𝐄𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡. ||𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐳 𝐣𝐫.

11| Heroes

It wasn't hard to convince Carlos out of his room. He had grown bored of it rather quickly, considering most of his hobbies were forbidden on him.

Although minor, his injuries still had to be taken into consideration. So, he had to avoid using his hands as much as he could, which had left him dully staring at the ceiling.

When Ophelia offered him to visit Paris, he was rather skeptical. But she'd told him -while shoving a raisin roll into her mouth- that a bit of fresh air before the next race will do him more good than harm.

She'd assured him that his hands will be fine as long as he kept them unexposed to the sun, which wasn't going to be so difficult.

They might have been in the middle of July but the clouds weren't shy to cover the sky.

"And besides, you owe me a favour." She'd said while wiping the crumbs from the corner of her lips.

And she was right, Carlos did owe her a lot.

Not for looking after him since the race, or barging into his room unusually early to tend to his wounds, she wouldn't accept recognition for her responsibility.
But for sticking around that night, for making sure he was safe, for those two aspirin pills.

Although he'd thanked her plenty, she'd dismissed his thanks and asked (ordered) him not to mention it, yet he didn't think it was enough.

So, he rubbed his chin and thoughtfully hummed before accepting her offer.

He couldn't understand the slight relief he read on her face, but he brushed it off. Perhaps she needed some fresh air too.

______________________________________

The train station wasn't as crowded as Ophelia thought it would be, fortunately.

The loud chattering and the occasional ringing of upcoming trains was distracting enough to take any attention that Carlos's thick sunglasses and horrendously white surgical mask could potentially attract.

Since their arrival, they've been careful to be as discreet as they knew how to be. It was usually easy for Ophelia to sneak around and go unnoticed, but it was more challenging with Carlos around.

His built and broad shoulders were recognizable anywhere, and taking into consideration the recent GP, she was willing to bet that over half the people here knew him.

"I got the tickets," she told him as they stood behind a pillar far from the crowd. "The train will be here in a minute."

She shoved the tickets into her pockets and looked back at Carlos who leaned on the wall.

"This," she started as she looked him up and down, "this is an incredibly stupid idea."

"What are you talking about?"

He tilted his head and crossed his arms, the fabric of his jacket tightening with his movements.

Ophelia rubbed her temple.

"The sunglasses, the cap, the mask? If anything you look even more suspicious."

"Oh sorry, you'd rather I take them off?" He shot back.

"Sometimes, the best way of avoiding attention is by not trying to. And besides I'd just rather we took one of your planes."

"They're not my planes, so no, we can't. And you didn't want to drive us."

"Excuse me for I didn't want to drive your great Ferrari, do you know how much trouble I'll be in if I get us killed?"

"I have a golf, you could've just asked."