Charlos || Charles Leclerc x Carlos Sainz Jr.

Austria

Suddenly the car was slowing down, right before he was about to pass Daddy V and secure a 1-2 finish for Ferrari. Carlos hit the steering wheel in frustration. "No no no!" He heard himself saying.

The car rolled to a stop off the track. No. It was rolling back. Shit.

Someone was yelling over the radio. He wasn't paying attention. A burning smell hit his nostrils and all he knew was that he had to get out of the car... quickly.

Someone was running towards him with a fire extinguisher. He struggled to stand up and reached out a hand for someone to help pull him out. They wouldn't get there in time. Smoke was starting to waft towards him from the back of the car in thick clouds.

Carlos managed to get both arms out of the cockpit and lifted himself up. He leapt out of the car as two others had finally reached it, trying to put out the flames.

A wave of relief washed over him as the adrenaline subsided, but when the fire was put out and he was standing a safe distance away, relief was replaced with pain.

He would have been back on the podium with Charles. He could have pretended that things were back to the way they were. They would have celebrated together, and Charles wouldn't worry because it would be expected. They could have talked and laughed, and pretended everything was okay. He took a seat at the edge of the grass and buried his head in his hands. ​​Charles Charles Charles Charles.

🏎 🏎 🏎

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Lando said as soon as he saw Carlos after the race.

"Thanks, man," Carlos replied, "you did well today!"

Lando shrugged without responding. He watched Carlos's eyes move away from him and he followed his gaze to Charles, who was smiling broadly, accepting congratulations from everyone. He pulled Carlos into a hug. "How about mac and cheese and chicken nuggets at my place?" Lando whispered, hoping to cheer Carlos up.

Carlos returned the embrace, and paused before responding, "maybe."

Lando nodded in understanding, pulling away to place a hand on his shoulder. "Sorry about the race," he said, smiling sadly.

Carlos smiled back. "Don't be."

Charles watched Carlos intently, seeing the way his eyes lit up when he first saw Lando. Watching them laugh and hug and whisper to one another about things Charles would never know. And Lando. Lando had this sick puppy dog look when he talked to Carlos. It was a look that made something possessive light up in Charles. He wanted to march over there and wrap his arms around Carlos to let the world know that Carlos was his, but he didn't. Instead, Carlos was now walking towards him.

"Amazing job!" he said, and Charles smiled automatically, accepting a hug from Carlos. Carlos tried not to notice how Charles tensed up, hugging him back stiffly. "Congratulations," Carlos said when he pulled away.

Charles nodded, "Thanks. Sorry to hear about your car." His voice was strained and he was looking over Carlos's shoulder at the McLaren driver behind him.

Carlos didn't see that, all he saw was the pained look on Charles face, and decided it was best to leave him be. "Eh, shit happens," he replied. Maybe he'd try to text him later.

🏎 🏎 🏎

Charlotte had called to congratulate Charles on his win, but the conversation quickly turned into Charles spilling his relationship drama.

"I mean I can see it both ways," Charlotte said after Charles had explained the situation. "It is pretty suspicious that he didn't tell you they used to boink, but I can't blame him for hanging out with an old friend when you're obviously being sort of distant."