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Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

July 7, 2011.
Italy
10pm

„No, Dad, Please! Please don't leave me alone!" Max desperately begs his dad as he's already about to drive off into the warm italian summer night, without taking his son back to the Netherlands with him.
„Think about how bad you failed me and when you're finished, call me. I'll think about maybe picking you up then." His Dad mutters coldly.
„Dad please I don't even know how to speak italian, where should I even sleep?" Max can feel tears swelling up in his eyes. He tries to hold them back, to look stronger than he actually is.

That Feeling in your throat when you know you're about to sob your heart out, but you want to prevent it from happening as long as possible. It's an awful feeling, Max gets it almost every day. He feels weak for crying, he's almost 14 now, he shouldn't cry. Other boys in his class don't cry either. So Max plays tough, or at least he tries.

His Dad just shakes his head and drives off into the darkness, leaving Max standing all alone at the gas station. Cold, almost crying, just 13 years old.

Max sits down on the cold granit in front of the gas station, he's playing with some rocks on the ground. He doesn't even notice when he started awfully sobbing into his knees. He's an ugly crier. As Max cries, he realizes he's not just an ugly crier. He's ugly in general.

His eyes are way too far apart, his eyebrows look weird. His teeth are crooked, he'll get braces soon. His eyes are the most boring shade of blue he's ever seen, it's nothing special. His lips look like the ones of a girl, but they're not soft enough though. They sometimes crack open in the winter from the cold. Also he's not skinny enough. Max doesn't think he's fat, but he could definitely weight less than he does. All boys in his class are skinnier, all boys in karting are skinnier aswell.

Maybe it's just what he sees, but in any way it makes him feel awful.

He doesn't even know why he cares about what he looks like. It doesn't matter. He tells his girl friends all the time that looks don't matter and he'd rather go for personality. He can't help but feel bad about what he looks like though. He's never had anyone tell him he's pretty. His mom tells him sometimes, but that's all. He doesn't even see his mom often enough since his parents are divorced.

He wishes he stayed with her though, he wouldn't have to deal with his dad. His dad's a prick. A fucking asshole. And yet Max can't fully hate him, because he's still his dad at the end of the day.

Max thinks back to his looks, he doesn't want to think about his dad or his family in general. Max's also insecure about his hair. It's boring and flat, no structure at all. It's just a dark blonde mess on his head, which could even be considered as brown by now. He has no special traits. At least no one ever told him so.

He wishes he could be a kid again, when he didn't use to worry about these type of things. When he went to his dad's races with his mum and sister, cheering him on.

Loud cars fascinated Max since the beginning of time, especially formula 1 cars. His dad kind of forced him into karting, but it was actually Max's dream so he didn't have a problem with it. Max wants to be in Formula 1 one day, driving alongside Rosberg and Vettel. He loves them. He wants to be like them one day, friends with everyone on the grid, winning, a champion. Max doesn't have many friends yet, but it's because he's shy and some people might say he's arrogant, which he totally isn't. He's got his closest friends, and that's more than enough for him.

He's sure it'll be different when he's in formula 1. He wants to be less socially awkward and nice to everyone on the grid. He's a nice guy, at least he thinks so, but he can imagine that some people on the grid will hate him for no reason. Like Joe.

Joe and him have an awful relationship ever since they met. Joe's arrogant, his parents are rich, he's way prettier than Max. He's 3 years younger than Max but his ego is way bigger. He's also almost taller than Max, which is embarrassing for him. What makes everything even worse is that Max lost to him today, to a dumb 11 year old boy with white crooked teeth hidden behind shiny silver braces.

He finished P2 behind Joe, who basically pushed him off the track. He couldn't stand the way Joe smiled on the small podium, his braces shining in the sun. His eyes almost closing when he smiles, the left side of his mouth forming a small dimple while his right side doesn't. Freckles dotted all over his rosy cheeks while his dark brown curled up hair easily falls over his forehead. He looks imperfectly perfect without trying and he's just a kid.

It's absurd to Max, Joe doesn't even has armpit hair yet but fucking braces. It makes no sense, at least to Max.

He also doesn't understand how Joe is friends with quite literally everyone but him. They haven't spoken two sentences with each other when Joe already hated him. He doesn't understand how someone like Cécile is friends with Joe. Cécile is nice to everyone, not causing too much trouble, at least she can talk herself out of it really well. So she's the opposite of Joe. There's also Arthur and Lando, they're Joe's little workers in Max's mind. He thinks they're just as awful, but he does like them a lot more than Joe.

Arthur is Charles's younger brother, which he can't stand aswell. Lando barely even spoke with Max yet, but he seems to be just alright.

Max has stopped crying by now, thankfully, because it'd be embarrassing if anyone he knew pulled up to the gas station and sees him crying like a 5 year old. He wipes his face with the back of his hand to prevent him from crying further.

Right when he looks up, he sees a black Mercedes. Shiny. Not even a little tiny bit of dirt on the front glass. Also not on the rest of the car. The lights blend right into his eyes, making him close them for a few seconds. His eyes adjust to the dark and he can see a silhouette of a man getting out of the car. A few seconds later he can make out a boy getting out of the car aswell.

Just when he realizes who this boy is, he can already hear his annoyingly bratty voice. „Poor Max. Did your dad leave you alone, hm?"

He's being ironic. Max hates when people are ironic. Well he does understand irony and he uses it sometimes aswell. But when Joe does it, it's simply annoying.

„What do you want Joe?" at least his voice can come across normal, like he didn't just cry his heart out.

„I'm just checking up on poor Max being left alone after being a total loser." Max doesn't look up, he doesn't want to see his disgusting smirk. He knows he's doing it right now, smirking down at him. Thinking he's cool when he's just sucking it off of people's egos.

„Just shut up." it's the only thing Max manages to say. He actually doesn't want to argue with him. He hates arguing, yet getting into arguments is his daily routine.

„Don't have any better comebacks?" Joe scoffs. Max can't stand the way his lips move, regretting to look up at him.

„Please just leave me alone." Max mutters. Like he said, he doesn't want to get into an argument with stupid Joe now.

„You can't face the truth, huh? Just accept that I'm better." He really can't leave him in peace, can he? Max already has enough negative thoughts on his mind today, he doesn't need Joe to make it worse.

Max can feel his chest starting to feel tighter and tighter, like he can't breathe anymore in a few seconds. He doesn't know what to say.

„What did I ever do to you?" his voice must be slightly louder now, because the family on the other side of the gas station looked at them for a few moments.

„What did I ever do to you?" Joe says it like he's the innocent one. Like he isn't the one who just purposely came up to max and started an argument. Like he isn't the one who gave Max the brattiest look ever when they first met, and later on just rolled his eyes at him when they were on the podium together for the first time.

„You're just so fucking arrogant all the time, it's annoying." Max says it without thinking about it before. It just spilled out of him.

When he looks up at Joe to see his reaction, Joe is ironically pouting his lips like a goddamn 4 year old.

Max wants to say something, but he's interrupted. He didn't think about the man from earlier, but of course it was Joe's dad. It's the only thing that made sense.

„Joe it's time to go, mum's waiting. Oh hey Max what are you doing here? Got no ride home? We can take you with us if you want?"

Max is irritated, he didn't think Joe's dad would be this nice and sweet, judging by how awful his son behaves. Max doesn't have the time to answer before Joe opens his stupid mouth again.

„No dad, he's fine. He's just waiting for his dad."

Max is even more irritated and frustrated now, so much that he can't manage to get a word out of him. Joe and his dad go back to their Mercedes. Before Joe gets into the car, he smirks at Max. He hates it. More than anything else in the world.

His smirk just screams ‚hey look at me, I'm so perfect! I deserve the world and all the love!' Max could fucking throw up just thinking about it.

As he sees the Mercedes driving back onto the road, Max can't help but wonder if Joe might drive for Mercedes in Formula 1 one day. If he even makes it to f1, but Max's quite sure. He might hate Joe, but he can't deny the truth in him being amazing at karting.

But Joe isn't the Mercedes type of guy, he's way too arrogant and mean. Rosberg and Schumacher are currently driving at Mercedes, they're quite literally the nicest guys Max has ever seen driving in formula 1. They're amazing. And Joe's just awful.

Max wants to drive for red bull one day, he wants to be a world champion, like Seb Vettel. Max can actually see himself with the wdc trophy in his hand, it might seem arrogant but Max likes dreaming about it.

He wants to hold oh so many records, to be the greatest of all. It's a big thing, Max knows. But he's sure if he keeps working hard, the trophies will slip right into his hands.

He thinks about calling his dad now, but he wonders if it's too early.

He calls his sister instead.

The phone rings for a few seconds before his sister picks up. „Hey Maxie, where are you?"

Max tries to sound strong for his sister. She's just 2 years younger than him, but he wants to protect her at all cost.

„Dad left me alone at the gas station. He's mad at me for not winning against stupid Joe Lombardi. Can you please call him and tell him to pick me up?"

He tries to make it sound lighter and less scary than it actually is for him.

His sister doesn't talk for a moment. „I'll call him yes." she says with a small stutter in her voice. „Why would he do that?" she says after a few seconds.

„You know what he's like when I fail."

„You didn't fail though. You finished on P2."

Max hesitates, he thinks about what his sister just said.

„Not winning equals failing to him."

Victoria sighs, she's just 11, but Max knows that she's quite aware of the world. And she cares a lot for Max. Max is really glad that he has her by his side.

„I'll call him and tell him to pick you up, Maxie. Can't wait to see you back home. I love you."

„I love you too, Vic." Max has to smile a little. Then his sister hangs up.

Max decides to get inside of the gas station, buying a simple red bull with his last cents left.

He doesn't need to wait long before his dad returns. He jumps into the car, his dad not saying a word for the whole ride back home to the netherlands. Just when they were at a gas station in Germany, Jos asked him if he wanted to eat at McDonalds. Max couldn't say no.

When they were almost back home in the netherlands, Jos only said he's sorry.

He's always like this. Max couldn't say more than „it's fine. I managed.". Jos would always practically scare and traumatize the shit out of Max for the rest of his life, and then say sorry like nothing even happened.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

late 2014

Joe grew up a lot, he's definitely not as bratty anymore. Max thinks that way though. Max's got a seat in formula 1 next year, the youngest driver to ever compete in a f1 grand prix.

Joe is stuck at F3, he's close to winning the championship though. He feels jealous about Max. He knows he's younger, less experienced, and all the other stuff. But somehow he feels empty when he knows he won't have Max racing against him next year, probably the next few years.

Max is the worst person Joe has ever came across, even though Joe's friends actually like Max. Well, like is a big word, but they don't hate him as much as Joe. And Cécile actually quite likes him, even if she thinks that Max can't stand her.

„Have you heard about Max getting a seat in F1, didn't he skip F2?" Cissy's voice gets Joe out of his thoughts.

They're at Joe's right now, just hanging out in his room. Cissy is reading some Motorsports magazine Arthur, who is reading it with her, bought. „Yeah I've heard, he literally can't stop bragging about it all over the media." Joe rolls his eyes, laying back on the bed, next to Leonie. „That's not true, Joe. Don't be so bratty." Arthur smirks.

„Stop calling me bratty bro." Joe gives Arthur a playful nudge.

„Stop flirting." Fiona groans ironically, she's putting on some makeup, they want to go outside later. To some stupid house party Charles organized, Joe actually doesn't want to go. But he can't let his friends go without him just because he doesn't feel well.

He's tired. His eyebags must be blue, his sister covered them up with some of her makeup because she said it's that bad.

Joe doesn't feel bad about wearing makeup, nobody's noticing anyway. And he thinks it doesn't make any man who wears makeup less of a man. He's barely seen boys who wear makeup yet but he doesn't have a problem with it. Because why would he? He's not from 1950 and in his opinion, everyone should be whoever they want to be.

„Me and Arthur aren't flirting." Joe laughs off, shaking his head. „Stop lying, Joey. You and Arthur are soooo cute together." Cissy's a tease. She might be a little shy around new people, but she's quite the opposite around her friends. She's scared to laugh the loudest in the room but when she's just with her best friends, she'll laugh so loud that even the neighbors could hear. She's told them that she's insecure about her laugh, but she knows none of her friends would judge her. That's why she doesn't care.

Lando has told Joe that he adores Cissy's laugh, but Joe would never tell her. It would maybe ruin their friendship and he wants Lando to do it himself. Joe's scared of friendships being ruined because of stupid crushes and relationships.

Joe has had crushes before, but he never had relationship. It's not like his crushes didn't like him back, most of them did. But he wasn't ready to have something like an actual relationship with kissing, holding hands and all that stuff. It doesn't gross Joe out, but he's not ready for it. He's just 14. He knows that's the typical age for someone to start getting into relationships, but he simply doesn't want to. His friends don't either.

Leonie has had a boyfriend once, but they came to an early end.

„Cissy stop, me and Joe aren't fucking dating." Arthur giggles while hitting Cissy with the magazine.

„Whatever you say boys." Leonie raises her eyebrows and smiles, looking over at Cissy. „Guys do you think we'll make it to formula 1 one day, like Max?" Fiona then asks. The room is quiet for a moment.

„I mean I hope so, it'd be funny for sure." Cissy comments and Arthur nods. „I don't know if my parents have enough money to get me and my brother into f1 but we'll just have to hope, I guess?" Arthur forces a smile.

Joe hates Arthur for it, he knows that Arthur probably won't make it to Formula 1, and Arthur knows too. He hates that Arthur won't admit it and just forces a smile. Arthur can be vulnerable around them, but he doesn't want to be. It's not like Arthur isn't good enough f1, it's just that his parents don't have enough money. And Arthur loves Charles too much to put himself first, he wants Charles to live his dream. To drive for Ferrari in Formula 1. Arthur would give up anything just to make his brothers happy.

He won't admit it though, he won't admit that his parents don't have enough money. Joe doesn't think it's a shame, but Arthur surely does. Joe's pretty sure that the others don't think it's a shameful thing either.

„I'm sure we'll all be good enough one day guys." Fiona's positive about it most of the time. She doesn't worry about the type of things Joe worries about, that's why they get along so well.

„Which team do y'all want to drive for?" Leonie asks while eating some of the M&M's that were still on Joe's nightstand from earlier today.

„Obviously Ferrari." Arthur and Fiona almost say it at the same time. „I think I'd like to go to Red Bull." Cissy wants to just because she has a damn crush on Sebastian Vettel. „Driving at Red Bull with Max?" Joe giggles. „He drives for Toro Rosso dumbass." Cissy groans.

„Whatever. Soon he'll probably drive for Red Bull." Joe sounds almost complaining, even though it shouldn't bother him. He doesn't even know why it bothers him so much, it shouldn't. It totally fucking shouldn't. But everything Max does makes him complain, it's always been like that.

He can't lie though, he felt kind of bad when he left him all alone at the gas station. But he was a different person back then. He was basically still a child, he didn't realize how hard it is to be 14 years old. He may still has the braces and in general his appearance didn't change much, but his personality changed and for sure also his responsibility.

He's accepted that responsibility isn't really his type of thing, but that's what makes him amazing. He's loud, sometimes he even thinks he's annoying. He probably is. But that's okay with him. Being annoying is okay.

„How do you know he'll drive for Red Bull, are you two husbands or something?" Cissy scoffs. „No what the fuck?" Joe protests „I just once overheard a conversation between him and his dad. He wants to drive for Red Bull as soon as possible."

„Well but in either way it doesn't bother me racing in a team with max, because he's nice."

„He's nice to you." Joe groans. „You two should get over it. It's childish." Leonie just rolls her eyes at it.

„I'm not the one trying to beef with some kid almost 4 years younger than me, he's the one being childish!"

„He's at Charles's party today by the way." Arthur says to quickly change the subject, he hates when Joe talks like this. Well he doesn't hate it, they're best friends and that's what best friends do. They want to stop the other from getting furious about stupid things like that, but Joe does it all the time.

„God I hope I don't see him." Joe rolls his eyes, already sounding annoyed by just thinking about Max's stupid face. Joe can't stand it. He looks like sid from ice age with some dark blonde strands on his head which he actually decides to call hair. It looks awful, but apparently no one tells him that.

Most guys have that haircut nowadays but Joe thinks it's the worst.

„Our house isn't that big, Joe." Arthur has so smirk a little, he thinks it's funny how Joe talks about Max.

„Also I thought Max and Charles hated each other?" Fiona turns her head towards Arthur.

„Apparently not anymore. I don't know, it's weird. And Char won't tell me anything." Arthur seems to be telling the truth.

Joe feels a weird feeling in his chest. Why is Charles refusing to tell Arthur about his and Max's friendship? Why is it weird? Why are they suddenly the best of friends? Is that the whole truth to it?

Joe worries too much. Why does he even worry? It makes no sense. What is he even worrying about? Why is it important to him? It's none of his buisness.

„Who else is coming?" Leonie asks, giving Cissy a look Joe can't quite identify.

„Lando's coming." Arthur says it like he could read Leonie's and Cissy's mind.

Cissy's cheeks get rosy and she smiles, quickly hiding her face behind her hands.

„Cissy you need to confess your crush to him." Fiona almost begs, at least she sounds like it while she's saying the ‚need' in an extra long and desperate tone.

„I don't think I'm even crushing that hard and also I don't want a relationship with him, it's weird and he's kinda annoying." Cissy does have to giggle a little at the last part of the sentence.

„Oh god you're absolutely helpless." Is the only thing Fiona says before taking the magazine out of Cissy's hand to read it herself.

„Right? Lando must be head over heels, by the way he's staring at Cissy all the time." Leonie's getting her makeup done by now, she doesn't wear a lot but she feels more confident with it. So why shouldn't she just wear it? 14 is just the right age to start wearing it, besides they're all almost 15 by now. They're basically adults.

„I bet he's staring at the person behind me and y'all just mistake it." Cissy says while petting Joe's cat, who just came into the room.

Normally, Cats hate Cissy, but Joe's cat doesn't. That's why Cissy decided to love her and basically adopted her, without Joe's permission of course.

„So he's staring at Joe? I don't think so." Fiona laughs. Arthur has to giggle about it.

„Maybe he's gay. Y'all shouldn't judge him." Cissy's definitely joking by now, she can't be for real.

„I'm pretty sure Lando doesn't have a crush on me." Joe says while smirking at Cissy. „You're just oblivious."

„Whatever" Cissy's just shaking it off like she always does. „Arth, do you know anyone else who's coming?" She decides to skip the subject, thinking it's weird talking about relationships at their age. She doesn't feel like she even needs a boyfriend, or even a girlfriend perhaps, she doesn't care. She's independent and absolutely happy with it, for now at least.

„Charlie said something about some guys named George and Alex, I don't know them." Arthur shrugs. „Cissy, I think we've met them at karting once." Joe points out, looking over at Cissy who's apparently holding Joe's cat hostage by now. His cat doesn't care though, just sitting in her arms and purring.

„Yea I think I remember." Cissy murmurs, lost in thoughts. „They act like a gay couple." Fiona just throws it in, completely out of pocket. They all giggle about it. It's kinda true, to be honest, Joe thinks.

They all went to some weird karting summer camp last year, it was totally bizarre. One of Joe's friends had to share a room with Alex and George, he said he always felt like he was thirdwheeling some horny high school couple. Joe does need to giggle thinking back at those words.

„Also Charlie invited some guys from school aswell, they probably won't bother us too much though." Arthur said. „my main hope is not getting bothered by Max." Joe says it in an undefinable tone, not really making out if it's ironic or if he's actually annoyed.

„Good Lord, Joe, will you shut up about him for once?" Fiona groans, but it's definitely also sarcastic and humorous. Probably almost everyone in karting and F3, perhaps even some of Max's friends who are in F2, think that Max and Joe's „rivalry" is totally over dramatic. And utterly funny. Even though they both don't think that way, they hate each other. And that's probably okay. They both hate each other, so it should be okay, right?

„No he can't, he has a way too big crush on him." Cissy giggles before being hit with a pillow by Joe. „Hey don't get feisty, leave that for your Maxie boy, he's the one who's gotta deal with it." Cissy's only making it worse.
„Shut up." Joe rolls his eyes, his lips curling into a smirk though.

„I don't understand how Max is dutch." Joe says it before even thinking about what's gonna come out of his mouth.

„How do you not understand that?" Leonie has to turn around and even look at Joe for that comment.

„I mean, I don't know. Like just be french or german or something. But why dutch? It makes no sense to me."

„Of course it doesn't." Cissy's almost whining, probably from annoyance.

„Honestly I kinda understand Joe." Arthur murmurs it like he's ashamed.

„Yeah sure." Cissy keeps whining, Leonie and Fiona just give her a knowing look.

They knew what they'd get into when hanging out with boys. Not just any boys, Joe and Arthur. Probably the most annoying creatures to ever walk this planet. They only come as a package, always giggling and screaming around like they're monkeys.

It's what makes their friendship good though. Even if it means being annoyed by their behavior sometimes.

Especially when puberty started for them, it got worse. Now it's not just the energetic and annoying behavior, it's also fucking horny and perverted jokes that came with it. Sometimes they're funny. Sometimes they're not. Joe is definitely worse though, especially with the jokes. Arthur makes them too, but mostly just when more boys are around.

„Guys it's almost 6, let's go over to Arth's." Leonie quickly decides as soon as she's finished with her makeup.

She's always the one making the plans, most of the time she's just the most responsible one. Cissy tries to be responsible, but it's not easy when Joe decides to spill his adhd over to the whole group except leonie. She's probably immune or something. Fiona doesn't try to be responsible, she'd get distracted anyway. So the only one left is Leonie, she basically has to be responsible one of the group.

***

Parties weren't always a thing for Max, but he's grown into it.

It's not even a real party, it's basically something like a late birthday party Charles is throwing. That's why Max is surely less tense.

It's not like he hates being around many people. But he hates being around many people. He needs a few drinks before being able to relax on one of the bigger parties. He's never really been to a big party anyway. He wants to change that in formula 1, even though he's not even 18 yet. He's sure he can pass into some clubs though, if he doesn't shave his slightly stumbled beard.

Max tries to pay more attention as he's sitting on Charles's couch with some other guys. He's always zoning out. He needs to concentrate more. It's hard to concentrate when a loud bass, he can't even make out from which song, is shaking the house though. Max can feel the vibrations in his head and ears, he could swear on his life that even the couch is shaking. It could also be from the drinks he had though.

„Hey Max got a girlfriend yet?" One of Charles's friends ask. Max feels a sudden heat in his cheeks, he's hoping he isn't blushing.

He had a girlfriend once, they broke up recently. Otherwise he's barely had any romantic relationships though. He doesn't care about romance. He doesn't need anyone in his life to call him „baby" or some sort of other weird pet names.

„Yea I got a girlfriend."

Max doesn't even know why he's lying.

„Oouuu Max, what's her name?" They're all smirking. He feels like he's on a american frat boy party, why are they all acting like that? As if having a girlfriend makes out Max's whole personality.

„I rather won't tell you guys." Max laughs it off. Thankfully, the other guys laugh aswell.

„Sure sure Maxie" he can hear that faint sentence from another corner of the room.

His eyes have to adjust to his dizziness before he can figure out that there's another group sitting nearby. Not just any group. Joe and his friends.

Fucking hell, can Max live in peace for once? Every time he barely enjoys something, this guy shows up and ruins it for him.

He forgot that Joe was Charles' younger brother's best friend. He doesn't really pay attention to Arthur when he's at Charles'. But one time Joe slept over the same night as Max, and for some reason all four of them went to get a night snack at the same time. Joe and Arthur probably planned it, just to tease Max. Arthur and Charles decided to leave Max and Joe standing alone in the kitchen for what goddamn reason ever. They didn't talk, thankfully. Joe knew that if he'd say something, neither him or Max would be allowed to stay over at the Leclerc's house again.

That night, Max couldn't help but notice the way Joe looked in his sweatpants though. Max knows he shouldn't think like that at all, but he can't help it. He hates Joe, he really does. But why is he so annoyingly attractive.

They also once went swimming together when all the F3 teams decided to „let their drivers get to know each other better". That day was hell for Max, but that's another story.

Way more important question, why would Joe call him Maxie? Who gave him the right to abuse his nickname like that.

Joe must be jealous. Jealous of Max coming into Formula 1.

Max doesn't want to pay attention to Joe anymore. He'd rather hang out with Charles.

He doesn't know when they became so close but they're like best friends now. Max has never had a friend like Charles, he just feels liked when he sees him. Like he's actually interested in Max's personality and not his dating history.

He didn't even realize Charles was talking to him, he was too busy thinking about how dead annoying Joe is.

„Mate I'm gonna get a drink, want one too?" Charles asked just when Max came back to this universe. „Yea dude that'd be nice" Max said quickly, slightly shifting in his seat on the couch after Charles got up.

Max got on his phone, hoping no one would talk to him if he was „busy" on his phone.

But of course one person would always make him lose every kind of hope he has.

„Hey Maxie, having fun?" Joe asked with his annoyingly laid back voice, sounding like he's straight out of heaven. He's abusing his pretty voice though, only says filthy and dumb stuff the whole day, his whole life.

„Why do you care?" Max says, trying to sound like he doesn't care that Joe is talking to him. Probably failing though.

„Hey I'm just interested how your private life is going after you decided to only brag about your seat in F1 for the last month." Joe can't be serious for once, can he?

„You're just jealous" Max huffs, wishing that Joe would just leave and hang out with his weird friends again.

„Me? Jealous? Of your stupid Toro Rosso seat? Couldn't even afford coming into the actual Red Bull team, hm?" Max absolutely hates that ‚hm' sound Joe sometimes makes mid sentence or at the end of questions. It makes him even more of a dick than he already is. Talking like he's some psychotic manipulator. Max hates it. It's one of many reasons why he despises Joe.

„You don't even know how it works." Max says, he's still calm. The drinks are probably making him feel that annoyance and anger less intense. In the last two years he managed to control his anger way better. He's proud of himself for that. He's proud for not being like his dad.

„Why don't you explain it to me then, hm?" He did the ‚hm' again.

Why did Max feel the urge to shift in his seat at that question? Why is Joe's drunken state even worse than his sober one?

„Because you don't deserve my attention." Max says with a slight smirk.

Joe pouts ironically, he did that too when they were at that gas station quite a while ago.

Thankfully, Charles is coming back with two beers in his hand, making Joe go away.

„Didn't know you and him get along now." Charles states.

„We don't. He just thinks he's funny when annoying the shit out of me."

„Mate. He's like 7 years old. Don't let yourself get bullied by some dumbass my brother is friends with." Charles has to laugh a little.

Max has to laugh too.

***

Max decided to sleep over at Charles'. He's turned his back towards Charles, who's already passed out drunk. Max is still on his phone, seeing that Joe posted something on his Instagram story. Which kind of people post on Instagram stories? Probably only people Joe's age.

Max doesn't understand.

He just clicks it, thinking to find a random picture of him being drunk.

Instead he's being shown a picture of him and a girl from today, she's older than him. Which is kinda weird to Max.

They're close to each other. Thankfully they're not full on making out, not even kissing. That would've been Max's death.

Max feels weird looking at that photo, he blames the age gap. He just clicks it away. Shutting his phone and trying to sleep after it's already around 4am.

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2018

Joe just signed his contract for Formula 1. This could be the best day of his whole life. He's gonna drive for McLaren next year, it's been his dream since his godfather Fernando Alonso drove there.

His teammate is going to be Lando, what a coincidence. He gets along with Lando pretty well actually. They're not that close but Joe can see him becoming one of his best friends after their year at McLaren, maybe it's even going to be more than one year together.

Cissy also got a seat in F1 recently, she's gonna drive for Red Bull with Max. Joe thinks that's awful. But it's none of his buisness, right?

„Joeyyyy congrats to your F1 Seat!" Fernando is hugging Joe as soon as he gets out of his car to pick Joe up. Joe barely hugs people, but hugging Fernando is just fine.

„Thank you so much" Joe smiles into the crook of Fernando's neck. „I'm sure the McLaren guys are gonna take good care of you, chico." Fernando ruffles Joe's hair. He's always doing that.

„Yea they seem chill." Joe bares a smile. He's more confident in his smile since he got his braces removed, they're still a little bit crooked but his dentist said it probably wouldn't get any better. And Joe's okay with it, they're straight enough. Just a little crooked tooth on the left side of his bottom row of teeth.

He stills feels weird when smiling though, his upper front teeth are quite big. Bunny teeth. His ex girlfriend said they're cute though.

„Can't wait to see you on your first podium" Fernando celebrates Joe's contract more than he does himself. Joe has to smirk about it.

„You're gonna be world champion, I know."

„Oh shut up" Joe shakes his head and smiles as he jumps to the passenger seat on Fernando's car.

„No no you have the mentality of a champion, also the looks." Fernando smirks at Joe as he's saying that. Joe's just shaking his head again.

Family and close relatives always say these kind of things. No matter if you're actually pretty or not. Well obviously Joe thinks that no one is necessarily ugly, everyone's pretty in their own way. It might sound cheesy, but it's true.

„Want to take a short trip to the beach? You always loved the beach as a kid." Fernando suggested it. They were close to the beach, coastal line of south england. He loves the beach, even if it's an english beach. It's the best he can get for a few weeks now.

English beaches aren't as warm as the italian beaches he grew up with of course, but they're just fine. Joe loves the sea, no matter if it's cold or warm.

„Still love it." Joe smiles, looking out of the window. Thankfully, it's late summer. So the beach might not even be that cold.

„Knew you would." Fernando shortly states.

Fernando would always make Joe feel better, he appreciates him a lot for that. Life's not always been good to Nando, but he seems to be managing it pretty well.

Joe's almost running as soon as Fernando stops the car. He's missing the sea too much in the last days.

His steps are fast, telling Fernando to hurry up.

The sea is the only way Joe can calm down. It's the only place in the world where his brain is finally silent.

The water isn't warm, but it's okay. Joe wasn't about to go for a swim anyway, just spending a little bit of time on the beach. There's barely people on the beach, it's still quite early.

He can't even make out the people's faces in the far distance.

Joe takes off his shirt though, it's quite warm and the slight breeze makes his body tingle, but in a relaxing way.

„You've become quite skinny, chico." Fernando comments.

„I've always been skinny." Joe just says, squinting his eyes at the sun while he looks at Nando.

„Yes, I know." Fernando says, a slight smirk on his face though. „You need some muscles, chico. Formula 1 is tough."

„I know. I'll get a personal trainer pretty soon."

„That's good. It's important. You don't wanna lose your head, eh?"

Joe laughs, kind of giggling even.

He didn't realize that the few people came walking towards their direction on the beach. He's only noticing it now, as a football, or at least some kind of ball, splashes into the water next to him.

He picks it up, wanting to give it back to whoever's lost it.

„Hey sorry I kicked it slightly too hard."

He knows that voice. And that stupid dutch accent.

He looks at him the same second. Max's face suddenly forming an unreadable expression. He probably didn't recognize him at first.

Joe can't do anything more but to just hold the football out for him to take it back.

Max actually didn't recognize him until Joe looked at him. He didn't really see Joe the last 3 to 4 years. He sometimes saw a few pictures on social media but he didn't bother to pay attention to it.

Joe grew a lot. He's not that annoying 14 year old anymore, at least Max hopes so. He must be around 18 now, Max assumes. He doesn't know Joe's birthday but he remembers Arthur talking to Charles about Joe's birthday around May, or perhaps June?

It doesn't bother Max.

Joe's slightly taller than him now, and he must still be growing. It's not like Max is short, actually quite the opposite. But Joe is a fucking giant now, he was so much shorter once.

As soon as Joe holds out the football, Max takes it from him. He's like frozen for a moment. Both of them are. Max doesn't want to just leave without even thanking him, or at least something in the direction of a thanking.

It would be weird if he just started a conversation though. How should he even start? ‚Hey still that stupid guy from 4 years ago or did you finally grow up?'

No. Max isn't going to say any of that.

„What are you doing here?" Joe asks suddenly, it doesn't sound like he's bothered by it, more like being curious.

„I'm on a trip with my mom and sister. You?" Max wants to be polite. He has no reason to be mean to Joe (yet). Maybe he changed after all.

„I've signed a contract with McLaren." Joe says, his voice not as euphoric as he is inside.

Max doesn't know how to react for a second. On one hand, Every time he barely enjoys something, this guy shows up and ruins it for him.

On the other hand, Joe's talented. Max knew he'd make it to formula 1 one day and it'd just be a matter of time.

Joe didn't congrat Max on his contract. Why would Max do it then?

He does it anyway.

„Congrats."

„Thanks."

They're silent for a moment. It's awkward.

„Well bye then, I gotta go. Hope you'll have fun next year." Max says that sentence way too fast, not wanting to see or hear Joe's reaction. So he walks away.

Max wanted to be less awkward. He didn't make it though. He's always kind of awkward around people he isn't really close with. He wants to seem cool, being one of the younger people on the grid for four years doesn't always make it that easy though.

Even if he's achieved a lot already, some drivers still don't take him seriously.

Max is glad he's wearing a shirt though. He would've probably fainted if Joe saw him shirtless. It's not like he isn't muscular or something. He does have some muscles since formula 1. He has to work out regularly and he's also quite proud of his muscles if he's honest.

But he's still insecure, he's basically still a teen at the end of the day. He doesn't feel like an adult even if he's almost 21 by now. He's still immature sometimes. He's kind of scared of becoming an adult.

He doesn't want to end up like his dad. Not at all.

He also doesn't know why Joe doesn't seem to be insecure about anything at all. He probably has the brain of a monkey with adhd.

„Wasn't that Joe?" His sister asks, thankfully getting him out of his weird thoughts.

„Yea."

„He's quite cute to be honest." He doesn't know if his sister is joking or not.

„Shut up."

„You could date him." She's teasing him now.

Victoria is the only person Max told about his sexuality. Well, he told Charles aswell. But they barely even talk about it, Charles obviously doesn’t really care about his best friend‘s sexuality.

Max has known about him being bi for quite a while. He was absolutely scared to tell anyone besides Charles and Victoria though.

His sister is the first one coming to his mind when he thinks about people he can trust with that. He's so thankful to have her in his life, he wouldn't have made it that far without her.

Victoria doesn't really care about Max's sexuality. Instead of trying to set him up with every girl they meet, she tries it with boys now too.

Max thinks it's annoying, but it's also kind of adorable.

Max debates whether to tell his mom or not. She's never said anything weird or conservative about gay people. So Max thinks her being unsupportive isn't something he needs to worry about.

He worries about her telling other people in his family. He really loves his mom, but she can't keep anything to herself.

And it would be the absolute worst thing if Jos knew about Max's sexuality.

Jos isn't completely against gay people. But he did already say some weird stuff about them. Max doesn't know that if he told him, would his opinion on lgbtq become less conservative or even more?

Max knows that Jos loves him, he's his dad at the end of the day. Of course he loves Max. He's just way too hard on him. He says that he's only hard on Max because he wants him to be successful.

Lewis Hamilton's dad is the complete opposite of Jos and Lewis is successful in basically every race. So Max doesn't quite understand that argument.

When he was younger, Max didn't quite understand that Jos' parenting wasn't usual. He began to realize it as a teen though. He's cried his heart out because of his dad almost every night when he was the ages between 14 and 18. Jos didn't care about that. He's seen Max crying about it before. He only said Max is weak.

Fucking weak.

So Max continued to think about himself as weak, maybe he still does sometimes.

„Shut up, Vic. I'd never date him." Max groans.

„Hmm isn't he your type? Those curls and the freckles, the tanned skin. The boy you once hung out with quite a while ago looked a lot like him."

„That's not true." Max shakes his head. It totally isn't true. Max can't see the similarity. Not at all.

„Yea just keep lying to yourself." Victoria gave up, defeated on end by Max's denial.

***

Joe facetimes Cissy later at night in his hotel room.

„Hey guess who signed the contract" Joe grins into the camera.

„Omgg next year is literally going to be iconic." Cissy says, putting a very euphoric tone over the ‚iconic'.

„Did you see Lando aswell?"

Of course she'd ask that.

„Yea we talked a bit. He was really happy for you getting a seat aswell. He couldn't stop talking about how excited he was about next year and getting to spend it with us, together as rookies."

„Did he talk about me?" Cissy asks while setting her phone somewhere she doesn't have to hold it the whole time.

She's admitted her crush by now. She said it's not that serious though and she's not gonna obsess over him.

„Mhm yea he did. He said he's looking forward to meeting you on that fair thing in your hometown. Why didn't you tell me about it, mate???" Joe's sarcastically acting like he's been betrayed.

„Yes sorry mate, I forgot to call you yesterday and it was yesterday when we planned it." Cissy slightly pouts.

„Do you consider it a date?" Joe asks.

„Well yeah. Do you think he does?"

„Probably yes. He seemed really excited about it all. He also kept checking his phone."

Cissy's cheeks get rosy. Joe grins.

„No seriously, when are you two going to finally be a couple?"

„Let's see how it works out when we're both in formula 1 and spend more time together."

„Great plan, mate."

„Mate I know."

„Omfg you won't believe who I randomly met at the beach today." Joe throws in, he feels the urge to tell someone and brag about how weird that conversation was.

„Max?"

„How the fuck do you know?"

„Just a guess. Your voice changes when you talk about Max." Cissy smirks to herself.

Joe looks at the camera in confusion, his eyes narrowing.

„Whatever. It was so weird. I don't know if he purposely kicked that damn football towards me but he randomly decided to be nice. Congratulating me on my contract. It was so awkward because I didn't even know what to say to him. I didn't want to be mean, we haven't seen each other for so long."

Joe can barely stop talking.

„Just be glad he was nice, mate. Maybe he got over y'all's beef."

„I don't know. We'll see. Also since when is he so goddamn short?"

„Mate you're just a giant. Also he probably isn't much shorter than you, stop exaggerating."

Joe mocks Cissy and she just rolls her eyes at him.

„I bet he's lying about his height."

Cissy sighs and rolls her eyes, seeming to lose all hope.

Joe hasn't been talking about Max for a long while now. Cissy thought maybe he had stopped and would just stop being a 5 year old now. Probably never going to happen.

They've been more focused on Lando and Cissy in the last months, perhaps years even. Joe's trying to get both of them to just confess to each other.

Cissy thinks Lando has to make the first move. She doesn't really like those kind of gender roles, but she also needs some princess treatment. It's not like she wouldn't make a move, she'd never let him be the only one building their relationship. Of course not.

But she needs him to make the first move. She'd do anything afterwards.

Right now, Joe and Cissy are also worrying about their friendgroup.

They're still very close, but that might change when Joe and Cissy come into f1.

They've promised each other to at least stay friends. Perhaps not best friends, but they need to meet up at least three times a year, hopefully more.

Joe wants Arthur to stay his best mate, of course. And Cissy wants Leonie to stay her best friend aswell. Fiona's probably going to get a seat in f1 anyway in some time. So they don't have to worry about staying friends with her, they'll be closer again as soon as Fiona has a contract.

Leonie and Arthur on the other hand probably won't make it to f1. That makes it hard to stay as close.

They both tell the three of them to not worry about it though. They'll be on the same paddock most times of the year anyway so it should at least be manageable.

Joe and Cissy keep talking for a while. Mostly about her and Lando or their friendgroup and next year.

It's already quite late for both of them, so they decide to call it quits and get some sleep. They both require it.

Joe's looking forward for the F2 season to continue, he's about to be champion, Cissy's on his back though. They've actually never argued about that. They respect each other's achievements and on each side it's deserved. Last year Cissy became F2 champion. So it's actually Joe's turn. They don't worry about it too much though, it's just pure luck who's gonna have more points.

Right now it's summer break though and he wants to enjoy it as much as possible. Also getting back to the warmer part of europe, finally.

***

17 March 2019
Melbourne, Australia

Joe might have a panic attack. First formula 1 race. Ever. He's also one of the youngest people to ever compete in a grand prix. He does feel special for that. But of course Max holds the record. For a stupid record actually.

Lando seems just as excited, he did pretty well in qualifying. Same as Cissy and Joe though. They've all achieved more than they thought they would.

„Man I didn't think we'd have so much adrenaline before the race." Lando's out of breath. For no reason at all. He's talking very fast.

„I might throw up." Joe says, zoning out while he's sitting on a chair in the paddock, hoping to calm down before putting on his helmet and getting into the car. His leg is bouncing, he's trying to make it stop as best as he can.

„Please don't throw up, bro. If you throw up then I'll have to aswell." Lando let's out a shaky laugh, trying to prevent him from panicking.

„Do you think Cissy is just as nervous?"

She is. She might be even more nervous than Lando and Joe together.

Max ignored her all race weekend, she's aware he probably can't stand her. But he has to talk to her somehow. He can't just ignore her forever. They're teammates for the rest of the year now, perhaps even longer.

Max has to stop acting like Cissy is Joe's minion.

Cissy is trying to put on her helmet with shaky hands.

„Hi"

Cissy turns around.

It's Max. Actually deciding to speak to her?

„Just wanted to tell you that you got this. You're gonna be just fine. It's like riding on a rollercoaster, you're gonna feel the adrenaline for like 2 laps but then you're just fine."

Max is kind of stuttering, probably trying to make Cissy feel less nervous. That's sweet of him, but Cissy wonders why he decides to speak to her now. When she can barely even breathe normally, how is she supposed to talk.

She does feel less nervous now though. Shakily giving Max an answer.

„Thanks I'm uhm...gonna manage, I guess? Thanks for the support, Max."

„Sure." Max politely smiles before walking off again.

It's Max's fourth season in formula 1 and he's still nervous before every single race. He doesn't want to fail. He doesn't want to fail his dad especially.

He tries to act tough though, since there's some younger people on the grid now. He wants to show them the nerves only make it worse.

Max doesn't want to pay attention to Joe though. He wants to step out of his way for as long as possible.

He knows he can't do it forever, but he will provide this sport from escalating for as long as he can.

Max pulls his helmet on, walking towards his car, parked on P4 where he finished qualifying.

His heart must be racing, but he'd rather concentrate on the race now. It's quite warm in australia, but he's been staying hydrated. So it must be alright.

***

Joe's stepping out of his car. He managed to finish P8. He's never been so proud of himself.

Surprisingly, an F1 car is much hotter than he imagined. The cockpit is way hotter than in the F2 cars.

Some guy comes towards him, he thinks it George Russell. Shaking his hand in a congratulating way, he does the same to Lando and Cissy.

He seems polite, Lando probably knows him better than Joe does.

Joe can't really concentrate with all the noise around him, but his family comes to hug him. Fernando too.

His ears are spoken so many praises and wishes to. He feels special.

He feels really special.

He also hugs Cissy and Lando.

Big group hug. They've never did that before, but it feels safe after so much adrenaline.

Max was right, it really felt like a rollercoaster to Cissy. She was way too nervous in the first few laps, losing lots of time. But she still managed a great result on P9, she's happy about it. Her family is too and the Red Bull team hugged her aswell.

But as soon she was in racing mode, it went pretty well. She had some really good overtakes. Her and Joe also basically crossed the finish at the same time. They've always been so similar when it comes to racing.

They're either both finishing on a horrible position or they're both on the podium. They come as a package. That's what their mums always used to say. They still do.

After receiving way too many hugs, in Cissy's opinion, she can see Max on the podium who finished P3.

Joe doesn't really show any reaction, still having his helmet on. He's about to get it off though, is he doing that to see Max better?

Nah. Cissy is probably delusional.

„Hey"

Why do these f1 boys always randomly show up next to you, saying nothing but ‚hey'?

It's Lando, pulling her into a tight hug.

She's blushing, hiding her face in his shoulder.

„So proud of you, Cissy. Just needed to tell you." Lando says with a smile on his face.

Cissy adores his smile, she can't put her mind around how a person can be so funny looking but yet so attractive at the same time.

Also her godfather Seb congrats her, pulling her into a deep hug. „So so proud of you, Cissy. Keep pushing."

***

After the podium, Max actually wants to shower as quickly as possible. His skin is sticky with champagne and he also smells like champagne and sweat. He loves but also fucking hates that feeling.

He can see Joe talking to his Dad in the paddock. His dad seems proud of him.

Why can't Max's dad be like that? Max feels a stinging in his chest, like he can't even breathe anymore. Like he's just gonna pass out right here and hopefully never wake up again.

He wants to congratulate Joe, he might think it's weird though. Something pulled Max towards Joe's direction though.

Like some invisible string, forcing his feet to move even if he doesn't want to.

„Joe. Congrats on your P8." Max tries to set on a nice tone, it might sound arrogant or ironic otherwise.

And that's exactly what Joe thinks. He thinks Max is making fun of him. Joe doesn't say anything, only giving Max a quick look.

„I have to head off to the interviews." Joe says quickly. Max doesn't know if it's directed at him or his dad.

Joe walks off, he walks way too fast with his long fucking legs. Max could never walk next to him without running.

Max feels worse now. Why would Joe ignore him and shake him off like that?

Max didn't even do anything. He hates these type of moments, his anxiety is already swallowing up a lot of his social life. But what did he do to deserve someone like Joe just making it worse for him?

Max narrows his eyebrows and walks over to the Red Bull garage. He feels like his lungs could collapse any moment.

„Max Max please a quick question?"

Why would one of these stupid interviewers bother him now? He just wants to have his privacy, run away as fast as he can.

„Yea?" Max wants to seem polite at least. But the way he said it was clearly annoyed and hurried.

„How do you feel about your long term rival Joe being in f1 now aswell?"

Max quickly shakes his head, already walking away again. „We've never been rivals, people made that up." he says quickly.

That's obviously a lie. He doesn't want to tell a random woman about his problems with some guy 3 years younger than him though.

He doesn't even wants the public to know, it would only cause drama. This isn't keeping up with the kardashians. It's formula 1.

He gives cissy a quick pat on the shoulder as he's walking past her to his drivers room. He can't talk right now.

He feels like he might start crying, his throat is dry and lump.

Max doesn't even know why he's almost crying like some goddamn kid. It makes no sense at all, he's always crying about the stupidest things.

He locks the door to his drivers room as soon as he's in it. He can calm his breathing down a few minutes after leaning against the wall.

Why does he have to suffer with stupid anxiety? What did he do to God to give him such an awful life?

He's been wondering that since he's 10 or something like that.

Max needs to shower, drive to his hotel and sleep for the whole next week. He'd absolutely love that. He needs to do some press stuff with Cissy though. And next week is another race week.

He doesn't quite know himself why he barely talked to Cecile yet. She seems okay. Max had obviously known her before, and she was the smallest problem in Joe's weird group consisting of a bunch of 12 year olds.

He actually wanted to make peace with Joe, leaving that childish rivalry in the past. But Joe supposedly wants to keep being a total dick. Max shakes his head. He thinks way too much about Joe in his opinion. Which is weird. He's aware. But he's pretty sure Joe thinks like that aswell.

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✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

July 18 2021
Silverstone

„Mate you think Hamilton's gonna win this year?" Lando sounds like it's something that isn't possible.

„At least I hope so. I'd totally rip my fucking head off if Max manages to be world champion."

Joe has only been groaning and whining about Max this year, he's pissed and Lando and Cecile think it's the funniest thing ever.

Joe knew in the back of his head that someday it would come. Max as a world champion. But can't he wait until next year? Can't he let Hamilton get his 8th?

Joe isn't ready for Max's arrogant attitude yet. Obviously he already is arrogant, but him winning the wdc is definitely going to make it worse.

„Stop acting like it's gonna be the end of the world." Lando still has to smirk about Joe bitching around while they're getting ready for the race today.

But it totally will be the end of Joe's world. Lando doesn't understand.

„I just hope Max crashes or something."

„Dude."

Joe can't quite identify if Lando is shocked or thinks it's funny. Probably a bit of both.

„Don't you think that's a bit too much?" Lando has to laugh though.

„I mean I don't want him to have any injuries you know. Just a little crash that will get him out of the race would be satisfying."

Joe's telling the truth. Of course he doesn't want Max to have any injuries or something, he'd never wish that upon anyone.

„You're absolutely crazy mate." Lando giggles. „Why is it even bothering you? We won't manage to catch up with him anyway."

„We will one day."

„Not surely."

Joe actually doesn't quite know why it's bothering him. He doesn't have a valid reason.

„You two are deep in conversation or free right now?"

Lando's mom. Lando gives her a quick hug, Joe smiles at her for a moment.

„Joe was just bragging about Max again, nothing serious, mum."

Joe just rolls his eyes.

Lando's mom has to chuckle, she knows about the rivalry. Just like anyone in the world knows about it by now.

