Work Text:
Max Verstappen hated Sergio Pérez.
Max hated Sergio’s smile. He hated his blinding white teeth that made him look like a Hollywood movie star. He hated how his eyes crinkled and his face lighted up every time he smiled in front of the marketing team. He hated that goofy smile he gave his grid friends when he told them a really bad dad joke, but they still laughed at them because they loved him. He hated how he would smile at Max to encourage him to be better, to celebrate his victories, to cheer up in difficult circumstances. Max hated how his heart skipped a beat every time Sergio smiled at him.
Max hated Sergio’s eyes. He hated his eyes being brown with little specks of green reflecting his own. He hated how they would look up hopeful to him when he qualified anything above P5 and knew he had a chance at victory. He hated how he blinked and his eyelashes would touch his cheeks after kissing him. He hated how his eyes made him look like a sad puppy every time he qualified out of Q3, but still found the sparkle in them to be happy for him. He hated how he found stars in his eyes every time they walked at night in any country they were staying. Max hated how Sergio’s eyes had the power to undo him in a matter of seconds.
Max hated Sergio’s freckles. He hated how he knew how many he had on his face and his back. He hated how they stood out in the sun and everybody looked at him when they walked down the street because they made him so recognizable. He hated how his fans called him pretty, handsome, hot and all these other adjectives that he thought only belonged inside his head. He hated how he counted them to sleep, watching his peaceful face beside him every night and tracing his features with his fingertips as if he was trying to believe he was real. Max hated how he could get lost in Sergio’s freckles and be forever happy.
Max hated Sergio’s kindness. He hated how he loved his country so much that he would prioritize Mexican fans on media days. He hated his big heart and his need to change the future for the better through his foundation made for children. He hated how he would always congratulate Max on his victories even when his race weekends went from bad to worse. He hated how he wrapped his arms around Max when he cried over an argument with his father. He hated how his kindness has put him in vulnerable places with the team. He hated how he never blamed the team for things that went wrong on his weekends that were clearly their fault. Max hated Sergio’s kindness and his need to stick by his side.
Max hated Sergio’s driving abilities. He hated how he would manage tyres enough to keep them alive till his last stint as if his life depended on it. He hated how he always tried to do clean wheel-to-wheel racing against other drivers, until he got desperate enough to be dirty. He hated how he would pressure Max on track when they were under the same conditions. He hated how mad he made Max over purple sectors, fast laps and competitive race paces. He hated how good he was in street circuits when him and the car were in sync. Max hated how Sergio’s driving abilities were one of the only ones in the grid that would force him to polish his own abilities and turn into a better driver.
Max hated Sergio’s words. He hated how he would speak softly to him when he was having a shitty day. He hated how he gave his fans hope every race weekend, even when he didn’t feel confident enough to get better. He hated the loving words they exchanged in the middle of the night when he was on top of him and he cleaned the sweat off Max’s forehead with the sweetest touch. He hated how his stomach turned every time he listened to his radios where he expressed how mad he was over quali or race results and started to curse. He hated how he gave joy and euphoria to a whole nation with three simple words. Max hated how he could never get enough of Sergio’s words flowing in his ears.
Max hated Sergio’s decisions. He hated when he signed for Red Bull, proving him wrong when he said that Hulkenberg would be better. He hated how he decided to close his victory chances in Baku, giving one of the best drives of his life and winning over him. He hated when he decided to kiss him for the first time after his first championship, the combination of champagne and mint bubblegum being the weirdest and most wonderful taste he has ever had in his mouth. He hated how he didn’t see him or heard from him one last time before announcing his retirement after 2024 and left him to deal with the aftermath. Max hated how all of Sergio’s decisions always ended in his heartbreak.
Max hated Sergio because their love was a trip to heaven and a fall to hell.
Max Verstappen hated Sergio Pérez because hating him was the only way to stop loving him.