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There is one question that has been circling around Charles' head while he – and Carlos walking through their motorhome alley. Carlos is one step ahead of him with his body relaxed, fingers are typing in the air like playing drums as if his statement earlier did not cause a shock.
Charles took a deep breath and focused his gaze on the Spaniard's back, "Carlos- since when you or how? Eh, I-mean" The fuck why he is stuttering?
"Ah, Cabron'' The laughter from the Spaniard is soo irritating in his ears.
They don't stop walking, instead, Carlos turns his head back and meets Charles concerning the eye,
"Don’t you trust me, Sharl?"
Those sentences always, always, coughed up in Charles' throat. In every c2 challenge, in pre-race debrief, everywhere.
Charles clears his throat and stops walking. They shouldn't actually, his home race paddock already preparing for his deep slumber after a long long double header- but Charles couldn't help it to stay a bit longer just to watch the Spaniard's face glowing under the moonlight
"I do. But –" His answer slightly doubting his teammate.
But Carlos, always be Carlos, wave his hand in front of Charles's face like it's not a big matter,
"Then you'll be fine"
"Alright," his instant reply make his teammate smile wider.
Everyone says Charles is beautiful, which means they have never seen this version of Carlos.
"I don't have a helmet.. does a racing helmet work?" He practically rushed through his hotel room, searching for this and that. He is on the phone with Andrea, patiently listening to his mistress
"No, obviously not- It's too heavy. Ask Carlos to bring one" Andrea' voice is so small because he places the phone in the pile of his clothes
"Come on Andrea! How he – " paused. "bring me the other helmet–" his hand takes out another jacket, this one is too thin so no, "while he is riding–" the leather jacket looks good on him but is it too hot to wear in the afternoon?
"Charles just wear a jacket"
He stops rummaging his closest, "You sure?" his voice comes unsure towards his phone as if Andrea is in the same room with him.
"Yes and I told you, Carlos will understand this is your first time riding a motorcycle. he will understand.” Andrea's voice gets further. Charles thinks he is also preparing whatever his belongings before coming back to the phone
"Ciao Charles, I'll see you at the villa!"
"Hey hey! Wait, Andrea!" Charles cried while instantly running to get his phone.
But soon Charles’ hand grips his phone, and the line is already dead, in return his phone is buzzing with other notifications.
Carlos Sainz
"You ready? I'm already down here in your basement.
[Sent a photo]
Charles quickly unlocks his phone to see what Carlos send
"I brought one for you. Just in case"
It’s a helmet.
God, Charles' legs suddenly turned into jelly. He is grateful to have a very reliable friend. But on the other side, he is actually ashamed of it, he never ever tried to ride a motorcycle or even as a passenger. Especially after knowing– he just knew – Carlos can drive one. Carlos can cook and play golf– and drive fast cars too. Carlos who holds him endearingly, knows how to woo him and cradle him like a ray of sunshine. Carlos and his words and his touch immediately made him blush and melt at the same time. Charles knew it, his inner child calling for it and attracting Carlos to his side. To devours a comfort he is long gone.
He is just my friend. Charles needs to remind himself again and again.
A deep breath sucked the whole air in the hotel before Charles typed "On my down."
He grabs his belongings and the jacket Andrea told him to wear
"Wait…" Charles's hands stop when he turns the knob, he quickly dives for his phone again and type
"Is wearing a jacket okay?"
He hits send and waits for the reply excitedly
Not more than a minute, his phone buzzed "Yes, but u can bring a raincoat too just in case it will rain but I don't think so. We should enjoy the sun."
He can feel his legs getting worked up. Both feet bounced up and down before impatiently heating up his finger to get ready to turn the knob of the door, "Here goes nothing, baby"
Charles hopes he doesn't fall on his knees in front of Carlos.
He does fall on his knee. If it's not how hot his teammate is. Half sitting in black accented by Ducati– well that is what was written on the side of his motor but holy fuck he–
"Hello, Lord Perceval. How can I serve you?" He smiled teasingly at him.
Carlos pushed himself to stand two feet beside his motor. Black boots and a black leather jacket match well with the color of his motor. Messed hair because of the helmet, his brown eyes shining endearingly at him– Charles lost the ability to speak, his body autopiloting, and kept walking towards his teammate who was patiently waiting for him without answering Carlos' greeting.
"Ready for a short trip yeah. Well maybe not, since you live in Monaco" Carlos is still doing his chit-chat- Fixing his hair and fishing his motor gloves from the pocket.