Max and Joe didn't want the world to find out like that, but when Max pushed Joe after they both crashed earlier this year, and all cameras were around them, it was probably too late.

Rivalry is both stupid and valid in f1, but people say Max and Joe are overreacting. Max's pushed other drivers too, but Joe on the other hand gets along with pretty much everyone. Max wants that too, but for some reason there's stupid people like Esteban on the grid, who he absolutely can't get along with.

„Well the season isn't even nearly over yet, if it calms you down, Joe." Lando's mom chuckles, Joe quickly nods.

„I just wanted to wish you two a good race, it would be absolutely amazing to have you two on the podium, boys." Lando's mom is always optimistic, despite anything.

She will come to every race she can and support them, mainly Lando, but since Joe and Lando are teammates and see each other pretty much every week all year, it's like Lando's mom is Joe's mom too.

Joe appreciates it a lot, his mom can't come to races often, she works a lot. She mostly supports him over the phone, which Joe appreciates aswell of course.

„We'd have to get past the Mercedes guys and Max first then." Joe tries to be optimistic, he can't though. He truly wishes that Lando gets a home podium though. Despite being first driver, he'd never be jealous of Lando being better than him in some races. They're like brothers by now, no one's jealous or anything. They celebrate each other's accomplishments as if it was their own.

„I'm sure you two can manage. Now get ready boys, I'll be watching closely!" Lando's mom is definitely more excited than Lando and Joe. They both giggle at it.

„Sorry about her excitement, she's only been talking about this for weeks." Lando giggles as they go to get their race suits.

„She's the only one being excited for us though, so I guess we'll have to take it."

„I think the McLaren fanbase is growing though. The girls think you're pretty."

„Shut up mate. They're simping about you just as hard."

People always make fun of that. Saying that Lando and Joe should rather be models than f1 drivers, they both think it's annoying.

Joe's also heard Max say that. As if he didn't beat Max when they were kids.

„Yea the only difference is that I have a girlfriend and you don't."

„What?" Joe couldn't even properly react before Lando was gone.

Stupid Lando, being so small that Joe can't see him when he's running away.

Joe's confused. Totally confused.

Lando and Cissy aren't dating, right?

Truth is, they are. Joe just doesn't know.

They've been dating since the French Grand Prix this year, which was not even a month ago. Cissy asked Lando to come with her and see her family. It was Cissy's brother that just told her to „not be a fucking dumbass and just tell him about her feelings."

Cissy obviously wanted Lando to make the first move, but he's clearly too dumb to realize anything. Cissy took matters in her own hands and decided to tell him.

It took them barely a day and they were a couple. They didn't tell anyone yet because they wanted to test it out. Date each other for a while and see how it goes. That was their plan.

Lando can't keep secrets to himself. Joe being the only one close to both Lando and Cissy was the first option.

He knows he shouldn't have told it without Cissy's permission. But she won't be mad. Probably.

Joe still has enough time to go over to the Red Bull garage and ask Cissy. If Lando's gonna ignore him, he'll just ask the other dumbass.

He tries to not let anyone see him, he hates dating rumours. And ever since he's driving in f1, apparently any girl he talks with is his girlfriend. For sure.

„Cissy" he taps on her shoulder repeatedly like an annoying 5 year old.

„Joe aren't you supposed to be at the McLaren garage? You have a race to drive. Also why would you come here? You don't want rumours to spread, do you? Also can you stop tapping on my shoulder please?"

„Wow. Mate calm down first."

Cissy's always hectic before races, before anything actually. Joe remembers any event pretty well, and every time Cissy's also there, she's nervous and hectic. Even when they were kids.

„Sorry. So why are you here?"

„Are you and Lando dating?"

Cissy's face tells it all, her mouth tells something else though. „No, why would you come up with that?"

„Hm well I don't know, maybe cause you're in a situationship since pretty much 10 years and Lando just told me he has a girlfriend and then ran away?" Joe exaggerates the facts, he hates when Cissy acts like he's a dumb 4 year old.

„He's probably dating another girl. Now go, we have a race to win." Cissy shoves Joe out of the room.

Joe's stomach turns as he sees Max at the other end of the hallway.

He keeps his head down when walking.

„Why is he here?" he hears the guy Max was talking to saying.

„Hey Joe. Fucked everyone in the McLaren garage so you have to go on with the Red Bulls or what?"

It's Max. Since when is he using that kind of language?

Joe groans, pushing his shoulder against Max's when he walks past him. „Shut up."

Max laughs. It's stupid.

Joe doesn't even know where that rumour comes from, he's never even hugged any McLaren employee.

„Fucked some Mercedes guys or why have you been better than Hamilton? No wait actually I bet you're a virgin, because nobody wants...that."

Joe can talk just as dumb stuff as Max, he hopes that the dutchie knows.

The guy Max was talking to leaves. Joe would leave too if he was in his position.

„You're just jealous you're not as good as me. Get over it."

„Jealous over you? At least my dad doesn't get angry with me when I'm not P1."

Max stomach feels like it's tightening to the limit. Why is his dad always brought into this?

„Yea because your dad's standards just aren't as high. Because you're a shit driver." Max's eyebrows narrow, he has to look up at Joe, which is embarrassing.

„Shut up, Max. I fucking hope you crash this race, i'd be happy to not see your stupid face on the podium for once."

„Bastard." Max mutters, pushing Joe away and walking towards his drivers room.

Joe scoffs. Why is Max walking away? Why is he fucking scared?

Joe knows that people saw him walking out of the Red Bull garage. He can already hear the questions in the press conference after the race.

Max needs to calm down before the race, Joe makes his anxiety worse than it already is. He hates him for always bringing his dad into their fights.

It makes him remember. He tries to ignore his dad most of the time. He's a grown man by now, his dad shouldn't have any saying in his life.

He even made Max break up with his girlfriend because ‚he needs to focus on becoming world champion'.

And Joe is just a fucking bastard, just like Max said.

He can't believe Joe told him he wants him to crash. It's so disrespectful. Max has to prove this annoying 5 year old wrong.

Max is aware he fights like a 5 year old aswell, but Joe is even worse. Joe only hits on things Max can't even control. Max has real reasons to hate him.

„Joe good luck on the race." that's what basically everyone says when Joe walks past them on the paddock.

He's looking for Fiona and Liron, they gained a seat this year and he wants to wish them good luck. Silverstone isn't exactly the easiest track to drive, especially as a rookie.

Fiona is a rookie at Ferrari, which actually seems bizarre to Joe. He didn't think they'd take a rookie this easily.

Liron currently drives for Williams but she really wants to go to Mercedes. Not easy with someone like Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas there. But her and her Teammate George are pretty sure they'll make it someday. There's rumours Bottas is gonna leave Mercedes anyway.

„Hey" Joe gives Liron and Fiona quick handshake.

„I'm nervous. My family's watching."

Fiona has family in Silverstone, probably just a coincidence.

„Dude let's hope you don't crash, your dad would scream at the Ferrari guys." Liron giggles. „Mate he would. Totally scary." Fiona agrees, her dad doesn't get furious easily. But it's scary when he does.

„Just talked to Max. He's being a prick." Joe probably said that too loud. Charles is looking at him from further away.

Joe's unlucky. Why is the Ferrari garage right next to the williams garage? And why are they even standing outside like it's not allowed to go inside another garage?

„He probably has his reasons." Fiona shrugs.

„What did you tell him?" Liron is whispering now, ignoring Charles' looks.

„Told him I want him to crash." Joe slightly smirks, he knows it's dumb.

„Mate." Fiona and Liron say it in the same tone.

Joe's always thought that's odd. Leonie and Cecile do that too. Is it a girls thing that Joe can't understand?

Him and Arthur never say the exact same thing, in the same tone, at the same time. It's odd. Witchcraft.

„Mate?" George walks out of the Williams garage, he's raising an eyebrow.

„Joe told Max to crash his car."

George looks like he doesn't know if he should laugh or cry.

„Blimey, Joe."

They all giggle, except George. It's funny when he says those british things. They're sure George has the soul and brain of an 80 year old.

„Blimey." Fiona giggles and George just rolls his eyes.

„Anyway guys good luck." Joe says while Fiona and Liron are already about to leave.

„Yeah good luck, Joe. Don't crash your fucking car." Liron giggles. „Says the one always crashing her car." Joe teases back.

He hasn't known Liron for long, but it's like they clicked immediately. People think they're dating, but Joe doesn't think he could ever date her. Although he sometimes thinks Liron has a crush on him.

He wishes that no girls would have a crush on him. He hates breaking their hearts. He doesn't want to, he just has to.

„We'll probably go party tonight, wanna come too?" George has his arm over Joe's shoulder, so Joe does it too. They're definitely not flirting, even if Alex says that sometimes.

„Yeah sure. Is Max coming?" Joe whispers into George's ear, he doesn't want Charles to hear, who seems to be spying on them. For whatever reason.

„I don't think so." George giggles. He doesn't quite have a good relationship with Max either, so Joe at least has one guy he can make fun of Max with.

„Good."

„Good luck, Joey."

„Good luck, Georgie."

It's cringy, but they laugh about it. Joe gets away from George, catching Charles' gaze.

***

The race starts in about 10 minutes, they're already on the track. Joe's with Lando. He sees Charles and Max talking.

„Joe said you're a prick or something." Charles says it neutrally, he doesn't have a problem with Joe. They get along pretty well since they've spent a lot of time together as kids when him and Arthur were super close.

„Nothing new." Max shrugs it off.

„And he was acting weird with George, I don't know mate."

„What do you mean weird?"

Max doesn't know why his stomach feels weird when he hears about George and Joe. Maybe he's jealous because Joe manages to flirt with boys and he's not even into them. Max wishes he could too, but he's scared.

„They had their arms around each other's shoulders. Probably just something boys do."

Max just nods. He's thankful that Charles tries to reassure him, even if he didn't tell him he's jealous. He's not even jealous that someone is flirting with Joe. He'd never be jealous because of that.

***
Lap 1

Cissy's tummy is turning, she feels like she's gonna throw up. She knows something is going to happen, she always feels it.

Joe and Lando are pretty much beside her when they turn the corner.

Max collides with Hamilton, or let's say Lewis basically pushed him off the track.

Max is going into the barriers pretty fast.

„Is Max okay?" Cissy's reaction time is probably faster than the Red Bull guys'. „Cissy we don't know yet. It looks like he should be okay though."

Cissy doesn't know why her hands are shaking. Max needs to be okay. She's grown with him in the past 2 years. Maybe even because of him.

„Red Flag."

Joe suddenly feels guilty. It's not his fault. But he probably feels guiltier than Lewis himself.

„Is Max okay?" he doesn't know why he's asking. He shouldn't care.

„He's getting hospitalized. He seems to be very dizzy but otherwise he's okay."

It doesn't help Joe. He still feels guilty.

***

Lewis won. Lando and Joe managed to get past Charles and Bottas when they were in pit.

Lando is showering Joe in champagne. They somehow didn't really talk to Lewis. Didn't even pay attention to him.

Both Lando and Joe get a hug from Lando's family.

They hug Cissy too. Cissy and Lando look at each other like they want to eat each other. Joe's pretty sure now. He's not oblivious after all.

„Mate can you predict the future?" George jokes, but he still looks kind of worried.

„Honestly I didn't know I could do that." Joe laughs, trying to act like he didn't desperately grip his steering wheel the whole race, feeling guilty for something he didn't do.

Feeling guilty for his enemy crashing. He should be happy about it. Worst part is that Max must think he's happy about it. Since he basically told the whole paddock he wants Max to crash.

After Joe showered all the champagne and sweat off, he wants to leave. He's tired. And he still feels guilty.

But they still have to go to the press conferences. He's glad that he's with Fiona, Liron, Lando and Cissy and not some stupid guys he can't even talk properly with.

„What was your first reaction when you saw Max crash? This question's for all of you."

„I was further behind so I didn't really see it but when I drove past I was definitely scared for Max in the first place." Liron immediately looks down at her feet the next second. She hates press conferences. Basically everyone does. Fiona says almost the same thing.

Cissy and Lando say that they were worried and stuff. Just the typical things.

Joe feels like he isn't able to speak. He feels like all eyes are on him, expecting something bitchy as always. Joe doesn't know if he's stuttering or not.

„I mean me and Max don't exactly have the best relationship but I felt bad."

That sounds whiny. Whiny and bitchy. As if Joe was jealous. As if he wasn't telling the truth.

It's not the whole truth. But he can't say ‚I almost had a panic attack because my enemy crashed and I feel guilty for no reason and I'm worried for someone who'd never be as worried for me.' , can he?

Thankfully, the press conference doesn't take too long. And Joe barely has to say anything. He can hear people saying ‚why is he mad? He got a podium.'. Guess what, it's not the only thing which has happened to Joe today.

„Joe we want to go see Max in the hospital."

What's Cissy doing in the McLaren garage? Yeah wait. Makes sense now.

„Who's we?"

Cissy rolls her eyes. Why is Joe always interested in who's coming?

„Lando, Fiona, me, you and maybe Liron."

„Yeah why not?"

Joe doesn't know why he feels out of place while they drive to the hospital, it's like he detached from reality.

„Joe are you even listening?" Liron is laughing.

„No." Joe wants to laugh, he can't though.

„We want you to talk to Max. Apologize. Charles told me what you said to him in the Red Bull garage."

Joe's whole gut wrenches.

„Yeah." That's all he says before getting out of the car.

They're sitting in the hospital's hallway. Waiting for Lewis and Charles get out of the room.

The Red Bull employee who went with Max said it might be best if they went to see him first.

People think Max and Lewis hate each other, they truly don't. It's part of the job to have rivalries. But it's clear that Lewis feels guilty and that he's sorry. He's not inhuman.

Finally Lewis and Charles walk out, Lewis leaves. Charles leans against the wall.

„I think you guys can come in." he murmurs, watching them go.

„Hey Max, you okay?" Cissy quickly sits next to the chair next to the hospital bed.

„Yea. Just dizzy." Max forces a smile. Forcing an even bigger smile when he sees Joe.

„Mate I was so worried." Lando giggles, trying to cheer Max up somehow.

„Who won?" Max can't be real. As if that's his biggest worry.

„Lewis. But that's not important, Max." Liron shakes her head.

„I'm so fucking mad at him." Max scoffs.

Even when injured he can't do anything but brag.

„I'm pretty sure it wasn't his intention." Fiona tries to reassure Max. It definitely wasn't.

„But still." Max rolls his eyes.

Joe doesn't say anything the whole time as they talk.

When they're about to leave, Cissy slightly kicks his foot though. Telling him something like ‚if you don't fucking say something now, I'm going to kill you in your sleep.'

Joe didn't realize when they all went out of the room. He needs to say something. He feels like Cissy would hit him otherwise.

„I'm sorry, Max." Joe can't even look at him, looking down at the floor.

„It's okay. It's not your fault in the end."

Joe just nods and quickly leaves, he can't look at him. Or say another word.

„You better apologized." Liron says while they're walking down the hallway.

„Does an ‚I'm sorry' count as an apology?"

Liron rolls her eyes. „I guess so."

***

Joe feels awful, he can't sleep. He drank too much when he was with the others. A lot of time has passed, Joe feels like he's already sober again.

He checks his phone all the time. Just to see rumours about him and Cissy dating because he was at the Red Bull garage. Fucking stupid.

He's basically never dated anyone. He recently broke up with his girlfriend Lilly, it just didn't really fit anymore. And now people think he's dating Cissy. Makes no sense.

On the other hand there's also people saying him and George are dating for some reason? He doesn't think he likes George in that way. He could never even date him aswell.

He just has to giggle when he's with George, it's what boys do.

He did that with Arthur too. He still does. But it was a lot more when they were teens.

Arthur's just calling him. Joe picks up. Not because he has to, but because he actually wants to. Arthur is the only one he can talk to properly when he's in a mood.

„Mate congrats on your podium."

„Thanks."

Arthur's face changes, he knows something's up.

„What'd you do this time?"

„Dude I don't know. I told Max before the race I want him to crash. I said dumb stuff. And then he actually did and now he's in the hospital and I feel guilty for some reason."

„You didn't have to do anything with the crash." Arthur shrugs, but he understands where Joe is coming from.

„I know."

„I bet Max doesn't even care. He has a hard shell you know. Also he knows that you didn't tell Hamilton to make Max crash or something. Max may be creative, but he's not crazy."

„He kinda is though."

„Joeee" Arthur is almost whining.

„You're probably right though. I shouldn't worry."

„Mhm. You clearly shouldn't."

***
September 12 2021
Monza

Joe's winning. Why does he not feel like winning though. It's his first win, he should celebrate it. He doesn't feel like he wants to.

He doesn't even really know why.

He thinks he doesn't deserve it. He probably doesn't.

He gets out of the car, his muscles feel lump. He's supposed to feel adrenaline, he doesn't. His team hugs him, banging on his helmet, grabbing his arms and shoulders. He feels like his head might explode from how much it hurts.

„Joe you fucker, mate. You're amazing."

Lando's the only one who makes Joe smile right now. He's probably never hugged anyone so tightly. He's on the podium with Cissy and Lando, thankfully not Max. Max and Hamilton crashed, but they're both fine.

Joe doesn't expect Max to congratulate him on his first win. He kind of wants him to though. Everyone knows it won't happen though.

Cissy bangs on Joe's helmet with her palm, she almost has to jump to reach it. Joe quickly turns around and hugs Cissy. „You're sick, mate. How did you do that?"

„Mate I have no idea." Joe suddenly laughs. He hasn't done that all weekend. After getting Pole, he was full on concentrated. He's also feeling down for apparently no reason. He's been having panic attacks all weekend. He's not sure but he might've even had one on the last lap.

His Family comes to hug him, all of his 5000 siblings. (He has 5000 siblings according to Cissy)

When he's getting sprayed in champagne by Cissy and Lando, he feels like he might actually enjoy it. He didn't force his smile or laughter. He finally feels the adrenaline pumping in his veins when he sees how many fans are cheering him on.

He knows why Max always wants to win now. He understands. His mind can finally comprehend now.

He's walking through the paddock now, quick shower in his drivers room and then head to the conference. He has to shake a few hands on his way, accept a few hugs.

He's running away from the interviewers though.

„Joe."

Not that stupid dutchie.

„How much did you pay Bottas and Charles to let you win?"

Joe feels like his lungs are collapsing.

„Mad because of your dnf, hm? Max Crashstappen, that's how some people call you. Probably the truth."

They're standing way too close to each other, Joe can feel Max's annoying body heat burn through his fireproof.

„Nobody cares about your win. You'll be forgotten one day. Unnecessary f1 driver who's better than the average but not good enough to be world champion. Nobody cares about those drivers. And you're one of them."

Joe's body stings. Max calling him unnecessary must be a joke.

„You're not world champion yet. You're not the best to ever walk the planet. But your ego is too big for that, hm?"

Neither Max nor Joe noticed when they started pushing each other again. Like 5 year olds.

„I'll be a world champion. Please realize, Joey. It's not my fault you can't manage to be one."

It's so annoying when Max calls him Joey. Who gave him the permission?

„If you're so desperate to see me being a world champion, why don't you show me how it's done, Maxie?"

„Fine I'll show you."

„Fucking god, can you two stop? Everyone's looking at you." Cissy sounds like their mother and shoves Max away.

„Joe what were you even thinking?"

„It's Max's fault! He started being mean first!" Joe sounds desperate. He actually feels like his mom is scolding him after he argued with one of his siblings.

Cissy mimics Joe, making it overdramatic.

„You can argue with Max. But please Joe, do that in private and not in the middle of the paddock."

Joe wants to argue, but he's shoved away by Cissy. Urged to get his ass away from the cameras and go take a shower. Because he smells awfully like champagne and sweat, mostly sweat.

Joe feels like he actually might cry, he's walking fast. Walking with fast and big steps towards his drivers room.

Max can't let anyone else have anything. He needs to be the center of attention. Joe hates people like that.

He's trying to not make his lungs collab, stomach turn and heart get failure while thinking about Max.

His body feels weird whenever he's near Max. His sister said it might be his aura or something. Joe doesn't know what it means, but he'll just blame Max's aura.

Whenever talking to Max, he feels like his brain and heart might just completely shut off. And Max then rips them out of his dead body.

***
December 12 2021
Abu Dhabi

Max and Lewis are tied on points. This race decides it all, and Max can't think straight anymore.

„You think Joe wants you or Hamilton to win?" Charles just wants to start a conversation with Max, probably.

„Why are you even asking?" Max slightly smirks. „He doesn't care about me, he didn't even ask if I was alright after my crash in Silverstone."

„Mate he did." Charles sounds flabbergasted, as always.

„What?" Max is apparently just as flabbergasted.

„He asked if you were alright on his radio during the red flag."

Max doesn't know what to say.

His brain could be exploding right now perhaps.

„Weird." Max sighs.

***

„MAX VERSTAPPEN YOU ARE THE WORLD CHAMPION, THE WORLD CHAMPION"

Max is already crying into his helmet, his tears of joy might be soaking his balaclava.

He's jumping out of his car as soon as it's parked, running towards his team and basically jumping on them. He's still crying, he's pretty sure they know.

He feels like he could pass out any moment. It feels unreal to him. How is he world champion? How did he do that?

There's so many people at once, making him dizzy. He's overjoyed, never been that happy in his whole life. His heart must be racing, he can feel it everywhere.

„Congrats Max" is the only thing he hears for the next probably 10 minutes. It hasn't been 10 minutes, but it's felt like it.

He's only received hugs, from family, other drivers, red bull employees, even some employees from other teams.

„Max, Max don't cry." Lando hugs him tightly, he's crying into Lando's shoulder though. He's not sure if Lando isn't crying aswell.

When they loosen up, he sees Joe.

Joe wants to hug Max too, but it might seem weird. They've barely talked the whole weekend. So Joe rather gives Max a quick pat on the shoulder, it's an awkward half-hug. Max flashes him a smile though when Joe says „Congrats, world champion. You indeed did show me how it's done.", Max's never laughed at one of Joe's jokes. Now he has. He blames the adrenaline and overjoyment he feels.

He has to be on the podium now. Even though he'd rather continue hugging everyone.

Dutch flag wrapped around his shoulders, Max closes his eyes. Only hearing the cheering, fireworks.

He's suppressing his tears by now, smiling and waving the dutch flag with pride behind his back.

***

Max is almost passed out by how much he's been drinking. Everyone must be here, even Joe came. Max isn't surprised though, Joe likes drinking.

Max is shirtless, ‚champion' written on his chest with a marker. He doesn't know who wrote it or who took his shirt off. He can imagine it was Cissy and Liron.

He's in the corner of the room, sitting, or perhaps laying, on a couch. A bottle of vodka in his hand. You know it's bad when you're drinking from a bottle.

Max can barely make out any silhouette, but he can figure out who Joe is. Tall, thin and loud. Recognizable anywhere.

He looks closer, he can see that Joe is talking to George.

Max groans to himself. He can't stand their flirting. Like get a room. Stop annoying everyone around you with your gay ass flirting. They're both not even gay. Their flirting makes no sense.

„George come on you have to tell me." Joe is whispering into George's ear, they're totally flirting now. Joe can't deny it. But they're vodka drunk. It's absolutely fine.

He'd be lying if he said George isn't fucking fine. Joe feels like he might aswell just drool all over him by how good he looks when his hair is messy and gets curly from the dampness.

„I'm not sure, Joey." George giggles back, leaning closer towards Joe.

Joe's been begging George to tell him who Liron is crushing on. He's actually desperate to know, like they're in middle school.

„Pleaseee." Joe bites down on his bottom lip, he's not quite sure why. Maybe to seduce George in a non sexual way.

„She said she's been into two people at the moment."

„Tell me at least one person please." Joe feels weird begging like that, but he actually feels good at the same time. He's too drunk anyway, he's not even realizing how cringy he is.

„Victoria." George giggles into Joe's ear.

„Victoria Verstappen?" Joe's mouth is open, he knew Liron was bi. But Victoria? Actual Victoria Verstappen?

„Yeah. Not sure if she's even into girls though." George shrugs.

„Don't think so. Liron could try though." Joe is talking so slow, he always does when he's drunk. He's also dizzy from all the liquor he's been drinking.

He hasn't been eating, it makes the alcohol worse.

„Why don't you try it?"

„Hm?"

„Why don't you try flirting with Victoria?"

Is George insane? Crazy? Mentally ill?

„Max would fucking kill me."

„He'd do that anyway."

Actually. George is right. It'd be a good way to get revenge.

„Yeah." Joe nods. „I'll try flirting with her."

„You're insane, Joey." George giggles after him when Joe is already scanning the room for Victoria.

„Hey" Victoria doesn't know who could be talking to her now, there were some girls she was chatting with earlier. But otherwise no one talked to her.

She recognizes the boy in front of her somehow, she's too drunk to remember who it exactly is though.

„Hey" she smiles back.

„Got a date or here alone?"

He's cocky. But she kind of likes it. She can't resist that southern european accent.

„I'm alone." She shrugs, her cheeks becoming slightly rosy.

„How can a beautiful girl like you be alone?" He's smirking.

She rolls her eyes, smiling.

„No really. My ex looked like you, she was beautiful."

Normally, that'd be a turn off. But Victoria is too drunk.

„So are you here alone or do you have a date?" she decided it would be best to give the question back.

„I'm pretty much alone, I guess." He's closer to her now, leaning against the wall next to her.

„How can a handsome boy like you be alone?"

„Hm I don't know but you could be my company."

Victoria giggles. Those pick up lines are bad, so bad that they're funny.

„Can I kiss you?"

Victoria is slightly thrown off guard by that question. But she nods.

„Why not?"

She feels his hands on her cheek, lightly sliding into her hair. His lips are surprisingly soft, but he tastes like vodka and a lot of sweet liquor.

„Dude isn't that Joe and Victoria kissing?" Daniel gets Max out of his dreams.

Max is practically passed out on Daniel's lap. Thinking about everything and nothing at the same time. But that question makes Max sit up straight, scanning the room for Victoria and Joe.

„The fuck." Max comments when he spots them. It actually is Joe and Victoria. Max doesn't know what to say or do. Max is too drunk to fight with Joe now, he has to be responsible for once.

Victoria can kiss whoever she wants. But Joe can't have to audacity to just kiss Max's sister.

So what the actual fuck.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

September 2 2022
Zandvoort

Joe didn't exactly think that the whole world would know he kissed Max's sister, especially not when he was drunk. And also especially not after it's been almost a year. But Max's dutch army, dressed in some bright orange that hurts Joe's eyes, clearly can't forget about that. Besides he hasn't talked to Max's sister ever since and he doesn't think it's a big deal for her anyway. Max simply told Vic to never kiss Joe again, bragging and whining about how Joe is arrogant and a son of a bitch. And nothing else. Vic just laughed at it, telling Max not to worry and maybe get over his obsession about Joe.

„Joe didn't you have a girlfriend at the time you kissed Max Verstappen's sister? Are you a cheater? That's probably why Max doesn't like you."

Joe can't even walk towards paddock without the dutchies asking dumb questions and running after him, can he?

„That's not true. I broke up with my girlfriend some time before."

Thankfully Joe's taller than most of Max's army, so he can get out of this weird parade like thing easily and go to the paddock.

„Fucking hell, Max's dutch army is insane." Of course Joe has to whine about it to Cissy as soon as he sees her. Thankfully it's just free practice day, so they have some more time to talk.

„Dude we have those armies too at our home race."

„But at least my army isn't harassing Max." Joe's exaggerating, as always. They didn't harass him, just asking real dumb questions.

„Maybe they will soon though after you and Max decided to not care about pr training and almost kill each other in the cool down room. At basically every race until now."

Joe rolls his eyes. „My fans aren't dumb dutchies at least."

„GUYS I MADE A NEW FRIEND!"

Of course it's Lando. Who else.

He's shaking a brunette guy by his shoulders. Joe and Cissy don't know if he's terrified or just out of place. They know his face from somewhere.

„That's Oscar. Say hi Oscar."

„Hi"

„Sorry for his accent. He's australian." Lando whispers it like it's a secret.

„Boi he just said ‚hi'. He didn't have any accent while saying that." Cissy looks rather amused than confused, but it's probably a bit of both.

„Dude that's a child."

Joe's right. Oscar looks like a 12 year old. It's not like Joe doesn't either though.

„I'm not even a year younger than you."

„Oh he's sassy now." Lando giggles, finally letting go of Oscar's shoulders at least.

„So I was just walking down the paddock and then this guy almost ran me over. So we became friends. It truly was love at first sight...friendship at first sight."

„You're sure he wants to be your friend aswell, Lan?"

Lando's silent, looking at Cissy and not knowing if he should be sassy or not.

„Yes probably. It's not my fault you don't have any friends except us and I'm literally your boyfriend. I don't even count."

„Wow."

Oscar still looks terrified, staring at Joe like he wants him to help.

„Anyway he's at the shitty alpine team right now but I promised him a seat at Porsche next year."

„Wow Lando, I didn't know you were Porsche's team principal now." Joe's holding back a smirk while he says this.

„Funny, Joe. I'm not but I'll talk to Carlos and he can talk with the team principal then."

„You're insane." Cissy just shakes her head, it's almost like she's Lando's mom. He has to look after Lando and Joe basically all the time, she's scared the McLaren garage would burn down otherwise.

„Osc there you are! I'm literally running away from the Williams guys right now, i don't know 'bout you but Latifi is kinda scary."

American accent? Joe's basically never met an American on the paddock.

Oscar is giggling. „Oscar who is that?" Lando sounds jealous somehow. But he's probably not being serious. Because Cissy is already giggling.

„That's Logan. He's my best friend. He'll probably drive for Williams next season." Oscar's smiling. Joe is smiling too.

Joe doesn't crush on people fast, especially not guys. He's never had a crush on a guy. Also not on Logan now, obviously. He's got a new girlfriend anyway. But he has some charm that makes Joe's heart flutter. So he just has to smile. That's normal.

„You sure you want to be at Williams if you think they're scary?" Cissy's laughing.

„I mean...every other team already has an amazing driver line up and I can't get there so...and Alex is actually alright." Logan doesn't even seem sad about it. Williams isn't exactly the best team to be racing at as a rookie, we've seen George and Liron.

„Good luck then, boys." Cissy is normally a pessimist, but for other people's wishes and wants she's always an optimist. That's good for her personality, but not for her own self.

***

Joe's in his driver's room after FP2, staring at his phone. Instagram, a picture Kelly uploaded of her and Max kissing. Joe doesn't know exactly when he started feeling like throwing up, but he feels absolutely miserable right now.

„You okay?" it's Joe's girlfriend, Helena. Joe just nods, forcing a smile when he looks at her. „Max's just fucking annoying."

Helena pouts, playing with some strands of Joe's hair. „Maybe you should make up with him. He doesn't seem that bad to be honest."

Helena isn't the type of person to hate on anyone, so it doesn't make Joe feel better.

„We just don't get along." Joe shrugs, his heart still stings. And he doesn't even know why.

„You've never tried to get along though, have you?" Joe shrugs again.

May 3 2023
Miami

Race week hasn't begun yet, so Cissy, Lando, Fiona, Liron and Joe decided to go to the beach. Miami is just too warm, even if it's barely may. They spontaneously also took Logan and Oscar with them, and Oscar's bringing his girlfriend Emily. Also Max decided to come, he hesitated at first because of Joe. But why would he refuse go to the beach with some of his best friends because of stupid Joe?

So they're playing Volleyball at the beach, Cissy forced Joe and Max to be a team. Which he is actually thankful for, Max is shitty at any sport but Formula 1 and Joe is just good at everything.

Max doesn't understand how. He doesn't even wants to understand.

„Max can I go in a team with Joe now?"

He's never really talked to Logan until now. But he's surprisingly nice. He looks like a typical american frat boy, who's misogynistic and arrogant. But Logan is the complete opposite. He's kind of shy, polite and super introverted. Oscar's proud that Logan can at least talk to Alex without almost having a panic attack.

„Yea sure." Max smiles softly. He sits with Cissy and Emily.

He's never noticed how touchy Joe and Logan are with each other, giggling like 5 year olds.

„Are Joe and Logan close?" Max had the urge to ask Cissy.

„Yea they've gotten pretty close over winter break, Joe even slept at Logan's in London for a week after signing his contract in Silverstone."

Max feels like every single organ and vein just fell out of his body. He's not sure why.

„They're just best friends though, right?" Em giggles. Max is glad he didn't have to ask.

„I think so. Joe flirts with everyone, I guess, so they're nothing serious."

Max doesn't know why he's so fucking mean to everyone who even looks at Joe. After the last race in Baku, he even fought with George over nothing. Just because him and Joe are close. He can't stand their flirting.

It was his best friend Charles that decided to open Max's eyes and tell him that George has a fucking girlfriend and that Joe is as straight as a ruler.

He admires Charles for that, he's the only one being able to calm Max down a bit, he understands him so well and Max doesn't even has to say his problems out loud for Charles to know what's going on. He never even questioned why Max is jealous and Max is utterly thankful for that, because he doesn't know the answer either.

May 27 2023
Monaco

Monaco's always the hell of a weekend. But at least Joe gets to see Arthur again. They're just both to busy to see each other regularly but their friendship stays the same.

It's still kind of sad though, they used to say ‚together or nothing'. Arthur isn't mad at Joe for following his dream into F1 when he couldn't, he's rather disappointed in himself.

„You think you can score some points this weekend?" Arthur walks with Joe in the paddock.

„I don't know, mate. The car has been shit this year." Joe doesn't know if he wants to laugh or cry about it.

„Can't be worse than the Williams." Arthur giggles. Logan has had a tough season so far, same as Oscar though, who actually got the seat at Porsche. He thinks it'll get better though, Logan on the other hand says that he should just leave straight up, because he can't perform. He only sees the bad things in everything he does.

„It seems to be though." Joe thinks about leaving McLaren. But he knows he'll end up not leaving again because he can't just leave Lando like that.

„Just wait. Didn't they upgrade the car?"

„Yup. I'm not sure if I can trust Zak though."

Arthur giggles. „You shouldn't be so negative."

„I know."

***

Joe and Lando managed P2 and P3 in Qualifying, the McLaren team celebrates this like a win after their heavy start into the season.

„Come here boys, you two did an amazing job today."

Joe doesn't hug Zak often, thankfully.

He can stand Zak, he just doesn't enjoy hugging him. Him, Zak and Lando have been working together for a long time and probably will continue to, so Joe had to get along with him.

May 28 2023
Monaco

Both Joe and Lando had been able to save their podium seats after Cissy crashed. She hit the barriers short after the DRS zone, so she was going pretty fast. She's alright though, GP knew as soon as she started singing Bohemian Rapsody, the opera part.

That meant there was a red flag, but Joe had a good restart, so it's pretty much alright.

Joe couldn't get past Max though, the RB19 is still too fast.

He gets to the cool down room, sitting down next to Max. They don't say a word.

„Cissy's crash looked bad." Joe doesn't know why he's starting a conversation, probably because there's cameras everywhere and he doesn't want it to be awkward.

„GP told me she's fine. Looked worse than it actually was."

„I'm glad."

Max nods „Me too."

It's stupid how good his hair looks after a race, Joe doesn't want to look at it for too long. He doesn't want Max to think he's gone totally insane.

September 17 2023
Singapore

Max had already been furious since last weekend in Monza. Max is always furious of course. But especially in the past 10 days.

Joe won in Monza. Again. Max can't seem to beat him in fucking Monza because Joe has a full papaya and italian flag colored army out there in Monza. Imola isn't even half as bad as Monza.

Even though Max won basically every other race this year, and he's pretty sure of his title, it still makes him mad.

Cissy won two races earlier this year.

It's not like Max doesn't love seeing Cissy win. But not winning means being one of many losers and Max gets sick to his whole body when he just thinks about it. And Cissy isn't easygoing as a teammate on track, so Max really had to push. But he somehow managed to win every race except 3 until now.

That does make him proud.

Even if he doesn't look like it.

And in Qualifying yesterday, Max didn't even make it to fucking Q3 because of stupid Liam Lawson.

He actually likes Liam, he's nice to him and Max likes that he isn't as...energetic. Like Joe.

But couldn't Liam just give in to Max and let him into Q3? Have some respect for the world champion.

And that actually gives Max a severe headache. He's starting from 11th position, that hasn't happened in about a year probably. Max definitely isn't worried about not being in the points, he'll surely come far. And he's never been a pessimist, especially not in the last 3 seasons. But his dad is going to give him another big speech about him being a failure and not good enough if he doesn't get a podium. And all that just because Joe's papaya army distracted Max in Monza and because some fucking AlphaTauri guy, who's basically a 5 year old, kicked him out of Q3. Besides that, Joe got pole. And that makes everything 100 times worse.

Now he's absolutely going out of Joe's way. He doesn't want his annoyingly perfect looking hair to ruin his day. Max could pass out and die on the floor of his driver's room just thinking about Joe's hair. And he feels like he might get ear cancer the next time he hears Joe talking, he sounds like a 14 year old who just started puberty.

And Lando has been going on his nerves as well for some reason. Cissy can't even talk about anything else at the moment, something about her and Lando's family, Max couldn't even follow the reason why something is happening because he kept zoning out while Cissy was talking. He actually likes listening to Cissy, but sometimes his little dutch brain can't handle it.

There's always about 23 people talking to him at the same time so he just has to sit and nod, zoning out and coming back later when he's finally getting some privacy.

Cissy also still holds contact to Max's ex, Kelly, Max thinks it's kinda weird. Still seeing her around the paddock. But Cissy can be friends with whoever she wants, he doesn't really care. Him and Kelly didn't even break up because of something absolutely tragical, so it's fine still seeing her. He just sometimes felt like she was using him for fame, so he spoke to her about it and they quickly decided to give their relationship a rest. No big drama like most people think. It's absolutely not a big deal for Max.

He doesn't even know if he actually liked her that much, perhaps he's just trying to get rid of his mommy issues by dating older women, but it ends up only making it worse. He's working on it though.

„What's wrong, Max?" Cissy sighs, getting Max back to reality.

„This week's just been tough, you know."

It's not only been tough for Max, the whole Red Bull team had problems this week. Cissy barely made it to Q3, there was some sort of engine failure like Max had aswell. So it's not gonna be easy for them to get a podium this weekend.

„I mean...at least we probably won't crash so everything's fine?"

Neither Cissy nor Max know how to hold a proper conversation about feelings, always making jokes about it, distracting from the actual topic.

„I'm not the one having a problem with all this. It's my dad."

Cissy makes a little pout, looking away. Jos has always been a big topic for them. Besides Vic and Charles, Cissy is the only one who knows the whole truth to Max's childhood and earlier teenage years.

And that topic is a fucking mood killer.

„You should try breaking contact with him."

„I'm trying."

Max feels the urge to cry, his throat feels lump. He knows that feeling too well. But he can't cry now. Not here in the middle of the Red Bull garage. Not so short before a race start.

If he cries during the race, he could might aswell just drench the car in his tears. Max doesn't cry often anymore, because he hates it. But when he does, it'll soak his shirt, his nose will be running and his cheeks and eyes are colored in deep pink.

That would just distract him during the race. Normally every feeling just goes away when he's in race mode. But he doesn't even feel like he's in race mode right now, it feels off.

Cissy's getting ready to put her helmet on. „Just don't crash your car, mate. Then you'll be just fine."

She's just trying to cheer herself up. A bad weekend for the Red Bull team automatically means a bad month for Cissy. Joe, Leonie and Lando tell her to get rid of that negative attitude towards her success and emotions. But she just can't, she tries. She can't.

A bad weekend for Red Bull is a good weekend for Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes though.

Joe, who's got Pole, and Fiona, who qualified P2, definitely have chances to win. Ferrari still has the better car, but Joe trusts his strategists to not fuck up.

„Who do you think is going to win tonight?" George has been asking the whole grid, he's made a bet with Liron. „Probably not Max. I think Fiona, if I'm honest." Charles is just being realistic.

„You think?"

„Yeah. She doesn't listen to our strategists."

George has to smirk about it, that's so typically Fiona.

Joe's walking past, he looks way too stressed for George's liking.

„Joeyyy" George quickly pulls Joe back by his shoulder.

„Stressed?" Charles smirks.

„Yeah, Charlie. Not as stressed as you though."

Charles shakes his head, he thought he was hiding his stress well. Apparently not.

„Just don't get distracted by us Ferrari's passing by. You can be P3." Charles giggles, desperately trying to hide how worried he is about the McLaren's.

Joe rolls his eyes and nods. „You're not going to get rid of me that easily."

„Everyone knows, Joe." George holds back his awfully annoying grin.

„Don't worry, George. Maybe one day you'll be one of my worthy opponents."

George's mouth is now open, playing to be shocked.

***

The last 10 laps, worst laps in every race besides the start. Joe had to pit and fell back onto P5, just right before Max. It was pretty easy for Max to go from P11 to P6 but getting past Charles is hard. And when Joe fell back to be in front of him, it got even worse. Joe won't even give him proper space.

Lap 60, turn 1. Max and Joe were going faster than they should into the turn. They're both impulsive and ambitious, meaning that both of them wouldn't slow down to get past the other. Max's right back tyre didn't have enough grip, colliding with Joe. It made Max's wheel go on top of Joe's, spinning both of them into the wall, Joe even faster than Max.

Max was basically fine, he's a little dizzy. He can barely see Joe's car though.

The McLaren flipped over to the side, stuck between broken barriers. Max is honestly relieved the halo exists, Joe would probably be dead right now if it didn't.

Before Max can get himself out of the car, there's already a team somehow helping Joe out of the barriers. Not easy with his long legs tangling everywhere. He shows everyone that he's fine with a thumbs up. He's not quite sure if he should walk over to Joe, it would probably make everything worse. So he rather just stays where he is.

Max feels bad, worse than silverstone. Not physically. He feels bad because he didn't only ruin his own race, but also Joe's. And it's totally going to make the media, his dad, his team and Joe mad. And it's making him mad too, 3 years ago he would've kicked a wall now. But he's matured.

Joe looks like he could pass out any moment, three people holding him by his arms. His neck keeps failing to hold his head up straight, considering how much neck muscles he has, that's odd.

Max didn't realize when his stupid feet started walking towards stupid Joe.

„Joe, I'm sorry." Max sounds whinier than he actually is.

Joe uses some of his last force to push Max away with one hand. Great. Max feels even worse now.

***

Joe made it out alive in the end though. Had to stay overnight at the hospital because of his dizziness but that's all. His girlfriend was with him, so he felt much better. The others came to visit him, even Max. But they barely said anything to each other.

Joe's mad at him. Of course he is. But it was also dumb of him to not leave any space.

The Red Bull team on the other hand weren't as mad as Max thought they'd be. Christian basically just told him it wasn't his fault and held a speech about his relationship with Joe and that they need to make up.

Jos thankfully wasn't in the paddock this weekend and Max was able to just ignore his calls. He already cried the other night about feeling guilty and he really doesn't need another night of his pajama pants being tear-soaked from when he's sobbing into his knees.

***

„Fuck I hate Max" Joe complains to his girlfriend, he's literally only been crying the last days. Having too many panic attacks. Not because of Max of course. He just simply feels shitty right now, he doesn't even know why he's crying most of the time. But Max makes it all worse, he's not the main reason Joe's depressed in the last few days. But even small things trigger Joe now.

Helena gives him a big sigh. She looks like she's about to say something, but then thinks again.

„Joe. Please be honest with me."

Joe sits up, he's stressed now.

„You and Max. Don't you think that's all kind of odd. I mean..." she trails off, shrugging her shoulders and looking at her hands resting in her lap.

„what?" Joe's genuinely confused.

„I don't want you to be in a relationship with me just because you feel like you have to. You don't want to be yourself and I don't want you to think that way."

„What the fuck do you mean?" Joe doesn't know where the ‚fuck' came from, but it made him sound mad.

Helena sighs again and looks at him, sitting up.

„Because I'm a girl. I don't want you to date me just because I'm a girl."

„I don't like Max like that. I don't like him at all."

„This isn't about Max anymore, Joe."

Joe's even more confused, it triggers him. „So you're breaking up?"

Helena's silent and then she nods. „I'll be there when you need something. Whatever it is, I'll be glad to help you. Especially your mental health. You're a great guy, I promise. I'm not breaking up because I don't love you anymore, but because I feel like you never truly loved me."

Joe swallows, and then nods. „Alright."

November 18 2023
Las Vegas

„Dude how the fuck did you come past me?" Cissy's laughing, giving Joe a half hug for his P2. Of course, Max won again, but Cissy isn't bothered at all.

„I honestly don't know. Maybe this british shitbox is able to deliver properly now." Joe screams through his helmet for Cissy to hear. He points to his car.

Cissy giggles, then also giving Max and Lando a quick hug. Lando crashed, but he's totally fine and told Cissy ‚he feels better now because at least his girlfriend stands on the podium.'

Joe makes a disgusted face when they kiss, but then smirks when Cissy turns around.

„You look like a clown, by the way."

Red Bull made special suits for Las Vegas.

„Shut up."

It's weird that they have to get into a car instead of getting into the cool down room.

It's especially weird, that Max keeps pressing himself against Joe, basically trying to sit on his lap. Cissy's chilling, she has enough space.

But Joe is fighting for his damn life right now. They start talking about the race and that Lando crashed. But that quickly changed to talking about the party later.

„Y'all Las Vegas is just too crazy, we need to make a night we'll never forget." Cissy says it too loud, probably forgetting they're on live tv.

„Yea mate you'll just smoke weed though." Joe is at least able to whisper, having to lean over max though. Max giggles, totally odd.

Max never laughs at Joe's jokes. He's probably just laughing because he's feeling too much adrenaline right now, he may be winning almost every race, but he's still dazed when he wins. Every single time. He'll giggle and laugh, and he'll not be able to sit still. Just like Joe.

Cissy always says that Max and Joe are more similar to each other than they think, they both say it's insane and delusional, which proves Cissy's point.

„So not true."

„Guys I think Logan will be pretty good in those casino games." Max changes the subject randomly. Seems like there's been no media training in this limousine at all.

„Why's that?" Cissy giggles with a slightly thrown off look.

„Dude he grew up with that. He's from America, darlin', they doin' that here." Joe puts on a forced texas accent. Las Vegas isn't even in Texas. And Logan isn't from Texas either. But they all laugh about it, they sound like minions.

***

Joe isn't playing one of these stupid casino games with the others anymore, he feels too empty for some reason. He's not tired, but he's not fully awake either.

He's sitting with Arthur nearby, watching the others play Poker or weird other games. He's way too drunk and high to pay attention to the games anyway. Apparently Cissy is too, because she comes stumbling towards Arthur and Joe, sitting down at the table.

„You guys still got some...?" She's making a hand sign, she's most definitely talking about weed.

„Mate." Arthur laughs, basically lying in his chair already.

Joe giggles too and hands some to Cissy. „Where do y'all get this from anyway?" Arthur keeps shifting in his seat. He's pretty much upside down by now.

„And F1 drivers aren't even allowed to smoke anything, aren't you?" Arthur keeps talking when no one answers him.

„Who cares. It's Vegas."

„People make sure the FIA doesn't know about certain stuff."

Arthur sighs. „Okay. I swear if this is gonna be a scandal, don't tell my mom I was high too."

„We won't." Joe leans more towards Arthur. „You just have to make sure Charles doesn't."

„Pff I'm just gonna play one round of poker and let him win." Arthur gets up, trying to walk normally towards Charles, who's sitting next to Max.

Max gets up and Arthur takes his seat, that confuses Joe. He's too high to make a protest though.

„Mate, why are you here now?" Cissy giggles, looking up at Max. Joe looks at them, lying in his chair aswell.

„Arthur said he wants to play poker against Charlie and there wasn't any space left at the table." Max sits next to Joe. Why the fuck next to Joe?

„CISSSYYY CMON JUMP N DANCE" Lando screams, he came out of nowhere, pulling Cissy with him and leaving Max and Joe alone.

Joe gets tense in his seat, so he just drinks more tequila.

He feels Max's burning eyes on him, so he doesn't look in his direction.

„Joe?" Why would Max whisper like that? It makes Joe's whole body tingle, it could be from the alcohol and weed though.

„Why are you so tense? I think you need more alcohol." Max is so close, Joe feels like Max is everywhere around him.

„I'll even buy you a drink."

All Joe can get out is a muffled „mhm". Is Max flirting with him?

Joe doesn't know where these minutes went but he's chugging down drink by drink with Max.

