Chapter Text
“Beep! Beep! Beep” Max reached out, blindly searching the nightstand before finding the off button. He tried to move to get up but two arms kept him firmly in place.
“Baby it’s Sunday we’ve got to get up” Max sighed, rubbing his lovers hands.
“Just a few more minutes” Daniel mumbled into the back of Max’s neck. Max giggled before turning in Daniel’s arms, resting their foreheads together.
“I wish we could stay like this forever” Daniel smiled before pecking Max on the lips.
“Babe in 24 hours we’ll be back in the same position” Max whispered, running his hand down Daniel’s face.
“Too long” Daniel complained, making Max laugh. Max would be lying if he said he didn’t want to stay there forever too.
———
“Stay safe” Daniel told him, before they left Max’s hotel room.
“I will, you too” Max replied. Daniel nodded and pulled Max in for another kiss. Then they left in opposite directions as they always do, ready to race as they always do.
———
“And it’s lights out for the Canadian Grand Prix!” The drivers took off, Max leading the group as usual. The first laps went well, Daniel and his toro rosso slotting into fifth. The two cars flew around the track, far apart but somehow still connected.
Lap 37 Max is leading the group still, seemingly cruising comfortably, which made what came over the radio surprising.
“Something is wrong” Christian heard this and sat up quickly, he checked all the data immediately, not seeing anything wrong.
“Max we are not seeing anything wrong, what are you noticing?” Christian asked him, concerned.
“I feel like my- FUCK”
“Max!”
“Max!” Christian yelled, but Max wasn’t listening.
Daniel’s pov:
“And Max Verstappen is off at turn 10!”
I could see it from my car, I saw the flames suddenly appear at the back of Max’s car, and then he spun off. Flipping through the air before slamming into the wall full force. The second I saw it my heart stopped, fear creeping in from every angle. I pulled off the track, stopping on the gravel. I could hear my team’s angry yells as I jumped out of the car but I didn’t care. I ripped my helmet and balaclava off as I ran towards Max’s car. I had to bite back tears as I saw the condition of Max’s car. I climbed on top and yelled down to Max.
“Max! Baby are you ok!?” No response came from the cockpit, not a muscle was moved. Then I noticed the flames growing closer to us so I reached into the car and unbuckled Max. I could hear Christians concerned shouting through the radio as I pulled off the steering wheel.
“He’s unconscious, I’m pulling him out before the car goes up” I yelled to Christian. I wrapped my arms around Max and pulled him up bridal style, bittersweet memories filling my head as I did so.
….
“Aaa! Daniel stooop!” Max laughed as I scooped him up bridal style, walking through the front door of our newly bought Monaco home.
“You know you’re supposed to do this when you get married” Max smiled as I finally put him down in the entryway.
“Then we’ll just have to do that to” I replied smugly making Max blush. I pulled him into a passionate kiss, a beautiful way to start this new chapter of our relationship.
…
I was transported back to the present as I pulled Max out of the car, carefully hopping down to the ground. After I took a few steps from the car I heard an explosion as the car burst into flames, sending me forward onto my knees. I shook it off and focused on Max, laying him gently in front of me. I pulled his helmet and balaclava off and his eyes were closed, some blood dripping from his forehead. Accessing his body I noticed something that made by heart drop. Around his abdomen his race suit was tiring a dark black, blood seeping through the fabric.
“No, no , no, no, no,” I mumbled in panic. I unziped his race suit to reveal a large gash going through his fireproofs and into his torso, blood spilling everywhere. I nearly threw up but steadied myself. ‘Max needs you’ I told myself. I grabbed his balaclava and used it to put pressure on the wound, I did that for a little while until I noticed the thing that made me finally let a tear fall.
Max’s chest wasn’t moving.
I rapidly moved one hand to his wrist, checking his pulse. Nothing.
“Shit!” I yelled. I put my hands in the familiar position. One I’ve been taught many times over the years, but never imagined using on someone. I counted to twenty with my chest compressions, then preformed two rescue breaths. Trying to focus on the rhythm of the compressions, not images of my lover filling my mind. When that failed I let the memories fill my mind, using them as fuel to keep going, even as doubt creeps into my chest.
…..
