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Lance Stroll always gazes after him from afar, from very far away. Since he was little, since Lance was still a mischievous kid holding his dad's hand to watch F1 races, Fernando has always been something... Everything feels like a dream to him, still always, emotions so deep and overwhelming, every time Lance sees Fernando, Lance's whole world sinks into fantasy.
When he was a kid, this feeling leaned more towards admiration for a senior.
In 2017, when Lance first stepped into the Formula One world, that senior was the first person in the grid to congratulate him. Lance couldn't be happier when he finally reached the same position as his idol.
Lance still keeps an eye on him.
In 2018, Fernando Alonso announced his retirement. Lance's world felt like it plunged into darkness. His idol, his senior, the person he always admired and strived to be like, was retiring.
But Lance still respects his decision. After all, they're just colleagues.
In 2021, Fernando Alonso made a comeback. Lance truly didn't know how to react other than extreme joy and excitement. His idol, his senior, had returned to him. It had to be like this, right? This was the only way it could be true to the great racer he had always admired for so many years.
At least that person hadn't abandoned him.
In 2023, Fernando Alonso officially joined Aston Martin.
For Lance, it was great, the best thing that had ever happened in his life. Lance felt so lucky to be born to enjoy these good things. That little kid Lance from back then could never have imagined that one day he would be on the same racing team as the person he always looked up to.
Finally, he stood beside that person.
Finally, he had shortened the distance with him.
*****
Fernando always felt there was something strange in Lance's gaze whenever it fell upon him.
He tried to brush it off as mere overthinking, perhaps attributing it to Lance's eye structure, which had always been the same. Big, elongated eyes, with a fierce intensity that seemed to devour whatever it looked at, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Lance's gaze towards him was unusual.
Fernando couldn't help but notice that wherever he went, Lance's eyes followed him. Whether near or far, as long as their shadows crossed paths or they were in the same vicinity, Lance's eyes would be on him, no matter what he was doing. It was a sharp, focused gaze, solely fixated on him, with no one else in sight. Initially, Fernando thought it might be due to Lance's excessive admiration for him, just a fan having the chance to be near his idol.
But no, it was evident that the physical contact, the hugs, weren't quite normal. Fernando, a middle-aged man, no longer a teenager prone to whimsical thoughts, couldn't ignore Lance's seemingly innocent touches anymore. Every time they met, embraced, held hands, greeted each other, Lance's actions seemed to step over the line a bit.
Fernando couldn't believe it. Maybe he was too old to understand the trends of today's youth. Or perhaps it was just Lance's normal way of communicating, everyone having their own personality, right? In general, there was nothing special about it, nothing to worry about. And if he assumed, if Lance truly was some kind of pervert, why would his target be someone like Fernando? A man in his forties, with no outstanding appearance, and Lance's colleague. If Lance, a wealthy, healthy young man, chose someone to harass, wouldn't it be more reasonable for it to be a young, beautiful girl?
So... surely he was just misunderstanding this young racer.
For Fernando, Lance was a young man with a promising future ahead. Despite being a nepo baby, it must be admitted that part of the position he held today was due to his father's money and power. But he was still talented, possessing a somewhat reserved personality but overall always kind to everyone, very likable and humorous. Once you got to know Lance, almost everyone immediately changed their preconceived notions about him.
It's true that there were a few times when his actions weren't very mature, but who doesn't have moments of immaturity?
Lance always showed Fernando deep respect, always did what he was told, always listened to him. Fernando even felt quite lucky to be on the same team as Lance. Apart from those strange gazes and touches, Lance was someone completely reliable.
*****
That evening was one of those nights when about half of the team grid arranged to go for drinks at the bar during the summer break. It had been a long time since they had a gathering as crowded as this, ever since Seb's departure in 2022. Under the dim lights and the thumping music of the bar, everyone was talking, laughing, and dancing.
"Fernando!" Lance, as usual, brightened up as soon as he saw Fernando's figure and immediately ran over to him.
