Trackside Tensions (Carlando Landoscar Charlos)

Silent Goodbye

Without a second thought, Lando quietly packed his belongings. The process was almost mechanical—folding clothes, stuffing them into his suitcase, shoving personal items into a small bag. He didn't leave a note or send a text—just like Carlos had done to him that morning. The only indication that he had ever been there at all was the soft echo of the front door closing behind him, fading into the stillness of the villa.

It was childish, but he didn't care. His hurt was too raw, too overwhelming. He needed to get away, to escape the suffocating presence of Carlos and Charles, even if just for a while. The thought of facing them again, of being a silent witness to their seemingly effortless bond, was unbearable.

The drive to the airport was a blur of motion and frustration. The road stretched out endlessly, mirroring the hours Lando would spend on the plane. He barely registered the landscape as it passed by—his thoughts were too tangled, his mind a whirlwind of frustration and sadness. The only comfort was that Oscar had managed everything for him. Flights were booked, arrangements were made, and Lando could focus on just making it to the airport without further complications.

As he waited to board, his phone buzzed incessantly with calls and messages from Carlos and Charles. Desperate and confused, their voices and texts seemed to pierce through his resolve. He declined every single one of them, each refusal a small act of defiance against the hurt that had been inflicted on him.

He barely registered the journey, lost in his thoughts, the weight of his decision pressing down on him with each passing mile. The thought of returning to Australia, a place he associated with comfort and escape, felt like a lifeline he was clinging to amidst the storm of his emotions.

When he finally arrived in Australia, it was late afternoon. The warm, golden light of the setting sun greeted him as he stepped off the plane, a stark contrast to the dark cloud that had been hanging over him for days. The air was thick with the scent of eucalyptus and the distant hum of city life. It was a welcome change from the suffocating tension he had left behind.

As he walked through the airport, his movements were almost automatic, guided by muscle memory and the promise of a sanctuary waiting for him. The chaos of travel faded into the background, overshadowed by his need for solace.

And then he saw Oscar, waiting at the arrivals gate. The sight of his friend, with his familiar, relaxed posture and a calm demeanor, brought a wave of relief that nearly knocked the wind out of him. Oscar's expression was calm, but his eyes held a depth of understanding that Lando desperately needed.

"Crawlie," Oscar greeted him with a soft smile, his voice carrying the warmth and familiarity that Lando had been craving. The nickname, though light-hearted, was a comforting anchor in the storm of Lando's emotions.

Lando managed a weak smile in return, his exhaustion and emotional turmoil evident in every step he took. He could feel the weight of the past few days lifting, even if just slightly, in the presence of someone who genuinely cared.

Oscar stepped forward, taking Lando's bags from him with a practiced ease. "Long flight?"

"Yeah," Lando replied, his voice barely above a whisper, laden with fatigue. "But I made it."

Oscar nodded, his expression softening as he looked at Lando with concern. "Come on, let's get you home."

The drive back to Oscar's place was quiet, the kind of comfortable silence that only exists between close friends who understand each other without needing words. Lando stared out the window, the city lights flickering by, each one a distant reminder of the life he had momentarily stepped away from. Oscar didn't push him to talk; instead, he focused on the road, allowing Lando to settle into his thoughts without pressure.