Chapter Text
The actual first chapter of the Wattpad fic can be found here
This is the beginning of the actual story.
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He had forgotten his toothpaste. Carlos had forgotten his toothpaste. Of all the times he'd traveled he'd never forgotten a thing, but on the night before the first race of the season, he was going to have spinach in his teeth. He had three choices. Ask the front desk, go out and buy some, or ask Charles in the next room over. It was a bit late to annoy the concierge or a store clerk, he would annoy Charles, he reasoned.
He picked up his phone and scrolled to find "Charlie."
Forgot my toothpaste. Can I borrow urs?
The reply was almost immediate.
"👍"
He threw his phone on his bed and went to open the door that adjoined their two rooms. It was unusual for their rooms to not be completely separate, but Carlos was grateful for it. Now he wouldn't have to roam the halls in his bright red Cars pajamas. He knocked on the door, waiting for a reply. A few moments later Charles opened the door, his hair soaking wet. He was wearing nothing but a towel around his SNATCHED waist. Carlos felt a blush creeping up his neck. He'd seen him shirtless before, what was so different this time? Before he had more time to explore that question, Charles spoke. "You want this or not?" He said, waving the toothpaste in front of his face.
Charles's smooth Monegasque accent snapped him back to reality and he stared at the tube of Crest Ultrawhite.
"Oh, I don't really like that one. Too minty."
"What toothpaste do you use then?" Charles smirked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Bubblegum flavor," Carlos deadpanned.
Charles laughed, no malice behind it. "You use bubblegum toothpaste and wear Cars PJs? I thought I was supposed to be the younger one."
Carlos grabbed the toothpaste from him, holding back a smile. "Thankth," he mumbled. He shut the door behind him and continued to the bathroom. His face scrunched up unpleasantly. The toothpaste really was too minty.
🏎 🏎 🏎
Carlos woke to a soft rustling coming from the bathroom. He tensed, ready to jump up and call the police. He hesitated, however, when the distinct scent of geranium and cedar wafted towards him.
"Charles, what the fuck are you doing here?!?" He asked, reaching for the duvet and throwing it over himself desperately.
"Don't worry about covering up your martini boxers, I already noticed," Charles said from the other room as if reading his thoughts.
"I like them," Carlos said defensively, grabbing his Cars pajamas to throw back on.
"Me too," Charles said, emerging from the bathroom toothpaste in hand. He glanced across the room at the alarm on Carlos's nightstand. "It's almost seven, you might wanna put some real clothes on." He smirked, looking down at his pajamas.
"Ok mom," Carlos said sarcastically.
Charles only laughed, taking his toothpaste back and leaving the lingering scent of Yves Saint Laurent's Y after him.
🏎 🏎 🏎
Charles brushed his teeth with his newly returned toothpaste. He combed back his SILKY hair, although he wasn't sure why he did so. It always got messed up by mid-day. He threw on a pair of jogging shorts and a white tee shirt.
After working out, Charles made his way to the hotel lobby. To his surprise, Carlos was already there, sitting alone at a corner booth. He had a croissant in one hand and his phone in the other. He looked up as Charles scooched next to him. Charles felt he'd maybe sat a little too close, but Carlos didn't react so Charles stayed where he was.
"Hey," Carlos started, "the croithantth here are pretty good, you should get one."
"I don't really like almond croissants," Charles replied
"But theethe are really good, here, try it " Carlos shoved the pastry into his hand.
Charles took a bite. "You're right," Charles said, giving the wide-eyed this is surprisingly delicious face. He handed the croissant back to Carlos and got up to get his own breakfast. As he walked towards the buffet, he glanced back to see Carlos staring at his absolutely voluptuous dump truck. I don't blame him, he thought to himself, smiling. I CAN SQUAT 160 kg. (Or about 350 lbs for all Americans out there)
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," He said with a wink.
Carlos burst out laughing. "Maybe I will!" he yelled. Charles struck a pose and Carlos raised his phone to take a picture. "I'm pothting thith on my thtory!"
"It's a gift to the world!" Charles responded, and walked away with a little more swing in his hips. He returned a few moments later with 4 croissants. Two almond, one chocolate, and one plain. Carlos didn't budge when Charles sat even closer, he only looked at his plate and said, "you're going to get fat."
"It's okay I'm bulking. All the fat just goes to MY ASS AS YOU NOTICED BEFORE."
Carlos eyed him. "The whole world notitheth in those thortth."
