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clxja16 · 2 years ago

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Since Day One

Part Three

Arthur Leclerc X Reader

Genre: childhood friends to lovers

Warnings: language

Word Count: 4K

Author’s Note: okay this is it, I don’t think I’m gonna do a part four. Unless idk if you guys absolutely beg for a part four. But yeah this is it. It is insane how many people like part two and asked for a part three. I was genuinely stunned, idk what to say guys. Thank you so much for showing this so much love. I’m sorry if this doesn’t live up to expectations, i felt like I made you guys wait long enough for it.

Part one, Part two

————————————

Charles and Arthur had to be in Austria before Thursday to prepare for the next race. You were adamant about not going, saying you did not prepare to be away from home for more than a week. That even staying in the UK for the weekend was setting you back in a multitude of things.

“You said you weren’t gonna stay away anymore,” Charles said. As all of them, Charles, Charlotte, Arthur, and Lorenzo, crammed into your hotel room before going to the airport.

“I’m not trying to stay away,” you said, shoving more things into your luggage, as Arthur and Charlotte deliberately unpacked things.

“Then why can’t you come to Austria with the rest of us?” Charles asked, crossing his arms.

“Because I did not plan to be in Austria,” you exclaimed. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to go, but Austria wasn’t in the original plan. “I’ll come to Monza.��

“What is it that you are really rushing back to Monaco for?” Charles looked you dead in the eye.

“It’s not your job, you said you were able to work remotely,” Charlotte deduced.

“It’s not your parents, because they don’t require you to be home like before,” Lorenzo added, he always kept in close contact with your parents.

“It’s not a guy, because you just told me that the last guy fell through when you found out he was a Ferrari fan,” Arthur then added.

“It can’t be money, your job pays you more than enough to travel with us,” Charles said.

“You know, I have no clothes for the rest of the trip, nor a plane ticket to Austria like the rest of you,” you said, trying to give any excuse to not go to Austria, “not to mention I was planning on splurging on a trip for my parents and their anniversary, and I don’t think a last minute trip to Austria will fit in the budget.”

“I’ll cover you for Austria,” Lorenzo, Charles, and Arthur said in sync.

“We’ll cover your expenses for Austria y/n, we really want you to be there with us,” Lorenzo said.

“You’re not taking no for an answer huh?” You said, looking at the three Leclercs. All of them shaking their heads. “Let’s go to Austria then,” you sighed in defeat, as all of them cheered.

“Okay good, here is your ticket,” Lorenzo said, pulling the paperwork out of his pocket. You looked at Lorenzo absolutely dumbfounded, “when you showed up for Arthur's sprint race, I knew you would have to come to Austria with us, so I got the ticket then,” Lorenzo revealed.

You took the ticket from Lorenzo, waving it in his face, while saying “normal people don’t do this Lo,” then you looked at the other two brothers, “normal people don’t expect their friends to be able to drop everything and travel to a different country with them.”

Unfortunately for you, Lorenzo couldn’t get you on the same flight as the rest of them. You were leaving the UK the same day as them, but several hours later. Lorenzo and the rest of them will arrive in Austria, Tuesday afternoon, while you will arrive closer to Tuesday night. You really didn’t mind it all too much. The few hours alone will allow you to gather your thoughts. Or so you thought.

“Y/n,” you heard your name from across the airport. “Y/n,” it was Felipe Drugovich, “that is you.”

“Felipe,” you said, going to hug him, “it’s been a minute.”

“It has, how have you been? Are you coming to the races again?”

You smiled, you weren’t close with Felipe, but the two of you always had a friendly relationship. “I’ve been good, and I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to attend all the races, but I’ll definitely start coming again. What about you though, race winner”

“Only a couple,” Felipe smiled, he was always so humble.

“A couple? You have three feature race wins, and you’ve scored in almost all of the races,” you smiled.

“Not all, and you’ve kept up with us?”

“Just because I’m not attending the races, doesn’t mean I didn’t keep up with them.”

“Just surprised you kept up with F2, there isn’t a Leclerc in F2 at the moment,” Felipe joked, raising an eyebrow at you.

“There doesn’t need to be a Leclerc for me to keep up with something,” you took slight offense.

“I’m just saying the Leclerc princess was only focused on the Leclerc's last season,” Felipe said. You let his statement sit for a moment, and watched as Felipe realized what he called you. His face changed from cocky to shocked.