"Normally you're always late, so why were you on time today?" Fernando happily hugged the taller young man.
The other hand clasped tightly around his waist and pulled close to him.
"I wanted to come early with you."
"Haha, it's been a while since you haven't drunk, so you're enthusiastic today, aren't you?"
Even though outwardly they were still cheerful as if nothing had happened, Fernando was trying to move away because the other hand was slipping down to his hip.
"No, I came early with you for real."
Their bodies were pressed tightly together, their faces just a few inches apart. Fernando could still feel the hand gripping his butt. It was those eyes again, large, sharp, staring directly into his own without any embarrassment. They were almost about to kiss.
"Let me go, Lance..." Fernando tried to laugh it off, but he couldn't laugh anymore inside. He tried to remove Lance's arms from him completely in vain. Why was this guy so strong? The more he tried to move away, the more Lance tried to pull him in, as if he really wanted to devour him here. "Lance... Let me go..."
The other person seemed not to hear, pressing his face against Fernando's neck. Again, he did that, again. When a hand grabbed Fernando's butt and squeezed hard, he screamed in fear.
"LANCE!!"
Only now did the other person stop, startled, removing his hand from Fernando's body.
"I... I'm sorry!" Lance looked shocked as if he couldn't understand his own actions just now, avoiding eye contact "I'm not feeling well, I'm really sorry, Fernando."
Fernando didn't say anything, just looked around. It was too noisy and crowded here, so no one noticed the screaming or the scene just now. It was lucky. Imagine if someone took a picture or recorded the scene just now and posted it on social media, it would be unimaginable how many reporters would sensationalize it.
But this time, Fernando really couldn't take it anymore. He had always tried to convince himself that nothing had happened, that all of this was just completely normal intimacy. But no, nothing was normal here.
This was clearly sexual harassment.
Fernando had always tried to brush this off, but today was enough. The self-respect of a grown man wouldn't allow him to sit still anymore. It was time for this bastard to know his limits, no longer could he continue to act so freely under the guise of 'admiring a senior'.
While his mind was determined, Fernando immediately frowned at Lance.
"Hey, I need to talk to you in private for a moment."
"What's up?" Lance scratched his head, showing regret for his actions just now. But this time, Fernando wasn't foolish anymore.
"Something important."
"Can't you say it here? The party just started, didn't it?"
"No, you have to come out right now."
Fernando's gaze couldn't hold steady in front of the person. But a bad premonition suddenly arose in his mind, like a warning before something bad happened.
"Alright, hope you speak quickly because I really want to drink already." Lance shrugged "So... where do you want to talk to me? In the bathroom?"
This was completely confidential, if someone overheard in the bathroom then...
"Get into your own car. Did you drive here?"
"I do." Fernando could see the corner of the other person's mouth twitching slightly, but it could just be his normal facial expression. "So, should we go to my car now? You, and me?"
You, and me.
"Yeah. Let's go."
Lance shrugged again, showing no signs of any unusual emotions as he headed straight towards the exit of the bar. Fernando simply followed in silence, his mind now filled with a myriad of complex emotions.
As they stepped outside and made their way to the parking lot outside the bar, despite the numerous cars parked there, there was almost no one around, and the quiet atmosphere amidst the darkness and the dim yellow lights only made Fernando's mood even more tumultuous.
He swore that throughout his entire life, unless it was an extremely important occasion, Fernando rarely felt as anxious as he did now. He was trailing behind the other person, his mind filled with scattered thoughts and a few prepared words. Because this was a completely sensitive topic, and if not careful with his words, he could jeopardize their relationship. If Lance was just some random guy, Fernando wouldn't hesitate to use his fists directly.
But this was Lance Stroll – his teammate, and a young scion with a father who owned Aston Martin. Fernando, although he had been in the industry for a long time and was a big name in the Formula 1 world, had significant assets himself, but compared to Lance's family background, it was really nothing.
Just some pointless thoughts as they both got into the car.
And somehow, Fernando quickly followed Lance's lead and sat in the back seat.
