Trackside Tensions (Carlando Landoscar Charlos)

Impulsive Purchase

Carlos Sainz stepped away from the podium celebrations, a mix of emotions churning inside him. The thrill of the race, the respect from the battle with Oscar, and the collective pride of the Ferrari team were all overshadowed by a deep concern gnawing at his heart. He had seen the look in Lando's eyes during the post-race debrief, a hollow emptiness masked by a forced smile. It was a look Carlos knew all too well—one that screamed of disappointment and self-doubt.

The electric atmosphere of Yas Marina Circuit, with its blaring music, roaring fans, and flashing lights, felt distant to Carlos as he walked through the paddock. His focus was solely on finding Lando. The cheers of the crowd faded into a dull hum, and the post-race celebrations became a blur. His thoughts were with the man he loved, knowing that Lando was hurting, possibly more than ever before.

Carlos's footsteps quickened as he approached the McLaren motorhome. He bypassed the noisy hub of the team's celebrations, knowing Lando wouldn't be there. No, Lando would be somewhere quiet, away from the crowds, away from the reminders of what had just happened. Carlos made his way to the driver's area, his heart heavy with worry.

He paused outside Lando's room, taking a deep breath. The door was closed, the faint light from beneath it casting a weak glow onto the carpeted floor. Carlos knocked softly, a tentative sound that echoed in the stillness. There was no response, but he knew Lando was inside. Carlos hesitated for a moment before slowly pushing the door open.

The room was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the glaring brightness outside. The air was thick with a suffocating silence, broken only by the muffled noise from the paddock beyond. The glow from a single lamp cast long shadows across the room, illuminating Lando's slumped figure in the corner.

Lando sat hunched over on a small chair, his body language screaming defeat. His usually pristine race suit was wrinkled and disheveled, the bright papaya orange looking dull in the low light. His head was bowed, his shoulders shaking slightly with the effort of holding back the overwhelming emotions that threatened to spill over. His hands gripped the edge of his seat so tightly that his knuckles were white. The sight of him in such a state was like a knife to Carlos's heart.

"Lando," Carlos's voice was soft, full of concern as he stepped closer. "Hey, are you okay?"

Lando's head snapped up at the sound of Carlos's voice, his eyes red and glossy from unshed tears. The expression on his face was a mixture of raw pain, frustration, and a sense of utter defeat. "Carlos..." Lando's voice was strained, trembling. "I... I don't know what to say."

Carlos quickly crossed the room and knelt in front of Lando, his hands reaching out to cup Lando's face gently. "You don't have to say anything, cariño. I'm here for you."

Lando tried to hold back the tears, but the dam broke the moment Carlos touched him. A sob escaped his lips, and he buried his face in his hands, his body shaking with the force of his emotions. "I... I should have been better," Lando choked out between sobs. "I had everything lined up... I was so close. And then Oscar... a rookie..." His voice cracked, and the tears fell freely now. "How did I let this happen, Carlos? How did I let a rookie beat me? I'm supposed to be better than this."

Carlos's heart broke for Lando, seeing the man he loved so deeply in such anguish. He wrapped his arms around Lando, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Lando, no. Don't do this to yourself. You did everything you could. You fought so hard all season. This isn't your fault."

But Lando shook his head, his face pressed against Carlos's chest. The weight of the season's end, the expectations, and the bitter disappointment of losing second place in the championship crashed down on him like a tidal wave. "I don't know if that's enough," Lando whispered, his voice filled with despair. "I've worked so hard, and now I'm watching someone who's just started his career take the place I was fighting for."