„By the way I'm not mad about Singapore. It was clearly my fault."

Joe giggles, is the 3 time world champion Max Verstappen actually admitting that something was his fault right now? That's bizarre. This belongs into history books.

„It's fine, I promise."

Max bites down on his lip, Joe's eyes are immediately drawn there. He's never noticed how soft Max's lips are. There's some drivers whose lips aren't as smooth as Max's.

„Where's your girlfriend?"

„We broke up." Joe looks at Max's eyes again, he's taking too many risks. Max's eyes are blue greyish, like a storm at sea. Joe loves that kind of view.

„That's sad."

Joe giggles for some reason, his vision is almost blurry by now and he can't sit without almost falling from his chair. Max notices that and giggles too.

„Joe can I sit on your lap?"

Joe laughs, quickly looking at Max to see if he's joking or not. But he's giggling, biting his lip again and leaning towards Joe.

„Max, I swear, if the FIA finds out." Joe's trailing off, leaning back in his chair with his legs in a man spread, still laughing.

„Who cares? It's Vegas." Max's body is already pressed against Joe's side.

Joe already heard that sentence today. He can't even remember who said it though, there's not a single thought in his brain right now.

„Don't you have a girlfriend?" Joe murmurs into Max's ear.

„She doesn't care. She knows how hot I think you are."

Joe's cheeks get coloured in pink at that sentence. He shifts and adjusts in his seat now, Max uses that chance and sits down on Joe's lap.

And Joe likes it. Thankfully, Max is faced away. So Joe can't get any dumb ideas.

„Max what if-„ Joe tries to protest but Max shuts him off. „Who cares? I've sat on Danny's lap a thousand times."

***

Joe wakes up, at least he's in his hotel room, and he's alone. He doesn't remember a single thing from last night, the last thing he can recall is the podium, that's where it starts to get blurry. He's only dressed in Boxershorts, which is kind of cold, so Joe groans.

His eyes flash to the ground, a red bull shirt.

It's not Cissy's number 64.

But there's no one here. Joe's utterly confused, all his muscles hurt, even his eyes and his brain hurt. Amd there's a fucking Red Bull shirt on the floor of his hotel room with the number 1 on it.

Joe even looked into the bathroom, there's no one. So either Max already left, he was here last night or someone's playing a prank on him.

Joe is fucking praying they didn't do anything what would lead to a weird sex scandal. He can't remember which shirt he wore yesterday, so he can't check if it's still here or not.

November 26 2023
Abu Dhabi

Another year without a championship for Joe. Well, it's been clear since half the season that Max was going to win. But it still kind of hurts to know that this was the last race of the season and Max fucking won again. Joe and Cissy might be on top of the drivers championship aswell, but they can't even seem to get near Max.

They're happy for Max. At least Cissy is. Joe probably is too, but he acts like he's mad and jealous.

Joe gets out of the McLaren after he'd parked it behind the 3. He gets the congratulations for his podium from the team and heads to the interviews.

Post race stress is a different kind of stress when you're on the podium. Sure, it's fun to be on the podium. But you're going to have to most stressful 30 minutes of your life right after.

Joe's chatting with Cissy while Max is giving his short interview.

„You think we should go and see Logan after the podium?"

Joe's flabbergasted for a moment. „Why?"

„Well, you know, his season hasn't been the best. He doesn't even have a seat for next season yet. I just thought we could invite him to the after season party. It could help him." Cissy's murmuring like it's a secret.

Joe quickly nods. „We should invite osc too."

„Oh yes, getting the band back together."

***

The after season dinner is always kind of weird. Joe doesn't know who came up with the idea to sit Joe next to Max, but as soon as he finds out, he'll headbutt them.

At least Alex could convince Logan to come too. Logan isn't the most social person on the grid, that's for sure. So Alex's really proud he decided to show up despite that.

And Cissy made sure Logan sits next to Alex and Oscar and across Joe, the ones he's closest with. Oscar and Logan don't really talk anymore, so the group decided it's an actual mission now to get Loscar back together.

„Why didn't you bring your girlfriend, Osc?" Lando teases him for some reason, Cissy hits his knee under the table.

„She's kind of sick, she would've loved to come though." Oscar smiles, fidgeting with his hair while Logan looks at him.

„Tell her we would've loved her to be here." Cissy politely smiles. She's polite to her fucking friends. That's odd, but no one questions it.

„Guys no. Remember the rules. No people at after season dinner that aren't on the grid." Joe's definitely kind of joking. They did sat that rule, but it's not even a very serious rule.

„Just because your girlfriend broke up with you." Lando giggles and Cissy gives his knee another hit.

Joe rolls his eyes. „Logan doesn't have a girlfriend either, don't come at me, Lan."

Logan doesn't know if he should be giggling or having a panic attack right now.

„Logan's a green flag at least. Unlike you, Joe."

Oscar became way too sassy in the last months.

Logan smiles, he hasn't heard Osc talk about him in a while.

Max smirks aswell, and Joe rolls his eyes at it.

Honestly, Max didn't know that Joe and his girlfriend broke up, but he thinks it's kind of funny. He wonders what the reason is. Maybe she's mad because of what Max did in Las Vegas. Max can hardly remember that night, maybe Joe even told him that his girlfriend broke up with him. Or maybe that just happened in Max's dream. He truly can't remember. Max woke up in his own hotel room but he was wearing a McLaren hoodie. Liam, who wasn't as drunk as everyone else that night, told him that Lando took Max's and Joe's shirt off and swapped them when they were dancing.

So Max is definitely relieved, Joe might be handsome. But he'd never fuck him, especially not when they're both drunk. It'd be like taking advantage of him, it would be weird.

Also, for once, Max is not ready to start an argument with Joe. He knows the group wants Oscar and Logan to talk again, so he rather stays quiet and talks with Danny for a while. It does annoy him that he has to sit next to Joe, but he doesn't want to ruin a Loscar moment.

***

The after party is way better than the dinner, everyone agrees. Way more people, it's louder. And funnier.

Joe loves it. Logan kind of hates it, but at least Oscar does aswell.

That's why Oscar found him outside behind the bar, where it's quiet. And it doesn't smell like sweat, weed and alcohol.

„Hey" Oscar just murmurs, he's unsure how to talk to Logan after they haven't talked for basically a year.

„Hey" Logan doesn't really look up, he's staring at blank air. He feels a sting in his stomach when Oscar talks to him. He thought it'd go away if he drunk more alcohol, so he basically threw his drink down his throat.

„Got a seat for next year yet?"

That made the sting in Logan's stomach hurt even more. Why would he ask that? Does he want Logan to feel bad?

„No." Logan shakes his head, biting on the insides of his cheeks.

„Don't you think Williams is gonna take you for another season?"

Logan leans his head back, Oscar looks at him. And that gives Logan a severe headache.

„I was fucking shit. So I'm not sure, Oscar."

Oscar feels that sting in his stomach aswell now. Why did Logan pronounce his name like that and why did he even call him ‚Oscar'? He hasn't called him Oscar since they've met. He's always been ‚Osc'.

He doesn't even know what to respond now. It'd be weird to give him a lecture about how he isn't shit. They haven't talked since way too long.

„Alright, Logan." He says it in the same tone as Logan, even though he feels like it didn't sound as badass. Oscar goes away right after, he doesn't like it when Logan is pissed.

Basically, Logan is never pissed. But sometimes he is, and it made Oscar feel bad when they were kids already.

He's truly sorry he left Logan behind. But he had a career to build at Porsche. He had to choose that over Logan.

February 21 2024
Pre season testing
Bahrain

The last time Max and Joe talked was when Max held a party for his 3rd championship after Abu Dhabi. And Joe just told him he was happy for him and that he'll be right behind him in 2024. Max expected more. A simple ‚yea I'm happy for you' isn't good enough for Max.

He knows he won't be getting something better from Joe. Joe probably doesn't even have the right vocabulary for that.

Max feels really good being back, despite not liking everyone on the grid, it's good to see them. Especially Daniel.

Max didn't have a lot of time to talk to him last season since he wasn't driving at first and then broke his wrist. Daniel was one of the very few people that Max could trust aswell, they just don't really talk about Jos because Max knows that Danny's mental health isn't the best either. So he'd rather come to Daniel with other problems. Like his love life.

Danny barely dates people, but he always knows how to help when Max needs it.

„Good to be back?" Daniel's smile is big. Max loves it, he's already giggling about it.

„Yeah, absolutely."

„Brought no girlfriend?"

„Not this year, no." Max's still giggling, he always giggles when Daniel talks. Actually, not just when he talks, but also when he laughs, trains or simply when he's actually just standing next to Max.

Max would be lying if he said Daniel isn't quite attractive. He's got no shame in it. Daniel was some sort of his bi awakening. But it surely wasn't a real crush.

„A boyfriend then?" Daniel makes it sound more like a statement than a question.

„First of all, shhh. Second of all, no."

Max still isn't outed to the public, he's not sure what kind of things would change.

He's told Jos though, he reacted less negative than Max thought he would. He said it's not the best thing to be bi as a F1 world champion, but he also said he never really cared about Max's sexuality, as long as they don't like the Mercedes team, they're fine. That surprised Max. In a good way. He wanted to hug his dad in that moment, but then he recalled that he'd probably regret it.

„That's weird. You know if I was a girl or gay I'd totally smash you. No hesitation."

Max laughs, blushing as if Daniel is his middle school crush.

„You're not the only one, I think. But you know there's more to me than just my looks, I have a personality too."

„Meh." Daniel teases, shrugging his arms.

***

„You look so stressed, man. It's just pre season testing bro."

That's the thing. Logan is always stressed. But it hasn't been like that forever.

When Oscar started to repeatedly score points and podiums, he started to ignore Logan. It's not like Logan isn't proud of Oscar, he loves seeing him succeed and be happy.

But did he have to start ignoring Logan just because his performance wasn't as good as his'?

It just makes Logan feel like he's done something wrong, something that made Oscar get mad at him. But he wouldn't even know what made Oscar upset if it was that case.

At least Logan's got Alex and Joe. He's not sure if Cissy and George can stand him, he feels so out of place when talking with them. He feels like everyone just wants him gone.

Logan should stop thinking about it so much when being in the Williams garage. It'd be absolutely embarrassing to cry now, everyone would suddenly give him attention. He hates that.

„I don't know, Alex. I'm probably just nervous."

„Nothing to be nervous about. Our car is as shitty as always."

That makes Logan smirk, even if it should be something to upset him. Alex has a seat, because Alex already proved himself worthy of being in Formula 1. Logan hasn't. So if the car is shit, Logan won't be able to improve. And that'll make him lose his seat.

James is starting to lose a little bit of patience now. He knows that Logan is trying his best. But sometimes trying your best just isn't good enough, and that makes Logan's heart cramp.

Logan has always been a person to not talk that much. He rather lets Alex and his girlfriend Lilly talk to him nonstop, so he just has to giggle and listen. Actually, he loves to have conversations. But he rather just wouldn't talk at all, he feels like people would judge him less if he did. They wouldn't make fun of him, Call him ‚way too emotional and whiny'.

„No Logan, actually. Is something wrong? You seem sad." Alex speaks quieter now, almost a whisper. Logan's thankful, he hates when all eyes are on him. He used to like that in F2. Now he hates it.

„Mate, I'm just really tired." Logan forces a little smile.

„Hm, okay."

Alex sounds so disappointed.

Logan doesn't know why. He feels even worse now.

***

It was a bad idea for Joe to come to the Red Bull garage. He had no idea Jos would be there.

He wanted to give Max his Red Bull shirt back, sure, he has plenty of them. But he doesn't want to keep Max's Las Vegas Red Bull shirt.

But he didn't want to talk with Jos. And it was also a bad idea to hold the Red Bull shirt in his hand, for everyone to fucking see.

„What are you doing here?"

Joe understands why everyone says Jos' voice is annoying now.

„Max lost his shirt last year in Vegas. I wanted to give it back."

Jos already snatched it out of Joe's hand.

„Why would he lose his shirt? And why do you have it?"

Could he stop asking so many questions?

„Yea it's fine, it's really fine. Just go back, dad." Joe doesn't know where Max came from. The Red Bull garage has such weird architecture.

Jos quickly left for some reason, like he's the one scared of Max and not the other way around.

„I'm sorry about my dad. Really." Max can't even look at him when talking to Joe ever since Vegas. As if what happened at Vegas was that bad.

„It's fine."

There's a short silence between them.

„So good luck this season." Joe says it in such an awkward way, he's cringing already as he's playing it back in his head.

„Yea, you too."

„I'll be right on your back." Joe smirks, almost proudly. Max thinks it's arrogant. But he's amused.

„You won't." Max is shaking his head, laughing just a little tiny bit while Joe leaves.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

March 2 2024
Bahrain

First race of the season and Max won. Who else?

It's already pissing Joe off. Because him and Lando are sitting in Zak's office, they always have to go and see him after the first race of the season. And it's only making it worse after Red Bull scored P1 and P2.

Lando and Joe aren't optimistic. On one hand, it's part of their humor to trash McLaren because there's still teams who are better than theirs. But on the other hand, they're kind of pissed off too.

Both of them don't know why they keep signing these McLaren contracts, they both want to leave.

Lando wants his first win with McLaren, that's kind of a reason why he's staying. Joe doesn't want to let his best friend alone, his heart wouldn't allow it. He wants to celebrate that first win with Lando, he doesn't want to watch Lando celebrate with his ‚future' teammate.

„We used to be better than P5 and P6."

„It's the first race of the season, Lando."

Zak keeps being optimistic about McLaren, Joe could fucking vomit from it.

He's not in the mood for arguing with Zak though. He doesn't feel like talking at all.

It's been empty, his heart, his joy. His mom keeps trying to tell him it's just seasonal depression, on one side that's true.

But also, Joe's also had depressed episodes in summer. He's supposed to enjoy summer to the fullest, go partying with his friends, live the f1 season. He didn't really do that last summer, rather stayed in his hotel, slept for hours on end and only got up to tear himself into that stupid papaya orange f1 car that just made his eyes burn away from how bright it was.

It took a turn just a few days before the Grand Prix in Spa. Drinking away cocktails with Logan and Cissy was funnier than he thought it would be. That's basically what they did all summer break, Joe hadn't been one day sober around that time. They smoked so much weed that Joe actually thought his eyes were going to stay red forever. He made some stupid decisions, Cissy and Logan rather stayed out of that though.

He was manic, Joe's aware. He hates to admit it though, he hates to admit that something isn't right with his mental health and he has a feeling nobody cares anyway. These episodes of ups and downs are only getting worse with time and he's telling no one. Sometimes he can't sleep for 2 days straight and on some other days he can't get up, doesn't have the energy to even get up to eat. The others keep telling him to see a damn therapist, Joe rather focuses on racing. Pleasing his team.

„Still. We should improve as soon as possible if we want this stupid team to win at least once."

Joe looks at Lando, he's not sure why he's so pissed off. Rather staying silent, Joe just looks at Zak. Lando and him want that stupid guy gone.

„I'm working on it. Besides, it's a way better start than last year. Joe will win as soon as possible, I promise."

Joe immediately looks at Lando, who's knitting his eyebrows. So Joe does the same thing, looking at Zak with the same look on his face. Was mentioning Joe in that sentence necessary? As if Lando didn't have the potential to win aswell. Joe's throat is all in knots.

Who said Joe was going to win a race this season anyway? He's tired of it all. Doing what Zak wants at all times, and Joe won't even complain.

He's doing what he's told. Just a little marionette, a damn puppet, for Zak, pulling on the strings however he wants to and Joe's silent during the whole process. Accepting his faith as if he doesn't have his own will. ‚Zak wouldn't make it without Joe.' but what if Joe won't make it if he keeps neglecting himself for other people?

„Are we done now?" Joe's leg is bouncing already, he wants to get on that stupid jet and cry while flying to Jeddah.

„Yes. We are done." Lando and Joe never ran out of Zak's office faster. That's not true, they probably did when they were high on weed last year in Zandvoort. They obviously weren't during the race, but a few days before and after the race.

„We're flying to Jeddah in a jet with the Porsche boys by the way. Forgot to tell you, mate."

Joe groans audibly. „You're kidding?"

„Sadly not. But come on bro, it's Chili and Osc."

„You know I've not been in the mood for anyone at the moment."

Lando pouts, walking a little faster towards their driver rooms.

„I know. But I'm sure you can cry your heart out to them aswell." Lando grins up at Joe. Rolling his eyes, Joe has to smirk though.

„Look at that smileeee!"

„Shut up mate." Joe pushes Lando to stumble against the wall.

***

„Dad I fucking won the race."

Max is glad he can stand up against his dad by now. He's not a stupid child or teen anymore who was just too insecure and scared to fight back.

„But you kept making mistakes on turn 6. You better fucking practice."

Max is rolling his eyes at his dad, why is he always in his driver's room in the first place? It's supposed to be a private room for the drivers and Jos comes in here as if he was still the one racing.

„You're just sad I can achieve what you never managed to."

Shouldn't have said that, Max is immediately quiet.

„Think about what you dare to say to me, Max. Afterwards we can talk this out again." At least Jos left Max's drivers room now.

Talk it out? More like, Jos is going to scream at Max.

Max is actually so tired that his eyes might fall out, he'll just sleep on his jet.

It's knocking on that stupid thin door now. Max rolls his eyes. „Yeah?" he tries to sound calm, he probably does. It could be someone he doesn't want to be mad at, like Cissy or Charles.

The door opens, thank god it's the familiar red suit that Max sees.

„I hope I didn't disturb you or something. I just wanted to congratulate you on your first win of the season." Max has to giggle at Charles' politeness, they're best friends and Charles is acting like he's one of Max's 13 year old fans.

„Don't worry, it's fine. Thanks, Charles. You did great too by the way."

„Thanks." Charles smiles. „Max, is your dad mad at you?"

Max actually has to curl up in a ball and cry now.

„He always is."

Charles pouts, unsurely pulling Max into a hug. „You know you shouldn't care about his opinion."

„Yes, I know. It's hard to actually do it though."

„Fake it till you make it then." Charles giggles and Max quite literally rolls his eyes at his best friends' dumbness. „Charles, I'd love to chat and stuff but I really have to get on my jet. Let's hang out in Jeddah though, yeah?"

Charles looks at Max with the softest puppy expression ever and nods. „Don't do anything stupid on your jet just because you're sad though."

„I'm not sad?"

„Whatever. Just call me if you need anything."

„I will." Max reassures Charles. He doesn't want his best friend's poor heart to worry. Max is fine, he really is. Well, at least he's as fine as he can be. And he's never been the type to start drinking too much or doing other stupid things when he's sad, so he doesn't understand where Charles' worry is coming from.

Charles is a very empathetic and emotional person in general, that's probably why he worries about everyone's feelings. Max thinks it's cute. Everyone needs a Charles in their life, and Max is happy to know he's found just the right one.

***

Being on the same flight as the Porsche boys might not be as bad as Joe thought it would be. He's tired, feels like he can't even talk judging by how bad his throat hurts. But Carlos and Lando just play weird video games for the whole flight and Joe's grateful for Oscar being a quiet person in general.

He can tell that Oscar is kind of tense, but he blames it on the race, otherwise it's none of his buisness either and he's not here to annoy Oscar. So he rather won't question it.

„Joe are you still...good with Logan?" Joe did realize that Oscar said something, but he couldn't hear it through his headphones, so he takes them off. „Hm?"

„I was asking if you and Logan were still friends."

„Yea, why?"

Joe knows the kind of face Oscar makes right now. It's the kind of face someone makes when they want to cry themselves to sleep about it but can't because other people might judge them for it or call them dramatic. So they try to play it cool when telling someone.

„He's been kind of weird to me since last summer. I don't know what I did to make him upset and I want to apologize. But I need him to tell me what he's mad for."

Joe's fidgeting with the weird toy that Lando left on the table. It was in the kids cereal Lando bought yesterday. But Joe's still listening.

„You should try talking to him when you're alone then. Not in the paddock or something, he's always stressed in the paddock so you'd probably just get him irritated. Maybe when we're hanging out."

Oscar frowns. „I tried. Last year in abu dhabi. I just asked him if he already had the seat at williams but he got upset and called me ‚oscar'. Why would he call me that? He hadn't done that since 2012. it's so annoying, I was trying to be nice and he got mad at me for nothing."

Joe has to hide a smirk, Oscar sounds like he's talking about some middle school crush. Except that logan and oscar aren't crushing on each other, well, kind of, but in a friend kind of way.

„I think he's a little upset that you started ignoring him when you two got into F1."

„It wasn't my intention to ignore him. I obviously didn't ignore my best friend on purpose. But every time I try to explain, he won't even listen." Oscar's upset like a 6 year old, but Joe understands.

„He doesn't really talk about you when we hang but I could try bringing you up and change his mind about you?"

Oscar's face lights up, almost like a puppy when you tell him he'll get a treat.

„Yes please. I really want to be friends with him again."

***

March 4 2024
Jeddah

Three days until the first free practice, perfect time to smoke weed in Cissy's hotel room. They usually don't do that on race weeks, but everyone felt like doing it. Joe has to blend his thoughts with something anyway, it's the ideal thing to do now.

Bad thing, Cissy invited Max. Of course Joe has Lando or Cissy to talk with but as soon as Max is in the same room as him, his mood goes down almost immediately.

He's too high already to care though, lying on the white sheets of Cissy's hotel bed, somewhat next to Max. The room is clouded, Joe's mind too. He can't even see the ceiling of this stupid dirty room.

Joe and Max can't even bring themselves to care what Cissy and Lando might've already done on that bed. Joe giggles to himself about it.

„You know what? We should do this more often during race weeks." Lando says, he's lying on the ground with Cissy, looking at the ceiling while holding Cissy's hand. She just put fresh black nail polish on it, so she hits Lando on his arm. She doesn't want Lando to ruin her nails, so Lando rather grabs her wrist now.

„Kinda dangerous though." Max murmurs.

„As long as we're not high during a race." Joe giggles and throws his arm back onto the bed, it was resting on his forehead before. Unfortunately he's throwing his arm right next to Max's and their hands touch. Joe pulls his arm away again, hoping that Max didn't even realize.

„We could invite Osc though. Or Logan." Cissy's thinking to herself outloud.

„You can't be serious to think that they're the type of guys to actually smoke weed." Joe's smirking. The stupid smirk that Max has to look at.

„True. They're sooo the same person." Cissy murmurs into the cloud of smoke.

„They're not really friends anymore." Joe sits up to look at Cissy but immediately falls back onto the bed, he accepts his fate though.

„Really? Thought they were...besties." You could hear in Max's voice that he cringed saying ‚bestie'.

Joe tells them how Oscar complained and whined like a middleschooler crying about his crush. He also tells them how Logan complains and whines like a middle schooler.

„We should make them be best friends again." Cissy decides while playing with Lando's curls, twirling them around her fingers with now dried nail polish on them.

„But how? They're both so stubborn." Max complains, judging by how close his voice seems, he's lying closer to Joe than he assumed.

Cissy smirks to herself while running her fingers over Lando's hair, like she's thinking about two other someones. They could be closer if they actually wanted to.

„It's not like they hate each other. They're just pissed." Lando has his eyes closed, if he didn't talk Cissy would've actually thought he had fallen asleep.

„I'd be pissed too if I was Logan." Max murmurs, sitting up on the bedsheets that Joe and him made messy by just lying on it. Cissy can't explain herself how that works. Boys. That's how it works. But she's too stoned to even complain.

Her hands feel sort of sticky, so she tells Lando she'll go to the bathroom to wash her hands. Lando's like her dog, he follows her without a real reason.

The silence between Joe and Max is so loud.

„Are you staying at McLaren?"

Joe shrugs. His contract will end by this season, he's not sure if he'll stay.

„Are you staying at Red Bull?"

„Sure. I want to keep winning."

Joe rolls his eyes to himself. How can a person be this arrogant?

„Just because you stay at Red Bull it doesn't mean you'll keep winning."

„Because you can compete?" Max is almost laughing, it gets Joe irritated. His skin feels itchy and his head hurts just from that sentence alone.

„Yes I can?"

Max pushes Joe's shoulder. They're fighting like kindergardeners. Both Max and Joe used to actually be like this in kindergarden. Except Max was being pushed around by other dutch kids and Joe was the one pushing around other Italian kids. They're so different, but still the same.

Joe pushes Max back, maybe a little too hard. Before Max can fall off the bed he grabs Joe's shoulders. Pulling both of them onto the ground between the bed and the wall. Max's hands are placed on the back of Joe's neck.

Joe's hands basically cage Max to the ground. They don't do anything. Only look at each other.

Joe isn't sure if he finds the stormish blue color in Max's eyes relaxing or threatening. It's almost like he can see an ocean in Max's eyes.

Is it an ocean of tears? Is it an ocean of ever so high waves during a stormy night? It might be an ocean full of life though. The kind of ocean you can surf in. The kind of ocean you'd like to visit on a trip to the beach.

Max can feel the same. Joe's eyes are tree brown, forest green around the pupil and Max can make out many dark brown spots in his iris. They match with the freckles all over Joe's cheeks.

Max doesn't think hazel eyes are boring, he loves hazel eyes. Maybe just not Joe's.

Tree brown. Such a boring color.

Maybe that ocean is ripping those trees apart, making the pieces of what was once the most beautiful tree strand on the next beach for some dog to play with.

Maybe there's a tree where Joe's heart is too, ripped apart by Max's ocean. Max can't help but notice that Joe smells like a summer storm, he can't explain the smell. Joe's fragrance is the storm to Max's ocean. And Max's fragrance is the late summer evening to Joe's forest.

„Woah." Max and Joe never stood up so fast, Joe's dizzy, can hold himself against the wall though.

Lando's looking at them with a questioning look. „Don't do that in my presence next time."

„We weren't-„ Max wants to defend them, rather only defend himself though.

„You weren't what?" Cissy's looking over Lando's shoulder. Despite Lando being a bit short, Cissy still has to stand on tippy toes to look over Lando's shoulder.

„Joe was on top of Max. On the ground." Lando smirks at Cissy. Cissy raises an eyebrow.

Silence. Funny silence for Lan and Cissy. Awkward silence for Joe and Max.

„Y'all wanna get high some more?" Cissy looks at all 3 of these awfully smirking boys.

***

March 5 2024
Jeddah

After getting way too stoned yesterday, Joe's got a hangover. He wants to sleep all day, but at the same time he wants to get up to take a walk at the beach. The beach always makes him feel better.

His phone is on silent, but he sees it lightening up in his dark hotel room. It's around 2pm.

„Logie🦅🇺🇸" texted. Joe has to roll his eyes at himself, why did he safe Logan's number like that? He's so annoying and weird, Joe hates himself. Joe has to answer though, it's Logan at the end of the day.

Logie🦅🇺🇸: you up to play paddle with me, alex and george?

Joe doesn't have the energy, but he gets up anyway. Texts logan that he'll come to his hotel room so they can go together. Takes a shower and puts on some clothes that aren't sweaty or smell like weed.

His eyes may still be a little red and his eye bags match with the red bull suits but he can just blame it on the hayfever. Besides, they can know anyway. It's just important the FIA and public doesn't know.

***

After playing a few rounds of paddle outside, they eventually stopped. It's around 5pm and George left saying he wants to work out, Alex is about to leave because his girlfriend Lily has been begging him to explore Jeddah.

„She's seen it two times by now but she still wants to go every time." Alex complains, he's not actually mad though. He's laughing about it. Alex is never mad at anyone, sometimes he's just disappointed. But Joe can't even remember the last time Alex was actually upset. They all wish they could think like Alex.

„Mate it's your girlfriend, have some love for her." Logan giggles, looking at Alex with squeezed eyes because the sun is still too bright.

„I do!" Alex hits Logan on the head, laughing though. „I have to go though, have fun!" Alex waves them goodbye with a stupid smile that makes Joe actually laugh.

„Do you still want to play or not?" Logan turns to look at Joe. „But it's only us two? It'd look like we're...dating." Joe grins a little.

„You wouldn't like people to think that?" Logan has to tease back.

„I guess so." Joe slightly pushes Logan off the bench they're sitting on to make Logan complain about it in silence.

„We could invite some others to play paddle with us then. If you want that."

Perfect moment for Joe. „How about Oscar?"

Logan gets nervous almost immediately. „No I really think he's busy. He must be with his girlfriend or something. I'm not sure. He doesn't really like paddle anyway."

„Who doesn't like paddle?" It's the aussies voice and Logan tenses. This dude shows up randomly every time you say his name.

„We were actually talking about inviting you to play paddle with us." Joe grins up at Oscar who's hair is parted in a stupidly perfect middle part again.

„I'm not really good at it but we can try. Need a fourth person though."

„No shit." Logan murmurs so quietly that only Joe can hear it. It's stupid, they need to stop acting like they're the main characters in mean girls.

„You didn't bring someone, osc, did you?"

Joe has to ask as soon as he sees the pathetic dutchie's face coming right at them.

„Hey are you guys up to play paddle?"

„Sure." Osc grins at Max. And Joe's head starts to hurt.

„I'm gonna be in a team with Joe then." Max looks at Logan and Oscar to see their reactions. He doesn't want to be in a team with Joe. He wants Osc and Logan to be in a team.

Joe's confused at first but then he gets Max's intention.

„You two are friends now or what?" Oscar speaks what had seemed to be on his and Logan's mind.

„Uhmmm yes." Max forces a laugh and smiles. Joe does too. It's so obviously not believable. But Oscar and Logan don't complain, they just never argue. Well, Oscar does sometimes, but he's never totally serious.

They take a break after a few games of paddle, Oscar said he needs to go because he has a date with his girlfriend Emily in some fancy restaurant. She picked it and Oscar has to pay. Always. But he's giggling about it, apparently likes spending money on his love. „like a real gentleman" according to Logan.

„Guys I have a meeting with James, I need to go. My seat's still at risk and James wants to keep being annoying. I know I'm shit myself." Logan shakes his head and laughs at the end, Joe feels bad though.

„I thought you liked James? Also, that's not true." Joe frowns a little but he tries to smile, he's knows how fast Logan can get emotional or upset.

„I mean I do like him. He's just kind of annoying since the start of this season. He treats me as if I was a dumb 5 year old who knows nothing about f1."

„Same with Horner, mate. He annoys me so much lately." Max laughs, wiping his sweaty face with a towel.

„Brown's always been annoying me." Joe hears a genuine laugh coming from both of them. Which is weird. Logan barely even smiles lately and Max never even smirked at something Joe has ever said.

„See you tomorrow on media day then!" Logan waves them goodbye, putting his stupidly american expensive sunglasses on.

„I feel sorry for him." Max says after a while of silence between the two. He looks at Joe, the sun shines right into his face and Max notices how green Joe's eyes actually are.

„Me too." Joe mumbles. „I really hope he improves."

„You two are close, eh?"

Joe nods, he feels so sick when talking about Logan's performance. They're pretty much best friends, Joe can't imagine how bad Logan would feel if he loses his f1 seat so quickly. He's been having stress with williams a bit, they try to reassure him but James starts being impatient.

„He should be less...nice." Max clearly has to think of the right word to express it. He likes Logan's personality, he doesn't know him well but it seems that Logan is one of the sweetest people on the grid, he's always so polite.

Max is impressed that Joe agrees.

„Yeah. He's a people pleaser though, he doesn't want to get in trouble with other drivers."

Joe slightly smirks, max does too. „So you're saying he needs to cause trouble?"

„Not as much as we do." Max seriously laughs. Maybe the banter they have isn't too serious after all.

„I gotta go though. Arthur's here and he asked me to hang out. You know, we don't see each other often."
It's obviously a lie, Arthur isn't in Jeddah. Joe just wants to be alone.

Max quickly nods. „Arthur's in town?" the dutchie wonders why Charles didn't tell him.

Joe realizes he might should have chosen someone else than Arthur for his lie. But he nods.

„See you."

„See you."

Max hates it. He hates Joe's stupid accent. He hates the way his stupidly thin but muscular body moves. He hates how soft his dark brown curls look, he wishes he could bury his nose in it to find out if it smells as good as it looks. He especially hates how good he is at everything.

***

March 6 2024
Jeddah

It's media day. The McLaren garage is unusually quiet. They don't really have many things to discuss. Their season is going well so far, at least well enough. They know they can't catch red bull, maybe also Ferrari. But they're happy where they are. They've been better than Mercedes so far which makes them third in the constructor championship.

Joe and Lando are a bit irritated with their performance in Bahrain. But they're fine with it. They still have the whole stupid season in front of them.

Lando and Joe are looking at all the trophies from last year. Joe won once in 2023. He has around 8 race wins if he counts them right.

Lando still has none.

„Can't wait for a trophy to stand here with „Lando Norris P1" written beneath it." Lando jokes. But Joe knows Lando is actually really fucking upset.

He's mad at himself for not having a win yet. He's supposed to be McLaren's future alongside Joe. But Joe has multiple wins, how would Lando be able to compete?

He's not mad at Joe for winning. Not at all. He's genuinely happy for him. He's got only himself to blame, he's irritated, he keeps crying about it to Cissy. He might aswell just jump off of a bridge if he doesn't get his first win this season.

„Gonna be the best day ever for sure." Joe grins.

The Williams garage is loud, too loud in Logan's opinion. They keep discussing the strategy they will fuck up anyway. Worst thing is, they won't fuck up Alex's strategy. They'll fuck up Logan's.

Logan sees no point in discussing it if they're going to keep making his races worse than they already are. It seems they don't want to see Logan succeed.

They want to give his seat to Antonelli. Which is fucking fine. Logan's okay with it. He's been hating this team lately. He's desperate to stay in F1, but there's no point in trying anymore. At least that's what Logan's convinced of.

Alex wants Logan to keep trying. He knows Logan too well to not know he's mad at himself and the team.

Alex doesn't want another teammate. He doesn't want to learn another person's favorite football team. He likes Logan's.

He's not sure if Logan considers him as a best friend. But Alex surely considers Logan as one of his.

„Logs I was wondering..." Logan came back to reality when Alex started talking to him.

„Lan and Osc want to play paddle with us in Australia. You up to come?"

Logan forces a smile and nods. „At least Lan and Osc are worse at paddle than me." He jokes.

„I mean you're not bad. I'm just too good." Alex proudly says, Logan giggles. „So will you play with us? Otherwise we'll have to play with George and he keeps complaining when he looses..."

„Yea sure. I'll come with you." Logan smiles, fixing his shirt. He feels weird suddenly, his heart beats a little faster. It's probably the anxiety he's been having since last year. It's kind of a reason why he wants to fucking leave f1, it made his anxiety worse instead of better.

„You wanna grab something for lunch, Logs?"

Logan doesn't feel like eating, but he goes with Alex anyway.

They sit outside the McLaren garage, Logan only takes a few bites of his food before only picking in it with the white plastic fork. Alex watches him for a moment, he doesn't say anything though. Logan's thankful.

He can't really explain why he doesn't want to eat lately.

A smile etches on Logan's face when he sees Cissy and Joe coming towards them though. „It's so boring at our garages, man." Cissy complains.

„We can switch places then." Alex jokes.

„No thank you." Joe smirks and sits down next to Logan. He frowns when he sees that Logan isn't eating, but he doesn't say anything outloud either. Logan thinks it might be because no one cares anyway.

„Where'd you leave Lando?" Logan asks. „He's with Oscar." Cissy sighs.

That made Logan feel worse than before. He likes Lando, obviously. But he's the reason him and Oscar can't stand each other now.

***

March 9 2024
Jeddah

Another P1 for Max, P2 for Joe, P3 for Cissy. The usual routine. P14 for Logan. Certainly not too bad.

He's still mad at himself though, he can't even bring himself to talk to Alex. He knows P14 isn't the worst result for a bad midfielder team but Alex still outperformed him. That means everyone in the garage will look at Logan with pure disgust. They don't want him in the team anymore. Logan knows. Everyone knows.

The only one who still wants him in Williams is Alex. But that's because he's not the type of guy to wish that kind of situation upon anyone. He has pity for sad people, that's the only reason he supports Logan.

Logan doesn't even have a stupid drivers room, that's how much they hate him. So he's going straight to Alex's. Hoping that Alex won't be there for a moment because he's watching the podium from afar. That's what the two of them usually do.

When he opens the door to Alex's drivers room, Lily sits on the small couch. „Oh, Logs, you're not watching the podium with Alex?" she asks and puts her phone away, concern on her face.

„I don't feel like doing it."

Lily looks sad. She looks disappointed, like everyone else does when they see Logan.

„Logan, you know that P14 isn't too bad, right?" she puts her hair behind her ear and looks at Logan with pity.

Logan sighs. „I know. You know you don't have to comfort me, right?"

„But you're my friend."

Logan is Lily's friend? Logan's heart stops for a moment. She wants to be his friend?

Logan smiles stupidly. „Let's go search for Alex before the podium is over." Lily says and drags Logan with her until they're outside. The nights in Jeddah are still so bright, it almost hurts Logan's eyes.

They're standing next to Alex now. Logan is thirdwheeling, but he's used to it. And he clearly has no problem with it.

He looks up at the podium. He misses that feeling. The feeling of crossing the line first. He doesn't even need to be first, it's not even possible in a williams. He just needs to be in the top 10 at least.

Joe smiles when he sees Logan, he does at basically every podium he's on. Always searching for the blondie behind the crowd.

Oscar never did. Oscar never even searched for Logan.

Later that night, Cissy's in her hotel room with Lando. Cissy scoots closer to Lando to cuddle after finishing her call with Seb. He congratulated her on her podium and told her he'll be there to watch in Melbourne.

„Do you think Joe's gonna stay at McLaren?" Cissy asks after a moment of just laying on Lando's chest.

Joe could easily have a contract anywhere. But he needs to choose. Lando's scared he won't choose him.

„Not sure, babe. Will you stay at Red Bull?"

„Not sure."

Lando trails his fingers through Cissy's hair. She dyed it wine red recently. She was never allowed to when she was younger but now that she's old enough she just did it without telling her parents. Her dad gave her a call when he saw it on tv but he wasn't even that mad.

„I really hope he chooses me though." Lando murmurs. „I think he will." Cissy reassures. At least she tries to do so. She knows that Lando has been tense about it since last year, he'll respect any decision Joe makes. But it won't be easy for him if Joe decides to leave McLaren, they've been teammates for so long. A team wouldn't work without one of them in it.

***

March 18 2024
Melbourne

Joe had arrived today with Logan, Lando and Cissy. They spent a week in Paris. Originally Max was coming with them but he said his dad wanted him to come home to the netherlands for something ‚important'.

They're invited for a sleepover, at least kind of, at Oscar's tomorrow. They haven't told Logan yet that he's coming too. It'll be just them, oscar and his girlfriend anyway, so Logan should get along.

Oscar's mum misses Logan, so she told him to invite him over on race week in Melbourne. Which isn't as easy with Logan ignoring Osc, so he simply invited the others and told them to bring Logan.

Right now, they're on the beach in Melbourne. They met Charles earlier, he wanted to go surfing, but with Charles' athletic performances (except formula 1), they doubt it'll work. They didn't tell him that though, because he was so excited and enthusiastic about going to surf.

Logan feels weird in Melbourne, knowing he's spent so many days in summer holidays with Osc here when they were younger. Nicole treated him as if he was her own kid, Logan felt like a brother to Oscar. It's weird to come here without seeing Oscar 24/7.

He decided to tell Joe, he didn't want to suffer in his own thoughts in silence anymore. Cissy and Lando went swimming anyway, making out with each other like some disgusting high schoolers in the hallway. Joe's making a disgusted face when he spots them, then looks at Logan, who's giggling.

„You know...it's kinda weird coming to Melbourne without visiting Oscar." Logan tries to play it cool, trying to act like he wasn't actually hurt by some stupid thing like this.

Joe gets a little tense, putting a hand through his damp black curls. They're very dark when they're wet, couldn't be considered dark brown anymore.

„Yeah...he actually invited us to come over tomorrow." Joe can't look at Logan, he's scared of the reaction.

„Did he invite me too?" Logan's voice is already shaky. Joe knows why. He doesn't even have to ask to know what Logan is thinking right now. He's thinking that Osc invited them, without him, because he doesn't want him there. Which totally isn't true.

„Yes. He was scared of asking you so he invited us instead and told us to bring you with us."

Logan feels more relaxed now, but his throat still feels lump. He's scared of asking Logan? Logan wasn't that mean to him, was he?

„Do you want to?" Joe asks, eyes squeezing because of the sun.

„Yea. I want to."

„Also get yourself some sunnies, otherwise you'll maybe squeeze your eyes out." Logan's never had an attitude, but to be honest it kind of fits him. Joe laughs and pushes Logan into the sand. „Shut up, mate."

„It's true though!" Logan defends himself. „Your pretty eyes might get hurt."

„Pretty eyes?" Joe laughs. „You're so American for flirting with everyone."

„I wasn't flirting. Just making my bro a compliment."

„Sure."

***

Logan doesn't even know why he's tense when going to Oscar's again. His mom still greets him with the same smile, the same hug. The same exact sentence every time. „Good to see you, Logan. How are you?"

Logan isn't in the best mood, but it's also not the worst. „I'm pretty good. What about you?"

„The typical." Nicole rolls her eyes jokingly.

She greets the others almost the same way, she barely knows them and she's still so polite, asking everyone how they're feeling.

Oscar's dad also greets Logan the same way as it's always been. Giving him a clap on the shoulder and complimenting Logan's muscles that basically haven't changed since 4 years. He calls him Logster, certainly got that from Logan's dad.

It's still weird talking to Oscar. He rather lets the others talk. His plan doesn't add up after Cissy, Lando and Joe start talking to Oscar's mum though. They're telling her about racing stuff, she looks kind of lost, but she's full on supportive.

It'd be weird if he started to chat with Oscar's girlfriend instead of himself, but it's awkward not talking at all too.

„Hey Logan. You alright?" it's Oscar's sister, Hattie. He's always been good with Oscar's sisters too. They used to play mario kart all together sometimes. Go on trips to the beach or some fun park.

„Yeah, pretty fine. And you?" He smiles, the same soft smile he always puts on when around Oscar's family.

„I guess I'm alright. Really missed seeing you here though." it makes Logan feel bad. It's not his fault though, is it? It's not his fucking fault that Oscar ignores him.

Worst part is that Osc heard what Hattie said and he's looking at Logan right now. Logan can't bear himself to look at Oscar's face, he'd cry if he did. It's enough for him to even look at Hattie, she looks so much like Oscar, especially because she cut her hair and has similar bangs to Oscar's.

„Yeah, you know. Race stuff is kinda stressful, I wish I'd had time to come here."

Hattie probably knows, after all it was pretty obvious that him and Osc weren't best mates anymore. And she also knows how to get them to be best mates again.

„Em, I'm gonna write a very important maths exam by the end of the week, don't you think you could help me out a bit?"

Logan looks at Oscar for a moment, he seems just as tense.

„Yes, sure!" Em smiles and tucks her blonde her behind her ear before standing up from her seat, her hair really bothers her when she's wearing glasses.

Ironic thing, Emily looks so much like Logan. Dark blonde hair with the same blue-greenish eye colour and the same stupidly long eyebrows, that both of them are insecure about.

Logan decides to talk with Cissy, he'd rather listen to her rant about problems he'll never have than to talk with Osc.

On late evening, they're in Oscar's garden. Joe, Lando and Osc are playing football. Logan won't say soccer, he's been in close contact with people from europe or Australia for his whole life and one day just stopped saying soccer. Football is a better  word anyway.

Logan isn't a football guy though. So he's just sitting with Cissy and Em.

„I didnt know you weren't into football, logs." Cissy looks at him for a short moment, she wonders why he isn't playing with them. Boys always play soccer together, even if they don't like it. They always try to show each other tricks that neither of them can do.

„I sometimes watch it but I'm not really good at it soo..." Logan laughs. „Only American football, eh?" Cissy grins, Emily sits next to them and probably zoned out. Logan and her also have that in common, they act the same, they look the same. It's honestly kind of weird when Logan thinks about it.

„I'm not good at that either." Logan giggles. „But it's better."

Nicole made them dinner and they eat outside, Lando keeps screaming about the wasps though, Cissy just laughs at him. „Lando it's just a wasp."

„She's annoying though. She's just like you." Lando complains and screams high-pitched again when the wasp comes near him.

„Damn that's mean."

The others just look at each other, they're used to these kind of fights between lan and cissy.

„You're always mean to me though. I can be mean once."

„Wow."

It's getting dark outside after a while, but they're still out, it's a good athmosphere but Cissy and Em keep complaining about being cold just to get their boyfriends' jacket. It might be autumn in australia but it's still incredibly warm, warm enough to still sit outside at almost 12pm.

„Do you guys want to go inside and play mario kart or some'?" Lando suggests after a while of resting his head on the table like a 6 year old who wants to go home when his parents are visiting some friends.

„But only 4 people can play at a time."

„No one cares, Oscar." Lando complains again, whining on the table. „I will play."

„Me too." Cissy, Joe and Em almost say that at the same time.

So they leave. Leaving Logan alone with Oscar. They're sitting almost next to each other, Em sat inbetween them. So there's a bit of space between them, neither of them will close it.

It's a slight breeze that goes through Oscar's garden, it makes Logan have goosebumps though.

„Are you cold?" Oscar asks.

He's almost careful. Speaking to Logan as if he would start crying if he spoke too loud or too harsh. Which would probably be true, but Logan would never admit.

„A bit, yeah." Logan nods, not looking at Oscar though.

„Do you need a hoodie or something?"

Logan nods. He wants to stand up to go and get his hoodie. „No, you don't have to." Oscar holds him back.

He takes off his own hoodie to give it to Logan. Logan hesitates but won't complain. It's quite small on him, but it's alright.

„Logan?"

Oscar talks even quieter now, even the stupid crickets that sit somewhere in Osc's garden make louder noises.

„Yeah?"

Oscar seems to hesitate, Logan doesn't care.

„I'm sorry."

Logan isn't quite sure if his heart got healed or just broke even more.

Oscar goes on when Logan doesn't say anything.

„I swear I am. I didn't mean to make you upset, ever. I didn't notice I was leaving you behind, I was too focused on my career. And I'm sorry for that. You didn't deserve it and still don't. You know, you're my best mate. I wouldn't ignore you on purpose."

Oscar's voice is kind of shaky. He's scared the blondie next to him will be mad forever. Never look at him again just like he did last year. Erase him out of his life, deny that they were best friends once and even spent is summers here with the Aussie.

Logan doesn't want to cry, so he closes his eyes.

„I know. I'm sorry that I was so harsh to you in Abu Dhabi. I was probably a bit too sad. It's fine."

„No, it's not fine. You had all the right to be sad and to be mad at me. Your feelings are okay, please accept that, okay Logs?"

‚Logs', Logan smiles. He nods.

„Are we mates again?"

„For sure. It wasn't that deep after all."

Oscar giggles. „We were both being dramatic."

„As always."

Cissy and Lando watch them from the kitchen, they were getting something to drink. Cissy almost cries while she watches them. „It's like a love story." she says.

Lando laughs. „I like seeing them be best mates again, it's great."

„Maybe we should try that idea on Max and Joe too?" Cissy smiles when she looks up at Lando.

„It wouldn't work." Lando tilts his head to he side, his hand stroking Cissy's hair behind her ear.

„When Joe and Leonie left us alone it worked too, didn't it?"

Lando smiles and giggles, that stupidly cute giggle that Cissy loves so much. Because Lando's dimples start showing and the cute gap between his teeth.

„We're both dumbasses though."

„Joe and Max aren't?" Cissy giggles.

„They're not dumbasses, they're assholes, I suppose."

Cissy rolls her eyes, gives Lando a quick kiss and pulls him back to the living room with her.

„I need to show you something." Oscar says with a smirk and pulls Logan with him. Oscar's garden is quite big and they have a treehouse. The treehouse is old, but you can still climb onto it without it falling apart. It's still the bluish beach color Logan and Osc painted it in when they were 10.

Osc and Logan just sit and watch the stars.

Some stars shine brighter than others.

It's a fact. Logan's accepted it by now. Maybe shining bright isn't a thing that was made for him. It was made for Oscar. And Logan is definitely okay with it now.

Even if you don't shine bright, you're still a star. Every star is important. Logan only fears that his srar might explode from how much pressure it's on.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

March 20 2024
Melbourne

The Williams boys still have a paddle game to play against Osc and Lan. That's what they agreed to.

Logan is less tense about it now that him and Osc are friends again.

