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

" Everything was going to be okay.... " - 41

~ Currently writing this while doing my Latin homework:( (i hate latin with my heart)

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Sunday morning arrived too quickly for Lando, and he woke up alone in bed. The absence of Carlos's warm presence weighed on him. Carlos had left early, around 4 a.m., after receiving a call from his father about his mother’s worsening illness. Lando sighed, pushing the heavy thoughts aside as he dragged himself out of bed and into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

The kitchen was quiet as he prepared a simple bowl of cereal. He ate in silence, his mind drifting back to Carlos. After washing his dish, he settled on the couch with a deep sigh. Just then, his phone buzzed, and Max’s name appeared on the screen. Lando answered, smiling faintly.

- “Mate, you won’t believe the dream I had,”

Max started, his voice animated.

- “I was flying a plane—like, full-on pilot mode—but it was more like a spaceship. Insane, right?”

Lando chuckled faintly, but his mind wandered back to Carlos. The worry he felt was almost overwhelming, and it showed. Max noticed his quietness and paused.

- “Lando? You okay? Where’s Carlos? He's usually bugging you whenever I call.”

he asked, concern lacing his tone.

Lando sighed, leaning back against the couch.

- “Carlos had to leave early this morning. His dad called him around four saying his mom’s gotten worse. She’s been sick for a while, but now it’s... it’s more serious. I couldn’t even go with him. I’ve got so much to do—emails, race prep for Vegas—I feel awful, but there’s nothing I can do right now.”

Max frowned, his voice softening.

- “That sounds tough. Do you want me to come over? Keep you company?”

Lando smiled weakly, appreciating the offer.

- “Yeah, that’d be great. I could use some company right now.”

- “Alright, I’ll be there in twenty minutes,”

Max replied, his tone lightening slightly to offer some comfort.

- “Thanks, Max. I’ll see you soon,”

Lando said, ending the call.

To pass the time, Lando grabbed his laptop and began tackling his emails, trying to distract himself. Halfway through, his phone buzzed again, and his heart lifted when he saw Carlos’s name on the screen. He quickly answered the FaceTime call, his smile fading when he saw how exhausted Carlos looked.

- “Hey,”

Lando said gently.

- “Are you okay? How’s your mom?”

Carlos sighed, running a hand over his face.

- “It’s bad, Lando. The doctors don’t even know what it is yet. It could be something simple, like allergies, or something worse. They’re running more tests.”

Lando tilted his head, his voice soft and reassuring.

- “Carlos, I know it’s hard, but you need to stay strong. She’s going to be okay, I promise.”

Carlos shook his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

- “I don’t know, amor... I don’t know if I can do this.”

Before Lando could respond, another voice was heard off-screen—Carlos’s father. He called out to Carlos in Spanish, his tone serious. Carlos turned his head, his face paling as his father spoke.