“Come on Dan! We’re almost there” Max yelled excitedly, running ahead on the narrow trail. We had a few days to stay in Canada after the Montreal Grand Prix, so we took a trip to Banff, Max then convinced me to hike with him up a mountain.
“Slow down! This is going to kill my knees” I huffed, yet still smiling at Max’s excitement.
“Okay grandpa” Max laughed, reaching the top of the steep climb. I clambered over the last few steps to see Max holding the railing going along a steep cliff. The sight made a lose my breath. Most people would say the view overlooking the Rocky Mountains would be the best part, but the sight of my boyfriend smiling that infectious smile at me is a thousand times better.
“Wow” I exhaled, stopping to stand beside Max. He nodded in agreement and took my hand, sending warmth across my body. I knew right in that moment I never want him to let go.
…..
“ je bent een verdomde teleurstelling!”
I heard the screaming from downstairs the second I opened the bathroom door, I couldn’t hear it over the shower. I quickly pulled up my pants and a shirt and bounded down the stairs, surprised by the sight. Max and Jos were in the kitchen, Jos pacing back and forth angrily yelling things in Dutch I couldn’t understand. Max was standing a few meters from him just taking it, his fists clenched at his side. That’s when I noticed the purple bruise growing on Max’s cheek that wasn’t there earlier, it wasn’t hard to deduce who it’s from.
“What the fuck is going on here?” I asked them, more to Jos as I ran into the kitchen. I stood in front of Max, clearly taking a defensive position. Jos’ eyes widened in shock and anger.
“What the hell is he doing here Max!?” Jos yelled, venom present in his voice. I was about to respond on Max’s behalf when he stepped out from behind me, standing beside me.
“Me and Daniel are together” Max spoke calmly, taking my hand. I squeezed his hand, shocked by his bravery. Jos stared us both down for a moment, before speaking.
“Not possible, no son of mine is a fag” Jos spat, making my blood boil.
“Well good thing I’m not your son then, because you’re definitely not my father. You have never shown me love, never cared about me, never acted like a father. So respectfully, get the fuck out of my house. You can’t bully me anymore, you can’t manipulate me anymore. I know what love looks like, it’s not this” Max’s words were powerful enough to make Jos’ pause, not sure how to respond.
“He said get the fuck out” I re-affirmed, giving Max another reassuring squeeze. At that Jos turned and left, slamming the front door behind him. I turned to Max seeing tears well up in his eyes. I ran my hand over the bruise on his cheek, placing my forehead on his.
“He won’t ever hurt you again” I told Max, pulling him close.
“I love you, so much” I whispered, as Max broke into sobs. I swore to myself I would protect Max until the day I die.
….
Sirens approaching pulled me from my head. The reality once again hitting me. Max. My boyfriend. My lover. The most important person in my life. Is lying lifeless in front of me. Only 26 and I can’t lose him like this, there’s so much we haven’t done together. We haven’t announced our relationship, haven’t gotten engaged, gotten married and had kids. There is still so much we need to do together, so many more memories we need to make. Yet suddenly there’s paramedics telling me to back away. I don’t move, continuing compressions.
I finally fall backwards when a hand softly tugs my shoulders. I look up to see Lewis’ eyes filled with sadness, his expression telling me it’s time to back up. I watched as they cut open his fire proofs, attaching the plastic stickers to his chest. My heart clenched as they shocked him once, and nothing, twice, and nothing. I felt like there was no hope, until they shocked him a third time.
“We’ve got a pulse! Get him in the ambulance!” The paramedics quickly lifted him onto the stretcher and began to wheel him toward the ambulance. I darted forward toward the ambulance, not letting them leave without me.
“Sir only family” the paramedic spoke to me.
“Please I’m his boyfriend, I just want to stay with him” I pleaded, she paused before nodding. I climbed into the back, taking Max’s hand immediately. Our hands slotted together perfectly, the way they always had. I looked up to see his beautiful face, the face I thought I lost. Suddenly his eyes opened, they immediately crinkled in pain, but opened nonetheless.
“Baby, I’m here” I whispered bringing his hand to my lips.
“Just hold on, we’re almost at the hospital” I whispered, my tears continuing to fall.
“I love you” he whispered, it sounded like a promise, one never to be broken.
“I love you too”