𝙁1 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙩/ 𝙁1 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 <3

F1 House Chpt 7. "The argument."

"Okay, Max, you have to promise to not talk to anyone about this." Charles pleaded, puppy dog eyes in full swing. However, his tone, the hints of sadness in his eyes truly portrayed to max that, this isn't gossip. This is something going on, it's something that he really can't go around the house, around the paddock yapping about absent mindedly.

Max inhaled, cracked his knuckles individually and exhaled slowly. I'm going to be levelheaded, I'm not picking sides, I'm not going to tell anyone- all thoughts swirling his playful mind.
"Yes, I swear to you, Charlie, I won't tell anyone."

"Okay, so basically..."
--------------------------------------------------------
"And Carlos just stood there, in the hallway, crying." Charles finished off the account of the story, "I heard the whole interaction, saw it from when Carlos backed into the corridor."

"What the hell? Where did Lando go? What did he do?!"
"I saw Lando walk off into Oscar's room. I guess that doesn't make it a good look from Carlos' point of view, but you can't deny that they are close friends." Charles looked away from max. What were they going to do with this information?

"Well yea, Oscar's Lando's best friend, if I were Lando, I'd go to him after someone scared me like that! You'd probably go to Pierre." Max was, well he was appalled, invested and needed to know more. "Have you talked to Oscar? About that evening?"

"Well, no? I haven't." Charles sighed deeply, "But you're about to aren't you."

"What! Why would you say that you act as though I'm a gossip queen or something!.." Max responded, losing confidence the longer he talked for, quite obviously lying to Charles and a bit to himself. Hey, a man can try! "Yea I'm gonna ask.." Max finished disappointed with himself.

"Mon Dieu, ne parlez pas trop, s'il vous plaît." Charles' voice trailed off.

And with that, Max stood up and got out of his bed, leaving Charles to go back to sleep in his bed. It's still early morning; I can't kill a guy for wanting to sleep.

But Max knew who wasn't asleep. It was actually in his favour this time.

Lando and Oscar.

So, Max decides to pick up his feet and slowly make his way towards Oscar's room; Mr Piastri would be up at this time, not for some good reason, but purely because he just would be. That man is a koala reincarnate; he'll be up at the weird hours and sleep for 20 hours whenever he can. I think the man needs to get checked for narcolepsy at this point.
Oscar even has a specific spot on the sofa where we keep a blanket and pillow for him because he's a massive napper and always cuddles up on the sofa. However, that wasn't that bad, he had a habit of ending up on people when he does this- so anyone who decides to sit there ends up with Oscar's head in their lap.

Knock. knock. knock.
Max rapt his knuckles against Oscar's door despite it being cracked open.
"Come in mate."

Max pushed the door open and closed it fully behind him. Is he talking to Oscar? Yes. Does he still respect that Charles said no gossip? Yes. There wasn't anyone else who needed to know what was going on until it was fixed, and getting it fixed quickly was on his agenda. It was causing tension across the whole house, and majorly stressing Charles out.

"Hey Oscar."
"Max..?" An apprehensive whisper.
"Look I'm not gonna be all subtle- something's going on with Lando, and you saw, and you talked to Lando about it. What happened after." Max forced through the awkwardness, he had a plan and everything to get to this topic, but he abandoned it and got straight to the point.

Oscar sighed deeply, and grimaced slightly, "Okay.. look you can't really tell anyone, and I promised I wouldn't, but you know enough to understand, so here's what happened.."

———————
Oscar's POV

It would be a lie to say I hadn't heard the commotion- I definitely heard it.
There isn't anyone else upstairs, so I rushed to my door but the second I opened it a crack I could see what was going on, and I decided that I just needed to watch, stay calm and keep my head. No reason to get angry, Lando can handle himself and I don't feel like getting in a fist fight in my own home. That would be silly. Plus, Carlos could probably take me out with one punch and I'm not that stupid.

"Or should I start earlier into the night? Where I believe this starts?"
A faint hum from Max confirmed.
Yea I'll start there.

