#but they're both too gracious to actually make it go hurtful and bitter - that's why they'd rather keep the distance for now imo

[sainztander]

In one of his latest interviews Carlos said that he and Charles could definitely be friends after they stop being teammates, then said that they’re already friends and finally that there is distance between them — and I don’t know what he exactly meant by this, maybe that they get along but still keep each other at a distance because of the whole being rivals thing — so my question is Carlos, what’s the truth? Are you fellas friends or not? And also why do you feel the need to keep some distance if you guys aren’t actually friends?

I don't find it that strange tbh, it's something that a lot of close teammates have said too. Some months ago Carlos talked about how his relationship with Lando has been a lot better since they're not teammates anymore and now they can speak about more personal things; I also remember Daniel saying something similar about Max, when he left Redbull. Both teammates duos that you'd surely define as friends, but actually admitted to becoming closer only when working in different teams.

It's pretty clear that Carlos and Charles get along very well. They share the same goal, the same attitude, the same passion and love for their team, they're both hard-working and humble and respectful for their rivals. They're also young and friendly, share the same interests, work-ethics and have fun together.

I think that being teammates always kinda freezes any real possibility of being fully open with each other tho - which is the distinction they make, I think. They like each other, they work incredibly well together - as we've seen it's not a given between teammates - they share notes, give advices to each other, meet up as soon as they're out of the car to talk, etc. But even putting aside the kind of competition they're put in, I don't think it would be that easy for Carlos to share everything he had on his mind lately (esp thinking about how all the hate he got (from some specific people) may have affected him) with Charles, who in turn thought about the championship and his anxiety for his future. This without counting the incredible pressure the entire team had this entire season, and whatever tensions were in play behind closed doors.

But you know what? With the year they had, the fact that things between them are still so smooth, they still look and sound so fond of each other, being ready to give up podium positions, to celebrate the other's good results, to hang out together, etc etc, says A LOT about their relationship, and the real admiration and affection they feel. It is very very very sweet <3

[last-flight-of-fancy]

more incredibly indulgent ff14 fic lets go

WoL: Hallima, Au Ra, he/they

Timeline: late in the first half of Shadowbringers, after Bismark's journey.

Alisaie and Hallima have a talk on the ocean floor.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Hallima looks up from where they're sitting on the only semi-flat rock they could find that was at least sort of dry, and raises an eyebrow.

"Limsa, obviously."

"Oh don't you sass me." Alisaie rolls her eyes, strolling down the hillside until she stands level with the outrcop and can look Hallima in the eye, hands on her hips. "You're not supposed to be going off alone."

"Blame Thancred for not keeping a good enough watch then." It was supposed to be a joke, but the words come out a little too harsh. Thancred had definitely noticed Hallima leaving camp, he just knew to leave them to it.

Aliasie's lips thin as an automatic reaction to the bitterness in their tone, but then her countenance softens, and she sits next to them on the damp rock.

"I know Ryne asked you earlier, but you didn't really answer. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me."

"Tell me how I feel then why don't you." That came out far too biting, and Alisaie blinks in surprise at the unexpected vitriol. Hallima bites their tongue until they taste copper. "Sorry."

"It's fine." She says, but it's clear she's not entirely sure what to say next. Words had ever been her brother's area more than hers. Hallima shakes their head, trying to dislodge the ugly thoughts and even more disruptive constant wearing of light, and gently nudges Alisaie with their elbow.

"Don't lie to me." They say, keeping their tone deliberately light. Alisaie snorts, but the awkwardness lifts slightly.

"I guess it was kind of a dumb question."

"You just wanted to know." Hallima shakes their head. It's understandable, despite their less than gracious reaction.

"Yeah." Alisaie sighs. "Okay, better question; how are you holding up?"

Hallima can't answer that right away, not really sure how to put it. Eventually they lift their hand and point out into the distance.

"See that?"

Alisaie squints out into the murky darkness. Honestly it was a miracle any of them could see at all down here. Bismark's magic at work probably.

"The big rock that looks like the only thing keeping it on top of that cliff is two twigs and a sheef of paper?"

"Yeah. Like that."

"I guess that makes sense."

"I hope so because the next best thing I have is 'like shit'."

Alisaie snorts a laugh, and Hallima is glad the dry humour landed the way it was intended.

