#teammates

Ana wandered outside onto the veranda. It was a stunning day, warm with a light breeze, the perfect weather to sit outside and read her book.

The grounds looked beautiful, with luscious greenery, bright flowers, and the occasional orange tree. The pool was unoccupied, which surprised her. She’d reckoned she’d find Carlos and his younger charge out here playing rough and tumble as boys do. Maybe because Teto wasn’t here.

Lando was a year or two younger than her, Carlos’ current rookie teammate. She’d met him briefly before in Barcelona, smiley and energetic, while also a bit shy. Apparently, they were good friends, as her brother had never brought any of his fellow racing drivers home before. But he was a bubbly sweetheart, and their family adored him.

She gasped when she rounded the corner to the loungers and found them. It wasn’t a surprise to find her brother snoozing under one of the umbrellas, though Piñón was usually somewhere near. What she hadn’t been expecting was to find them both curled up together on a single garden chair.

Carlos was mostly on his back, leaning a little to his left side. Lando had his curly head on his chest, one of his legs hitched up. Their arms were thrown over each other.

Ana smiled, getting out her phone from her dress pocket. She couldn’t resist snapping some photos. The pair of them were clothed in shorts, Carlos in a t-shirt, while Lando drowned in a hoodie. One that was definitely her brother’s, actually.

Interesting…

Settling down onto a nearby lounger, she put on her headphones and went back to reading her book. The shade was perfectly cool, and she was fast absorbed back into the story: the son of the President falling in love with a British prince. Somewhat forced friends turned secret lovers. The two of them in the public eye, in a world where their romantic relationship would be frowned upon by those in power. But to those who knew them, it was obvious they cared deeply for each other.

Ana looked at the two of them still curled up fast asleep. Carlos in particular relaxed and peaceful. At least they could have some sanctuary here if anything more came of their friendship.

Lando stirred, and she smiled again, darting her eyes to her book so as not to scare him. It would be impossible for him to miss her, and she winced at having picked the lounger opposite them. She didn’t mean to be intimidating.

In her peripheral vision, she saw him freeze. She looked back up to reassure him, but her movement spooked him further, and he scrambled away, bare feet smacking against the patio.

The noise woke Carlos, who looked confused at waking up alone. Ana took off her headphones as he sat up.

“Don’t worry, he was here. I think I scared him, sorry about that.”

“Oh. Shit.” He raked his hands over his face and then one through his hair. “We were just napping together. He struggles with sleeping at night sometimes.”

“You don’t have to justify anything to me, big brother. I do have photos, though,” she teased, flashing her phone. She laughed as Carlos groaned. “Blanca will love to see these!”

He rolled his eyes at her. “You are such a menace, Anita.”

“Well, that wasn’t a no, please don’t do it!” She immediately sent them to their older sister. She wouldn’t see them until later, as she was at work, but she would come home armed with everything she needed to tease Carlos all the more.

She loved being the baby of the family sometimes.

“Are you gonna go see where he’s hiding?” she prompted, as Carlos still hadn’t moved.

“Doesn’t he need space if he ran away?”

“Carlitos, he ran away from me. He was more than comfortable with you. Go and find him, idiot!”

He kissed her on the head as he walked back inside the house, and she smiled as she settled back and continued to read about the two boys under public scrutiny falling in love.

~

It was the weekend, and Blanca was visiting home. It was Carlos’ summer break from racing so he was also in Madrid, as was his younger colleague and friend.

Lando was sweet, always wanting to help Mamá in the kitchen with preparing the food, or trying his best to speak Spanish with them all. He was new to the language, and it made her laugh sometimes, but he always listened with rapt attention and a blush in his cheeks whenever they tried to teach him something new.

Especially her brother.

If Blanca didn’t know any better, she’d say the young Brit had heart eyes for Carlos.

Lando’s gaze would gravitate to him whenever they were in the same room together. They could almost always be found together, no matter the activity. She got it to a point. They both had the same career; their diets and training regimens were similar. Lando, new to their home, no wonder he felt safer following Carlos everywhere.

He didn’t seem to be a golf fan. However, her brother seemed determined to get him interested. Their father would take them to the course or around their rally track. He’d come in rambling excitedly about that every time. And she was sure when they ended up in Mallorca at the end of the week with the extended family, they’d be out on the ocean on one of the yachts.

