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Charles and Carlos have a secret. For close to a year they have been in a relationship and not a person in their team knows. The only people that know are their intimate families and they have been sworn to secrecy.
It all happened the night of the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. For Carlos he had done the impossible, he had broken the Red Bull’s streak. He won when no one thought it could be done, he was the people’s champion and he was so proud of himself and the team.
But most of all he was proud of Charles. The younger man had remained by his side for the tumultuous season, even if he was struggling himself. Charles didn’t talk about it, but he could see how this season was taking a toll on him, the results weren’t there and it was making Charles angry because he was beginning to blame himself for not putting the team on the top step of the podium.
But this time was worse, Charles had finished fourth, the dreaded position just off the podium. No matter how much he wanted to celebrate his win his mind couldn’t help but come back to Charles face, the sadness hidden but his eyes said everything he needed to know, Charles was drowning and right now he needed a helping hand to remain on the surface.
When he finished his mandatory press conferences and media, he turned down the offer to go and celebrate with his team. Sure he could have used a celebratory drink, but his mind wouldn’t have been in it, he knew there was something else he needed to do he needed to see Charles and he was going to see him whether the Monegasque liked it or not.
He stood outside Charles' driver's room, his hand raised ready to knock. He imagined countless scenarios, his mind spinning as he tried to gather his thoughts but at that moment there was only one name that he so desperately needed to say.
He knocked rapidly against the door, he could hear his breath become rapid as the seconds ticked by. He thought that maybe Charles wasn’t in there and he was about to walk away when he heard the door open with a soft click. Standing before him was a sight that broke his heart. Charles' eyes were red and puffy, his demeanor was miserable as he looked like he might fall at any second, but then he noticed something else, Charles was wearing his Ferrari hoodie
He didn’t hesitate as he wrapped his arms around the younger man. He felt Charles collapse against him, his facade gone as he felt a fresh stream of tears against his neck. Supporting Charles' weight he moved them backwards into the room, kicking the door shut as he pulled him tighter trying to alleviate the pain trying desperately to ease the burden.
“Charles, Carino please don’t cry, everything is going to be okay, we're going to be okay. Charles you need to forgive yourself, you need to stop living in the past and look at what you’ve got right in front of you”. He didn’t realise what he had spoken until Charles was looking at him with wide eyes. Fuck he thought to himself how could have he been so stupid, stupid English language as he begins mutter Spanish beneath his breath.
He quickly switches the subject as he asks Charles about today, how he’s feeling and what his plans are after this.
“Carlos you know that feeling when everything feels like it’s sinking, that you're trying everything in your power to do your best, but nothing is working. Each time I fail again and again I feel like someone is punching me in the gut, deliberately putting me down. All I want is to do better but for some reason the universe hates me and I’m not doing anything after this except for maybe crying some more”.
Hearing that from Charles made him want to cry, but right now he needed to be the strong one. He needed to keep it together, to listen and help his friend.
“Charles, listen to me, no one hates you, the world isn’t punishing you, it's just giving you a challenge. To succeed you need to rise above, you don’t need to necessarily try your best, you just need to understand that not everything is going to go your way, that their is going to roadblocks, hell their might be a brick wall, but once you knock them down something will come your way and you know when it will”.
Charles hugged him tight once again, this hug had no tears, this hug was different, it was vulnerable. This was Charles trusting him fully and not being afraid to show how broken he really was.
“Carlos when did you become so poetic”.
“Oh I don’t know, probably when I met you”. He is then reminded of the thing he noticed when he first saw Charles and he doesn’t know why he thinks this is the perfect moment to bring it up, but he does and he can’t take it back.
“So tell me something Charles, why is it that you are wearing my hoodie”.
Charles looked away sheepishly, Carlos couldn’t help but bring his hand to his chin and force their eyes to meet. Charles' eyes had always been beautiful, but right now they lit up the entire room and he couldn’t help but get lost in them. His attention was so focused on them that he nearly missed Charles speaking.