He actually had fun this time.

Usually, he's always been left out on the grid. Nobody except Alex and Joe talked to him last year, probably because they all thought he was going to leave anyway. He talked with Oscar, Cissy, Fiona, Liron or Lan here and then but he always had a feeling they didn't truly like him.

This season is different, he's still insecure, but at least people start to notice him now.

Like Daniel and Yuki, he talked with them at the start of the season and Daniel occasionally waves at him in the paddock.

When they took that stupid grid photo at the beginning of the season, Joe stood in front of him next to Charles. He brought Logan into the conversation and Charles was so nice to him. He never thought that someone at Ferrari would enjoy his presence. Sounds off, but that's what Logan thinks all the time.

They talked about who's going to get the Mercedes seat, even though it's pretty clear. Lewis will retire by the end of the season, the public doesn't know yet, but Lewis told the grid at the pre season testing.

Liron will stay at Mercedes. There are rumors about Cissy getting the second seat but George has been waiting for a Mercedes seat since 2018. Right now, he's at audi with Zhou, he loves the team. But he's been dreaming about Mercedes since the day his career at Williams took a turn. Sadly, Liron got the seat back then when Bottas retired.

George isn't mad at Liron for that, she was simply better. They're still best friends and it's a big bonus for George to go to Mercedes to be Liron's teammate again. They were one of the best team dynamics back then.

Personally, Charles, Joe and Logan all three think that George is going to get the seat. But in a sport like f1, anything could change at any time.

Oscar also told him about his beef with Carlos when they were playing paddle. Oscar doesn't have a problem with his teammate, he thinks Carlos is a little whiny but overall he's okay and a good company. But apparently Carlos has a problem with Oscar for whatever reason.

Oscar's confused about it, and he's mad. Because that ruins the Porsche team dynamic.

Lando said he'll have a serious talk with Carlos about it, because it's such an immature behavior. Oscar has been a little bit better than Carlos this season, apparently that's why his spanish teammate is furious.

Logan and Alex are glad there's non such beef on the lower midfield, Esteban and Pierre have a banter here and then but it's something the Williams boys don't really care about. They're both pretty happy about the team dynamic.

March 22 2024
Melbourne

Alex crashed his car in FP1, he couldn't drive in FP2. He thought it'd take the mechanics to fix it until Qualifying or something like that. Instead, they found that the chassis was completely ruined.

That means Alex won't be able to drive at all. At least that's what he thought was gonna happen when James called him into his office.

James couldn't come to the point, continued to talk himself out of whatever he decided to do. It took ages until he finally told Alex that he was going to race with Logan's car. And that Logan won't be able to race.

It makes Alex sick. He knows Logan won't take this well.

„James, I hope you know that this will ruin him."

„I know. But I hope you know that this is the best we can do according to our strategy. It's better for the team when we let our better driver race, and that is simply you."

Alex is nervous now. What if Logan is going to hate him? Their relationship was so good in the last few months. This could ruin everything.

„Do you want to be here when I tell Logan?"

Alex nods, he feels like throwing up, but he doesn't want Logan to be alone in this situation.

James tells someone to call Logan in, Alex grips his chair tightly when Logan comes in.

„Hey James, Hey Alex."

He's in a good mood, it makes Alex feel even worse. „Hey Logs." He tries to smile at Logan when he sits down next to him.

„Hello Logan." James says back, setting off the polite smile before he's going to ruin Logan's life.

„Why am I here?"

„Right." James says. ‚Just fucking say it' Alex wants to say that, but he rather doesn't.

„When Alex crashed earlier today, his chassis was ruined. We don't have a spare chassis, it'll take too long to repair it. That means the car isn't drivable."

Logan looks at Alex. „Alex, I'm so sorry."

Alex doesn't say anything, he just looks at James.

„No, Logan. I promise this isn't about your performance in particular, it's not about me preferring any of you two. We decided it'd be better for our strategy and team if we let Alex race this weekend."

Logan's eyebrows are knitted. „What?"

„Logan, you won't be able to race this weekend. Not having a spare chassis is our mistake, you did nothing wrong."

Alex's leg bounces, he suddenly feels the urge to scream at James. He won't though.

„You really think I'm that fucking dumb, don't you?" Logan isn't loud, he just sounds pissed, Alex wants him to be mad. Really fucking mad.

„This is clearly about you preferring Alex. Don't fucking tell me it's not. I understand why you've decided that but Alex crashed the car. Alex ruined the chassis, for once it wasn't me. It's unfair, James. Just straight up tell me, you want to get me replaced. It'd hurt less than this."

„I don't want to replace you, Logan. It's just this one weekend."

Logan looks at Alex now. Alex looks at Logan too, his green eyes are shiny.

„Alex there's no way you're not saying anything against this decision."

Great, James. You made Logan be mad at Alex forever. He was basically the only one he had, and James ruined it for Logan.

Logan stood up before Alex could say anything.

Alex ruffels a hand through his hair, then looks at James.

„I'll talk to him, I promise."

„I feel like he doesn't want to talk to you, Alex. I suppose you should let someone else talk to him."

Alex nods. He's right. He should let someone talk to Logan who will talk him into pure rage, pure revenge.

He knows just the right guy.

He catches him right before he leaves the paddock, gripping the papaya orange sleeve.

„Joe, Logan won't race this weekend."

„Huh? Why?"

Joe turns around to face Alex.

„I ruined the chassis, we don't have a spare one. James decided that I will race in his car and he won't race at all." Alex frowns when saying it, he feels bad for a decision he didn't even make.

„Does he know?"

Alex nods. „He's pissed. Don't get me wrong, I want him to be mad. He needs to stop accepting the things how they are, he needs to learn how to make it right for him, not for others."

„Agreed." Joe nods. „He's mad at you?"

„Kinda."

„I'll talk to him, is he gone already?"

„Probably."

It's very late at night, thankfully they're staying at the same hotel. Max, Cissy and Lando are in that hotel too, so Joe's in Cissy and Lando's room now.

„I honestly don't understand that decision." Lando complains.

„Right? It's unfair, for once, Logan didn't do anything wrong."

Joe nods at Cissy. „Alex said Logan should have a different mindset, you know, kind of like mad max."

„True, he's a people pleaser. It's a sport where you only have to care about yourself though."

Joe looks at the clock, then stands up. „I'll go talk to him."

He's on the way to Logan's room, goes past Max's room though. Max probably just came back from the paddock, he's fiddling his key into the door.

He sees Joe, looks at him for a moment. „Isn't your room in the different direction?"

Joe nods. „I'm going to Logan's."

„Oh." Max feels his heart cramp, why does it always do that when Joe talks about Logan. It used to be like that with George, but since George has a girlfriend Joe keeps flirting with Logan.

„Have fun then." Max murmurs quickly and closes his hotel room door too fast.

He goes on instagram, seeing that Williams posted something about their chassis. He reads it, then feels some sort of relief in his whole body, especially his heart.

Joe is probably going to Logan's to let him cry on his shoulder. That's fine. That's friendship.

At least Max tries to think that way. He needs distraction, he calls Danny.

„Hey Maxie, what's up?"

Max can hear Danny's smile, he smiles to himself.

„Just needed someone to talk to. I'm bored."

„I'm watching greys anatomy right now."

Max smirks. „You watch that shit?"

„It's quite cool actually. Maybe if you weren't so grumpy and negative about shows all the time you'd actually enjoy watching some."

Max rolls his eyes. „Whatever. You know what? Logan won't drive this weekend 'cause Alex wrecked the car."

„That's unfair, man. I quite like Logan, actually."

Max considers Daniel's words for a moment.

„I've never really spoken to him before to be honest."

Max is jealous. He knows by now. He's jealous because Joe keeps looking into Logan's green eyes and constantly makes fun of him. He does it as a joke, of course. But Joe used to make fun of Max.

Max is supposed to be the one Joe makes fun of.

Max also knows that he's not feeling butterflies. The jealousy isn't because of that. Fuck these butterflies. Max rather feels worms in his stomach when he sees Joe instead of butterflies.

„I think he's just really unlucky."

Max frowns.

„You're unlucky this season too, mate."

Daniel sighs. „I know. I'm coping with it though, maybe my time is over. At least at Red Bull. I might just accept that."

Max stares at his screen. Danny's profile picture is one of him and Max, they were a little drunk when they took that photo. But Danny was happy. And Max was truly happy too.

Everything was fine. Max just became a 3 time world champion and Danny had a career at Alpha Tauri in front of him.

Things change. Max was never able to accept that.

„I mean it's good to accept things, you know."

„Yeah. And honestly, Liam deserves that seat."

Max rolls his eyes at the name, another friend of Joe.

„He might. But it's not over yet, Danny. You can still improve, we've only had two races so far, dude."

Daniel sighs again. „That's honestly why I hate Red Bull. They constantly get mad at drivers when they're not performing for two races."

„At least this shit ass second team becomes bmw next year. Never knew why we needed a second team anyway."

Daniel laughs, Max giggles too.

Joe knocks at Logan's door. It's quiet in his room. Joe can tell that the blondie is awake, he sees some light, probably because Logan is watching something.

„Logan I can tell you're awake. Please open the door."

It doesn't take long for Logan to open the door and stare at Joe. Step aside, let him in and close the door again.

Joe looks into those green eyes, they're red, probably from crying. Logan's eyebags are basically blue. His blonde hair is just some messy strands on his head.

Joe knows why. He pulls Logan into a hug first.

Logan does the same, Joe's shirt feels so soft, he wants to bury his hands in it.

„Are you okay?" It's a rhetorical question.

Joe knows the answer. Logan is going to say yes. Joe knows that he's lying. That's why Logan doesn't even try to lie.

Logan's features soften and just shakes his head. They sit down on the bed.

„You know that it's not your fault, right?"

„That's the problem. It's not my fault and I still have to pay the consequences. I hate Alex."

Joe immediately frowns. „Alex didn't make the decision. He spoke to me about it, he rather wants you to drive but he can't say anything against James' decision."

Logan looks down onto the dark sheets of the hotel bed. He feels bad for hating Alex. He doesn't hate Alex and he never will. Alex is one of the few people that still believe in him. Alex is his best friend. Or at least one of them.

„I hate James, then."

Joe has to smirk a little. „You can hate James, then." He nods.

„I-I mean it's fine though. I understand his decision."

Joe shakes his head. „It's not fine. You shouldn't understand this stupid decision, Logan. You should start getting revenge. Don't get me wrong, I love your personality and I love the way you care about other people but stop being a people pleaser in this kind of sport. Your own self is the only person you should care about and you have to make it right for yourself, no matter what it costs."

Logan let's those words sink in. They're both silent.

„You're fucking right."

Joe smirks. „I know I am."

„How do I get revenge in a stupid williams though. I hate this fucking team and they hate me aswell."

„Do your own thing then. What are they going to do? Not give you a contract? They'll do that anyway if you don't change."

Logan shakes his head. „I'll ask George and Liron how they managed to improve a dark blue colored British shitbox."

Joe laughs. They keep chatting too much, they forget the time.

Logan had asked Joe if he wanted to go to Bali with him after the race in Melbourne. They'll just stay for a week until the Japanese race week.

Joe obviously agreed, Lando and Cissy will be in Australia for another week and he doesn't want to be thirdwheeling. Max will be back in Monaco and in any way, Joe wouldn't have wanted to spend a week with him.

Arthur will be in Bali too so they can spend time as a trio and it won't sound like Joe and Logan are cheesy secret boyfriends.

They wouldn't have anything against that but they hate answering those type of questions in interviews. That's not what formula 1 is supposed to be about.

***

March 24 2024
Melbourne

Another pole for max, following joe on second, Carlos on third and Cissy on fourth.

Joe hates starting next to Max, the dutchie's reaction time is way too fast. Way better than anyone's. He hates how Max is so unbelievably good in this sport. He hates how Max's stormy eyes look when he hasn't his visor pulled down.

He hates how he can see Max's dark blue glove covered hands gripping the steering wheel tighter right before the lights turn green.

Joe feels the usual, weird adrenaline rush during the formation lap. The same thing being felt right before holding a presentation in front of the class. Feeling your stomach make weird turns, your head starts to hurt and your throat feels lump. Joe has to tense every single one of his muscles for his legs and hands not to shake.

The lights go out and Joe had a pretty good start, managed to hold position right behind Max.

Lap 5, Max gets a break failure and Joe can move into first place. He's relaxing, still keeping in mind that Carlos and Cissy are right behind him though.

Cissy keeps complaining about her grip, her tyres don't feel right. She's scared she might have to retire like Max did, but her engineer keeps telling her to stop worrying.

Lap after lap. Joe has to box, he falls onto third place right behind Carlos and Lando. Cissy behind him in P4.

Joe feels like winning. He wants to win. He wants to show Max, he's good enough to be a competitor. Good enough to be feared by him.

Max isn't far off of Joe by points, which means that Joe has to win this race to be the leader of the wdc. It'd make Max mad, Joe wants that. He easily gets past Lando after he boxes.

Carlos has such good pace, almost unreachable for Joe. Last 10 laps, his engineer tells him.

Dark red porsche car still in front of him, getting closer and closer until papaya goes past dark red in the last corner of the last lap.

Joe crosses the line as a winner by just a few tenths. He hopes Carlos isn't too pissed.

Screaming into his radio, he's leading the wdc for the first time in his life. Lando got P3, double Podium for McLaren.

Getting out of the car, doing his winning pose, then running towards his team and Lando. Hugging them, hearing them try to scream through Joe's helmet.

The cool down room feels weird without Max. Joe isn't sure why he suddenly wants Max to be there, even if he wouldn't speak to him.

„Mate, great race, it was fun!" Carlos pats on his shoulder to flash him out of his thoughts, he hadn't even noticed Carlos was here.

„Yeah. It was difficult, you had so much pace."

Carlos smiles. „I'm disappointed, you know. But you deserve it, mate."

Joe feels so warm and blushy, like a highschooler. He basically still is a highschooler but this is just kind of embarrassing. People rarely tell him he deserves it.

„You'll get a win soon, I can feel it." Joe flashes a smile at Lando when he enters the room. Then looking back at Carlos.

„I hope so. I also hope my dad doesn't hate you now." Carlos says that more quietly, press conference wouldn't be fun if the media heard that. They're never fun, obviously. But they'd be even less fun.

Lando giggles, he heard it. „I bet he doesn't."

„It'd scare me." Joe looks at the screen showing Max in the garage after his dnf.

He doesn't seem too mad, but he's pissed. He must be even more pissed now that Joe is leading the wdc.

No one says anything about Max, Joe wishes they would. He wishes they'd start talking about him.

The podium goes as always when Joe wins. Italian anthem, british anthem, spotting Logan in the crowd to wave at him, trophies and the champagne.

Max sees the podium from the screen in his driver room, he sees that Joe waves at Logan. It makes him furious, he's mad. Worse than before.

Max hates being angry, it causes so much trouble. And he matured, he isn't into trouble anymore. But he bets Joe is.

Sitting in Christian's office to complain, Max doesn't know why he's doing this. He doesn't want to complain to his dad, Christian has always been a better dad than Jos anyway.

„I thought I was going to win another championship this year without a big problem."

Christian looks at Max. „I thought that too, Max."

„Does that mean I'm not good enough?"

„No, don't be silly."

Max clenches his teeth. „I hate Joe."

Christian sighs. „I know you do, but you can't cause trouble again. It might be fun, but you'd only ruin your own championship."

„He's the problem, I know he'll cause trouble because he's fucking arrogant."

„Are you convinced you aren't arrogant aswell?"

Max has to let that sink in. „No."

Christian smiles. „Don't cause any trouble, Max. And I promise I would talk to Zak if Joe decides to try and be funny, alright?"

Max nods, he's not done complaining though. „I swear I'll never let this guy beat me again."

He's not looking at his team principal, but he knows what face he's making. He's smirking, convinced that Max is going to do whatever he promises. Max has never let the team down ever.

„Then so be it. Show him, Max."

„I will."

Of course, Joe had to leave the paddock the same time Max did. Max rolls his eyes when he sees him walking, probably going to party or something.

Checking out, they're close to each other. No cameras. „Insecure much?"

Max clenches his jaw when he sees the smirk. He's not even looking at Max. „Don't think you're something better because you won a race once this season."

„Who said it's going to be my last?"

„I never said that."

„Whatever you say, Maxie."

Max groans, he wants to punch Joe's stupidly thin olive toned torso.

„I told you I'll be right there at the beginning of the season. Don't act surprised, you knew it was coming one day. And you're scared, you're so fucking scared of not winning. That's how arrogant you got through your stupid fame." Max hates Joe's tone, he despises the way Joe states those things without knowing what he's even saying. Without knowing what it does to Max.

„You're just jealous."

„I'd never be jealous of someone like you."

Max shakes his head, ignoring how he feels right now, ignoring Joe. Acting as if his heart isn't stinging right now for whatever reason. Maybe Joe is right, Max might be arrogant, but so is Joe.

Getting calls from his father the whole evening, he's not picking up. He's declining, he knows which kind of trouble he will be in.

Right now, he feels colder than earlier. His body feels colder, as if he died and came back to life.

Every single time his life is going uphill, someone ruins it to go downhill again. No matter if it's his dad or someone else, he's going mad over it. He doesn't deserve anything of what he's getting.

Why him? Why is it always him?

***

Joe complains to Cissy, Pierre and George later that night when they're partying.

„Max isn't arrogant, that's just his mindset, I think." George states. He doesn't quite have the best relationship with Max either but the dutchie can be pretty nice if he isn't pissed at the moment.

„Then he has a bad mindset." Joe groans.

„I think you shouldn't be so hard on him. Emotionally, he's someone you should stop arguing with." Pierre frowns when thinking about it. Thinking about Jos. It's not a secret, everyone knows that Jos isn't a good dad. Pierre hates thinking about these types of things.

„Why? Is he going to cry about it or what?"

„Joe, don't be an asshole." Cissy warns in a somewhat not intimidating tone, rather a worried tone.

„No, really. He's having the best few years of his life and you keep telling me I shouldn't be that harsh to him."

All three of them are quiet, there's no reason to argue with Joe when he's like this. Not when he's manic and drunk. His mind can't process things right, especially emotionally. He downplays bad things, keeps talking himself out of situations by being simply ignorant.

Joe doesn't understand it. He doesn't understand how Max tries to moan and cry, while he's got everything Joe ever wanted to have.

„His life hasn't always been that great." George tries to reason. It's a valid reason, Joe just won't accept it.

„I don't care about his stupid dad."

George's features don't soften, but they get sadder.

Cissy starts to worry, her heart feels like it's not pumping blood anymore. Is Joe just too drunk or is her best friend an asshole?

Pierre sees Joe's arguments. But he doesn't hate Max, he feels bad for him most times. It's right, Max has everything in this sport that all four of them ever wanted, but that's not a reason to downplay his harsh past.

„He has everything we ever wanted, doesn't he? We all know he's winning the championship this season, no matter what. He's got no reason to complain."

Joe's not quite sure if he wants to scream or cry about it.

Why not him? Why is it always Max, never him?

Now that it's for once him. For once, he won a stupid race and not Max. And people start complaining to him about things that aren't his fault. It's not his fault Jos is a bad father. It's not his fault that Max's brakes failed today.

***

Max is going to answer the phone, he can't stand the family picture taken around 17 years ago popping up on his screen every 5 minutes since probably 6 hours. That picture was taken during one of the toughest times in his life, just short before his parents divorced. His childhood was already ruined before. He's wondering why Jos still has this stupid photo as his profile picture.

He's only going to listen. Not say anything. Turn his microphone off, let his dad talk him into a panic attack.

He presses the green button on his phone, putting it on speaker and leaning against his wall.

His dad is speaking dutch. Max hates speaking dutch, it keeps reminding him.

„Why didn't you answer the phone, Max?"

Max's throat already feels like crying.

„Answer me."

„I didn't have the time to pick it up, I'm sorry."

Max can barely get the words out.

„Partying again, yeah? You keep partying to escape your problems. You should rather start focusing on racing, obviously you're not good enough anymore. Thought you had learned."

Rather angry than sad now, Max wants to complain. He just corrects. „I wasn't partying."

„What else did you do then? Stop lying to me."

„I'm 26 years old. Stop treating me like a 13 year old."

Max didn't think about the consequences, he has to listen to his father whine about his disrespect towards him and about his performance today for 3 hours on end. Just hanging up would be the safest option, so that's what Max does.

Regret is deep in his lungs, he doesn't want to fly back home. He'd rather stay here in Australia with Danny for another week. He's going to ask him if that's okay, he's not coming back to Europe unless he has to now. Won't try to argue with his dad about a dnf that wasn't even his fault.

He's not sure if he's mad at Jos or just sad. Probably both. Why did he never get to experience fatherly love? Why did his parents divorce and make everything even worse for him?

It's all Jos' fault, why Max is the person he is today. He never had a reason to ignore Max's feelings, tell him to shut up whenever he needed physical or emotional closeness. Told him, especially in his teens, that boys need to be tougher and not as emotional and whiny as he is. Made him drive in the cold of dutch winter without gloves.

Max's hands used to hurt so bad, his knuckles used to turn several shades of bluish purple the nights afterwards.

People at school never worried, that's why he started boxing as some sort of hobby. He could just say it came from boxing without gloves.

He also used to hit Max's helmet whenever he was driving poorly. Max needs to lie in every interview, he's not okay with it, he did realize he was driving poorly back then, but that's not a reason to hit him. It wasn't okay, it certainly, physically, hurt Max. He will never forgive or tolerate it, and he's tired of acting like he does.

Max hates himself for thinking about it. It only gets him furious and depressed. He wishes he would've stayed with his mother and Victoria. Surely, his mother wasn't the best parent aswell, but she's trying and that's enough. She never judged Max, was always proud of him even if it wasn't the best race. She never made rude comments about Max being bisexual, only told him ‚I don't care who you're bringing home to marry, as long as they're not a Mercedes fan.'. Surely, she never directly told him that she's proud but Max knows that she wants to.

Vic tells him their mother keeps watching the races and cheers for Max whenever he does something cool, no matter if it's actually cool or not. His mom thinks every single race is cool, she's always proud, no matter if Max won or dnf'd. Because she knows he was trying his best, every single second of his life.

And that makes Max shake. Not sure why. Yes. He is sure why. He thinks he doesn't deserve it. No one should be proud of him. On his way to success, he's hurt so many people for no other reason than to win. To be the number one in the most arrogant and bitchy way possible.

Esteban, there was no need to push and insult him like that. It's what racing is about.
Lewis, he should've competed against him fairly.
George, George only did the exact thing that Max always used to do when he wanted to win, pushing the other off track. He scoffed at George for doing something he has learned from no other than Max himself.
Daniel, they were supposed to be friends, they still are, but he kept ruining not just his but also Danny's races.
Charles, poor Charles, he should've let Charlie live that dream, he deserves it more than Max does.
Cecile, he hates being jealous when she wins, she gets a victory about 3 times a season, he gets all the other victories. There's no need to be jealous, they're friends and teammates, not rivals.
Lance, they barely even talk, yet Max still managed to piss him off by being unfair.
Alex and Pierre, they used to be his teammates, Max doesn't know what he did to upset them, he regrets it though.

Most importantly, Joe, what has he done to Joe? Everything he just listed, he has done to Joe too. Joe has every right to hate him. He deserves it anyway, Max deserves to be hated.

He deserves every little bit of booing he gets when the dutch anthem plays.

Because,
At the end of the day. He's just as egoistic and cold as his father. His unsympathetic father.

Max can feel tears in his eyes, he fears. Usually, he's not crying out of anger. Now he is. His brain and his heart are frustrated with himself, so much, he feels like he wants to get punched.

Typing ‚Charlie' into the contacts app of his phone with shaking fingers. He wipes his nose and calls Charles. Charles is the only person in this whole world that could Max feel happy again.

Please, don't be partying. Max repeats in his head over and over again while it rings.

The monagasque picks up. Loud noises in the background, typical club music. Max sighs shakily to himself.

„Max?" Charles asks, he doesn't sound that drunk.

„Hey...I...are you out right now?" it's a dumb question that Max asks with a squeaky voice.

„Yes, I'm clubbing with the others. Do you need me?"

Charles knows the answer. He doesn't need Max to directly say it to him, he can figure out Max is crying by the way he keeps breathing ever so shakily and his voice is overly squeaky.

„I...I mean. Yes. Only if that's okay."

„I could come over to your hotel room right now."

Max hesitates. His hotel room is messy, he's not sure if he wants Charles to see. But on the other hand Charles has seen every bit of Max. The worst bits and the best bits.

„You don't have to. You could just go outside the club and talk there." Max murmurs, his fingers picking at his lips.

„But I want to come." Charles' tone is serious now, Max doesn't have to play a different person in front of him, so he lets him be.

„I'll be there in 10 minutes, ciao ciao."

Max smiles a little at Charles' sentence. His smile fades when he thinks about his dad again.

It's so unfair. Joe has everything Max never had, except 3 stupid formula 1 championships.

Why is Max the one being jealous? Joe should be jealous, not Max.

At least he has Charles.

Charles, he's too sweet for a person like Max. When people registered Max and Charles as best friends, they didn't believe it at first. The Monagasque was charming, handsome, made out of love and light. He came from a broken yet loving family, two brothers that supported him through his journey no matter what. Parents, they actually loved him so much, their little Charles was making them so proud.
Max wasn't handsome, Max was rude, ignorant, unfair. He surely wasn't made out of love and light, the only thing he ever did was bringing darkness into people's lives. Making them regret they ever got to met him. Because he only ended up with nothing but a bloody sword in his hands, thinking he's killed of the evil. In reality, he was the villain all along.
He didn't come out of such sweetness of a family, his' was just as broken as Charles'. But they were coping differently, instead of being loving, they were just making everything worse. His sister and mother were never really there to support him in early days, they definitely wanted to though. Never failed to make his dad angry, no matter what he did. It was never enough to make Jos as proud as Charles' parents were.

Max is too lost in thought, but he registers the knocks on his door and opens it for Charles.

He's wearing one of his stupid baggy jeans again, the ones with the hearts on it. And a white shirt. Max thinks those trousers look terrible, but the dutchie probably doesn't look any better right now.

„Hey, what were you thinking about this time?" Charles drags Max over to his bed and sits him down, flopping down next to him.

It's amazing how Charles doesn't need to ask what Max needed him for, he already knows.

„My dad called me and...told me I'm not good enough anymore." His voice cracks embarrassingly often while saying this, he can feel it in his eyes that he'll start crying again.

„And I started thinking maybe it's true. I don't deserve what I have right now."

„Max, no, that's not true. You deserve to be champion." Charles' hands are grabbing Max's arm, trying to get him to relax by running his fingertips over his best friend's pale freckled skin, his arm hair is blonde. Nothing like Max's hair now, it turned brown over the years. But his arm hair stayed blonde, it's the last shimmers of light kept inside him.

„You or perhaps even Joe deserve it way more."

„It's not about who deserves it the most, Maxie. It's about who's the best and...clearly you're the best."

Max wipes a tear from his puffy cheek, he's not going to cry in front of his drunk best friend. Charles' probably isn't even drunk, but that only means he's going to remember Max crying.

„You know what you don't deserve? Your dad, he's the only thing in the world that you don't deserve. Don't let him get on your nerves like that, you're stronger than his words."

„I think I'm not emotionally intelligent enough." Max forces a little smile while saying this.

Charles smirks a little too. „If it makes you feel better, Joe and I aren't emotionally intelligent either."

„You think? I think you're really intelligent." Max might cringe while actually giving his best mate a compliment, but he's too drenched in sadness to care about his manners right now.

„That's nice." Charles laughs, still rubbing Max's arm and he loves that touch. His love language might be physical touch. And it apparently works with friends too.

„Are you feeling better?" Charles asks with such a soft tone after a while.

„I think so, yes. I'm still so...frustrated with myself but. No, it's okay."

Charles clearly hesitates, he knows that Max hasn't said everything that's been on his mind.

Max feels like throwing up, his throat is so sore all of a sudden.

„I...uhm. I thought, maybe I'm not any better than my father after all. I'm selfish and egoistic."

Charles frowns. „I don't know Jos that well. But you're nothing like him, you're just competitive and impulsive, that's important in formula 1. It doesn't mean you're going to be like your dad in the future. I think you're really gentle and nice, you're simply harsh to people who are harsh to you, nothing else."

Max can feel his pink puffy cheeks getting wet with tears again and he nods. „Thank you, Charlie."

„You're the best, Max." Charles pulls Max into some sort of hug, it's quite awkward in the position they're in.

But Charles can always make a hug work.

Max starts to wonder if he even deserves that hug. Charles' hands are so soft and gentle. Nothing like the hands he used to feel on his skin.

If only Charles knew how much his best friend admires him. Charles is so kind, yet so popular and outgoing. He's shy, yet he'll make his way to a party at least once a week. Max is kind of shy too, but he's only attending parties if Charles or Cissy drags him into that damn club by his sleeve.

„Do you want me to stay for a while longer?"

Charles feels Max immediately nod into his shoulder.

***

March 25 2024
Bali, Indonesia

Logan had to basically drag Joe out of the hotel so they wouldn't miss their flight. He had to drag him into the plane aswell because he was busy almost falling asleep while taking pictures with fans at the airport.

Most of the fans didn't really care about Logan, it made him feel bad at first but at the same time it'd be annoying getting bothered at the airport when it's 8am.

It was around 12 when they arrived. The following days were usual, they met Arthur and Liam aswell. Partied, momentarily forgot about work.

Except when they were talking about Liam's seat.

He might get Daniel's soon, race for bmw next year aswell.

„Yuki doesn't have a seat for next year?" Joe looks at Liam, he's just curious.

„I don't think so. He might go for a new team, he's been saying that he's kinda sick of red bull."

„So there'll be a seat at bmw for next year." Arthur looks at Logan with an expecting grin.

Liam and Logan used to be teammates in F2, since then they've dreamed about being teammates in F1 again. For Logan though, it's been out of reach so far.

„I don't think I'm good enough to earn a seat for next year." Logan says it with such calmness, Joe's amazed. Logan's not been in the mood for crying, he feels like he might just accept his fate.

„Mate, it's only been three races."

„But James is already mad at me, mate."

„Fuck James."

Logan smirks, he knows that Joe is trying to change his mindset and it seems to be working.

He's not quite sure how to improve yet but he's working on it. He'll show them.

Later that night they're in their hotel room, only Joe and Logan. Joe had to make a call with his mum, she told him that his sisters are coming to the japan grand prix.

Afterwards, Joe was on FaceTime with his sister Lydia. All three of them were giggling, it might've looked weird but Joe and Logan were in a bed together. It's nothing weird to do when you're friends, obviously.

But Lydia did indeed raise an eyebrow, she's suspected that Joe is gay or at least bi for his whole life. Especially after they were drunk once and Joe had told her what had happened at summer camp back then in F3. Lydia is still disgusted, but it only serves her theory.

It's not just Lydia who's been suspecting, also Joe's oldest sister Sofia. She remembers vaguely that she used to have teen magazines all over her room in 2014, posters of celebrities, especially male ones, would always take in about 10 pages of these magazines.

When Sofia wasn't at home, Joe would sneak into her room and look at those magazines. He always wanted that stupid poster of One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer up his wall. But his friends would've laughed at it. And he was scared that if he tried to pull it out of the magazine, it would rip. His nails weren't as sharp as Sofia's, he would've hurt himself and also destroy the wonderfully beautiful poster.

And he wasn't going to ask Sofia to give it to him. It would've been weird and she probably would've laughed.

Sofia always knew though, she knew that Joe sneaked into her room just to look at pictures of Luke Hemmings or Harry Styles.

That's why Joe found an easier way, he bought star wars magazines to cut out Anakin and Luke Skywalker and hang them up his dark blue wall. His friends wouldn't laugh, they all liked star wars. It wasn't weird for a boy to like Anakin Skywalker.

„So you two are having great fun in Bali?" Lydia rips Joe and Logan out of their giggling and writhing on the hotel bed. „Yes for sure. We have to fly over to Japan tomorrow though." Joe answers, laughing when Logan tries to push him off the bed.

„You guys haven't slept in one bed for a week though, have you?"

Joe feels his cheeks flush, he hopes that the Blonde next to him won't see. „No of course not!" He defends quickly.

They might have. Just one night when they were too drunk. They didn't do anything stupid though. It's nothing weird for two friends to sleep in a bed together once. It might be weird for Joe to wake up with a boner, but that's nothing important anyway.

He's done way worse in summer camp.

***

Daniel had actually allowed Max to stay at his for a week. He was actually pretty happy to spend time with Max at his house in rural Melbourne.

Max ignored Jos' calls and didn't went on social media at all.

Just him and Daniel for once. Just how it used to be.

Danny sits on his sofa, Max lands next to him forcefully. A beer in both of their hands.

„Did you see that Logan and Joe are in Bali together?"

Max smirks to himself, he's not believing Daniel for sure. Sounds like they're a gay couple, not that Max would have anything against that, but Logan is way too straight. And Joe's straight aswell if Max remembers it right, he might've missed something when his mind was stuck somewhere else. But he's pretty sure that Joe is the type of guy to only fuck girls, not even date them, only have sex with them.

That's the type of view Max has of Joe to say at least.

„You're joking." Max looks at Daniel, his eyes are brown but they're a way prettier brown than Joe's. They're smoother, darker.

„I'm certainly not, Maxie." Daniel laughs. Max scoffs. „I bet they're fucking."

Max doesn't want to, but he's making a grimace while saying that.

„Are you jealous?" Daniel raises an eyebrow at him and Max immediately shakes his head, laughing it off.

„Why would I be jealous?"

Daniel shrugs his shoulders. „I thought maybe you were into frat boys or something. Remember that one guy in Miami last year?"

„Oh shut up. I'm totally not into Logan."

Rolling his eyes, Daniel looks back at Max. „I mean Joe is some kind of frat boy too."

Max's jaw drops open. „I'm totally absolutely totally not into Joe."

Daniel just looks away and smirks. „You're talking a lot about him for the fact that you can't stand him, I'm just saying."

Max shoves Daniel away. „I bet he's talking about me just as much as I do."

„That's the thing!" Danny exclaims. „Both of you are totally into each other!"

„No we're not! I hate him, he hates me. End of story."

Daniel just smirks at Max, crooking an eyebrow into his direction. Max breaks the silence. „Can you proove it to me that Joe and Logan are in Bali together though?" Daniel smiles to himself and pulls his phone out, showing Max the post Logan uploaded.

It's several photos of some water falls, him and Joe messing around in front of it. Max feels sick to his chest all of a sudden.

Daniel decides to break his rips further, showing him the post Joe uploaded right after. So many photos of him and Logan together in Bali, shirtless. Shirtless in a fucking bed when they were calling Joe's sister. Max doesn't know her name.

„Told you they're fucking." Max chokes out.

„Don't be a dick, mate."

***

April 1 2024
Suzuka

Max arrived in Suzuka with Cissy and Lando, he didn't care he was thirdwheeling. Decided to just listen to music for the whole flight. And checking up on his cats Jimmy and Sassy, they're staying with his mum whenever he can't come home.

Well, he could've gone home last week but he simply told his mum that he had important things to do in Australia.

His mum loved taking care of Jimmy and Sassy anyway, but Max started missing them a lot. In the past two weeks he didn't have them purring by his side whenever he was feeling sad, he had to deal with it alone.

It's a lot easier when he has them lying next to him, it's something like an emotional support for him. The therapy he actually needs.

Now, he's already preparing stuff for the race week. He has to win. He has to lead the championship again, he can't let Joe win this year. He can't let Joe steal that one thing that was just his, that one thing that Joe can't take from him.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

April 4 2024
Suzuka, Japan

Max didn't ache to be called into Christian's office right after arriving on media day. But here he is and he can't just not go.

He knocks on the way too brightly white door of Christian's office. Sitting down on the chair in front of Christian's desk and fiddling his fingers around.

Why is his heart racing so much? He's scared it's about his dnf in australia. But why would it be? He's still second in the wdc and he has many chances to get it back.

„Max, you're nervous." Christian is stating it, he's not asking, he knows.

Max nods.

„You don't have to be worried, you know. It's nothing serious at all."

Max hates the way Christian is talking right now, just fucking say why he's here instead of talking nonsense.

„I'm not about to do anything against that fact. I'm just very curious."

Max gets nervous, unable to sit still in his seat. His mind is racing just as much as his heart and Christian is so surprisingly calm. He doesn't sound angry or disappointed, rather interested.

„Your father told me you're bisexual. Is that true, Max?"

Shit. Max closes his eyes to prevent the feeling in his throat, the feeling when you're about to cry.

He can't believe Jos just outed him in front of his team principal. His. It's not Jos' team. It's Max's team. Besides, he would've told Christian himself when he was ready. He's always wanted to tell Christian because he's tired of hiding himself from the public. And his team principal could help with his coming out.

„Max? Could you answer me, please?"

Max let's out such a loud sigh, he didn't realize that he was just ignoring him.

„I...uh. Yea. I'm bisexual. I hope that's not a big problem." Max's voice is shaky, nervous. He knows it's alright.

„I promise you, it's not." Christian smiles, he's not even looking at him. He's doing paperwork on his desk while talking to Max.

„When did you find out that you're also into boys, Max?"

August 2014
Italy

Max has way better things to do than to be at the pool with kids racing in F3. He's going to race in Formula 1 with actual adults but he's still stuck with these 14 to 16 year olds for a couple of months now.

The public pool is Max's worst enemy anyway, he's insecure about his body since his mind works and his skin is so easily irritated by the sun. He turns fully red in the matter of a second when it's summer.

The worst part is that Joe and his stupid friends are here aswell, he's scared they'll laugh at him. They've never done that but Max is simply waiting for that day when they finally do.

And Joe looks so unsurprisingly attractive in the sun, he's slim and tall especially for his age. He has everything Max wants to have.

Max is staring, sitting on a wet bench next to Charles.

„Hellooo?? I was talking to you, Maxie."

French accent gets him out of his thoughts and he stops his staring, looking at Charles.

„Who were you staring at? Are there any pretty girls here that I haven't seen yet?" Charles jokes, Max hits his arm.

„No, stupid."

Charles pouts, reaching out to hit Max aswell but rather putting his hand back down again.

„Who were you looking at then?"

„Joe and his kindergarden friends."

Charles groans. „I mean, Arthur's my brother so I just have to deal with him."

„I'd die if Joe was living in the same house as me."

He looks at them again, it's annoying that Joe's waist and ribs are so perfect, everything is perfect. Arthur isn't less handsome too, Max hates it.

He keeps comparing himself to them, thinking about how ugly he must look next to boys like that.

Getting a feeling sometimes, just sometimes, that any male is prettier than him. Guilty for admiring them.

Max can't realize, maybe he's not admiring boys because he's jealous.

He suddenly feels very nervous, gripping the bench with all his might.

He can't be. It's not like he thinks it's wrong or something, he's never found them weird or anything. But his family would kill him. His formula 1 career would be over aswell.

Girls are pretty, too. He can still date girls. Girls are great. He can't be gay, if he was, he would've thought about a guy when he had kissed his ex girlfriend, or perhaps the girl he kissed in seventh grade. It didn't feel weird, he just thought about how soft their hair feels and how good their strawberry chapstick tastes. He wouldn't have done that if he was gay, right?

„Max, do you want to get ice cream?"

Max quickly nods, already standing up, hurrying Charles.

„Yea. Ice cream. Sounds good."

Charles just giggles and shakes his head, walking along Max to the little shop next to the pool.

Why must it be the rainbow colored ice that immediately falls onto Max's eyes.

He's sighing. „What?" Charles turns his head towards him.

„Nothing."

„Which ice cream do you want?"

„Anything. Get me anything."

Max only realizes now how weird he sounds. Charles looks just as confused.

„Man, you're kinda weird today. I think you should put on some more sunscreen." Joking at some point, Charles giggles.

„Yeah, I'll go put on some sunscreen and you buy us some ice cream, alright?" He's still babbling, talking so fast that Charles can barely understand but he nods.

Max runs his hand through his slightly damp hair nervously, he can't be like that. He just can't.
He's grabbing the sunscreen Charles' brought like his life depends on it. Thankfully, he's alone in the locker room, so no one sees how irritated he is right now.

At least he thought he was alone.

Of course, Joe would be there too. Joe with his godly olive tanned skin, small freckles all over his arms and they go over to his shoulders aswell.
Joe smirks, definitely noticing that Max is nervous.

„What is the superstar nervous for?"

Max groans, looking into Joe's eyes. He grew, he's not as tall as Max yet but it won't take long until he's towering over the dutchie.

„Who said I'm nervous?"

„Your very obvious body language."

Why is this little kid always so provocative?

Max despises the way he's so jealous of Joe. He shouldn't be. But he can't help it. He's so obsessed. He's obsessed with a boy.

„I don't think your formula 1 career will work if you're always so fucking nervous."

Max audibly groans, pushing Joe by his shoulders against the cold tiles. „You don't know anything."

Joe tries to push Max away but his senses are fast, grabbing Joe's wrists and pinning them against the wall.

„You're so stupid. Let me go!" Joe's muscles tense and he tries to get his wrists out of Max's grip. But he's stronger than Joe expected.

He forgets sometimes that he's just a 14 year old boy and Max is almost 17. Besides that, he's going into formula 1 and Joe knows damn well that Max has the required muscles for it.

The ground is slippery, wet, making Joe's feet repeatedly slip.

„Why would I let you go? You started it!" Max complains, Joe whines. „I was literally just joking!"

Max doesn't let go yet. The truth is, Joe is pissed. And hurt. He wants Max to be his teammate forever, he won't have anyone to bully for the next years. He won't have a good rivalry with anyone but Cécile. He doesn't need his best friend as a rival, he wants Max.
He needs Max. His life would be so boring without him there.

„Fuck, I'll enjoy not having you as teammate anymore." Max throws into their silence.

Joe can't look at Max, he just can't. He's so close that Joe can feel his body heat and he can smell Max's deodorant and also the sunscreen he just put on.

He can feel his heart shatter, despite hating Max, he likes him as a teammate. He thought that perhaps Max thinks the same way, but apparently he's just a pathetic young teenager to him.

That's not true at all, Joe is so much more to Max. A part of Max's subconscious knows that he wants to be just like Joe, so popular, so handsome, so loved. But the other part of Max despises that fact, he hates Joe so much it makes his blood boil. He would never want to be like him.

„Fine. Go ahead and enjoy your time with Daniel or Carlos, I don't care what they're called. You're so in love with them, just let them fucking rail you all day. I bet they're big and you're gonna love it so much."

Joe has a dirty mouth, and Max usually likes when people don't care to say these type of words. But he doesn't like it when it's Joe.

Max's body feels so hot, out of anger and out of embarrassment. He thinks back to his thoughts from earlier, he does in fact think that Daniel and Carlos are very handsome. He loves their tanned skin, dark eyes, the freckles. Their hard jaws and stubbled beards. He recalls fantasizing about their broad shoulders.

He does remember he had to pull his eyes off of Charles a couple of times whenever they were having a sleepover, but that was like, an objective thing. It didn't really do anything to Max's mind. How was the supposed to know if he wanted to look like a guy, or if he wanted a guy anyway? It's too much for his teenage brain to comprehend.

He'd never admit that he finds any man attractive, but maybe he should start doing so. Max is scared. And so so fucking embarrassed. He doesn't want to be gay.

„Shut the fuck up."

Joe smirks and raises his eyebrows. „Oh so you do find them hot? That's bad, Max."

Max groans and rolls his eyes. „You don't even know what you're saying. Daniel and Carlos are great and I do not want them to rail me."

Joe giggles and it's so stupid, Max grips his wrists tighter and the younger guy writhes on the wall, trying to get out of Max's grip again.

„Are you sure you don't? Don't think I haven't noticed how you've looked at Daniel in the paddock, it's so obvious. It's so obvious that it's already embarrassing, you know."

Joe opens his eyes to look at Max, it seems as if they pierce right through Max's brain.

He would not give a single fuck if Max was gay, he wasn't raised by assholes. Being gay is totally fine in Joe's opinion. But he'd totally bully Max for it, not in a homophobic way but in a I-hate-Max-Verstappen-so-much-I-bully-him-for-everything way.

Max can feel his heartbeat everywhere, how was it obvious to Joe but not to him? Is he actually gay? He can't be, he's found multiple girls attractive too.

„So what? What if I do have a crush on Daniel, hm? Are you jealous?"

At least Max found the right comeback to startle Joe.

„No."

„Why does it bother you then?"

„It doesn't bother me. I'm just so curious, Maxie."

Joe's perfectly white teeth are biting down on his bottom lip and Max hates it, he fucking hates it so much that his eyes close. He let's go of Joe's wrists and steps back.

„Please don't tell anyone about what just happened." He's murmuring, not looking at Joe at all.

„I won't. I suppose it's not my fucking buisness if they rail you anyway."

Joe hits Max's shoulder when he walks away and Max almost slips onto the wet ground but he can balance himself to stand still again.

„Wanker." He groans after Joe. „Insecure asshole." Joe mutters back while leaving.

Max eventually finds his way back to Charles quickly, who looks at him with the most pissed off look he's ever seen on his best friend. His ice cream is almost completely melted already.

„What the fuck took you so long? You didn't fuck with anyone, did you?"

Max raises an eyebrow. „Dude no. I couldn't find your sunscreen, that's all."

He sits down next to Charles and takes his ice cream. „Whatever." Charles giggles, shaking his head.

Later that night Max finds himself on his laptop. It's embarrassing, but he's not educated enough about different sexualities. He wants to be though. The only thing he knows is being gay or straight, there must be more though. There must be a thing for liking both men and women, Max has no idea what it's called though.
His mind starts making a list: Daniel. Carlos. Johnny Depp. Jenson Button. Nico Rosberg. Charles. Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.
That's lots of guys.

He cringes so much, wants to crawl out of his own skin while he's typing „am I gay quiz" into google.
Clicking on the first link, he's starting the quiz.

‚Have you ever had feelings for a same gender close friend?'

That's the first question, and Max is already shaking.
He's not sure, he might've kind of liked Charles when they were younger, but what's the difference between friendship and a crush?

He decides to click exactly that answer.

After finishing these 16 questions, Max closes his eyes. Scared of the result.

His hands are shaking and he takes a deep breath, opening his eyes to look at the bright white screen his laptop that says ‚you could be bisexual!'.

Max let's out a few shaky breaths and opens a new tab. Typing ‚what does being bisexual mean?'.

He reads the article, doesn't know why his eyes and throat hurts so much until he starts crying.
Being bisexual means, liking both men and women. Max thought he'd be straight when he took that test. It was always normal to him to find some male celebrities attractive or fantasize about them.

He didn't think that straight boys don't do that. Thinking he would be okay with it, but he isn't. Realisation starts to hit im straight into the core.

His Family wouldn't accept it. The public wouldn't accept it. What if anyone finds out and he loses his seat? What if his dad would get so mad that he would kick him out?

Max shuts his laptop down and violently puts it onto his desk. He's wiping away his tears and throws his whole body onto the bed. Looking at all the little bumps on his wall. He's shaking, burying his face into his pillow.

The only person he's totally sure of that they wouldn't treat him differently is Charles. Charles has a gay cousin, he grew up to always support people like that. He wouldn't find it weird if Max was bi, right?

Max has the urge to tell someone. He knows deep down, he isn't ready. But he needs someone to reassure him.

Dumb decision, he's already calling Charles.

„Hey, Maxie. What's wrong? It's so late, I wanted to sleep."

Max chuckles quietly. Then shakily speaks up. „I...I want to tell you something really really important."

His body is shaking and he grips one of his stuffed animals, it's a lion. Max looks at it closely while waiting for Charles to answer.

„Sure, what is it?"

Voice as sweet as honey, Max leans his head back. Charles is so sweet. He wishes his voice sounded like that too, it's so clear. Nothing like Max's.

„So, I'm not pretty sure to be honest, but I think uhm...I mean don't take this seriously, I just felt like telling someone that...I think I'm bisexual?"

Max words it like a question, as if Charles would know better than him. As if Char could tell him more about his sexuality than himself. ‚Oh yes I once saw you staring at my dick, you're probably bi.' was that the answer Max was expecting?

„What? Sorry I didn't properly understand? What are you?"

Groaning, Max exhales another shaky breath.

„Bisexual."

Charles is quiet for a while, taking too long to answer. Long enough for Max to start crying, a few tears roll down his cheeks. Right when he's about to hang up, Charles answers.