A kid with a crush on his older coworker was adorable. What concerned her was Carlos’ own look back at him. The way he’d light up with Lando in the room, cackling and screeching when he mispronounced a phrase in Spanish, the pokes and squawks.

And the sleeping together.

Well, it wasn’t quite like that. Ana had sent her the photos of them together on the veranda. Both of them sharing one lounger despite the many empty ones around them. Curled up together like they were more than friends.

Blanca would be happy for Carlos, she would, only his previous relationships had been from outside of work. Lando was nineteen and only just beginning his career. Carlos was well established, driving for a historic team. She loved him dearly, and she had a soft spot for Lando, but she couldn’t help worrying.

She entered the library with her laptop. There was a balcony on the west side set up like a reading nook, and it was one of her favourite spots in the house. Shaded by the nearby trees, it was secluded and comfortable, allowing her to get lost in her writing for hours at a time. Ana preferred the open expanse of the grounds rather than being hidden up here. Carlos always enjoyed being out in the sun when he was home.

So imagine her surprise when she walked through the library and found them. There were some books open on one of the tables, along with a tablet set up on its stand. A stack nearby looking like a mixture of golf, old model cars, and Spanish football books. A pitcher of water sat on a placemat, alongside their phones, one on top of the other.

The two of them were on one of the sofas. Carlos was sitting, his head fully leaned back against the cushion and turned away from her. Lando was curled up with his head in her brother’s lap, one of Carlos’ hands resting in his curly hair. Both asleep once again.

Sighing, she placed her laptop carefully on the nearest chair to muffle the sound. Then she got out her own phone and snapped a couple of photos for Ana. Her baby sister would gleefully enjoy the ammunition against their brother.

She was picking up her laptop when Carlos stirred. He rubbed his eyes before taking in the still-sleeping body on the sofa before him, stroking his resting hand through Lando’s curls. It was a sweet, intimate moment to catch, and Blanca swallowed as she moved, knowing it would alert him.

“Oh, hello, Blanquita. Sorry, we didn’t mean to intrude on your favourite spot.”

She waved him off. “It’s your home too, Carlitos, and I understand if you wish to show our special guest around.”

His face immediately flushed, and she placed her laptop down again before taking a seat opposite them. Lando still appeared to be asleep, body relaxed instead of tensed like he seemed to be most of the time.

“He can sleep anywhere, he’s out cold,” Carlos said fondly. He hadn’t taken his hand away from Lando’s hair. “What have you been up to today?”

Blanca stared at him. He didn’t seem worried at all.

“What?”

Sighing, she sat forward, one leg crossed over the other, one hand resting on her knee. “Do you really think this is okay?” she gestured to Carlos and the young man in his lap.

She saw his eyes dart down to Lando and then up to her, his expression darkening. “You have a problem with me being affectionate with a male friend? That’s a bit rude, no? I don’t ever see you complain about Teto, or you and Ana with your own friends.”

“Please, we both know it’s more than that, whatever this is.”

“I did not think you were the type to be homophobic, Blanquita.”

She rolled her eyes. “You really think that low of me? It is simply not proper for you to be messing about with your colleague. Have you even thought about what this could mean for your career? What if you were to get caught? You’re jeopardising not only your career but Landito’s also!”

Carlos’ face crumpled. One of his hands rubbed at his chin, then raked through his hair. “I know, okay? Nothing else has happened yet, I swear it. We’re just friends, it’s different.”

“Yet you brought him here to Madrid. You’ve never done that before with any of your previous teammates.”

“It’s not the same. I can’t explain it, Blanca.”

“You haven’t stopped touching his hair, little brother. Look, I understand there are some feelings between the two of you.” Carlos’ head shot back up. “You don’t have to deny it, okay? I worry that you’re supposed to be coworkers first, not friends, never mind more than that. If you get too close, it could hurt you both.”

“You care for him, too?” he asked. His voice was shaking, and his eyes were shining.

“Clearly not in the same way as you, but yes. He’s a ray of sunshine and a shy little thing, but he comes alive around you. And you around him. Just please be careful.”

“Okay.” He nodded with a smile. “Thank you.”

She stood up to collect her laptop and make her way outside, just as Lando stirred.

“Love it when you speak Spanish,” he mumbled in English. Smiling and shaking her head, she got out of their way as she heard Carlos talking softly back.

