest a little. We could clearly see that the boys were doing good job. FP1 ended with Max being first, and Checo on 8th position, so not bad. After all, that was only free practise...
Shortly after, mechanics pulled both cars inside and boys jumped out of them. That's when Kenzie got back to Max's part of the garage to talk to her boyfriend and I made my way to Checo with his cap, mask and water bottle.
-How was it?- I asked him, when we exchanged things. He handled me his helmet and balaclava and I passed him bottle and cap with mask inside.
-Not bad, but not excellent. Still a little work to do I think...
-OK. We both know that there always is work to do, so don't stress about it- I smiled at him.
-You're right. As always...
-Ay, stop it!- I chuckled and he laughed a little - Come on! You need to eat something before next season!- I added with small smile.
-Checo! Come here for a second?!- Adam, his first mechanic yelled to us.
-Give me a few minutes, ok? I need to talk to him...- Perez flashed me a gentle smile.
-OK- I agreed and gave him the space he needed, while I checked our duties for today, after FP2 on my phone. Luckily, it wasn't much to do...
In no time the short briefing with mechanics ended and Checo was free to go, so we left the garage to go to hospitality and eat something. On our way there, we met a few team guests who wanted a picture or a autograph from him, so we stopped quite a few times. And to add to that, whole grandstands were yelling for him. I not really know why, but felt at that moment, that I want to punch every single person who wanted his attention. Especially all the female fans who were batting their eyelashes at him in flirty manner.
Along the walk, happily, we met Xavi, Adam, Max and Kenzie, so we joined them for lunch, and wasn't stopped so much since then, which I liked. There, we took our food and sat down together on the table. Topics were different, we talked about things work related and those ones more private. It was very easy and calm environment...

After the lunch, we seperated our ways and go out. Max and Kenzie went for a walk around the paddock Adam and Xavi needed to talk with Christian about something and me and Checo decided to go to his room, to chill a little.
I locked us inside and Sergio laid down on the bed, whilst I made myself comfortable on a very comfy armchair.
-What we need to do after FP2?- Checo asked me and lifted his arms above his head.
-Just a few interviews and a meeting with Christian, so not much...- I told him with light smile -Want me to go over the answers and questions with you again?
-Not really, Gracias.
-De nada- I nodded and focused on my phone, which resulted in nice and comfortable silence.
-Sol?
-Hmmm?- I hummed in response, not looking at him from my phone.
-What's going on?
-What do you mean?
-Don't act like you don't know- he corrected me in gentle, but worried manner -For few weeks now you seem distant and not always focused. What's going on?- he was right. For a few weeks now my feelings for him erupted like a volcano and I couldn't really focus on my job. But I hoped it's not that visible...
-It's nothing really...- I wanted to brush it off, with my heart pounding like crazy in my chest.
-Sol... I know you long enough to know that's not true! What's going on?- he asked worriedly, as he sat up and reached for my hand, to give it a gentle squeeze.
-Well...- I exhaled loudly, looking at our joined hands rather than his face. I really appreciated the fact that Checo wasn't pushing me more, instead waiting for my answer -It's just...
-Que?- Sergio asked gently, locking his gaze with mine.
-I just can't take it anymore...!
-What?
-It's just when someone says your name I can't help, but look and feel like I'm about to punch someone since I can't have you... I really care about you, Checo, and it's killing me to think that some day you'll fall in love with someone else and I'll be just your best friend...- I finally managed to tell him everything. It felt like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders.
-You'll never be just best friend Sol...- he replied gently, after a few minutes of hard silence. His answer really took me by suprise -I care about you more than a friend for a long time now...- he clearifide with small smile on his lips. But his eyes told it all.. Many emocions were there, but pure and unconditional love was topping them all...
Before I said or did anything, Checo stood up from the bed and took those few steps to stand right in front of me and pulled my hand to make me stand. When I did, his soft lips landed on mine in sweet and loving kiss, which I instantly returned. My stomach was flipping and I felt those "butterflies" inside me.
We kissed for quite some time, very happy and catch up in the moment, which none of us minded.
After we lost breath, we pulled back and locked gazes, full of love and joy.
-Te quiero Amore...
-Yo tambien te quiero- I replied without thinking, and we kissed again, very happy.
Then, we sat down on his bed and talked a little, positioned against the wall behind it. Just sitting there with him, that close, and feeling his strong arms around me made me smile.
Before we knew it, it was almost time for FP2, so Xavi came in. Luckily we managed to pull away just in time, to keep our new relationship a secret. Then, I left the boys and joined Kenzie in the garage, while Xavi and Checo streached a little before the next session.
It was time for FP2 in flashlight, and they got Checo ready. Right before he stepped into the car, I walked to him.
-Watch out, have fun and give everything from this car. Don't worry about anything else...- I told him and gave him his helmet and balaclava.
-I'll. Don't stress about it- he said and flashed me warm smile. We fist bumped and then I kissed the top of his helmet. It's kinda like a ritual for us, so the team didn't feel it strange.
-Be careful...
-I will- he assured me calmly, and then sat in the car. Then, I patted his helmet lightly, and let him train. Even then I couldn't help to smile at him... I just could feel inside me that we'll be the happiest from now on. No matter what the future will bring....
THE END

So they're finally happy together...
What future holds for them?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
Have a nice day! / Goodnight!
F.