F1 PHAIDEI AU_4. [comic+text]

Phainon and Mydei started noticing each other gradually. At first, it was just casual eye contact, too quick for anyone to notice. Then came brief nods and barely perceptible smiles. Mydei began to notice the quiet admiration and barely contained excitement with which Phainon looked at him, as if trying to hide his feelings.

And then, after another long training session, the silence between them finally broke. What started as banal comments about the track soon turned into a frank discussion of risky maneuvers and bold strategies. They analyzed mistakes and looked for loopholes in the chaos of the race — something others would consider madness. There was a spark in their conversation, something more than just an exchange of experiences. Each time, they got pulled in deeper.

After several phone conversations with Phainon, Mydei realized he wanted more. Since being told that Formula 1 was off-limits to him forever, he had been chasing that same rush in underground street races. It was only there that the familiar rhythm of his heart returned and he experienced that pure adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, he was unable to find a worthy opponent. So, he invited Phainon to race with him.

“Take your best car. Meet me at the address I’ll send you,” said Mydei into the phone, exhaling a cloud of steam into the cold night air.

“Do you invite everyone on dates like this?” replied Phainon with a slight sneer.

Mydei chuckled. “Why, are you applying for the position of my boyfriend?”  

There was a brief pause before Phainon answered softly and sincerely,“I don’t think there’s a person alive who’d say no to you.”  

~🏎~

At night, the city glowed with neon lights, and the silence of the deserted intersection was broken only by the sound of an approaching engine. When Phainon pulled up, he immediately noticed a red Ferrari 488 illuminated by yellow streetlights. Its owner stood nearby with his hands in his pockets. Phainon gasped when he realized what was happening. As he drove up to Mydei, he rolled down the front window and a smile tugged at his lips.

“Not bad,” Mydei said, glancing at the black Mercedes-Benz. Squinting slightly, he added, “It suits you.”

Without saying another word, he turned and slipped into the driver’s seat of his Ferrari, leaving the air between them charged with anticipation.

to be continued.. 🏎