Work Text:
Max felt on edge as he walked from the podium to the Red Bull hospitality, the trophy clutched in his hands to hide the way his fingers trembled. He was past being disappointed, really he had given his all and he was satisfied with p2, but his instincts were screaming at him and he knew something bad was going to happen.
"I walk you in." Checo spoke up at his side, Max flinching as the Mexican touched his elbow. "It's okay. I walk you in." He repeated, and Max was pretty sure the Mexican was feeling the same dread he felt. He nodded at the Beta, he fiddled with his mask before nodding curtly, hand still ghosting over Max's shoulder as they stepped into the hospitality.
"Max!" Marko's voice sounded loudly through the building. A few mechanics tensed together with Max, some of the Alpha ones venturing closer to stand between Max and the source of the sound. Max stood completely still, barely remembering to breathe as he looked straight ahead. Checo growled softly next to him, hand curling more firmly around his shoulder and Max was grateful for his presence, even though it did little to reign in the terror in his chest.
"You should have won!" Marko stormed out of one of the little offices, one closer than Max had anticipated. The Omega instinctively took a step back, bumping into Checo a bit, and let out a soft whine.
Things had been better recently. Max had done well and there had been no more yelling, not by Marko or his dad or anyone else in the team. Max had known the quiet was like a ticking time bomb, but he hadn't expected it would explode after a race where he had driven as best he could.
Marko was snarling loudly, moving closer and closer but Max was too scared to move. The Alpha's hand curled around his wrist, pulling him in until Marko's face was centimetres away from Max's.
"You should have won." Marko hissed. His eyes flashed and Max cowered into himself, hissing softly and trying to pull his wrist out of Marko's grasp. The Alpha's nails dug into his skin, and even though Max tried to growl and fight he didn't seem to impress Marko.
"Let go of him!" Someone squeaked suddenly, Pierre pushing in between Max and the Alpha and snarling so loudly at Marko that the Alpha startled. His grip loosened and Max broke away, whining as he stepped back. Pierre didn't seem hesitant at all, baring his teeth angrily at Marko and clawing and pushing at him until he backed off.
"Go, Max! We'll be okay." Checo said next to him, the Beta nudging his shoulder to break Max's trance. The Mexican was holding Yuki around his waist, the small Omega snarling too as he tried to get to Marko.
"But…" Max stuttered. Checo shook his head.
"Find Lewis." He said. "We'll come find you later." He said more urgently, and Max finally stumbled away, not even having the time to wonder how Checo even knew about whatever it was that he and the British Alpha had going on.
Some mechanics were holding the exit door open for him, rumbling and cooing softly in comfort as Max moved past them with panicked eyes,, and made sure to block the exit after Max slipped out.
The Omega's heart was racing in his chest, going so fast Max thought it would explode. He stumbled over his feet a few times in his hurry to get away, still hearing Marko growl and yell behind him.
The Mercedes garage wasn't far now, but he didn't smell Lewis anywhere.
"Lewis…" Max tried to send the Brit his feelings through the beginnings of their Mating bond, but he was too erratic and stressed to focus now. He regretted huffing and rolling his eyes at Lewis when the Alpha had proposed they'd start practising using their bond. The bond had barely even started to form at all, but Max could feel Lewis's affection sometimes if he tried really hard with his head resting on Lewis's chest, and if they had practised more it would have been more useful.
For example in an emergency like this one.
Max practically fell into Mercedes hospitality, gasping and whining as he instantly stumbled into one of the corners, where he was hidden from view but from where he could still keep an eye on the door.
"Max?" A soft voice sounded, George kneeling down close to him and holding out his hands in a soothing gesture. Max hissed and kicked at him, convinced the other Omega was going to hurt him. George whined a bit but moved away some more, sitting down just outside of reach from Max's flailing legs.
"Max, it's okay, you're safe here." Another voice sounded, Bono reaching out to touch Max's hair. Normally, both Bono and James were good at calming him down, the two Alphas being naturally soothing, but right now, having the Alpha close only scared Max more.
"Don't hurt me!" Max screeched out, kicking his leg out again and hitting Bono in the face.
"Fuck!" The Alpha gasped and at his Mate's distress, James was suddenly there too, grumbling a bit when he saw Bono's nose was bleeding. He leaned in to soothe his Mate, nosing Bono's shoulder, but then turned to Max with a worried look on his face. Max mistook it for anger and only started to trash around even more, growling so loudly he was practically screaming.
"What is going on here?"
Everyone went completely still when Toto walked over. The Mercedes Pack Alpha stayed a few stepped away from them, watching on with a serious expression on his face, and then hummed when George whined and pushed into his side.
"He's afraid, he didn't mean to hurt them." George whispered anxiously, tugging on the hem of Toto's shirt and nosing the taller man's shoulder to effectively hold him back.