“The what?”

“You weren’t supposed to know that,” Felipe quickly corrected his mistake.

“Leclerc princess? Who is calling me that?”

Felipe sighed, knowing that he was going to have to explain now. “It was a joke between the F2 guys last season because you were only focused on the Leclercs and you were treated like a Princess by them,” Felipe revealed.

“Please don’t tell me that you guys actually thought that,” you were absolutely shocked. You knew the boys always took care of you at the races but you didn’t think you were being treated like a princess.

“Y/n, it’s fine,” Felipe said, trying to make amends. “Arthur them we’re taking care of their friend, we understand it.”

“I didn’t…”

“I promise we never called you that with malicious intent,” Felipe didn’t know if what he was saying was making the situation better or worse. “It was stupid Robert who started the joke because you rejected him, and Arthur told him off about it. I promise that nickname wasn’t made with vicious ideas.”

“When did Robert try to get with me?” You asked not recalling any moment when Robert tried to ask you out.

“Are you serious?” Felipe didn’t know what to say, everyone knew about Robert trying to get with you. “In Monaco, Robert asked if you wanted to get dinner after the race. You said that you had dinner plans with the Leclerc family and you would text him about getting dessert together, then you never texted him or spoke to him again. Then Arthur told Robert to stop bothering you.”

“I, I didn’t know he meant like a date. I actually had dinner plans already that night, Auntie Pa made food and Arthur kept bugging me that night, I must’ve completely forgotten about Robert.” You slapped your hands against your face, completely dumbfounded that you had forgotten about Robert. “I promise I never told Arthur to say anything.”

Felipe did nothing of the sorts to help you, just laughing at your recount of events. “It’s fine y/n, Robert has gotten over it, and Arthur wasn’t mean, he just told Robert to back off a little.”

“I feel terrible,” you said, not knowing what to do, not knowing how to apologize to Robert.

“Don’t even worry about it, princess,” Felipe teased further, causing you to blush further from embarrassment.

After checking into the hotel, and getting all of his stuff into the room, Arthur headed back to the airport to pick you up. He adamantly volunteered to pick you up, instead of sending a Uber for you, because he wanted a few minutes of you to himself. The drive from the airport to the hotel wasn't long but Arthur insisted he pick you up and he insisted on picking you up by himself.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Charles asked again.

“I’m sure, I’m just driving to the airport and back, I’ll be fine,” Arthur insisted.

“Text us when you got her,” Lorenzo said, before the two started back into the hotel.

Arthur wanted a few minutes alone with you because he didn’t want either of his brothers to be revealing any more information. When Lorenzo said ‘Arthur has a crush on you’ to you, Arthur felt his heart drop. He didn’t want you to reject him in front of his brothers. That would have been too much embarrassment for him. Instead you just said, ‘we’ll talk about it later, yeah?’ To which Arthur nodded, he had hoped that the drive back would be the perfect time to talk about it.

When Arthur got to the airport, he was still early, so he found a spot to park, and headed towards baggage claim to wait for you. He found you easily, you were talking to someone. As he made his way closer he noticed you were talking to Felipe. Felipe then grabbed your bag from the belt, while saying something that made you laugh. Arthur felt his heart stop for a moment, what did Felipe say to make you laugh like that? Was all he could think.

“I think your ride is here,” Felipe said, you followed his gaze to see Arthur standing there arms crossed. The sight of Arthur waiting for you, causing your smile to grow. You and Felipe end up being on the same flight, sitting right next to each other. “Still the Leclerc princess I see.”

“Shut up Felipe,” you blushed at the nickname that Felipe has been continually calling you the entire flight. “I’ll see you at the track,” you said, as you began to walk towards Arthur.

“See you then princess,” Felipe said, causing you to turn more red, blushing brighter. You were shaking your head at the nickname.

As you walked towards Arthur, you felt your smile get bigger. You tried to stop yourself from smiling, but you couldn’t contain it. You had to repeatedly remind yourself that Arthur still has a girlfriend. “Hi,” you said to Arthur.

Arthur hummed in acknowledgement, taking your bags from you. It wasn’t like him to be this silent. “Everything okay?” You asked.

“Didn’t know Felipe was on your flight,” Arthur huffed out, his tone causing you to stifle your giggle.

