Chapter Text
Somewhere in 2021, Charles’s pov
When they first started dating, Charles didnt really use pet names. Max just didnt seem like the type to appreciate thiskind of thing. It was the same with physical contact.
Charles always checked at first if he could kiss Max, hug him, or touch him in this kind of way. But the longer they were together, the more he realized that Max enjoyed it quite a lot; he was just miserable at asking for it.
Every time Charles hugged him, the Dutchman let out a pleased sigh before pulling Charles even closer. Burying his head in the younger's neck.
Every time Charles kissed him, Max melted right into it, letting Charles take and take. Without asking for any of this ever.
So, Charles may not be surprised that it was the same with pet names.
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“Cheri, could you hand me the water bottle, please?” Charles asked sweetly when Max came to watch him drive the simulator for a bit. When Charles didnt get an answer, he turned around only to see stunned Max still in the doorway.
“Max?” Charles called out, confused.
“What did you just call me?” Max asked, tilting his head to the side, his ears slightly flushed, and a small smile on his lips.
“Cheri,” Charles replied.
Max hummed, his ears getting brighter and the smile slowly breaking through the firm facade of his face.
“Do you want me to say it again?” Charles asked, not hiding his own smile.
“Yeah, please,” Max added quickly, walking closer to Charles, forgetting all about the water. Charles giggled at the strong reaction from Max.
“Get me the water and I’ll,” Charles said, making Max roll his eyes but rushing back into the kitchen for the water bottle.
“Thank you, Cheri,” Charles said when Max handed it to him.
“You’re welcome… schatje,” Max said the last word so quietly that Charles barely caught it.
“What was that?” Charles asked, not hearing the last word.
“Schatje, it’s like cheri but in Dutch, you know,” Max said shyly, looking back at Charles.
Charles could feel his cheeks heat up at that. He got up from the simulator, forgetting about racing alltogether, as he kissed Max.