We're just friends...or are we.? |[ carlando]|

" too late?... " - 13

~ I love Dr pepper. (Enjoy)

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Lando laid in bed, the soft glow of the early morning sun filtering through the curtains, casting warm patterns on the wall. His mind wandered as he thought about Carlos, the way his laughter seemed to brighten even the cloudiest of days, and how those moments they shared, both on and off the track, lingered in his memory like a sweet melody.

Lando felt a familiar flutter in his heart, warmth creeping into his cheeks as he recalled the way Carlos would smile at him, his eyes sparkling with mischief. It was moments like these that made Lando feel alive, yet also painfully aware of what he hadn’t expressed.

As he lay there, lost in thought, a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. He had never told Carlos that he loved him back. The words had danced on the tip of his tongue during countless conversations, moments filled with laughter and camaraderie, but he had let them slip away into the silence instead.

He groaned, burying his face in his pillow. How could he forget something so important? The last race of the 2021 season loomed ahead, and here he was, stuck in his own head about something so critical, while the clock ticked down to what could be the end of this chapter for them.

Lando's heart raced at the thought of facing Carlos, knowing the gravity of unspoken feelings that now weighed heavily on him. But why hasn't Carlos said anything of him not returning the "i love you." ? The thrill of competition was often overshadowed by the emotional turmoil he felt about their relationship.

With every shared glance and casual brush of their hands, the bond between them had deepened, yet he had remained paralyzed by uncertainty. It was one thing to feel love; it was another to vocalize it. The impending race felt more like a deadline for clarity than an event to enjoy.

He rolled over, staring at the ceiling, his mind swirling with scenarios of what could happen if he did tell Carlos. Would it ruin their friendship? Would it change the dynamic they had built over the past few seasons? Lando couldn’t shake the fear that expressing his feelings might complicate things beyond repair.

Just as the idea of confessing felt tantalizingly close, the reality of potential awkwardness loomed larger. He imagined how Carlos would respond, the surprise in his eyes, and suddenly, Lando’s heart sank. Was he really willing to risk their friendship for the sake of honesty?

With a heavy sigh, Lando sat up, the weight of his thoughts anchoring him down. It was frustrating to feel so conflicted when all he wanted was to share his heart with someone who mattered so much. The clock was ticking toward race day, and he needed to gather the courage to face Carlos, to navigate the delicate balance between friendship and something more.

In that moment, he resolved to find a way to express his feelings, even if it meant grappling with the possibility of awkwardness. After all, what was love without the leap of faith? As he prepared to step into the day, he hoped he would find the right moment—because this time, he wouldn’t let the chance slip away.

As Lando prepared for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he could feel the familiar knot of nerves tightening in his stomach. The glitz and glamour of the Yas Marina Circuit seemed to amplify his anxiety, with the lights and crowds buzzing all around him. He was acutely aware of the weight of expectations—both his own and those of the team.

Yet, it wasn’t just the race that plagued his mind; it was the lingering memory of a moment shared with Carlos, a moment that had left him feeling both exhilarated and unsettled.

In the hours leading up to the race, the brit busied himself with the usual routines, checking his car, discussing strategies with the engineers, and mentally preparing for the competition ahead. But every time he turned a corner or stepped into the garage, he half-expected to run into the Spanish driver.