Racing Hearts : VOLUME 2

Chapter 10: Recovery and Reflection

Part 1 : Recovery

It had been a few days since Mark was admitted to the hospital. Despite the doctor's reassurance, Charles found himself returning to visit him each day, unable to stay away. There was something about seeing Mark lying in the hospital bed that unsettled him. Maybe it was the fear of almost losing him or the helplessness he had felt when watching the crash unfold on the track.

Mark, of course, made light of the whole situation, constantly cracking jokes and playfully flirting with the nurses to pass the time. But Charles could see through the facade. Beneath the humor and charm, there was a vulnerability Mark wasn't showing, and it weighed heavily on Charles' mind.

On the third day of his recovery, Charles entered Mark's room to find him sitting up in bed, scrolling through his phone with his usual mischievous grin. Mark looked up as Charles walked in, a smirk already forming on his lips.

"Look who decided to show up. Couldn't stay away, could you, Leclerc?"

Charles rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Just making sure you're not harassing the nurses. Someone has to keep an eye on you."

Mark laughed, wincing slightly as he clutched his side. "Ouch. That's what I get for walking out of an explosion. You'd think I'd at least get a little sympathy."

"Sympathy?" Charles raised an eyebrow as he took a seat next to the bed. "You're lucky to even be alive. You can't expect me to let you get away with more than that."

Mark's smirk softened, and for the first time since the accident, there was a flicker of something more serious in his expression. "I guess you're right. It was close, wasn't it?"

The air between them shifted. Charles could feel the weight of what Mark wasn't saying—the fear that came with realizing just how close he had come to something far worse. For a moment, Charles didn't know what to say. How could he put into words the panic he had felt watching Mark's car explode into flames?

"It was too close," Charles finally replied, his voice quieter than before. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "When I saw the fire... and then the blast..." He hesitated, swallowing hard as the memory flooded back. "I thought I'd lost you."

Mark's teasing smile faded completely, his usual bravado falling away. He glanced down at his hands, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. "Yeah, I've been thinking about that too," he admitted softly. "I was lucky. Really lucky. But... I don't know, I guess it's just sinking in how easily it could have gone the other way."

Charles nodded, the tension in his chest easing just a bit now that they were talking about it. "You scared the hell out of everyone, Mark."

Mark chuckled, though it was more subdued than usual. "I'm good at making an entrance, aren't I?"

"Or an exit," Charles added with a smirk.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both of them letting the weight of the accident settle between them. It was strange—how one moment could change everything. Just a few days ago, they had been rivals on the track, pushing each other to the limits. Now, all of that seemed so far away. All that mattered was that Mark was still here, still alive.

"Charles," Mark said suddenly, his voice more serious than Charles had ever heard it. "Thanks for being here. I know you didn't have to stay, but... it means a lot."

Charles looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. "Of course, I'm here. I wouldn't be anywhere else."

Mark's lips curled into a small smile, and for the first time since the accident, there was no humor behind it. Just gratitude.