Same but... different (Lestappen and Carlando)

Chapter 46

POV: Charles

My eyelids flutter as I start waking up, my brain trying to remember what happened and where I am. I quickly realise that I'm still in the same plane, lying down on the sofa where we were watching a movie. Feeling kinda vulnerable, I look around for Carlos, finding him by the window.

— Sorry, I immediately apologise, feeling a bit dumb to have passed out like that, leaving him alone.

— Hm? He turns around, apparently surprised. Oh you're awake! No, why sorry? It's fine, you were exhausted and slept for about... an hour and a half? I hope you're feeling better now!

His warm tone and kind smile makes me feel much better, and I instantly relax back on the sofa, exhaling deeply. I'm very lucky to have such a good teammate, he's so nice and protective, it's really comforting to know I'll always be able to talk to him. I know we're still the biggest enemies on track, but it feels amazing to be this close to him outside of racing.

— Wait, how many time is left then? I ask, hoping my little nap helped to shorten the flight significantly.

— About 5 hours, he grimaces, before sitting next to me.

— Oh, okay. Should we... should we talk about the situation again or finish the movie?

— I mean, you decide, I don't have much advice to give you though, but... Yeah.

— I... Do you agree, I shall talk to him about it right? I seek his approval, still unsure whether to talk about it with Max or not.

— In my opinion, absolutely. You can't pretend nothing happened, you know he saw it and he knows you saw it. Clear communication will always be better, for sure! I nod, as he goes on. But I think, what he'll most need is to know that you don't want to break up, or something like that. Because, if that were to happen to me, I think this is what I would fear, that the pressure leads to this.

— No, I'd never! I'm sure he knows that, I'm not scared of his father!

— Well, you know, maybe rationally he knows, but the heart is strange and sometimes, it makes you doubt... Kinda like when I still doubted Lando's feelings, you know? Definitely reassure him, as soon as you can. Especially considering that you two already had hum... disagreements.

— Hm, yeah okay. Thanks Carlos, hopefully we're making this a much bigger deal than it is in reality, I really want this to work you know? My voice cracks again in the end, but I feel better now and keep my composure.

— I know, I know. But hey, you're "Lord Perceval" and this bastard of Jos is nothing yeah? Just trust yourself and Max, and everything will be alright, he comforts me and I smile, very grateful.

The following hours are spent in a much lighter ambient, as we finish the movie, and play some video games. We are so caught up in a Mario kart tournament that when the plane finally starts losing altitude we're both surprised. I feel a sudden twist in my stomach, at the thought of getting my phone soon connected again. I don't know how to reach out to Max, and even though I know I have to talk to him urgently, I'm still a bit scared of how he will react.

— Well, see you again on the track then, and good luck for the talk yeah? Keep me updated on how it goes, my Spanish teammate says to me while we get out of the plane, ready to go each to our own hotel.

— Thanks, and yeah I will! I then whisper, a grin on my face, have fun with Lando mate.

He starts blushing, and I walk away before he can reply anything, probably not expecting this from me. My happiness doesn't last long though, as the stress slowly comes back, the anxiety making my heart beat faster than usual. I connect my phone again, and almost jump at the sudden notifications. I immediately click on my little brother's message, wanting to know what he answered.