unspoken words

Chapter 7: The Distance Between Us

(Author's POV)

The weeks following their 1-2 finish in Australia brought a new dynamic to the Ferrari garage. Both Carlos and Charles were back on top, but the space between them seemed to grow with each passing day. Though they'd exchanged subtle glances and unfinished words, the silence they shared became more intense than any conversation.

Carlos found himself hyper-aware of Charles's every move, feeling a strange mixture of pride and longing. Every shared podium felt like a bittersweet reminder of what lay just out of reach. The more they succeeded as teammates, the harder it became to separate his professional admiration from something deeper, something that kept him up at night.

(Drivers Group Chat)

Lando: "Ferrari's on fire! Another podium incoming this weekend?"

Pierre: "Honestly, you guys have to chill. We can't handle this Ferrari renaissance."

Charles: "No promises. 😉"

Carlos: "Just here for the fun. Right, Charles?"

Charles: "Right."

There it was again—a fleeting connection, even in a chat with all the drivers watching. Carlos closed the app, feeling a mixture of frustration and tension that only seemed to grow.

(Carlos's POV)

I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was slipping just out of my control. I'd spent so long guarding my focus, my dedication, and now... Charles was there, consuming my thoughts without even trying. Every time I saw him, there was this magnetic pull, and I didn't know how much longer I could ignore it.

During the next race weekend, I kept my distance. I tried to keep my mind on the car, the strategy, the goal. But every time Charles passed me in the paddock, I felt my resolve waver.

And then, just before qualifying, I saw him talking to someone—a woman I didn't recognize. She laughed at something he said, and then her hand lingered on his arm, like it was the most natural thing in the world. My chest tightened, a sensation that was both familiar and foreign.

(Author's POV)

Carlos felt an irrational pang of jealousy. He tried to brush it off, telling himself it was nothing, but the image of Charles smiling at someone else refused to leave his mind. It was a small thing, something that shouldn't have mattered, yet he felt his concentration slipping.

That night, he tossed and turned, frustration brewing in the silence of his hotel room. This connection he shared with Charles was supposed to be professional—friendly, even. But lately, it was anything but that.

short chapter🥲
i have nothing to say its just short 🤡

kay ,have a good read and i know you will probably read this at night so don't forget to sleep also this is your reminder to eat and drink water , you are beautiful and you should not restrict yourself from eating what you want ,
we only live once so fuck what others think and do what you want and enjoy
( for whoever needed to hear this 🩷)

413 words ✨