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

" Everything felt perfect... " - 38

~Hola Hola!!! I hope you all are doing well!

Hope you all enjoyed the last chapter and this one will also be short! So sorry school has been so stressful!! Thank you all for voting and liking the story, it means so much that you all are enjoying the book so far! 🥹

Also we are so close at 10k reads! I honestly can't believe it!!! You all are the best, thank you, thank you!

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The sun crept into the room, casting a warm glow over Carlos and Lando as they lay fast asleep, both exhausted from the night before. The house was peaceful, with only the faint sound of chatter downstairs and the chirping of birds outside.

Carlos stirred first, stretching as he yawned and instinctively pulling Lando closer. Lando began to wake up too, sighing contentedly as he snuggled into Carlos’s warmth.

- “Time to get up, Lan,”

Carlos murmured, smiling as he stroked Lando's hair.

Lando shook his head, groaning a little.

- “Mmm, I can’t… My legs feel numb. Everything aches,”

he whined, voice heavy with drowsiness.

Carlos chuckled, pressing a gentle kiss to Lando’s curls.

- “Oh, really? Well, you seemed to enjoy yourself last night,”

he teased, grinning.

- “Maybe we went a little too rough? Best birthday gift ever, though, right?”

Lando’s face turned pink, and he nudged Carlos playfully, a chuckle escaping him.

- “Stop it!”

he said, though he was clearly amused. Carlos chuckled as he looked closer at Lando.

- "I'm just saying!"

Finally, they managed to get up, taking turns showering before changing into fresh, comfortable pajamas, planning to spend the day at home with no pressing plans.

After brushing their teeth, they made their way downstairs, already hearing the faint sounds of conversation in the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Reyes, Sainz Sr., Lando’s mom, and dad were chatting as they prepared breakfast together, the aroma filling the air. Carlos and Lando greeted everyone and then made their way to the couch, where Carlos’s cousin, Caco, was lounging.

Lando leaned back against the couch, scrolling through his phone as Carlos and Caco struck up a conversation in Spanish. After a few moments, Caco turned to Carlos with a mischievous smile.

- “Carlos, necesitas insonorizar esa habitación… No sabía que Lando era… tan expresivo,” ( “Carlos, you need to soundproof that room… I didn’t know Lando was… so expressive.”)

he said, his tone playful.

Carlos’s eyes went wide, and he felt his face flush.

- “¿Nos escuchaste? ¿Fuiste solo tú?” (“Did you hear us? Was it just you?”)

he whispered urgently, his embarrassment showing.

Caco grinned, nodding reassuringly.

- “Tranquilo, tranquilo. Todos los demás son dormilones, pero sí… ustedes fueron un poco… intensos,” (“Relax, relax. Everyone else is a heavy sleeper, but yeah… you guys were a little… intense.”)

he said, trying to hold back his laughter.

Carlos groaned, his face turning a deep shade of red.

- “Ay, esto es vergonzoso… No puedo creerlo.” (“Ugh, this is embarrassing… I can’t believe it.”)