She might be a protective older sister at times, but she was also proud of the person her brother was becoming.

~

Caco loved his family and their traditions.

Every year, they all gathered together in Mallorca. Christmas tended to be a bit too cold to enjoy the outdoor space that was perfect for setting up multiple tables for everyone to mingle. The height of summer was perfect. The beautiful weather, the sprouting fruit trees and vegetable plants, the refreshing spray from the Mediterranean.

Being his cousin’s manager was both an honour and a curse in the sense of being closely related. Sometimes the lines of professionalism were a lot more blurred than people would consider healthy. Caco was heavily involved with Carlos’ racing, which he loved, while they also spent close time together outside of the world of fast cars, too. Family duties and gatherings, to sponsorship deals and training camps, and then, of course, talking to other teams about a race seat.

Carlos had hopped around a lot already throughout his career. Getting kicked out of teams was becoming a habit they were both determined to break. So far, McLaren had been a clear winner among the rest.

His cousin was happier and looser, certainly goofier than at any of his former teams. Laughing a lot more and genuinely excited to see the team’s development. It was nice to see, especially with a team that wanted him to stick around.

Caco wouldn’t be his manager, however, if he wasn’t scouting other teams regardless. Formula 1 was a brutal sport, with only twenty seats available ever. Exclusive and sometimes luck of the draw when it came to a driver keeping their seat for a long-term contract. Carlos shouldn’t be burdened with midfield teams for his whole career. It was Caco’s job to keep an eye out for even a sniff of a chance at a top team.

Sipping on a beer, he watched as his cousin made his younger rookie teammate laugh so hard he wiped his eyes. Lando being here was unusual. A break in tradition. Carlos had never brought previous teammates to Madrid and Mallorca before. Nobody from work or the racing world. Previous girlfriends, sure, whose work was the opposite of the F1 paddock.

Carlos having Lando here was dangerous. Not in the sense of him being around the family, it was clear the young Brit was adored by everyone he spoke to. Caco included, who had gotten to know him in the quiet moments outside of the races – the packing up afterwards, the vibes in the driver rooms before the sessions, as well as chatting over lunch in team hospitality.

It was trouble for his cousin. The world of F1 wasn’t built for a bond like Carlos and Lando’s. Strong friendship, fun, a non-competitive environment within the same team. Bubbling feelings complicating things.

He’d seen them together over the year, always spending time together whenever they had the chance – in their driver rooms, in their hotel rooms, at their respective houses. It was without doubt something special between them. Now here, during summer break.

Thinking about Carlos’ career, his future, he wasn’t sure how this could continue.

He quickly got absorbed chatting with Teto, who blew over like a tornado with his usual high energy, demanding his attention.

An unknown amount of time later, taking some shelter out of the worst of the heat, he wandered inside. He’d had a message on his phone, and it was an important one to pass on to Carlos.

Nobody had seen him, though, or Lando. Ana and Blanca had both mentioned they were probably napping somewhere, which Caco thought a little conspicuous with lots of guests around. Carlos wasn’t a big napper, even if it was considered normal for the Spanish to take naps around this time. It wasn’t one of their usual traditions, and apparently something he’d picked up from Lando.

So he wasn’t shocked to find them both sleeping in the upstairs lounge. However, he did raise his eyebrows at how they were sleeping. Cuddled up together on their sides, Lando’s back to Carlos’ chest, his cousin’s arms protectively around him.

It couldn’t have been all that comfortable in their slacks and shirts, though the balcony doors were open, bringing in the afternoon breeze. The lounge was on the opposite side of the house from the backyard, so it was quieter too.

He wasn’t sure how long they’d been asleep. Their phones lay on the coffee table, so he assumed one of them had set an alarm. He sat down in a nearby armchair, scrolling on his phone, the message in his inbox sitting at the forefront of his mind.

Lando shifted in his sleep, and Caco saw Carlos’ arms tighten around him on instinct. They’d better not get themselves caught at McLaren like this. Though he did have some hope that his cousin was professional enough in the workplace. Here, in his own home, he could let it slide.

One of the phones sharply rang into the silence, making him jump, and he couldn’t help laughing as Carlos flinched awake so violently that Lando nearly fell off the sofa. Lightning reflexes saved him from face-planting the floor, and somehow, he was still asleep. It wasn’t unusual for Lando to be caught napping around the garage, the tyre blankets in particular one of his favourite spots.

