One is the Loneliest Number

Out of control

20th of May, 2023
Monte Carlo, Monaco

Lunch with Pierre stretched on a bit, as both drivers talked about Charles' new "relationship". Leclerc was particularly interested in knowing how Gasly knew, and why he had always suspected the Monégasque's sexuality. "If you look hard enough you can see it" was his answer, which left Charles wondering if his family also knew. Or his dad, even. He regretted never telling his father the truth. But again: not even he knew it at the time.

"It's funny how quick things change" he pondered, after saying goodbye to Gasly and walking to his flat. "Six already" he concluded, after looking at the clock.

The Monégasque left his phone on the kitchen counter and went for a shower, expecting Max to come over whenever. After coming back with only a towel around his waist, Leclerc unlocked his mobile, which he left on mute for most of the time.

"Seven missed calls?" He frowned. Every single one from Arthur. Charles became immediately worried something serious might have happened to someone in the family. God forbid. After ringing for some time, the younger Leclerc brother picked up.

"Ça va? S'est-il passé quelque chose?" (What's up? Something happened?)

"Étais-tu sur Twitter aujourd'hui?" (Did you check on Twitter today?)

"Non... Que s'est-il passé, Arthur?" (No... What happened, Arthur?)

"Tu étais au restaurant avec Max ce matin?" (Were you by chance on a restaurant with Max this morning?)

"Oui?" (Yes?). He replied, in a confused manner.

"Apparemment, quelqu'un a enregistré une partie de votre conversation. Elle est maintenant partout." (Well, apparently someone recorded a part of your conversation. It is now everywhere)

"Attendez." (Hold on)

Charles' heart raced as he opened Twitter on his phone and saw that "Lestappen" was the number one trending topic. Under the hashtag there were various videos from TikTok. It was from the restaurant he had just left, and someone had seemingly recorded the three F1 drivers chatting. The distance was enough to make most of it inaudible, but then Max started talking a bit too loud.

"Well, you want to know the truth, Charles? I realized I want you. I realized I never had a real interest in dating, and only began going out with Kelly because she and Penelope gave me a family life I never had. Maybe I had been hiding my true nature from the beginning because of my shitty dad and the fucking pressure of racing, but the truth is I like you, and I always did since you threw me and my kart on that puddle in the Euro Series."

The video ended when Charles picked up Max's hand.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck" he thought, panicking.

"Je dois y aller, merci de m'avoir prévenu." (I have to go. Thanks for the heads-up)

He hung up on Arthur, immediately searching for Max on his contacts. While it was ringing, Charles heard his bell, and then a cellphone ringing outside his door. The Monégasque ran to his room and put shorts and a white t-shirt on before attending to the sound.

– Judging by your face, you already saw it? – Max judged Leclerc's expressions after he opened the door. The Dutchman held his phone on one hand and a bouquet of flowers on the other. Weirdly enough, Verstappen had a pretty relaxed face on. He proceeded to turn his mobile off.

– What are we going to do? – Charles put his phone away, rubbing his face with one hand.

– Well, I thought you were the one who said we shouldn't care about the media. – Max chuckled.