unspoken words

Chapter 1: The edge of everything

The Monaco marina was still, the gentle clinking of boat lines the only sound as Carlos leaned over the railing, lost in thought. The city was dim and quiet, the kind of rare, sleepy stillness that only came when the night stretched toward dawn. It was his favorite time—when the world felt like it held secrets meant only for him.

He heard footsteps behind him, and Charles appeared, a shadow against the dim harbor lights. Carlos had half-expected it; Charles always had a way of finding him in these late hours. Neither said a word, but there was an understanding in the quiet between them.

"Long night?" Charles finally murmured, his voice soft, carrying a weariness that felt familiar. Carlos didn't look at him, only nodded, keeping his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. This was supposed to be a celebration—a small victory, the end of a solid race. Yet here they were, alone, standing on the edge of something neither of them could name.

Carlos glanced sideways, catching the faintest glint in Charles's eyes under the dim light, and he felt that familiar pang—a thrill, a nervousness. It wasn't new, but tonight it felt sharper, like the faint hum of a song growing louder.

Charles took a step closer, close enough that Carlos could feel the warmth radiating between them. It was moments like this—unguarded, without cameras or expectations—that left Carlos feeling unsteady. Racing was supposed to be about precision, control, but this... this was different. He knew every line of the circuit, every tactic to close a gap, but he had no plan for this, for Charles, for the storm of emotions that always seemed to churn just below the surface when they were alone.

"Do you ever feel like..." Charles started, then stopped, as if uncertain how much he was willing to admit. His hand hovered, then settled against the rail, fingers just barely brushing Carlos's.

Carlos swallowed, a quiet ache building inside him. They were standing close, so close, and he could smell the faint hint of cologne on Charles, mixed with the salt of the sea and the electric energy of the Monaco night. He wanted to ask what Charles had meant, to reach out and close the distance between them. But he stayed still, rooted by fear and an overwhelming rush of desire he couldn't quite control.

"I don't know," Carlos said softly, glancing down as his fingers brushed against Charles's. "Sometimes, I think I do."

The silence stretched between them, thick and charged, filled with everything unsaid.

From somewhere down the docks, laughter echoed as a few remaining crew members headed back to their cars, voices bouncing off the water. It reminded Carlos of where they were, what they were supposed to be. He stepped back, breaking the contact, and the briefest flicker of disappointment crossed Charles's face.

Carlos forced a small smile, feeling the weight of every unspoken word. "We should head back," he said, voice almost a whisper. "Tomorrow's another day."

As they walked back in silence, side by side, Carlos wondered how much longer they could keep toeing the edge—how long they could keep this tension contained without either breaking apart or colliding. But he knew one thing for sure: tonight had left a mark. And he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to shake it.

i am not a native english speaker so its possible i made mistakes .
i don't know how consistent the upload of the chapters is going to be because this year i have my final exams and i need to study ( i am shit in school 💩)

enjoy reading ✨
611 words