It's movie night. There's a couple of people in the kitchen, a couple in the living room; everyone clattering around and making noise, getting ready for dinner with the TV. But I'm not one of them. I'm worn out, I'm tired, and honest to God I look like absolute shit, it's nap time.
I don't feel amazing, not in a nauseating way, or an aching way, just in a generally bad way. Could this be solved by sleeping? No. But that's my go to, so I don't have to be awake during it.
Due to this and its contribution to my utterly foul mood, I decided to get up and get dinner plated up for myself. It's something Carlos has made, and his Spanish dishes are just the best things ever- Carlos and Fernando merging their mother's recipes has got to be one of my favourite things, however, I just couldn't.

I scooped up some food into my personal plastic bowl, and moved slowly over to pull the long cardboard package of clingfilm off the top of the nearest counter. I pulled the clingfilm out and regretted my choices instantly. Never pick a fight with extra sticky clingfilm.
So, I hastily fumbled with the clingfilm, trying to pull it over the sides with as much tension as possible, trying to keep the film stuck to the sides.

Clearing away the mess by pushing it all 'out of sight, out of mind', I managed to find a pen amongst the clutter: plates, food, paper oh there's some post it notes! I scribbled my name down on the pink pad. The scratching of the old ballpoint was abrasive to my ears, but I ignored it. Peeled it off and stuck it slap bang in the middle of my clingfilmed bowl and put the pen down.
The fridge was cold, nipping at my fingers and waking me up a little- not that I needed to be reminded of my still awake state. The fridge was littered with leftovers from lots of people, most of it big Tupperware containers with notes in a variety of languages.
What should I do: Go upstairs and fall asleep to one of my favourite TV shows? Or attempt movie night, where I will also probably fall asleep?

"Hey Oscar!" A cheery voice sounded from the doorway through to the living room. It's quite definitely Lando, "you coming in for movie night? Your space is still free if you're joining!" Funnily enough the words sounded sweet, but the tone was slightly commanding. Lando wanted me at movie night. Which wasn't out of the ordinary; Lando was my best friend and teammate, so we do a lot together. I enjoy his energetic yet peaceful energy, and I suppose he likes my short but sweet replies. I'm a bit more of a listener, I guess. Maybe he needs that.

Lando's offered me a lot of comfort this past season; for the cameras we try to dim down our friendship, both of us a bit wary of saying something on camera that we shouldn't about the private backstage of the grid. Lando sucks at secret keeping, and I'm not much better. I'm not very talkative, so it normally doesn't matter, but the cameras always want you yapping on about one thing or the other- weather it's relevant or not is almost optional at this point. And my mind likes to wander, so it's a genuine concern.

But it still made me feel just that little bit better when I was invited to movie night, knowing my sofa space was open (and no one would take it) and I was free to join, and probably leave as I pleased. So, I responded, "Yea sure, I'm a bit tired though, kind of burnt out. I might fall asleep."

"If you want, I can sit next to you." Lando started, sounding a lot more considerate and understanding than his previous demand of me being there, "If you're afraid of falling asleep on whoever's next to you. Carlos isn't joining so I'm lacking a sofa buddy you know!"

And Lando found my weak point already. Yea I'm terrified of falling asleep on someone. It's awkward waking up on someone, and I hate touching people. I hate people touching me. Personal space is something I really value, but it isn't something asleep me values as much as awake me. Lando is one of the few people I'm okay with touching, so I'm quite happy to fall asleep around him. Not just because im comfortable around hm, also because he's never questioned it, and has just accepted it as something that happens. I think I even saw him scheduling in nap breaks for me on our next 'holiday'.
'Holiday' being the days we get to explore the cities we race in. You don't have to stay with your team, but it makes everything so much easier so we normally stick together, and Carlos will join us while Charles goes and joins the redbull team.

