unspoken words

Chapter 11: Finally Found

(Author's POV)

Months had passed since Carlos and Charles first found themselves circling the line between friendship and something deeper. The moments they shared were no longer fraught with unspoken questions. They had found their rhythm—moments of ease and moments of tension, all woven into something they both understood, even if neither could explain it.

At first, their relationship stayed a secret, kept to quiet corners and private meetings, hidden from the relentless gaze of the world. But as they grew closer, that secret began to weigh on them, leaving them yearning for something more real, more open. Each passing race made it harder to hide—the stolen glances in the paddock, the careful way they stood close without quite touching. Eventually, fans began to notice, as did the media. Rumors stirred, and what was once hidden had become the worst-kept secret in the paddock.

Yet, as speculation grew, so did their bond. Fans on social media had been vocal, not just accepting but openly supportive. There was a comfort in knowing that people saw them, and that seeing them didn't mean losing them.

(Charles's POV)

It was surreal, seeing the comments and the support. I'd been terrified, thinking that our secret was fragile, that once exposed to the world, it might fracture under the weight of expectation. Instead, it seemed to be doing the opposite—strengthening, as though we'd found a place where we didn't have to hide. Carlos was always there, steady, his quiet strength grounding me in ways I'd never expected.

But there were moments when I still felt the weight of it all. After a race one evening, we sat together in his hotel room, the sounds of the city muffled by the thick glass. The tension between us was different now, more reflective than urgent. I found myself wondering out loud, almost more to myself than him. "What if all of this changes us?" I asked, looking out the window at the city lights. "The attention, the pressure—it's different now."

Carlos's hand reached for mine, his thumb tracing slow circles on the back of it. "Then we keep it ours," he said, his voice soft but certain. "We make our own rules. No matter what they say, what they assume. We'll know what's real."

(Author's POV)

The idea was simple, yet the reality wasn't. The scrutiny increased with every race. Fans noticed their easy familiarity, the way they stayed close on the track and off it. Soon, the whispers became headlines. Articles speculated about their connection, with some focusing on their bond as teammates, others crossing into something more. The pressure was undeniable, pushing at them from every direction, but their resolve held strong.

And yet, as supportive as the fans had been, there were those who saw their closeness as a distraction, a vulnerability. Carlos was the first to feel it. At a press conference after an intense race, a journalist brought up their connection, framing it as a weakness, as if their bond could undermine their performance on the track.

"What do you think?" the journalist pressed, their voice edging on accusatory. "Can you really compete when your teammate is so close to you, Carlos? Is this...relationship worth the risks?"

Carlos didn't falter, though the strain was clear in his eyes. He answered smoothly, with the calm professionalism he'd honed over years. "If anything," he said, his gaze steady, "we're stronger because of it. Racing is about trust, and I trust Charles. On and off the track."

(Carlos's POV)

After that press conference, I found myself questioning everything. It was one thing to brush off the attention, to ignore the stares and whispers. But facing it head-on, being forced to defend something that should have been private—it hurt in a way I hadn't expected. Back in the hotel that night, Charles saw it in my face, his expression mirroring the ache I felt.

"It's not fair," he said quietly, sitting beside me on the edge of the bed. "We shouldn't have to explain ourselves to anyone."

I looked at him, seeing the same weariness in his eyes. "I know," I murmured, reaching for his hand. "But we're here now, and maybe that's part of it—fighting for this, too."

(Author's POV)

As the season progressed, their resolve was tested time and again. But they stood together, refusing to let the pressure divide them. And, to their surprise, the harder they fought, the more they realized they weren't alone. Fans rallied behind them, showing support through banners at races, comments online, and quiet nods from people who saw them for what they truly were—not just two drivers, but two people who had found something rare in each other.

Months later, on a quiet night after the final race, they stood on the balcony of Carlos's apartment, overlooking a city that had grown used to seeing them together. There was no rush, no fear of hiding, just the quiet comfort they'd built together. For once, it felt like peace, like the life they'd both been searching for.

Charles leaned into Carlos, his voice soft. "This...this is real, isn't it?"

Carlos tightened his hold, his own voice steady. "It always has been."

And in that quiet moment, beneath a sky full of stars, they finally found what they'd been searching for—not just love, but a place they could truly belong, together.

904 words ✨

i am thinking to end this story here ( although i am not the happiest with it will do for now )
also i am thinking about writing a fanfic about lance ......( #no1lancedefender )