"I know that, little one." Toto murmured softly in answer, stroking his hand over the top of George's head as the Omega continued to cooe at him.
"Please don't hurt me." Max gasped out weakly when the tall Alpha kneeled down in front of him. Toto had always frightened Max. The Pack Alpha hadn't exactly been excited when Lewis had first brought Max over, which had been understandable. Mercedes’s top driver courting a rival Omega had been surprising and neither Red Bull nor Mercedes had been too excited at first. Still, Toto had allowed him to be with Lewis up until now, but that was not to say he would continue to do so.
“What happened, pup?” Toto murmured softly, reaching out to place a hand on Max’s wrist, over the cuts and scratches Marko had left there earlier. Max let out a pathetic little noise, looking up at Toto with begging eyes.
“I-I should have won, I disappointed him.” he whispered. Toto’s touch was both scaring Max and soothing him at the same time, and when the Alpha still made no move to hurt him Max slowly started to relax. “I-I can leave. Just please… please don’t hurt me as well.” he added in a small voice. Toto’s eyes widened and he shook his head, rumbling softly as he leaned in to press a kiss to Max’s forehead.
“You’re safe with us, we won’t hurt you.” he promised, and Max felt like crying all over again.
“I want Lewis.” he muttered, shyly daring to look the Pack Alpha in the eye. Toto sighed, scooting back and taking Max with him as he gently lured the Omega out of his hiding spot.
“Lewis is still talking to the press. He might be gone for another 30 minutes still.” he explained. Max whined and wanted to crawl back into his hiding place, but Toto stopped him, tugging him into his arms instead. The hug was loose and careful, and so gentle that Max could only shudder and sink into it. “Don’t worry, pup, we won’t hurt you.” Toto murmured softly.
“I-I want to nest.” Max sniffled, although he was also reluctant to let go of Toto. The Alpha nodded and Max could smell George moving away, probably to find Max blankets. Toto was still stroking Max’s hair softly, rumbling deep in his chest as Max closed his eyes tightly.
“Marko. It was Marko.” he murmured at the Pack Alpha. “I disappointed him, I should have done better. It was all my fault.” he whispered. Toto sighed, tilting Max’s head up so the young man had to look at him.
“It was not your fault. He would have never been allowed to touch you. let alone hurt you.” Toto soothed him, before surprising Max by letting go of him and getting up. “Come on, George brought blankets to Lewis’s room so you can nest there.” he added softly. Max scrambled onto his feet too, nodding at Toto and hesitantly pushing into the Alpha’s side. He whined happily when Toto wrapped an arm around him, and let the Pack Alpha lead him along to Lewis’s room.
“Are these okay?” George asked, pressing fleece blankets into Max’s arms when they entered. Max nodded dumbly and took them from him, kneeling down to make a nest on the floor. He folded the blankets carefully, making a soft little nest to curl up in. When he was done, he realised Toto and George were still there, the young Omega whining softly as he stood close to Toto.
“I’m sorry I hurt Bono.” Max whispered at them. Toto sighed.
“It’s okay, little one, don’t worry about it.” he smiled, before nodding. “We’ll leave you to it. I’ll make sure Lewis gets here soon.”
“Thank you.” Max answered, baring his neck for Toto, even though it was something he rarely did for Alphas. Toto rumbled and then turned away, leading George out of the tiny room and moving to close the door behind him.
“Wait-” George murmured, slipping into one of the other rooms. “Someone needs to watch him, just to be safe.” George added, returning with Roscoe in his arms. The bulldog was snorting happily as he was placed on the nest with Max, wagging his tail as he made himself comfortable on the blankets. Max smiled instantly, hugging the dog close and letting him lick at his cheeks.
“Thanks Georgie.” Max muttered, even though that was the nickname the Pack used for him, and Max wasn’t actually-
“You’re welcome.” George beamed back, purring happily before leaving the room too.
“Thanks buddy.” Max muttered when he laid down with Roscoe cuddling into him. They stayed like that for a long moment, Roscoe snoring loudly while Max stroked the top of his head. Max had adored the dog from the start, even before he had started to court Lewis, and maybe it had even been the dog that had brought them together.
“Lewis…” Max murmured softly, taking a deep breath and trying to feel for the bond again. He just wanted Lewis to know he needed him, wanted the Alpha to come to him already. Lewis would keep him safe, Lewis would make him feel better again-
“Max, baby…” Lewis’s voice sounded from the door. Max lifted his head and let out a shaky whine, starting to tremble and cry again as Lewis rushed over to him. The Alpha rumbled and knelt down with him, holding out his arms to pull Max into a tight hug.