The car door closed, and the absolute silence immediately enveloped the entire car, Fernando's heart beating faster. Looking to the side, Lance was staring at him with that same intense gaze, as if he couldn't blink for a second.
"So, what's up? What's making you look worried like that?" Lance reached out to gently stroke Fernando's back, causing him to jump slightly.
Alright then.
"Lance. Do you have any intentions towards me?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Do you have any intentions towards me? In the past, or now, do you intend to do anything or… try to harm me?"
"What are you talking about?" Lance's eyebrows furrowed immediately. "What do you mean?"
"Listen, if I misunderstood you, I apologize in advance."
"Just say it, why do you think I want to harm you?"
"Your actions, they're too... obvious, to me."
Lance still wore a completely puzzled expression, his eyes wide.
"Can you be more specific?"
"I..." - Fernando looked away "Fuck… Did you try to molest me?"
"What the fuck?" Now Lance looked panicked, like someone falsely accused of murder. "Do you even know what the fuck you're talking about? How could I possibly molest you?"
"Your actions speak louder! Before, I thought I was overthinking, but... but... your touching gestures have become increasingly strange. You think I wanna say this bullshit?"
Lance burst into laughter.
"I don't understand what the hell you're saying, Fernando."
"I'm not even sure, and that's why I'm asking you."
"I didn't do a damn thing, Fernando! Don't go imagining stuff like you're high on drugs, huh? Are you fucking high right now?"
"Hey! Watch your language!" Fernando raised his voice. "Just now, how the hell did you grab my ass right there? And that's not the first time, there have been countless times when I pretended to ignore it, but you keep doing it. Continuously, over and over, pushing the limits!"
The atmosphere in the car immediately fell into silence.
"Fernando, listen..." Lance looked out the window for a moment before turning to face him.
Their faces met, eyes locking.
"I... if... if I've done something wrong to you, then I'm truly sorry. Listen, I, I guess my actions may have really crossed the line and caused you to misunderstand. But I really didn't mean anything by it."
Fernando remained silent, watching the sincere expression on Lance's face.
"I swear, you've always been someone I've admired since I was a kid. My feelings for you are nothing but respect and admiration, isn't it clear?"
Fernando nodded.
"Maybe... I've always been really happy to be on the same team with you. Because I've spent my entire childhood admiring you. That's why every time I see you, I may have been a bit too excited..."
Lance's voice trailed off, now looking down at the floor of the car. The two of them sat in silence, looking confused. Fernando could carefully observe these subtle gestures, it seemed like he really misunderstood this person, so Lance had no intention toward him, it was all just damn misunderstandings.
"I'm really sorry, Fernando. I didn't realize that my careless actions would make you feel so uncomfortable."
A sense of guilt began to well up in Fernando. Damn it! He had made a terrible mistake. How could he blame someone completely innocent for deliberately harassing him?
The air fell silent again in the car. Fernando had never felt more foolish in his life. Why did he have to misunderstand Lance Stroll like this?
"¡Joder, Fernando! ¡Cómo coño has podido meter la pata así! ¡Ahora eres el puto desgraciado de la situación! Mira a Lance, parece un pobre pringado por tu error, que ni siquiera es suyo. ¡Deberías disculparte de una vez, en vez de quedarte ahí callado como un mierda!"
(“Damn it, Fernando! How the hell could you screw up like this? Now you're the damn miserable one in this situation! Look at Lance, he seems like a poor sucker because of your mistake, which isn't even his fault. You should apologize right away instead of just sitting there silent like a piece of shit!")
Fernando slowly turned to Lance – still with his head bowed in guilt. Fernando hesitated.
"L...Lance... Just forget it. I'm the one at fault here."
Lance looked up at him.
"No, no. This is entirely my fault, don't apologize to me. If I had known my own limits sooner, then you wouldn't have had to do this."
"I'm telling the truth. You didn't do anything wrong, it's all because I was stupid and delusional."
"Don't say that. I'm asking for your forgiveness."