„Does that mean you're into boys and girls?" He doesn't sound mad, annoyed, pissed. Char sounds...as sweet as always.

„Uhm...yes." He shakily voices.

„That's cool, Max. Sorry I took so long to answer, I didn't know what it meant so I went to google it. I support you, you're one of my best mates. I don't care who you decide to love, mate."

Max smiles down to his stuffed animal. „Thanks, Char."

„So, you said you aren't sure?"

„I mean, I only found out pretty recently and I'm not sure if my mind is...okay with it. So, I think I could also like boys. But I still like girls."

„That's cool."

He's grinning, grinning broadly.

„But honestly, I'm so tired, Max. I want to sleep." Charles complains quickly.

„Okay." Max laughs. „Good night, Charlie."

„Good night, Maxie."

He can't help but smile to himself when he lays in bed. His lion plushie right next to him. He might be 16 years old already, soon 17, but he's allowed to own a plushie, it's not like he will cling to it until he's 30 years old.

Yes, he might be okay with it. Being bi, that's okay for Max. He doesn't have to deal with his family or the public yet, he'll just keep it a secret.

***

April 4 2024
Suzuka, Japan

„I found out quite a while ago, yeah. Before formula 1."

Christian looks at him in approval.

Max did in fact manage to keep it a secret pretty well. He's kissed boys here and then, but he never had anything serious with any of them. On one hand, Max wants to be with a boy, but he'd also have to out himself in front of the public. He's not sure if he's ready yet.

„How many people know?"

„My family, Charles, Daniel, Cécile and now you. There might be some other people on the grid like Alex, Pierre, Lando and Carlos but I'm not sure."

Christian nods, still noting some things down.

„I wanted to know because I don't want the public to find out without you wanting it. We will probably have them sign an NDA or something. I don't think any of them would leak it to the press but we have to make sure they actually don't."

Immediately, Max nods in agreement and sits up in his chair a little.

„Do you think the public won't accept it?"

„Honestly, there will always be people who will judge you, no matter what. But the world has changed, I'm sure it wouldn't affect your career a lot."

A shaky breath leaves Max's mouth and then he agrees.

„Just don't do anything stupid, Max."

***

April 7 2024
Suzuka, Japan

Another win for Max, it was easygoing. He had pole and managed to shake off Cissy, Charles and Joe behind him as if it was nothing.

He's so proud of himself, Christian tells him too.

„I'm very proud of you, Max."

That's what he always says and it makes Max happier as it should. He feels so validated. It's so warm and comforting around his guts.

P3 for Joe, he's running towards his team and they give him so hand claps, his siblings hug him, they came to see him here. And he's thankful, he's going to take them partying tonight. He misses his family when he's away.

He always dreamt about going far away in the world, his family knows. And they let him. They miss him for sure, but they support him at every step he makes. Joe has 5 sisters and 1 brother, one of his sisters drives in F3 but the rest was never really into karting. They came to watch every race though, it just got difficult when Joe was in F3 and went to countries way too far away from Italy.

Joe's mom is a blonde polish woman, cherishing all of her kids accomplishments. She's lost her temper with Joe often, but he eventually understood her reasons one day. She might've not always treated Joe emotionally right, but she's still the best mother he could've wished for. They look nothing alike, yet Joe is so much like his mother character wise. He doesn't want to be like his mother, he always said that. Turns out he is though, and he has to be cool with it.

His mother's family was poor on one side but rich on the other, his grandfather came from a noble family but his grandma was everything but rich. She grew up in a small polish town, with 13 siblings. Apparently it's in the family. His grandpa grew up in warsaw, in a big house, enough to fit him and his 3 sisters in. They had horses too, the money his grandma's family could only dream of.

Joe's father is southern, italian, turkish, basically everything you could think of. He's just a typical dad, despite the amount of money he owned. Never losing his temper, making bad jokes, he cared more about Joe than anyone else did. Despite having brothers that never cared about him, his dad is one of the best people he knows. He always came second to his brothers. They're awful. Joe knows that one of them is bipolar, Joe also knows that the disorder can be moved over by blood.

His dad wasn't rich, but he had more than enough. Of course Joe was wealthy as a kid, his parents could pay for his career without worries. They had way more than they needed. Joe and his siblings were always greatful.

And coming to Suzuka to watch their brother on the podium, that's everything Joe could've asked for. No matter how often they show up to Monza and Imola, or perhaps also other European races, it's always special.

During the podium celebration he keeps looking at Joe, wiping his face after Cissy sprayed him to be completely soaked in champagne. He feels good again, he put Joe in his place after he got too egotistic in Melbourne.

He thinks back to last year in Japan when Oscar and Joe were on the podium with him. Joe's eyes were glued to Max when he kissed that stupid trophy.

He supposes Joe doesn't know he noticed, but Max had to smirk for the rest of the podium back then. Also thinking about back then when they were swimming in F3 and Joe had teased him about thinking he was gay. If he remembers it right, Joe doesn't know that Max is bi. Of course, he'd had been pretty sure about his theory that Max was gay but it never got confirmed.

So he could go up to Joe now and say the same. Tease him that he had looked at his lips so much when he kissed the 2023 Suzuka trophy.

Or when Joe clearly liked Max sitting on his lap in Vegas. It hits Max straight in the face, Joe could be bi aswell and just didn't tell him. It'd make sense. But on the other hand Joe is definitely the type of guy to deny his sexuality, because he's a pussy.

Max knows Christian warned him not to do anything stupid to Joe, like causing trouble. But he feels like he wants to do it right now. Right after they leave the podium, Max grabs Joe's race suit. Tearing him into an empty hallway.

„Max, what the fuck." Joe groans as Max keeps him trapped against the wall.

„I had to think about last year. When we were here in Suzuka."

„And?" Joe is clearly annoyed. Max can tell what he's thinking about.

Max shrugs. „You know what I want to say."

Quiet. It's awkwardly quiet. Joe nods.

„I've also been thinking about Vegas last year." Max bites his lip when looking up at Joe, his hands still on Joe's shoulders, holding him against the wall.

Despite Joe being taller, Max has broader shoulders. And Joe knows that he likes it. He tries not to glue his eyes to Max's shoulders and arms but it's so irresistible.

„Why have you been thinking about Vegas?"

Max smells so much champagne and also Joe's cologne, he loves the smell but he could never admit it.

„Don't think I didn't notice how much your cheeks flushed when I sat on your lap, you liked it, didn't you?" he's whispering, Joe narrows his eyebrows.

„If you're trying to say I'm gay then you're wrong." audibly pissed now, Joe pushes Max away far enough to get loose from his grip.

Max tilts his head and looks at him, Joe just shakes his head. „Stop being obsessed with me because of Vegas. It was nothing, you were the one flirting with me, yea?"

He doesn't want to, but Max frowns. „Yes, that's true."

„So don't accuse me of being gay when I'm clearly not."

Is Joe homophobic? That's the first thing Max can think of. But he surely isn't, his sister is a lesbian, so it wouldn't make sense for him to be homophobic, right?.

„Are you a pussy or just delusional?"

That's all it takes for Joe to push Max against the wall now, gripping his broad shoulders so tight that Max swears he can feel his heartbeat there.

„I think you're the one being an insecure pussy because for once you weren't leading the championship and immediately, all of a sudden, you decide to fucking piss me off with every chance you get."

„How was your date holiday week with Logan, by the way?"

Joe smirks, he sees the opportunity. „Jealous?"

They're so close again, Max checks Joe's body up and down, pressing his thighs together immediately. „No, fuck no. Could never be jealous."

„Why do you care then?"

Max looks into Joe's eyes, he knows what he's doing.

„Fucking wanker. You're a fucking wanker." Max groans.

Joe's stupidly smooth lips are curled in a slight smirk and he lets Max go. He does notice Max pressing his thighs together, but he just goes. He fucking walks away. Leaving Max alone in that hallway until he decides to drive to the Red Bull garage with a scooter because he's late. He still needs a quick shower before going to the press conference.

***

Of course, they seated max and joe next to each other in the press conference. And Logan at the other side. Max is thankful that press conferences aren't always the top 3 together, so he won't see Charles, Joe and Cissy on repeat all year.

Max sits in a man spread and his knee touches Joe's.

Joe looks away, at Logan. He's not sure. It seems like Max is somehow flirting, like back then in Vegas. But Joe can tell it must be a joke, he's not stupid.

Max is so distracted trying to physically get closer to Joe that he doesn't notice people asking a question at him.

„Oh uh sorry. I wasn't listening." His cheeks are red with embarrassment but he laughs it off. Joe next to him is rather looking amused. Logan is smiling too, immediately turning his head away from the cameras.

„We were wondering if you would've hoped for another kiss trophy like last year here in suzuka."

Laughing, max looks at Joe. „I don't really care about the trophy here, but I bet Joe would've liked another kiss."

„What?" Joe is clearly blushing and Max is loving it. He giggles at Joe's confused face. „I said you would've liked another kiss trophy."

„Oh yea definitely." Joe smirks after a while, leaning his arm back. Is he flirting now aswell? Max thinks that's good.

Joe seems to be in a good mood after the press conference, he's walking up right behind Max, putting his hand on Max's strong shoulder and whispering into his ear.

„You're a lot into provocation today, aren't you?"

Max decides to play along. „Not just into provocation."

Joe raises his eyebrows at him, releasing his shoulder. „You're disgusting today."

„I always am."

„Yes you are. That's true. Noticing your flaws is the first step to becoming a better person."

„Apparently you've never noticed your flaws then."

Joe rolls his eyes, widening the gap between them as they walk.

„At least I'm not insecure."

Max audibly sighs, hoping there isn't anyone listening to them.

„At least I'm not fucking egoistic and self centered, at least I don't cover up my past to look like a better person."

Joe's eyes narrow, he tries to ignore Max's sentence.

„Insecure asshole."

„Still a wanker."

They part ways into their garages and Max meets Cissy along his way, she looks finished and stressed.

„What got you like this?" He jokes and Cissy just mutters. „Press conference got me stressed."

„Understandable. Why don't you go to Lando's driver room then?" Max hopes that Cissy realizes what he's referring to.

„You know what? Good idea." She was gone faster than Max could think, so he leaves to go to his drivers room. Looking at the trophy he got about two hours ago, it feels good to win. Even after winning 57 times.

Winning means he beat Joe, put him in his place. Showed him that he's good, better than he is.

Max was right, Cissy did eventually lose some stress after being with Lando. It's comforting to kiss his lips, they're smooth since Cissy showed him how to chap them right. It's so comforting to look at every little freckle and mole he has.

They're everywhere on his face and neck, on his arms and also some on his legs. His curls are soft because he just took shower and Cissy loves running her hands through them.

„Did you see Max flirting with Joe?" Lando asks, his hand stroking Cissy's dyed hair behind her ear.

„No, when?" Cissy immediately sits up and Lando smirks. „At the press conference they had, it was a bit weird but it reminded me of Vegas when Max sat on Joe's lap."

„Honestly they're so weird." Cissy falls back next to Lando, running her hands along his arms.

„I sometimes feel like Joe likes it though. I'm not sure if he's gay or anything." Lando trails off and Cissy nods in agreement.

„He had a huge crush on Anakin Skywalker and Luke Hemmings but he'll never admit it. He's a bit delusional I think, that's like clear signs of liking men too and he's full on ignoring it."

Lando giggles a little, he does recall Joe's crush on Luke Hemmings.

„Whatever. I think at some point he knows, he'll tell us about it whenever he's ready, I guess."

Cecile sighs and nods. „I fear that he'll never realize. I know he's not happy with girls, you know."

„Joe isn't that dumb, I feel like he's gonna know at the right time."

***

April 9 2024
Monte Carlo, Monaco

Max is finally back at home, greeting his cats first and then his mom. „Thanks for looking after them."

„Of course, always."

Max picks Jimmy up, crawling his chin. „Did they behave well?"

His mom laughs. „They surely did, I think they missed you though."

Max smiles and kisses Jimmy on the head, then picks up Sassy and does the same.

„I watched your win in Japan, I'm very proud. Jimmy and Sassy were so happy too."

Max laughs, looking at his mom. „Yeah. Australia wasn't as fun though."

His mother immediately frowns. „Your father called you, didn't he?"

His guts turn when he thinks about it. „Yeah, he did. I got away with it though. Not looking forward to see him at the Monaco grand prix next month."

His mom giggles a little. „He's not coming to the other races?"

„Christian told him not to come."

Shock but also amusement is clear in Sophie's face, and Max laughs.

„Should I help you unpack your things?"

„No, it's alright, mom. Don't worry." He hurries her to not help him. She just smiles. „I can't watch after them next week, maybe you should ask someone else?"

Max looks at Jimmy and Sassy, they're still walking around his legs because they missed him so much.

„I'm pretty sure I'll find someone." Max nods, smiling at his mom who is about to leave.

„Good luck in China next week!" she kisses his cheek before leaving. And Max is alone in his apartment, well, he has his cats of course.

***

April 19 2024
Shanghai, China

Max's week wasn't spectacular at all, it was just him and Jimmy and Sassy at home. Charles came over one day and they played some video games but that was it.

Joe's week wasn't different. He was at home in Italy, spending time with his family. Fernando came to visit aswell and him and his dad Miguel were having the time of their life having a barbecue.

It's way better being back in the paddock though, Joe might have to see Max's stupid face on practice day but he can also spend the break between the two practice sessions with Osc, Cissy and Lando in his drivers room.
„Man, we should get stoned again some time." Lando shared his thoughts, his chin resting on the palm of his hand while his other hand plays with the visor of Joe's helmet, his index finger moving it up and down.

Cissy gets annoyed by the sound and grabs Lando's hand. „Yeah, but not during race week."

„Y'all get stoned?" Oscar asks it as if they never told him, they never directly told him to be fair, but they indicated it in his presence. „Mate, you're missing out on something." Lando responded and Oscar throws himself on the little couch Joe has in his room.
„Can I join some time?"

„Wow, Osc. I didn't know you were type of guy to smoke some weed." Joe acknowledges, raising his eyebrows for a short second while scrolling on his phone, seeing way too many pathetic posts by pathetic people so he shuts his phone off, looking at the Australian sacked next to him.

„I just want to try it out, you know."

„Max told me it's King's day in the Netherlands soon, we could go." Cissy suggets, looking around the room. „Oh yea, Max is going to be there too." Lando remembers, his face lighting up.

„Max Fewtrell?"

Lando nods at Joe. „Makes sense, he's at every party no matter where it is." Joe smirks and Lando giggles too. „Especially when there's weed."

Cissy rolls her eyes at them, playing with all the bracelets on Lando's wrist. He got most of them from fans, there's one saying ‚daddy', Cissy chooses to purposely ignore it.

„I can't come though. I promised Emily to spend a week in Paris with her."

„Ouuu gentleman, Osc." Lando smirks, biting his lip and Cissy hits his head. „You could be like that sometimes too."

„What the frick do you mean, you muppet?"

Oscar and Joe flash a smirk at each other. Joe knows that to throw him to make them stop arguing. „Is Max gonna be there too? At King's Day?"

„Ugh, Joe. Please stop worrying about Max ruining your day, he has never in his whole life ruined one of the parties you both went to." Cissy reasons, Joe just smiles and shakes his head.
Lando and Cissy still don't listen, so Joe turns his side to Oscar.

„Max has been kinda weird lately, did you notice anything?"

Oscar let's out a soft breath. „I haven't really talked to him this season but he's not acting weird towards me. It's probably just you, since you're not exactly best friends."

Suddenly, Joe admires Oscar. He's so controlled, always planning what to say beforehand. Not moving a single muscle in his face and sitting straight upwards on this stupid couch. While Joe lays on it like a dead whale, his long legs hanging off onto the limited space of ground on this room.

„Yeah. Not really best friends." Joe slurs and closes his eyes. „He's just been, you know. He's always coming really close to me, physically, just to call me a wanker."

Oscar chuckles. „Maybe that's his way to say ‚I'm sorry'?" Joe's lips curl into a little smirk. „I don't think so." For a split of a second, he thinks about telling Osc about Japan. But he rather doesn't though. It might come across as something perverted.

„He must think it's fun to provoke you, so. Maybe that's it."
Joe agrees with a short nod.

***

April 21 2024
Shanghai, China

There's no way Max keeps sucking all these pole positions in, the others don't even have a chance in Qualifying. And it all only serves Max's ego.
Joe couldn't even end up on the podium, finishing with a pathetic P5. He gets out of the car only to hit the halo with his fist once, P5 isn't bad, but it's frustrating. Emotionally, Joe isn't quite mature yet.
It's like, he's still a teenager somehow, as if his brain didn't age since he was 17. It keeps getting worse, his emotional frustration.

„Joe, congrats on P5!" Kiki, a McLaren engineer tells him, her blonde hair is tucked behind her ear and she's wearing a pair of glasses. Joe knows her pretty well, she's his professional engineer talking to him on the radio when his actual engineer isn't there. It happens pretty often.

It's not Joe's intention to be mean, but his mood keeps swinging back and forth.
„P5 isn't good."
Kiki frowns a little. „I think it is...Do you need anything brought to your driver's room?"
„No." Joe murmurs while he's already walking off, wiping his face with a towel and throwing it onto the ground carelessly, some employee is going to pick it up later anyway.

His mind is racing so much, making his head hurt, he doesn't even notice he's bumped into someone. No one other than Max who's just coming back from the podium. „Frustrated, hm? No podium today for our potential future world champion."
Is Joe hallucinating, he swears he can see the steel blue in Max's eyes as if he was actually there.
„You didn't come here just to argue with me, did you?"
„I did."

Joe groans, trying not to show Max how bad his brain hurts right now.

„At least I didn't dnf, but you wouldn't know how to do that."

Max clenches his jaw. „I had a dnf once."

„Yeah, I know? And I thought our world champion didn't care. You always say you don't care, are you constantly lying to the press?"
Joe has to narrow his eyebrows in pain, he can hear his heartbeat in his ears.

„I'm not lying to the press." Max mutters, his hands already groping Joe's wrists, almost violently pushing him against the wall next to his drivers room.
„When will you stop pushing me against walls, Max?"
„Probably never."

„Are you sure you're not lying to the press? About anything, you have to be lying about something pretty big." Joe has no clue, he doesn't know if Max is lying about anything, he just wants to provoke him until his bones hurt from how mad he is. He has to groan in pain, his head might explode from how bad it's hurting. Max ignores the groaning.
Just pushing Joe's wrists further to the wall, his hands are so big they fit around the younger's wrists once. Max can't lie, that's hot.

„What do you think I'd have to lie about?"

Joe's eyes are still closed, trying to get some balance into his head. „I don't know. Perhaps your big fat crushes on south European men?"
„I don't have a crush on you, stupid wanker."
„I wasn't talking about me, for once."

Max releases a big breath, it's so warm around Joe, he smells everything. Sweat, champagne, deodorant, cologne. It's an awful scent.

„So it's true?" Joe snarls when Max doesn't say anything. „I don't have anything against you being gay, if that's what you think. I really don't." Joe feels like opening his eyes again eventually, his vision is blurry from the headaches but he can make out Max's face so clearly. He's so damn near.
„It might be true then."
„Good for you. I hope Daniel fucks your brains out."

Max releases Joe's wrists for a moment only to push him against the wall again by his chest. The younger guy has no chance of doing it back to Max, he's dizzy and the older's shoulders are so bizarrely broad. It makes Joe even dizzier than he already is.

„Daniel is straight, I hope you've realized it."

„Mate, please take a joke. Honestly I don't give a single fuck about your sexuality or who fucks your ass."

Some heat rises in Max cheeks but he plays it cool, Joe can't see anyway. „To me it seems that you fucking do care, you can't stop shutting up about my sex life."

„Do I have to remind you that you care about my sex life just as much?"
Joe's vision is a bit clearer by now and he can make out Max is blushing, his stormy eyes boring right through Joe's soul.
„True. It's fucking tempting to know you're sleeping with Logan."

„I'd never sleep with Logan. I'd never sleep with a boy in the first place."

„Do I have to remind you of Portugal 2015?"

Joe's breath hitches and he can feel Max on his wrists again, his black fireproof being the only layer that separates Max's champagne drenched hands from Joe's still sweaty skin. The tension is so thick around them, it's chemistry. But it's not the kind of chemistry that people love, it's a fucking explosion because the professor mixed to elements that don't go well with each other.

„How do you know about that?"

„I have my contacts."

Joe's mind flashes back to it.

To be truthful, that Formula 3 trip was amazing. They made so many memories on that ground.

***
Summer 2015
Coastal camp in Portugal

They've been on this trip for 2 months now, training for Formula 3 and also doing some F2 tests. Of course, also having so much freetime. The rooms they stay at were expensive but they're also quite luxurious.

Joe stays in a room with Arthur and some estonian guy called Jüri Vips, apparently he's into that latvian girl Liron who drives in F4. That's everything Joe and Arthur knew about him before the camp started.

They've gotten closer with him now and for a fact he looks a bit older than he actually is so they could sneak in alcohol. Joe's allowed to drink according to his parents, but he never really got the chance to do so, just like Arthur, Cissy, Leonie and Fiona.

They managed to sneak into a club with fake IDs, it was easier than they thought. Now they're drunk, walking back to the camp. Cissy is almost falling asleep while they're walking.
„Should I carry her?" Leonie asks the others, they all just laugh and nod. „Need me to help?" Fiona quickly suggets and Leo nods. They carry Cissy into the room they share.

Meanwhile, Arthur and Joe are walking at the pool. „Tonight was really funny, mate. We should do it again." Arthur murmurs into Joe's ear, they're walking so close to each other right now. The light blue pool water shines so brightly, reflecting the moon and also Arthur and Joe when they look down into the water.

„You know what could make tonight even better?"

„No, what?" Arthur asks curiously while they're walking back to their room, trying to be as quiet as possible and not trip over some sticks or stones on the ground. Their roommate Jüri is probably already sleeping.

„If we tried something cool." Joe whispers into Arthur's ear, his arm hanging loosely over his best friend's shoulder.
It's almost as if Arthur can read Joe's mind.
„You know what? I always wanted to kiss a boy. Not because I'm gay or anything, just curious about it." Arthur admits and Joe smirks.
„Me too. We should be careful though, to not wake Jüri up or anything."

They open the door as quietly as they can, they have separate bedrooms at least, well Jüri has his own bedroom, Joe and Arthur have to sleep together in a slightly bigger room, but they're more than okay with it.
They go to their room and Arthur giggles, pushing Joe towards the bed and immediately sitting on his lap. „You've kissed girls, right?"
„Yeah." Joe quickly nods before Arthur's lips land on his. They're both frozen for a moment but then Joe realizes, he kind of likes it. His core feels so warm now, his mind isn't as dizzy from the alcohol anymore and Arthur feels so fucking good. His hands reach for Arthur's waist and he makes a little sound, allowing Joe to basically shove his tounge down his throat.

Arthur giggles and lightly pushes Joe down. „You're dirty."
„I know."

He bites his lip and let's himself fall onto the bed next to his best friend.
„Did you like it?" Arthur asks and looks over at Joe.
„Definitely"

„Do you think we could try some more?"
„Sure."

Arthur gets his phone out, it might come across weird but Joe and him have done that already. They've jerked off next to each other watching porn because that's what horny teenage boys sometimes do. It's normal.

They want to do that now, so they will. Trying to be quiet and not giggle too much.

Joe doesn't stop Arthur when he reaches over. That's a thing they've never done. But it's fine for Joe. And Arthur seems to enjoy it too.

Joe's cock twitches in Arthur's hand and he releases an embarrassing whimper but the Monagasque just giggles. They're not even paying attention to the porn on Arthur's phone anymore.

„do you like it?" Arthur whispers, his hand stroking Joe's cock, rubbing his thumb over the twitching tip. Joe gasps, his hands trying to cling onto something.

„Mhm." Joe whines, his hips stutter into Arthur's hands. „Close?"

„Y-yeah. Close." The Italian moans into Arthur's ear and he bites his fucking lip, jerking himself off at the same time as Joe.

„Can I make you cum with my mouth?"

„Fuck, yes. Do whatever you want." Joe insists, watching Arthur lean down to his cock and gasp. „I've never done that. Please don't judge me."
„I won't, Arth. I promise."

Joe's in heaven as soon as Arthur takes his tip into his mouth and sucks on it, he knows for a fact that he's leaking precum right now. And Arthur likes it because he's jerking himself off faster, taking more of Joe into his mouth and moaning. Joe's back arches and he's groaning, whining. He's so close, his tummy starts twisting and everything lower than his nipples starts tightening.

„Fuck, Arthur, 'm so close." he whimpers and Arthur pulls his mouth off of his wet cock the exact second Joe cums. He's leaking cum onto his stomach and Arthur quickly cums into his hands aswell. Joe reaches over, panting a little bit from the orgasm his best friend just gave him. He’s getting a tissue, wiping his stomach and then handing Arthur a tissue aswell.

„That was so fucking hot." he breathes as he looks at Arth.
„It was." Arthur smirks, laying back next to Joe again.

***
April 21 2024
Shanghai, China

„We didn't fuck though." Joe snaps at Max. Max's jaw drops a little.

„But you did other things? With who, Joey?"

Max trapped Joe. The Dutchie never knew about anything that happened in Portugal, but now Joe made himself clear about it. The worst part of it all is that he's straight. As straight as a ruler. And now Max thinks he's gay.

„It'd be nice if you could stop worrying about who gives me blowjobs, you insecure fucking pussy. Just leave me alone for once." Joe isn't dizzy anymore and managed to get out of Max's grip, they have a distance between each other now.

„You're the one who started all this but yeah. Go on and blame everything bad that happens to you on me." Max is very pissed now too, Joe thinks it's funny now. He pouts playfully and Max rolls his eyes before leaving.
„You're really cute when you're pissed." He smirks after Max. „I'm always pissed at you, dickhead."
„I know."

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

April 26 2024
Monaco

In the morning, Max checked his phone only to see that Joe had texted him at 2am. He reads:

‚Are you coning on King's Day o Sateday??'

Max does smirk at the misspelling, Joe was probably already drunk and it's not even King's Day yet in the Netherlands.
He didn't plan to come back to his home country. He'd probably have to meet his dad. Also leave his cats for the weekend, he'd have to ask the neighbors if they could watch them and he's not even sure if they'd be able to do that.

What's even more important is that Joe texted him in the middle of the night being definitely more than 5 shots of tequila deep, which means he thinks about Max when he's influenced by alcohol. Max isn't sure how to characterize it though, maybe Joe asked him because he wanted him to come, maybe he had asked him because he didn't want him to come though. Max doesn't mind either way.

For some reason, Max smiled while texting back.

‚I didn't plan to. But I could come. You miss me already?'

He's obviously proud of his joke.

April 26 2024
Amsterdam

Joe woke up way later than Max did, his muscles, especially on his back, hurt like a pain the ass and he can barely even move in his hotel bed. Getting almost blinded by the sun, he squeezes his eyes shut and tries to reach for his phone. It must be somewhere which wasn't his bedroom.
He might've left it at Lando's and Cissy's hotel room.
That dirty feeling of a hangover almost makes Joe puke, he can't find his phone, his head hurts and King's Day hasn't even started.

He looks everywhere for his phone and ends up finding it in the bathroom, he grabs it and then makes the awful decision to look in the mirror.
His curls are everywhere they shouldn't be and he has way too many hickeys on his neck, his eyebags purple and his eyes are still a bit red. He's not sure if it's from the lack of sleep or because of the weed.

Checking his phone, he calls Lando first, not caring if he's still asleep and also not caring about the message Max wrote, he did in fact see it but he's not gonna open it yet.

Max shouldn't be his priority.

„Mate, I was still sleeping, it's 11am. Why the fuck are you calling?" Lando's just as tired as he sounds.

„I've got a few hickeys. Did I sleep with anyone last night?"

„I don't think you did, bro. There was this girl." Lando is talking nonsense, with way too many pauses between his words.

„And? The girl and me did what?" Joe is leaning his hand against the sink, not even able to hold his head up right.

„I don't think you've...no. No you definitely didn't, the hickeys were probably from her though."

Joe groans, Lando's not making any sense.

„Okay, thanks Lan."

He hangs up without another word and jumps back into bed, now eventually reading Max's message.

‚I didn't plan to. But I could come. You miss me already?'

He rolls his eyes at his screen and then texts back.

‚Fuck you.'
‚Oh no wait, Daniel probably already did that'

Max is immediately online, turning the two grey checks into blue ones.
Joe starts wondering if Max maybe waited for him to answer his stupid message.

‚And you did it to Logan, you're not allowed to talk here'

Squeezing his eyes shut, Joe debates whether he should answer or not.
He decides that he will.

‚I didn't.'

He rolls his eyes when he sees that Max is calling, he's not being rude today though so he's picking up.
„You must be hungover, yeah?"
„What happened to saying hello first?"
„Wow, you're moody today."

Joe clenches his jaw. „I could also just hang up and block you."
„Please don't. You'd miss me too much."
Joe puts a hand on his forehead, his ears are ringing.
„I definitely wouldn't miss you."
„You don't want me to come to the Netherlands for King's Day?"
„Yes. I don't want you to come, that'd be nice."

That was wrong, Joe already knows without hearing Max's answer.

„I'm coming then."

Exactly, that's what Joe expected so he makes a tired „mhm" sound.

„You didn't bring Logan to the Netherlands."
Joe groans. „Logan might be one of my friends, but he is NOT my boyfriend."
„Can you prove it?"
Joe considers, he could. But he'd tell Max that Logan is crushing on someone and he's not going to do so. It'd be some sort of backstabbing, it's Logan's secret and he promised not to tell anyone.

„No. I cannot prove it."

„Then you're lying." Joe can see the face Max is making as if he was actually in front of him, pressing his lips together in a little smile because he's proud of himself. He always does that whenever he wins or makes one of his really awful and unfunny jokes during a press conference.

„Fine. I'm lying then."
He didn't wake up today to argue with Max at 11:30am. Just giving in was Joe's best option for today.

„Great, see you on King's Day tomorrow. I'll be arriving today's afternoon, can you tell Cissy and Lan?"

„Tell them yourself." Joe hangs up right after and he can tell Max said something like „Asshole" before he pushed the red button.

‚Rude.' Max texts him.

Joe leaves him on seen, he wants to sleep to make his hangover go away but someone has the audacity to knock on his door.
Of course it was Cissy and Lando, who else would it be.

„Left your shirt at our hotel room?" Cissy pushes the shirt onto Joe's chest. „That's the only thing you guys came here for?"

„No." Lando smiles and gives Joe some painkillers, they walk into his hotel room without even asking. Sit down on his couch and turn on the tv, some dutch guy is talking about the news and they can't understand a thing.

Joe takes the painkillers and sits on the couch next to Cissy and Lando. „Did Max already tell you he's decided he'll come to the Netherlands today?"

„No? How do you know?" Cissy snarls, she's amused but also...confused? Joe can't quite tell her feelings right now.
„He just called me."

„He called you?" Lando joins in, looking at Joe as if he's about to call the police on Max for weird behavior.

„Yes. It was so weird."

Cissy and Lando give each other a look, which Joe can't even tell the emotions of, before looking back at the tv again.

Max definitely wasn't about to tell his family he's coming to the Netherlands for King's Day. His neighbors will watch Jimmy and Sassy and he'll try to find a last minute hotel in Amsterdam.

Which was harder than he thought. All the noble hotels were full booked and even the middle class ones. Don't get Max wrong, he's got absolutely no problem with lower class people, he doesn't feel like he's any better, but he's not going to stay in a dirty hotel. He's still rich. He has to set priorities.

He even called his manager to find a hotel which wasn't full or dirty. Nothing. They're all booked out.

But he really wanted to come to the Netherlands, it might sound weird but he wanted to annoy Joe. Otherwise than that he just wanted to spend some time with his friends Cissy and Lan. And Joe may not be as much of a bastard when he's drunk.

So Max would've managed.

Fuck it, he's calling Cissy. „Hey, Max. Heard you're coming today?"

That means Joe did actually tell them. Max grins.

„Yes, I was about to. But there's not a single free hotel in Amsterdam. And don't get me wrong but I'm not going to stay in a dirty hotel in a dirty part of Amsterdam."

„Wow. That's kinda gay."

Max's silence tells he's at least slightly confused, Cissy smirks.

„No? That's just being rich."

„Whatever. You sounded really cunty when saying that."

Max does giggle. „What the fuck does cunty even mean?"

„I'll tell you another day bro."

The Dutchman rolls his eyes, then moving on. „Could you help me with my problem though? I called to ask for advice."

„Well, you could stay in a hotel room with me and Lando and sleep on the couch but I suppose you don't want that."

„No, thank you." Max smiles, he does not want to hear any of that nor disturb their privacy as a couple. Immediate no.

„The other choice would be staying in a hotel room with Joe."

Oh god no. Max is silent. Rethinking his life choices.

„You really think there's no other option at all?" He whines. „I mean you could just sleep on the couch in his hotel room. Or you make him sleep on that couch, I honestly don't give a fuck."

He feels miserable for considering it. It's basically his only acceptable option. He has to.

„Alright fine. Will you tell him?"

„He'd say no. We're not telling him and you'll just come to his hotel room, yea? He won't be able to actually do something against it."

Max smirks to himself, petting his cat jimmy who just hopped on his lap. „Don't you think that's a little crazy though? I might hate him but I don't want to make him uncomfortable or anything."

Max is very sure of himself, he really doesn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable because he knows what it's like. And he can barely even tell other people's emotions, it's so hard for him, surely Joe isn't the type of guy to tell you when something is wrong so it would stress Max out.

„Mate, you'll find out wonders when he tells you what people he has slept in a bed with. I'm pretty sure he won't mind."

Cissy says it as if it was the most normal thing ever and Max is confused. „Okay? See you tonight then."

Thankfully, Max has his own private jet so he can just straight up fly to the Netherlands without a worry. And it doesn't take long either.
He packs some stuff, it's not much, he'll definitely leave the Netherlands as soon as possible right afterwards. It's the Miami race week anyway and work at Red Bull has always been a priority for him.

Brings his cats to his neighbors, they have a 5 year old daughter and he knows she'll give them enough play time and treats while he's gone.

Then gets on his private jet, it's around 4pm when he arrives in Amsterdam. He texts Cissy and gets on the taxi his manager prepared for him. Life is so easy when you're rich, yea?

It feels a little weird knocking on the door of Joe's hotel room with a suitcase in his hand. He's rethinking it now, it might be a very very stupid idea.

„Cissy oh my god how many times do I have to tell you that I'm not getting ready for the club now, it's like 4pm it's way too early-„ Joe stops when he sees that isn't Cissy at the door.
He's not even wearing a shirt, only some nike sweatpants. Max's eyes are basically glued to him and as soon as he realizes he looks into Joe's startled face.

„Your hotel room must be somewhere else." The younger states shortly. Max presses his lips together.

„No."

„What the fuck do you mean no?" Joe is already being whiny. It's going to be a long weekend.

„There were absolutely zero hotels that weren't booked out. I promise, I don't want this just as much as you do."

„Stop talking nonsense." There's quite a lot of space for Max to just slip into the room so he uses the opportunity. Joe's not complaining, the door falls shut on its own and he's looking at the Dutchie.

„I'm staying in your hotel room. It's just one weekend, don't get whiny. You can sleep on the couch." Max is already settled on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

„Uh? No? I pay for this stupid room."

„I'm gonna give you money for it then, dumbass."

Joe looks at him from the doorway, Max just grins.
„I'm not going to sleep on the couch." Joe states and finally gets himself a shirt to wear, Max is thankful because he could've passed out if he had to prevent himself from staring at Joe's majestically thin torso for too long.

„Fine. I swear to god if I feel barely just a little touch when we sleep, it's over for you."

„I wasn't the one deciding to burst into my biggest rival's hotel room to stay with him, was I?"

Max rolls his eyes when Joe sits next to him on the silky sheets. „Fuck you." he mutters and Joe smirks.
Lando keeps banging on the door now and the Italian groans while standing up to open it.

„Max Verstappen on Joe Lombardi's hotel room bed. Wow." Lando grins when looking at Max, who's still on the bed.
„Knew that would happen one day." Cissy says from behind Lando.

„Guys it's almost 5pm what the hell? Get ready to dress in dutch orange because we're going to the club and not going to sleep until tomorrow night after partying on a boat with Max Fewtrell. Honestly, no idea, just get ready."
Cissy throws a bright orange nike hoodie onto Joe while saying it. Joe doesn't have anything orange in his closet except his McLaren teamwear, so Cissy got something for him.

He's gonna wear a tighter black jumper under it just like Lando with his hoodie. He was going to wear shorts but Cissy scolded him and told him he was gonna be cold. So he rather wears some black sweatpants now, just so Cissy can stop getting angry at him.

Max brought his trikot from the national football team of the Netherlands to wear, it's basically also the only orange piece of clothing he owns.

Cissy's overdressed, in the boys' opinions, but she says it's just her casual look. Casual look means a white top with an orange crochet on top, flared black leather pants and red adidas shoes. Obviously so many accessories too.

Max just has a bracelet in the colors of the dutch flag, Lan and Joe have a few more but they're all either orange or also dutch-flag coloured. Cissy also insisted on drawing the dutch flag on their cheeks but they rather passed, Lando saying that there was still time for that tomorrow on the boat.

Of course, Cissy also wanted Joe to wear an orange bandana around his forehead, just how they both used to wear it back then when they only listened to 5 Seconds of Summer on repeat.

„You look a little stupid, lad." Lando comments on the bandana. „As if you don't. It's evening and tomorrow it'll be cloudy outside and you're wearing sunglasses." Joe scoffs and Lando groans. „It's not the same."

„Yeah sure, it's not."

Lando's satisfied with that answer, shutting his mouth for at least about 7 minutes while they're walking to club. It's the usual trouble in Amsterdam when King's day is on the next day, at least according to Max. He told Joe that he often went to Amsterdam on King's Day when he was younger while Lando and Cissy were busy looking at flowers. Joe had to act like he actually cared.

After around 4 hours of clubbing, Lando and Cissy left Joe alone with Max. They went god knows where and Joe spent an hour looking for them in the club.

There's no way they're making him spend time with Max. Obviously, Joe could also spend his time with a random girl. He's not shy, he's always been social. But today isn't the day.
At least that's what he thought.

Joe feels a tap on his shoulder, turning around and expecting it to be Max. But it's a girl. Now he wonders, why did he think it was Max? Was the girl's tap harsh or are Max's usual touches featherlight like a girl's?

The girl has black hair, she looks like she could be half asian but Joe isn't sure. He's too drunk to be able to tell, her face is kind of blurry in his vision. It doesn't matter anyway, it's not Cissy, Lando or Max so he isn't about to talk with them.

„Are you lost? Who are you looking for, pretty boy?"

At least that's what Joe thinks she said, the club's music is drumming in his ear so loud that he feels like his head is shaking. Despite that, she also could've said something in dutch.

Joe didn't realize he said something until the girl giggles. „You're cute."

„You're cute too." it's a reflex, Joe didn't actually want to say that. But it makes the girl happy, so Joe is satisfied with himself. He's not an expert of flirting but he does have some sort of charm, ya know?

„You wanna dance?"

His head automatically nods, making the girl practically drag him further into the club to rub herself all over him like a stupid cat.

Joe doesn't mind, he's drunk enough to ignore it and simply put a hand on her waist to show her she can have her way with him. It's dumb, but Joe's brain works like that.

„Joe, where the fuck were you?" it's the dutchie interrupting his buisness, as always. Joe rolls his eyes so much that Max probably notices, he also flashes an eye to the girl but quickly drags his eyes back to Joe. „Forget it. You're not fucking a girl in our hotel room."

„Our hotel room? It's literally my hotel room, you burst into it without even asking me." Max admires it, Joe doesn't sound mad at all. He's still so calm while saying the rudest thing that Max has heard in a year.
Why is Max admiring it? Obviously, because he didn't grow up with that sort of reactions. He used to be screamed at for saying something wrong, sometimes his dad would even throw things.

Suddenly, Max feels immensely sick, not because of alcohol. He's breathing a bit faster, not being able to make eye contact with Joe. It's everything at once.

He didn't want to make Joe uncomfortable, that was his biggest worry about this trip.

„You could've told me if you felt uncomfortable." He murmurs, still loud enough for Joe to hear.

„What? Whatever. It's my hotel room and I can fuck whoever I want."

Max groans, probably in frustration. „That's not what I was trying to say." He groans again when Joe keeps his attention on the girl, not even listening to Max anymore.

He's not thinking straight, both of them. Max grabs the sleeve of the younger's hoodie to lightly tear him away from the girl. „Joe, please don't be dumb."

„Why do you keep caring about me? It's annoying, Max. I know how to handle myself, stop getting on my nerves just because you think you can handle my emotions better than I can. You can't even handle your own emotions, try and get a grip of your life."

Max never let go of something so fast, letting his hand, that was gripping Joe's sleeve, fall back to his side. „Sorry, that I was trying to help." The dutchie gives up, walking away in fast steps, at least he tries, there's so many people next to him. Some people also try to grope him, touching his hips or waist.

Do they not know he's the formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen? Rude.

He found a place to sit at, it's quite dirty but at least there's no vomit or drugs on the seats. Max just wants Lando and Cissy to come back, he's tired of Joe. Actually, he thought their relationship was getting better. But this just ruined everything.

What did Joe even mean? He was just trying to help him get away from a girl which was obviously making him uncomfortable.

He hates going on club toilets, but he wants to get away from all the noise. And he's drunk a lot, he doesn't want this night to end in an embarrassing way.

It's great that no one was fucking on the toilet, so Max had a few minutes of peace before going back. It might smell like cigarettes and weed, and sex, but Max doesn't mind at all. He's gone to the club often enough to be used to it.

Right when he was about to leave, quite big hands groped his waist. Max rolls his eyes, thinking he can easily get out of that grip and walk away, just how he did all these times before. But this man's grip is strong. And Max starts to panic.

No, that's not going to happen, Max is immediately trying to kick him with his feet.

„Oh don't be so shy, I don't want to hurt you."

„Fuck, I swear I'm gonna beat you up if you don't let me go."

„Oh you're feisty?"

Max groans, the man's voice is right next to his ear.

„Hey, leave him alone!" Someone pushes the man by the shoulder, making him let go of Max. His heart somehow rises when he sees Joe.

„Or what?" The man's grin is so annoying, he's broader, older and definitely more mature than Joe. That's bad, Max definitely doesn't want to be the reason Joe gets beat up. Besides that, Max is the only one on this planet who is allowed to beat up Joe.

„Don't try and be funny. Just leave my friend alone and we're good."

Friend?

The man scoffs, giving Joe a push by his shoulder but leaving the club bathroom. „Thank you" is the first thing Max manages to say, still not making eye contact with Joe. „I don't know how high and drunk you are, I actually don't want to know, but still, that was brave, Joe."

„You think?" Max hates himself, he just fed Joe's ego. „Yes." Max sighs, staying still for a moment before leaving the club bathroom. The silence was too awkward, but since everything and everyone plays against him, Joe's following him around. Back to where he was sitting at before he went to the bathroom only to get grabbed by some guy smoking way too much like cocaine.

Joe is sitting way too close for Max's liking. But it could be good, people could think they're boyfriends and leave them alone.

Max isn't going to complain when Joe almost falls asleep next to him, laying his head onto the small table in front of them.

„Are you okay?" Max is asking out of Politeness, he doesn't want the younger to be dizzy and pass out next to him.

„Mhm." he can feel Joe nodding.

After some minutes Joe is absolutely gone and Max is on his phone, hoping that no one would disturb him if he acted like he was busy.

He gets a message from his dad, he probably found out that Max was in the Netherlands. He's not going to answer, not tonight, not tomorrow. His stomach turns and suddenly he wants to go back to Monaco again and spend his night with his cats on the couch. It's much easier than this.

But, he decided it himself. He wanted to go to King's Day. No one urged him to come.

His eyes shift towards Joe when he feels a little movement, he's probably awake but way too drunk to realize anything. Max has to smirk about it.

„Hey, is he free?" it's the girl from earlier, leaning against the table and already clinging to Joe's arm.

„No, he isn't." Max groans, he's not going to let this girl leave with Joe.

„Why not?"

„Listen, I'm not going to let you fuck him while he's drunk, understand? That'd be taking advantage of him." he really hopes he's clear enough now. He was, because the girl rolls her eyes and leaves.

Joe let's his knee bump against Max's. Maybe he's saying thank you that way? Max wonders.

He notices how tired Joe seems, if he falls asleep in a club, Max won't be able to leave him. „Let's get you back to the hotel, it's almost 4:30am."

„But I'm not tired." Max has to grin at the younger's protesting, he sounds like a little kid. „You clearly are."

„But Cissy said that...that we...we'll party the whole night."

„Cissy's not even here. Come on, Joe, get up."

Max is trying to drag Joe by his arm, he's failing though. He's thankful when he finally moves by himself. Max can't lie, he's drunk himself but apparently he can handle it way better than Joe does.

He's only stumbling a little, giggling when Joe talked to a stranger on their way to the hotel.

***

Joe wakes up, head hurting as if he had fever. Max next to him is already awake, on his phone. Joe is still wearing his clothes from yesterday, he doesn't even have the bed's blankets around him. When Max notices some movement, he flashes an eye to Joe. „You're awake?"

Joe just nods, he's not going to tell Max how he's feeling though. „Do you need something to drink? Or something like that?" why does Max even care. „Yeah, Vodka would be nice." Joe can't tell if Max's eye roll was because it was absolutely unfunny or if he found it absolutely hilarious.

„I'm getting you water and some pain killers. It's 10am, Cissy wants to go out at 2pm I think."

Joe groans and turns his body around to face away from Max, he's still tired and Cissy wants to go back to partying in 4 hours.

He barely had any sleep, he doesn't know why Max is already awake and doesn't seem tired at all. Probably because he's a gamer. Lando told him multiple times that Max is the type of guy to play video games until 5am on a race day.

It takes so long for Max to come back, Joe is back to being half asleep but the dutchie shakes him awake.
Watching him take the painkillers, he looks like some strict mom, his gaze critical but also...worried?

„Are you sure you want to go out? You don't look nice."

„Wow, thank you, Max."

Max lets out a loud sigh. „I didn't mean it like that. You don't look well, physically ill, Joe."

„I'm fine. It'll go away with alcohol, trust me."

„If you say so." Max raises his eyebrows at Joe.

„Do you like...got breakfast or something?"

Max audibly groans. „I'm not your fucking housewife!"

„I literally just asked." Joe throws up his hands in defense.

***

Joe feels the worst he's felt since last summer break when he decided breaking his wrist when drinking too much was a good idea. He's dizzy, he's on a boat, probably more stoned than ever. And it's just 8pm.

Lando has a cut on his nose from a piece of glass that someone broke, now has a loosely tied bandage around his head that Cissy got for him.

Max Fewtrell is turning up the volume so much that Joe can swear the boat is vibrating. Max V on the other hand is just screaming some dutch things into Joe's ear. It's the worst, Joe has to cough.

„Are you alright?" Cissy screams over the loud music, Joe quickly nods. He's holding onto Max's shoulders, moving to the beat with Lando next to him.

Cissy put dutch flags on his cheeks, he's still wearing the same clothes as yesterday night but nobody even seems to care. Joe can't think, none of his braincells is functioning except the ones that tell him how soft Max's clothes feel, how good he smells right now. And that dutch suddenly sounds very hot.

Joe's chin lands on Max's right shoulder but the Dutchie couldn't care less.

He needs to get all his attention drawn on him, his brain tells him that Max needs to stop talking to Lando.

„Maxxxie" Joe's lips are so close to the soft skin of Max's neck.

„What's wrong?" Joe has to giggle, Max has never sound this intoxicated.

„Does your dad even know you're here?"

„Probably, yes. I didn't tell him personally though. He's not my boss. And I don't care about him."

He's now smiling into Max's shoulder. „Yea? I wish I was that independent."

Max laughs, he's actually laughing, it doesn't sound forced or fake. „You're too young maybe? Maybe you're also just too dumb?" He's saying it as much more of a statement than a question.

„That's not nice." Joe pouts, he doesn't know why his hand on Max's left shoulder is sliding down to his waist. He looks away on purpose, he can see Max biting his bottom lip in the corner of his eye though.

He never noticed that Max's waistline was so thin and cute, it actually makes him blush and it's so so stupid. Max Fewtrell next to him is grinning ear to ear, turning away to find Lando who has left after Max stopped talking to him.

