Same but... different (Lestappen and Carlando)

Chapter 10

Important!
There's gonna be a few Spanish conversations in here, but the translation will be right after in between parenthesis! (I just love that language so yeah, that's for all hispanohablantes out there, I hope I didn't make too many mistakes, don't hesitate in telling me ;) and French too btw.

PS: the address is obviously invented and probably doesn't make sense but hey, it's a book after all!

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POV: Lando

I still feel pretty moved by all of the events of today, as we arrive in Carlos' country. The flight was actually so nice, and I really enjoyed it, loving every moment spent with my Spanish friend. As I'm thinking about him, the Smooth Operator turns his attention back on me, as we wait for the taxi to get here.

— So Lando, since you're here you will need to learn a bit of Spanish, okay? Come on, try what you know already.

— Alright, I think I can do this, I'm very good at learning things! I say triumphally, not really believing it though.

— Hmm, so go ahead! By the way, the taxi is supposed to arrive in like 10 minutes, that's what the app says.

— Okay! Buenas noches? Eh... Hola? Me llamo Lando and uh... Soy lago. (good night? hello? My name is Lando and... I am {a} lake)

He suddenly bursts out laughing, and I join him not really knowing why he's laughing.

— Why are you laughing Carlos? What did I say?

— Are you... a lake?? The amusement in his voice is still present.

— Oh god... I mean, yeah, what's wrong with identifying as a lake? I refuse to admit any mistake and start playing around with him.

— Hum, well, nothing obviously, you're just supposedly very large and wet.

As we both listen to what he's saying, a strange silence falls and we exchange looks before bursting out laughing. I'm almost crying and can barely breathe correctly as I remember at the same time the strange "discovery" that the security man made in Carlos' luggage. The only words able to escape my mouth are mixed and muffled by the laughs, my chest hurting from all the laughter.

— Oh my god Lando, the taxi is here and we are a proper laughing mess, says the Spanish driver in a broken voice

— I- I know, I can barely say before finding myself crying of laughter again.

— We must be tired to be laughing that much, let's go, the car is here! He says while signalling a taxi car, and kindly offering to take my luggage. I accept and we hop in the car.

— ¿Buenas noches señor, es usted Pedro? (Good evening Sir, are you Pedro?) He checks that we didn't confuse drivers.

— Sí, soy yo. ¿A dónde vamos? Oh, ¿eres Carlos Sainz Jr? Un placer conocerte, ¡eres un honor para nuestro país! (Yes it's me. Where do we go? Oh, are you Carlos Sainz Jr? It's a pleasure meeting you, you're a honour for our country!)

— Muchas gracias Pedro. La dirección es 32 calle de las palomas, en los alrededores de Madrid. (Thanks a lot Pedro. The address is 32 street "las palomas", in the surroundings of Madrid)

— Oh vale, no será muy largo, pueden sentarse los dos en el fondo si quieren, los dejaré hablar tranquilo. Es que ya es tarde aquí. (Oh okay, it won't be long then, you can both seat in the back if you want, I'll let you chat privately/undisturbed. It's already late here!)

— Vale gracias. (alright thanks) He then translates for me, and we both choose to sit in the back.

I wasn't expecting to be so close to him though, because all of a sudden, our thighs are touching because of the proximity. It's not that it bothers me, not at all, but I suddenly remember what my now ex-girlfriend told me just a few hours ago and a shiver runs down my spine. Could I really be attracted to men? And most importantly, if that was hypothetically the case, would Carlos be the one instigating those feelings in me? All those questions without answers running in my head, and the fuzzy feeling back in my chest really start concerning me. But maybe I am just tired, after all it's been a long day.