"Lance. I'm sorry, this is completely my fault, you shouldn't feel guilty or act like this anymore. Damn it, I was so stupid to say those bullshit things to you."
Lance smiled.
"Alright... If you feel everything is okay, then we can just forget about it, right?"
Damn. This sweetness made Fernando feel even more despicable than ever. He just nodded slightly.
"Okay. Let's just forget about all this bullshit from now on, okay?"
"Okay..." Fernando forced a hesitant smile.
Even though the person in front of him was really kind, he didn't think he could ever forget this humiliating nonsense. Surely from now on, their relationship would become awkward and distant, but well, it's better to try to forget it as soon as possible.
But Lance seemed to have completely overcome this matter, as a natural smile quickly appeared on his face again. Lance raised his pinky finger towards Fernando, looking as innocent as a child.
"I promise from now on I'll be more careful with my actions, I won't ever cross the line like this again and make you misunderstand. Alright?"
Fernando smiled back, also raising his pinky to make a pinky swear.
"Yeah. I promise not to start any bullshit like this again. It's really stupid..."
The atmosphere in the car quickly returned to normal and cheerful. Fernando breathed a sigh of relief because everything ended more smoothly than he thought. Earlier, he even imagined all sorts of terrible scenarios, like possibly having to fight Lance, or even having to sacrifice the contract if this young guy reacted too emotionally and told his father. He even contemplated the worst-case scenario of Lance actually suing him for false accusation, insulting someone's honor.
But fortunately, it was Lance, a very kind person...
"Can I hug you?"
"What?"
"Just a normal hug, right? Let's just see it as proof that we've made up, I don't want this relationship to become awkward later on."
"Uh-huh," Fernando replied, not thinking much before embracing him.
They held each other tightly, a warm and happy hug that seemed to erase all misunderstandings. Fernando felt comfortable and at ease, his head leaning slightly on Lance's shoulder. Finally, everything seemed to return to normal. He no longer had to avoid this person or torture himself with bizarre thoughts.
But Fernando was so naive...
That hand was on his back, then slowly moved down until it touched his butt. Fernando started to feel uneasy, this scene was not much different from before.
"Lance, your hand..."
The other person didn't respond at all, that hand started to touch his underwear, while the other hand firmly held Fernando's shoulder to press his body against Lance’s.
"Lance, stop hugging... Lance, Lance..."
He could feel the fingers going through his underwear.
"For fuck’s sake!! Let me go!! Let me go!!"
At this moment, Fernando officially realized what was happening: he was such a fool! There was no misunderstanding here, no apologies or 'admiration' at all!! All of his assumptions were completely correct, this guy really had some intention towards him!
Fernando struggled to get away, trying to free himself from the grip, but the strong hand kept holding him down, even pressing his skinny shoulders harder against him.
"Let go!! You damn bastard!!" Fernando panicked even more when that hand squeezed his butt tightly. "No no no!!"
In just a brief moment, his body was pinned down on the car seat. Lance pressed down on him, grabbed both of his cheeks, and pressed his lips against Fernando's.
Fernando was completely shocked.
What the hell was happening??
What the hell was this???
Lance tightly grasped onto Fernando's shoulder, pressing him down onto the cushioned seat, while his other hand forced Fernando's jaw open wider for a kiss. Lance kissed fervently, greedily seizing Fernando's mouth, his wet tongue invading relentlessly without mercy. The more he kissed, the more fervent he became, the disgusting slurping sound of saliva echoing throughout the entire car.
Fernando had never felt more scared and helpless in his life. Because he knew, things wouldn't stop at just this kiss...
Until Fernando's breath felt like it was running out due to the prolonged kiss, he panickedly pounded on Lance's chest to beg for it to stop. Only then did Lance relent, and Fernando immediately took the opportunity to push him away with his hand. But then Lance, quicker than ever, grabbed both of Fernando's hands and pushed them aside, while his other hand sneakily slid down under Fernando's pants.
