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1. Jos Verstappen
"What was the Leclerc boy talking about?"
The sweat stuck between the gloves and his skin made him itch, He peeled them off with practiced efficiency and threw them on the designated chair. He wonders if he has to tell his father what the young Alpha said. Lest the lecture starts again.
"He was asking if I wanted to play football."
His father's hand balances his neck, the other wipes a cold rag across his face. Max hisses at the sudden contact before relief hits.
His father hums "You should go."
With the suit off his body, the air cools his skin. He shivers involuntarily. Being an Omega, Dad had always made sure he stayed away from Alphas. Max remembers when he was staring at Alex's video game, the young Alpha had noticed and offered him, Max was promptly dragged away before he could think of a response.
He pulls on the shirt his dad offers, the shivers settle down lightly, Perhaps it is a test? To see if Max had learned.
"I said no."
His father makes a small noise of disappointment, the one he makes when Max makes a mistake and is supposed to know what it was.
"He'd be a good Alpha for you."
Max scrunches his face instinctually, He is twelve, he doesn't need an Alpha. Much less Charles of all people. Everyone keeps talking about it. He remembers staying at Mum's home one weekday, a friend of her came by and was delighted to discover of his secondary nature. She kept asking if he knows how to cook and clean. He wants to race. He wants to race alone.
"I don't want him. Or anyone."
His father hums again, the same way he hums when Max asks to go home in rain, as if Max's pleas are futile against something inevitable.
2. Arthur Leclerc & Pascale Leclerc
Charles eyed the likes of one Max Verstappen as the Dutch climbs onto the second step.
Charles hated Max.
They have known each other since Jules took him to the European Karting Series when he was 5. They have talked twice, Once he offered the lonely boy to play football; Second time, he was shoved into the wall of his garage at Val D' Argenton.
His Mum says that he has a crush on the Omega and it's normal. Charles disagrees. What kind of weirdo crushes on someone who almost beat him up?
He watches the boy stand next to him with a satisfied smile. They hand him his trophy and he throws it over his head, Lo and Jules cheer at him, little Arthur is looking at him like he hung up the moon.
Charles turns to Max, Who's the winner now, huh?, but Max wasn't there. He watches as his family approaches him, "Where's Max?"
Arthur giggles "Your Omega? He went back to his van."
He doesn't bother correcting the kid, he has been saying that since his father called their tiff 'A Married Couple's Banter'. He wonders if it's okay to leave the celebration.
"Go, no one minds."
He shoots a grin to his Maman and strides over to where he knows Max's van is parked.
There is a boy in a black suit and a helmet filled with sponsors sitting on the curb. He settles next to him, "You can take off the helmet, race is over."
Max sits still. It's a bit unnerving.
"Max?"
"Papa is gone?"
"Jos?"
Max nods imperceptibly, Charles takes a round around the minivan, no signs of the older Alpha.
"He is gone."
Max takes off his helmet, a sigh wrecking through his body. Charles feels like he has seen something he wasn't supposed to know of.
"Is he- will he do something?"
Max's eyes are trained on the ground, he nods again.
"Max?"
The Omega sighs, the fight leaving his body. Charles has never seen this, never seen anyone but the boy who pushes him wide, the boy who doesn't struggles for sponsors, the boy who wins.
"Sometimes, I don't want to risk it so I wear it," He motions at the helmet sitting next to him "till he takes it out."
Charles blinks at the boy, an urge to take his hand overwhelms him for a moment. "Takes what out?"
"Anger? Disappointment? I don't know."
Jos hurts his son? The only Omega on the track, the only one winning like it's a cruise to him. "Max." it sounds pitifully close to a whine. He cannot fathom the idea of anyone hurting Max. His- his Max. Oh, Jos also doesn't like-
"Should I go? He doesn't like you with Alphas--"
A hand grabs his, the Omega looks at him for the first time. Tears do not look good on his azure eyes.
"Stay, please."
Charles nods and shuffles closer to the boy.
They sit there till Max falls asleep against his body, Charles tries to lift the boy to the van but his sleeping form is too heavy for him.
"Charles." His eyes snap towards Jos, a flare of anger at the bottom of his stomach. You did this to him.
Jos smiles, "Thank you for keeping him company, you are always welcome here."