Also, I was completely right; I fell asleep 10 minutes into the movie, my head fell onto Lando's shoulder as he pulled a blanket up around me. I was tired enough to lose control of my muscles, but sadly not tired enough to escape a small bout of sleep paralysis. He thought I was asleep -which to be fair I wasn't far off- when he wrapped an arm around me. It was comforting, and the pressure pulled me into an instant sleep. Last time I fell asleep on Lando his arm went numb for ages, and ended in some serious pins and needles, so I don't blame him for getting his arm out from under me, even if it meant he couldn't reach the snack bowl now.

Then I woke up.

I was warm. Possibly too warm. Lando wasn't with me anymore.
I pulled out my phone, the screen blinded my sleep-stricken eyes. I find the clock on my home screen and realise it's only been around 30 minutes since I went to sleep. Everyone else was still around, not all watching the film. It became more of a chat or gossip room, some people playing games, some just talking or doing their own thing. I'm pretty sure I could hear Charles playing piano upstairs. I loved listening to his playing; it was soothing and made me feel instantly relaxed.
Pulling my head up off the sofa, I surveyed the room, taking in who's here and who's not. Max is currently losing Mario kart to Yuki, shouting from the few spectators of the game carry across the room.
Is that Daniel Riccardo doing yoga?
Not getting side tracked.

With a final yawn, I decide to get up and let my body follow my legs upstairs so I can chat with Charles.
However, once I'd finally clambered tiredly up all the stairs, I could hear something, and it wasn't Charles' soft little melodies which had stopped playing without me noticing. It was a commotion, an argument. And it sounded very Spanish.

There was Carlos getting walked into the corridor, and I quickly bolted for my own room, careful to not trip myself up or make noise as I almost slammed my door shut. I left it open a crack to see the argument tacking place.
(Random bird's POV)

"Lando." Carlos tried to stay calm, he really did. That's what he would probably say anyway. Was he being completely illogical? Yes. Was this completely unnecessary? Absolutely. But let's say our Spanish friend didn't see it that way, still doesn't see it this way.

Lando was sitting down on their double bed, a small basket of washing next to him on the floor. Folded washing piled next to him, Ferrari shirts and McLaren merch lined the slightly messy room, the colours merging happily, along with the navy-blue bedding. An abrasive mix of colours, and right there in the doorway stood Carlos, white shirt and blue jeans. Holding Teagan in his arms, wrong. Lando stood up, pushing some of the clothes away, meeting Carlos' gaze as he stood a couple steps away.


"Carlos? Uh you look like you've got quite the grip on baby Tea there... Can you give her to me please?" Lando chuckled nervously, confused. Carlos was standing in front of him, angry. Why is he angry? He's never in this bad of a mood, yet it's evident that both people here are trying to stay calm in some way, Carlos holding back what appears to be pure fury, Lando holding back tears.
Tears formed in his eyes already, all Carlos had said was his name, but there he was, angry, holding their baby with an odd malice. Why was he so goddamn angry already, why is he so scary. Why is he not holding my fucking baby correctly, Lando thought quickly, these coming as almost flashes to his eyes, red flags in this conversation pointed out to him like a marshal was standing right on top of Carlos waving two red flags right Infront of his eyes.

"No." Carlos started, a tear threatening to fall, Carlos threatening to shout, "Why is it, all I'm seeing is you and Oscar? Why am I being constantly compared to him? What are people trying to say!?" his voice wavered and cracked, "Are they correct?"

"Carlos. Give me my baby." Lando stepped closer to Carlos, threatening to walk him out into the corridor, where everyone would see the display of pure insecurity playing out in front of him. "Give me my baby, and don't you dare fucking accuse me of cheating on you."

"You.. yeah, sure, I can't accuse you, but I can fucking accuse him!" loud, harsh sounding words, and the baby started to cry. "I've seen the way you two look at each other! I'm not stupid, I have fucking eyes!" And that was it.

