when the visor goes down | formula one oneshots

i like the way you lie - carlando

"It's alright, because I like the way you lie."

They say, if you change teams, you leave everything behind, even the teammate you considered a friend.

Carlos always thought this wouldn't happen to Lando and him. When he left McLaren he never had a single doubt, that he would forget him. Their bond seemed so special, it could get over everything. Like, everyone else even knew they had something special, because it always showed. 

Now, he is looking at Lando and it's not the same as it once was.

Carlos still tried to make time for Lando in their busy schedules but it seemed like he's the only one of them doing that.

He missed him.

While he gets messages that Lando is busy, he sees him golfing with Max, playing paddle with Daniel or just spending time with literally every other driver but him.

Well, the only other driver he nearly spends no time with is Charles. It's like he suddenly got an allergy against Ferrari or anything red.

Carlos can't help but feel hurt. He doesn't know what to do anymore. They are in the tenth race this season and every weekend he asked Lando to spend some time with him. The only time he succeeded, was when they planned a dinner with all the drivers after a race. 

Not everyone could make it, but half of them were there.

But even if they shared the same room, Lando barely talked to him. He was giving most of his attention to Daniel, listening to all the stories he told all evening long.

Shortly after the dinner he was too tired to reach out to Lando again. 

When he announced that he would leave, Charles must've sensed why. He sat directly across from Carlos, so he saw how Carlos embarrassed himself just to get Lando's attention for a short moment. After a quick exchanged look, he decided to accompany Carlos. 

When they stepped out of the restaurant, it seemed like Charles wanted to offer his ear to talk, but one look was enough for him to understand that Carlos wasn't able to talk and also wouldn't won't to, so he accepted it.

Yet Carlos knew, if he wanted to talk about it, he could.

•

Now, a week has passed after their dinner. It was Thursday and the next race weekend was just around the corner. 

Today was media day, as always and Carlos was truly not in the mood for that today. 

It was just work today, no fun challenges, no silly games just difficult questions and seriousness.

At least he shared the press conference with Charles today.

When the two of them made their way into the building of the press conference, he realized he didn't even knew, which other drivers would be there. 

He would find out soon, he guessed. 

When Charles opened the door, Carlos heart dropped. 

On the couch, already sat were Max, Daniel and Lando of course.

Charles looked at him.

"I can tell them you don't feel well."  he whispered, his voice worried.

Carlos shook his head.

"I got you, that's enough." he smiled weakly.

"Okay, I got you."