What?. He stares at the Alpha dumbstruck as the man carries Max's lithe form into the van, leaving Charles confused.
3. Verstappen & Leclerc Clan (+ Max Verstappen)
Smell of booze, sweat and victory hits him high, his body snuggled between Kimi and Sebastian as they pose for the picture. The Alphas drowned him in the amber liquid, it stuck to him in all the wrong place, his curves pronounced, his scent blooming with happiness.
Sebastian threw a hand across his shoulder and pulled him closer "Good job Schatz."
A smile broke out on his face, he must look ridiculous. Drenched like a rat, smiling gap toothed, pimples on his face, an Omega's scent smelling of victory. He has never been happier.
"Thank you, Sebastian."
Kimi stood closer to his other side, hands folded against his chest, blowing it protectively "Some Alpha in the front row of the audience is staring at you."
He vaguely administers Sebastian telling Kimi how they should just protect Max, not tell him about the danger-- lest his faith ruins or something. Max would pay attention if not for the emerald eyed Alpha's eyes he is locked into.
Charles raises his hand and waves with trembling fingers, Max looks away to find Kimi.
"Can we walk off the podium?"
Kimi shrugs, not worried about the Alpha anymore "You can do whatever you want."
Max looks back at Charles, then Sebastian. The Alpha waves him away "Go, Kimi and I will cover."
Max shoots them a grin and runs off the steps with his trophy, he registers his father walking up to him but he doesn't stop. Couldn't if he tried. His father laughs from somewhere behind him, Max preens a little at that.
"Max" Charles huffs bashfully, he lifts his hand and then retracts mournfully
Max rolls his eyes and pulls the Alpha into a hug, he feels the Monegasque shiver under the congratulations Max leaves on his skin.
"Yes, thank you." He giggles "You are the Formula 1 race winner though."
Before Max could protest how it's equally important as Charles' Formula 2 win, Charles pulled him closer, as if trying to become one "You looked beautiful Max, on the top step."
Max grinned, heat spreading in his body where it's tucked against Charles' "Join me then."
Charles hums, "Next year."
Max huffs, pleased. He pulls himself away from the Alpha's warmth and cups his face. Charles grins and paws at his waist, he leans closer, eyes closed, Max can feel his breath fanning against his lips--
"MAX!"
"FUCK BINK! WHAT THE FUCK!" Max sat up where he was strewn across the bed, panting heavily, "You dick! I was sleeping."
Victoria grins, "Yes, dreaming. Resisted the urge to smack the stupid smile off your face."
Max blushes, he hopes Vic doesn't probe further "What did you want?"
"So much love." Victoria pouts "Mum is calling you for lunch."
Max rolls his eyes, a grin slipping on his face at the memory "I am probably the only race winner in history of Formula 1 that is celebrating their win with a family dinner."
Victoria snorts "Also the only unmated omega to win a grand prix"
He groans and flops back on his bed, the dream lingers. "Fuck off."
"It'd be a delight if the kids could join the table!"
At his mum's call, Max pushes Victoria out of his bed and beelines to bathroom, he will not be acknowledging that weird fucking dream.
The shower helped him gather his thoughts, the euphoria of it all simmering into a pleasant buzz. Max makes his way to the living room, He pushes his hand through his damp hairs and lets them fall over his eyes, they are a little too long. His mum has arranged empty plates on the table, dad is filling the jug, Victoria is talking to Charles, Pascale is playing with their Dachshund-- wait what.
"What are you doing here?"
Charles cocks an eyebrow and grins lazily. What a fucking arse. He wants to kiss him. "Lovely to see you too, Max."
He looks at his parents, both stirring a very guilty pot of brown bean soup. Max huffs "Good Afternoon Charles, what the fuck are you doing here?"
He registers Pascale's laugh from somewhere in the background but his eyes are transfixed on the man in front of him.
"Charles," His Papa coughs "Is here to discuss a prospective matrimony."
"Prospective matrimony." He repeats dumbstruck
Charles jumps from where he sat on Max's favourite chair, in Max's house, to discuss prospective fucking matrimony.
The Alpha is dressed up in formal button downs, his sister is in a dress shirt, mum in a mini gown, dad in a dress shirt and Pascale in jeans. Max is in fucking shorts.
The Alpha stops in front of him, grinning widely as if Max wouldn't punch him in the face if he could.
