It wasn't a day to celebrate. In fact, it had never been a day less prone to celebrating than that Saturday.

It was a day filled with red-rimmed eyes, slumped shoulders and quiet actions.

It was so quiet.

Charles had gotten it the worst, wiping away the silent tears with shaky hands when no one was looking. Pretending to be fine.

He had always been quite good at pretending, he had learned it young after all.

Starting with his best friend and ending with another, though he doubted Anthoine would be the last.

Pierre was arguably just as bad, but now Charles had the added pressure of the world on his shoulders. Thousands expected him to win this race tomorrow, for him. Just like he had dedicated his F3 title to Jules and his first F2 win to his father.

And Charles tried, he tried so hard to push his feelings aside just for the weekend. For the sake of winning this thing, for him.

It came with ease. Experience lacing all his movements, but it was no use.Not this time, with thousands of eyes on him and the weight of the world on his shoulders.

It didn't take long before everyone started walking on eggshells around him.

Pierre had started the whole thing, seeing straight through his facade as always. It had been Sebastian next, giving small reassuring smiles to him as they crossed paths in the garage.

Max was next, to Charles' surprise. Though his eggshells kept breaking, cracks sounding through the paddock whenever he came past and those cracks were almost more reassuring than the small smiles and pity shining in their eyes.

Max knew, he knew how Charles felt. He wasn't stupid, he could see it in his actions and his eyes.

Charles's eyes were like a book. His life written down in them, but Max also knew that Charles didn't gain anything from those eggshells. Those eggshells didn't mean anything, not even when they were still intact.

Charles didn't mention anything, but he was thankful.

Thankful Max was a little bit of a pretender himself.

Thankful for the silent shoulder he had offered without anyone else noticing.

Thankful that, even though he wasn't yet, he'd be alright.