Not hearing any responses, Carlos turned his head to face Charles' red face. He doesn't need to say a word, Charles already giggled nervously
"Ah ah yes? A trip yes" He tried to say more but nothing came up. Charles scanned Carlos' entire suit, how perfect he could be as a man. The hair tossed back but some of it fell into his forehead. He noticed how debilitated Carlos' brown pupil was. Is he excited too? His cheek is perfectly shaved and as Charles's eyes trail down, he found himself lingering a little longer in Carlos's lips before he quickly adverts his gaze away to find another object, his motor.
"Wow, what a great motor whatever it is– I honestly had no fucking idea. But uhm yeah! You surprised me, mate!" He laughed. Charles let a suppressed laugh because how supposed he be functional when Carlos is staring at him like that,
Like… like he is the world.
"Yeah? Don't tell anyone, especially my father will be mad at me"
And Carlos tells him how excited he is when he finds a motorcycle sport rental in Monaco. It’s probably a hobby or something but Carlos said it’s been a long time since the last time he rode one and Charles is sure he went blank, Is it a secret between us? Does nobody know about it?
"It's nice, eh? That they did this to us. Have a little relaxation and team bonding" Carlos said while preparing his driving gloves.
Red looks good on him but black is– he wears it like he owns it.
Charles watched Carlos get into the motor, balancing it with his two feet. His hand is on the gas handle and the other one shoves a helmet to Charles.
"Here you go"
Charles, as confident as he always wants to look, takes the helmet and puts it on his head. Just like a normal helmet right? No need to be so nervous he can do it.
"You need to clip the straps on the edges, Charles," Carlos said without looking at him.
Good, because Charles's fingers fumble between the safety straps and the lock system, his fingers are sweating. He missed it. His body is on fire, his breath ragged, and in his head, there is a voice calling him loser, loser, can't clip the motor helmet, fuck he forget to bring his Ferrari bracelet.
A hand placed nicely on his wrist and he felt his body pulled closer to the motor. "Relax, Cabron. Let me help you"
Carlos's fingers find their way against his skin and finally meet his own fingertips. He held Charles' hand so soft and replaced it with his own hand. A simple click sound and it is done
"Ah. Thank you, Carlos," He said in shy manners.
Carlos smiled before putting on his own black helmet. He starts the motor engine and it roars inside the basement. Charles felt the same thrill during the race.
"Hop in!" Carlos’s voice is carefree and a bit shouting because of the loud sound.
Charles hesitated for a second. His eyes searched for a place to step up and how to climb into the passenger seat.
He can feel Carlos nudge his jacket and place his own hand on Charles’ wrist.
"Here you hold my shoulder, then you step on this little silver block. See it?"
Charles nods and places his hand on Carlos' shoulder. He doesn't realize when he steps into the block, he might squeeze Carlos- too hard because it is so high on the air
"Owh! So high mate!" Charles finally sits on the top of the seat and he can see the whole land like a bird eye. The high did not frighten him, it excites him.
"I told you, you gonna like it" Carlos peaking at him
His position is slightly higher than Carlos's. It is more likely because Carlos has to half-bend his body. It makes Charles see everything wider and clearer than driving the car.
"Nervous?" Carlos asked. The engine starts getting warm and Charles is still rigid on the top of the Ducati.
"No... it's just... Where should I hold it? I mean it is for the balance thing" He waves his hand from side to side only to find an empty hot air
Suddenly, he could feel his left hand grabbed by the Spaniard. Charles is sure he is getting pulled in front until his chest flushes against Carlos' broad back. His finger gripping nervously Carlos' side leather jacket. His teammate placed a warm comforting glove hand against his own.
"Hold me. Make sure you don't fall backward okay?" He can listen to Carlos clearer now. His skin brushed against Carlos's motor gloves. It's new and comfortable.
"Don't worry. It will be like a rollercoaster ride. You liked it, no?" Carlos tilted his head to get closer to Charles’ side.
"Yes, I love rollercoasters!" It’s really funny because they are shouting at each other. His helmet prevents him from speaking in a normal tone.
Carlos starts slowly to get out of Charles’ apartment. “People won’t see us right?” Charles said when they passed a big mirror placed before the exit.
“As long as we do not open our visors. Don’t worry” Carlos stops for a moment to wait for the perfect time to go to the road. He then opens the visor and slightly turns back to Charles’
“You're probably going to see Monaco in a different way. I did it when driving here and it’s so wonderful. Your country is beautiful, just like you.” Carlos giggled and closed his visor down.
