Alone In A Crowded Room (A Lestappen Story)

Dad

Charles was shaky as he sat in the backseat of the taxi. He couldn't think very well but he thanked the taxi driver, giving him a big tip before distractedly stumbling out. The garage of the hotel was eerily silent and the fluorescent lights were too bright as he walked to the elevator. Once in the elevator he slumped against the wall. He felt weak. The door dinged. That was fast. He opened his eyes to walk out but it was the ground floor. Someone walked in. Verstappen.

"So surprised by finishing above third you fainted?" He asked, sweet venom in his voice.

"Dehydrated, actually." Charles didn't know why he was saying it.

"Oh." Verstappen looked caught off guard. They were silent till the lift door opened to Charles' floor. Max walked out behind Charles and followed Charles to his room. Charles looked back confused till Max stopped at the opposite room's door and opened it. Oh.

The next day Charles had to get through fans and paparazzi to get to the car. Everyone asked him for pictures and he was too tired, "Picture! Picture!" They'd yell. Come on, Charles, He'd tell himself, Make their day, smile for the picture. Pose with the fans, won't you be a good driver. Everyone thought that he was perfect and he couldn't afford to let them look through the curtain of the stage where he performed.

On the flight to Milan for the one week of break/training he had a full list of things he had to do. His ice cream brand was opening and he had to do a lot of promotional videos which meant that he'd have to work out more because he'd be eating a lot of ice cream. He'd asked Andrea for more workouts as is so he'd be fine. He also wanted to visit Carlos and rest.

Two days later he regretted liking ice cream as a light was shining directly in his face. He tried not to wince as he looked right into it and took a bite of ice cream, melting into the flavour. This was his last photo shoot of the day and Lec would officially be open the next day.

When Charles got done with it he got the photos immediately and picked out the best ones with the help of an offensively honest group chat and posted it. The likes and comments immediately poured in and he smiled, satisfied - then he let it drop for the rest of the day.

The next night Charles got ready for the party that marked the opening of Lec. He'd even hired a stylist to make sure his choice of jeans wasn't mocked and his hair was good. He needed everything to be perfect.

Everything was going perfectly but life was one huge drain cover in the form of Max Emilan Verstappen and, unfortunately, Charles was a Ferrari. The man had the audacity to show up. He'd sent an invite on the driver's group chat and specifically said in the text below that anyone but Verstappen was welcome yet here he was in a black t-shirt and jeans looking better than Charles who'd planned so much for his big night and stealing away the hard earned attention and bringing back the unwanted Formula One tension back into his world. He cursed every god to ever exist.

Verstappen walked over to him, smiling, "Your fans are so depressed you decided to profit off of it?" He laughed like he'd said something funny. Charles ignored him.

Instead of retaliating, Charles waited until he was done laughing before saying, "Listen, Verstappen, this ice cream is for all sorts of depressive things, you can always have a tub when you remember you're a three time world champion who can't even look his dad in the eye."

"At least I have one." Charles blinked. Verstappen often went too far too fast but this was really too far. "Leclerc-" The dutchman started, but the regret in his voice wouldn't take back the words.

"No." Charles shook his head holding back tears, "Please get out and let me enjoy my night. I will pay you if I have to just fuck off."

"Okay." He nodded, "Have a good night." But it was already ruined.

Through his pain Charles smiled and only allowed a single tear to slip when he gave his speech, passing it off as pride and happiness. Alex was probably the only one who noticed it was pain but he needed space and she gave it to her. Sometimes Charles wished people wouldn't give him that space because it made him feel so alone. He was surrounded by a sea of people but he never felt lonelier than he did in those moments.