Racing Hearts : VOLUME 2

Chapter 12: Holiday Together

Mark had always spent his holidays alone, a quiet affair in the grandeur of the Spencer mansion. Alessandro and Isabella were often busy with business ventures or traveling, leaving Mark to his own devices. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to the solitude, spending his Christmases by the fireplace, sipping wine with the distant sounds of holiday music echoing through the halls.

This year seemed no different. He had settled into the same old routine, ready to let the holiday slip by unnoticed once again. But then, a text changed everything.

Charles: Spending Christmas alone? Nah, not happening. You're coming to Monaco. No excuses.

At first, Mark was hesitant. Holidays weren't his thing, especially not with someone as... unpredictable as Charles. But something inside him nudged him to say yes. Maybe it was the thought of not being alone this year, or perhaps the growing connection between them, which had only intensified since their time spent at the hospital and back at the track.

And so, Mark packed his bags and found himself on a flight to Monaco, wondering what the next few days would hold.

The air in Monaco was crisp, the city adorned with Christmas lights that reflected off the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean. Mark arrived at Charles' family home, where warmth greeted him, both in temperature and in spirit.

Charles was there, of course, ready with a mischievous smile. "Thought I'd let you be all broody and alone for Christmas? Not happening."

Mark couldn't help but smile. "I appreciate it. Feels weird, though. I don't really... do holidays."

"Well, you're about to learn," Charles replied with a wink, pulling him inside where the Leclerc family had already gathered.

Christmas was filled with laughter, warmth, and something Mark hadn't expected: a sense of belonging. The Leclerc family welcomed him as if he had always been there, and for the first time in a long time, Mark felt the true joy of the holidays. There was no loneliness, no cold silence in a giant mansion. There was love, chaos, and the feeling that he wasn't just an outsider anymore.

As the night drew on, the closeness between him and Charles grew stronger. They found themselves alone by the fire, glasses of hot cocoa in hand, basking in the soft glow of the Christmas lights.

Charles glanced at him, his smile softer now, more intimate. "I'm glad you came."

Mark's heart did a little flip. "Me too."

There was a charged silence between them, one that had been building for months now. Charles leaned in, and Mark could feel the shift. It wasn't just friendship anymore. It was something deeper, something that neither of them could deny.

Before things could go further, though, a familiar ding from Mark's phone pulled them apart. Both laughed at the sudden interruption, and Mark glanced at his phone. He had forgotten for a moment that social media existed, but now his notifications were flooded.

Instagram Post Mark Spencer 

@Markspencer: Christmas in Monaco... Not so bad after all. 

 [Image: Mark and Charles by the fireplace, both smiling, Charles leaning closer, with Christmas decorations in the background.]

Comments Section:

@ferrariilover24: "Wait, why are they always together now?! Rivals who?"@charlesdefender: "We all see what's happening here, right? Look at the way they're smiling at each other 👀🔥"@racerfan10: "Mark looks so happy, Charles is doing wonders!"@f1_updates: "Spending holidays together?! This is getting interesting..."@yuki_tsunoda: "When's the invite to my holiday, Mark?"@daniel_ricciardo: "Oh, a cozy Christmas? Why wasn't I invited@carlos_sainz: "Should I be worried about my replacement?"

Mark couldn't help but chuckle. "They're onto us."

Charles leaned over, looking at the screen and shaking his head. "Let them speculate. They always do."

The next morning, they bundled up in warm jackets and scarves for a snowy adventure in the mountains. The cold air was refreshing, and the world around them looked like a winter wonderland, with snowflakes dancing down from the sky. Mark felt like a kid again, his laughter ringing out as they made snowmen and engaged in friendly snowball fights.

Twitter Post

@f1_fanatic: Mark Spencer and Charles Leclerc spotted enjoying a winter wonderland together. Are they ever apart?!

[Image: Mark and Charles in snow gear, laughing and playfully throwing snowballs.]

Comments Section:

@landoisgreat: "Okay, but Charles looks way happier. Mark, control yourself."@f1_insider: "How is Mark this charming? Dude went through a crash and looks like that?!"@max_verstappen: "Can I join next time, guys?"@charlesleclerc_world: "This isn't just a rivalry anymore... something's happening here."

Later that day, after a thrilling afternoon of skiing, they returned to the warmth of the Leclerc home, red-cheeked and exhilarated. As they settled in front of the fire again, Charles turned to Mark, his expression serious now. "You're different, you know that?"

Mark tilted his head, curious. "Different how?"

"I don't know... just... different. It's not just about racing anymore. You've become... important," Charles said softly, his voice barely louder than the crackling fire.

Mark looked over at him, his heart skipping a beat. "You're important to me too, Charles. More than you know."

Charles smiled, a flicker of something more than friendship in his eyes. "Good. Because I don't think I can imagine this without you anymore."

Mark's breath caught in his throat, and before he could respond, Charles stood up, offering him a hand. "Come on. We've got a whole evening ahead of us."

Mark took his hand, the warmth spreading through his chest. As they walked back toward the cozy living room, he couldn't help but feel like something had changed. This wasn't just a holiday. It was the beginning of something neither of them could deny.

Instagram Post

Charles Leclerc @charles_leclerc: Best holiday yet with @MarkSpencer 💓 

[Image: Charles and Mark by the fire, both smiling, Christmas decorations around them.]

Comments Section:

@charles_loverforever: "Is it me or does Charles look way happier lately?"@mark_fansunite: "Mark and Charles... seriously, what's going on? I'm obsessed."@carlos_sainz: "Okay, seriously, when's the invite to the next holiday?"@maxandlando: "They're making too much sense together. F1, make them teammates again."

The holiday had come to an end, but the bond between them had only grown stronger. Mark had spent years alone during the holidays, but this time, things were different. He wasn't just part of the Red Bull team. He was part of something far more personal—something that made him feel like he belonged.

And maybe, just maybe, he wasn't going to spend his holidays alone ever again.

[PS : I have started drafting VOLUME 3 and tbh it well i have made the chapter list and dropped like a million of other ideas ]
[i wanted to post this chapter on christmas but yk it would be too late]
{Also the next volume will take time as i made some pretty big plans for it and i have to manage both this and my studies😭]