"Can we talk privately?"
Heat churns in Max's stomach. He is Formula 1 race winner, goddamnit! He will not get nervous about talking to an Alpha. Even if it is Charles.
He nods and turns to lead Leclerc to his bedroom, He wonders if Victoria will whistle, the thought makes him run faster to his room.
He pulls Charles in and shuts the door loudly, giving Charles a look, warning him against even trying to crack a joke on it.
"Talk."
"Mum wanted me to mate, Jos reached out to her; She asked me, I said yes."
Max pulled a face "Why the fuck did you say yes?"
Charles rolled his eyes as if Max should have been born with that knowledge "My father asked us to be mated before we turn 21; Lolo already has, Arthur is years away from it. I don't want a mate but I don't want to disrespect his dying wishes. You, of course, want the same."
He says it with such ease, like he has known Max since forever. Max wants to punch him for accuracy.
"So we mate but we know it's not real?"
The Alpha grinned and snapped his finger "Bingo!"
Max rolls his eyes, "Fine."
Charles stood up from Max's bed and shrugged "I knew you'd agree." He patted Max's shoulder and went out.
Max takes a deep breath. Charles, he was planning to mate Charles. Crush sounds so stupid to represent what he feels. It's Charles, the boy he has known before he knew himself, the boy that held him when he cried, the boy who never thought any less of him.
It's Charles, who wants to mate with him because his father wished it.
The thought sobers him up, he changes into a probably clean pair of jeans and makes his way to the living room.
Pascale smiles at him warmly, he hopes his returning smile doesn't look as awkward as it feels.
"Well, boys, You will both be in Formula 1 next year; We thought it'd be better if you are engaged. You will have a heat mate" His Papa nods at him, Max keeps a straight face despite the blush.
"and you will have a rut mate." The older Alpha nods at Charles, "It is practical. You have a mutual respect for each other and the ability to separate your professional and personal life. You can mate once you both have agreed upon it but we'd like to have you engaged before Charles' debut." He pauses to take a breath "Tonight, if you both agree, we'd like to start this new beginning with a celebration to Max's win." The man smiles at him, Max cannot help but smile back.
Charles raises his flute of rosé, "To Max and new beginnings!"
Max grins as his eyes lock with Charles'. He's fucked.
4. Marcus Ericsson (+ Charles Leclerc)
Charles grins at a joke a Marcus made about him being young and available. Only if he knew. Charles is very happily engaged.
Okay, maybe not happily but he is engaged.
Their parents agreed that they should physically mate only after they are at least 25. They will only marry after they physically mate. So, he is engaged and no one knows.
It would not suck this much if everyone in the entire universe would stop trying to court his fiancé! Pierre, Pierre was telling him about the courting gift he brought for Max.
He'd ask people to stop but he can't. Max and him aren't like that, you know? They aren't even friends. They are just engaged. Lo calls him an idiot for that. He deserves it, honestly. He shouldn't have agreed to this, stupidest thing he has ever done. How did he ever think that he could fly close to the sun and not burn.
Sophie texts him sometimes asking if Max is doing okay after the heat-- what does he say? I don't know, your son, my fiancé, we don't share heats and ruts. He sends a politely worded message and cries into his hand-embroidered pillow.
At the driver's parade Marcus shakes his shoulders lightly, "You are so whipped, Charles. Just ask him out no?"
Charles tears his gaze away from Max where it latched subconsciously "I am fine."
Marcus giggled, "Sure, I am the president."
Charles wants to shout to the world that he will be mated to Max Verstappen. What's the point though? The Omega doesn't even look at him.
5. Gianpiero Lambiase
"Max, what is going on?"
Max blinks to clear the haze in his eyes, too much light, they slip shut again "Unexpected heat."
A sharp intake of breath, there's a hand on his head; Hissing, GP pulls it away. "Who is your heat mate? We can stall it if an Alpha scents you."
Max buries his head in his pillow. The services he used were not international, he takes suppressant to avoid heats when away. "I don't have anyone."
The beta makes a pitiful noise, Max hates him a little for it.
"I can, if you don't mind, ask Charles?"
A moan rips his throat. Charles, Charles, Charles, a loop through his head. The idea, now proposed, has taken root in reality. Max whimpers lowly "Okay."
GP nods back.