“Are you jealous Arthur?” You asked, beginning to tease. “Are you jealous that me and Felipe were on the same flight together, and sitting, and talking together the entire flight?” The opportunity to tease Arthur, has been few and far between in your friendship with him. Being around Charles and Lorenzo his entirely life, had built Arthur up. There was nothing that you could say that would bug him. So whenever you did find something to tease him about, you would take it and run.

Arthur didn’t give any answer to your teasing, silently putting your bags into the car. Arthur didn’t respond because he was actually jealous. Why did Felipe get to be with you and not him? Why did it have to be Felipe? Couldn’t it have been someone, anyone else next to you. When Lorenzo told Arthur, he bought you a plane ticket to Austria. Arthur begged Lorenzo to change his flight to be with you. Why did Felipe get to be on your flight and not him?

You teased Arthur the entire car ride to the hotel, when you finally pulled up to the front. Arthur put the car in park for the valet boys. However before you could open the door to get out, Arthur locked the doors, stopping you. You looked back at him slightly confused, and all Arthur said was “yes I am jealous.” He then unlocked the doors and got out before you.

You rushed out after Arthur, to see him already grabbing your bags. “Arthur,” you said to grab his attention. Arthur instead of answering you, turned to hand over the keys to the valet. He then walked past you carrying your bags. You followed after him, “you shouldn’t be jealous,” you said just loud enough for him to hear. Arthur didn’t say anything, continuing to remain silent, “after all Felipe isn’t the one I’m rooting for during the races, nor is he the person that I’m gonna be with this weekend.” You watched as your words curved a smirk onto Arthur’s face.

Arthur had brought you up to the room, “so mine and Lorenzo’s room is just a couple doors over, and Charles and Charlotte’s room is a few more doors down.”

“We’re all on one floor?” You asked as you began to unpack your limited clothing.

“Lorenzo booked all the rooms together, so they put it all on one floor,” Arthur said, trying to find the courage to continue the conversation. “Y/n, don’t you think we should talk?”

“Talk?” You knew exactly what Arthur meant, but you were hoping to avoid the conversation just a little longer, in hopes that maybe your feelings for him would go away in a few hours. “Talk about what?” You didn’t meet Arthur’s gaze, because you knew the moment you looked into his eyes, you would fold.

Arthur grabbed your arm, pulling you away from your luggage, “you know what we need to talk about.”

When you looked up at Arthur, his eyes looking hurt, “don’t you have a girlfriend.” You watched as Arthur’s face changed, first being confused, then realization.

“No,” Arthur said with relief, “I forgot to tell you, we broke up.”

“Arthur did you actually break up,” you turned back to your own unpacking, “you and her are always going on breaks and getting back together…”

“I promise,” Arthur said, jumping onto your bed to look at you, “we’re done, for real this time.”

You looked at home suspiciously not really believing it, “well just because you broke up with her, doesn’t mean you and I are just gonna become a thing.”

“Why not?” Arthur sat up confused.

“Because you know how bad that will look, that you just left your girlfriend and started dating someone new. Everyone will think you only left her because of me.”

“What does it matter what anyone else thinks?” Arthur asked, as he got off the bed, coming towards you. Taking your face in his hands.

“Arthur,” you spoke softly, pulling his hands away from your face, “it matters the most. I…”. You paused, unsure how to admit your feelings about the situation. “I love you Arthur, I will always love you, but…”

“But what?” And all over, Arthur became unable to read. You couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“Maybe,” you pulled away completely, turning your back on Arthur, “I shouldn’t have come to Austria.”

“Fuck y/n,” Arthur shouted out, “what are you talking about not coming to Austria?” You turned back to look at Arthur, who was red in the face, “you said,” Arthur pointed his finger at you, his words laced with venom, “you weren’t gonna stay away and now that I tell you how I feel, you’re just gonna run away.”

“That’s not,” you started to shake your head viciously, “that’s not what I meant Arthur, I…”

“Then what is it?” Arthur shouted once more, “you say you love me, you said you weren’t gonna stay away but now you don’t want to be here with us, with me.”

“Arthur please,” you felt the tears rolling down your face. Arthur has never yelled at you before like he’s doing at this moment. “Stop yelling at me,” your words were whispers, that fell on deaf ears.

