i love this with my whole heart. i did cry while writing this im sorry <3
the champagne had barely dried on the podium before the news hit y/n like a rogue tire. her boyfriend, carlos, ecstatic from his surprise win, was pulling her into a victory hug when charles, had his face pale and eyes downcast. the phone started buzzing and ferrari's announcement about lewis hamilton moving into ferrari in 2025. y/n's eyes grew wide and carlos stiffened knowingly.
the room seemed to lose all sound. y/n froze, the echo of the murmurs words bouncing around her skull. carlos, oblivious, released her from the hug, a triumphant grin splitting his face. "y/n amore please breathe."
"i'm so sorry carlos, im so-," charles mumbled, avoiding y/n's gaze.
a low growl escaped y/n's throat. her vision narrowed, tuning out the congratulations and backslaps raining on carlos. "fuck off. no, fuck off. what the actual fuck does ferrari want? he fucking won char."
charles flinched. "it's not about that, y/n. it's..."
"it's about what?" y/n's voice rose, each word laced with a tremor that threatened to erupt. "is it about you needing another yes-man, charles? someone who won't challenge you?"
charles' head snapped up, hurt flickering in his blue eyes. "that's not fair. you know i respect carlos!"
"respect?" y/n's voice broke. tears welled up, blurring her vision. "respect doesn't put food on the table, charles! it doesn't secure a driver's future!"
"they have a plan, y/n!" charles pleaded, frustration creeping into his tone. "they..."
"their plan is a joke!" y/n screamed. "at carlos' expense!"
the room fell silent. everyone, mechanics, team personnel, even the bubbly podium girls stared at the leclerc siblings, their joyous celebration replaced by a chilling silence.
carlos, his face crumpling, finally stepped between them. "y/n, honey..."
"don't you 'honey' me, carlos!" y/n snapped, tears now streaming down her face. "this is your dream, your life! and they're throwing it away!"
"y/n, please..." charles choked out, his own voice cracking. "this isn't how this is supposed to go."
"how is it supposed to go, charles?" y/n's voice hitched on a sob. "tell me! how is it supposed to feel when they cast your teammate aside like yesterday's trash?"
charles flinched visibly. tears welled in his own eyes, mirroring y/n's. "i... i don't know."
silence descended again, heavier than before. the weight of their argument, of the broken dream, suffocated them both.
y/n, chest heaving with unshed sobs, turned and stormed out of the room. carlos, his own victory celebration forgotten, chased after her. charles stood frozen, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek. he felt utterly alone, despite being surrounded by people.
later that night, y/n sat on the edge of their hotel bed, staring out the window. carlos sat beside her, his arm draped around her shoulders, a silent comfort in the storm. y/n leaned into his touch, the warmth a small solace in the cold reality.
"i'm so sorry, princess," carlos murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "i never meant..."
"it's not your fault," y/n interrupted, wiping away a stray tear. "it's theirs. it's ferrari's."
they sat in silence for a while, the only sound the city lights humming outside. finally, y/n spoke, her voice quiet but determined. "we'll figure something out, carlos. we always do."
carlos squeezed her hand. "i know we will. but about charles..."
y/n sighed, the anger from before replaced by a dull ache. "i just... i don't know what to say to him."
"he's your brother, y/n," carlos said gently. "he probably feels awful."
y/n knew he was right. charles had never been good with emotions, especially his own. but the image of his tear-filled face haunted her.
the next morning, y/n found charles in the team lounge, hunched over a coffee, a defeated air clinging to him. she walked over and took a deep breath.
"can we talk?" she asked, her voice soft.
charles looked up, startled. his eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. he nodded curtly.
y/n sat down across from him. "look," she started, "what i said last night... it was out of line," y/n finished, her voice choked with emotion. "i was angry, for you, for us. but it doesn't mean i don't understand your position."
charles stared into his coffee, his jaw clenched. "i just... i don't want to hurt you, y/n. or carlos."
"i know," y/n said, reaching across the table to place a hand on his. "we'll figure this out. together, like always."
a flicker of warmth appeared in charles' eyes. he squeezed her hand briefly before withdrawing it.
"speaking of figuring things out," a voice broke the tension. max verstappen, arms crossed, stood by the table, a hint of amusement dancing in his steely blue eyes.
y/n's head snapped up, surprised. max, known for his bluntness, rarely ventured into such emotional team territory.
"y/n and i were just having a chat," charles muttered, avoiding eye contact.
max's amusement widened into a smirk. "actually, charles, your teammate and i were just having a very interesting conversation." he looked at y/n, his smirk softening slightly. "let's just say your boyfriend might have a new home soon."
y/n's eyes widened. "what do you mean?"
max's eyes twinkled. "let's say red bull is always looking for exceptional talent," he said, glancing at carlos. "and sometimes, opportunities knock when you least expect them."
the following days were a whirlwind. news of carlos' potential move to red bull sent shockwaves through the paddock. initially, ferrari put up a fight, but when details of red bull's significant offer leaked, they conceded defeat.
the official announcement came a week later. a joint press conference displayed a jubilant carlos in red bull colours, flanked by christian horner and helmut marko. cameras flashed, reporters shouted questions, and a sense of bittersweet joy filled the air.
y/n, watching from a discreet corner, felt a knot loosen in her stomach. while she'd miss carlos being by charles' side on the track, the competitive fire back in his eyes was a sight to behold. he deserved this chance.
after the conference, y/n found charles by the team truck, staring out at the racetrack. he looked lost, a mix of relief and disappointment etched on his face.
"hey," y/n said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. charles turned, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he offered a small smile.
"how are you holding up?"
"surprisingly okay," charles admitted. "i'll miss carlos as a teammate, but it's a good move for him."
"it is," y/n agreed. "and who knows? maybe it'll spice things up a bit next season."
charles chuckled, the sound genuine and warm. "maybe." he looked at her, his eyes reflecting a newfound determination. "besides, with carlos at red bull, the competition just got more interesting."
y/n laughed, feeling the tension dissipate. it wouldn't be easy, but they'd adjust, navigate the new dynamic. one thing was certain: the leclerc siblings were a team, and they'd face the future, victories and defeats, together.
the press conference lights dimmed, the final question answered. carlos hopped off the stage, a wide grin splitting his face. he scanned the room, his eyes landing on y/n standing by the side door.
a wave of relief washed over him, erasing the nervous butterflies that had been fluttering all morning. he weaved through the crowd, his steps light and eager.
y/n's smile mirrored his when their eyes met. she pushed away from the wall and hurried towards him. the second they were close enough, carlos swept her into a hug, the familiar scent of her hair filling his senses.
"you did amazing, mi amor," y/n whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.
carlos chuckled, tightening his hold. "we did amazing," he corrected, nuzzling her cheek. "couldn't have done it without your support."
y/n pulled back slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "oh, really? so all those motivational breakfasts and pep talks were for nothing?"
carlos feigned a gasp, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "you wound me! how could you forget the pre-race good luck kisses?"
y/n giggled, leaning in to pepper his cheek with kisses. "alright, alright, you win. you're the best boyfriend a driver could ask for."
carlos beamed, his heart swelling with love. "and you're the best cheerleader a driver could ask for." he held her gaze for a moment, the seriousness in his eyes a stark contrast to his playful demeanor moments ago. "thank you, y/n. for everything."
y/n squeezed him tighter. "always, carlos. always."