Lando's tears practically evaporated, there was no reason, no point in crying now. What an accusation. How dare he? Lando marched towards Carlos, taking him by surprise. Both men walked, Lando forwards, Carlos a few steps back.
They were in the hallway when Lando practically yanked Teagan out of his arms as gently as he could while still asserting due force. Carlos' arms went limp, numb, they weren't even there in his mind. His hand raised, prepared to do, something, anything; wait.
Wait wait wait. He was going to hit him? Carlos was angry, but no. No no no! No, he wouldn't hurt Lando? Even if Lando didn't love him, Carlos loved Lando! Carlos loved Lando.. He wouldn't...?

He would.
His hand raised to slap the other man across the face, but he didn't. Lando's hands, one placed supporting the baby, the other raised quickly, reaction speed on point. He grabbed Carlos' wrist, stopping it from going any further.
"You, Carlos. You are a pathetic man. Why would you stoop so low? I won't say anything to you now, it looks like you're jealous, and incredibly insecure. You go and work on that before you ever try speaking to me again." Carlos was letting the tears slip down his face, he was seeing what looked like a wall in front of him, stopping him from being with the ones he loved. Was this wall Oscar? Or was it self-pity, jealousy and insecurity? What was stopping him?

"Do you hear me, Carlos? When you talk to me next, you're either going to apologise, or break up with me like an adult. It's your choice." And Lando walked away from him.

He walked straight for Oscar's room.

Oscars POV:

"I was just shocked. Like, Crap. Lando's walking right towards my room. And Carlos is just stood crying." I finished the day's events. Minus me and Lando's conversation because that was private.

"Oh, he was jealous. Oscar, please be honest with me." and max paused. It was a long pause; a proper silence filled the room. He was going to ask a question, say something, at this point anything would be okay just to break the awkward silence building in the air.

"I've been honest max... what do you want to know?" fear filled my voice, my lungs, my whole body. What was he going to say.

"Oscar, does Carlos have. Does he possibly have legitimate reason to be jealous?"
"Jealous of me?! Im friends with Lando! And sure, I may have a slight crush on him, but God, NO. Jesus Christ." I whisper yelled at Max. Jesus he was going to end up knowing more than the actual people involved.

"A crush?"
"Oh shush Max. Like you never had a crush on someone you couldn't have! You can think it and never act on it. I'm happy, I think it would be better for me and Lando to stay friends even if he ended up available!"
Max looked at me slightly confused, and almost mad at the insinuation of him having a crush that wasn't Charles.
"Daniel Riccardo. I saw the way you looked at him back in the day, Max. But you never did anything did you."

And a huff of silent understanding. "Fine, yes, I know what you mean then. You haven't done anything."

More silence. Thick and heavy, oppressive and not where I wanted to be at all. And I can't believe I'll do it, but I do. I consider telling Max, its risky and as much as I trust max, I almost don't trust myself with the information.
"Max." a tear threatened to fall.
"Oscar." Max reached a hand out to grasp mine, it was quick but gentle the way he pulled my ands away from their resting place Infront of my chest. Fiddling with my own hands, I must have accidently pulled my skin to hard.
Max pulls my blood speckled hand away from my white shirt and waits for what I'll say.
"He knows. He came and sat on top of my bed with me, pulled me into a hug from behind while I did Teagan's hair. He whispered to me, in the sweetest voice, Max. It was like he wanted to cry himself, but he was speaking to me. 'I know what it's like to want something. Something you can't have.'

"what." 
————————————
And that's around 3,200 words for you. It's not long, but I promise I'll update semi-soon!
I'll be honest, I've done this because of my 'change in allegiance'.
Landoscar or carlando? Ugh I just can't choose anymore!!
So you guys have to!

Do you want a happy ending for both of them, or do we want a carlando make up.
Or a LandOscar get together?

Also I'm here to report, when the new season starts I'm going to be returning to writing semi-regularly! Short chat chapters. I'll have to get a feel for how I want to characterise the new rookies, so give me some time of just ignoring them 😔 (sorry).
THANK YOU!!
-author/Charlie/Tommy