They sit in a comfortable silence for a while, and despite the ever-present pressure of the light within and the constant awareness that Alisaie is directly in the possible line of fire, it's calming.

"You know..." Alisaie says at length. "I know it looks like that rock is gonna fall any second, but you'd be surprised how long geographic formations like that can last. Sometimes thousands of years."

"I still wouldn't make camp under it."

"Maybe not." Alisaie admits. "I guess I just wanted to say that.. I know it's gotta be hard and you probably feel awful, but you're the strongest person I know. I'm scared of losing you, you're scared of hurting us. I get it, but we'll get through this together. I'll make sure of it."

"Mh." Hallima lets themself smile in the face of her determination, born of fear or not, it's hard not to beleive her.

"I'm glad you weren't actually leaving." Alisaie admits then, turning her gaze out into the seemingly endless inky abyss. "I don't know what I would have done if you had just.. vanished."

Hallima doesn't ask why she thought they would leave. They both know it's crossed their mind more than once in recent days. Ever since vertigo started to strike them in waves and mirror's had become impossible to look at.

They wonder what everyone else sees, but considering only Y'shtola has reacted overtly to their condition, they assume the overwhelming light must be visible only to them.... And Y'shtola.

If they get through this they should get Y'shtola something nice. She must be even more blind than usual with Hallima soaking everything around them in light.

"Do you ever wonder what you would look like?" Alisaie's next question takes them off guard, blinking down at her in surprise. She glances up and shrugs. "What? Might as well make some light of it. So to speak."

"I guess 'make dark of it' doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?"

"Not with that attitude. I think you'd have huge horns. Like battering rams."

Hallima snorts at the image.

"As if I don't already." They swing their head a bit as if to show said horns off. "There will probably be wings. Most sin eaters seem to have them."

"Almost certainly. Often several pairs of them. Yours would be clipped though."

"Oh?"

"No one wants to become a sin eater, but no one has fought against it as hard as you."

Hallima doesn't think that's particularly fair. The deck was stacked in their favour, and they are still slowly losing ground despite that.

Still.

"I bet... I wouldn't have legs. Like a snake." Hallima nods.

"Eh? But you're a dragoon!" Alisaie puzzles at their logic. "Jumping is your whole thing!"

"Exactly. The sin eaters we've fought are always so contrary to what they began as. Forgiven this, absolved that. Twisted into uniformity by removing the individual." Hallima stops, sensing that their speculation is going a little too far. "Anyway. Yeah. No legs. Or stumpy useless ones."

Alisaie looks down, and Hallima worries for a moment before she reaches out and takes their hands. To Hallima's vision they shine brightly against her peach-toned palms, so far removed from the deep ashen blue they were used to.

"Then in that case... I think you would have spears for hands. I've seen you working in the forges sometimes, I never really considered it before recently, but you're an artisan at heart, aren't you?"

"Not really." Hallima shrugs. "It's just something to keep me occupied between the world ending catastrophies."

"Hm, if you say so." She says, but she smiling and Hallima gets the feeling she doesn't beleive them. "Speaking of, did you make that armour?"

"Is it the purple set?" Hallima can't see it when they're wearing it now- the whole mirrors being overwhelmed by light thing- and they haven't had the chance to take it off and change properly in.... too long. They're probably offensively rank but the whole group is in the same situation down here at least.

Alisaie nods.

"Then yes."

"Mh hm." She grins. "I told you. Artisan."

Hallima shakes their head, but there's a return smile on their lips at the playfulness.

They're not sure how long the two of them stay out there, talking of things dark and light and both, until finally Alisaie leans gently against Hallima's arm, eyes closed and breathing softly. Until the camp behind them begins to stir and someone at long last comes looking for them.

The fear remains, that any moment they will lose the battle against the light and bring harm to everyone they loved, but they continue on. For little moments like this. For the friend and sister who still somehow trusts them enough to sleep against their arm alone. For the brother who waited anxiously for their return. For all the scions who work tirelessly to try and fix this whole mess not because they are the Hero and Champion but simply because they care.

And if you must live in fear of becoming a monster intent on the destruction of everything you love, there is a certain comfort to be had in hoping that at least you'll be a cool one.

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Bonus doodle of sin eater Hallima: