Work Text:
They were lying lazily on the couch in their living room – taking advantage of the last week of the summer break – watching some random netflix show. Charles was laying on Max, head on his chest listening to his heartbeat, steady and slow, Max arm was wrapped around him creating a cocoon, playing with his hair while scrolling on his phone. He starts dozing off until his pillow starts moving and his signature laugh fills the room. Charle raises his head looking at his boyfriend from below his eye lashes.
- Max ? What's happening ?
- Nothing…It’s…it’s… just, omg so funny. You look good tho.
- What? I’m curious now. He says snatching his boyfriend's phone to look at what makes him laugh that hard.
- Hey, give me that !!
- No, I wanna know. Back off ! He continues pushing Max grabby hands.
From everything he thought he was going to see, this one was the last he had in mind. On his boyfriend's phone he was able to read the head line of a very interesting article.
IS FERRARI GOLDEN BOY, MOVING TO RED BULL ?!
- What the fuck ? J’vais pas à.. I’m not going to Red Bull ? Pourq? Why?...
- Read the rest schatje.
« Yesterday, Scuderia Ferrari, “il predestinato'' was spotted in a local grocery store in Monaco, wearing a Red Bull shirt, buying wine and snacks. Is he going to celebrate something? Is he going to quit Ferrari for Red Bull ? What is going on ?... »
- Really ? They see me in a red bull shirt. And that’s their conclusion ?
- Yeah it makes it more funny. because i’m the only one to know why you had it and what's under… says Max pulling Charles to him to kiss him, sweetly.
His hand started to slip under that same sweatshirt, and his mouth started to move to his neck..
- Stop it right now. Champion. I see what you’re doing. not today. He stopped him taking his hand off him.
He then got up picking up the plates and bringing them to the kitchen. He may or may not have exaggerated the move of his hips. Sensing damn well the bruning look of his boyfriend on him.
- I can feel your eyes Chéri.
- Did I say how amazing you look in those shorts? They wrap your ass so perfectly.
He was wearing one of his favourites, a White short – the shortest one he has actually – that he knows drives his man crazy and that same man's favourite sweatshirt.
He can not help it; he loves stealing his stuff, — For the record, he didn't mean to, the day of the picture he was just unable to find his own shirt after max lunch it the night before — He did not predict that he was going to be photographed while going out with it, it was a just quick trip to the grocery because Max wanted to cook some obscure Tiktok recipe that lando sent him.
Which is not so surprising from the british but for max it is — given the notorious love of max for social media —
Well if you want to see me out of it. You better behave. He responded by going back to his initial position.
Anything for my beautiful boy.
—
He’s going to kill him. He is a dead man That bastard. Good thing the older man is gone, he would have beat him. He woke up this morning in the cold bed — since the dutchman had to go early to the track for some meeting but he is not so sure about that now — and had the surprise to see that this idiot redecorated his neck with a lovemark.
The little good morning message with heart and smile emoji he receives only confirms that it was planned by the devil that happened to be his boyfriend. How is he meant to cover this ? On media day?
When he arrived at the Ferrari, Carlos welcomed him with a very scary smirk. Oh god.
- Someone had a fun night yesterday…
- Shut up. He thought he did a good job to cover it but visibly his hard work wasn’t enough. He mentally promised himself to deprive Max of blowjob the next two weeks.
It didn’t help the fact that when he met Max later in the day, — in the paddock — the latter looked at him with a petty smirk. Proud of himself. That night Max had the surprise — coming back to their hotel room — to see Charles already sleeping, and who had placed a pillow, a blanket and his pyjamas on the sofa. He couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the little frown on Charles' face. The fan certainly did'nt miss the hickey on his neck and Fred wanted to kill him.
__
The next time a little inchident happened, was on charles instagram. The day of his birthday, he posted several stories to celebrate and thank everybody.
The particularly incriminating ones of the story is the one of him blowing off his candle, alongside Max and his brother, obviously he had to crop max , since they are not out yet, but he didn’t see than Max’s big caractec hand on his waist, was appearing as he was blowing his candle. And another one of him where we see him vaguely on the glass reflection, as he takes a picture of Charles for a post, with the Monaco night behind him.
On purpose or not, saying that the internet has been inundated with theories about who owns the mysterious hand placed so intimately on the Ferrari driver and if it was a soft launching,if it was on purpose or not.