„Are you trying to flirt or are you confusing me with a girl?" Max could slap himself. Why did he ask that? It's so embarrassing, Joe is probably extremely stoned, nothing else.

„Maybe I am trying to flirt. Is it working?" he's slurring his words into Max's ear, his eyes look tired but wide awake at the same time and his hair is extremely messy.

„No. It's not working."

Joe lets out a groan, which makes Max grin. „Fuck you." He wants his hand to go lower than Max's waist, it might make him uncomfortable though so the younger rather doesn't try it out.

„Yeah, when?"

Now it's Joe who's biting his lip. „Tonight maybe?"

Max acts like he's thinking about it. „Hmmm...no I rather wouldn't." he's turning his head closer to Max's ear. „Why not?"

„It'd be stupid. You know that."

„But why?" his hand is moving from Max's waist to his hips, back to his waist again.

He's suddenly panicking, pushing Joe off of him. „We can't let people see that. No. Joe you just ruined your life."

„Why only mine?" Joe is visibly confused, Max is stressed. They're not talking loudly though, not letting anyone hear.

„Because. They're gonna keep asking you if you're gay now. I bet there was someone taking pics. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have let you. I'm sorry if it makes you feel bad."

„What? Max I'm so confused."

„Joe I'm saying that there's gonna be rumours now which could actually ruin your career, maybe mine too."

Still confused, but Joe is giving up. He's silent, not even able to look Max in the eyes. „I think I want to go back to the hotel."

Joe immediately grabs Max's wrist. „You're not going alone."

Why are Max's eyes so shiny? „Joe, you don't have to come with me. Live your life, have fun with the others. I'm just cold and really tired. You know I'm not a late party guy either."

„Bullshit. I'm leaving with you. I don't want to thirdwheel Cissy and Lando or Max and his girlfriend. My back hurts and I feel like passing out any second on this stupid party boat."

Max looks to the ground, why is he feeling so warm everywhere out of nowhere? His guts turn and he's probably blushing. „Okay, can you say goodbye to the others and tell them we're going back to the hotel?"

„Sure." And Joe does, he's finding Lando and Cissy. Unfortunately, Cissy was sitting on Lando's lap. Joe did not want to see that. „Uh. Me n Max. We're leaving, okay?" his vision is so blurry but he knows that Lando is giggling.

„Fine, have fun you two. Don't ruin the bed."

„Shut up, I'd never."

„Whatever you say, Joey."

***

It's 3 and a half hours later, Joe could finally sober up a bit, at least to the point where he's thinking straight again.

Max is tired a lot, spread out on the bed.

„I'm gonna take a shower, is that fine with you?" he's not sure why he's asking, why wouldn't he be okay with it?

„Yeah. You smell." Max murmurs casually, scrolling on his phone simply out of boredom.

Joe rolls his eyes, not wasting his time with it though.

Right when pulling off his hoodie, his mind goes back to the immense pain on his back and hips. He has bruises everywhere, he can't remember anything happening though. He decides to ask Max.

„Max? Do you know if I kind of like...had a fight with anyone in the last 2 days?"

„How the fuck would I kn-„ He's cutting off himself when he sees the bruises Joe has.

„I doubt it. There was this guy in the restroom of the club but I don't think he hit you."

Max is sitting up now. „You maybe fell somewhere, I'm not sure though." he sighs and thinks for a moment. „Just go take a shower and then we'll see what we can do about it to make the pain go away."

It'd be weird to say thank you, so Joe nods and leaves.

As soon as he's dressed, he calls Max and the dutchie treats him as if he was his mom. Sitting him down and getting a cream against pain, Joe thinks it's extremely weird of him to carry that around. But it helps.

And it's nice to feel Max's hands on his back and hips.

No. He can't think that way. Joe shakes these thoughts off as fast as possible.
Max enjoys it too though, the younger's freckled skin is softer than he ever thought. And he's so tanned, it's not even may yet.

„Is it helping?" It's better to break their silence, Max still has his hand on Joe's bare back.

„Yeah. It's nice."

„Honestly, I'd tell you if I knew what caused the bruises. I think you were just being a dumbass and hit yourself somewhere on the boat." Max's lips are curled into a slight smile. Joe rolls his eyes but has to laugh. „Well yea, thank you. You should take a shower aswell, you smell." He says while standing up, repeating Max's sentence from earlier. Max shakes his head. „Asshole."

„That's the only insult you've got, Maxie? Embarrassing."

„You're so rude."

„Yes, I am."

When he comes back to the bedroom, he sees that someone is calling Max. It's his dad, Joe frowns. He's not gonna pick up, of course not. Waiting until it rings off but then he sees that he wrote multiple messages. He doesn't speak dutch at all, he can't tell what any of these messages are saying.

In conclusion, he decides to act normal when Max comes out of the shower. „I think your dad texted you."

Good response, very helpful.

„Oh? Did he?"

Max's eyes widen a little when he reads all the messages on his phone. He's almost moving in slow motion but Joe keeps looking away, it'd be unnecessary to make Max anxious.

He almost automatically sits down on the bed, staring at his phone and scrolling through the messages.

Joe knows something is wrong, but he keeps looking at his own phone. He knows for a fact how bad the feeling is when you're close to a panic attack, close to crying and someone is looking at you because they worry too much. It's the worst thing, it makes you feel like bawling your eyes out even more.

The next thing Max does is showing Joe a picture that his dad sent. It's probably a picture someone on the boat took and posted it. Obviously, it's him and Max when Joe had his hands everywhere, his head on his shoulder from behind.

He's not sure what to say. „Does your dad think...?"

Max nods.

Every single one of these messages is the same:
„Max I swear, not with this McLaren guy."
„You're embarrassing."
„It's pathetic, he probably doesn't even like you."
„I thought you hated this boy. Does he fuck you well or what?"
„How dare you not visit your father when you're in Amsterdam anyway?"

He's not gonna tell what exactly is in the messages, just nodding at the question Joe just asked.

„Is he mad?"

Max nods in silence. It's so embarrassing. It's already on the internet, all these photos. Why did he let Joe do that?

„I'm sorry. Now everyone will think that you're gay or something, I never wanted that to happen. It was stupid. If any rumors come up, just shut them down and don't let them bother you. They're gonna forget about it after a while."

Joe immediately frowns. „I don't care that people see it. We were clearly drunk and you've...always been a touchy drunk. I don't think it'll bother anyone."

Max is shutting his phone off, quickly agreeing with Joe to make it right for his brain.

„Besides that everyone knows we hate each other."

He laughs at Joe's statement, it's true, but his heart is also stinging for some reason. It was dumb, but he thought that their relationship was maybe taking a turn.

They could at least be friends, leave these childish fights from 2012 behind and move on. Max doesn't want more, even though Joe can be an asshole sometimes. Apparently he likes being close to assholes. So Joe wouldn't make any difference.

„You're right. I was overthinking it. Nico and Lewis have done way gayer things than that and nobody was bothered."

„Don't compare us to Lewis and Nico. We're so different to them."

„True, we never were friends and hated each other since the beginning."

Joe is giggling, trying to hide his smile. Max's eyes are completely glued to Joe's facial expressions. His teeth are so shiny and the way his lips curl when he tries to hide them is so cute. He has a dimple, but only on the left side of his face.

He gets him out of his thoughts quickly enough, thankfully. „And the media knows both of us are straight so I don't think it'll be a big deal."

Max's smile drops a little, he immediately tells himself to not be suspicious. He thought that Joe maybe knows, back then in 2014 when he asked him about it and Max was embarrassed and almost slipped on the wet floor of the dressing room at the public pool.
Or maybe Cissy and Lando told him, he's said multiple times he's not going to make it a big secret and they can tell anyone except the media.

But apparently Joe doesn't know. It makes everything slightly worse. Just slightly.

„Actually I'm..."

Come on Max, it's not that hard. It's not a big deal, Joe won't judge.

He's all ears, looking at Max in slight confusion but it looks like he knows what the dutchie is about to tell him.

„I'm not straight. I thought you knew that. I hope this doesn't make things weirder than they already are now."

Fuck. He shouldn't have told him. He keeps flirting with Joe since Las Vegas 2023 and he's pretty convinced that Joe will think he has a big fat crush on him now. Which he doesn't. It'll make everything weird and of course, yes, he does not like Joe even as a friend but what if it'll just make everything worse. It'll cause so much drama.

„No, that's fine. I mean, I kinda did know but I thought it was just a speculation, you know?"

Joe probably noticed that Max got nervous, he's hesitating but he puts a hand on Max's shoulder. Everything immediately burns, he feels like he can't hear anything anymore.

„I promise it doesn't make things weirder. It's weird enough already."

Max's heart drops and everything stops for a moment. „Yes. My dad is so mad though. He doesn't quite like me being bi anyway, he tolerates it, but he's not happy about it. He now thinks that we're fucking and told me I'm embarrassing."

Joe's whole face makes an expression and Max can tell his exact thoughts right now.

„He doesn't know what he's talking about. He's just angry at himself and let's it out on you." Max nods. „Yeah. Probably true. I shouldn't think about him too much."

„Exactly. It's your choice. Not his."

„Thank you."

They're both smiling, Joe takes his hand away from Max's shoulder and he can finally breathe normally again. Joe doesn't even seem to care, he's calm.

„Are you flying back to Monaco tomorrow?"

„Why? You wanna get rid of me?"

„Yes. I don't think I can keep up with you taking over the whole bad for another day."

Max rolls his eyes. „I was going to fly home but now that you say it, I might stay here."

„Jokes on you, I'm taking a plane to Miami tomorrow afternoon."

He groans, Joe is probably going to Logan's and Max is absolutely not happy with that. He's the one Joe should spend time with and argue with, not Logan.

Logan is so annoying, Max can't even tell the color of Logan's hair. Is it blond? Brown? Ginger?

No one knows, that's pissing Max off. In his opinion, Logan is very much blond, since he's also acting like a typical blond white boy.

He listens to rap, likes American football probably more than his own job, talks in such stupid slangs and wears sunglasses as big as Kim Kardashians ass. Bonus points because he's from fucking Florida and his name is Logan Hunter Sargeant. That's the whitest, straightest, most patriotic name Max has ever heard.

Don't get him wrong, he doesn't like Logan because of his driving. It's okay, he's improving already and he's driving a fucking Williams. Who would Max be to judge him? And in general, Logan is a quite sweet guy. It's everything else about him that's annoying as fuck.

Max wants to be polite. „Are you going to Logan's then?"

„Probably, yeah."

„I honestly didn't think you two would get that close."

„It's not really something you can predict, is it?"

That makes Max think, he also didn't think that such words could come out of Joe's mouth.

„Obviously not."

***

The tension had been weird between him and Joe. So Max is glad to be back home in Monaco by afternoon, picking up his cats and giving them a review of his visit to the Netherlands. He's convinced his cats understand him, they hate his dad.

Don't get it wrong, Max can be extroverted if he wants to. But he's an introvert by heart. It's nice to go clubbing after a good race week, sometimes go to boat parties in Monaco with Charles. But Max prefers to be at home with his cats, play Fifa or call of duty and work out. It's much easier, quieter, more peaceful.

And Jimmy and Sassy make everything less lonely. Ever since Max broke up with Kelly, it's been much more quiet in his apartment. Except when Jimmy or Sassy decide to meow loudly in front of any door that's closed. And when he opens it for them, they don't even go inside the room.

P made the apartment be loud. Max loved it. He appreciated every single thing about P and Kelly.

Even though sometimes Kelly took it too far, made rude comments about Max being bi. The worst thing was when she already had interest in Max when he wasn't even 18.

That's also a big reason why they broke up, everything was weird from the start on.

It was horrible for Max to tell P that him and Kelly broke up. P is probably still sad, but in a few years she'll assumingly won't bother anymore. They still sometimes come to watch races and Max gets the chance to see P. He's only doing that for her, because she wants to see ‚her Maxie'.

It makes Max feel a lot better about himself aswell. It proves that he isn't like his dad as a father, P loved him and he loved P. He's glad he isn't like his dad. He might have his own kids one day, he'll treat them exactly how he wanted to be treated. That's the only right way according to Max.

But it's nice to be completely on his own again, only having Jimmy and Sassy that might cause some trouble. He doesn't need anyone else at the moment.

——

Joe, Lando and Cissy's flight took a lot of time, since it got delayed and it's already a pretty long flight in general. They're all jet lagged now, Joe basically making Logan drag him onto the next couch.

At least Miami is warm, good for a few rounds of padel and going to the beach in the upcoming week. The air so hot even in the night, it's loud in some areas of the city but in some others it's completely quiet. Quiet enough to hear the tiny bit of wind rushing through the palm trees.

It's finally Logan's home race, and they all hope he'll score some points.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

May 1 2024
Monaco

Max hates leaving his cats for the race weekend. He'd love to take them with him but he's too scared of all the risks. At least his mum and neighbors will often take care of them when he's away.

He's still in bed with both of them, he's too tired to get up. King's Day weekend has drained his social energy.

But of course, Christian would call him at that exact time. He groans, having to lightly shove Jimmy away to reach his phone.

„Hey Max. We've heard that Joe doesn't want to renew his contract with McLaren. Since Cissy seems like she doesn't want to stay here at Red Bull, I thought maybe you could ask Joe if he wanted to come to our team by chance?"

„Christian why would I ask him? Just let Cissy do that."

It's unnecessary, he's not even close to Joe.

„Don't you dare think I haven't seen the pictures from King's Day last weekend."

Max groans. „Still, Cissy's way closer to him than I am."

„She could sabotage it though."

Max makes a grimace, Christian makes no sense at all.

„Why would Joe want to leave McLaren anyway?"

„I don't think it's a secret he doesn't like Zak Brown."

He grins. „Who likes him though?"

„Max. Be serious for once."

Sighing, Max nods, even if Christian can't see that.

„Fine. I'll ask him. But I can't promise I'll be able to do that this race week."

„That's okay, just remember to do it."

„I will, bye bye." Max is hanging up faster than ever. He puts his phone aside, getting Jimmy to lay on his chest and pet him. Sassy doesn't really like to get cuddled, but he pets her anyway since she's laying beside him and Jimmy.

He hopes no one will get on his nerves on media day because of the pictures from last weekend. It was dumb, besides they were absolutely wasted. He hasn't properly talked to Joe ever since anyway.

May 1 2024
Miami, Florida

„Come on, Joe. There's no way you're still sleeping, we want to go and play paddle." Cissy complains, shaking Joe awake. „It's 2pm, you're not 15 anymore."

„Why did Logan let you in?" he's groaning.

They're all staying at a house in Miami, Logan's parents own it. It's chiller than a hotel, not so much drama.

„Me and Lando went grocery shopping and when we came back you were still sleeping. Logan said he doesn't want to wake you so I went for it."

„You shouldn't have."

„Stop complaining."

Joe yawns. „Says you."

Cissy throws a pillow at his chest. „Get the fuck up though."

When he finally got up and went to the kitchen, Logan's dog greeted him. His name is frat, short for frat boy.

Of course, he's a golden retriever. What else would it be for a white boy like Logan?

He's still a puppy, jumping around Joe's legs and almost making him trip.

„You should eat something before we go, bro." Logan advises and Joe just nods, not making a big deal out of it.

„You're like a little kid, mate." Cissy complains again, sounding like a strict mom when her son is late for school. She puts a bowl of cereal in front of him, aggressively handing him a spoon.

Lando's just smirking, he looks like he's about to make a comment on Cissy but he rather doesn't.

„I hope they won't do something awkward at the GP. Like the driver's introductions last year."

„Cringiest thing ever. I'm still crying about that." Cissy shakes her head.

„No, guys, I feel like something's gonna happen." Lando throws in. „Positive or negative?" Logan asks.

Joe doesn't mind not talking for once, he's just gonna stuff his mouth with cereal. Probably better for everyone.

„I dunno."

„Do you guys think there'll be some celebrities like Jojo Siwa?" Cissy giggles, making a grimace.

Logan makes a grimace aswell. „I think I've seen James Charles talking about it..."

The room is silent for a second, Lando and Joe now making a judgmental face aswell.

„I personally hope he's a Ferrari fan so he won't bother me." Cissy quickly says, leaning down to pet Frat. „Are we taking him with us?"

„I don't know, is that allowed?"

„Bro how would we know? You're the one who comes from miami." Lando states, Logan rolls his eyes sarcastically. „I think there's a paddle court next to the beach and we can definitely bring Frat to the beach."

„But who will watch him?" Lando asks, looking at Logan with a somehow confused expression.

„I could ask a friend of mine."

Joe smirks at Logan while eating his cereal, he knows exactly which friend he's talking about.

Thankfully, Logan's friend said yes and will watch Frat on the beach while they play paddle. With the most American sunglasses on, Logan leads the group to the beach, Frat walking right next to him.

„Logan which friend by the way?" Cissy asks while they're walking, paddle rackets in their hands.

„Is this supposed to be an insult?" Logan jokingly asks and Cissy giggles. „It actually wasn't, no."

„You'll see which friend then. I don't think you've met though."

„Bet? I know everyone." Cissy smirks a little in her pride.

„Sure, last time I checked you didn't even know who Erling Haaland was." Lando argues provocatively.

Cissy throws her hands up in defence. „Sorry I'm not football obsessed."

They've eventually reached the beach, Joe's thankful, he couldn't have stood their arguing for 1 more minute.

Logan is giving his friend a quick hug. Lando and Cissy expected a boy, who was just shorter than average. To their surprise it was a girl, blonde wavy hair a bit longer than to her shoulders. Green bluish eyes looking at Logan while tucking her hair behind her ear.

She shoots a smile at the others. „Hey, I'm Alexa, so nice to meet you." Her voice is a bit raspy but somehow still girly enough for Logan to like it.

„Nice to meet you too!" Cissy smiles. Lando is still startled, he didn't know Logan was actually able to speak to women on his own. Oscar told him he's the reason Logan got a girlfriend when they were teens. He could never speak to girls he liked in a romantic way, only to those he saw as a friend. Like Cissy.

„Yeah. Nice to meet you." Lando manages to spit out.

Alexa gets down to pet Frat, greeting him with a boop on his nose. „Do you really not want to play and watch this menace going wild on the beach instead?" Logan asks, smiling down at her. „Yes, I'm not a big fan of paddle."

„You're weird." Logan literally giggles and Cissy turns her head to smirk at Lando, who doesn't seem to get it.

„Anyway then, bye bye." Alexa calls out, grabbing Frat's leash from Logan and walking towards the beach with him. „Bye..." Logan sighs. It sounds straight out of a 2010s romcom.

„Who was that?" Lando asks while they walk to the paddle court. „She's just an old friend of mine from school, no one important."

"sure?" Cissy asks, a slightly teasing smile on her lips. "Totally sure. Besides, she'd never date someone like me."

"Don't say that, mate. Your dog is called frat boy, that has so much charisma." Lando says, swinging the racket in his hand. „I'm going in a team with Joe."

Joe won't complain, Cissy won't either. Her and Logan will show them how to play paddle like champs. Giving him a quick fist bump before they start playing.

Joe is quite tired, but he won't say anything. He also blames his tiredness for his awful thinking, all he can think of is his awful performance last year here in miami. And how bad he felt last spring in general. His engineer Kiki had to basically carry him out of bed, drag him into the car and force him to talk during races.

He couldn't even win, was too stupid to overtake Max. Suddenly his grip on the racket gets much tighter and his hits get harder. Why couldn't he just win? Didn't he deserve it?

He has to win here in Miami this year.

He was so lost in thought, he didn't even notice he missed the ball until Lando complained. While picking up the ball, his hand is shaking and his breathing is getting faster. He keeps fucking things up, looks at the ball for a moment before getting interrupted.

„Hey, I hope you don't mind me playing for you, you look quite tired." Alexa says, standing in front of Joe and gratefully taking his racket and the ball, then handing him Frat's leash. „Yeah. Thank you, I'm indeed tired."

Alexa flashes him a smile before he turns around to walk to the edge of the court with frat, trying to control his shaking hand and breathing. Sitting down on a bench with Frat immediately hopping onto it next to him.

He can only stare at the ground, it feels like there's nothing else than the paddle court around him. The repeated sound of the ball hitting a racket howling in his ears, it makes his head hurt. „Logan do you mind if I go to your house with Frat?" he yells at Logan in a rushed tone and he can identify him allowing it with a shake of his head.

He stands up so fast, almost running into people on his way home, he's walking way too fast, frat can barely catch up with his little puppy legs.

Fiddling the key into the door and unleashing frat after they went inside. He almost sprints to the room he sleeps in, practically falling onto the bed and feeling Frat cuddling up next to him a few moments later.

His eyes drift shut almost immediately, he wants to sleep just to escape it. Escape everything. Him being a failure, not winning races nor championships. The reality of no one being there for him. The feeling of panic in his throat and head, he can feel it everywhere until he starts crying. Everything hurts, physically and mentally.

He doesn't even want to go racing this weekend, he'd love to spend all day in bed with Frat.

Cissy had asked Max if he wanted to come to Logan's for a quick movie night. Max wouldn't say no to that. Yes, he'd for sure rather play Fifa or sim racing in his room all night but he's pretty fine with meeting his friends too.

It's about 7:30pm when he arrives at Logan's house and they're all giggling in the kitchen like teenagers stealing alcohol from their parents for the first time.

He wonders why, and his face must clearly be showing that thought. „Can you go and get Joe? He must still be in the room with the slightly open door." Cissy says, tucking a wave behind her ear while pouring herself orange juice.

He rolls his eyes but won't complain, he's too exhausted from the jet lag to argue about stupid shit like that.

When he enters the room, Joe is sleeping. A golden retriever puppy curled up on the bed next to him. Max wonders how that works because Joe is spread out on the bed, his long ass legs and arms are everywhere they shouldn't be.

His eyes flash to where his italian football jersey is showing a part of his stomach because it supposedly moved while he was sleeping.

His skin looks so soft, tanned and freckled. Max is so near he just wants to fucking bite it. But that'd be stupid and weird.

Joe's eye bags look puffy, as if he had just cried. Max notices that, of course he does. Maybe Joe had always been looking like that and Max just didn't notice. He blames it on that, his mind couldn't take it if he kept thinking about why Joe had cried. He rather just ignores it.

Not wanting to wake him up from such a peaceful looking sleep, Max leaves again.

„He's sleeping, I don't want to interrupt his pornhub dream."

Cissy snorts. „Why the fuck would you think it was a pornhub dream?"

„I think he was drooling."

Lando smirks. „He must be dreaming about his wins in Monza then."

„Maybe, he obviously can't manage to win against me on any other track."

Logan can't help but giggle. Of course he wants to be a significant, winning driver but it's also quite funny to watch big teams pulling drama on everything. He wants to leave williams, but he doesn't want to leave f1. He loves Alex, he loves most team members, but he just feels like Williams isn't the team for him. He's afraid he's not good enough to earn a contract with any other team though.

„Logan, you think you'll score some points on american soil this weekend?" Cissy asks, she clearly noticed Logan being lost in thought again.

„I hope so for sure. But I'm still driving a williams, you know."

„Do you want to change teams?" Max knows why he's asking, maybe Logan isn't that bad after all and for sure, a seat at Red Bull would be unrealistic. But since the Racing Bulls are turning into bmw, Logan could have a chance of gaining a seat there if Max helps him with it.

„I do. But I don't think I'm good enough for anyone to sign me."

„Don't say that." Cissy quickly stops Logan. „I'm convinced you'll improve this year."

Logan smiles and nods. He hopes so too. He hopes so fucking bad too.

„Are you interested in BMW?" Max had the urge to ask that, he definitely likes Logan and it'd be nice to have him on the grid for another year at least.

„They won't keep Danny and Yuki?"

„Well, Danny is probably getting replaced by Liam and Yuki doesn't have a contract yet, I think."

Logan looks like he's thinking. „I don't want to steal Liam's or Yuki's seat though."

Cissy giggles. „Logie, that's how Formula 1 contracts work. You only have to care about yourself and no one else."

Logan looks like he's about to frown but he rather smiles about it instead. „What about you, Cissy? Do you plan on leaving Red Bull?"

Max's head immediately turns to her, she doesn't make eye contact. „I dunno yet." she pauses.

„Anyway let's watch a movie. What do you guys want to watch first, I want to watch cars." she's already walking towards Logan's living room, startling the three boys.

„We watch cars every time." Lando complains to his girlfriend.

„Well, it's a good movie though."

„Any marvel movie is way better."

Cissy looks at Lando, clearly thrown off. „So not true."

Logan and Max don't want to interrupt them. Besides, they both watch any kind of movies. Max's guilty pleasure are romances though, but he's not about to watch something romantic with his friends. He can't admit it, but he's hella scared of horror movies. Even the ones that aren't that scary. He always ends up calling Daniel because he's scared to walk to his bedroom on his own.

So cars might be appealing to Max.

They've already watched cars 1 and are now halfway through cars 2. It's quarter past 10, already dark outside.

Lando and Cissy fell asleep cuddling while watching the movie. Frat settled down next to Logan and the American must be awake but he looks like his eyes are about to fall shut.

Max really wants to check on Joe, but on the other hand it might be totally awkward. He should probably go to the bathroom, Joe's room is on the way. So he can still decide if he wanted to check on him after using the bathroom.

It must be quite late when Joe wakes up, it's already dark outside but he can make out a clock on the opposite side of the room. A few minutes after quarter past 10.

Frat isn't next to him anymore, he feels sweaty but a small breeze crosses his skin, somebody must've opened the window earlier.

He's obviously still wearing his italy jersey and a pair of shorts. The faint sound of a movie playing in the living room can be heard and he can also hear some sounds of the ocean in the distance. His feet drag him up, he doesn't even know why.

Right when he opens the door, Max walks past it and he stops, looking at Joe.

Joe who has awfully messy hair, Joe who has purple puffy eyebags.

„Did I wake you up?" Max whispers, the younger shakes his head. He keeps looking at him, he's never seen Joe with eyebags this bad and messy hair.

„We're watching cars, do you want to come and watch with us? The others are sleeping though."

That explains why he's whispering. Joe shakes his head again, looking down at the floor.

In reality, Logan wasn't sleeping. He can hear Joe and Max in the hallway and he has to smile to himself.

It's so obvious, it's funny.

Silence between them now until Max speaks up again. „Did something happen?"

And Joe shakes his head again. Max is so frustrated, why can't he just speak one word? He checks the hallway until asking. „Do you want to talk? Not here in the hallway."

Joe doesn't say or do anything, he looks like he's actually considering Max's request.

Then he nods, letting the Dutchie into the room. He turns on a small light, it makes Joe's eyes hurt.

Settling down on the bed, Max sits on the opposite side of him. It's a little awkward. But Joe feels...fine. He feels absolutely fine in Max's company.

„Is everything okay?" Max asks in a worried tone.

Joe nods, of course he's lying. But Max isn't going to push him. The boy who couldn't stop talking all day is suddenly very...quiet. Completely silent.

„I had dumb thoughts, I don't want to talk about it. I just wanted some company." Joe's voice sounds like it's breaking but he can hide it very well.

„I don't want to sound rude but I'm not sure if your biggest enemy is the best company you can have." he laughs a little and he can see a faint smile on Joe's lips.

Joe's lips. He has the same freckle on his upper lip as Max.

„You might be a better company than a dog though."

Max giggles. „Right, cats are better." And Joe nods. „They are."

He's genuinely surprised, he always thought Joe would be a dog person.

They're both quiet now, Max takes the chance to look at every detail of his face as Joe isn't looking at him. Freckles dotting his whole face.
Max always wanted to have freckles like these.
He has such nice lashes for a boy, making his hazel eyes shine. He'd never payed attention to his eyes that closely, they're basically brown but they have a little hint of green in them.

„Your eyes have a little green in them." Max murmurs and Joe immediately looks at him. „Hm?"

„Nothing."

That's embarrassing, he never wanted to say that outloud.
Joe looks like he's concentrating on something, his eyebrows knitting. Before he settles down next to Max instead of far in front of him.
„You're bi, right?"

He certainly doesn't know why he's asking. But he answers anyway, of course. „Yup."

„So, you've had crushes on boys?"

He thinks and then nods. „I think so."

It's a question he'd never expect coming from Joe. „How did you know?"

„You know, it feels the exact same to having a crush on a girl."

„Really? So you also want to do cheesy stuff with a boy? Like, going on dates and stuff."

Max nods again. „Yeah. I do imagine it sometimes."

„Does that mean you've got a crush on a guy right now?" Joe smirks at him and the dutchie snorts. „No. I'm fine being single at the moment."

„Do you miss Kelly sometimes?"

„If I'm honest, not really. I miss P, but I don't miss Kelly."

Joe's knee is touching his now, it relaxes both of them. It feels nice. Different to what he's felt when Kelly touched him or any of his ex partners. But nice.

„Does that have a reason?"

„Mhm." Max looks to where their knees are touching, stops and then looks back at Joe. „We knew each other when I was a minor. It was just a very weird relationship in general, she was so much older than me. Sometimes even used me for my fame and made fun of my sexuality, wasn't nice at all."

„But did she do anything to you? When you were still a minor."

Max hesitates, but he's quite sure he wants to tell Joe.

„When I was 17, we went to a bar together. They sneaked me in with a fake ID. I didn't have a girlfriend at that time and I was also quite close with her brother, not in that way. She got me to get drunk and took me to her hotel room to rant about why she'd be the best girlfriend ever. She took care of me. And I think...that's what I needed, you know, I've never had someone to take care of me as a kid and I needed someone to do that. She took use of that situation. I was young, I didn't even realize how bad she manipulated me."

Joe frowns. „I never thought of your relationship like that."

Max let's out a little laugh. „Yup. And her dad was the worst."

„I fucking hate him." Joe agrees with a smile.

„More than me?"

„Mhmmmm I dunno." Joe giggles and Max joins in.

„I bet you don't even remember why you hate me."

***
June 16 2009
Germany

It was one of the usual ‚dinner at Michael's house' weekends again. Since Joe's and Cissy's grandpas were formula 1 champions, and their dads had influence in the paddock too, they were invited. Jos was invited too of course as a former f1 driver.

Joe and Cissy were up to no good for the whole ride. Joe's coming with Cissy's family, since he wanted to be with Cissy on the car ride. And they wouldn't have fit in his car, he has way too many siblings. Cissy on the other hand only has a younger brother.

„Will you two be quiet for once?" Cissy's dad asks while driving. „Hm no." the girl giggles and Joe keeps making stupid grimaces that make her laugh.

They're excited to see Mick again, usually they mind their buisness on the kids table. Eating their dinner before running outside to play hide and seek or football. But today was different, Joe and Cissy are allowed to sit at the adult table for the first time.
Yes, they are younger than both Mick and Max. But they had promised to behave and after looking at Fernando and Michael with big glassy eyes, they finally gave in.

They'll make sure to hurry up though so they can annoy Max together with Mick. The Dutchie was almost 12 years old, which is incredibly old for Joe and Cissy. He's basically a teen already, doesn't go to elementary school anymore and he'd always grow much taller at every dinner they have at Michael's.
He always complains that Joe, Cissy and Mick are annoying little kids.
Mick is barely any younger than him, but still, he keeps complaining.
But in general, he thinks they're quite okay. He has no other kids to spend time with at these dinners, he's forced to be with them. Also has to sit at the stupid kids table, he's almost 12, he knows how to behave.
Joe also has a twin sister, Alessia, she seems just as annoying to Max. The Italian's siblings rarely show up to these dinners though, his older brother is a pro at football, practices the whole day. He has older sisters too, they're as old as Max or even older, that's why they don't show up. They're teens with free will, get to spend time with friends or whatever.

Max always gets dragged by his dad, he has to show up to Michael's dinners.

And Joe's younger sister Lydia is still too young, she must be 3 or 4 years old. And Michael asked everyone if they could not bring kids who are younger than six. Joe and Cissy were allowed to come at four years old, and it never worked out well.

When the car stops, Joe and Cissy practically jump out of it and run towards the entry of the big garden. Where Mick is already waiting, his eyes light up when he sees them.

Max watches, he's already sitting at the kids table, preparing for the worst. Mick had told him nonstop about how unfair it was that Joe and Cissy could sit at the adult table. He listened though, he's not gonna be rude to Mick.

Mick is the only one he can stand.

He watches the three of them, Joe must be the most annoying one of the trio.
Joe with the stupid gap between his teeth that will hopefully go away when he finally gets braces, that's what he says at every dinner.
Joe with the just as stupid marks on his knees and legs because he keeps being careless while playing football.

Max wishes he could play football with his friends too. But his dad tells him off, he's only allowed to go karting if he wants to do something fun. He's also allowed to play video games sometimes. Whenever he's at his mum's house he's allowed to do anything though. He draws with his sister, plays football with the neighbor's kids and one time he even got to skateboard.

But he wasn't really good at it.

When dinner starts, he has to sit alone with Mick and Joe's twin sister Alessia. She keeps talking to Mick about how scared she is to go into 4th grade, because it'll be her last year in elementary school.

„Is it scary to be on a big school, Max?" she asks and Max turns his head to look at her. It amazes him every time how well they can speak english. Of course, they're 9 years old already and their families probably paid for English courses when they were just 5.

But Max barely even speaks English now, he has to concentrate a lot to understand native speakers.

Alessia looks exactly like the girl version of Joe, she just has brown eyes instead of hazel ones and she's much shorter. It's not like Max has paid attention to Joe's eyes, he's just one of these people who pay attention to every detail.

„No, it's not scary. It's quite cool to be honest."

She nods and looks at Mick before eating again. Max doesn't pay attention to what they say afterwards, he sometimes catches Alessia talking about her ballet classes though.

In the meanwhile, Joe and Cissy keep giggling on the adults table. They were being messy with their food and their dads immediately told them off.

They start to get very bored after finishing their meal, the adults talk so much and won't let them stand up from the table yet.

„You know what would be funny?" Joe says, whispering so no one else would hear. Cissy shakes her head. „If we went under the table."

They always do that. Climbing under the table. Joe would always tie someone's shoelaces together and Cissy draws on people's ankles.

Cissy giggles. „Yes, it would be funny."

Joe doesn't pay attention to who's shoelaces he tied together, hoping it was Fernando's or his dad's. His best friend drew on his ankle too, giggling because he doesn't even notice.

They sit on their chairs again, giggling and whispering while looking at Fernando.

„What's so funny, kids?" He suddenly says, a hint of amusement in his voice.

„Stand up!" Joe giggles and Fernando raises an eyebrow, standing up. But nothing happens, he looks down at him, then back at the two kids with a confused grimace on his face.

Joe's and Cissy's faces go blank, they immediately look under the table and realize they didn't tie Fernando's shoes together but Michael's.

Right when they were about to escape, Michael stands up...and he falls. He doesn't seem angry, but somehow disappointed. „Who was that?!" He asks and unties his shoelaces before standing back up, looking right at Joe and Cissy.

„It was Joe's idea!" Cissy exclaims and points at Joe.

„No it wasn't!" Joe tries to argue back but his mom is already grabbing his arm, telling him off.

The worst thing about being a kid is that the adults can just pick you up and carry you away from the adults table. „I think maybe you two aren't mature enough to sit at the adults table just yet." Michael scolds both of them in the living room.

„We're very sorry, Michael." Joe says, not even daring to take a look at him. „Yes, we are." Cissy says aswell.

„I know you two are sorry. But look, you made the whole table messy. Drew on people's ankles and tied my shoelaces together. You're 3rd graders, I think it's time for you two to stop being so immensely careless. You want to be reliable teenagers one day, don't you?"

Careless. Joe gets called careless every day. Cissy not so often, but she does know that she can be a troublemaker whenever she's with Joe.

They don't even answer, being to embarrassed.

„If you keep going like that forever, you'll end up like Fernando. He has to sit at the kids table every other dinner because he's being silly."

Cissy and Joe start giggling. Fernando always tells them he just sits at the kids table for fun.

„No, really. I'm being serious." Michael says, even though he's grinning just a little bit. He looks back outside. The table really is messy.

And their parents aren't happy with it too. The kids are both not giggling anymore. They caused chaos and embarrassment. They just wanted to have fun though.

„I think you two shouldn't see each other for tonight's dinner anymore."

„What? That's unfair!" Joe keeps on trying to reason.

„I think your parents don't want you to cause trouble anymore. Just for today."

They decide it'd be better if they didn't argue anymore.

Thankfully, the mansion is really big. Cissy stays in the living room downstairs and Joe's in the living room upstairs.

He didn't want it to end like that. And now he got scary Max Verstappen as „company".
Joe doesn't want to spend time with a teen, and Max surely doesn't want to spend time with a little boy aswell.

They're not even talking, just sitting next to each other.

„That was really careless of you." Max decides to say after a while. It sounds rude, as if he was judging Joe. He's just 9, and he has diagnosed adhd. Why would that be his fault?

„Maybe."

„Maybe? Dude that was...really bad."

Joe frowns, his legs tangling off the couch. Max's feet already reach the floor.

„Do you think anyone is mad at me?"

Max is laughing. Is he laughing at Joe? „Your parents probably."

Why is he making him feel even worse? Max is no fun. He's a mean teenager. Joe doesn't want to spend time with him anymore.

„Maybe Fernando too." Max whispers.

„You don't know him! He likes being silly."

Max shrugs, a little smirk on his face and Joe hates it. He's not close with Fernando, of course he wouldn't know. Joe spends time with Fernando all the time, since he's his godfather and his dad's best friend. Fernando is also Cissy's dad's best friend, that's why she knows him so well too.

„Why is your sister not here?" Joe asks after a while, he knows Max has a sister. She's been at karting races to see Max.

„She lives with my mom." Max answers, he doesn't sound impressed. A little annoyed.

„Your parents aren't married?"

Joe doesn't understand that yet. He doesn't have any friends whose parents are divorced.

„They were. But not anymore. It's none of your buisness anyway!" He suddenly says. Then his dad comes in, telling him that they will leave now because he wants Max to practice karting tomorrow early in the morning.

When they're gone, Joe is alone. He doesn't know if he's allowed to watch tv or do something to keep him busy. He can't sit still and he's bored.

Max's dad is a little weird, that's what he thinks about. Max once said that he never really played football because his dad doesn't allow it. Which kind of dad doesn't allow his son to play football?

He hears someone coming upstairs and sits up, he wants to try and sit still. Maybe it would make the adults like him more?

It's just Fernando, he sits down next to him with a grin. „Hey, Joey." He laughs and Joe giggles. He likes being called Joey sometimes. Especially by Fernando.

„Hey, Nando." Joe stops, he frowns a little. „Is anyone mad at me and Cissy?"

Fernando shakes his head. „No. No one's mad at you two." He knows he'll have to make it clear to Joe that he should stop being immature. He wouldn't listen to his parents. But he might listen to Uncle Nando.

„Chico, you know that sometimes being too silly is taking things to far, right?"

Joe nods, he does know.

„What you did was really careless. But you know what's important? Being careless is necessary sometimes. If you want to be a champ in Formula 1 just like me, you have to be careless sometimes."

The boy's eyes get a little shiny. „So, you're saying I'll be a champ one day?"

„Maybe. I don't know." Fernando shrugs, a smile playing on his lips.
„I didn't mean to make the adults mad. I'm good."
Whenever Fernando or his parents had asked him if he was good, it was always a rhetorical question. Joe knows he's good, and he's still good now.
„I know you're good, chico. Everyone knows that." Fernando says, ruffling his hand through Joe's brown curls.

„Your parents asked me if you want to sleepover at my house today. Do you want that, chico?"

„Yess!!" He excitedly grabs Nando's arm, smiling from ear to ear.

„That's what I thought!" He takes Joe to sit on his shoulders and he giggles. He feels so tall when he gets to sit on Nando's shoulders.

Sleeping at Nando's always makes Joe feel nice. Fernando reads such a funny bedtime story to him, he forgot about all the stupid things that happened today. Even about stupid Max, who was mean to him all day.

The next time they were at Michael's for dinner, Joe and Cissy could read a small sign that said.

„Joe and Cecile won't EVER be allowed at the adults table.
-signed Michael Schumacher, June 16 2009"

***

„I do remember why I hate you."

Max raises an eyebrow. „Really? You've had reasons?"

„Of course I did. You were mean to me when I was just nine years old." Joe hopes that Max knows he's not being serious. It was very stupid after all.

„I was mean to you? You were the one who started it."

„You think? In my story you were the one who started it." Joe smirks, awfully, Max likes that. „Are we talking about the same occasion?"

„I'm talking about that one dinner at Michael's."

Max let's out a laugh. „Oh."

„Yeah. Oh."

„I actually miss these dinners at Michael's. It was funny as a kid, seeing you full on embarrassing everyone at the function."

Joe rolls his eyes and Max giggles again. „I always saw you as the mean teenager. You were the problem but you just didn't realize it." The younger states and the dutchman has to groan.

„Whatever. What about you? Do you miss Helena sometimes?" Max never really liked Helena. She was nice but she seemed so arrogant. He always felt like she was bossing Joe around, wasn't nice to look at.

Joe's smile dropped a little and suddenly Max feels bad.

„Not really. But sometimes, yes."

He stops, leaning his arm back and it touches Max's.

„I just wish I had someone who wants my company, loves me. You know, does all those cheesy things with me like ice skating or taking walks on the beach."

Honestly, Max is surprised. He didn't know Joe was such a romantic, even though that's the Italian stereotype, he never really came off as a romantic boy.

„You might not believe me but I think you're a pretty handsome guy, I bet there's so many ladies who are into you."

But what if Joe doesn't even want a lady? It doesn't make sense to him, he does want a lady. He was always sure about that, his sexuality. But something about dating a girl doesn't seem appealing to him.

„I guess so."

Max tilts his head a little, a small smile playing on his lips. „What's your ideal type then? I might know some people."

Joe giggles. „You don't have to do that."

„But I want to."

„You want a lot of things, but do you actually get them?"

Max's mouth is open in sarcastic shock. „What's that supposed to mean? I am a complete man. I'm world champion, got two cats at home and live a nice single life while I'm able to play fifa and sim racing until 3am."

Joe giggles, loving how Max is taking everything so serious in his life. On one hand, he's a laid-back guy with not a single care in the world but on the other he's a nerdy, moody and caring guy.

He doesn't talk when it's important to talk, but whenever one of his interests is brought up, he could rant about it for hours on end.

The room is quiet, Joe's arm is touching Max's, Max's knee is touching Joe's. And they're looking at each other.

Quite close, Max can make out every little detail in Joe's face. The mole on his upper lip and cheek, the little dark brown spots in his iris, making the golden brown and green shine even more.

Max's stomach feels weird, he's never felt that way. It kind of feels like the tingle he had always felt as a teenager right before talking in front of many people. It feels like that kind of anxiety, but positive.

Right before he can feel the younger's breath on his face, Joe stops and backs away.

„Do you still want me to watch cars?"

Max immediately nods. „Uh yes, let's go."

***

May 3 2024
Miami, Florida

It's practice and sprint quali day in Miami, Joe had to be dragged out of bed by Logan. He's not excited for race week.

Max is gonna win the championship anyway, there's no use in trying to steal it from him. And he will be a failure for another year, good but not good enough to be a champion.

He's getting into the McLaren garage with Lando, the Brit is extremely motivated. He always is when it's finally getting summer.

He still has the cut on his nose from last weekend on King's Day. „It might bring some luck." is what he told Joe while jumping around in the garage.

„I can feel it. I feel something."

„Stop talking nonsense, Lando." his engineer says, a little smile playing on his lips though. Joe has to smirk aswell, sometimes it feels like Lando is a puppy who's excited to go for a walk when race week starts.

„I know it. I'll win this thing. Miami GP 2024, Lando Norris first win. Sounds just right, right?" Lan makes a big movement with his hand while saying Miami GP.

„If you stay this motivated, it might actually work." his engineer laughs and Lando just lets out a giggle.

P16 and P9, that's not promising for Lando after the practice session and sprint qualifying.

He wants to stay optimistic, he really does. But Cissy might have to cheer him up later.
Joe didn't really talk today, Lando's scared he did something wrong. That's why he decides to knock on the door right next to his own driver's room.

Joe's wearing a McLaren t shirt and black baggy jeans when Lando comes in. It amazes him every time how fast he manages to change after racing. Lando's still in his racing suit. „Just wanted to check on you. You didn't say much today, I was scared I might've did something to make you mad or whatever." he sounds so stupid saying it, especially because he can't even look into his teammate's eyes while talking.

„No, I'm just tired. I promise."
Lando notices how Joe's eyes are a little wide open. His shoulders are going lump with relief. He'd never want to make his best friend, next to Max Fewtrell, upset.

„Okay."

„Are you upset? With your results today."

The Brit feels a scratch in his throat, it suddenly hurts a lot. „Hm, I mean, yes. Of course I am. But the world keeps spinning, right?"

Joe nods. „Don't let that ruin your weekend. What matters is qualifying tomorrow and the race on sunday."

„Right, I know." Lan feels so stupid, he sounds like a little kid. He's an adult, he shouldn't be insecure about these kind of things. He's been racing since 4 years, soon 5, he knows what matters.
„I'm scared though. What if I'm just wasted talent and never get my first win?"

Joe's face is suddenly worried, sad. „Don't say that. It was difficult to win in the last seasons with teams like Mercedes and Red Bull dominating. Clearly not your fault."

„But you did it too. You won races too."

„I had a lot of luck, bro."

Luck. That's what Lando needs to win.
„Yeah. Sorry for bothering by the way. And thank you for helping me."
„It's quite literally what I'm here for, Lan." Joe laughs and suddenly, Lando has to grin again.

„Still, thank you lots. Wait, is that my hoodie?"

„Yea, I think Cissy left it here once."

Lando giggles and snatches it away quickly. „How dare she leave my hoodie at my teammate's room?"

Joe shrugs. „Go and ask her."

***

Cissy's in her driver's room. P3 and P2 are nice, she's happy with it. She knows Lando must be frustrated, he always gets worked up so easily.

Blames it on himself, wants to be good but fucks it up every time. That's how Lando thinks. And Cissy hates it.

She puts on her Red Bull cap, her intention is to go search Lando and drive back to Logan's with him. Lando hates being in loud places, especially the paddock, when he's frustrated.

She finds him on her way to the McLaren hospitality, he probably had the same idea. „Hey" she gives him a quick kiss, grabs his hand and walks to the exit of the paddock with him. „Hey" he sighs, Cissy doesn't need him to explain.

They see Liron and Fiona on their way, complaining about the blue Ferrari livery, probably. Cissy has to giggle. „Cissy do you hate the livery too? It's so ugly. I was hoping for a completely blue car, not these stupid stripes." Fiona whines, having the blue ferrari cap in her hand instead of wearing it.

„Yeah. The suits are fine though, don't you think?"

Fiona groans again. „Charles likes them, because blue is his color. But it looks stupid on me."

„It doesn't." Liron eyes Fiona, crossing her arms in front of her Mercedes shirt. „Well you can be happy because you guys always have all black suits."

„Not true, we once had purple suits during the barbie movie era. Me and Lewis wanted pink but Toto said we'd look like clowns."

Lando lets out a giggle, thinking back to Las Vegas 23 when Red Bull looked like clowns. Cissy seems to know what he's thinking about and hits his side.

„Alright, fine, the suits are good. But the car is the worst, I just want this weekend to be over as soon as possible."

Weekend to be over as soon as possible. Lando wants that too. He tugs on Cissy's hand, he needs to get out of the paddock. All the interviewers, the fans, the other people, it starts being too much for him. And Cissy knows, leaning against his arm while they're walking towards his McLaren.

„Do you think Logan and Joe are already gone?"

„Probably." Lando answers, he's not sure though.

Joe was still in his driver's room. But he wanted to go to Logan's, get to bed with Frat by his side. Everything is overstimulating him, the paddock is so loud. Every other minute there was someone knocking on his door, he couldn't stand it.

He doesn't want to have any more interviews. So he searches for his engineer Kiki.

When he spots the blondie, he taps her shoulder.
She turns around and takes the papaya orange headset off.

„No interviews?"

Joe immediately shakes his head, hoping that Kiki understands what he's trying to tell her. He doesn't want to speak, feeling like his throat is too weak.

„Okay, no interviews. You got a ride home?"

Joe nods, at least he thinks he does. Logan must still be in the paddock.

„Alright then. You can go, don't worry about the interviews. I'll let the team handle it."