“I am in love with you y/n, and I have spent years thinking I will always be second to Charles,”

“You’re not second,” you couldn’t find it in yourself to speak louder. “Arthur, I am in love with you.”

“Then why don’t you want to be here, with me?” You could finally see the tears welled in Arthur’s eyes.

“I can’t,” you broke down in full sobs, “I can’t take your fans.” His fans, “I can’t take the constant bashing from people that don’t know me, I ran away because I couldn’t take it. I am weak and I am ashamed,” you wiped away your tears, staring at the floor instead of Arthur, “and I just can’t handle it like you or Charles or Charlotte, I want to.” You looked up back at Arthur, his features had softened, “I wish I could do it Arthur, I do. I want to be at every race, under every podium, to be with you, always, but I don’t think I can, I’m sorry.”

Arthur wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer than ever before. You began to sob, feeling ashamed that little comments from strangers messed you up this bad. You buried your face deeper into Arthur’s chest, feeling safety in his arms.

“Where is y/n?” Lorenzo asked Arthur, as he was in the middle of training.

“Not sure,” Arthur shrugged, as he continued on unbothered. Lorenzo looked a little confused, because Arthur was the one that took your absences the hardest among the three of them. Why wouldn’t he take it the hardest though?

Just a few moments later, Charles joined Arthur and Lorenzo. Whenever their, Charles and Arthur’s, race weekends aligned together, the two would train together to prepare for a race. “Where’s y/n?” Charles asked, as he scanned the room, thinking he would see you tucked away in a corner. Arthur, not verbally acknowledging the question, shrugged.

Now it was Charles’ turn to be confused. Charles missed having you around very much, and it meant a lot to him that you were there in Silverstone. However Charles knew it meant more to Arthur that you were there, than it did to him. Charles exchanged a look with Lorenzo, to which Lorenzo just shook his head and shrugged as well.

“She’s gonna be at the races though, right?” Charles tried to ask nonchalantly.

“She said she would be,” Arthur answered, even more nonchalant. Charles and Lorenzo exchanged another look, trying to determine if you and Arthur got into a fight or what.

You currently sat at lunch with Charlotte, while the boys were doing their training.

“So, did you and Arthur talk?” Charlotte asked, after your waiter dropped the appetizers.

“We did,” you smirked thinking back to your conversation with Arthur.

“Your smirk indicates it went well,” Charlotte's eyes widened in anticipation.

“Well,” you paused thinking further about the entire conversation, “it ended well.”

“Ended well? It started off bad?” Charlotte let out a little chuckle.

“Yeah,” you laughed out, “Arthur mentioned he broke up with his girlfriend.”

“Oh, but that was a long time coming already,'' Charlotte reasoned, as she began to pick away at the appetizers.

“I know that, I just didn’t want Arthur to think that just because he broke up with his girlfriend. I would just jump into a relationship with him. Not to mention how that would look.”

“So you and him are not together then?”

“Umm no, yes,” you chuckled some more.

“What happened in that hotel room?” Charlotte laughed, trying to understand what the two of you talked about. “Something not innocent?” Charlotte eyebrows raised, as she giggled some more.

“No no, nothing like that,” you quickly corrected with a laugh. “We just talked, talked about a lot of things. Tried to make him understand what I felt.”

“That’s good,” Charlotte reasoned, “you definitely need to communicate more.”

“Me and Arthur are going to try being in a relationship together, slowly though and privately.” You began to blush at the thought of Arthur and you, together.

“That’s very good,” Charlotte smiled, she smiled a proud smile at you. In a way, Charlotte felt relieved, she would never admit it though. Charlotte knew that Charles will always feel some type of love for you, but Charles would never betray his brothers. A very small part of Charlotte will forever be jealous, and worried about your relationship with Charles, however now you being with Arthur she can rest a little easier at night.

“I don’t know if Arthur told his brothers yet though”

“Why wouldn’t he tell them?” Charlotte asked, slightly confused. The three of them were three peas in a pod, always telling each other everything. Charles and Lorenzo would be the first people on Arthur list to tell anything to.

“I don’t know, when I told Arthur I wanted a more private relationship, he was fine with that, but he insisted on being the one to tell his brothers,” you said with a shrug, not really understanding Arthur’s reasoning.

