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Max was furious. What the hell was that race? He was glad that Zhou and Alex were okay because the crash looked really bad but it was just a shitshow in general. He’s disappointed in his race, sure but it should’ve been Charles on that podium, should’ve been Charles who won that race. At least in his opinion.
Charles deserves so much better than how Ferrari treats him at the moment. Max would’ve exploded at them by now. He really doesn't know how Charles can take it all. They spoke for a bit and Charles told Max everything that happened in his race. Max was speechless.
It’s really a good thing that Daniel’s birthday party was right after that race. Knowing Daniel, they will all be way too drunk and have massive hangovers the next day. The party was in a rented out bar. They would celebrate Daniels’s birthday, obviously, but he somehow got Seb robbed into it to also celebrate his birthday with them. All the drivers were invited, with their respective partners, if they existed.
Max was getting ready in his motorhome with Mick. The younger German just scored his first points and couldn’t stop smiling. It’s really cute. Max saw Mick as his little brother in a way. They grew up together and spent a lot of time together in the paddock when their fathers drove. Mick really deserves this. He is one of the best people Max knows.
“Who do you think will be the drunkest tonight?” Mick asked as he buttoned his buttendown.
“Daniel or Charles. Both have different reasons but Charles is at his breaking point,” Max said. “Are you sure you still want to go to Ferrari?”
“Maybe, I don't know. Right now I’m fighting to keep my seat. It won’t happen next year or the year afterwards anyways. Maybe they change or someone else becomes team principal. Who knows what’ll happen in two years time.”
“You’ll be my age,” Max chuckled.
“So I’ll be old, bitter and single,” Mick teased.
“You little brat, I’m only one and a half years older than you.” Max threw a pillow at Mick. Mick chuckled but caught it.
“Your aim could be better, Maxy. Must be the age.”
“You’re checky today, Micki.”
Mick groaned. “Only my mom calls me this and now the whole world knows.”
“You know how your mother is and she was just as excited as we all are. It was about time.” Max pulled Mick into a quick hug.
“It really was. Seb was the first to congratulate me.”
“Of course he was,” Max snickers. “Now hurry or we’ll be late.”
“You’re never on time,” Mick laughed. That was true but Max had the urge to be there on time to discreetly watch over Charles. He’s worried over Charles and despite what the media said, he really cared for the Monegasque. They got a lot closer during the season and sometimes even met up during the week for dinner or gaming together. They’ve become close friends but Charles is different from Lando or Daniel. His heart doesn’t beat faster whenever he talks to one of the McLaren drivers. He’s often nervous around Charles and doesn’t shut up. Max is always very expressional and he talks with his hands quite often which always looks funny. Charles’ winks are the best thing he’s ever seen and made him choke on his drink a couple of times. The coughing afterwards was really embarrassing.
“Stop dreaming about your Ferrari prince and get dressed.” Mick waved a hand in front of his face to get his attention. “You said you didn’t want to be late but keep on getting distracted by your own thoughts.”
Max quickly changed his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. Mick just rolled his eyes. “You look as good as you can, now come on.”
“What does that even mean?” Max asked, offended. “He’s also not my Ferrari prince. Charles is his own person.”
“I know.“
They arrived five minutes late which is barely anything. Mick got swiped away by a certain tall Canadian Williams driver while Daniel was nowhere in sight but Max saw Michael, Dan’s performance trainer.
“Hey Mike, have you seen Daniel?” He asked the trainer.
“No. He’s probably making out in some hidden corner with Lando. Jon is searching for them,” Michael said and shook his head. The two teammates were never apart these days. They’re not officially together, Max thought. Maybe that had changed that day.
His new target to find was Charles. The Monegasque had tendencies to arrive late sometimes but he had seen Pierre so Charles couldn’t be far. Pierre had to retire because of some damage on the car that was apparently caused by a spin with Yuki. His teammate avoided him and Pierre did look pleased about it. They’re normally thick as thieves but that race seemed to have caused a drift in their relationship. Not just theirs. Charles and Carlos’ as well. Max looked around and found him at the bar. Obviously, Max thought and began to make his way over there.
“If you were a burger at McDonald's, you'd be the McGorgeous,” Max said as he sat down next to Charles. Charles looked deep into his thoughts and had a frown on his face.
“Very funny, Max,” Charles sighed and took a sip from whatever drink he had in front of him. Max was disappointed. He just wanted to make Charles smile. “What do you want? As you can probably tell, I’m not really the best company right now.”
“I want to keep you company,” Max confessed.
“I don’t need a babysitter, Max.”
