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

" together again... " - 30

~ chapter 30!! The story is so close to ending!! 🥹🫶

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As the camera flash startled Carlos and Lando,

their intimate moment was shattered. Lando jolted away from Carlos, his breath coming in rapid bursts, and the world around him blurred into chaos. The laughter from the crowd mixed with Carlos’s softly spoken words echoed in his mind, but so did the hurtful comments that had haunted him. He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking uncontrollably as panic washed over him.

Suddenly, Lando jolted awake, drenched in sweat. It was just a nightmare. Relief flooded through him, but before he could process it, a knock sounded at his hotel door. Taking a deep, shaky breath, he tossed the blanket aside and trudged to the door, opening it to reveal Charles, Max, Oscar, and… Alex and George? The unexpected sight surprised him, but before he could react, they pushed past him into the room.

Lando closed the door, avoiding eye contact with any of them, his heart racing with a mix of anxiety and dread. The silence felt thick, stretching awkwardly between them until George finally broke it.

- “Lando, we’re all worried about you,”

he said, his tone serious but gentle.

- “Look, we know what’s been going on. You’re not the only one feeling this pressure.”

Lando gulped, feeling his throat tighten.

- “I’m just… confused, okay? Hurt. I can’t even look at Carlos right now.”

His voice cracked, revealing the weight of his emotions.

- “Why not?”

Max interjected, tilting his head slightly.

- “You guys had something special. Just talk to him. Work it out.”

- “I don’t know if I can!”

Lando snapped, frustration leaking through his words.

- “He broke my heart. I can’t just pretend everything is fine and dandy.”

Before anyone could respond, another knock echoed through the room. Lando sighed, assuming it was another driver, perhaps Logan. But Logan had been kicked off his team two months back.

With a resigned expression, he opened the door to find a box resting on the ground. His heart sank as he recognized the contents: his favorite things — chocolates, flowers, plushies, and a hoodie with the number 55 emblazoned on it. He picked it up, his heart aching.

Just then, a figure stepped into view, and Lando’s breath hitched. It was Carlos. He looked anxious but hopeful, a smile tugging at his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

- “Lando,”

Carlos started, his voice trembling slightly.

- “I’m so sorry. I don’t need you to forgive me, but… if we could at least stay friends, that would mean everything. I’ve always loved you, and those feelings were never fake. I cut Percy out of my life after realizing how toxic he was to us. I just want things to go back to how they were.”

Lando felt warmth spread across his cheeks at Carlos's words, but doubt quickly crept in.

- “What if you hurt me again?”

he managed to say, shaking his head.

- “I can’t go through that again. We can’t be lovers or friends. I don’t want to see you again. Just leave.”