He vaguely registers the Alpha coming in. When he wakes up hours later, Charles is asleep in his nest, his body pressed into every nook and cranny of Max's body. They are both clothed, Charles didn't knot him.
His heart clenches with want, he leaves the nest.
+1
Charles finds his way to Max after the podium, a reminiscent of their karting days.
Except they shared Max's heat. Yes, they are engaged but they aren't like that. Or didn't use to be. Now, they shared Max's heat. Not in the most traditional way. Charles would have shunted it into the wall if that would have happened but it didn't. It doesn't have to. The only person you can sleep off a heat without knotting is with a compatible mate.
GP finds him wandering around and sends him off to Max with no questions asked. He remembers how the man had called him to help with Max's heat.
Charles knocks on Max's motorhome, to his surprise, the door open immediately.
"Charles." The blue eyes stare unflinching, Charles is not backing down "Do you need something?"
He huffs impatiently, "You know why--"
"Okay, fuck, come inside."
The door closes behind him, Charles huffs again "We need to talk."
Max scrunches his face, "Talk, then."
"You called me for heat, you knew we were compatible?"
Max's face crumbles at that, Charles resists to urge to smoothen the frowns.
"I didn't. GP called you because we are engaged, he knew because my team knows."
Charles blinks at him, "You are an Omega."
Max rolls his eyes, crossing his arms in front of his chest "Drugged since I hit puberty, my instincts are dulled. I could not tell."
Charles breathes in slowly, he could have gone his entire life not knowing; his entire life, unaware that he is the perfect Alpha to the love of his life. A love he was throwing away for nothing but jaded egos.
"Would you have still agreed if you had known?" To mate and live alone, to mate and separate every piece of themselves they have woven into each other's lives, to mate and stay loveless.
He hears the Omega take a sharp breath, Max drops on the bed, head in his hands. Charles remembers finding Max like this, outside the van. He settles next to him on the bed.
"Max?"
"No. No, I wouldn't have."
"Oh," Charles he was hoping that Max wanted him, maybe not as much as Charles wants him. A little, maybe? Just enough to keep him around. "Why?"
A shudder wrecks through the Omega's body. Years of running away from Jos, his hands find Max instinctively. The Omega is broader than Charles now, his frame snug against Charles' arms, he wishes he could have this. He cannot, he cannot because Max doesn't want him. Charles leans his head on Max's shoulder, pressing against the warm skin. He hopes his eyes don't dampen Max's shirt.
"Max, tell me why at least, please."
Max rests his body against Charles' chest, he feels the Omega's body breathe in "I could not have known that I am perfect for you and you still didn’t want me. That I'd have you but not in the way that matters. I- it would break me, Charles."
What. "What?"
Max untangles himself from Charles' body, sniffling lightly, "Please don't make fun of me. I can understand if you want to break it off now but I will not tolerate mocking of my love--"
Charles blinks, rendered immobile "What? You love me?"
The Omega growls lowly "Charles."
Charles throws his hands up "Genuine question, Maxie."
Max softens slightly "Yes. Yes, I do."
"Oh." Charles giggles "Oh, Max."
The Dutch man huffs annoyed, "What?"
Charles sidles closer to the Omega, cupping his jaw in his palms, he presses a kiss to Max's forehead, to the tip of his nose and exhales "I love you too, Max. Always have."
Max blinks at him owlishly before smashing their lips together.
Charles giggles ridiculously and lets himself fall on the bed, arms full with a feisty Omega, kissing the love of his life.
Bonus:-
"What's with the smile on your faces?" His mum probes at them once everyone settles down.
He grins "So, Charles and I mated,"
"And we are getting married!" Charles finishes, just like they practised. Max kisses his cheek for it, Charles pulls him in a chaste kiss.
"Finally!" Arthur groans, instigating Vic and Lorenzo laugh heartily and congratulate them with hugs
"How did this happen?" Pascale smiles warmly
"Oh, well, When last year we realised that we loved each other and then we dated and then we decided to get engaged for real and we mated earlier this month and now!" Charles does a little drumroll "We'll get married!"
Papa frowns "You two have been engaged for years now."
Charles' face pales and he swiftly turns towards Max "We didn't tell them, did we?"
Max laughs, his body vibrating with joy as chaos descends on them. He'd have it no other way.