"Ugh,... mm!!" Fernando was terrified. He tried to resist, but how could he resist the strength of a twenty-five-year-old? Lance grabbed his shoulders with one hand, pressing them down on the seat cushion, while the other hand groped under his pants.
"Get the fuck out of me!!!"
Fernando immediately didn't hesitate to use all his strength to kick Lance straight in the stomach.
This trick was really effective, as Lance's face quickly showed pain, his eyes closed tightly, his teeth clenched, looking pathetic. His hands also immediately contracted to hug his stomach. Fernando took the opportunity to push him away, he must escape at all costs.
But no, as soon as he tried to move away from Lance, he was immediately punched straight in the face. One punch, two punches, three punches - three brutal punches landed on his face, painfully and terrifyingly. Blood immediately flowed from Fernando's nose and lips, his body stiffened with pain, and because of the increasing fear inside him.
"Alonso... please don't scream anymore, this car is completely soundproof so there's no one here to help you."
This was no longer the Lance Stroll that Fernando used to know. He wasn't the kind, sweet, and humorous Lance that Fernando had always cherished. He wasn't the colleague who had been respectful and obedient to him.
The trousers were pulled down, legs lifted up, the shirt rolled up to the chest, his body had never been violated in such a horrifying way before. It was painful, truly excruciating, both physically and mentally torturing him. His waist was gripped so tightly that it left marks on his skin, his neck squeezed so hard it turned purple, the most sensitive parts completely exposed in the most humiliating manner.
"Please... please... please stop..."
Every touch, every kiss, every gaze from him filled Fernando with extreme terror. It hurt so much, it was truly unbearable... In a split second, he wished he could just die right away.
"It hurts so much, too much, it's killing me!! Lance... Please, stop, please just leave, please...!"
Alonso couldn't even remember how much he cried and begged in shame.
Blood flowed, tears fell, Fernando's heart and his sense of dignity were torn into hundreds of pieces. He only knew that that night was the longest, most painful, and most humiliating night of his life - a night that he was sure he would never be able to forget.
*****
Lance was haunted by Fernando.
Even he himself couldn't exactly pinpoint when he started being haunted by this man, but he was keenly aware of countless feelings of guilt growing in his mind.
Maybe it was from that night, Lance suspected, that night when he committed that horrible mistake - perhaps that night was when these complicated feelings began to emerge.
After that night, Lance immediately sought out Fernando to apologize as sincerely as possible, even kneeling down in remorse. Fernando just nodded and agreed to let it go as an accident of the past. But their relationship was completely shattered.
Lance tried to behave as normally as possible, chatting, laughing, teasing each other like ordinary colleagues - but Fernando didn't feel that way. He gradually disappeared from every gathering where Lance was present, even avoiding answering Lance's calls or messages as much as possible. Only when there was a camera, he forced himself to communicate with Lance for the sake of the show, but as soon as it was over, Fernando would immediately leave without hesitation - Fernando was truly scared of Lance.
Lance wanted to go crazy with the perversion inside him, but the images of Fernando from that night kept haunting Lance's imagination. Fernando's body, beautiful from head to toe, his face as pretty as a statue sculpted by the most talented sculptor, his hazel eyes always shining like stars, his long eyelashes gently brushing down his heavy tear-filled eyelids, his perfect nose, his trembling lips moaning seductively.
Fernando's voice, Fernando's tears, Fernando's trembling shoulders, Fernando's crying - all made Lance feel like he was going insane.
But Lance also felt disgusted with himself: he was a damn rapist, a damned abuser who had brutally tortured and humiliated a man like this - how could such a dirty person have the right to have feelings for the victim? He hadn't been charged, hadn't been thrown into prison, still managed to maintain his career, which was already very lucky. He should have known better with Fernando's mercy and consciously kept his distance from the poor victim.
But damn Fernando, why did countless perverse images of him keep haunting Lance's mind?