“Oh, hi there, Caco,” Carlos groaned as he blinked the sleep away. He kept one protective arm around Lando, rubbing his face with the other.

“Enjoy your nap?” he smirked, enjoying the way Carlos’ face turned as red as the message on his phone.

“Yes. I didn’t think I’d get into the habit so quickly, but every time Lando falls asleep, I’m never far behind.”

“It’s been a busy season, I’m not too surprised you might still be recovering.” Consistent points finishes and only a couple of DNFs were practically a dream start for his new team, who had been solid backmarkers last year. Lando had a few more non-finishes, both reliability and other cars driving into him, but he still had a good amount of points. It was a promising start for both of them.

“Are you not going to ask any questions?” Carlos asked.

Caco shrugged. “I might in a bit. For now, I have some pressing news that you could be thinking about, from me as your manager.”

“Okay…” He gestured for him to continue. He definitely wasn’t fully awake yet, and Caco smiled.

“Some rumours are flying regarding potential seats elsewhere. Listen before you start complaining, Carlitos!” He cut in as his cousin tried to protest. “I’m passing on the information. Vettel isn’t happy over at the Prancing Horse, and it seems like it’s a mutual thing. Concerning Leclerc. Something to keep an eye on into next year, no rush just yet.”

Carlos’ eyes bugged out of his head. “Ferrari?” he whispered, voice full of awe. “Shit. Wow.”

“Nothing confirmed, but something you’d be interested in?”

Carlos blew out a breath. “Well, it’s Ferrari, no? Who would turn that down?”

“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.” He put away his phone and leaned back with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Is that everything?” Carlos sighed as he lay back down.

“Can I ask about your young friend and teammate here? He’s not gonna wake up anytime soon, is he?”

“He needs the naps during the day as he doesn’t sleep so well at night,” Carlos answered all too easily, and Caco suddenly had the thought that them sleeping together like this was not a one-off. He didn’t get to all of Carlos’ races, but he also didn’t always hang out in the team hub with them so as not to disturb their preparation routines. “Blanca has also given me a lecture already about it being improper. I don’t need it from you.”

Ahh, well that explained the manner in which she’d spoken about them napping together.

“I can understand her concern,” he said as Carlos huffed. “If you both get too close, it could make things worse in the long run. You’re gonna end up breaking Landito’s heart, Carlitos.”

“Only his?” Carlos asked miserably. “I hate that Formula 1 is so complicated. Fucking politics.”

“And you know, while McLaren might accept the two of you, Ferrari has strict customs you’d have to obey.” He’d researched all of that, too, of course he had. The prancing horse meant prestige, upholding a legacy. It could be even worse.

“Being in separate teams wouldn’t be so bad, no? Yes, it would hurt initially, separating like that. But we’d be more careful with spending time together. It would have to mean something to us both. Not just convenience.”

“That’s…one way of looking at it.” He should take it as a positive that he would move teams if it were above the midfield.

Lando shifted again, this time rolling over to face Carlos, who immediately shuffled himself to lie on his back, the Brit nestled on his chest. Snoring softly. Not going anywhere for the time being.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Caco chuckled, clapping a hand on Carlos’ ankle as he left the room.

~

Reyes finished loading the washing machine and went to make herself some lunch. Her adult children had been out on the yacht for most of the day, coming home with freshly sun-kissed faces, and soaking wet swim clothes and towels.

Lando was also staying with them for the week, including their three days in Mallorca. Reyes had taken to calling him little chicken, with his big, round cheeks and the way he squawked when he laughed. He was here as Carlos’ guest, but the Sainz Vázquez de Castro family had fast taken to him as one of their own.

He was a bit shy sometimes, but when he got more comfortable, he was loud and chatty. He also loved helping Reyes with any chores that needed doing, always with a bright smile. Landito was a sweetheart, and she could see why Caco, her husband, and her son had bonded with him.

Her son, in particular, seemed to be deeply taken with the young Brit. She’d catch Carlos watching him, a pink tinge to his cheeks. They would be making each other laugh most of the time, as well as always orbiting in the same space. They were never far away from each other, their arms brushing together or pinching and poking, or resting around each other’s shoulders or waists.

