F1 PHAIDEI AU_5. [comic+text]

‼️To fully experience the moment in your head, BE SURE to play The Weeknd's song After Hours (full 6-minute version). I spent a long time choosing a song for this part.‼️

~🏎~

The engines roared simultaneously, filling the night with a low, vibrating sound. The scent of the city on a cold night hung in the air, and the light from the streetlamps reflected off the cars' bodies. Phainon and Mydei sat behind their wheels, poised for the start, eyes locked on each other. Their eyes met through the windows for a brief moment, during which there were no words, only a challenge.

The seconds stretched, counting down the final moments. The traffic light turned yellow, then green. Tires screeched on the asphalt, and the roar of engines pierced the nighttime silence.  

Mydei pulled ahead in the first few seconds, but Phainon quickly caught up. Every flick of the steering wheel and every gear change was instinctive — he felt that this was more than just a race. It was a dance just for the two of them. On a sharp turn, Phainon took a risk and passed Mydei by just a few centimeters — so close that their cars almost touched. Blood pounded in his temples, and time seemed to slow down. All thoughts disappeared, leaving only the sensation of speed and the red Ferrari on the periphery of his vision. Each turn became a duel, and each acceleration became a challenge. The cars were racing so closely that their engine noises merged into a single roar.

Mydei could feel the tension and thrill surge through him like electricity. This was it. What he had been missing all these years. Not just a rival on the track, but someone who understood his passion and shared his desire to push the limits. A smile tugged at his lips — a sincere, genuine smile he hadn't felt since Formula 1 racing. At that moment, he knew that, regardless of the race's outcome, he had already found what he was looking for.

~🏎~

They both slammed on the brakes, signaling the end of the race. Phainon leaned back in his seat, his chest rising and falling rapidly, and watched through half-closed eyes as Mydei got out of the Ferrari and headed toward him. Before he could get close, Phainon rolled down the window. Mydei leaned on the window frame and stared at him.

“That was something,” 

Phainon exhaled. His voice trembled with adrenaline, but the excitement in it was unmistakable.

“Hard to argue with that,” 

Mydei faltered, catching the look Phainon was giving him. He had noticed it long ago, practically from the moment they met, but tonight it felt stronger, no, thousands of times stronger. This time, Phainon wasn’t hiding it anymore, completely exposing his feelings. From this, Mydei felt a slow, burning warmth spread through his chest.

Phainon bowed his head slightly and a soft smile tugged at his lips, but his eyes gleamed with something far deeper than the pleasure of the race.

“You know,” he said quietly, almost in a whisper, “I’d do it again.”

Mydei was silent for a few seconds, staring intently into Phainon's eyes as if trying to find and understand something there.

“I have a question,” he finally said, his voice low and steady. “That race with McLaren… Why did you take that overtake? All drivers prefer to avoid it. Winning is important, but not more important than your life. You were lucky that time, but it could’ve ended tragically.”

“It's not luck,” Phainon said firmly.

“It's a calculation. I was confident in my abilities. I don't care that others can't perform such maneuvers and instead take the easy way out. There's no place for cowards in Formula 1,” he said seriously.

“Of course, anything can happen out there. I'm not suicidal. But if I see an opportunity, I take it. But if we're talking specifically about that overtaking...” 

The seriousness faded from Phainon's face. His voice wavered, and a faint blush crept up his cheeks.

“I...I've been watching you since I was a teenager, admiring you... And that overtaking maneuver... I dreamed of repeating it.” 

The words came out unevenly, in fragments. Phainon’s face flushed deeper as he averted his gaze.

Mydei didn't answer right away. He stood there for a few seconds, then walked around the car. The door clicked. He sank into the passenger seat and glanced quickly at Phainon.

“Let's go for a drive.” 

He said calmly, but there was a tone in his voice, though, that made the air between them thick.

to be continued..🏎