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

" support for each other.... " - 51

~ media day... 😭 we're only a couple days away from the final race. 💔

Also chapter 55 will be really long and it will be possibly the last chapter! :)

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Tuesday came, and the day was slow and relaxing. Carlos and Lando took Abby on a short walk, the puppy excitedly trotting ahead of them as they stopped occasionally to snap pictures.

Lando would tease Carlos about his photo angles, while Carlos made sure to capture Lando's "good side." They even managed a few pictures together, Abby happily squirming in their arms.

Wednesday rolled in quietly. Lando and Abby spent most of the day in the hotel room, while Carlos went out to spend time with Charles.

They hadn't had much opportunity to hang out one-on-one during the hectic season, and Carlos felt it was important to cherish the time they had left as teammates.

Meanwhile, Lando was stretched out on the couch, idly scrolling through Instagram. A post from Carlos's story caught his eye: a candid photo of Carlos and Charles laughing together. Lando smiled to himself, admiring how close the two were.

- "They're so adorable,"

he murmured, shaking his head.

Abby's barking interrupted his thoughts. Her small body was pressed against the door, growling softly as her tail wagged. Lando raised his eyebrows and called her over.

- "Abby, come on, what's got you all worked up?"

he asked, his voice light. But she kept her focus on the door, barking louder.

With a sigh, Lando stood and walked to the door, cracking it open. To his surprise, Carlos was standing there.

- "Carlos? Don't you have a key?"

Carlos chuckled sheepishly.

- "I, uh, might have lost it somewhere,"

he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

- "Probably in Charles's car. I didn't realize until I got here."

Lando rolled his eyes playfully, stepping aside to let him in.

- "You really would lose your head if it weren't attached, wouldn't you?"

- "Very funny,"

Carlos replied, smirking as he bent down to scoop Abby into his arms. The puppy immediately licked his face, her happy barks echoing through the room.

- "At least someone's happy to see me."

Lando crossed his arms, smiling.

- "We both are, don't worry. How was it with Charles?"

Carlos set Abby down and stretched, his grin softening.

- "It was great. We don't get much time to just... be friends anymore, you know? Racing makes everything so busy. It felt amazing to catch up without helmets or strategy meetings in the way."

- "That's nice,"

Lando said, crouching to pick up Abby, who was pawing at his leg.

- "I'm glad you two got to hang out."

Carlos leaned in, pressing a kiss to the top of Lando's head.

- "Thanks for understanding. I'll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?"

Before Lando could respond, their phones buzzed simultaneously. He set Abby down and grabbed his phone from the couch. The group chat with all the drivers had lit up, announcing plans for a dinner on Thursday night.