Charles could feel his face blushing and the hand grip getting tighter. It's just a joke, Charles. Nothing serious.
“When we go down into the main street, I will slow down. But when we are on the mountain road, I will go fast, make sure to have a strong grip okay?” He said one last thing before getting closer to the exit.
Charles only nods on his back, not minding that Carlos won’t see it either. “I trust you” he doesn’t say it out loud. But it’s enough for him to feel the upcoming thrill from the heated engine.
The Monaco streets are so lively. Charles could see his high school standing proudly and become very bright because of the direct sun. The main road is not too busy but the sea breeze suddenly hits his jacket harshly, making him let out a shiver. It seems Carlos is increasing his speed. He grips Carlos' sides tighter but his head still wants to sneak around. From his left, he saw the people cheering, relaxing, and drinking on the yacht, enjoying a day in Monaco. He could see a millionaire car with the people chattering inside it on his right side. The sky is so clear and blue.
When they go into the hairpin road, the country is like a popped-up book. The historical Monaco racing roads, the clear ocean painted by white strokes foaming from jetski random people doing it. Maybe it could be Arthur or Lorenzo. He chuckled as realizing that all of the scenery he just watched, he lives on it. He does it every single day. His country is colorful, rich, happy, and exciting. He has never been more grateful than this.
Carlos seems to notice Charles’ interest. He doesn’t say anything, instead driving more closer to the side of the road, right beside the ocean and yacht parking. Who knows, the ocean and engine become a perfect combination for Charles. He never realized until Carlos brought him.
His grip on Carlos's side is starting to get loose. Mindfully trying to feel the air between his fingers, Charles becomes more relaxed when they finally get far away from the country, ready to ride through the Mont Agel. The villa is located in southern France so they are halfway to go.
In front of them, Charles can see they are approaching the Chemin des Révoires road pathway—a sudden rush from his heart beating so fast.
Carlos slowed his speed and slightly went into the road barrier, he asked "Tired?"
"No what? Mate why did you stop?" He unconsciously slaps Carlos's shoulder and it let a strangle cough from his teammate
"Okay Cabron" Between Charles' excitement, Carlos holds a smile inside his helmet.
Of a sudden, Carlos increases his speed that makes Charles body plastered into his broad back
"Carlos!" Charles shouted loudly. There was probably zero chance Carlos could hear him. The abrupt speed makes the wind gust him from every side. His mind was flying, the pace was getting on his nerves and he couldn't feel his body because of the wind.
His body needed warmth so initially he found himself wrapping around Carlos' warm body. Charles can't see what is in front of him, nevertheless, he can feel one of Carlos's hands searching his hand. The added warmth made Charles curl up against his body more. Carlos guides his left hand to intertwine with his right one. His hand lingered on top of Charles' longer than he thought.
"Charles" He can hear Carlos shouting his name, maybe because there is no gap between them
"Yess?" Charles curled up even closer, his helmet half resting on his teammate's shoulder
"Look left" Carlos gestures at it with a left nod.
Charles followed his direction and found himself mouth agape. He is too focused on his fear and forgets to enjoy the scenery. They almost reach the bird's view of Monaco
"Oh my god"
His teammate slowed down his speed, "We can stop a minute in Parkplatz. Do you want it?"
Charles nodded, "Yeah, sure" but his eyes were wandering to the beautiful side of his country. The buildings stand up strongly with the colorful ocean behind them. He can not hear people anymore, they are even smaller than ants.
Carlos also took his time enjoying the sight before turning his head back, "Ready for more speed?"
Hearing that Charles quickly sees his teammate full of anticipation. "I am more than ready, Carlos"
Charles is ready to feel more of the winds against him. They start hiking and the road is becoming zig-zag. He mindlessly sees left and right, trying his best to capture the scenery in his own head. His consciousness gets disturbed when Carlos taps his knee.
His teammate stretched out his left arm outside. He opens his palm first then next his fingers are dancing between slipped winds. Charles copied his gesture with his left hand too and found– he finds a new sensation of riding. To not fear the high pace instead riding through it. Just like a car but this is more intense, more real, and more vivid. He can either lose his life or live the best life. The more speed there is, the more winds slap harshly to his hand. Yet, he let it flow. Out of nowhere, his right hand also itches to try the sensation.
