Chapter Text
Lando.
The bad feeling followed him all the way from the UK to Italy. He was going to see his boyfriend, who out of the blue had urged him to see him just days after they had been together in Monaco.
He had to admit that during those days, he had noticed Carlos was somewhat distracted, and even worried. He hadn't pressured him to tell him, he knew Carlos trusted him and would talk to him when he was ready.
Trust was the basis of their relationship. They told each other everything, trusted each other with the most important things, as if they were still best friends.
But that didn't make Lando any less uneasy. He would give anything so that Carlos wouldn't have any anguish or worry. For the other to simply be happy.
So as soon as the other told him he needed to see him, Lando just agreed and told him he would be there as soon as possible.
He didn't even have to pack much. He spent a lot of time in the house that Ferrari provided for Carlos, he had a lot of his things there.
As soon as he arrived, Carlos wrapped his arms around him, holding the embrace for several seconds longer than usual.
"How are you?"
"A little worried about your call. Something bad happened?" Carlos sat down across from him and rubbed his hands together nervously.
"No, or well I don't know. I have to tell you something bad, and I can't find the words for it... but I can't keep hiding this from you." Lando was now more alert than ever.
"I... You know you can tell me anything, even if it's one or two words...try." He tried to calm him down, but nothing prepared him for what he heard next.
"I'm confused, Lando. I think we should take some time off."
The silence lasted several seconds, then Carlos continued.
"I don't know why this is happening to me, Lando. I, I've been going crazy these days and I don't know what to do because I don't even know how I feel about this other person. But one thing I know for sure is that I love you, and I don't want to hurt you. And that's why I think that..."
"Who is this other person?" Carlos took a breath and exhaled....
"Charles. Like...Our Charles." Lando took the blow as graciously as he could, but the truth was that any other name would have hurt less than Charles Leclerc.
The best driver of his generation.
The man with the beautiful face and the sexy accent.
And one of his closest friends.
Any other name would have made him explode in fury, ask Carlos why. What did they have that he didn't. What kind of gimmick he was seduced with.
But no. It was Charles.
He didn't think him capable of trying anything with Carlos, even if he really was attracted to him.
"Cariño, please say something." Pleaded the other, as if anything was better than silent uncertainty.
"You... Are you confused? Do you think you have feelings for Charles?" He said quietly, but without trembling, as if recapitulating the information.
"Y-Yes..."
"You're not sure."
"No."
Lando fell silent again, mouth still, not letting the other know how he felt.
He needed to consider his options. The few he had.
He couldn't be mad at Carlos. He was just being honest, and it wasn't his fault, or anyone else's, to fall in love with someone else.
It hurt, of course it hurt. But there was nothing he could do about it.
However, a small glimmer of hope kept him from completely falling apart, and it was that Carlos wasn't breaking up with him. He was asking for time to clear his mind. Maybe talk to Charles, spend time with him and see if the other also had feelings or if his teammate was the one to make him happy.
Because, yes, Charles Leclerc could raise doubts on any man, and even tear apart a relationship... But his and Carlos' were solid as hell, they weren't going to fall apart like that.
They were three years into a stable, loving relationship that was undoubtedly good for both of them. He was as good a boyfriend as he could be, and Carlos appreciated that.
He had to maintain that position. Be patient, be attentive, and let Carlos see that they were worth staying together.
Or at least, he hoped it was enough.
"All right."
"What?" the Spaniard asked, confused.
"You can take some time alone, for you to make up your mind. Maybe for a month or two, I think that's plenty of time for your confusion to be resolved. Then, we'll meet up and you'll tell me if you want to break up for good... or keep giving us a chance."
Carlos was speechless.
"Lando, amor... You don't deserve this."
"I know. And I really hope I won't regret it."
"Just.. why?"
"Because I believe you when you say you love me. And after all this time together I really hope that this is all just a little hiccup... But I want you to be sure. Promise me that whatever you decide, you'll be very sure about it. And you will tell me the truth."
The other let out a couple of tears and leaned in to kiss him.
"I promise."
Lando nodded and let himself be kissed one last time.
"I'll leave early tomorrow morning."
Carlos nodded and Lando walked out of there.