“Well Charles knows nothing, when I told him about lunch today, he told me to figure out what’s going on between you and Arthur.” Charlotte said with a giggle, recalling Charles' words from this morning.

Later that night, after all the marketing duties, training, and media request, did Arthur finally return to the hotel. Lorenzo had told Arthur that he would be having dinner with some people about Arthur’s future, and that he wouldn’t return until later. Arthur made quick work of showering and getting into a comfy outfit, before leaving his hotel room, and going up a couple doors to your hotel room.

As soon as the first knock came, you opened the door for Arthur sporting the biggest smile you could manage. “Hi,” you smiled more, that Arthur could only chuckle at you.

“Hi,” Arthur smiled, back before walking into your room. “Miss me?”

“Always,” you said, as you pecked Arthur’s lips. Arthur wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer that every part of your body touched his, as you wrapped your arms around his neck.

“You know, I love coming home to you,” Arthur whispered against your lips, before planting another small kiss against them.

“This isn’t home though, this is a hotel,” you smirked.

“Home is wherever you are.”

That night as you cuddled closer to Arthur, the two of you lay in the middle of the bed. Watching whatever movie sounded funny.

“You know,” you started off, thinking about everything you and Arthur talked about today, “when I said going slow with our relationship and keeping things private, I didn’t mean not telling your brothers.”

“I know,” Arthur smirked, “but I want them to sweat a little, they currently think we’re fighting.”

You furrowed your eyebrows looking at Arthur, “how do you know they think we’re fighting? Why do they think we’re fighting?”

“Because I know them, and I know they won’t ask directly what’s going on, they’re just gonna wait until I tell them”

“Are you punishing them for exposing you a few days ago?”

“Maybe,” Arthur chuckled, looking down at you cuddled into his side. “They deserve it, either way.”

You cuddled closer to Arthur, trying to soak up as much heat that was emitting off of him, as possible. “Thank you for respecting my wishes to keep our relationship private for now.” Ou spoke softly into Arthur’s chest, instead of to him.

You could feel the vibration from Arthur’s chuckle, “I’d do anything for you, anything to keep you by my side.”

After your initial disagreement with Arthur, the two of you talked more about the situation in Amsterdam last year. You talked about how the fans made you feel, how you thought staying away would be best for everyone, why you thought that as well. You made sure Arthur understood your viewpoint on the entire situation. Especially that you no longer felt safe being around any of them, because you thought whenever you were with them, you were on display for the world to judge.

Arthur spoke of how you made him feel, his disagreement with Charles, and just exactly how your interactions, although not meant to hurt him, did. Arthur made sure that you understood how he felt. He felt like you were staying away because that would be easier for Charles. Arthur thought that you cared more about how Charles felt rather than how he felt.

After the two of you talked extensively, did you guys begin to discuss your relationship. You finally admitted to having romantic feelings for Arthur, and that you wanted to be with him. Arthur admitted to always being in love with you, and just forever thinking that you loved Charles more than him. The two of you agreed that you would be in a relationship with each other, but that it would go slowly, and privately. Arthur was gonna do everything in his power to ensure you felt safe being around him. That you were no longer on display for the world to critique, that you were just the girl he’s in love with. And you had never been so in love.

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clxja16 · 2 years ago

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Since Day One

Part 4

Arthur Leclerc X Reader

Genre: childhood friends to lover

Warnings: none

Word Count: 2.6K

Author’s Note: okay I am done, there’s not gonna be a part five regardless. I seriously don’t even know what I would do with this story if I would continue it. Also I don’t know if Charlotte gets endorsements in real life from being an f1 wag, but like I would think she does. I just put that in the story because it fit in that moment. Also this is so late because I wasn’t gonna do a part four but ay wth. Nevertheless enjoy guys.

Part one, Part two, Part three

————————————————

“Auntie Pa,” you called out, as you entered the Leclerc home. “I brought the fish for dinner.” Arthur, Charles, and Lorenzo were expected to return to Monaco by tonight for the summer break.

“I’m still in the kitchen dear,” you could hear auntie Pa, shout from across the home. “May you set the table dear?”

“Of course,” you answered, as you put the fish down, and picked up the stack of plates. “Who’s coming tonight?”

“Just us,” Auntie answered nonchalantly, “the boys, you and Charlotte.”

