Abrade - [Charles Leclerc] A Sequel To Corrode

Sette

WARNING: mention of blood, weapons, human trafficking, abuse (nothing major, but just being the responsible author here by mentioning it).

          "Dude, I'm not dying yet," Mick said, even though his hands were shaky as they kept the bloody towel to his stomach, right where he was shot. Jules looked between his brother and Mick. Jules wasn't even shot, but he looked as pale as the guard who was lying on the cold floor, a jacket underneath his head. Mick was sweating, the droplets resting on his forehead. "Yet," Liam muttered, feeling uneasy at the sight of the little pool of blood that rested under Mick's body. His face scrunched up in pain, and he tried to control his breathing pattern, but it started to get hard. The boys perched up when they heard keys twisting in the lock of the door. Liam got up, his hands wrapped around his gun as he peaked around the corner. He saw his father coming in first, and he relaxed instantly. Charles lowered his weapon when he saw Liam, putting it behind the belt of his slacks. Pierre followed in behind him, a couple more guards filling the hallway before Carlos appeared as well. Sebastian was the last one to get it. Liam's eyebrows raised at the sight of the older German. Mr. Vettel had retired from the job a couple of years ago, but he had heard some rumors about him giving medical help to some crews here and there.

His father never wanted to confirm nor deny it, but here were his answers. "Where's the patient?" Sebastian asked, having his bag with him as he pushed some of the guards out of his way. "Fuck off, you old fuck," Mick rasped from the living room, which soon became a cough. "I could also let you die here, you know," Sebastian muttered, getting some gloves on before getting scissors and cutting Mick's blood-drenched shirt open. "Where's mom?" Jules speaks up for the first time since his father had come back. He got up, wiping his hands on a towel. "She's at home," Charles replied, looking over at his son. Jules nodded slowly, swallowing hard as he knew the hard look in his father's eyes. When this was over, whether it ended good or bad tonight, he was going to face a long night in Charles' office. Mick's groans interrupted Jules' thoughts, and he looked over at the guard, who he also considered his friend. He felt guilty for bringing Mick into this. He hated that he couldn't solve it himself and that he needed to call Charles to fix his mess. Liam seemed to be least concerned with that at the moment, as he helped Sebastian while he plucked the bullet from Mick's abdomen. A bullet that could have killed a special member of their family.

It felt like hours went by until Sebastian finally got Mick all stitched up. He was exhausted, both the hobby surgeon if he could call Sebastian that, and Mick as well. "He lost quite some blood, but he will be okay after a while," Sebastian said, making sure the bandages around Mick's stomach were wrapped tightly. "Everything outside is clear," Pierre mentioned, who had been watching the door to make sure no one had followed them. "Get the car ready," Charles ordered. "Dad, I-..." "Shut up," Jules was harshly cut off by his father. "We're going home. We'll talk there." Charles sucked in a deep breath and marched towards the front door. Pierre's hand landed on Jules' shoulder, squeezing the skin of the younger Leclerc before urging him towards the door as well. Sebastian helped Mick up, who groaned in response, nearly unable to walk. "I better get a drink when we're home," Mick muttered. "I think you'll be in another universe the moment you lay down, buddy," Sebastian chuckled, dragging him out of the house while Liam followed. He got into the car with Jules, as he rather avoided his father. Jules let his head fall back against the headrest of the seat as Liam started the car, letting the Audi roar to life.

"We messed up," Jules spoke up. "You messed up," Liam corrected his brother, looking over at him, making Jules groan harder. "You were so desperate to connect with Joao. Mick warned you, and you didn't listen," Liam said. "How do I explain it to dad? He's so fucking mad," Jules continued. "Just be honest. You should be more afraid of mom," Liam let out a soft chuckle as he took a turn and looked over at Jules again. "Mick has been her guard for as long as I can remember, and you nearly took him from her. You heard how she broke down when you called her," Liam said, making him feel more guilty. Jules gnawed down at his bottom lip, not wanting to think of the moment of this afternoon again. His mother's voice had sounded so fragile before his father took it from her, coming to business as usual. "I wish the times were as easy as our pizza being cut while watching Cars," Jules complained, causing his brother to snort. "Dude," Liam said. "That makes two of us."