“I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed it, but it makes you feel closer to me when you're out doing press conferences and media. It also makes me feel safe when all this can get overwhelming, sometimes all I need is the comfort of your scent to make everything better. I know that might be a bit weird considering we're team-mates, but whenever you're with me I know everything will be okay”.
Carlos was at a loss for words, he didn’t even know how to respond to such a statement. The only thought that coursed through his brain was to hold him close, to hug him until their bodies gave out. But before he could Charles spoke once again.
“Did you mean what you said earlier”.
“Did I mean what”.
“To look at what I’ve got right in front of me, because if you implied it in the way I think you did, I would be more than happy to take you up on that offer. You Carlos are one of the most important people in my life and if one day I can have all of you, the past will no longer define me because our future would shine bright and the idea of a future together makes me so happy”.
This time Carlos did pull him into a hug, he could feel his heart threaten to burst out of his chest as he pulled back to look into Charles eyes once more.
“Of course I meant it Carino, you are the most important person in my life. Charles when you smile it lights up a whole room, your laughter is infectious and not to mention your fucking gorgeous. So what I’m saying Charles is that I have been in love with you for many years, I’ve just been too much of a coward to say anything. You Charles are the person who keeps me going, you make me fight on and off the track and I have so many things to thank you for that it would take our whole future to even say them all”.
He didn’t even see Charles move, the next thing he knew lips were on his. He returned the kiss in an instant, the kiss was anything but gentle, it was desperate, filled with years of longing as Charles pushed him back against the door. He was quickly caged in as Charles pressed harder against him, their bodies flush together as Charles attempted to grind their hips together. He grabbed the back of Charles neck and deepened the kiss, his lips were definitely going to be swollen and bruised after this but he didn’t care, Charles was here and at the moment he was his.
Charles soon changed tactics as he attacked his neck, he sucked hard, he felt his head hit the wall as he gave in. He was in utter bliss as Charles' lips danced along his neck. He was about to push Charles against the couch when he heard a noise from outside, that's when he remembered where they were and what they were doing. He pulled Charles hair, the man got the message as he pulled back letting their foreheads relax against each other.
“Fuck I love you too Carlos, I have for a while now and I would like nothing more to be your boyfriend that's if you're willing to have me”.
“Of course I’ll have you Charles, I would want nothing more”.
With the team closing in, he gave Charles a quick kiss and gave him his spare hotel room key, so that he could come visit later and maybe do something else which involved tangled bedsheets and clothes thrown everywhere.
Present Time
Carlos loved to reminisce about that night because it gave him Charles, he got what he had wanted for a long time and for months they have kept their relationship a secret. They have enjoyed countless moments together, they have shared many romantic dinners, late nights on the balcony in Monaco but most of all he enjoys the lazy nights at home watching a movie, cuddling on the couch together while chatting about their days.
But today is different, today they plan to tell the world about them and if the race goes well they might even do it on the podium, Monaco is a special place for them so why not do it at the race that brings them so much joy.. Throughout the entire race his nerves are set alight, but with the laps winding down he knows that both of them are going to end up on the podium, but the thing that is the most important is that Charles is going to win his home race. When the chequered flag waved he was ecstatic, Charles had done it, the team had got both cars on the podium and he couldn’t be happier.
The moment he pulls into victory lane and gets out of his car, he sees Charles waiting for him. He runs towards him, he doesn’t care that there are many cameras following him, he launches himself into Charles arms, who hugs him so tight that it’s almost suffocating.
He leans in to whisper against Charles' ear. “You did it baby, you defeated the Monaco curse and I couldn't be more proud of you. Now let's go up onto that podium and show the whole world that we belong with each other”.
The moment the awards presentation finished and the champagne started flying Carlos joined Charles on the top step of the podium, grabbed his face with both hands and gave him a passionate kiss. They heard the cheers spread throughout the crowd, every set of eyes were on them and in that moment they couldn’t be happier. Yet in the back of his mind Carlos couldn’t help but think that next time they're back here he might just have to one up this moment with a proposal.