“Auntie I didn’t know it was a family dinner, I don’t wanna intrude…”

You could hear Auntie Pa sigh, “nonsense, you are family y/n, I don’t know how many times I have to remind you that you are family.”

You blushed at her words, “once more,” you said as you went about setting up the table for everyone while Auntie finished her cooking. You peaked over at the dish she was making, the boy’s favorite. They always had one request when they came home from traveling, Auntie Pa’s cooking.

“I heard,” Auntie started off, “you attended a couple races.” Auntie gave you an eye, as she watched your reaction to her words. Even when you were a little girl auntie always knew everything.

“I did,” you confirmed, “I wish I didn’t stop. I…” you paused trying to get her your thoughts, “I didn’t realize how I hurt all of you, I’m so sorry I never…”

Auntie raised her hands stopping you from continuing on, she had her eyes shut, and it appeared as if she was biting her tongue. “You need not apologize for protecting your sanity and safety.”

“But I should’ve talked to…”

Auntie raised her hands again, stopping you once more, as she stared straight into your soul. “You did what you had to do, we understand that.”

“Thank you,” you said. Auntie Pa always knew what to say to make it better.

“It’s not your fault, that sometimes, my sons can be idiotic at times,” Auntie threw up her hands in exaggeration.

You couldn’t help but giggle at her reaction, “what happened auntie, Charlotte never gave the details.”

Auntie Pa sighed further, shaking her head, as she stirred the pot. “My baby, Arthur, is so much like his father. So protective over you,” Auntie said, as she pointed at you. “Last season, you canceled your Monza trip,” you nodded your head at Auntie’s words, recalling that time. “Then you didn’t go to Russia…”

“Right,” you said to confirm the details. At that point in the season the amount of harassment was overwhelming that you didn’t want to leave your home.

“Then you didn’t go to Abu Dhabi with the family, as soon as we got home from Abu Dhabi, Arthur hit the roof. He told Charles, It was because of Charlotte that you didn’t come to Abu Dhabi.” Auntie explained to you.

“Why would he say that though, I never told that to him,” you asked as you remembered, making it a point that it wasn’t because of Charlotte that you stayed away.

Auntie Pa sighed, “Because at Abu Dhabi, Charlotte had said some things that were only meant for Charles.” You looked at Auntie confused, not fully understanding what she meant, “Charlotte is a darling, but she’s not you y/n. She’s not gonna have those childhood moments with Charles like you, and that’s unsettling for her. She was explaining to Charles that sometimes you make her insecure, your connection with Charles and the rest of the family. Arthur overhead and he assumed that Charlotte told you this, so you stayed away to make things easier for Charles without considering Arthur’s feelings.”

“I didn’t, I wouldn’t,” you started off, trying to explain your side quickly, “that wasn’t…”

“I know dear, don’t worry.” Auntie reassured, as she went back to explaining, “Arthur refused to talk to Charles for the entire off season, even during their trips to Maranello together. It wasn’t until we were having dinner together right before the boys left for Bahrain, and Charlotte asked you to come to the race, herself and you declined it. After you left that night Arthur finally spoke to Charles, and Arthur got one hell of a scolding from Lorenzo for acting the way, he did.”

You sighed, as you recalled that night, “I did wonder why it felt awkward that night. I’m so sorry Auntie, I didn’t mean to cause that…”

“Don’t even worry about it dear, it’s not your fault that my boys are idiotic at times,” Auntie shocked her head with a chuckle. Just then you could hear the front door open, signaling their arrival.

“Are you gonna come to Spa?” Charles asked you during dinner.

“Summer break just started and already you’re talking about the races,” you sighed, shaking your head.

“Come on, you’re gonna come to Spa right?” Arthur asked, as he turned in his seat to face you.

“I don’t know, I’m gonna have to think about it,” you answered, looking at Arthur. Your head swirling with thoughts of just how handsome he was, and you couldn’t believe he was yours. You realized you could get lost staring into his eyes. And Arthur thought the same about you, as he stared back. He thought of you, and he couldn’t believe he could call you his.

Lorenzo and Charles took note of how both yours and Arthur’s demeanor changed in that moment. Granted, Arthur always acted a little more carefully when you were around. Constantly trying to impress you, however both Lorenzo and Charles could tell this time was different. It wasn’t Arthur trying to impress you, it wasn’t Arthur trying to gain your favor. Arthur looked at you with pure love in his eyes, there wasn’t a yearning, a pining, a longing look. Just pure, unfiltered, raw love.