He is not realizing that both of his hands are hanging up freely in the air. "Woohooo!"
Charles never felt so alive. Without his knowing, his teammate let out a genuine smile inside his helmet.
"Thank god! You guys are alright!!"
They were both greeted by Silvia and Andrea with a worried look plastered on their face. Carlos stops the motor and waits for Charles to get down.
Meanwhile, Charles is busy waving at Silvia, his hand doing some of his signature dance. which creates a loud snark and protest of worries from her. They both laughed before Charles open his visor.
On the other hand, Andrea felt relaxed after seeing Charles safe. Carlos did keep his promises. He quickly pats Charles' arm and helps him to get down from the motor seat
"Thank you!"
Carlos only nods at three before heading to the parking lot near the villa gate.
Andrea helped unclick Charles' helmet and suddenly he laughed. Of course, Charles knew it
"I know my helmet hair is bad" He huffed and ruffled his hair.
His physio just laughs out loud. He wipes his own tears, "Sorry but heh– You look happier"
Charles' face lights up, "Yeah? I mean, it's a really super fun ride!"
Andrea eyed him with a teasing gaze but he let it slide, "What getting two of you so long?"
Charles giggled, "We stop at Parkplatz for a minute. It is so beautiful I know we always go there but it just feels different. I don't know. But it– it's good, I mean–"
"Whoa whoa brake in there, Charlito!" Both of them laughed because of how excited Charles was.
"Go get Carlos here. We will start the BBQ soon!" Andrea shushed him with a teasing punch
He watched the team preparing the meat and grill pan. By hearing the ash crackling sound, he already imagined the delicious meal they had prepared. Oh, and the hamburger! Carlos will make the hamburger too. He smiled while running to his teammate
"Why look so happy?" Carlos is still sitting on the motor. He tidies up his gloves. And Charles could not notice how Carlos's helmet hair stays amazingly volumed up– it's hotter than France's sun
"Um, it is a fun ride" He smiled and Carlos replies with the same gentle smile
"Glad you like it" His teammate sighed in relief.
After the effect of a high adrenaline rush and extra carefulness from Carlos to keep himself safe, the gratitude words just hang in the air. They stayed in a comfortable silence with the heat still radiating warmly around them.
"But.. I think…" Charles let out a devilish grin
His teammate groans playfully before laying his cross arm on top of the motor fuel tank, gazing up at him.
"Yes Lord Perceval, what is it?" He goes with his usual tease
"You are a fine driver but one ride is basically not enough to judge it, you know?" He is playing this game
Carlos let out a huff but his lips are pulled upwards
"What do I have in return for another ride?" He asked challengingly
Charles knows what he is going to do is risky but he remembers how the wind goes alongside his body, remembers how he is living freely on top of the seat, remembers how Carlos' hand warms him, how he shields Charles and keeps him close. He remembers all too well. So –
A soft peck lands smoothly on Carlos' side cheek. It perfectly made the Spaniard freeze in a moment. His lips met Carlos' freshly shaved beard. It is still warm because of the helmet. Charles smiles in the kiss before retreating back.
He wasn't sure how long he gave a cheek kiss but it was enough for his teammate's cheek to become a flushed red.
Carlos grins so wide and ducked his head down, hiding the well-reddened face in his own arms. Carlos' blushed face always becomes Charles' favorite.
Charles laughed, "What do you say hm?" His breath hit Carlos' hair which fell down graciously.
His teammate nods a little before craning his head up to meet Charles emerald eyes
They lost in a moment while facing each other. Before then, Charles feels a hand sneaking up towards his nape and pulling him down to meet the plump cherry of Carlos' lips.
Carlos kissed him gently and reassuringly. The way he tilted Charles' head so they could deepen their kiss more. How Carlos smiled faintly against their kiss and Charles never felt so soft in many kisses he had ever. They locked their lips not too hard but not too loose the way it will fall apart. Just a perfectly fitting puzzle. It's only one deep kiss before Carlos ends it with a gasp of breath.
"Yes, I can give you more than that" They stayed on each other's foreheads. Both of Charles' hands fiddled with Carlos' nape hairs and rested comfortably on top of his shoulder.
"Yeah? And cook me the hamburgers too?" Charles let out a smile
"Yes and the hamburgers too" His teammate rubbed their nose affectionately. Before planting another short kiss on Charles' cheek.
They still have a long journey together.
Oceans and engines
You're skilled at infringin' on great love affairs
'Cause now my heart's home