POV: You Love Charles Leclerc

13. So Close Yet So Far

1078 words
A/N: Again, if you haven't seen the race in Suzuka and are planning to, please don't read this because it will spoil it for you and it's eventful to say the least so you can read this after you watch the race :)

Suzuka was going to be a very wet race, everyone knew that. They were predicting a monsoon so there was doubt to if there was even going to be a race. This was a tricky one for Charles because if he didn't come P1 or 2 it would be mathematically impossible for him to still be in contention for the title and Max would win it. Max was also starting from pole.
A few laps in, the race was red flagged and stopped due to an accident. You couldn't see who had crashed as the view in the camera was being blurred by torrential rain. Once everyone had come into the pits and you were watching for information with Charles, you saw that it was Carlos who had crashed and was therefore out of the race. "Carlos! No!" Charles exclaimed as he saw the scarlet car in the barriers. But there was more information and footage coming. The start had been eventful with multiple crashes that had just been safety car accidents but you could now see Pierre Gasly driving slowly, his vision impaired by the rain and an advertisement board attached to his front wing that he had picked up from the crash. Once he had come into the pits and had a new front wing put on the car, he went to speak to his team, having what looked like a very heated conversation and then he came in to see Charles looking very irritated. You could hear the conversation from where you were sitting. "I don't know, it should not have been there! That could've been so much worse! And at this track! Unbelievable!" You heard Pierre saying.
"I know mate, it shouldn't have happened." Charles replied, looking down. Whatever they were talking about made Charles upset and you were going to find out what was going on. When Charles returned, you questioned him on it. "What was that about, baby?" You asked him, inquisitively.
"There was a recovery crane on the track when Pierre was." He replied, clearly irritated by the situation.
"Wh- oh." It hit you what that meant for them and then all of Charles' emotions were justified. Jules. He had crashed into a recovery crane and was killed. At this track too! Unacceptable really.
"Yeah." Charles said quietly, noticing your realisation. You decided not to ask any more questions so Charles could get into racing mode again.
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2 hours later, the race restarted with 30 minutes and 1 lap to go. Charles pushed and pushed but Max was too fast for him. Instead, he found himself battling Checo for 2nd. On the final lap, Charles was pushing and pushed a little too hard, making a mistake. He managed to correct it but had run off the track, luckily coming out in front of Checo so he hadn't lost a position. You heard Alex Jaques' voice on commentary mention Charles leaving the track and gaining an advantage but you hoped that because he was in front to start with, he wouldn't be punished for it.
After the race, Charles was in 2nd. You were so proud of him, he pushed so hard for the whole race and it paid off. Unfortunately, he couldn't win but anything was good for you. However, you knew Charles wouldn't be happy with it, especially with his emotions still running from the crane situation. You were worried about the media because you knew they would ask about it and you weren't sure Charles wanted to talk about it.
You put all of this aside as you left the garage to greet him, a huge smile on your face ready to congratulate him on his amazing efforts and position. You noticed that Charles looked a little deflated when he got out of the car, almost emotionless for saying he came P2. He came up to the team surrounding you and let them congratulate him. When it was your turn, you hugged him tightly and he took off his helmet so you could give him a small kiss. He gave a small smile when you did this, he loved your support.
"Hey baby! You did so well, I'm so proud of you! P2! That's amazing!" You congratulated him as he hugged you again.
"It was a hard one for sure but thank you, ma cherie. I have to go now and do the interview but I'll see you in a few minutes, oui? (Yes?)"
"Of course."
That interview was a mixture of the most eventful, chaotic and plot twisting thing you had seen. Max was of course congratulated on the win and Checo in P3 but Charles had not yet been asked to speak. He stood in the background waiting while both Redbull drivers were interviewed. Just as Charles was about to be called forwards, Max was called back and congratulated as World Champion and told that Charles had a 5 second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage on Checo. When you heard this, you looked at Charles on the screen and you saw his face fall a little. You were more irritated that he had to find out through Max being told than him being World Champion because you could see your boyfriend's disappointment all over his face.
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After all of the media and podium, Charles made it back to the hospitality where you greeted him sympathetically with a hug. "Hi, ma cherie." Charles muttered.
"Hi baby. How are you? You did so well, there was nothing you could've done. I'm proud of you."
"If I hadn't made that mistake I wouldn't be in this position, ma cherie." Charles had a way of putting himself down after every little mistake. You hated that he did this but you couldn't stop him from thinking it.
"Baby, don't talk like that. You did amazingly today, I'm proud of you and I love you okay?" You put a hand on his cheek.
"Je t'aime. (I love you)" Was all Charles said, his voice doused in disappointment but you knew he meant it.
"Je t'aime." You gave him a small smile.
You didn't bother bringing it up again that night, the day had been full of emotion already and you knew Charles was exhausted, mentally and physically. You took care of your sad boyfriend all evening, making sure he felt comforted and not too upset.
He couldn't show you then, but he really appreciated everything you did for him that night. You always took good care of him when he wasn't at his best.

A/N: I know it's not exactly what happened but I tried to make it as close to the actual race as I can remember. A lot happened so it's hard to remember everything and in what order and stuff like that so go easy on me 😂 please 🥹🥲
I feel so bad for Charles, the team were rubbish all season and he didn't deserve that. You could see on his face in the interviews that he was sad and it made me sad.
Remember, you are loved and strong and beautiful ❤️
-A