Formula 1 One-Shots (II)

Charles Leclerc [Where were you]

A/N A short one with Charles! Tonight I will upload the last request chapter for this book. The number of one-shots will be limited since I need to fill the spots left in this book. Sooo, maybe you want to think about your perfect request (:

WORDS: 812

WARNINGS: Mentions of a death friend
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As quietly as possible, I open the door to Charles's and my apartment. If I'm lucky, he's still asleep and hasn't noticed that I was out for about half the night. Now I just need to get rid of the jeans because they have a hole and some blood spots, and after that, I'll curl up in bed. But just as I close the door, someone clears their throat in the dark. My shoulders sink in resignation. Well, looks like I felt too safe.

The light is switched on, and I squint my eyes because of the brightness. Then I turn around to spot Charles, who has his arms crossed and an icy expression on his face.

"Where were you?" he asks, staring at my face, trying to see if I'm even attempting to lie to him.

"Didn't you see my note?" I ask, trying to distract him from his question. Charles just huffs.

"Of course I saw it. You stuck it on my forehead while I was sleeping," he says, holding up the little sticky note I pinned to his forehead before I left.

"Well, then you know I was just outside for a bit," I say, hoping he hasn't been awake for too long. His facial expression says otherwise, and my hopes sink.

"It's four in the morning. I've been awake for over an hour, waiting for you. Your side of the bed is neat and cold; you didn't even sleep here for a bit. So I'm asking you again: Where were you?"

"Nowhere," I mutter, lowering my gaze to avoid looking at him. With a soft sigh, Charles comes closer and probably notices my knees.

"You have blood on your knees. No one goes nowhere and ends up with blood on their knees afterward," Charles says, outraged, and ruffles his hair.

"I'm just worried about you. You were outside for half the night and now you have bloody knees." Gently, Charles grabs my shoulders and looks pleadingly into my eyes. Looking for comfort, I wrap my arms around him and press my face into his chest. For a moment, Charles hesitates, before hugging me back, his hand brushing over my back.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asks softly, tightening his hug. I take a deep breath before I begin to speak.

"It was time for the ritual," I mumble against his chest. Charles stops his movements and seems to think about my words.

"Do you remember?" I already did it during the end of our school years, once a year, every time on her day of death. Yes, Charles and I went to school together, but we didn't really see each other until about a year ago when we fell in love.

"I know you came to school more than tired around this time and that you did something during the night because of your dead friend, but I don't know what," he informs me, and I nod. He's right; I usually was more than tired the day after, didn't speak to anyone, because during the night I fulfilled a tradition of ours, just to help me grieve and not lose her completely. Of course, I will never forget her; we were inseparable, but the memories will fade, and everything will be easier.

For a moment, I stay silent, until I begin to explain to Charles what I did. "You know we liked to sneak out during the night and watch the stars. Usually on a hill, lying in the grass during the quiet of the night. This is what I do on the night of her death, just to be close to her." I finish my explanation and lift my head slightly.

"Sorry for not telling you. Well, not telling you where I was; you shouldn't be worrying about me." I apologize to Charles and look into his eyes. Carefully, his fingers brush over my face.

"You don't need to apologize, not for this. Thank you for telling me," he mumbles, taking my hand.

"And now we take care of your knee," he decides, and pulls me into the bathroom.

While he searches for the bandages and disinfectant, I get rid of the dirty jeans and wash the soil from my hands.

"How did this happen?" Charles asks as he crouches down in front of me and begins to clean my knee. I flinch at the burning sensation, but keep quiet.

"On the way back, I stumbled on something but managed to catch myself. The way back to the parking lot is definitely trickier in the dark," I explain, scrunching my face at the scare I gave myself earlier.

"You're so clumsy," Charles grins at me, and I can't stop myself from giving him a soft smile in return. He stands up and holds out his hand for me.

"Come on, let's get some sleep." Charles carefully leads me back to the bedroom, and we cuddle under the blanket, sleeping soundly while the sun rises and the birds begin to chirp.