Wherever Fernando's shadow was, there was his gaze following, Lance really couldn't stop himself from looking at him. Lance tried to get closer to him, tried to cling to this broken relationship with foolish hope of returning to the old days - but it was all just a pipe dream, this would never be able to return to square one.
The more Lance hoped, the more he was brutally hit by reality.
Fernando seemed to be very aware of Lance's relentless harassment, while the other three knew what was going on and gradually stopped bothering him, but Lance still continued to pester him, follow him, call him, message him, cling to him, disrupt his life. Before that night happened, they had never had a disagreement, so why now was that damned guy continuously bothering Fernando like he owed him something?
Lance was making Fernando want to go crazy.
*****
Fernando could never have imagined that this torture would haunt his mind so deeply like this - because this is exactly what he often encountered in countless nightmares.
He had never felt so weak and pathetic. It was just one night, just one bad day, why did it linger in his mind like this? Weren't there countless suffering fates out there, countless pitiful victims enduring abuse and sexual assault for a long time and still silent, still patiently enduring, why him - a grown man, a talented athlete couldn't bear it?
He couldn't forget that horrifying night, every detail, every moment, every most terrifying moment in his forty-year life - all continuously rushed into his tortured mind every day like a horror movie.
Fernando was scared, Fernando was gradually developing feelings of helplessness because his body now felt as disgusting as a discarded sex toy. Even though he received what seemed to be the most sincere apology from the perpetrator, the pain and emotions of that night still couldn't fade away.
So weak, he was so weak. Please don't think about it anymore, please, himself, don't remember it anymore.
Every day, Fernando prayed for peace of mind, but it seemed unattainable. He had a career to be proud of, a beautiful life ahead, and countless things to look forward to. He couldn't keep dwelling on painful memories like this.
But, oh Lord, he couldn't forget. Fernando blamed himself every day for being weak and useless. Wasn't he supposed to be stronger than this, as a man? People who suffered their whole lives still found happiness and accepted pain, so why couldn't someone like him, who had everything, come to terms with it?
Fernando had to see that person's face almost every day.
He couldn't even look at Lance the same way anymore. Either because he was becoming more sensitive like a fool, or because it was true, but Fernando could sense the way Lance looked at him was completely different. It wasn't the gaze of someone remorseful for their crimes. He could only feel the disdainful, repulsive looks on his body, scrutinizing every millimeter of his sensitive parts with desire.
Fernando always blamed himself for exaggerating everything, because clearly Lance hadn't done anything since that day. Wasn't he becoming too suspicious and overthinking everything?
Fernando didn't hate Lance – the real criminal – he only hated himself for being foolish. He was truly naive. Why did he let such a despicable person into his room? Why was he so stupid as to listen to his fake apologies, smile at his performance, hug him, stand by him, sit beside him, look at him, all foolishly?
‘Streams flow through valleys.’
Fernando Alonso – fourty-three years old, strong build, wealthy, famous, prestigious, almost had everything at this age. Such a person turned out to be so weak like this, he couldn't stop tormenting himself.
‘The spring water flows from high to low, winding through diverse terrains. A stream is characterized by its narrow flow, water flowing downstream without the waves crashing against the shore as in larger rivers.’
"Oh God, I want to forget these terrible things. They are tormenting me, they want to see me suffer."
*****
It seemed like these two people would haunt each other like this forever, but one night changed everything.
That day was the end-of-year party for the racers after the Abu Dhabi race, requiring everyone to be present. Although Fernando didn't want to participate at all, if all nineteen people went and he alone didn't, it would be disrespectful, as if he lied yesterday that he was sick, then it would be too obvious.
He tried to calm himself: anyway, what happened that night had passed peacefully for six months, and Fernando gradually began to relax his vigilance, the initial painful emotions also faded away – he decided to attend the party.
Twenty people were present, the atmosphere was very lively, everyone raised their glasses to celebrate the end of a tough year, everything was fine and nothing happened. The bustling atmosphere and a little alcohol in his system even successfully made all the bad emotions in Fernando's mind disappear, he hadn't had such a comfortable evening for a long time.
