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Max is feeling unstoppable and he knows it's time to finally go after the person he's wanted all this time. He is well aware that Lewis could say no. But Max is going to wait around anymore, constantly asking himself what if. Either Lewis says yes or he tells Max to fuck off, although Max thinks Lewis will be a bit nicer than that, even if he rejects Max, Lewis has never been a cruel man.
It's so easy. Max’s not afraid of it anymore, of driving to Lewis’ house and asking the questions. Each championship has brought Max more peace and perhaps championship number three is the one that calms you down enough to ask out the man of your dreams. Maybe he should ask Lewis if that's how it works. After he asks Lewis out of course.
Max rings Lewis’ doorbell. Lewis seems surprised but happy to see him.
“Come inside, man,” he says immediately.
“Hi,” Max says softly after Lewis closes the door.
Lewis smiles at him. “Hi.”
He looks soft and beautiful and so relaxed. Max has to stop himself from staring at Lewis. He has a question to ask, after all, and no desire to make things awkward before then.
“So I of course know this seems a little random,” Max says, “Me showing up here and everything. But I have something I want to ask you. I think you are very beautiful and wonderful. This is no surprise I think.” He takes a deep breath. Lewis nods with what Max hopes is encouragement. “Do you want to go on a date with me?”
Lewis takes Max’s hand in his and squeezes it gently. “I'd like that very much, Max,” he says. “You're special.”
“It makes me very happy to hear that,” Max says, blushing and smiling widely. “For many years I have wanted you.”
“I've wanted you for a while, too,” Lewis says, “But the timing was never right. It feels right now.”
“It does,” Max agrees.
“How about we have that date right now?” Lewis suggests.
Max nods eagerly. Lewis chuckles fondly. Then he leads Max into his living room and they settle down on his couch together, sitting plastered against each other. Lewis slips an arm around Max.
“This is nice,” Max says.
“Yeah,” Lewis agrees.
They sit and chat for a while. They talk about racing at first, it's one of the subjects Max can easily discuss for hours even when he's nervous. But after a while they turn to other topics like a fashion show Lewis has been invited to attend.
“I like your style,” Max says, “I think of course it would not look so good on me as it does on you. But I think you wear really nice things.”
“Thank you,” Lewis says, “So I'm not turning you into a fashionista anytime soon?”
Max gestures to his plain white shirt and faded blue jeans. “I don't think so.”
“That's fine,” Lewis says, “I like you just the way you are.”
Max’s heart stutters in his chest. He of course knows that the fact that this is a date already means Lewis likes him but hearing the words again feels so good. Especially because Lewis likes him for who he is. Lewis has experienced Max in every state possible, Lewis knows Max, and yet he still likes him. That means a lot.
“I like you the way you are too,” Max says softly.
Lewis presses a kiss to Max’s cheek. “That's good then, that we both like each other. Makes the whole boyfriend experience a bit easier.”
Max giggles. He reaches out and rests his hand on Lewis’ stomach.
“I think any boyfriend experience with you would be lovely,” Max says. “You tick all the boxes.”
Lewis pulls Max on top of his lap and kisses him. Max deepens the kiss almost immediately. He wants Lewis so much. They've denied themselves this for such a long time. Now that they have it, Max wants to indulge.
“Fuck, baby, you're so pretty,” Lewis says against Max’s lips. “You're making it really hard to wine and dine you first. I wanna treat you right, you know.”
Max whines. “You already have me,” he says.
Lewis smiles. “Doesn't mean I can't spoil you and treat you right. I know you're not the kinda guy who expects a lot and I love that about you but you're my baby now and I want this to last and I want to do everything to make you feel good.”
“Oh,” Max says.
“Does that sound good baby?” Lewis asks. “Being spoiled by me?”
“It does. It really does,” Max says. “I wanna… I wanna make you feel good and happy too. I'd do anything to make you happy.”
“Outside of racing,” Lewis says.
“Outside of racing,” Max agrees. “Racing Max is a different Max almost. But so is racing Lewis. I saw this already many years ago.”
“You did?” Lewis asks, prompting Max to say more.
Max nods. “You'd be fighting me voraciously on track and then afterwards you'd smile at me like we were just hanging out.” He pauses. “I think you and I are not as different as people say. We both have this insatiable hunger on the track and afterwards, after the racing is done, we can become soft again. And we know each other. That's why this will work.”
Lewis kisses Max again, just lightly, almost chaste. “You're right. We know each other and we understand in ways no one else even can.”
“Yes,” Max says happily.
“So you'll let me spoil you?” Lewis asks.
“Only if you'll let me spoil you back,” Max says.
“I think that can be arranged,” Lewis says with a grin.
They order food from a nearby restaurant that Lewis says is his favorite. They eat together on Lewis’ balcony, watching over the city as the sun starts to set.
“This view never gets old,” Max says.
“I agree,” Lewis says, but he's not looking at the sunset, he's looking at Max.
Max blushes and smiles. Lewis makes him feel even more unstoppable than his championships have. Dating Lewis is incredible. Max will make sure this lasts forever and something tells him Lewis will do the same. They know each other after all.