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

" peace..." - 22

~ the sprint race was so GOOD. Ferrari had me stressing though.. Y'all have no idea how much I yelled when lando locked up and allowed Carlos to pass, I was so happy he got P2. BUT ANYWAYS, Carlos carried fr.

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Lando and Carlos stood face to face, neither wanting to break the silence that lingered between them. The tension was palpable, both of them staring at each other, eyes heavy with unsaid words. It wasn’t the first time they'd stood like this, emotions swirling, yet hesitant to let them out. Lando’s eyes flicked away for a second, then back to Carlos, waiting. The silence stretched longer than it should have.

Finally, unable to take the tension any longer, Lando broke the silence.

- "So, about this new girlfriend of yours..."

His tone was light, but the question carried weight. He wasn’t just asking for gossip; there was something deeper in his voice. Carlos shifted uncomfortably, his jaw tightening as he fought to find the right words. He didn't look at Lando right away, keeping his gaze down.

Carlos stayed silent for what felt like ages, the weight of Lando's question pressing on him. He knew he had to answer, but how could he explain? How could he tell Lando about the situation he’d been thrust into without meaning to? His heart pounded in his chest, louder than ever. Lando sighed heavily, his frustration clear.

- "Carlos, you need to talk,"

he said, a sharp edge to his voice.

- "Or I’m leaving."

The thought of Lando walking away snapped Carlos into action.

- "Wait!"

Carlos blurted out, quicker than he intended. His voice cracked slightly, desperation seeping through. He didn’t want Lando to go, not without explaining, not without telling him the truth that had been eating at him for weeks. Carlos inhaled deeply and gestured for Lando to follow him, wordlessly pleading for him to stay a little longer.

Lando hesitated for a moment but then followed Carlos through the quiet hotel room, his footsteps barely audible against the thick carpet. He sat down on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight.

It was comfortable, but the atmosphere was far from it. Carlos remained standing, not too far from him, his hands fidgeting slightly. He wasn’t sure how to start, but he knew he had to.

Carlos let out a long sigh, finally lifting his eyes to meet Lando's. His heart ached seeing the confusion in the Brit’s eyes.

- “Ferrari… they made me do it,"

he began slowly.

- "The whole thing with the model, it’s just PR. I didn’t want to hurt you."

His voice was soft, apologetic.

- "I wasn’t allowed to say anything because of their orders."

Lando's face went from hurt to shock in an instant. His lips parted, but no words came out at first. Of all the things he thought Carlos would say, this wasn’t it.

- "Wait… what?"

he finally managed, his brain struggling to catch up.

- “Ferrari made you… fake date her?”

His voice was quieter now, filled with disbelief. Carlos only nodded, his expression heavy with guilt.

Carlos furrowed his eyebrows and rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing slightly.