Lance sat next to Fernando, unexpectedly draped his arm over him and whispered into his ear.
"Fernando... I want to apologize to you again."
Fernando was slightly startled by this contact. The other person continued to speak, sounding shaky as if about to cry.
"Fernando, you've been avoiding me for half a year now, you... Fernando, you're driving me crazy. Even though I've apologized to you, tried to mend our relationship, you still hate me like this. I feel hurt too, but I understand you, because I'm a despicable person..."
Fernando remained silent, unsure if Lance was still drunk, but his voice trembled like he was about to cry.
"Fernando, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm a despicable person, but I apologize to you from the bottom of my heart... I... I... I..."
Fernando turned around, Lance was indeed crying. His face was flushed from the alcohol in his system, tears continuously fell down his cheeks.
"Lance..."
"Damn it, I'm sorry." Lance wiped away his tears with his hand. "I must be drunk, that's why these damn tears keep... damn it!"
Fernando laughed, this scene was really funny.
"Yeah, it's okay..."
"These damn tears..." Lance embarrassedly wiped away his tears.
"Lance... I also want to apologize to you. Although I said I would forget, I still... can't behave normally. But it's okay, I promise you that after today, we'll return to normal. Don't cry like that, my friend. I promise."
"My friend! I love you!" At this point, Lance couldn't hold back his emotions anymore and burst into tears, he hugged Fernando tightly and buried his face in his neck to show his emotions like a kindergarten child, crying uncontrollably, he clung to Fernando's body, showing his emotions like a kindergarten child, crying uncontrollably. People around also started to notice this scene - innocent bystanders who didn't know what had happened just thought that Lance was misbehaving because he was drunk, they teased Lance as a drunkard, took out their phones to record, and quickly returned to the unfinished party.
Fernando also hugged the crying man in his arms, his mouth couldn't stop smiling in happiness. Whether it was because Lance looked really pitiful or because this moment completely relieved all the burdens in his heart, Fernando didn't know, but he was the happiest person here.
*****
20th, February.
BREAKING NEWS: Lance Stroll, Formula 1 Driver, Involved in Shocking Helicopter Crash.
‘Lance Stroll, a driver of Aston Martin in Formula 1 has been caught in a personal helicopter crash, with reports indicating an alarming state of health. The racing world is on edge as updates trickle in, anxiously hoping for favorable news regarding his well-being and the future of his racing career. This unsettling development has sent ripples of concern throughout Formula 1 circles, underscoring the fragility of even the most celebrated athletes.’
Fernando's heart shattered into a million pieces the moment he heard the news from the team.
As Fernando burst through the doors of the emergency room, his heart clenched at the sight before him. Lance lay motionless on the hospital bed, his once vibrant aura now replaced by a pallid complexion and the shallow rise and fall of his chest. Machines beeped rhythmically, a haunting symphony of uncertainty filling the room. Fernando's steps faltered as he approached, his mind unable to comprehend the extent of Lance's injuries. Each bruise, each bandage, was a painful reminder of the fragility of life.
"Fernando," a doctor approached him, his voice heavy with concern. "I'm afraid Lance's condition is critical. He suffered severe trauma from the accident, and we're doing everything we can to stabilize him."
Fernando's throat constricted, his voice barely a whisper as he choked out the words.
"Will he be alright?"
The doctor hesitated, his gaze filled with sorrow.
"It's too soon to say" He admitted reluctantly "His injuries are extensive, and there's a possibility of complications..."
A wave of despair washed over Fernando as he sank into a nearby chair, his hands trembling with fear and helplessness. Memories of their shared laughter and camaraderie flooded his mind, each one a painful reminder of what was at stake.
"How could this happen?" Fernando murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "He's so young, so full of life."
The doctor's expression softened, empathy etched into his features "Accidents happen, Fernando," He said gentl. "Sometimes, there's no rhyme or reason to it."
Sometimes, there's just no rhyme or reason to it.