Charles would have felt uncomfortable if it was anyone else saying those words, but it was Carlos. "Hey! My eyes are up here," he said, gesturing with a grin.
"I notithed that too," Carlos said, looking up with those deep chocolate eyes. Charles found himself staring, and maybe he would have stared longer if it weren't for the waiter who appeared at their table.
"Is everything okay here?" He said cheerily.
Charles cleared his throat. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks." They both stared down at their half eaten croissants as the waiter walked away. After a few moments of silence, Carlos stood up.
"I'm jutht gonna... get thome apple juith," he said, gesturing vaguely behind him. The Spaniard turned to walk away. He was almost around the corner when he glanced back. Their eyes met only for a moment before he disappeared.
Time stretched out before Charles. Only now did he notice how sweaty his palms were. As he wiped his hands on his FLATTERING jogging shorts, he couldn't get Carlos out of his head. His eyes were stuck in his mind like a melody and they wouldn't let him go. He took another bite of his croissant, trying to gather himself. Was Carlos feeling the same way? Or was he setting himself up for another Raphael?
It seemed like ages before Carlos returned with two glasses. He set one in front of Charles before sitting back down. Charles couldn't help but smile to himself. Carlos had gotten him orange juice, his favorite.
"I know you prefer it," Carlos said, breaking his train of thought.
Charles blushed. "Yeah, thanks."
🏎 🏎 🏎
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Charles's heart thumped in his chest as the countdown began. The 5 red lights loomed maddingly above him. Beep.
LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO.
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THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A KERFLUFFLE GOING ON.
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LECLERC MAKES IT INTO THE LEAD.
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PEREZ THE WILEY OLD CAMPAIGNER MIGHT BE A FRONT TIRE AHEAD GOING DOWN THE HILL. HE'S NOW A WHOLE CAR AHEAD... GOING DOWN THE HILL... PEREZ SAID THANK YOUUU VERY MUCH.
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HE'S DOING IT AGAIN HE'S GOING FOR IT AGAIN: MAX VERSTAPPEN. AND HE'S GOT A QUARTER OF A CAR LENGTH IN FRONT.
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LECLERC FOR THE SECOND LAP RUNNING HAS RETAKEN THE LEAD.
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THIS IS ABSOLUTELY EPIC.
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OOH THAT'S A BIG OL' LOCKUP MAX
THIS TIME AROUND CHARLES LECLERC WITH THE AID OF THAT LOCKUP HAS GOT THE ADVANTAGE GOING INTO TURN 4 AND HE SHOULD BE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO KEEP THAT ADVANTAGE AS WELL.
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PIERRE GASLY'S ALPHA TAURI HAS OVERHEATED AND HAS CAUGHT FIRE.
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THAT'S A VERY VERY HOT ALPHA.
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SAINZ IS RIGHT ON THE TAIL OF MAX VERSTAPPEN AS THEY HEAD DOWN THE STRAIGHT, LECLERC IS AWAY AND OFF INTO THE DISTANCE.
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LECLERC LEADS VERSTAPPEN ON THE INSIDE, SAINZ ON THE OUTSIDE, VERSTAPPEN STAYS AHEAD GOING INTO TURN 1.
CARLOS SAINZ PULLS OUT TO THE INSIDE AND OVERTAKES MAX VERSTAPPEN AND IT'S A FERRARI ONE TWO HERE IN BAHRAIN
FORTY SIX RACES SINCE THEY SINCE THEY LAST WON FERRARI A ONE AND TWO HERE.
CHARLES LECLERC, WHO'S WON TWICE IN FORMULA ONE BEFORE FOR POLE IS GONNA WIN FOR POLE AGAIN AND START THE SEASON OFF WITH CELEBRATIONS FOR FERRARI.
CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX AND IT IS A ONE TWO FINISH FOR THE SCUDERIA, CARLOS SAINZ COMES HOME IN SECOND
"LET'S GOOOOOOO. LET'S GOOOOO COME ON!" Leclerc heard himself cheer to no one in particular.
After coming to a stop, he leapt out of the car as fast as his body would let him. Carlos was right behind him, a smile brighter than the sun plastered to his face. The next thing Charles knew he was hugging Carlos tight. The explosive cheers from the crowd drifted away. The warm embrace stopping time for just a moment. Hands reached out in congratulations, but they could wait through this one shining moment. Carlos pulled away and cheered emphatically. Charles laughed. On the podium, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. Holding a comically large bottle of champagne, he felt like the king of the world.