Chapter Text
A small whimper escaped my mouth as Daniel pressed me up against the wall. His mouth found mine and he seemed to be trying to drink up all of me. He pinned my hands up above my head with one hand, and the other found my waist. He squeezed my ass making me gasp, which gave him the opportunity to deepen the kiss. My body was on fire, all of me alive like it only is with him. Suddenly he pulled up my legs so I was straddling him and lifted me off the wall.
“Dan!” I giggled as he walked me over to the bed. He lowered me only the bed and hovered over me with a smirk.
“Hi” he smiled.
“Hi” I responded, leaning up to capture his lips again. He disconnected and placed his lips on my neck. I moaned as his lips travels down my bare torso, sending electric shock through my body. His fingers were sliding under the waistband of my boxers as a knock rang out from the hotel room door.
“Fucking hell” Daniel groaned, disappointment filling his voice.
“Who’s at the door?” I asked curiously. Daniel got up and walked over to the door, peering through the peephole in only a pair of shorts. The colour drained from his face and he turned back to me slowly.
“It’s my mom” he mouthed, making me panic.
“Shit!” I scrambled to my feet and snatched my pants from the floor before running into the bathroom. Once in the bathroom I peered through the crack in the door as Daniel let in his mom.
“Surprise! I’m in town and I thought I’d pay you a visit!” She smiled brightly, pulling Daniel in for a hug.
“Hey mom, good to see you” Daniel smiled, his face still adorably red. Grace walked into the room and looked around, observing the messy sheets and shirts laying on the ground. Her gaze came to the closed bathroom door and I knew we were fucked.
“I didn’t realize you had a girl over Dan, sorry for interrupting” she apologized with a smirk, her tone knowing.
“Mommmm” Daniel groaned out in embarrassment.
“We’ll have her come out then, you haven’t had a girlfriend in ages I’m excited!” She smiled and I cringed at the words. I pulled on my pants as there was an awkward silence in the room. I could tell Daniel wasn’t sure what to do, and honestly I wasn’t either.
“Okay, come on out” Daniel spoke to me nervously. My shaky hand found the doorknob and I pushed it open, revealing a shocked looking Grace Riccardo. She looked me up and down a few times before looking back and forth between me and Daniel.
“Mom” Daniel started, walking over to me and taking my hand.
“You’ve met Max, he’s my boyfriend” Daniel said confidently, smiling reassuringly at me. There was silence for a moment before Grace stepped foreword and pulled us both into a tight hug.
“I can’t say I was expecting that but I’m very happy for you guys” she smiled finally, giving me this look that only my own mother ever gave me. Her eyes drifted from my face to my torso and they widened impossibly larger. I realized then my scar was completely uncovered, and even though it’s been three months, the 12 inch scar streaking across my torso won’t be going away anytime soon.
“Jesus Christ Max! I didn’t realize it was that bad!” She exclaimed, running closer to examine my scar.
“She’s going into mom mode, this is a good thing” Daniel explained beside me and I nodded. Once Grace was done examining me she walked over to her bag and pulled out a bottle of wine.
“Now boys put some clothes on and come talk, we have a lot of catching up to do!” She smiled, popping open the bottle. I loved her already.
…
Two glasses of wine later I was laughing as Grace spoke in unnecessary detail.
“So he comes up to me, face pale in the middle of the mall and says ‘mom, I pooped my pants’” she giggled, and I let out loud laughter, clutching onto Daniel’s shoulder for support.
“Mom I was six!” Daniel wined in embarrassment, covering his red face. Eventually he got up to find some more wine, and I was left alone with Grace.
“So, how’s my son treating you” she asked with a smile, making me chuckle.
“Incredibly, he’s so good to me. I really love him, more than I ever thought I could live somebody” I told her, making her nod.
“Why’s that, the last part?” She asked curiously.
“Well I never really believed in romantic love as a kid, any kind of love for that matter. My parents divorced when I was very young, and my father was very abusive my whole life. I kinda had this mentality that everyone is out to get me, and if I love someone they’ll exploit it and break me just like my father did.” I explained sadly, and Grace took my hand supportively.
“But when I met Daniel he taught me love is beautiful, and genuine people are everywhere. He helped me out of the black hole that was my life, and gave it new light” I smiled fondly, and Graces expression was filled with pride.
“You mean a lot to him to you know, I can see it in the way he acts around you. I used to think you guys were platonic sole mates, it seems I got the sole mates part right” she smiled, making me blush.
“You better marry him” she warned with a fake serious expression making me laugh.
“I plan on it”
…
“We are here for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final of the season! All eyes are on Max Verstappen because due to missing two races season he is fighting against Sergio Perez for the championship!”
“And speaking of Max Verstappen we all know about the crash that went down earlier this year, so it is astonishing that he’s even fighting for the championship after such a violent crash.” The reporter spoke, showing videos of Max in the red bull garage. She was right, all eyes were on him.
…
“Max Verstappen, you are the 2024 world champion!” Christian yelled into the radio.
“FUCK YEAH!!!” I screamed, filled with pride. I still can’t believe I fucking pulled it off, and I’m pretty sure nobody else did either. I pulled into my #1 spot and pumped my fists to the crowd, whose cheers echoed through my head. I was lifted in the air by my team and I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
“I’m so fucking proud of you Max” Christian told me once we finally escaped the mob. He looked at me with a father-like pride I’ve never received in my life, and I nearly melted. I pulled him into a hug which he happily accepted.
Waiting for the podium celebration was a nice moment to breathe and talk to Checo and Charles, except for the camera lingering in the corner of the room. The walk out to the podium was as incredible as usual, and as I took my place of the highest box I smiled a genuine smile. I scanned the crowd and tried to not let my disappointment show when I didn’t see Daniel. Medals were draped over our necks, and I was preparing to grab the champagne when I noticed Charles and Checo get off their steps, standing slightly to the side. I looked at them in confusion but was interrupted by sudden loud cheering. I spun around to see those familiar brown eyes making their way towards me, a cheeky grin on his face. I stared at him in confusion as he made his way up to where I was standing our bodies so close together.
Every bit of pr training I’ve done made me want to step back, put distance, but I couldn’t. I knew as he leaned down it was time. I captured his lips and tried to focus on him as loud cheers rung out. We pulled apart and I smiled wide at Daniel, who was sporting his iconic goofy grin. My breath caught in my throat as I watched Daniel do something I’ve imagined happening my whole life. He bent down till he was on one knee, and pulled out a small black box. Inside was a beautiful silver band, diamonds and sapphires imbedded in the metal. I looked up with him in disbelief, and he just gave me a look that made my cheeks heat up.
“Max” he started, his voice loud from the mic on his race suit.
“You are my everything, and you have been for 5 years. The day you agreed to go out with me I thought that would be the best day of my life, but it just kept getting better. I love you so much Max. I love your eyes, your smile, your laughter, your compassion. You have made my life immensely better and I can’t imagine a world where I don’t get to wake up to your face. So will you do the honours and make me the luckiest man in the world by marrying me?” The words went straight to my heart, practically knocking me off my feet. Tears were welling in my eyes and I couldn’t contain all my emotions.
“Yes!” I exclaimed, making Daniel break out into a big smile. He rose to his feet and slipped the ring on my finger which fit perfectly. I pulled him in for a passionate kiss, that sent off fireworks in my mind. We pulled apart and Daniel wrapped around me. I turned to look at Checo and Charles whose eyes were watering as they cheered loudly.
Looking out at the crowd with my lovers arms around me was everything I’ve ever dreamed of.
He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.