Carlitos had never expressed romantic love for anybody else but the young women he’d brought home before. His relationships never seemed to last very long, but she understood how tough it was. Carlos was always travelling, always training, rarely getting more than a week at a time off, and even then, he was in the team factory working on the simulator or filming sponsorship videos.

Their little chicken was somebody who not only understood his hectic lifestyle, but was also physically close to him as his current teammate. Reyes found that just because they were welcoming Landito into their family as an honorary son, it didn’t mean that the two boys were brothers. A future son-in-law was just as warmly welcomed.

Having made herself a sandwich and poured herself some wine, she made her way upstairs. The main bedroom had a balcony with a beautiful view of the sea, and she was heading there when she heard music playing from another one of the rooms. Ana and Blanca were outside with the dogs, while her husband was out at the golf club for the day.

Assuming it was Lando’s music, she poked her head into the room to see if he wanted a snack. She almost dropped her wine glass as she surveyed the bed. The music was playing from one of their phones, while the two of them were cuddled up on the sheets. Lando had his head buried inside his hood, lying on Carlos’ chest, her son on his back with his arms around their little chicken. Both of them taking an afternoon nap.

Well, wasn’t this a pleasant surprise! Carlitos had never been much of a napper, electing to keep awake, working and training, taking every spare minute of the day to better himself as an athlete and racing driver. Pushing himself too much, if Reyes had anything to say about it. So to see him actually resting, especially after their busy day out on the yacht, made her want to take a photo to preserve the moment.

She leaned her head against the door frame, taking a moment to watch the two of them. Landito looked comfortable sprawled across Carlos’ chest, like it was familiar. She had caught him wandering the house at night before back in Madrid, and he’d admitted over a glass of milk that the stress of the season often affected his sleep. Reyes had hugged him and promised to make him a warm drink every night to help him out. He was very fond of milk.

He was still young, brand new to Formula 1. Of course the pressure was difficult for him. A nap during the day would do him wonders. And if her son was also helping, then who was she to stop them?

Carlos stirred, and she debated whether to scarper, before they locked eyes and he smiled at her. She thought the little chicken would wake up too from his movement, but she watched as Landito settled back onto the pillow Carlos slipped beneath his head.

Knowing he would follow her, she headed through to the main bedroom balcony and settled down onto one of the cushioned chairs. Carlitos joined her, and she offered him half of her sandwich, but he waved her off. She watched as his gaze settled out towards the sea, the breeze gently disturbing his hair.

“What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”

“Please do not tell Papá. About Lando and me.” He turned to her, his eyes shining and pleading.

She placed her hand over his on the table. “I don’t understand why you feel the need to keep it a secret, but of course I will not say anything.”

“Because even I am not sure what to call what we have.” He said it quietly, just above a whisper, like he hoped his words would get lost in the breeze.

“There’s no need to call it anything, Carlitos. How do you feel in here?” She pointed to his heart.

He took a breath. “He means a lot to me. More than I can put into words. I feel protective of him in the paddock. I want to shield him from all of the hate that he gets in the media. I want to see him all of the time; it’s like something is missing on the days I don’t see him. Is that strange? You’d think I’d get sick of him with the time we spend together, but I only feel the opposite. I’ve never felt like this before.”

She smiled proudly at him. “Why would it be strange?”

“Because Landino is not a woman, Mamá!” he rushed out, huffing and rolling his eyes. Then he covered his face with his hands. “Fuck.”

“And why don’t you want your father to know? He loves you, you have nothing to be afraid of–”

“–I have everything to be afraid of!” Carlos’ voice broke, a couple of stray tears slipping down his cheeks. “I am his only son, I cannot disappoint him!”

Reyes cupped his face, gently wiping them away. “You could never disappoint us, Carlitos. It does not matter who you fall in love with, my sweetheart. We only want you to be happy. That is all a parent wants for their child, my sweet, sweet boy. Come here.”

She hugged him to her, t-shirt dampening as he continued to cry in her arms. She hushed him and rocked him, something she hadn’t done since he was a child.

“Thank you, Mamá,” he sniffled as he sat back. She offered him her wine, and he took a sip. “Shit, Lando will be waking up soon.”

“Go to him. Let our little chicken take care of you as you do him.”

He kissed her cheek as he departed, and she relaxed back into her seat, looking out over the Mediterranean, and began to tuck into her sandwich.

