Same but... different (Lestappen and Carlando)

Chapter 16

POV : Lando

As soon as we get out of the water to dry, I notice the prominent bulge in Carlos' pants, but don't say anything. I shouldn't look anyway, why would I say about this? But I can't help myself and continue staring, before quickly taking the towel he's handing me.

— Are you hungry? He then asks me, while distractingly rubbing his towel across his body.

I know I shouldn't keep eyeing the Spanish man like that, but something about him just attracts my attention, and he looks so stunning it's unfair. But it's also a pleasure to be able to watch such a beautiful view right now. I shake my head to focus and answer him.

— Yeah I could eat!

— Me too, I'm starving actually, I'm curious about what my parents made also!

And we return inside, throwing some t-shirt and pants on to look presentable enough. A nice smell fills the air and I feel good, simply happy to be there. Carlos' dog, Piñon, runs towards us as soon as he sees us, and I welcome him with a smile. I've learned to not fear him, and he's actually very cute so it only feels natural petting him and giving him a few head scratches.

— Carlos, Lando, venid a comer! (Carlos, Lando, come eat!) Carlo's dad suddenly calls us, and we listen to him by stepping into the kitchen.

— Cariño, me ayudas con los platos por fa' ? (Darling, can you help me with the dishes/plates please?)

As Carlos' mother asks him this, I suddenly notice that it's the same thing he uses to call me. Curious, I'm about to ask but the Ferrari driver is quicker, putting some plates in my hands and asking me nicely to go set them on the table, pushing me lightly towards the living room.

Feeling much more curious now, I fake to follow his demand and stay hidden right behind the corner out the door, trying to listen to the conversation, and decipher everything I can with my broken Spanish.

— Qué pasa hijo, porque le empujaste así, de prisa? ¿Dije algo malo o qué? (What happens my son, why did you push him like this, so quickly? Did I say something wrong?)

— No, no, qué no mama... Simplemente, ¿puedo pedirte algo? (No, no, absolutely not mom... It's just... Can I ask you something?) His voice sounds a bit unsure, almost shy.

— Pues claro, lo que sea! (Well of course, whatever it is!)

— Que no me llames así cuando él está, vale? (Don't call me that when he's here, alright?)

— Pero porque? (But why?) She asks apparently surprised.

— Solo... Te explicaré algún día pero por favor. Cualquier otro apodo está bien, vale? (Just... I'll explain to you one day, but please. Everything else is fine, okay?)

— Ok, ok, pero más vale que me expliques ¿eh? Ahh, estos niños de ahora, que raros! (Ok, ok , but you'll need to explain to me hum? Ahh, children these days, so strange!)

As I feel the conversation fading away, I quickly run towards the table, setting the plates down as fast as possible. He wouldn't be fooled by anything I could say to explain why I haven't even got the time to put them down, so I need to finish this before he arrives.

Fortunately, I am right on time and welcome him with a huge smile, hiding the running thoughts in my head. What I've understood of the conversation, is that he doesn't want his mom to call him "cariño" anymore. But why? I don't know if he said it and I didn't understand, or he just didn't explain. What I know, on the other hand, is that this has something to do with me. And now my curiosity is so big it's gonna burst if he continues acting so mysterious.