Kiki is always so respectful with Joe's mental health, it makes him feel warm.
He walks out the paddock first, looking for Logan's white Mercedes or Lando's red McLaren. Joe didn't bring his own car to Miami, he usually takes a ride with Lando.
He can't spot their cars though, meaning that they're already gone.

His body feels warm, in a negative way, especially his head. It's as if he can feel his heartbeat there.
A hand lands on his shoulder. „Hey, Joe. What's wrong? Need a ride?"

He was immediately praying that it wasn't the stupid red bull Dutchie. And it actually wasn't. It was Charles.

Just Charles.

„Don't worry." he laughs. „Max isn't coming with me."

Joe didn't even get to speak. Charles talks a lot sometimes. And that's a big thing for Joe, who usually talks a lot aswell.

„Yes. Thank you, Charles." he manages to say at least and Charles just grins, sunglasses covering his eyes.
„You're probably at Logan's too. Yea?" he says while leading Joe to his white Ferrari. „Yup." Joe answers while climbing onto the passenger seat. These sports cars aren't very easy for him to get in, that's why Charles giggles.

„I don't know where he lives, you'll just have to lead me."

„I'll try."

Joe didn't care if Charles would start a conversation with him. Sometimes it's awkward between them, only because they've known each other for so long and Joe is his annoying little brother's best friend. That makes some things uncomfortable.

„Max was at Logan's too this week, right? He barely told me about it, just said you watched cars and had a little talk. Max keeps being so awkward about it, I hate when he does that. I'm his best friend, basically, he should tell me anything, right? I tell him everything about me and Alex too."

Charles is doing wonders. How can still he talk so much while driving. It was so much, Joe doesn't even know what to answer.

„Yeah, they watched cars. I was sleeping most of the time though, but yes we did have a little chat."

Max is awkward about it? Was it because of that one situation? Joe didn't want to make things more awkward than they already are.

„About what?"

„Pff, a little bit of everything."

Charles groans, almost whines. „Why won't anyone tell me these things?"

Well, maybe because you keep telling Pierre about every little gossip and that's why no one tells you. That's what Joe is thinking, but he rather grins. „You gossip too much."

„Do I? But I usually only tell Pierre. And sometimes Max and Fiona. Sometimes Cissy too. And maybe, just maybe, Carlos and Lando."

„Exactly."

Charles bites his lower lip. Maybe he does gossip too much.

„But, come on, Pierre is the one who tells the whole paddock after I told him."

„Mate, that's why no one tells their secrets to you or Pierre."

***
May 4 2024
Miami, Florida

Of course, Max won the sprint and also got pole. It's nothing special after the last season.
Lando only got a stupid P5 while Joe and Cissy got P3 and P4 in Qualifying. His hopes for a win are basically ruined, even though he can still feel something in the air. Charles starts on P4 in front of him tomorrow and Ferrari will surely fuck up their strategy as always.

And it can't be that hard to get past the Red Bulls and Joe, they're his best friends and his girlfriend after all. And maybe he will get some luck with a safety car.
Cissy must know that he's deep in thought so she taps his chest. They've been cuddling ever since they went back to Logans.

„What?" Lando says, his voice must be a little rough.
„You're thinking. Tell me about it." Cissy murmurs.

„I was just thinking about how to win the race tomorrow."

„Don't think about that right now, please. You're supposed to relax, Lan." she looks up at him, still being cuddled against his side.
„I know. But I think about it every day, I want to win. Just once, is that so much to ask?"

Cissy frowns. „It'll come to you at the right time. Just because Joe and I got our first wins way earlier doesn't mean you need that too to be great."

He doesn't need that too to be great.

May 5 2024
Miami, Florida

The morning in Miami is warm, the sun is already out and it smells like summer, even though it's barely even may. Lando is in a good mood, a lot is possible from P5.

Everyone in the McLaren garage can sense his good mood. And Joe is looking at his helmet, he designed a special one for Miami.

He wanted to win this originally, but if Lando wants it so desperately, maybe he'll leave that one for Lando. The Brit truly deserves it.

And Miami is a great place to party aswell.

Their cars both have pretty good pace and they're optimistic for 1-2 finish. Also Logan has said he's quite optimistic for the race today.

Deep down, Joe knows the American's dreams will be destroyed by someone. It always happens when Logan is in a great mood. Especially because he brought Alexa today.

He's said multiple times they're just friends and he brought her because she was always desperate to go to a Grand Prix in person. But Joe doesn't quite believe the friendship part.

„Heyy, Joey. Are we doing a 1-2 today?" Lando wants to give him a fist bump while putting on his helmet. Joe smirks and nods, giving his best friend the fist bump he wants. „Hopefully with you on the top step, mate."

„Stop it, charmer. Shall the better one win."

„Shall the better one win." Joe agrees, putting on his baklava and helmet aswell.
It relaxes him, the sound of the roaring engine of his McLaren. On some days, it overstimulates him. But today isn't one of these days.

He's ready for a good race, despite being tired. Miami wakes you up within seconds. The paddock in Florida is always loud. Despite that, it's hot. And the turquoise and blue colors painted everywhere make your eyes hurt until you're fully awake.

Lap 38/57

Lando has been leading for 7 laps, his hands are shaking just a little bit. He's led a race so many times, he knows how to handle this. There's still a long race left anyway.

They're having a good pace today, Joe is right behind him on P2. There's a safety car, it plays right into Lando's cards.

He's on a comfortable lead aswell. And he knows Joe wouldn't try to fight him, his best friend is aware of his need to win. Despite that, he's been having better pace than Joe anyway.

Lap 55/57

Lando's on fresher tyres, he feels like Joe is closing up though.

„You're allowed to overtake Lando if you've got better pace." Joe hears Kiki say over the radio.

He doesn't want to overtake Lando. His breath comes out shaky.

„No, his pace is better." Liar. Joe knows he's a liar. But he wanted to lie. It would make Lando feel bad to be taken away from his maiden win by his own teammate.

„Are you sure? You're closing up on him."

God, Kiki. Will she ever stop fighting with Joe over the radio.

„I think it would only cause problems if I tried to fight now. Should've told me earlier."

„Copy."

Finally. He goes back to concentrating on the race. Him and Lando have a comfortable lead, which means he doesn't have to worry about losing his P2.

Cissy is way too far behind him to catch up, she had a lap long fight with Max over who's going to be on the podium for Lando's win.

She thinks Max gave in in the end, he knows how much it means to her and if they kept fighting over the position it would degrade their tires. That would only cause problems in the team.

But Joe is in fact closing up on Lando, that's why he drives slower on purpose.

But he makes it look realistic. He's not going to overtake Lando now, it would be mean.

Lando would do the same for him.

No, Joe doesn't believe he's gifting Lando this win. Overall, Lan had better pace during the race and he's worked really hard for this win for 4 seasons.

He's not gifting anything to Lan. He's doing him a favor.

Lando in the meanwhile is scared, scared that Joe will overtakes him. He really needs this win.

He can't even breathe straight, but there's only 4 laps left anyway.

Lap 57/57

Lando crosses the line first. For the first time. He has to take one of his hands off the steering wheel to make it stop shaking.

„Whoooooo, whoooooo, fuck, I love you all, I love you all. Thanks so much. We did it Will, we did it!!" He screams over the radio, on the other side of the line he can hear cheering and roaring.

„I guess that's how it's done, I said it when I came in today, I said it was a day full of opportunity and I nailed it, you nailed it, thank you so much" the Brit continues.
„Thanks mum, thanks dad, thanks Joe and thanks Cissy. This one's for my Grandma. Thank you very much."

Joe on the other side is congratulating Lando aswell, giving him hand signs.

When getting out of the car, Lando feels like he's floating. He wants a hug from Cissy, Joe and Carlos first.

He gets them just how he needed it. A huge hug from his favorite muppet Carlos and the tightest hug from Joe. The best teammate he could ask for.

And Cissy, his girlfriend, who finished third and will be on the podium with him. Cissy, the girl he loves so much.

He wraps his arms around her waist and she holds his helmet to look into his eyes through the visor of his helmet.

Lando spins his girlfriend around one time before setting her down again. Now finally, after taking off his helmet, he runs to his team. Floating in their arms, only hearing congratulations.

The Brit has never felt this loved. He knew his first win was going to be special.

He feels so free on the podium when he's finally on the top step, hearing his national anthem.
God save the king. It still feels weird on Lando's lips, he was so used to calling it ‚God save the Queen'.

Joe and Cissy spray him with champagne, as hard as never before. And Lando is crying, he's full on sobbing while trying to reach them with his own champagne too.

It's a shame his dad couldn't be here today. He'd spray the champagne down at him.

The race wasn't as good for Logan. He had crashed out after Esteban collided with him. It's so stupid, but it almost made him cry.

He wanted to do good for his home crowd. But still, as always, they have nothing to be proud of.
It was clearly Esteban's fault. That's what James told him.

Logan doesn't quite believe it anymore. It's always someone else's fault. What if it's just his fault? He's a constant disappointment.
Someone knocks on the door, it must be Alex and Lily. Because Logan is in Alex's driver's room once again.
But for his surprise, it's his favorite blondie. „Are you feeling alright?" she asks, sitting down next to Logan.

The American feels bad. She made herself so pretty for the Grand Prix, only for Logan to crash out. She didn't even straighten the waves in her hair, put on her favorite outfit and painted her nails in Williams blue.

„Yeah."

Alexa frowns, taking Logan's hand in hers. „You did nothing wrong. I'm still proud of you, you know? You made it to Formula 1. My stupid classmate from elementary school actually made it to F1. That's really fucking cool."

Logan smiles, his hand feels fuzzy now that Alexa is touching it.

„Yeah but your stupid classmate isn't really good at his occupation."

„Whatever. That doesn't matter. Esteban was a menace today, he probably always is. You know it's not your fault. And you have plenty opportunities to prove yourself this season, I'm sure you'll impress at least one team."

He has to force a smile. „It's harder than it seems."

„I know. But you were always the guy making everything work."

***

The adrenaline has settled down a little bit at the press conference. Max was allowed to come too, he didn't have the time to hug Lando straight after the race. So he begged the Stewards to let him into the same press conference as the top 3.

He finished on P4, which isn't too bad. He's still leading the championship, the stupid papaya italian might be closing in on him but he's relaxed anyway.

Everyone knows he's going to be champion again, he doesn't have a thing to worry about.

Cissy might be sleepy, leaning against Lando for support during the press conference. But Lando is wide awake, he's calmed down. Therefore he still has a big party night in front of him.

***

They're at a club in Miami, drinking away shots as if was nothing. Lando and Cissy must've been making out the whole night, leaving the others on their own.

Alexa and Logan had soon vanished too, making Joe and Max be completely on their own.

There's some other drivers too, but Joe wasn't going to speak to them. He rather watched Max dancing.

If you can call these movements dancing. It's rather swaying to the music with a gin tonic in his hand.
He loves gin tonic, everyone knows that.
For once, he isn't wearing a white shirt or Red Bull team gear combined with dark blue skinny jeans.

He's wearing a black shirt, black pants, they aren't even skinny just to mention it. And he has a black cap backwards on aswell.

And he looks so fucking hot. That's what Joe is thinking right now. He's not even that drunk, but tipsy enough to think about his worst rival in that way.
The shirt compliments his waist a lot. Joe finds it endearing, the dutchman's shoulders are broader than his. But his waist? Fuck, his waist.

Max notices the gaze on him, looking Joe up and down. Something drags Joe's feet towards Max until he's standing right in front of him.

„Are you hot? I mean, is this club hot?" Max asks, he tried to be nonchalant but it didn't work at all. He can't flirt, he knows that. But it seems to be working on the tipsy Italian in front of him.

„Yea, I'm hot. Are you hot?"

Max sees the opportunity, and he takes it. „I don't know. What do you think? Am I hot?"
He doesn't know why he wraps an arm around Joe's neck, keeping him so deliciously close to him. He can feel the pressure if Joe's arm around his waist now. And god, that's hot. Max wants to squirm because of it.

„Yeah. Kinda. Always been."

His heart stops at the younger's words. The club is dark, thankfully. Because Max must be red as a tomato.

„How drunk are you?"

„Not a lot."

Max assumes he's saying the truth, he doesn't sound drunk. Just a little tipsy. He isn't drunk either, he's aware of what he's doing to Joe right now.

„So you're telling the truth?"

Joe nods, his eyes meeting his.

„I'm telling the truth. You're hot."

His lips are so cute, they probably taste like tequila, because Joe keeps drinking it.

They're so close, but Max wants everything to be closer. But he can't do that. Not in a club full of people, not anywhere. It would cause so much drama.

He's drunk enough to not care about that though. At least not about the scandal part. But the club full of people is a different story.

Maybe no one will notice it was him and Joe though.

It's too risky, he's not going to do that. He turns his head away.

„Max." Joe almost whines in his ear. At least he now knows he wanted it too.

He lets out a shaky breath. „Can't do that here. 'm sorry."

„But in the restroom?"

That's dirty, but Max enjoys dirty things. He bites his lip and nods. Dragging Joe to the restroom by his arm. His arms are nice, he's got a lot of biceps.

Joe barely even closes the door to the stall behind him, pressing Max against it and blankly staring at him for a moment.

Max wants to whine, but he stays quiet.

For how long did he want to kiss these lips? Probably for a long time. Now he finally gets to, but he's not going to make the first move. Joe should do it. Max knows he's a pussy though.

„Are you gonna fucking finally kiss me now or keep being a pussy?"

Max could barely finish his sentence before he feels Joe's lips on his. They are indeed soft. His whole body tingles, he feels so weird. Joe's arm is wrapped around his waist and Max decides to place one of his hands on the younger's shoulder and the other one on the back of his head, burying his fingers in the soft curls.

His eyes are closing immediately, he wants to feel it.

And fuck, he feels everything. It feels like it's been hours, in reality it's only been seconds.

He suddenly wishes to feel these lips again, not wanting this to be a one time thing.
A soft breath escapes his lips when Joe stops kissing him.

„Kiss me again, please."

Max doesn't have to say it twice, immediately feeling the tinglish sensation on every part of his body again.

He presses himself closer to Joe, locking the stall door before giving all his attention back to Joe and his soft lips. He needs more than that. Moaning into the kiss, it makes their tounges tangle for a moment.

„How far can I take it?" he murmurs, now letting Joe stand against the wall and pressing his body closer to the taller one.

„How far you want."

Max grins, biting his lip again before moving to kiss Joe's neck. „So you're saying you'll let me do anything I want? That's hot, Joey."

The younger turns his head, giving Max more room to kiss him at. „Be careful, I swear. If I find a hickey tomorrow you're a dead man."

Max rolls his eyes, he isn't stupid. „I'm not fucking dumb."

„You are fucking dumb."

It makes Max roll his eyes again. Can he just stop talking on him while he's trying to actually make him feel good?

„Will you ever shut up? Such a mouth on you."

He's actually shutting up now, and Max is giving him an approvingly long smile.
Joe's arms are still wrapped around him, and he enjoys it a lot.

But to do what he wants to do, he needs Joe to let go.

His hands go from Joe's shoulders to his chest and then a bit lower. It seems weird asking, but he has to ask.

„Can I?"

Joe looks down at them and nods.
Max slides his hand straight onto his crotch, pressing down on him.
He's hard, Max didn't expect him to be. But it's endearing.

„You're big." he states.

„Yeah?" Joe bites his lip, showing off his white teeth.
That fed his ego, Max knows it.
The music is still loud, even in the restroom. It’s typical club music, very american.

Max is now rubbing at Joe’s crotch, making him moan. The sound is nice, making the dutchie whine.

Joe lets out a gasp when Max drops to his knees, closing his eyes.

It’s nice that he’s staying quiet while Max undoes his belt, pulls the black baggy jeans and his boxershorts down. His mouth waters when he sees Joe‘s cock.

It is indeed big. And it’s fucking pretty. He didn’t expect he’d ever see a cock that’s actually pretty.

But it’s a nice color, very straight and hard. With a few veins.
He wraps his hand around it, giving it a few tugs until Joe is moaning. „Be quiet.“ Max really can’t have anyone noticing that the formula 1 world champion is about to suck his rival‘s cock.

To his surprise, he actually shuts his mouth, looking down at Max who is keeping his eyes on Joe’s cock.
He smirks. „Good boy, you’re being quiet.“ Joe groans. „Don’t call me that.“

„Or what?“ he teases, looking up at Joe through his eyelashes.
Joe isn’t saying anything, he‘s too busy looking at Max‘s ocean eyes, right in front of his cock.

The Dutchman bites his lip and looks back at the cock in front of him. He wants to tease. He leans forward and gives his tip a few kitten licks.

„Fuck“ Joe whimpers. „Stop teasing.“

„Ask nicely.“

He groans, throwing his head back against the cold tiles of the wall. „Could you please stop teasing me, maxie, and just suck my fucking cock?“

Max obliges, even though he’s not enjoying the younger using his nickname in this situation. „Good boy.“ it makes Joe groan again.

With his hand wrapped around the base of his shaft, he leans forward and takes his tip into his mouth. Sucking on it and blinking up at Joe. He starts bobbing his head and feels a hand in his hair.

Joe looks right at him, letting out a whimper at how sexy it fucking looks. His enemy‘s lips wrapped around his cock. They look so hot and soft. And Max‘s mouth feels incredible. „Fuck, I didn’t know you were so good at that.“

The dutchie rolls his eyes, moaning around Joe’s cock when he gets pushed on it by the hand on his head. His throat works around him, accommodating his girth.

He flutters his eyelids at Joe, knowing what it does to him after he moans. Bobbing his head and sucking, it makes him gag occasionally but his rival is a whimpering mess, leaning against the wall and putting a hand on his mouth to muffle himself.

Max feels his salvia on his chin, it makes him feel extremely filthy. He lets his tounge roll against Joe’s tip and the sensitive underside of his shaft. It feels so nice, the younger’s cock in his mouth. He isn’t even taking all of Joey‘s dick, it’s way too long for his mouth. He has his hand wrapped around the part that doesn’t fit though, hoping it’s still good enough for Joe.

He has to gag when he’s shoved down a little further on his cock. It’s enjoyable though, yeah, Max fucking enjoys this.

Joe’s whines are constantly muffled by his hand but he speaks up. „C-close.“
He wanted to tell Max, he doesn’t want to be a perverted prick and cum into someone’s mouth without warning them. But his rival isn’t pulling off, instead sucking even harder and bobbing his head faster until he cums with a strangled moan. He groans, looking down at Max who pulls of his cock, he expects him to spit it out.

But he swallows. And that’s incredibly hot.

„Fuck, Max.“

The Dutchman doesn’t even react, pulling Joe’s boxershorts and jeans up to his hips again and acting like nothing had happened.
„Liked it?“

„Yeah.“ Joe says breathlessly, pulling Max in for a kiss. He opens his mouth a little, feeling Joe’s tounge against his before he lightly pulls off.
„We fucked up bad.“ Max realizes, they really fucked up bad.
„Shit, yea, we did.“

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

May 7 2024
Miami, USA

„Lando and Joe aren't awake yet?" Logan asks when Cissy slackens down onto the bar stool in front of the kitchen isle. Having her usual black tea with a spoon of honey in the morning. She prefers it with acacia honey from her portugese grandparents though but Logan's honey should do just right.

She'd drink coffee, but she hates it. Never liked it, never will. Just like Joe.
They're like the male and female version of each other, except that Joe is the biggest picky eater who exists.

Even though Lando might be even worse.

„Yup. Lan had very long 48 hours."

Logan lets out a little snort. „He sure did. We can be thankful he posted all the videos on his private story."

„Zak would kill him if he didn't. James and Christian would probably kill us both too."

„I think James is already very close to killing me."

Cissy does smirk a little, even though it shouldn't be funny. But she can make out a small smile on Logan's face too.

„You have to run away then."

„I think I'd actually like to do that. But Jenson might get too worried then." Logan smiles a little more when he talks about Jenson. Cissy is glad he found somewhat of a mentor too.

Jenson has always been sweet and caring about people who need it. And Logan definitely needs these good words from Jenson, otherwise he might not come out of the Williams garage alive one day.

Cissy remembers it vaguely, her memory isn't the best. But she still knows the feeling.

When her and Joe were still kids, they used to spend a lot of time with Fernando. Since their dads are very close to him. Joe's dad Miguel used to be a formula 1 driver, he was Fernando's teammate for a long time in the 2000s. And Cissy's dad Filipe used to be Miguel's engineer.

Somehow, Fernando has always felt like an uncle to Cissy and Joe. Also by being Joe's godfather.

Jenson and Fernando are obviously friends aswell. Many times, when they were at Fernando's, Jenson was there aswell. Playing on Fernando's Wii together, and whenever Jenson would lose, he'd throw Cissy and Joe onto the couch.

One time it didn't end well, with Joe breaking his nose. He had to lie and tell his mom Irina that it happened during football.

„You know it's not your fault, right?" Cissy says after a while of thinking about the time her and Joe had nothing to worry about.

The american's smile drops a little, but he stays vaguely focused. „Yes."

It seems like a lie, maybe it is. „I try my best." Logan's voice sounds shaky, almost like whenever he complains on the radio. He never complains about the team or his engineer, he only makes rude comments about himself.

Cissy listens to it every single time, not on purpose of course, but every single time she hears Logan's radio, she feels like it's getting worse.
Every weekend, it's getting worse.

„I think you can be good enough if you weren't so harsh on yourself." Cissy lets it slip, she didn't want to though. Immediately regretting it when she sees Logan's face.

„I meant like...Lando used to be very harsh on himself too, he still is sometimes. That's the reason he never won. I know it's a very stupid comparison. But it was his mentality that kept him from winning, he always got too nervous, then fucked it up."
She quickly explains herself, looking at Logan's soft expression. The American looks like a harsh guy, but he totally isn't.

„Yeah. I need to get a grip of myself."

Cissy frowns. „I didn't mean it like that, Logan."

„No, it's fine. You're completely right. Thank you though, for the advice."

***

It's bizarre, but Lando just woke up for the first time after his win. He's a race winner. He's smiling to himself while looking at the ceiling.
Finally, he's relieved. Race winner. It feels good.
More to come soon, hopefully. But now he can be proud of himself, it eventually happened after very hard work.

„Wow, Lando, finally awake?" Cissy walks in, leaning down to her boyfriend and giving him a quick kiss. „How late is it?"

„11am."

„Hm." it's not even that late. Well, he fell asleep at 7pm yesterday because he decided to party until Monday 5pm. That was obviously stupid of him, but Logan is nice enough to still let them stay at his house.

„We should catch a flight to Italy tomorrow or maybe tonight, we could stay with Joe instead of going to a hotel."

It's way too early for that, Lando just nods. Cissy can arrange it.

„You sure it's not too much? Doesn't Joe have like 10 siblings?"

Cissy sighs. „Lando, are you still drunk? Most of his siblings don't even stay at his parent's house anymore. Besides, we've always stayed there when it was Imola race week."

The Brit groans. Right. He supposes some of Joe's siblings will stay there for the race week though.

„And I think Miguel and Irina don't give a fuck about us being there. They love us."

„You. They love you." Lando giggles. Joe's parents. He's just joking, obviously they love Lando too.
But sometimes it seems like they love Cissy more than Joe.

May 10 2024
Imola, Italy

Italian spring nights are already quite warm this year, they're sitting outside in Joe's garden.
It's been way too hot ever since they got here, at least for Lando. He's still very used to British weather, despite being a formula 1 driver for more than 4 years now.
It's stuffy, the headache kind of hot. When it rains, but it's still at least 28 degrees. That's italian spring.

It's very loud in that house during the day, 2 boys and 6 girls plus Lando and Cissy. Of course, they're all not kids anymore. The youngest is Lydia and she must be 18 or 19 by now.

But it's still loud, and Joe's oldest sister isn't even here.

Cissy is mostly amazed by Joe's parents, how they manage to stay calm with so many kids in the house. She also wondered about that when she was just 5 years old.
Her parents were already getting mad when she fought about the Wii remote with her younger brother. Imagine 9 kids doing that.

They were just playing uno, but Lando rage-quitted after Joe won 5 times in a row.
„That's no fun, how do you always win?" It's amazing how he can still complain. They've stopped playing for about 10 minutes ago.

Joe doesn't even answer, he's on his phone, ignoring the whiny Brit.
Cissy just sighs. „Christian wants Max to win in Imola."

„What's bad about that?" Joe questions, still on his phone and not letting his eyes fall towards Cissy for a millisecond.
„Why doesn't he want me to win?"
„Because he's Christian."

Cissy groans, resting her head on Lando's shoulder. „I hate Red Bull."

„Then leave."

The french girl immediately takes Joe's phone out of his hand, hiding it in the pocket of her jeans. „Can you stop being on your phone while talking to me? It's annoying. You're so weird lately. I bet nobody's even texting you."

Joe looks at her, making a confused grimace. „I'm not being weird? And how would you know if someone texts me?"
He's already reaching out to take his phone back.

Lando is way too exhausted for this, he's letting it happen.

„Oh? So there is someone who texts you? Who's the lucky girl?" She teases, taking Joe's phone out of her pocket, holding it right in front of his freckled nose.

„Your momma." Joe smirks, taking his phone back.

In reality, no one was texting him. He was just scrolling on instagram. Being boring, as always, that's how his best friend the dutch world champion would call it.

Cissy rolls her eyes, leaning back to Lando.

He does get a message though. From Max.
Why would Max text him? Hopefully it's not about what happened in Miami.
Joe should've never let Max do that. Seriously, if anyone ever finds out, it's over for both of them.
Like, really over. Completely over. Death. Jail.
Joe is convinced Zak would lock him in a cage and leave him there to rot, only ever letting him out whenever he has to drive fast cars.

Max
Hey, do you want to talk about it or not?

Joe looks at his screen for a moment, then makes sure Lando and Cissy don't see the message. Because Joe is a prick, he's not going to answer.
It would be best if they just forgot about it, erased it from their minds and never let a word about it slip again.

He'd always been an arse and always will be, Max should be aware of that. Who cares? Max is a bastard too.

May 13 2024
Imola

It's Liron's birthday, Joe's already at the Mercedes garage. Fiona too. There's barely anyone around, it's Monday and the only people being in the paddock are some journalists, engineers or strategists. So Liron asked Toto if it was okay to use the Mercedes hospitality for her little party. There's a lot of space.

And with the argument „I'm turning 25, that's a very special number." Toto said yes eventually. „Just don't detroy anything. In case you do, I'll off you personally, Lilo."

Lilo, that's usually what friends call her. But Toto is a friend by now, so it's okay.

Liron said everyone was allowed to show up, she'd probably like it more though if it was just her closests.
She isn't shy, she isn't insecure. But she's still an introvert, too many people drain her out. She does like parties, but not too loud ones.
Liron isn't a girl of many words, she's an open book if you come up to her and ask things. But she isn't going to tell you by herself.

Lewis seems to be just the perfect teammate for her. They can be silent with each other and it wouldn't be awkward. Of course, Lewis is much older than Liron. But it still seems like they have a lot in common.

Instead of talking, Liron rather just listens to her favorite songs by The Weeknd.
Instead of talking, Lewis rather just pays attention to his own work.

If you'd ask anyone on the grid, they'd probably confirm Lewis could win a race all by himself if he was given the chance.
All by himself. Engineering, Strategy. Pit stop. Everything.
Lewis could probably handle it all and win.

He's here too, Liron probably wanted him to come along. It will be hard without him at Mercedes. Ever since she joined Mercedes from Williams in 2021, Lewis and her have been close.
Close in a uncle-niece kind of way.
No matter who joins Mercedes next season, they will probably drain Liron's energy.

Lewis has a quiet, kind soul. He doesn't take things serious or personal for too long. And he's been over Abu Dhabi 2021 since the beginning of the 2022 season. In the heat of the moment it was bad, Lewis lost a lot in the moment when Max's Red Bull crossed the line to the checkered flag before him.

But Max has been and probably always will be a kind kid. He was ruthless back then. But he was just a teenager, Lewis knows that. He used to be ruthless in 2016 still, he was already 31 in that season.

Max isn't even 27 now, and he's matured a lot. He probably doesn't remember, but when he was wasted once he told Lewis that he sometimes wishes 2021 would be the Brit's title. Saying that he deserved it and all.

But that's not true, Lewis always tells himself. Formula 1 isn't about deserving, it's about actually making something work out after you realized you want it.
And Max did that, he didn't back down just because Lewis was a 7-time world champion. The Brit thinks he's very brave for that, it's a winner's mentality.

But when you're a winner, you have to lose one day eventually.
Lewis is happy with 7 world titles, obviously, that 8th one would be great. But that's not happening. He's retiring by the end of the season.
He's almost hitting the 40s by now, there's so many young people on the grid who dream of so much.

Lewis doesn't want his ego to ruin all that, he already ruined Max's moment.

And he can still make everything out of this last season, win in silverstone. And maybe some other tracks too. He's pretty sure he can do it.

Fiona and Liron are preparing some drinks. Not too much alcohol, it's still race week in the end. But a tiny little shot won't be too much, right?

„Fiona, no, I don't want so much alcohol here. Toto's gonna sue me if he sees this. We have to be responsible for once."

„Us? Responsible? You've got to be kidding me." Fiona teased, putting just a sip more of vodka into the drinks.

In the meanwhile, Lewis and Joe are still putting up some decorations. Silver and dark blue balloons, just how Liron wants it.

„I like Lilo's color scheme." Lewis states, looking at the balloons. He's wearing sunglasses inside, probably a fashion statement.
It was also basically only Joe putting up the balloons, Lewis was watching him as if he was his mom.

„Me too." Joe murmurs.

Dark blue.

Why did it have to be dark blue?

Dark blue like the Red Bull race suit. Dark blue like Max's ocean blue eyes. The shiny eyes that looked up at him when he got his dick sucked off.

Probably enough thinking, Joe's freckled cheeks are already turning into a dark olive rosy shade.

Everything reminds him about Max. Joe might be going insane. He's so mad he could pop all these dark blue balloons and pretend it's Max's face.

How could he do something this stupid? He's always been stupid, his twin sister even says he was already a prick when they were in their mom's womb.

But this? This was borderline stupid. It's so bad he can't even tell Cissy and Lando. Why would they kiss? And why the fuck would Max just drop to his knees all of a sudden like a street whore? No, really. Why would that fucking happen?

Strangely enough, it did.

He is straight. Why did a guy, not just a random guy but his fucking enemy and also his colleague that everyone knows as formula 1 world champion Max Emilian Verstappen, suck his dick off?

He is straight, right? He's always been dating girls, girls only.

„Is something wrong?" Lewis asks, putting his sunglasses down.

Joe was so deep in thought he was standing completely still.
„No, just had stupid thoughts."

Lewis' lips curl up in a little smirk. „Do you want to spill it?"
Of course, out of all people, he would tell gossip queen Lewis Hamilton.

„Why can't formula 1 drivers love whoever they want? Why does everything have to be restricted, aren't we people too?"

The Brit is a little shocked, he's never heard such words coming out of Joe Lombardi's mouth.
„Who said that? When I was your age I did whatever they fuck I wanted. What are they supposed to do against your free will?"

It's a solid answer, not reading into it too much. Joe likes that about Lew. He minds his own buisness, but still helps where it's needed.

„Isn't that dumb?"

„It's being yourself. Is being yourself dumb?"

„No." Joe murmurs, not looking at Lewis.

How can he be himself when he doesn't know who he is? He feels like he's two different people sometimes. He'll be 24 years old on sunday, shouldn't he already know who he is? Instead he's being a brand new person every day.

***

Max didn't mind coming to Liron's party with Charles. He had dragged him there though. Saying that Max needs to socialize and that's it just a little birthday party.

The Dutchman should've turned his brain on earlier. Obviously, Joe would be there. Him and Liron are basically best friends.

„Charles, I want to go home." He's complaining to the Monagasque as soon as they sit down. „Come on, just eat a Muffin. You'll feel better immediately." Charles' enthusiasm is so annoying.

Just because he's an extrovert.

He does not want to see the McLaren starboy. He does not want to see his stupid olive toned skin and hazel eyes.

But when he's about to get himself a drink, the Italian appeared right next to him.
He didn't even catch him approach, he was there all of a sudden.

Just like a tiger. Max, a lion, Joe, a tiger, that doesn't fit. Max should catch himself another lion instead of a tiger.

Joe doesn't look at him, not a single shift in his gaze while he takes another drink in the blue plastic cup. And then he's gone again. Not a single word. Not a single look.

Max wants to punch him right in his stupid crotch so no one can ever get their mouth on his dick again.

He turns around just a little, not making it too obvious. Looking at Joe's lean figure talking to Liron.

Funny how her features fit Max's. Dark blonde hair and greyish dark blue eyes. She's very short though, it's not that apparent when she's with Lewis.
He isn't quite the tall guy either.
But with Joe? It looks like she's a gremlin. She probably is though, Max doesn't know her well enough to judge.

He's gonna rip his fucking head off if he has to look at this flirt for another 2 seconds, so he quickly turns his back to them again.

„Max, you should have fun. You look like you're not having fun at all." Lewis appeared out of nowhere.
He understands Cissy now. What is it with these f1 boys and appearing out of nowhere?

Lew saw everything, Max's gaze on Joe. The Italian's weird behavior from earlier. He knows something is up. But Max isn't aware.

„I hate Tigers."

Lewis makes a very confused grimace at Max. „And that makes you sad?"

Max puts his hand on the back of his neck. He's nervous, Lewis observes.
„I mean, no. It doesn't. Tigers hate Lions too."

The Brit sighs, almost like a disappointment parent. Cissy sighs like that too when Max tells her about another failed hookup he had.
„Max. I don't know what the fuck you are talking about."

The Dutchie looks at the weird looking drink in his hand. It somehow looks like grape juice, but it smells like vodka.

„I know."

„I should probably tell Charles to get you home. How much have you had of this?" Lewis sounds somewhat worried, but he's also grinning.

„This is my first drink, Lew."

„You're saying very odd shit though."

Max shrugs. „Yeah. Because I do not like to be near a Tiger."

„There aren't any Tigers near, why do you keep talking about Tige-„ Lewis stops, then shuts his mouth. Max looks like his brain is concentrating a lot right now. „Do you need Charles to drive you to your hotel?"

„Yeah." Max nods subtly, sipping on his vodka grape juice.

***

Toto was only observing. He doesn't drink during the season. The only reason he came here were the Muffins with a Mercedes-AMG petronas turquoise topping.
Liron wanted it like that. Liron, the blondie that Susie had convinced him to sign. It was a good decision, Toto doesn't live a day without thinking about how obscurely good his lineup is.

Lewis and Liron get along with each other better than any driver had with Lewis before. Except Nico, but Toto does not want Lew and Liron to end like Brocedes.

But the best driver he ever had is leaving. Wanting to live a life away from the racing world for at least a year or so. Sunbathing on his yacht in Monaco and spending time home with his family and Roscoe in the UK.

Toto knew it was time for that one day, Lewis wasn't going to race forever. And his retirement is well-deserved.

The worst thing is, is that he hasn't signed anyone for the second seat yet. He needs someone that gets along with Liron, fits in the team. A person who knows what they want.
He's had two specific people in mind, but he's in doubt they would resign from their current teams.

It's worth a shot though, Toto is a team principal, not a middle school boy struggling to ask his crush out for prom.
One person he had in mind was Cécile.
It'd be a big step for females in the racing world, two women in the linuep of Mercedes.
It would surely make Susie happy. And Toto does seem indulged in that idea too.

Cécile and Liron are both fantastic drivers. They'd have that girl-chemistry, that's what Susie calls it. It would work out, wouldn't end in a disaster. Both of them are not as egoistic as some other drivers, wouldn't cause trouble on track and on the radio.

The other person is Joe. He has a good relationship with Liron. Toto once overheard a heated conversation between the two though, Joe is a fighter. And Liron fights back.

Which means that this could end up in a proper disaster.

Everyone knows Lando isn't someone who fights back, he takes in everything people say to him.

It's just something Toto notices about every human being on the track.

Lando is not a fighter.

And Liron simply is. She's going to bite if someone growls at her. That's how it's always worked.

Suzie often says that she reminds her of her younger self. That they must be twins or something in that direction.

Toto can't wrap his head around Joe though. Sometimes it seems like he is very down to earth, here to have fun. Being a laid-back person and he's also nice to almost everyone. Sometimes quiet, just minding his buisness and disappearing after he isn't needed anymore

But then he's a whole different person the next week. A proper Tiger, searching for a human he can devour whole. Bones and all.
Getting into heated conversations with his team. His poor race engineer Kiara, Kiki, Häkkinen.
And he would spend a lot of time in the paddock, partying straight after the race has ended on Sunday.
Biting back on interviewers who dare to say one miserable thing.

Toto's eyes are all on Cécile right now, not in a creepy way. He wants to find the right moment to talk to her.
It would be way more professional to talk to her when she isn't on a birthday party. But on the other hand it's clever, she's not stressed. Just having fun with a few friends.

She's getting herself a drink now, all on her own.

Toto catches the moment. „Cécile?"

Her eyes snap upwards and she quickly smiles. „You can call me Cissy, Toto. But yes?"

Toto's lips quirk up in a polite smile. „I wanted to talk to you about something very important. I suppose here isn't the best place though, will you follow me to my office for just 3 minutes?"

She sets the cup back down and nods. „Yes, of course."

————

Cécile in front of Toto, sitting on the comfiest leather chair she's ever sat on. The team principal studies her behavior.

Cissy sometimes thinks that's scary, but it's just Toto. He's always like this.

She's looking at the pictures on the wall, most of them are Lewis. Some of Nico. Some of Mika Häkkinen. And two photos of the two race wins Liron has secured with the silver arrow.

But her eyes keep hanging on a photo of Lewis in Canada 2007. His first ever race win of many. He was so young. And Cissy still remembers how Joe and her reacted, being barely 7 years old and amazed by the rookie.

Toto's eyes flash to the picture. „You're looking at Lewis." He observes. It's a statement, not even a question.

„Yes," Cissy says. „His retirement doesn't seem real."

Toto let's out a sigh, not saying a word.

„I remember when me, Joe and Mick were 7, 8, maybe 9," she stops for a moment, almost as if she was thinking about what to say. „We were big fans of Lewis, always asking Michael what he was like. We were too scared to talk to him in the paddock until we were about 14."

Toto listens, leaning back in his chair while Cissy keeps her eyes glued to the photo.

„He used to be like an idol for us three, he probably still is. The way he's with the engine, the whole car, it's amazing. I can't even put it in words how much he's admired by probably everyone on the grid."

The team principal in front of her makes sure she's finished talking. „That's why I want you to replace him. Or at least, think about it."

Cissy looks like she's not believing a thing Toto says. „What?"

Toto laughs, kind-heartedly. „You heard me right, Cissy. I want you to be a Mercedes driver. I think you're the perfect fit, I don't even want to brag about you only to have you in my team. It's all your decision, but if you want to join. I'll be there for you."

Cissy almost swallows. She immediately thinks about Max somehow, the team isn't important. Red Bull had been her family for a long time now but Max is one of her best friends. She can't let him suffer alone, can she?

„I- thank you, Toto. For thinking I'd be a great fit. I feel like I'm...I feel like it's time for me to change something about my career but I can't say yes just yet. Can I think about it, please?"

Toto looks pleased, giving the Bruenette a nod. „I'll give you time until October, Mexico Grand Prix. Deal?"

Cissy immediately nods. „Deal."

„Even though it would be better if you chose earlier. You're not the only one on my watch." He reminds as she's about to leave his office. „Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Cissy's shell was easy to crack, nice to see through. Joe's will be harder.

Toto will have to use a hammer.

Joe is sipping on something that looks like grape juice mixed with a certain alcohol. Young people, that's all Toto can think of.

The young Italian is talking to Liron, great opportunity to catch the Tiger.

„Joe, do you have a second perhaps?"

He turns around, his face changing when he realizes it's Toto. He puts his drink onto the table, telling Liron to watch it.

„Yup."

Toto raises an eyebrow. „Tipsy much?"

Joe's face sinks, he knows who he is. „No."

Straightforward, Toto is going to have a seizure by the end of their conversation.

„Okay then. Care to come to my office?"

That guy knows he's not in a position to say no to the Mercedes team chief. At least that's what Toto hopes for.

Without a word, Joe follows him. He doesn't quite react to the soft chair like Cissy did. Does Horner have stone furniture in his office?

He's also not looking at the pictures or any other thing in the room. His eyes only focused on Toto. Almost like he's hunting pray, Toto isn't exactly the right guy for this.

„What am I here for?"

Chatty. That's what Toto forgot. Cissy thinks before she speaks. Joe doesn't think at all.
Saying things because he isn't patient.
Lack of patience has never been a problem for Toto.

„Are you happy where you are?" The Older's eyes flash to the McLaren cap Joe is wearing.

„Yes."

„Are you though?"

Joe observes Toto for a second, then his desk. Not saying another word, he isn't ignoring him though, is he?

„Your contract is expiring." Toto states, making Joe's eyes snap back at him. „I know."

„I suppose Red Bull isn't the choice you'd make."

Red Bull, Joe's face changes at the word. „Max has never been one of your best friends has he?"

The Younger starts fiddling with his fingers, bouncing his leg. „Not exactly no."

What is he nervous for? Toto tilts his head.

„What about Ferrari?" he dares to ask. Joe is italian, young, handsome. Why wasn't Ferrari his first choice since the beginning?

Probably the strategy, Binotto wasn't quite the best guy either.

„I'm staying with McLaren." Joe snaps it back like a bite. For no reason. Toto wasn't even asking something disrespectful. He knew this was going to be hard though, and a challenge has never been something Toto couldn't face.

He's survived Nico and Lewis, nothing can be worse than that.

„I'm asking you again. Are you happy where you are though?"

„I am." Joe groans, sitting up in his chair.

For the fact that he's Max's biggest enemy they are way too similar.
Max bites back like Joe. Max is straightforward like Joe.

„You aren't sure." Toto knows. Joe knows, that's why he's staying quiet. His pupils dilated and looking at Toto.

„Was the turquoise muffin topping nice?" Joe asks, his head tilted, eyes going straight to Toto's upper lip. The Older immediately wipes it away.

„It was indeed."

The room is silent until Joe says something again. „Why didn't you ask someone else about the seat? I...Mercedes is a great team but there's no way I'm your first choice."

Toto clears his throat. „I thought you and Liron would be a great lineup. You're great friends and haven't you...?"

Joe immediately shakes his head, his cheeks growing rosy. „No. She might've been crazy about me once but that was like 3 years ago."

„It hasn't changed your friendship?"

He's shaking his head again. „Why didn't you answer my question originally?"

Toto smirks a little, Joe is paying attention, just like him. „I do have other people in mind. But especially someone like Max is hard to get."

Joe's leg bounces again. And Toto keeps talking about Max. „He thinks he's happy where he is. But is he though? He desires so much, but never has the balls to actually do it, don't you think?"

It’s not a secret Joe and Zak don’t quite get along. But he’s Zak‘s golden boy. His starboy. Monza 2019 tattooed on his arm as it was the first race Joe had won as a formula 1 pilot. In a car that no one ever thought was possible to win in. But he did it nonetheless, securing his first win in a british shitbox.

That’s what originally made him special, he won without his car being a beast. People were saying he’s going to be a champ. But ever so often Joe had to sit in the grass, look at his broken car in the barriers and realize that he is never going to be a champion with McLaren.

And a part of him is tattooed on Zak forever. That’s fucking disgusting.

The Italian looks down at his shoes. He remembers how Max looked like kneeling between them. His knees covered by the pitch black jeans right between his Adidas forum lows.
„Yeah, whatever. I'll think about it, Toto."

„I'm glad," He smirks at Joe. „You've got time until the Mexico grand prix. Then I want to hear your decision."

„Fine by me," Joe shrugs, standing up and leaving before Toto can even say another thing.

Joe's chest feels very warm all of a sudden, Max keeps his mind insane. Why can't people shut up about him? He'll forever act like a nervous fuck whenever someone brings him up now.

He wasn't going to tell anyone about his chat with Toto. He isn't going anywhere, papaya is his family. Leaving was never an option.
The Tifosi sometimes seem pissed though, that he isn't at Ferrari and receiving a championship with them.

May 15 2024
Imola, Italy

Max is now at the deepest point he has ever been.
Worse than the gas station, worse than abu dhabi quali 2021.

Joe hasn't even texted him after Miami. Of course it was totally stupid. He's not a teenage girl who expects her crush to text back within seconds. But Max expected just a little text about it. Especially after he decided to text first.

That dick left him on read. Ignored him on Liron's birthday party.

He feels guilty now. It probably meant nothing to Joe. He's straight aswell, why would a blowjob from his biggest rival mean something to him?

Joe is just a stupid guy, he's basically still a teen, only 23. And he probably receives blowjobs every other day. From some stupid models who are all way prettier than Max could ever be.
Somehow, the Dutchman feels bad about everything what happened. They didn't really talk while walking out of the restroom, then Joe continued to ignore him the rest of the night.

He shouldn't feel bad though, right? It was consensual. He never did anything Joe didn't agree to.

Maybe the blowjob was bad and Joe didn't say anything so Max's ego wouldn't be hurt? Nah. He surely would’ve said something because hurting Max‘s emotions is his goal.

He's overthinking it, he knows. But why is everything and everyone overwhelming him right now? The overstimulation is too much for him.

The night in Miami, he can't stop thinking about it. Not a single night went by with him having a normal sleep schedule.
He needs to win in Imola, otherwise he might go completely insane.
It must be Joe's birthday on race day, but he isn't going to let the stupid egoistic Italian win just because it's his birthday and his home race.

He can put that birthday up his ass. Turning 24, how embarrassing. So young, Max should've never even thought about doing something to boost his teenage ego.
Media day is tomorrow and the Dutchman truly prays that he isn't going to see Joe's stupid freckles and his lean figure anywhere around the paddock.

No but really, he thought they were getting better. To be friends at least, being able to stand each other without throwing constant insults.

Luckily, when he’s at his lowest, his dad feels like he must call.
„Max, why couldn’t you win in Miami? Not even a podium.“
He’s disappointed, and Max swallows the knot of anxiety in his throat. Bad thing is, it’s in his tummy now.
Hands shaking while he answers. „I tried. I‘m still leading the championship, it’s not a big deal.“

„Not a big deal? Max you have to take this seriously. That italian Lombardi guy has you on his radar.“

Max bites his cheek, „I do not give a fuck about Joe Lombardi.“

„That’s what I thought. You better win this shit in Imola in this weekend.“ his dad snaps before hanging up.

Max‘s tummy is a big knot of anxiety now. His dad will be extremely mad if he doesn’t win this weekend. Like, borderline mad.
He won’t be able to go back to his apartment in Monaco, he‘ll have to stay on the beach in italy for the rest of his life. Thinking about the consequences.

May 16 2024
Imola, Italy

Media and sponsor day in Imola. Also, Seb‘s tribute to Senna. Cissy usually doesn’t enjoy donation runs like these. But it’s for Senna and her godfather is supporting it, she doesn’t have a choice but like it.

When she’s sitting in her driver’s room, still having the Senna tribute t shirt on with the number 64, because that’s hers, someone opens the door.

Her eyes follow the shoes on the ground, it’s just Seb.
„Hey.“
Cissy smiles, making place for him to sit next to her.

„Don’t slouch like that,“ Seb advises, Cissy smiles and immediately fixes her posture. „I‘m just really…I don’t know how to put it. I always wanted to know what Senna was like.“

Seb sighs. „I don’t know either, obviously. But I‘ve heard many stories from Michael. He was sometimes a little mean, saying that Michael was just a stupid young boy. But he never took it personally, because everyone knew Senna was just making jokes. His humor was special, that’s for sure. But people say he was great, always bringing a little fun to the paddock even if he didn’t have a good day.“

„Did you want to be like him too?“ Cissy asks, almost carefully. As if something could break if she spoke too loudly.

„I did. But something such as that isn’t possible, you have to be yourself for people to love you. But if it’s about driving style, I definitely had a few of my tricks from him.“

Cissy thinks, looking down at her red Adidas. „Toto asked me if I wanted to join Mercedes.“

Seb‘s face changes. Definitely not into something negative, but it isn’t quite positive either. „Will you?“

„I don’t know. I love Red Bull, but lately it’s been getting on my nerves,“ Cissy whines.