Some of them were totally absurd and so far-fetched that it made them laugh but others were right and pretty close saying it was max hand with some weird photoshop comparison, but quickly shut because obviously even if they are not enemies anymore they were definitely not that close. The debate continued for several weeks, until Vegas.
__
He did it and he won. He won the Las Vegas Grand prix. And was now P2 in the championship, beating Checo. He still cannot believe it. He still has difficulty realising that he won. The battle with Max on the Last lap was so exciting so exciting that the adrenaline rush was still present. The post race interview and cool down room passed like a dream.
He was still shaking all over from the adrenaline and he couldn't stop smiling even if he tried. Max was even more euphoric even if he finished 2nd. He couldn't stop praising him whether it was on camera or on their way to the podium.
Winning the race was the last thing he needed to end this already amazing week-end. Last night was magical. After qualifying, and all their duty, Max told him to shower and dress up because he had a surprise. He wondered what the Dutchman had prepared for him but nothing could have prepared for what happened next.
The older man came to his room a little bit after Charles got out of the shower. He just needs to style his hair and put on his jewellery. So he went to open the door before returning to the bathroom to finish preparing himself. When he came out, he was greeted by Max at the entrance with a bouquet of flowers in his hand, dressed in black chinos with white tees and a leather jacket, driver type. He himself was dressed in black jeans — Max's favourite—, and a dark red shirt and white sneakers — their customised matching one, with the difference that his Ferrari themed and Max’s Red Bull theme.
The Dutch then drove them outside the town, bringing them to a cliff overlooking the city and its lights in the dark night. The spot he prepared was cosy and intimate, under a tree, a blanket was placed on the ground with fairy lights on the branches. A bottle of wine and a pizza. His favourite. Enjoying the chilly night, cuddled against the other, kissing lazily, Charles' head on Max's shoulders and the latter's chin on the top of his head, playing with his hands.
After what was an incredible moment in a little buble, Max broke away from him, pulling him to standing facing him the city on the side, undisturbed by them, the light reflected in the blue eyes that he loved so much. He then started talking while drooping on one knee, taking out a navy blue and red box. It is at this moment that Charles realises what is happening, he cup his hand on his mouth don’t believing in want he is seeing :
- Shatje. I have something to tell you, he begins to sparkling. Remember when we were just kids tearing up the karting track, battling it out like there was no tomorrow? Back then, I never imagined that the boy I used to see as my fiercest competitor would one day become the love of my life. You've been there through it all, in the good and the bad, you saved me, somewhere along the way, amidst the roar of engines and the thrill of victory, something changed. Your laughter became my melody, your presence my sanctuary, your smile my world and those lips of yours... And now, as I stand here with you, I realise that I don't want to spend another moment without you by my side. I am so proud of you, I love you more than I could imagine, more than everything I knew. So, Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclec, my predestinato, will you take this long race with me? Will you be my partner not just on the track, but in life? Will you make me the winner of the best race of my life, the race of your heart ? Will you marry me ?
- Mon Dieu ! Max ! Of course I want to marry you. There's nothing else I want more. I love you.
Max takes out the ring of the box. A ring, black in the middle, a red and blue band around. A perfect mix of them both. It’s only now that he notices the necklace around Max's neck with an identical ring on it. He passes it on Charles' finger along his other rings.
The monegasque then pulls him up to kiss him deeply with all the love he can transmit. Breaking the kiss a few minutes later.
- I love you so much Charles Leclercs.
- I love you more Max Verstappen.
- No you don’t.
- Yes I do.
This was probably the best night of his life beside the fact that we were able to celebrate because of the next day's race.
Charles is brought back to the present by the cold sensation of the champagne sprayed on him by Max and Checo, before returning the favour taking pleasure at soaking Max. He wasn’t able to take his eye from him and he only wanted to jump on Max and kiss him until running out of breath. He loves max in his race afterglow, cheek pink, hair wet and messy, covered with sweat, water and champagne. He wants to lock off every drop until the Dutch is dry.
