One is the Loneliest Number

Revelations

20th of May, 2023
Monte Carlo, Monaco

Charles opened up his door, expecting to see Pierre, whom he was anticipating in a couple of minutes.

– Hi. – Max smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

Leclerc widened his eyes, surprised by the Dutchman's appearance. Judging by his recent Instagram posts, he was supposed to be in Belgium, enjoying the free time caused by the cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix with his family. And Kelly. "I guess that's a perk of having a private jet", Charles thought, "you can be everywhere when you want. But why here?"

– M-Max! Hey! What are yo- I mean, what a surprise! – The Monégasque tripped on his words, overwhelmed by the situation.

Pierre should arrive at any minute now, and he wanted to talk to his friend exactly about the man standing in front of him, and the new feelings he came to develop.

– Yeah, I'm sorry about not announcing myself. – Verstappen rubbed his hands together, exhaling nervousness. – I just thought we left things unfinished. You know, in Baku...

– Oh yeah, that. – Charles played the whole thing down, as if their moment after the race had been something casual and easily forgettable. As a matter of fact, it had been in Leclerc's mind every day since.

– I think we need to... You know... Sit down and talk? – Max half-heartedly asked.

– Yeah, yeah, of course. – Charles half-smiled, thinking about Verstappen's intentions. "This could either go very right or very wrong" he reflected, not knowing what he himself wanted. – It's kind of a bad time right now...

Leclerc really didn't want to send Max away, especially after the Dutchman's long trip back to Monaco, seemingly with the sole intention of talking to him.

– Oh... That's OK. – Verstappen looked relaxed, and even briefly smiled, but Charles saw, deep in his eyes, a note of disappointment.

– Max! – Both of them heard the distinctive French accent of Pierre Gasly behind them, who had just seem them through the lift's door. – What a surprise!

– Hey. Pierre! – The Dutchman turned himself and greeted the Frenchman with a very fake smile, not very amused by the fact his moment with Charles had been interrupted. As the Ferrari and Alpine drivers acknowledged each other, Max suddenly put a concerned face on. – Oh, am I... Like, interrupting something?

– I thought Charles and I were going for lunch. – Pierre looked at his watch, and then at the Monégasque's face. Leclerc didn't want to ditch neither one of them, but the conversations he wanted, or needed, to have with either one weren't possible in the presence of the other.

Max would normally excuse himself and just come back later, or do whatever he needed to do through WhatsApp, but this one was too important. He had bailed on the last two days visiting his mom with Kelly and Penelope and boarded his plane to Monaco early this morning, all the while hosting thoughts about Charles, and what they were meant to be. He wasn't going to postpone this conversation.

– Of course. – Leclerc grinned, still in an impossible position. – Max just... Well, he and I wanted to...

– Surely he can come with us. You up? – Gasly threw the invitation in the room, in the most casual manner possible. Verstappen was surprised, and his elevated eyebrows showed that.

– Oh... Yeah... Why not? – The Dutchman answered, trying to make the best out of the situation. – Is this OK with you, Charles? – Both turned to the Monégasque standing in his own doorway.