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

" courage... " - 14

~ I love having no school on Monday but I HATE the homework the teachers give me. :(

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Charles stared at Carlos, still processing the whirlwind of emotions that had just unfolded before him. The moment had been electric, a brief connection between Carlos and Lando that seemed to ignite the air around them.

But just as quickly as it began, Lando had dashed away, leaving behind a silence that felt heavy with unspoken words. Charles found himself grappling with the chaos in his mind—why had Lando run? Did he interrupt something significant? The uncertainty gnawed at him.

Turning his gaze to Carlos, Charles noticed the mix of surprise and something deeper flickering in his teammate's eyes.

- "Are you okay?"

He asked, his voice laced with concern. Carlos merely nodded, but Charles could sense that something was off. There was an intensity in the way Carlos held himself, as if he were caught between exhilaration and confusion. The uncharacteristic quietness made Charles’s heart race with worry; he could see that his friend was wrestling with thoughts that were likely spiraling out of control.

Charles shifted closer, unable to shake off the feeling that he had inadvertently crossed a line. He felt responsible for the abrupt end to what seemed like a pivotal moment for both the Spaniard and the Brit.

- "What just happened?"

He pressed gently, searching Carlos’s expression for clues. The Spaniard's brow furrowed slightly, as if he were trying to piece together the events that had just unfolded.

Charles couldn’t help but wonder if he had somehow messed things up, even if unintentionally. Had he interrupted a confession? A promise? It felt weighty and fragile, and Charles was desperate to understand.

As Carlos remained silent, Charles continued to probe,

- “Was it something I did? I mean, I didn’t mean to interrupt you guys…”

His words hung in the air, thick with unasked questions. The vulnerability of the moment sank in, and Charles found himself wishing he could take back the moment he had walked in, that he could erase the surprise and the confusion that had followed. It was a delicate situation, and he didn’t want to complicate things further for Carlos, who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

Eventually, Carlos exhaled slowly, as if trying to ground himself.

- “No, it’s not your fault,”

He finally said, though his voice lacked conviction. Charles could see the struggle behind his teammate’s eyes, the tension of unexpressed feelings bubbling just below the surface. It was a revelation that was both liberating and terrifying.

They were teammates, yes, but this was new territory, and Charles realized that this moment would change everything. Whatever had passed between Carlos and Lando was something profound, and he knew he needed to be there for Carlos, to support him as he navigated these complex emotions.

Charles could see the turmoil in Carlos’s expression, and he felt a deep need to understand what had transpired. The more he thought about it, the more questions surfaced.

- “So, was this—were you and Lando dating in secret?”

he ventured cautiously, trying to read Carlos’s face for any sign of discomfort. The idea struck him as both surprising and somehow fitting, given the way he’d seen them interact over the past months. Charles felt a strange mix of curiosity and concern; he didn’t want to pry but couldn’t help himself.