Starting Again (A Charles Leclerc Fic)

023 : plans

"You know, you haven't really answered what happened to you," Katrina said, her tone concerned.

"Nothing big happened, mon amour. It was just a minor racing incident," Charles explained, trying to downplay the situation.

"Everyone's having a field day with your crash. It honestly scared the hell out of me. Luckily, your brother found me before I completely broke down," Katrina admitted, her voice laced with worry.

"I'm sorry, Trina... I wanted to let you know I was okay, but I was blocked, remember? I called my brothers and even Max to make sure they could reach you. I wanted you to know I was fine," Charles replied, his tone apologetic.

"So, what really happened?" she asked again, pressing for the truth.

"Like I said, it was just a racing incident. I locked up and braked a little late, so I ended up on the wall. I had to get checked as part of Ferrari's safety guidelines. The picture that was circulating wasn't even from this incident. It was from years ago, when I was still in GP3 or F2 — I honestly can't even remember anymore. Ferrari hasn't released any information yet, so people started making up their own stories. After the crash, the team focused on the car while I arranged my return to Monaco. Fred and the others were huge helps in making sure I could get back as soon as possible."

"Until when would you be here?" she asked softly, watching as Charles absentmindedly played with her fingers.

"I need to go back to Italy next week," he replied, his voice tinged with sadness.

"When will I see you again?" Katrina asked, a small trace of worry in her voice.

"I don't know, mon amour. After Italy, we've got Formula 1-related content shoots, and then we need to go to Sakhir for the official pre-season testing. After that, we'll all be busy again," he said, a hint of regret in his voice.

"I don't know if I'm ready for you to go back to racing," she whispered, not really intending for him to hear.

"But I have to, Trina... it's my dream," Charles responded gently.

"I know... it's just that when I was watching your previous races, and whenever someone crashes or you don't finish, my heart always drops. When I thought you were in that wreck, it felt like my heart was being ripped open with the fear of losing you... I know this is your life and dream, and trust me, I would never ask you to stop or get in the way of that, but it doesn't mean I'm not scared. Will you at least promise me you'll make sure you are safe all the time? What I mean is, I don't want you crashing out on me, Charles..." she pleaded softly.

"Please, don't make me promise something I'm not sure I can keep," Charles said, his voice pained.

"Charles... you're not helping..." she replied, her frustration rising.

"Fine... I can't promise I won't crash, because that's always a possibility in our sport. But what I can promise you is that I'll always make my way back home to you, safely... unharmed," he said, his voice firm yet tender.

"I don't care if you win or lose. All I want for you is to always be safe. I don't want to feel like that again, Charles..." she whispered, her voice almost breaking.

"I promise I'll be safe, mon amour," he reassured her, kissing the side of her temple.

"By the way, you should really thank Max. He was the best at pleading your case," she said, trying to break the seriousness of their earlier conversation.

"Why? What did Max say?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

"Nothing really. He just scolded me in a text and during a phone call. He explained to me that while he understood why I was reacting the way I was, it's unfair to you. He told me I was messing with your head, low-key forcing you into something you weren't ready for. He also said it's important for people in your profession to be 100% focused, especially when you're driving really fast. I realized he was right, so that's why I texted you," she explained.

"I really owe Max a meal," Charles laughed, grateful for his friend's support.

"You have some great friends, Charles. Thank you for sharing them with me," Katrina said warmly.

"They really like you more than me sometimes. It would mean a lot to me—and to the guys—if you could watch us race in person," he said, his tone a little playful.

"I work freelance, so I think I can squeeze in a few races or two. I'll let you know if I can buy tickets," she replied with a shrug.

"Nonsense. You're not paying for your ticket, Katrina," he insisted.

"I'm capable of paying for my own paddock pass, my love," she argued, crossing her arms.

"I wouldn't allow you to. You're watching my friends and I race. I would never allow my girlfriend to pay for her pass," Charles said, using his usual term of affection for her.

"Charles, we've talked about this already..." she sighed.

"Fine, I would never allow you, my love, to pay for your pass," he said, emphasizing my love as if it were a special title.

"The passes are really expensive, I can't accept your offer. We're not officially together yet, and even if we are, I don't want you spending so much money on me," she replied, still hesitant.

"I insist... please, for me and the guys, just accept it," Charles said softly.

"Fine... but let me at least pay for some of the races," Katrina said with a smirk.

"I'll let you pay if you manage to convince the others too," Charles countered, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

"Charles..." she warned, narrowing her eyes.

"Katrina..." he replied, matching her tone.

"Okay, okay... I'll watch whatever race I can watch. I won't argue about the paddock passes anymore, but that's the only thing you'll pay for me. Nothing else, understood, Charles Leclerc?" she said firmly.

"But-"

"No buts. I'm a big girl with a big-girl job. I can pay for my own expenses," she said confidently.

"Fine..." Charles conceded with a sigh.

"Good. When will the others be here?" she asked, changing the subject.

"I think about two weeks before the pre-season test. Why?" he answered.

"Well, I've been thinking about it for a while now. I kinda miss having people over at my house. Do you think they'd fancy coming over for a barbecue before the season starts? Oh, and can you please bring Yuki and the reserved drivers from F2?" she asked, excited by the idea.

"Yuki, I get. I know you're Japanese, so I understand it would be nice for you both to talk in your native language. But what about Ollie and the others?" Charles asked, his tone teasing.

"While you guys were away, I watched some clips online, and I saw Ollie and Arthur in Prema videos. I'm just fascinated by him, that's all. He seems like a good kid, and I saw clips of their Baku race... he's really good," Katrina explained, her eyes lighting up.

"Hey, Trina, I don't like that look. You're not allowed to like any other guy. Besides, you're a lot older than Ollie," Charles said, suddenly becoming possessive but also protective of the young driver.

"Oh my god, Charles," she laughed, hitting him playfully. "I don't mean it that way. I like him as a driver. I'm looking forward to seeing him race with you in Ferrari. Besides, why would I look at any other guy when the one I want is already here with me?"

Charles grinned, his face as red as his Ferrari, before giving her forehead a light peck.

"Okay, I'll ask Arthur to invite them over," he said, his smile widening.