Race for the Throne | Formula One

38. Worlds Collide

📸 charles_leclerc added to story:

The four of us were driven to Charles' apartment, where Pierre and Carlos would spend the night as they waited for their flights the next day. I texted my family to let them know that we were back. As soon as he walked through the door, Charles was hugged by his mother. Lorenzo took her place as soon as she released her middle son, before Arthur finally hugged him as well. I smiled at the scene, I loved seeing Charles with his family. Before I knew it, I was also wrapped up in hugs from the Leclerc family. Once Carlos and Pierre had also made it through the hug line, we all made our way to the kitchen where Pascale had food cooking for us.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, as she bustled around the kitchen before pointing to a paper she had left on the counter. "I found that drawing while I was cleaning the other day."

"I'm feeling well, after all I had these three looking after me." Charles laughed as I grabbed the paper before he could.

It was a drawing of a Ferrari formula 1 car. The lines were messy but the thought and effort was evident. It had obviously been drawn by a very young Charles.

"Shy?" I raised an eyebrow as I read the signature scrawled by a child's hand.

"Charles couldn't say his name when he was little, it would come out as Shy," Lorenzo explained. "So until he was able to say his name, he would sign things as Shy."

I smiled deviously at Charles. He sighed in resignation.

"Are you racing next week?" Arthur asked, sitting on the counter.

Charles looked over at his little brother. "Maybe? Hopefully. I have to go to the team doctor to get checks done and everything but when I talked to them with the doctors at the hospital, they said it seemed promising since I had the surgery."

A knock at the door interrupted us.

"Did you invite anyone else?" Charles asked his mother.

She shook her head.

"I didn't let anyone else into the building either," Arthur added.

"Who could it be then?" Charles asked.

Another knock sounded.

"Well they don't seem like they're going away," Pierre said.

Lorenzo shrugged before getting up from the stool he was sitting at and leaving the room to check the door. There was a shuffling and muted voices. Everyone looked around confused.

"I know who it is. Poor Lorenzo." I smacked my forehead.

"Who is it, love?" Charles' brow creased.

A slightly dazed looking Lorenzo re-entered the room followed by my family.

Pascale's eyes widened and she dropped into a curtsy. "Your highnesses."

"No need for formalities," my father said with a smile. "Please, call me Joseph."

My mother put the bouquet of flowers on the table and hugged Pascale. "And I'm Sabine. You must be Pascale. All three of your boys are so lovely, you must be so proud of them."

Arthur elbowed Lorenzo. "You good?"

"The royal family is standing in your kitchen and you're just sitting there," the oldest Leclerc muttered.

My brother joined them after greeting Carlos and making his introduction to Pierre. "If it makes it any easier, just think of us as your brother's girlfriend's family."

Lorenzo shook his head. "This is so surreal."

After a few moments spent asking how Charles was after the accident, groups split into different conversations. My mother joined Charles' mother in making food for us all. My father began a conversation with Lorenzo who looked vaguely dazed the entire time, while Alex talked with Arthur, Pierre, and Carlos. I bounced between the conversations, before finally noticing Charles off by himself.

"Everyone is here for you yet you're sitting here all by yourself." I sat next to Charles. "Are you ok, Shy?"

Charles smiled softly, taking my hand in his. "I'm happy, Kat. I know that there was an accident and everything but sitting here, watching our families and two of my closest friends meet, my heart is very full, my love. Even if you are calling me 'Shy' now."

I brushed the back of my hand against his cheek before leaning in and kissing him gently. "I'm glad you're happy, love."

He made circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. "This just feels very natural, like we're just a normal couple right now."

I rested my head on his shoulder and we sat there until our mothers called us over because the food was ready. We all sat around the table, we had to add an armchair and the piano bench to accommodate everyone.

My father had brought a few bottles of wine from his private collection which he opened to celebrate Charles getting back safely.

"I think my father loves you more than me, which is rude," I pouted at Charles.

"God forbid you two break up, but just know that if you do, I'm keeping him," my father teased.

Everyone laughed as my jaw dropped.

Our conversations and laughter went long into the night. Finally, when they all noticed that we were spending more time yawning than talking, everyone decided to end the night. My family left with Pascale and Lorenzo, discussing plans to host everyone at the palace for dinner some time. We locked up the apartment after them. Arthur grabbed blankets and pillows to make up a bed on the couch while Carlos and Pierre played a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who would get the guest room. Carlos cheered as paper beat rock. Pierre grumbled as he rummaged through his suitcase for his toiletry bag. We all got ready for bed before wishing each other all good night.

While Charles was in the bathroom, I pulled on one of his shirts over my underwear and crawled under the covers. He returned soon after, shirtless and in a pair of grey sweatpants. I brushed my finger lightly along the lines of his chest, my eyes focused on the remains of a burn on his neck. It wasn't too bad considering all the fireproof clothing the drivers wear but due to the angle of the crash some of the burning car had managed to land on him. He also had a few burns on his hands and feet. The doctor had said that they would heal and probably only leave faint scars, not noticeable to most.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

"Will you be scared?" I looked up at him. "When you get back in the car, will you be scared?"

"Until I get back into the car, I can't say anything for certain but no, I don't think so. I've had other crashes and I've always been able to get back in. The day that I'm scared, is the day I stop racing." He was serious when he answered.

I nodded, accepting this. "I hope you aren't scared."

"Hmmm, you like having a boyfriend who's an F1 driver?" he chuckled and pulled me closer.

I pressed my hand to his chest, leaning back so I could look him in the eye. "I feel that you have a lot more to give and I think it would be a shame if you weren't able to accomplish everything you're capable of. I want everyone to be able to see how incredible I already know you are."

He kissed my forehead, voice choked up. "Thank you Kat."