~

Carlos Sr exited his dressing room. He was taking Carlos out for an afternoon of golf. Young Lando was reluctant to come with them, no doubt a little scared of making a fool of himself. He truly had nothing to worry about, but Senior wouldn’t pressure him into it.

The boy was a delight. Kind and sweet, with the manners of a kid who was raised with love. He rambled about his family, eyes sparkling with affection, and his laughter was a joy to behold.

He clearly held some insecurities, normal for a teenager, especially one who was a Formula 1 rookie. He faced a lot of pressure and expectations. Carlos was much the same, though he’d been slightly older and hid it better.

But a father knows his child. Carlos had never invited his previous teammates to Madrid before. Then again, Senior hadn’t gotten to know any of them as they had Lando while accompanying Carlos to his races. His wife was smitten, as were his girls, and the extended family they’d stayed with in Mallorca. Landito had them all wrapped around his finger.

He would be a wonderful son-in-law.

Heading to his son’s room to see if he was getting ready, he was taken aback to find them cuddled together beneath the sheets. Both were facing the door, Lando’s back against Carlos’ chest, the pair of them at least wearing t-shirts. It was an adorable sight. He almost didn’t want to disturb them.

Luckily, he didn’t have to. Lando sighed as he awoke, before his eyes opened, and he hid his face as soon as he saw Senior standing in the doorway.

“Oh, shit, fuck, umm, I’m sorry!”

Senior watched as he carefully extracted himself from Carlos’ arms, smiling softly at the young man’s panic. He was indeed fully clothed, in a t-shirt and shorts, his bare feet tapping lightly against the tiled floor.

“Landito, it’s okay, mijo,” he reassured in English. “You’re not in trouble.”

Lando covered his face with his hands. “God, now everyone’s caught us. Fricking hell. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again, sir!”

The poor boy was hugging himself, looking even tinier than usual. Senior placed his hands gently on his shoulders. “My sweet boy, you are welcome here. Please don’t think this changes how any of us feel about you, okay? You make my son the happiest I have seen him in a long time, and for that I am very grateful.”

Lando went as red as the tomato plants. “Oh. Umm, cool. Thanks? Shit, I don’t know how to do this. Sorry for swearing!” He covered his mouth, and Senior couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Carlos was still asleep.

“Stop apologising, mijo, there is no need. Now, I came to collect Carlitos for our golf game. Do we think he’s still up to it?”

“Yes, he was really excited. You should still go! We forgot to set an alarm.”

“And what about you? The invitation is open to you, too, Landito.”

The boy waved him off. “Nah. I‘d only slow you down. Carlos has tried to teach me the rules and how it works, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to pick up a club yet. Next year! Oh no, wait, that’s incredibly rude of me. Sorry.”

“Rest assured, you’re welcome in our home any time, mijo.” He delighted in seeing Lando light up at his words. His shoulders relaxed, and he looked less pale. “I’ll leave you to wake him up, yes? Tell him to meet me downstairs in half an hour?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Enough with the sir, now, come on. We’ve known each other for long enough now, mijo,” he said lightly.

“Right. Yes.”

An hour or two later, he was playing the local course with Carlitos. His son wasn’t playing to his usual best, which made him think he was distracted, lost in his head.

“You have quite the strong bond with our Landito, no?” he asked as he picked up his tee.

“What makes you say that?” Carlos replied slowly, getting himself into position.

“You brought him here, for one. You’ve never done that before. There’s nothing wrong with it, my boy, I’m simply curious.”

Carlos sighed, spinning in a circle as his club slid through his hands. “We’re friends, Papá. I enjoy his company.”

Senior hummed as Carlos did a few practice swings before hitting the ball. It sliced to the right, and his son screwed up his face as he sighed again. Then he mumbled under his breath.

“You certainly seemed to be enjoying his company earlier. Do you sleep together often?” He smiled as he began to walk back to the golf buggy.

Carlitos, however, had frozen. His mouth opening and closing like a fish.

“It–It’s not like that!” he spluttered. “I swear, Papá! We are always clothed. I only sleep beside him when he asks. I never wanted you to find out! Oh my God!”

“Ay, come on, my boy, sit down in the buggy before you pass out.” He waited for his son to catch up, his limbs shaking as he climbed in. “Deep breaths now, you’re okay.”

