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

" starting a small family.... " - 48

~ last chapter for maybe a couple days maybe not.

I'll post possibly on Friday or Saturday! 🤍

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The day started early, and Lando knew it would be challenging. Carlos was far from his usual self, his fever stubbornly clinging to him as they prepared to head to Qatar for one of the busiest race weeks of the season.

Lando had hoped that the fever would break, giving Carlos the energy and strength to tackle the weekend, but it only seemed to get worse.

At the airport, Carlos struggled to walk straight, his fever leaving him weak and unsteady. Lando kept a close eye on him, his worry growing with every faltering step.

The bustling jet was quieter than usual, the team noticing Carlos’s condition but refraining from saying much. While Carlos rested in his seat, coughing intermittently, Lando stayed awake, his gaze fixed on him.

He hated seeing Carlos like this—pushing himself despite his body clearly begging for rest.

By the time they landed in Qatar, Carlos insisted on carrying their bags, his determination as strong as ever despite his obvious exhaustion. Lando sighed, knowing it wasn’t worth the argument—at least not until Carlos almost fell halfway down the private jet stairs.

- “Carlos!”

Lando exclaimed, catching him just in time. He grabbed the bags from Carlos, his tone firm.

- “I’m taking these. No buts.”

Carlos sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as he reluctantly let Lando take over.

- “Fine,”

he muttered, his voice hoarse.

The private car was waiting for them, and Lando guided Carlos carefully, ensuring he got in safely before loading their luggage. On the way to the hotel, Lando made a case for them to be in the same hotel, emphasizing Carlos’s condition to the team.

His persistence paid off—they were allowed to stay at the same hotel, though still in separate rooms.

As they arrived, fans crowded around, their cheers and screams echoing through the evening air. Lando forced a smile, waving at the crowd, but his focus remained on Carlos. He subtly kept an arm around him, helping him stay steady while carrying their bags.

Inside the hotel, they quickly collected their key cards and headed upstairs. Lando dropped his luggage in his own room but immediately went to help Carlos settle into his. Once inside, Lando insisted that Carlos rest.

Carlos hesitated, standing by the bed, his stubbornness flaring.

- “I’m fine, Lando,”

he muttered weakly.

“Carlos, come on,” Lando said with a small laugh.

- “I’ll stay with you, okay? Now, get changed and into bed.”

That seemed to change Carlos’s mind. He nodded and pulled on some comfortable pajamas before crawling into bed. Lando grinned at how quickly Carlos complied when he knew he wouldn’t be left alone.

Lando quickly changed as well, pulling on one of Carlos’s shirts. It was loose on him, and he chuckled at how it smelled faintly like him. Sliding into bed, Lando wrapped his arms around Carlos, pulling him close.

Carlos let out a content sigh, his body relaxing against Lando’s.

- “You’re too good to me,”

he murmured sleepily.