“Don't I know that. You're my friend Charlie and I don't like to see you sad.” The endearment slipped out but Charles didn’t seem to notice.
“I didn't even want to come but the prospect of alcohol made me decide otherwise.”
“That’s sad. Not even the prospect of seeing me, your favorite rival makes it better?” Charles had to smirk at that but the frown reappeared quickly.
“You’re annoying.” Another sip.
The evening progressed faster than Max would’ve thought. He never left Charles' side even when the Monegasque got annoyed. Daniel and Lando came to them to chat a bit, a hickey prominent on Lando’s collarbone. Max just raised his eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Charles meanwhile was at his fourth drink. Drowning his sorrows, as he called it.
“Don’t you think you’re overdoing it a little, Charles?” Max asked, concerned.
“You’re not my mother, Verstappen,” Charles growled, pissed off.
Max got an idea. “Want to get out of here? A change of scenery and people?” Charles blinked perplexed. Max held his hand out and to his surprise Charles took it.
“Take me away then, Max.”
Hand in hand they walked through the streets of Silverstone. Charles swayed a little but considering the alcohol he’d drunk it was barely noticable the longer they walked. The fresh air seemed to sober Charles up even though he wasn’t really drunk, just tipsy but it still affects his thoughts. They walked around till they found a lake. It was just a small one in between some fields with some crops. There was a small patch of grass and they decided to sit down next to each other and watch the water, their hands still connected.
“Thank you,” Charles whispered after some silence and leaned against Max.
“You don’t have to thank me.” Max untangled their fingers and put his arm around Charles to pull him closer. Charles leaned his head against Max's.
“You always seem to know what I need,” The Monegasque mumbled.
“Not always, but it wasn’t doing you any good to be surrounded by the others right now,” Max explained.
Max was right, being around the others wasn’t great but it wasn’t because of his race. Okay, maybe a little but Charles just felt lonely with all the other couples there. Everyone seemed to have someone except him. Well, him and Max. Max who he just became friends with and who made his season so much more bearable. Max who was so kind to him and always listens. Max who made his stupid heart beat faster. Max who had his arm around him and made him feel protected and seen. Max who he had a crush on since he got pushed off of the track. Max with those beautiful icy blue eyes and this dumb soft smile that was only for Charles.
“Max?” Charles whispered after some silence. He lifted his head up and looked into Max's eyes. Charles' eyes flicker down to Max's lips. Max slowly wetted his bottom lip. Charles couldn't look away and followed Max's tongue with his eyes. It was mesmerizing. Charles unconsciously leaned in closer. They were close already but their noses almost touched. He could feel Max's warm breath on his lips.
“Charlie,” Max breathed out. Charles loves it when Max calls him that. He cupped Max's face. His gaze flickering between Max's eyes and lips once more before pressing his lips against Max's.
He could feel Max tense up against him. Oh shit, he misread the situation. Panicking, he tried to stand up to run away. Well as best as he could in his tipsy state. Charles wanted to cry but he couldn’t because he felt so much at once and the alcohol wasn’t making it easier. A hand wrapped around his wrist and pulled him against a warm body. Strong arms wrapped around his middle. Max. Why would he follow him?
“Please don’t run away again,” Max whispered before smashing their lips together. Charles' arms automatically found their place around Max’s neck. He was still a bit confused but kissing Max was addictive.
“Do you want to come back to my motorhome?” Max asked after they parted. Charles looked at Max with a frown. “To cuddle, you dummy.”
“Okay.” Max took Charles hand and they walked together. It was a bit of a walk but Charles didn’t mind. They walked for approximately twenty minutes in silence. Charles was in his head almost the entire time. He obviously didn’t know what Max was thinking but he wasn’t freaking out so that’s good.
When they arrived Max led him inside. He let go of Charles' hand and began to rummage through his bags. Max handed Charles a shirt and some sweatpants. “It’s more comfortable,” Max said with a shrug. They were roughly the same size so it should fit. Max went into what Charles assumed was the bathroom to change and give him some privacy.
In the end the clothes were a tiny bit too wide but really soft. “You look really cuddly,” Max told him as he came back. Charles blushed. They laid down on the couch and Max pulled him close again. Charles snuggled close and hid his face in the crock of Max’s neck.
“The next time Ferrari fucks you over, I’m going to fight Binotto.” Charles had to chuckle.
“Okay.”
“You’re not going to hold me back?” Max asked bewildered.
“No. Mattia had it coming. He deserves it,” Charles mumbled and yawned. He was getting tired. Max ran his fingers through Charles’ hair.
“Sleep, it was a long day.” Max pressed a kiss in his hair and pulled the duvet over them.