Lorenzo and Charles exchanged a look, they both knew you guys finally got it.

After the food was put away, the table cleared, the dishes washed, and the kitchen cleaned, did you guys sit in the living room together. As Arthur looked around the room to see everyone together, he thought of his childhood. Of the moments after a long day of karting when you guys would come back home, and then proceed to playing video racing games.

“Super Mario Kart?” Arthur asked the room, knowing you wouldn’t back down from a challenger.

“You’re going down Leclerc,” you answered, as you began to help Arthur set up the game.

“Excuse me, I’m winning this,” Charles responded back.

“Charlotte, are you gonna play with us?” You turned to ask Charlotte.

You watched her smile grow just a bit, “sure.”

The four of you found good seats around the living room as the game started. And when the first round ended, there was only one happy person, so obviously you guys had to play again. You don’t know how many rounds you ended up playing, but there was lots of shouting, lots of laughing, and lots of cheatin going on. Lorenzo and auntie Pa, laughed at how competitive you all got. It was truly an enjoyable time.

After a while it was just Arthur and Charles playing. You took a seat with Charlotte, watching the two boys play their game. Charlotte spoke first, in a low whisper, “how’s you and Arthur?”

You couldn’t help but blush slightly, “we’re good, it’s nice, taking things slowly.”

“I’m happy for you guys, took you both long enough to get it,” Charlotte said with a smirk.

“Yeah it did.”

It was about a week into the summer break, when Charles had invited you out to his yacht for the day. Although this wasn’t the first time, Charles invited you out to the yacht, you still were unsure how to dress. Charles said it was an all day thing, so you packed warm clothes for the evening, as well as more, because well a girl can never be too prepared.

When you arrived at the dock, Arthur and Charles were already waiting for you. “You boys didn’t need to wait for me, I would’ve called when I got here,” you said, as the three of you loaded onto the yacht.

“It’s fine, we’re still waiting for more people, so we weren’t planning on setting sail yet.” Charles said, as he carried your bag in.

“Who’s here already?”

“Just us, Lorenzo and mom, Charlotte should be here soon though,” Arthur answered your question.

After getting your things stored away, you followed Arthur out onto the deck where everyone else was. You all sat together for brunch before setting off for the day. It didn’t take long for the rest of the group to arrive, and you guys were off.

You watched Arthur play games with his brothers and a few of their friends. They all took turns shoving each other into the water. You were perfectly content sitting on the side with Charlotte and auntie Pa. That was until Arthur decided that you sitting on the side wasn’t good enough.

Arthur made quick work of pulling you up by your wrist, “no, no, no Arthur,” you protested as he dragged you to the edge. “Arthur don’ t,” you protested once more, while everyone else cheered Aruther on. Arthur bent down, wrapping his arms around your thighs, before throwing you over his shoulder, and jumping into the water.

When the two of you came up back to the surface, it was full of you splashing Arthur. While he had a huge grin on his face, “I’m sorry mon amour,” Arthur said. If you were paying closer attention you would’ve caught his mistake, but instead you got lost in his eyes and his smile. Arthur pulled you close in the water, pecking your lips as an apology. As more cheers erupted from the group.

“So you just weren’t planning on telling us?” Lorenzo asked Arthur, as you guys all sat together at dinner. Arthur held your hand, with interlaced fingers, under the table.

“I was going to tell you guys,” Arthur relented, “I was just taking it slow.” Arthur leaned back, now looking at you instead of his brothers.

“Slow? How much slower are you guys planning on taking this, it’s been 16 years,” Auntie Pa said, causing a ripple of laughter through the table.

“As slow as she wants,” Arthur said with a little drawl in his voice, as he stared at you. You felt the red creep up your cheeks and your smile widened at Arthur’s cheesiness. Arthur would really do anything for you, and you were the luckiest girl alive to be with him.

“Are you happy?” Charles’ voice cut across the table, “y/n, are you happy?” You tore your eyes away from Arthur to look at Charles. Charles sat across the table from you, Charlotte sitting next to him.