“Fuck.” He took off his glove and raked his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Papá. I told Mamá not to tell you we nap together–”

“–She didn’t tell me anything–”

“–Or that I like men and not women!” He covered his mouth at the admission, and Senior was horrified to see tears come streaming from his eyes. “Fuck. I don’t want to be a-a disappointment to you. I-I’m not the perfect son, and I’m s-sorry I’ve let you down.”

“Carlitos, my darling.” He placed his hand on the back of Carlos’ neck. “I love you, you are my son, yes? I only want you to be happy, and if that means you loving Lando and you wanting to marry him someday, then how can I not support you? It shouldn’t matter who you love, and yes, I understand in the world of racing it does matter, but what is most important is that you follow your heart. That you be yourself without fear. It might have to be private, yes, damn the world we live in, but you will always have the support of your family, okay? I am so proud of you, my baby boy.”

Carlos buried his face against his shoulder and wept. Senior let him get it all out before they continued with their game. His son played even better and almost managed a hole-in-one.

He and his wife watched in delight as Carlos hugged Lando tightly once they got back, picking him up and spinning him around, Landito’s loud squawks echoing through the halls.

~

The winter sun was barely up in the sky when Carlos stirred.

He was cosy and comfortable, helped by the heated weight he was entwined with. Opening his eyes, he couldn’t help but smile as he was greeted with Lando’s beautiful sun-kissed face, softened with sleep. His curls were mussed, and the freckled skin just beneath his neckline was dotted with hickeys. The aftermath of last night.

Carefully, he raised a hand to stroke the back of his fingers against Landino’s cheek. Light and gentle, snorting softly as the younger man let out a snore. His fingers moved up to his forehead, brushing aside some of the curls that were tickling his skin. Memorising his beauty marks. The moles Lando was always so insecure about.

Carlos loved kissing them, showering them with the love they deserved. The same all over his body. It meant a lot for Lando to even sleep shirtless, his broadening shoulders on display his boyfriend wished were meatier. Carlos loved them anyway. Lando was still growing into himself. The more he trained, the more toned muscle he was building up.

Besides, it was the person on the inside Carlos was most in love with. Lando, who wore his heart on his sleeve, who openly loved his closest circle, who was selfless and kind. Lando, who was hilarious, had allowed Carlos to embrace his goofier side, indulging him and making him laugh to see and hear him light up and squawk. Lando, who drew people to him like the bright light he was, who leaned on those he trusted around him, and who wasn’t afraid to admit how he was feeling.

He’d taught Carlos a lot over the past year.

He leaned in and pressed his lips to Landino’s cheek, then his forehead. He saw his nose scrunch adorably as he started to wake. He dipped his head and kissed over the marks he’d left, soothing his tongue over them as Lando sighed.

“Morning, querido,” he grunted out, his voice thick.

“Buenas, mi amor.”

He delighted in seeing Lando’s cheeks flush as he came back up to meet his stunning hazel eyes. His lips pressed into a smile that had his cheeks pushed up, and Carlos couldn’t resist leaning in to capture them. Lando’s hand carded through his soft hair, deepening the kiss, before rolling them over so he was straddling his thighs. Carlos groaned at the pleasant sensations that lit up his entire body. There was no better way to wake up.

They kept kissing, slow and lazy, but enjoyable, both of them basking in the morning glow. Lando eventually shifted so he was lying on his chest, face buried against his neck, Carlos’ hand stroking down his back. They were in no rush to get up and ready for the day, and he could already hear the tell-tale signs of their families moving around downstairs.

He felt slightly chapped, warm lips press against his neck.

“Love you,” his boyfriend mumbled.

“Te amo, mi vida.”

When they eventually showed themselves for breakfast, hand in hand, their siblings were the first to tease and make kissing noises, while their parents hugged them and ushered them to the table.

It made butterflies erupt in his stomach to sit beside Lando and not have to hide. His hand could rest on Lando’s thigh. He could feed Lando a bite of his avocado toast. He could lean into him as Lando wrapped his hands around his arm, resting his head on his shoulder while he nursed his morning coffee.

“How did you sleep, darling?” Cisca asked, returning from taking their empty plates to the sink. Flo and Ana were washing up.

Lando looked to him and smiled. Carlos kissed his temple.

“Like a dream.”