Later when they were back to Max's hotel room, Charles head on Max naked chest, Max hand squeezing him closer to him, under the blanket. Charles was scrolling on social media when he saw something very funny. Some fans spotted Max's ring on his finger and speculated about why and who he engaged to; fortunately for them, his ring wasn't caught, drowned among his other rings. Somehow it seems that they still don‘t connect the dots correctly. But now they need to focus, it is only two races before the end of the season, and they are close to each other in the championship.
Charles may finally have the opportunity to take home the world championship from his fiance. But he still doesn't realise that they are engaged, they're going to be married and spend the rest of their life together.
__
- It's going monegasque. Charles Leclerc, il predestinato, for the first time is champion of the world. Charles Leclerc won the Abu Dhabi 2029 Grand prix.
- Charles, you are the champion of the world! CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! It's an amazing, awesome race. You're amazing Charles! screamed his engineer in his ears.
He can hear the rest of the team scream behind. He parks up in front of the number 1 and jumps from his car to the top of it celebrating. The fireworks went off behind him.
Max couldn't take his eyes off him. He goes running to hug him despite being a bit disappointed of losing but still extremely happy for his Champion. Before letting him go celebrate with his team. Joining him in the cool down room before going to the podium. As the monegasque anthem and Italian anthem played in the air, he took a look again at Charles, glowing under the firework and the red fumigene of the Tifosi. Screaming his name. Their Prince brings back home a championship 4 years after the last from Lewis. He definitely loves him more than ever and is super proud of him, his heart beaming with pride as he watches him spray champagne on the fan and on him. Beaming smile on his pink plump lips. Pointing at the sky to his dad and his godfather.
After the podium, they were stopped by some media trying to grab the first fresh impression of the Ferrari driver, and the defending world champion.
- Charles Leclerc what do you feel about winning the championship after being so close the past few years
- Uhm… I.. I.. don’t know what to say. I’m super happy. I finally realise my childhood dream, driving with Ferrari and winning with them. I would never have been able to do it without the unconditional support of the tifosi, my team, my parents, and my friends. I also did it for jules and for Papa and hope that from where they are they are proud of me.
- Thank you so much. Congratulations.
The reporter then turn to Max
- Max Verstappen, what do you think of the race, and about Charles winning the championship ? You have won seven championships and almost won eight, almost equalising with Lewis hamilton.
- I am of course a little bit disappointed to not win the championship but I'm also very happy and proud of Charles. I think he deserves it. The race was amazing, and we fought until the end. The course of this race was the best possible. I can not imagine a better way to end my last race. And conclude my carriere. He responded smiling at Charles who was still standing next to him.
After a few more interviews they were able to go to the hotel shower quickly and go out again to celebrate. Later in the night they were able to celebrate just the two of them in the intimity of Charles' room.
The next morning they were boarding the plane going back home, exhausted but happy.
__
A lot of subjects needed to be treated, most of the time in their bed cuddling against each other, they started by their imminent wedding deciding to do something sobre and private with their friend and their family, in the mountain of monte carlo, surrounded by nature, during the winter break. Charles had a hard time convincing him that it is not possible to do it on a track with formula 1 cars.
Max already decided to not renew his contract and take his retreat— the announcement was a real shock bomb for the fans. But it was taken well. The whole paddock gave him a farewell at Abu Dhabi before the race, and red bull too a few days after — feeling he accomplished everything he could and wanting to concentrate more on their life, and hopefully their future family. They already wanted to have kids together, discussed having some a few years ago but it was incompatible with their jobs. But with Max deciding to retreat, they're already starting to think about how they are going to have them, deciding in January to start searching for surrogates.
It’s only after discussing with their team that they decide to hard launch their relashiopship by posting a story on all of their media. A collage of pictures. Taken during this honeymoon.
In the first one they are posing in front of a snowy mountain in Switzerland, only their shadow was visible because of the sunrise in front of them. Max begins Charles leaning on the railing of the balcony admiring their view. In the next one a close up of their hands locked in each other, the third one was one of only their legs, Charles on tiptoes, with max hand on his waist the other one— the one in front of the camera — taking Charles hand. While the shorter man's hand grips the max sweater. The last one is a picture of both of them in front of the chimney softly kissing each other, under a plaid against the other.
It's a euphemism to say that the internet went crazy. It was only the first day of the pre-season after all. Dividing the community. A lot of them congratulated them but also a minority of haters. But ask any of them and they say they will do it again.
___