While you looked at Charles, you thought about what could’ve been. What would have happened if he said yes, years ago? Would you be in the Ferrari garage cheering his name, at every race? Would you be the F1 wag that everyone talked about? Would you have the endorsement deals that Charlotte has? Would you still be in love with Charles? Would you even still be in a relationship with Charles?

As you looked at Charles and Charles looked at you. Charlotte looked at Charles. She wondered why Charles had asked if you were happy. She wondered if Charles wanted you to be unhappy with Arthur. She wondered if Charles was secretly, quietly, jealous that you chose Arthur in the end. She wondered just how much did Charles regret saying no, those years ago.

When you were looking at Charles, Arthur was looking at you. Arthur wondered what was going through your mind. If you thought that Charles was the better choice. If you were thinking about getting stuck with the second-best Leclerc? Or maybe the third-best Leclerc. If you were thinking that you weren’t that happy with him.

“I am,” you answered, earnestly, honestly, and wholeheartedly. “I am very happy,” you said, now looking away from Charles and back at Arthur. Looking at the person you are truly in love with.

“Good,” Charles smiled at you and Arthur, then looked towards Charlotte. He picked up her hand, kissing the back of it, whispering a small ‘I love you.’

“I won’t be gone long, just a few days,” Arthur said, as he packed his bag, preparing for another trip to Maranello.

“I know, but you’ll call and text me right?” You asked, sitting on Arthur’s bed, watching him pack.

“Of course mon amour,” he said, smirking playfully at you.

“You know, I thought the point of summer break was to take a break.” You said sarcastically.

“It’s just some contract negotiations, and media duties,” Arthur smiled as he continued to pack.

“Why a few days then and not one?”

“Because I want to actually sign a contract my dear, sometimes negotiations takes days,” Arthur smirked as he pulled you up from the bed, closer to him.

“I will see you when you get back?”

“You’ll be the first,” Arthur smiled, placing a soft kiss upon your lips.

“I signed with Dams racing for next season,” Arthur spoke through the phone to you, and even though you couldn’t see his face, you could hear the smile.

“You deserve it,” you spoke into the phone for Arthur.

“Do I?” Arthur asked softly, you could hear the insecurity starting to creep in.

“Of course you do,” you answered quickly. When Arthur and Charles were still karting, Charles was set on pursuing racing as a career, while Arthur was a little more indecisive. So when money started to get tight, Arthur’s career was put on hold. And at the time, one or two years off didn’t seem so bad. It gave Arthur time to appreciate racing, especially since he couldn’t do it to the fullest. Then Arthur turned 21 and he was still in formula 3. When Charles turned 21, he already won Formula 3, and 2. Charles already made his formula 1 debut, he already scored points.

Arthur was already so far behind his brother that every time he made a step forward he wondered if it was because of his ability or because of his name. Every opportunity he got, he asked if he deserved it, or if it was a favor for his brother. Every moment in the spotlight, he wondered if they were there for him or his brother.

“Where are you right now?” You asked to change the focus of the conversation.

“I’m still at Maranello, waiting for Lorenzo right now,” Arthur sighed, you could tell he was still bothered, still insecure.

“Arthur, you worked hard, you deserve this,” you did your best to reassure him.

“Charles was already in formula 1 at my age,” Arthur sighed, you could hear him take a deep breath, “maybe I should stop while I’m ahead.”

“Arthur, Charles has…”

“Hold on,” Arthur cut you off before you could finish your thought, “Lorenzo is here.” Vaguely from the other side of the line you could hear Lorenzo's voice.

“Y/n,” Lorenzo’s voice came through the phone loud and clear, “guess who’s moving into formula 2…”

“I told her already,” you could hear Arthur’s voice, although faintly, through the phone, as he spoke to Lorenzo and not you.

“Oh,” Lorenzo said through the phone to you, “well he’s moving up making big boy steps.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at the excitement in Lorenzo’s voice, “when’s the announcement?”

“Well if no rumors come out, maybe the end of the year, at the very least Abu Dhabi.”

“I’m so proud of him,” you spoke earnestly, “and of you too Lo.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Lorenzo said, you imagined him doing a little bow as he spoke, “here’s your boyfriend back.”

“I’ll call you back when we get to the hotel, I think I have some more media things to do,” Arthur informed, his voice sounding lighter than earlier.

“Alright,” you acknowledged, “I’m proud of you Arthur.”

“Thank you.”

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@annoyingsaladstrawberry

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