Fernando bowed his head, tears welling in his eyes as he struggled to come to terms with the reality of the situation. Lance, his friend, his teammate, lay before him, fighting for his life. And all Fernando could do was wait, his heart breaking with each passing moment.
It was as if the ground beneath him had crumbled away, leaving him suspended in a void of anguish and despair. Memories flooded his mind – the laughter they shared, the battles they fought on the track, the moments of camaraderie in the paddock. Tears welled up in Fernando's eyes as he imagined Lance's pain, his fear, his struggle. The thought of Lance lying there, helpless and injured, tore at Fernando's soul like nothing else ever had.
He felt a raw, gut-wrenching ache in his chest, a sense of helplessness that threatened to consume him. All he could do was cling to hope, praying with every fiber of his being that Lance would emerge from this ordeal unscathed. But deep down, Fernando knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
As Fernando's mind raced with worry for Lance, a strange sensation crept over him, stirring emotions he couldn't quite comprehend.
It was more than just concern for a friend, it was a gnawing ache deep in his chest, a sense of emptiness that only Lance's absence could fill. In the midst of his anguish, Fernando found himself replaying moments spent with Lance – the way he smiled, the sound of his laughter, the warmth of his touch. And with each memory, Fernando's heart skipped a beat, as if awakening to a truth it had long been too afraid to acknowledge.
Could it be that his feelings for Lance ran deeper than friendship?
Fernando wrestled with this revelation, unsure of what it meant or how to act upon it. But one thing was certain: Lance had become more than just a friend, he had become the person Fernando couldn't bear to lose.
As the days stretched into weeks, Fernando's visits to Lance's bedside became a routine, each one filled with a mixture of hope and despair. Day after day, he watched as Lance lay motionless, his once vibrant spirit dimmed by the cruel hand of fate. Each time he entered the sterile hospital room, his heart clenched with a sense of dread, the weight of uncertainty bearing down on him like a crushing burden.
But amidst the beeping of machines and the sterile smell of disinfectant, Fernando found solace in the simple act of sitting beside Lance, his hand clasped tightly in his own. He would talk to him, sharing stories of their past adventures, reminiscing about happier times in an attempt to bring some semblance of normalcy to their bleak surroundings. But no matter how hard he tried, Lance remained trapped in a world of silence, his once lively eyes now vacant and distant.
One particularly bleak evening, as Fernando sat beside Lance's bed, the weight of his emotions threatening to overwhelm him, a sense of despair washed over him like a tidal wave. He reached out to brush a lock of hair from Lance's forehead, his touch gentle yet filled with longing.
"Lance…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I miss you.. Please, wake up."
But Lance remained still, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm with the mechanical hum of the ventilator. Fernando felt a lump form in his throat as he struggled to hold back tears, his heart breaking with each passing moment.
And then, in a moment of raw vulnerability, Fernando's defenses crumbled, his resolve shattering like glass. He leaned in close to Lance, his breath catching in his throat as he spoke.
"I love you, Lance," he confessed, his voice trembling with emotion. "I've loved you for so long, but I was too afraid to admit it. I thought I had all the time in the world, but now... now I'm not so sure."
Tears streamed down Fernando's cheeks as he poured his heart out to the unconscious man lying before him, his words echoing in the empty hospital room like a haunting lament. He spoke of missed opportunities and wasted chances, of words left unspoken and feelings left unsaid.
And as he sat there, lost in his grief, Fernando couldn't help but wonder if Lance could hear him, if somewhere deep within the recesses of his unconscious mind, he knew just how much he was loved.
But the silence that greeted him was deafening, and as Fernando sat alone in the darkness of the hospital room, he knew that no amount of pleading or bargaining could bring Lance back to him. All he could do was wait, and hope, and pray for a miracle that may never come.
And in that moment, amidst the beeping of machines and the hushed whispers of nurses, Fernando knew that he had finally found the courage to embrace his feelings, to acknowledge the bond that had been forged between them, however unconventional it may have been.
From that night, from that moment, they were connected.