“Alpha…” Max cried out, pushing his face into the crook of Lewis’s neck as the Alpha stroked his hair.
“Baby, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you sooner.” Lewis murmured, pressing soft kisses along Max’s neck to gently rub his scent on Max’s skin again. “Marko will pay for this. He will pay for touching you.” he murmured, growling softly, but Max just whined, fearing the Alpha was going to find Marko at that moment.
“Don’t go!” he whimpered. Lewis let out a deep breath but then laid down with Max, scratching Roscoe behind his ear for a bit before curling around Max’s back.
“I’m not going anywhere.” he promised, even though he was still tense and clearly wanted to go and fight Marko. But Max didn’t Lewis to fight his boss, he just needed Lewis to make him feel safe again. Max let out a shaky breath, pulling Lewis’s arm over him and cradling it to his chest.
“I tried so hard, but I just couldn’t pass you today.” Max murmured. “I thought I had raced well.” he added in a whine. Lewis shushed him, gently fingers massaging Max’s scalp as the Alpha leaned in to trail tiny kisses along Max’s nose and neck.
“You raced incredibly well, darling.” the Alpha murmured. “Marko is an old fool, he doesn’t deserve you as driver.” he murmured. Max just whined a bit but didn’t answer.
“I hurt Bono.” Max blurted. “Toto seemed calm now but he’ll be angry with me later. He barely tolerates me as it is a-and I don’t want him to be angry with you too Lewis. I’m sorry I’m such a bad Mate, I-I’m sorry I keep fucking everything up-” his breathing had quickened again, but then Lewis rolled him onto his back, leaning over him and kissing him with so much love that the fears instantly melted away again.
“You are the most amazing Mate ever, my silly little darling.” Lewis murmured, his eyes closed as he nuzzled their noses together. Max whimpered, eagerly pushing up for more affection.
“But Toto-” he started, nails digging into Lewis’s shoulder blades. Lewis pressed a finger over Max’s lips to silence him.
“Toto adores you, darling. If he ever seemed cold to you it was just him trying to give you the space you needed to get used to him. The whole Pack loves you, I can promise you that.” the Alpha whispered.
“But-” Max tried again. Lewis sighed, a melancholic smile playing on his lips as he placed a hand on Max’s cheek.
“You are easier to love than you think.” he whispered. “We all adore you. Me, the Mercedes Pack, the driver Pack… We all love you. I love you, and we will do everything to keep you safe” he added, softly nibbling at the crook of Max’s neck. Max let out a soft noise,
“What about Marko?” he asked in a small voice. Lewis hummed, laying down on his side and pulling Max closer to face him.
“Toto is going to talk to the FIA, and to Christian. It will be okay.” he promised. Max smiled.
“I think I like Toto.” he murmured a bit awkwardly. Lewis just chuckled.
“Good.” he rumbled in return. They settled into silence, Lewis regarding Max with the softest, most loving gaze Max had ever felt on him. He leaned in closer to press another soft kiss to the Alpha’s lips.
“I love you.” he muttered, something which he didn’t say nearly often enough. Lewis purred, slipping an arm around Max and letting the Omega wiggle around until he could tuck his head under the Alpha’s chin.
“I love you too baby. So, so much.” he answered, and Max felt the Alpha’s heart skip a beat.
“I want to practise our bond.” Max blurted out. “I know I said it’s stupid but it isn’t. I was afraid of you finding out I’m not… strong, of you finding out that I scare easily, but I think you do need to know about that.” he murmured awkwardly. Lewis rumbled.
“I would love to practise our bond.” he answered. “And I would never think you are weak.” Max wanted to protest but got distracted as he smelled some familiar scents.
“Can we come in?” Checo asked, poking his head around the door. Yuki was with him, seeming a bit hesitant, while Pierre pushed past the both of them, falling to his knees before worriedly fussing over Max.
“Are you okay?” Pierre rambled. “I-I saw him come from you and I thought he was going to hurt you and-” Max silenced him with a tight hug, nosing his face into his friend’s shoulder.
“Thank you for protecting me.” he whispered, before peeking at Lewis over his shoulder. “Can they stay?” he asked. Lewis chuckled, pulling more blankets over.
“Of course they can.”
The tiny room ended up completely full of people. Not only the Red Bull boys had joined them, but George, Bono and James as well, everyone cuddling up around the couple while Max cooed softly from where his head was resting on Lewis’s chest.
He felt safe like this, huddled in a Pack pile where no one would dare to hurt him, especially not when his Alpha was with him.
“Lewis…” Max murmured softly, closing his eyes and sending Lewis his love and affection as best he could. He felt Lewis jolt under him, the Alpha exhaling shakily before pushing his face into Max’s hair as he returned the fussy, warm feelings.
Everything would be okay.