He frowns. „I‘m not sure how you see that but an offer like that from Toto is indeed a very special thing. But the only thing that matters is that you make the decision you want.“ Seb smirks a little. „My favorite girl would definitely look good in a Mercedes suit.“

Cissy giggles. „Don’t make me think about it too much, I‘ll start thinking black isn’t my color otherwise.“

„You could ask Toto to make the suit Mercedes turquoise then.“ Her godfather jokes and now she’s laughing. „I don’t think he’d like the idea.“

„You‘ll never know if you‘re not going to ask.“

May 18 2024
Imola, Italy

Quali day. Joe’s on pole because Max‘s stupid time got deleted. Now he’s standing here like a kid with no friends because Joe keeps ranting to Lando about something very stupid. That’s what Max supposes.

He‘d talk to Lando if the Tiger wasn’t such a chatty cat.

What makes it even worse is that Lando qualified on third, so he gets called to the interview first. And the red bull and papaya boy stand right next to each other, not saying a word and not even flashing a glance at each other.

Max is going to beat that guy, no matter what it takes. He wouldn’t care if he had to run his perfectly sleek body over, he’s going to win tomorrow.

The Dutchman let’s out a big sigh when he’s called to the interviews, really hoping that no stupid dipshit had noticed him and Joe standing next to each other like proper idiots.

The crowd is fucking roaring when Joe gets to the interview. He’s only talking some crap about a lot being possible from pole and he‘ll do everything he can to win and he hopes that he can keep up with the Red Bulls.

He probably won‘t, Max rolls his eyes, how can someone be so stupid?

May 19 2024
Imola, Italy

When Joe wakes up, the first thing he gets is hugs and presents from his family. Also Lando and Cissy gave him something right in the morning.

It’s still early, since it’s race day they’ll have to make their way to the paddock pretty soon.
Joe’s on pole, he’s relaxed when they come to the hospitality.

„Joeyyy, happy birthday!“ Kiki hugs him. She likes being touchy. But Joe‘s very much okay with it, physical touch is his love language too.
What Joe didn’t know is that the McLaren team made him a cake and also invited some others on the grid to eat before they focus on the race.

They treat their starboy well. Why would he want to leave this?

It’s 8am, which means that it’s not too late to eat anything now. Usually they don’t eat a long time before races, in case it comes up again.
Especially cake, that wouldn’t be lovely.

————

„Max, no, you’re coming with me.“ Daniel states, dragging him by the arm through the Red Bull hospitality. „Cissy is already there. She’s waiting for us.“ he hurries but Max whines again.

„I don’t want to see him.“

„I don’t care.“ Daniel groans, now picking Max up to carry him. „Danny! I‘m being serious.“

„Max, they have cake. It’s not that deep, Joe won’t care if you’re there.“

„Exactly, so I can stay here.“ Max reasons but Danny doesn’t let him go.

„If I was you, I‘d walk now. Because it would be very embarrassing if everyone saw world champion Max Verstappen being carried around like a pouting toddler.“

Max gives in and walks next to Danny, making their way to McLaren. The Papaya orange is bright in the sun.
Joe’s cake is somehow very cute, Max observes. It’s showing waves, the Italian loves the beach. And there’s also a tiger in the sand. The Tiger‘s eyes are hazel, just like Joe’s. His eyes are tattooed in Max’s brain. And the coastal lines of the sea are turquoise, light blue going into dark blue. A 24 written in the sand.

Max never looked at their age gap that weirdly, he turns fucking 27. Joe had been 23 until today.

The italian Tiger. Just a cheap copy of the dutch lion. Max hopes Joe is aware of that. That he’s just a copycat.

The thing is, Joe might feel like a Tiger but he’s just an orange kitty. Nothing more.
Max swallows visibly when he sees Joe and their gazes meet for a brief second.

„Will you tell me why the lion and the tiger have been acting weirdly around each other or are you gonna keep looking at him like you’re pissing yourself?“ Daniel says casually while eating his peace of cake. Max doesn’t know how to tell him that. It’s stupid. It’s so fucking stupid he wants to smash his head on the table and die on spot.

„The Tiger took the sentence ‚The dutch lion sucks‘ too wordly,“ Max says bluntly, biting the inside of his cheeks. That pulls Daniel up short, he cocks his head up and looks at Max. Max looks at Daniel, who stops chewing on his cake and side eyes Max. Then he starts chewing again. „Look, I have no idea what you’re talking about,“ he says with a full mouth, then swallows. „You’re very weird sometimes.“ Daniel continues, still eyeing Max.

Max rolls his eyes. „Ugh.“ he stops, holding his head in his hands for half a minute, maybe even longer. „How can you not get that?“

„Uhm? You’re speaking nonsense, how would I understand the phrase ‚The dutch lion sucks-„ Daniel stops and his eyes go wide. „Shut up, no you didn’t Max.“

Max wants to smile, he really does. But he can only nod with a straight face. „Max you’re a dirty fucker. I mean, that’s nothing new. But this is…wow.“ Daniel says, giggling while eating his cake.

„He didn’t force you to, did he?“

„No, I decided it myself. That makes it worse. I think he didn’t enjoy it, he‘s been ignoring me since.“

Daniel frowns. „I think he would’ve said something if it was bad. But I can indeed imagine you’re very bad at sucking-„ Max kicks his leg under the table before the Australian can finish his sentence.

„I don’t regret it. I just hope he doesn’t either. I lowkey want to do it again?“

Daniel smirks. „Two things. First, why not give the tiger birthday head…pets then? Second, are you in love with him?“

Max makes a disgusted grimace. „Ew. No. No hard feelings. And I‘d like to, but how do I ask him? I can’t just come up to him and ask him if I can…“ the Dutchie makes a gesture downwards.

„You can. You young people always make it so complicated.“ Danny says while chewing on the turquoise piece of cake again. And Max sighs loud enough for whole Imola to hear.

He is surely not going to do that.

„Mate, Joe is a biscuit,“ Daniel says, „let him sop you up.“

„Yup, I‘m leaving, thank you Daniel.“

„Don’t.“ Daniel holds his finger up, wiggles it to the side again and again. „Did you like it though?“

Max groans. „What the fuck would it mean if I did?“

„Well,“ Daniel chews, „You’ve been wanting him to dick you down since 2019, haven’t you?“

Max’s mouth is hanging open. „What-„

„Nuh uh. You have, you know that.“

Max rolls his eyes. „Maybe. But we haven’t done that.“

„Yet.“ Daniel adds.

***

1:30pm, Joe is getting ready for the race, doing a few last warmups for his reaction time. Max is a beast if you talk about his senses, it’s not easy to beat him in a start.

Looking at his helmet, a tiger on top just like Max and his lion. Joe somehow always found this thing stupid, but on the other hand it’s a cool nickname. And he never has big worries about a helmet design.

He pulls his balaclava on, then his helmet. He was going to do this, be the beast they all expect him to be.

Home races are important, even though Monza is way cooler than Imola in Joe’s opinion.
But Monza is usually colored in rosso corsa, Imola is papaya and rosso corsa. Some of the Tifosi in Monza despise him because he isn’t at Ferrari.

But he couldn’t care less, the Tifosi aren’t the ones winning the race, are they?

Climbing into his papaya colored McLaren car parked right in the front. Max is in his rear mirrors. Joe’s chest must be heaving, Kiki asks him over the radio if everything is going fine. And the Italian can squeak out a yes.

Lap 63/63, Joe is very close to another home win. Max is closing up behind him but he’s not in the DRS zone.
The sound of a radio coming up in Joe‘s ears. „Bring it home, Tiger.“
He will. Sounds of the McLaren team cheering and screaming in the background, they love him.

So why the fuck would he leave this behind him?

Crossing the line first is a feeling Joe had missed since Australia, even though it was barely just a month ago.

Screaming and cheering on the radio, climbing out of the car and doing his celebration. Running to his Papaya team after getting his helmet off. He’s laughing and giggling, being in everyone’s arms and giving Kiki a kiss on her cheek as a thank you for her hard work. His whole family is there and he hugs his niece. She’s giggling, babbling something about orange car and Joe.

Max on the other hand is harshly bringing his fist down onto his car, climbing out of the car in a rush.
As if it couldn’t get worse, Joe is kissing his engineer girl on the cheek. And it’s so fucking italian Max wants to rip his eyes out and let Helmut Marko burn them.

Cissy observes, giving Max a clap on his shoulder. They still did a double podium at least. And the girl couldn’t be happier for her two best friends. They’re already great enough, why are Joe and Max so eager to do more?

Cissy is happy where they are right now, it doesn’t need to be fixed if nothing is broken.

Not just McLaren is happy with their results, but also Logan. The American secured a P11, which isn’t a necessarily good thing for people like Joe or Max. But for Logan it is very important, he needs big points to prove himself.

He will not stay at Williams, no matter what. If he wants another team to notice him he needs to improve, show everyone who the fuck he is.

And Alexa immediately called him to congratulate her now-boyfriend. They started dating after Miami.
She really wanted to come, but her job didn’t let her. She‘ll try to show up for Monaco next week though.

On the podium, Joe finally feels good again. The italian anthem being music to his ears and surprisingly also for the tifosi. Despite being dressed in all rosso corsa, they all scream the anthem and Joe’s name.

Max is rather unamused, his face clearly annoyed. Cissy knows something is off, but what would it be that her best friends didn’t tell her.
She hates feeling like she’s being left out, but she’s pretty sure Lando doesn’t know what’s going on either.
Although Joe and Max have always been like that, it’s still off that they don’t even spray each other with champagne.

They go off, Cissy just wants to leave. Walking with such speed that she bumps into Oscar on her way to Red Bull and almost drops her trophy, but the Australian works fast and has it in his hands before it can fall. „I‘m sorry, I‘m just rushing. I wanted to shower before we’re getting a drink at the McLaren hospitality for Joe‘s birthday.“

Osc smiles. „No, it’s fine.“ he says while handing her back the trophy. His girlfriend Emily is by his side and she looks somewhat tired but also wide awake. Kind of like Carlos in any press conference ever.

„Thank you for saving my trophy, Osc. Christian would’ve killed me.“

Oscar laughs. „No problem, see you later, Cissy.“

***

After too many interviews and celebrations, Joe finally gets to shower. It’s almost 8pm already, but they didn’t want to start drinking before 9 anyway.
1 shot down after Cissy and Lando arrived.
Cissy claimed 1 shot is for good luck in Monaco.

It’s not very crowded in the paddock anymore by this time. Usually only a few drivers and team principals, maybe a few journalists or team members too.

And the McLaren garage isn’t loud anymore aswell, they have a room they can stay at and drink. Joe didn’t expect many people but it’s definitely more crowded than he expected after a while.

Someone keeps talking down on him about how great his drive was. But all he can look at is Max entering through the door, wearing a hoodie and surprisingly no skinny jeans.

He didn’t keep the team wear and skinny jeans aside just for Joe to see him like this, did he?
It looks fucking perfect. Joe wants to rip it off.

The Italian swallows hard, he needs to talk to Max. He knows. He needs to be a man and have some balls, he’s not a teenager anymore. He’s aware he’s rocking back and forth on his heels. Cissy, next to him, notices but doesn’t say anything. She’s keeping it quiet.

Joe really wants to tell Cissy. He just can’t. It‘d make things worse for everyone. Telling his best friend, who basically grew up as if she was his sister, is irreversible.

Max‘s face is reserved, then dropping ashen when he sees Joe across the room. He must be stuttering, because Oscar, who he is talking to, starts laughing. Unfortunately, Joe finds it so sexy that Max starts laughing too and covers his smile with his hands.

He can practically see the dutch accent while Max is talking. And that is fucking hot aswell.

But, he isn’t going to invite him to his driver‘s room. He‘ll let Kiki do that.

„Kiki, shh. Kiki.“ he keeps repeating until Kiki turns away from the McLaren team member and leans her ear up to Joe. „Can you get Max to get away from Oscar?“

„Will you try to schematically seduce him after I do?“ she asks, „if so, yes.“

„Sure, yes, exactly that.“ Joe says, nodding and staring. „I really need your help. Can you please ask his stupid ass to come to my driver’s room in about 10 minutes.“

„Has he signed an NDA?“

„He needs an NDA for that?“ Joe questions, confused.

„I was just asking.“ Kiki shrugs. „If anyone catches him, you are both dead as hell. Rotting in hell to be exact. In case you wanted to know. You are not going to kill him, are you?“

And Joe is off to his driver’s room. What is he getting nervous for? He keeps fixing his shirt and his baggy pants, he looks so stupid all of a sudden.

Max is extremely confused, knocking on the door of Joe’s driver room. That is so ridiculous. He might throw himself out of the window but instead he opens the door.

„Max, I was being stupid. I should’ve never-„ He’s being cut off.
„Shut up, nobody cares, oh my god, just stop talking.“ Max hisses, and if he wasn’t already getting his mouth all over Joe‘s face to destroy it, he would consider doing it with his fists.
Joe is shocked, his stupid idiot face pulling away from the kiss and they stumble backwards against the wall.

Max thinks for a brief second he fucked up completely now. That is until he sees Joe‘s freckled cheeks being all in rosy and dark olive shades right now. He’s too focused on the adrenaline shooting through every single blood vessel he has. Joe‘s jaw is slacked, probably more of a shocked expression than an inviting one.

They don’t say a word before crashing their mouths together again. And Joe is kissing him back and this is everything. He feels his tounge on his, the sleek fingers around his waist. They’re moving a lot now, Max can swear he felt a hand on his ass for a second. He was never about to complain, but Joe put it away anyway.

Max moves to kiss Joe’s tanned neck. „Door‘s not locked.“ He breathily states. „Don’t care.“ the Dutchman whispers. Max puts his hands on Joe’s chest, it’s very soft, but he can feel his ribs through the shirt.
„Wait“ Joe groans. „Shouldn’t we maybe…slow down? Eat something first-„

„Mhm yea I‘m very hungry.“ Max smirks and keeps kissing along Joe’s jaw. „Shut up. I was just thinking-„
„Stop thinking then.“
„Yes, gladly.“

Joe somewhat does what he’s told. „Saw you with your niece earlier. Very cute, you with kids.“ Max murmurs, his fingers tracing the younger’s v-line.
And Joe lets out a quiet groan. „Did she wish you a happy birthday?“
The Italian nods. „Hm, I haven’t yet.“ And with that, Max is on his knees again.

Once again, Max‘s knees right between his Adidas low forums.
„Wanted to give you a good present.“ Max murmurs and bites his lip, looking up at Joe with big eyes.

„Your outfit wasn’t enough?“ the younger teases and puts his hand deep into Max’s dark blonde strands of hair. The champion is blushing, his cheek and neck flushed. „Yeah? You wore that just for me?“ Max nods at the question.

His eyes snap forward onto Joe’s crotch. He brings his hands up his sleek thighs and hooks his fingers under the waistband of his jeans and boxers. Pulling them down with a frantic motion.
He wraps his hand around Joe’s cock, giving it nice and long strokes until he’s fully hard.

„Enjoyed your win today? I could swear you were getting hard from that after the podium.“ Max is lying, he just wants to be an asshole.

„Yeah. At least the top step of the podium gets me harder than you ever could.“
And Max gives him a groan. He’s lying too, he’s rock hard and heavy in Max‘s palm right now.

„Can we please make this a regular thing? I hated it when you didn’t text back, I wanted it so much.“ The Dutchman is actually being honest right now, he did need it a lot. And he enjoys Joe‘s cock way more than cocks of random guys in clubs.

„If you promise you’ll let nobody catch us I‘ll happily oblige.“

„I‘m not fucking stupid.“ Max squeezes Joe‘s cock until he gives him a nice, soft whimper.
Then bites his lip and looks up at Joe again, fluttering his eyelids. „Just a little secret between us. You know, no hard feelings. Only us two experimenting a little. Okay with that?“

Joe immediately nods. „I promise I didn’t ignore you completely on purpose. I was just confused, thought you regretted it or something.“

„Thought the same.“ Max quickly says, giving Joe’s cock another long stroke, flicking his thumb over the head to make Joe whimper.

„We’re on the same page then.“

Max audibly groans. „Can you shut the fuck up and let me do what I wanted to do for the last 2 weeks? Are you always this chatty when you’re getting intimate?“

Joe shuts his mouth, looking down at Max who looks especially pleased now. „Good boy.“ it makes the Italian groan again.
It would be nice if Max stopped calling him that. It turns him on too much to admit it.

Max gets his tounge on Joe’s tip and moans. He’s getting so turned on by having his rival’s dick in his mouth, it’s almost embarrassing.

Wrapping his lips around Joe’s girth and fluttering his eyelashes upwards. His jaw is slackened and his ocean blue eyes are narrowed while he starts bobbing his head on Joe’s cock.

Now, it would be really embarrassing if someone came in. But Max couldn’t care less right now, he wants this so much that he’s moaning. Getting muffled by Joe‘s cock.
It’s completely wet with salvia when Max pulls off for a second, his hand wrapped around the base.
Joe keeps quiet, but he’s starting to be a whiny mess, clinging his fingers onto the wall behind him.

Instead of sucking it off again, Max just holds his tounge in front of Joe’s tip. Jerking him off at a rapid pace. The Italian whines and then knows what Max wants.
He takes his own hand and starts stroking himself in front of Max‘s tounge. „Whole face or just on the mouth?“ he gasps, watching Max’s glossy eyes go wide open. His mouth hanging slack with his tounge out. „Just the mouth please.“ He says quickly.

Joe bites down on his lip so hard it’s drawing blood, his hand on his cock starting to stroke furiously until it starts to shake and he cums onto Max‘s tounge. A bit of his cum also spurting on his thick lips and chin.
Max seems to enjoy that a lot, licking his lip and swallowing.

„Thank you.“ He murmurs, standing up and acting like nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just swallowed his enemy‘s cum for the second time.

Joe pulls his pants back up, his shiny eyes looking at Max. „Do we ever want to go further than that?“ he is unsure of asking, but he wants to be respectful towards Max. He’s not going to fuck him without permission.

„Maybe another time. We don’t want anyone getting suspicious here, do we?“ he winks and pulls Joe with him by his shirt. Back to where the crowded room is.

„Joeeee I was searching for you,“ Cissy wraps an arm around Joe’s shoulder, at least she tries. She’s too short and too tipsy.
She’s not drunk enough to not notice the flushed cheeks Joe has or the glossy eyes.
„Did you just fuck someone?“
„No?“ Joe laughs and shakes his head. „You should go home, you had way too many shots.“

Cissy whines but she doesn’t complain when Lando picks her up and drives back to Joe‘s with her.

Max and Joe don’t pay attention to each other for the rest of that night, it could raise suspicion and rumours. That’s the last thing they need.

Although Kiki is very happy to see that Joe did not kill Max. Even if his jaw looks like it got punched several times.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

May 20 2024
Imola, Italy
3:16am

Max called him. And Joe looked at his screen for good 20 seconds before he picked up.
Lando and Cissy are across the hall and they must still be awake. The couple hearing about Joe's call with Max would be insufferable.

They'd tease him about it forever. And the Italian does not have a single nerve for their bullshit.
He doesn't know why he picked up, probably because Max gives him real good head and offered him to make this a thing. He'd complain again if Joe didn't pick up.

The Dutchman is startled for a second, even though it feels like a minute. He didn't expect Joe to pick up.
Max isn't even drunk, it's usual for him to stay up this long after a race.
And the heat in his hotel room is unbearable. It's May, how can it be this warm?

„Hm, didn't think you'd answer." Max states. His voice sounds rough over the phone. Raspy enough for Joe to make a grimace. Thankfully Max can't see him.

„Me neither." Joe bites back, closing his eyes.

„I wanted to let someone know I couldn't sleep." Joe immediately turns his volume down, it would be absolute hell for anyone in his family to hear.

„You're unlucky then, because I don't care."

Max groans. Joe can hear how much he's rolling his eyes right now.
The Dutchie suddenly wonders why Joe would be up at 3am. He always expected him to be the type of guy to fall dead on his bed after partying.

But Tigers prefer to hunt at night, Max supposes.
„I was thinking about your 16th birthday party somehow, do you remember?" he brings it up.
Joe is biting down on his lower lip, it's still sore from a few hours ago when he kept biting down on it.

„Of course I fucking remember. It was the best-worst birthday I ever had." Joe says it as if it was casual.

Was it casual?

May 19 2016
Barcelona, Spain

4 days after Max drove a race in a real Red Bull. 4 days after winning his first race in formula 1.
Well, he got lucky because the Mercedes guys went through a messy divorce. But who cares? He's a race winner. And a proper Red Bull driver now.

He'll stay in Barcelona for the rest of the week, it's not a race weekend and he'll still have enough time to fly over to Monaco in the next week.

It's also Joe's birthday. Max obviously didn't know that because he asked for it, Cissy and Joe along with all their other stupid friends had asked Max for fake IDs to get into a club with him.
He wouldn't say no to clubbing, and he got their fake Identity cards over a month ago in the Netherlands.

Especially after winning his first ever race, a club doesn't sound bad. And he's allowed to take Charles with him.
It's one of the boldest things ever, but he steals his dad's credit card and the keys to his car. Dumb of him to bring it to Barcelona anyway.

————

Alessia, Joe's twin sister is doing Cissy's makeup right now. She'll come along aswell. They got fake IDs but they still need to look eighteen, so the two girls are putting a whole makeup box on their face. They have an apartment in Barcelona because they stay at Fernando's way too often, then said they'll buy an apartment and stay there for Race week in spain too.

Leonie sadly couldn't come along, they went partying in Monaco two weeks ago and Leo's mom did not approve. So she's on house arrest now.

Fiona already flew back to Monaco after their Formula 3 race here in Barcelona.
So it's only Cissy, Alessia, Arthur, Joe, Charles and stupid Max now.
Charles and Max didn't come along yet. Said they'll arrive to pick them up.

„You are sure your parents won't notice?" Cissy asks, letting Alessia apply some blush onto her cheeks. „Never," she answers. „We told them we're gonna celebrate with the team. As it's my last birthday in Formula 3." Joe adds.

Joe and Cissy got seats for Formula 2 at Prema racing. Arthur didn't yet, but he said he'll manage and come along in 2018.
„Okay, so actually we're ready. Max and Charles are on their way?" Alessia asks while putting her makeup away, brushing through her brown waves one last time.

„They should be." Arthur says, checking his hair in the mirror. His stomach feels off, as if there was a big knot in there and all his organs are being turned around. Joe and him have the biggest baby faces ever, there's no way they'll get into that club.

Charles texts him and they make their way downstairs. Getting into their sneakers, Alessia and Cissy getting into heels to look older.

Joe's mom is watching them from the doorway, letting out a sigh. Holding Joe and Alessia off before they leave. Thankfully she's speaking polish, the others won't understand.
„If you drink something, only beer. No high percentage drinks. Am I making myself clear?"

„Yes, I promise." Joe groans, then leaving and walking his way to the car of Max's dad.

„Are you even allowed to have this car?" Cissy asks, she's pretty sure Max has a driver's license but he has no own car yet. At least he wouldn't bring it to Barcelona.
„Not exactly," Max stops. „No."

5 seats, 6 people. Arthur sighs. „Oh yea, I forgot. Someone's gotta sit on another person's lap." Max shrugs, he doesn't care what these kids are doing in the back. He's going to have fun partying with Charles, giving no shit about these formula 3 kids.

Arthur sits down on Joe's lap and Max looks at them through the rear-view mirror. His chest tightens but he starts the car.
The club in Barcelona is crowded, and they actually managed to sneak everyone in.

Joe's fake name is Max. How ironic. Gladly the security only recognized the real Max, who's already 18 anyway.
The lights are blue and pink, casting blue on Joe and pink on Max.
For the record, they didn't decide to sit next to each other at the bar.

Joe is dizzy, but he's still aware. He's a little bit hazy, blinking his lashes rapidly to keep the awful tired feeling on his eyes away. But he can still talk normally and he's able to walk in something very close to a straight line, so he's alright.

Other than Charles who has already gone to the restroom with Alessia to throw up. But the Italian is drunk enough to not care about the fact that Charles Leclerc took his sister to the restroom with him to puke. He couldn't care less actually.

He broke is promise, all he drank today was high percentage stuff and they've been here for barely 2 hours. Cissy has been nattering to Arthur all night. And Joe has absolutely no one to talk to except Max.
The silence is so awkward though, neither of them saying a word. But Max keeps ordering shots for both of them with his father's credit card.

Is that casual?

Probably yes. Max probably does that for everyone.

It keeps going until the bartender is just a blurry spot of colors that whirl around for both of them. Everything is so bright and confusing for Joe, his feet drag him up. He doesn't know where he's going, everything is blurry around the edges and his shoes drag along the floor in a slurry line.

He has to lean against the wall, trying not to stumble onto the ground.

Then some people come up to him, they must be Max's age. Something between 18 and 22.
„Hey, this guy looks young." One of them says. Another guy just chuckles and Joe is so fucking confused.

For a moment he thinks they're security, so he tries to find the fake ID in his pocket. Joe doesn't even notice when or how it happened but now he's sitting at the bar with these dudes and Max is next to him.

At least he thinks that it's Max. Everything is still so bold and blurry but he's pretty sure that guy next to him has Max's face contours.
And as soon as he talks, Joe knows that it's Max.

One of the older guys holds a kind of cigarette into Joe's way. The Italian takes it and studies it for a moment, observing that it's thicker than a normal cigarette and it also smells different. Max next to him is giggling, biting his lip while watching Joe.

„Just puff on it." One of the guys says and the Italian doesn't think before puffing on it about 8 times because he didn't feel anything. Now he's starting to get fuzzy and realizes it must be weed.

„Can I?" Max asks, looking at the guy who brought the battery. He nods and Max takes it from Joe, dragging on it aswell. By now Joe must be quite high.
It was a good battery and the 8 puffs the Italian took happened way too fast. But it's definitely not as bad as Joe expected, his brain is getting dizzy and his eyes feel tired but that's all.

„Do you want to do something fun?" Max says, his words slurred and he's giggling.
„Depends." Joe murmurs, leaning against the Dutchman. „Mhm...come to my car with me?" Max bites his lip, his eyes glittering in the pink light he's sitting in.
The younger nods and follows the Red Bull driver out of the club and to his father's car.
Getting into the passenger seat, Max on the driver's seat with the keys in his hand.

„'ve you ever thought 'bout what it would be like to drive a car drunk and high?" Max slurrily says.
„Don' have a driver's license, so no..." Joe shrugs, it's dark but the inside of Jos' car has lights on the side, they're lighting everything in a shade of red.

„Thought you drive a motorbike." Max puts the keys inside and starts the car, but he isn't driving yet. He just wants music playing the radio. „Mhm. Rarely, it's aaalways in italy."
He leans to the backseat and grabs the bottle of vodka he bought after he won, putting it into Joe's arms. Joe looks into the side mirror, his eyes are red but he thinks it should be unnoticeable.

„Don't remember how many houses you have." Max groans, it doesn't feel right that Joe is this rich.
Well, he had a big mansion in Amsterdam where he grew up but it's not the same.
„In Imola, Monza and Sanremo, that's where I grew up. Apartments in Barcelona and many in southern Italy."

Max bites his lip, watching how Joe's lip wrap around the bottle of vodka. „Very rich hmm?" He giggles dazedly and Joe nods. The Dutchman takes the vodka bottle from the younger boy and drinks.
„You turned 16 today, right?" He then asks and Joe nods.

„Fuuuckk, if anyone ever finds out about this I'm in deep shit." Max groans, but nonetheless he grips the steering wheel after handing the glass bottle back to Joe.

The parking lot they're at is empty, only their car. Joe wonders how Max managed to find an empty parking lot in Barcelona. At 1am. Joe genuinely didn't realize it was already that late.

„'re you gonna be stupid?" The 16 year old asks, biting on the insides of his cheeks before drinking vodka again.
„Depends. You wanna do circles in the parking lot?" Max turns his head to look at Joe, the red light makes his hair look even darker. The Dutchman had always been a sucker for dark curls, but Joe isn't that guy.

He's handsome, Max has to admit. He feels so ugly next to him and he starts frowning. He's not as thin, not as tall. His hair is boring, his face aswell.
And Joe is so. So ugh. This shit never ends for Max. He will forever compare himself to these awfully handsome straight boys. His biggest wish is to be straight.

Why is being bisexual so difficult?

„If you don't crash the car." Joe murmurs, a little smirk on his lips. He still has braces, Max observes.

Then he smirks and turns his eyes to the parking lot, gripping the steering wheel and lowering his foot on the gas.
This is stupid. But he's always been stupid, right?

„Yolo." Max says and Joe laughs. „Yolo." he giggles and then Max hits the gas.

It's loud when he turns for circles and he has to laugh from all the adrenaline. Joe is rolling down the windows and holding his arm out with the bottle. Max turns the volume of the radio up and keeps circling the car.

„Fuck. I might throw up." Max screams but he's still laughing. He's sticking his arm out the window aswell now, only one hand on the steering wheel.
„Please do it out the window if you do." Joe giggles and brings the vodka bottle to Max's mouth.

Max can barely even swallow it because his throat feels stuffy. „I have to stop." He groans and parks the car with a fast motion.
They're both giggling and Joe turns his head to Max who is sticking his head out of the window.

After a few deep breaths Max can hold it back and properly sits back down on the seat. They're both dizzy, full of adrenaline.
Let me love you by Justin Bieber is on the radio but they don't mind it. Neither of them has the energy to change the radio channel now.

„Are you a daddy or a mama's boy?" the question comes out of nowhere but Joe sighs. „I feel like I'm rather a daddy's boy." he bites his lip. „You?"

It's a rhetorical question, he knows the answer. „I definitely like my mom more," Max answers, looking out the window onto the empty parking lot. There's tyre marks on the asphalt that they drove on.

„Does being a Red Bull driver feel good? I mean, not being on the second team anymore?"

It makes Max groan. „Yeah. Being a race winner is nice aswell."

Joe giggles when Max grips his lower arm. „Fuck being an underrated driver. I want to be fucking important, not some second driver who constantly gets compared to anyone. Just because I'm young. I wish I was like Lewis."
They're not giggling anymore and Joe is suddenly nervous, Max's hands are all over his arm. „When do you think that stops?"

Joe looks away, his eyes glued to all the lights of Barcelona they're seeing. „When you're world champion maybe. Otherwise it won't stop."
Max fucking knows Joe is just saying that to make him feel bad. He wants to see him falling over and failing, they're reaching for the same thing and in the end there's only going to be one winner.

Max sighs and looks at Joe's hand and wrist. His wrist seems pale.
And suddenly Max's eyes go wide and he lets go of Joe's arm. He's not going to ask what the marks are, he already knows.

He feels so blue, so empty all of a sudden. „Should we go back to the club?"
Joe can only nod, getting out of Max's car and immediately wrapping his arm around the Dutchie's shoulder. He was hoping it would help both of them walking straight.

„Hey, are you guys fags?" A boy in the street laughs at them but they keep walking. „Don't listen to people like that. They don't fucking know what it's like- I mean they're just assholes." Max says, even though he's holding back tears. He almost let it slip and the worst thing is that what the boy said appeals to him.

He looks down to Joe's Nikes, they're quite dirty and he assumes some of the cocktail margarita Cissy had earlier dripped down onto them. All of a sudden the Italian lets the bottle of vodka drop to the ground and all the splitters cut up his knees.

Max frowns at first but then Joe laughs and he has to join in. They stumble away from it, not caring too much about the 16 year old's bloody knees.

Joe's pupils are dilated and they easily get back into the club, there wasn't any security. Even though Joe has completely shoved knees. Apparently no one cares.

Everything is so different when you're high, other people talking sounds like an alien language. Joe feels out of his body aswell, as if he was watching himself from a screen. Lights which are far away are just dots that make him dizzy.

He doesn't even feel that high, but he must be. He didn't even notice how many people put their hands on him while they walked through the club crowd. Telling him how young and cute he looks and filthy stuff that Joe didn't want to understand.

„I was searching for youuuu!" Cissy murmurs, trying to wrap her arm around Joe. „Saw someone that looked like Fernando. Hope it's not him."

Then Joe looks away from Cissy and he can see a guy that looks too much like Jenson Button. To his right is some guy that looks like Fernando. „Oh my god." Joe quickly turns both of them away, looking down at the ground. „That is Jenson and that is Fernando."

„Fuck." Cissy says, she is wide awake now. Trying to act as sober as possible even though she's stumbling when they make their way towards Max. „Oh my fuck, are you high?"
Joe turns to Cissy and looks straight into her face, lips puffy and sore from all the drinking.
„Only weed. At least that's what I hope."

The french girl's mouth opens in shock. „Where? I want to try."
„Mate, not now."
They both stumble towards Max, who is sipping on a heavy gin tonic, his eyes just as red as Joe's.

„Max, Fernando and Jenson are here. Please drive us to my apartment I swear I will pay you back for that." Joe rushes and Max almost falls backwards. „First of all," he holds his finger out. How did he manage to get this drunk within 10 minutes? „Where are the others? Second of all," now he's holding two fingers up. „I am drunk as fuck. I will not drive."

Joe groans. „Fuck, Max, you literally did that half an hour ago." Max starts to narrow his eyebrows, gripping Joe's shoulders. Cissy seems confused but her eyes fall shut when she leans against the bar. Taking another sip of her whiskey red bull.

„Accept my no," Max hisses.

„Come on, Max. I'll be a dead man if Fernando sees me here. Why didn't you tell us they were coming?" Joe's voice is louder than before. „Obviously I did not know. I don't care if you're dead though," Max smirks and bites his lip provocatively.

„Max." Joe groans. „What? Are you gonna punch me?"

He turns his head a little, trying to spot where Fernando is now. „I will if you don't stop," he hisses and Max smirks, still holding onto Joe's shoulders.

„I bet it won't even hurt," Max says and bites his lip. „Cause you're a fucking pussy."
Joe groans and then lands a fucking hit on the older's face. He immediately holds his nose and hisses. „Fuck. You weren't joking," he murmurs before pushing Joe so hard that he falls.

Max going right on top of him.

It's a wonder that no one is paying attention to them except Cissy, who is too dizzy to even walk towards them and stop them.

Max lands a punch on Joe's nose and it starts bleeding. The younger pushes Max off and is now on top of him. He can feel his heartbeat in his nose and head and after two punches his brain turns so much that he falls next to Max on the ground.

Max is too dizzy to stand up, his lip must be bleeding because he can taste the blood.
He's surprised Joe didn't kill him though.

The vibrations of footsteps make Joe's head turn and he looks up. Looking right into Fernando's face, he makes a grimace at how bad Joe looks. Nose bloody and already bruising. It didn't look this bad when Jenson accidentally broke his nose.

„Joe?" Fernando asks, just making sure that this is actually his godson. Joe can only groan until he feels Jenson's arms pulling him onto his feet. He watches Fernando helping Max up. He's clinging onto Jenson's arm and when he looks to the right he can make out Cissy doing the same to Jenson's other arm.

They don't complain when they're being shoved into the backseat of Fernando's car, Nando and Jenson in the front.

The car ride is silent, but Jenson turns the radio on so there's at least some kind of noise.

Max and Joe are being sat into Fernando's kitchen, the Spaniard getting disinfecting spray and a lot of wipes. The Italian didn't realize it was that bad until he looked at Max next to him. His lips being completely bloody and his jaw is bruised.

The worst thing is, is that Joe looks even worse. His eyebags puffy and his nose has been bleeding so much that it's running down his chin, it's also completely bruised. His knees are also hurting from the glass cuts earlier.

Both of their backs hurt from when they were falling on the ground. And their eyes must be red as fuck, Joe prays that his godfather won't notice.

Fernando sighs and bends Max's head, cleaning his lips up with a wipe but he keeps whining about how bad it stings.
All the Spaniard does is mutter something like „ustedes dos son idiotas."
Which means that they are idiots.

Then he moves onto Joe's knee first, wiping the wounds clean and then cleaning Joe's bleeding nose. All while muttering in spanish.

In the meanwhile Jenson helped Cissy getting into the guest room and going to sleep. Since she was so drunk on cocktails that she couldn't even walk straight.

When Jenson comes to the kitchen, Max and Joe aren't bleeding anymore but they're still sitting on the chairs and Fernando looks at them like an annoyed mother.

„Who else was with you?" Fernando says and he sounds mad. „Arthur." Joe murmurs but the Spaniard didn't understand. „Who?" he says it a little louder and immediately Joe looks like he's about to cry.

Jenson grips Fernando's shoulder and they turn away from the two boys. „Let's do a good cop bad cop." Jenson whispers. „I'm the bad cop." Fernando nods with a smirk.
They turn back to the boys. „Okay, again. Who else was with you?" Jenson asks calmly.

„Arthur. Charles and Alessia." Joe murmurs.

„Alessia?" Jenson makes a grimace and looks at Fernando. „His twin sister."

„Oh." Jenson nods.

„You know where they are?" Fernando raises his eyebrows and looks at them expectantly.
It's bad that both Fernando and Jenson are still sober, they will remember all of this.

„I think they're still at the club. Charles and Alessia must be in the restroom and maybe Arthur went to find them." Max sniffles, wiping his nose.

„Charles and Alessia in the restroo- Joe. Why are your eyes red?" Fernando gets closer to him, bending his neck to look into the teen's eyes.
„Must be from the alcohol." Joe giggles, then Fernando looks at Max and observes that his eyes are red aswell.

„Please tell me it wasn't Coke."

He isn't talking about the drink.

„Just Marijuana." Max bites his lip and giggles.

Fernando sighs and has to wipe his face with his hand. „I'm gonna drive back, find them and drive the Leclercs home."
He turns to Jenson, supposedly the two drunk boys shouldn't hear it then.

„Max and Joe are gonna sleep in the other guest room and we'll put Alessia into Cissy's. I do not want a drunk girl and a drunk boy sleeping in a bed together."

Jenson looks startled but then he nods.
Fernando's gone again and now Jenson has to deal with two moody teenage boys. One of them is his colleague.
„Okay boys, tired?" he smiles, trying to stop them from pouting like 5 year olds.

„No," Joe murmurs back.

„I won't argue with you. You two go to bed. Now." Jenson says, crossing his arms.
He watches the two boys stand up and, just to make sure, he follows them to the second guest room.
Max stumbles onto the bed, not caring that he's still wearing pretty uncomfortable looking jeans.

Joe takes his shirt off though, falling onto the bed in only his shorts.

„If you two need anything, I'll be in the kitchen." Jenson smiles before closing the door of the room.
Max is already sleeping and he's fucking snoring. Joe hits his back once and then he stops, not waking up though.

Fernando gets home with Alessia, she doesn't even seem drunk and Jenson realizes she might not be.
„Brought the Leclercs home. The older boy kept throwing up as if his life depended on it."

Jenson sighs and looks at Alessia. She really is a copy of Joe but with darker eyes. And much shorter.
„Can I go into a room with Cissy?" she asks Fernando. „Yes, she's in the guest room on the left. Boys are on the right."

Alessia's lucky she isn't too drunk, just a little tipsy. And she has some clothes at Fernando's, since the last time they were here was in april.
Cissy is on the bed, the phone shining some light on her. She doesn't have any makeup on, so she must be sober enough since she managed to get it all off.

„Hey," Alessia says and takes her phone flashlight to search through the drawer for some kind of pajama she can wear.
„Hey, do you maybe have two pjamas?" Cissy asks, her words are a little slurred but she sounds just fine.

It should work, the two girls are the same height. Some people even say they look like siblings.
„Well, I've only got one but I have a pair of comfortable shorts and a baggy shirt here. Does that work too?"

Cissy approves, catching the clothes when Alessia throws them at her. „Gonna go to the bathroom and take my makeup off, I'll be back," Alessia murmurs tiredly and walks over to the little bathroom attached to the guest room.

She comes back after a few minutes with her pajamas on, Cissy changed too.
„You're not drunk?" Alessia laughs when she hops onto the bed. „I sober up pretty easily. Jenson gave me a glass of water and I was fine immediately," she giggles.

„What about you?"

„I spent most of my time making sure that Charles didn't pass out," she chuckles, putting her hair into a braid.
Cissy lets out a little sigh. „You and Charles?"
Alessia's cheeks get rosy but maybe they have been like this all night, Cissy didn't really notice until now.
„I mean, no. He's cute. But he turns 19 soon and I just turned 16. He said he thinks I'm pretty cool but just...too young at the moment."

The French girl frowns, but she understands. 3 years isn't a lot when you're an adult but it's a big age gap as teens.
„Maybe you'll be a thing when you're older then. I've heard Charles is kind of like...a homie hopper though."

Alessia lets out a laugh. „I've heard. But I don't know, I do hope that we'll be a couple one day though. He's really fucking cute."

Cissy giggles. „Is he? He's only ever told me that I'm annoying."
„I might be special then," Alessia jokes, then she's yawning.

„Do you think the boys are still awake?" Cissy asks after a quiet moment. „Don't think so, they seemed really fucking drunk by all the things Fernando told me."

Cécile snorts and smiles at the brunette. „They're fucking stupid. I truly wanted to stop them but at the same time it was kinda funny."
Alessia lets out a quiet laugh, making herself comfortable on the right side of the bed. „We should sleep, it's been way too long of a day."

————

The next morning was hell for the boys. The girls were fine though, watching tv in Fernando's living room after he made them cocoa milk.
Max and Joe were only awake by 2pm. Fernando and Jenson had decided to let them sleep, they might be adults but they do know what it's like to have a hangover when you're a teen.

„Okay," Fernando says when the two boys sit down in the kitchen. Jenson hands them sandwiches for lunch.
„You two got very high and drunk yesterday, how much do you remember?" he asks, watching Max and Joe eat the sandwiches in silence.

„I remember that we...uhm...punched each other. But after that it's just blurry." Max says and Joe nods, meaning that it must be the same for him.

„Okay, good." Fernando says, drinking a sip of his black coffee.

„Max, you took your dad's car, didn't you?"

The Dutchman's cheeks go all rosy but he nods.

„I'll drive you there later, you bring your dad's car back to the hotel you're staying at. I know you don't want to hear that but I called him and told him everything, he was very worried because you didn't come to the hotel for the night."

He wad worried about him? Max looks away for a moment. He had never worried about him.

„Fine," Max murmurs, chewing on the cheese sandwich. Jenson has worry etched on his face while he makes his way to Fernando.

„Are you sure Max's dad was actually worried? You know how the boy and his dad are," He says as soon as the two boys got out of the room to change into something casual.

„I know," Fernando frowns, „but Jos genuinely sounded a bit worried. He was angry too but I told him it's just what teens do and he got calmer."

Jenson can't help but worry all day after Fernando drove Max to the parking lot where the car is at.
But the twins and Cissy distract him pretty well by playing monopoly with him.

It's a rainy day, otherwise they probably would've went outside.

Max felt like hell for the whole day. When he knocked on the hotel room door, he was scared to his life. But his dad opened the door and just blinked at him before stepping aside.

Letting him sit down before he opened his mouth. „You know that was very stupid."

Max frowns, his eyes are already teary because he knows his dad will scream.
To his surprise, he doesn't.

„But you're 18. And I know you just wanted to have fun. You're lucky you won the last race," He says firmly but Max can see a little smile on his face.

It's nothing near funny though, Max's tummy feels bad. „So you aren't mad at me?"

„I am. Just a little bit though. I can't blame you for being a young guy, I was the same when I was your age."

Max looks at him, not quite believing his words. „You were?"

His dad nods. „I never listened to your grandma, I did what I wanted to do. And I probably can't blame you for doing the same."

It makes no sense to Max, he thought his dad would get mad. But at the same time, his dad never got angry about these kind of things.
He only got angry if it was about racing.
Everything else wasn't important.

May 20 2024
Imola, Italy

„I'm glad these guys only gave us weed. There could've been anything in there," Max giggles and Joe has to flash a smile at him.

„You know, I'm glad Fernando never told my parents."

Max grins, he bites his lip and he's glad Joe can't see him. „That night was so weird though, must've been the first time we slept in the same bed."

„I don't recall any other times we've slept in the same bed, Maxie."

He groans, can't that damn guy take a joke?
„Hm, we should change that then. Also, we shared a bed in Amsterdam during the King's Day weekend."

A sigh on the other side, rustling from the bed sheets.
„Are you trying to be vulgar with me?" He whispers and Max giggles. „No, I'm just saying it would be hot if we could sleep in the same bed sometime soon."

„And what kind of things would you do to me?"

The Dutchman has to bite his lip, leans his head back. „You'll have to find out."

He can hear the Italian groan and he can picture his face right now.
„Maybe in Monaco? You could come to my apartment. I mean, not to chill. Only for sex, you know," Max suggests. And immediately regrets it.
That wasn't super Max that was super stupid.

„Yeah, I'd be fine with that."

Thankfully, he was scared Joe would hang up and ignore him again. They never had real sex. Why the fuck did he suggest that?

„Okay, maybe tomorrow night then? If you'll already be in Monaco. Because I want to do some very bad things to you."

„Yeah, I'm flying over tomorrow. I mean today, it's already past midnight."

„No shit Sherlock."

Joe groans. „I won't come if you keep being bratty like that."

And Max stops, he kind of likes it. Being called bratty. It's fun for sure.
„Fine. Be there at 7pm."

„That early?"

Max rolls his eyes. And Joe can definitely tell by the silence coming from him. „I'm not going to let you fuck me deep in the ass the second you walk into my apartment. Made myself clear?"

„Yessir."

***

„I know that's fucking stupid but who am I to say no?" Joe asks, his voice still sleepy. Him and his sister Lydia are in their private jet, Lando and Cissy on the other end.
He didn't want them to know he will meet Max in his apartment.

They're on their way to Monaco, it's not even a one hour flight but Joe had enough time to tell Lydia a bit about Max. He left out the blowjob part.

„Well, he's your enemy. It's as simple as that, that's a clear reason to say no to him."

Joe sighs at his younger sister. She's occasionally coming with them, she's in the f1 academy. She couldn't attend the last few races though because she broke her leg.

„But- I mean," Joe stops, his face showing uncertainty, „I can't say no to a good making out session, can I?"

Lydia rolls her eyes, looking through the emails Susie Wolff sent her about coming back to racing in Monaco.
„Are you sure you're only talking about making out if it's so important?"

The Italian let's out a huff and pierces his gaze towards Cissy and Lando. „You won't tell anyone, will you?"
Lydia makes a grimace. „Ew. No. Why would I talk to someone about my brother's toxic gay sex life?"

Joe shrugs. „You're weird, you're totally the type of sister to do so."

„Whatever," Lydia mutters. Then she changes her demeanor, „just tell me."

„Well. He maybe, kind of, gave me two blowjobs already. But I swear we didn't go any further."

Lydia's eyes go wide but then she's grinning. „First of all, I knew that would happen one day. Second of all, why don't you tell Cissy, Lan or Arth? Third of all, you better bring condoms with you to Max's apartment. I just know he wants you deep down and I'm not talking emotionally."

Joe looks like it's a lot too take in, he has to think for a moment before rolling his eyes and going lump against his seat. „So, first of all, you didn't. Second of all, I won't tell them because it's a secret and I'm not gay or bi or whatever. They'd tease me about it until I turned into ashes. Third of all, I bet he has condoms at home. There's no reason for me to bring them."

Lydia immediately groans, making a grimace while looking at Joe. She looks like she's thinking about how much of an idiot her brother is. The audacity to say he's bi after he enjoyed making out with a guy not once but two times already. „That must be why you didn't have a girlfriend for basically a year now," she stops, sounding whiny when she continues, as if it was the most obvious thing in the universe. „Gentlemen will bring the condoms they bought to their date, it's just what you should do if you decide to dick him down."

Joe looks confused but then shrugs his shoulders, chewing on his gum while narrowing his eyes. „I will then. But I'm telling you it's something different between two guy-„
All of a sudden, Cissy appears. She looks tired much but she has a cup of tea in her hand. „Heard you wanted to bring condoms to a date. Why didn't you tell me you have a date?"

Joe looks at Lydia as if it was her fault. They were both talking loudly, of course Cissy would hear. Even if her hearing senses are as good as the ones of a 80 year old grandmother.

„It's not a date. And it's nothing special. Just a girl I'll fuck with, you know?"

The french girl bites back a laugh, then smirks instead. „Whatever then. You should bring condoms for sure. I don't want a mini Joe running around in 9 months."

Lydia laughs and Joe kicks her leg under the table. „Yeah, pregnancy certainly won't happen. I promise."

„If you say so," Cissy gives in and makes her way back to Lando, who seems to be sleeping. She makes sure Lan is all comfortable, letting him lean his head onto her shoulder, his curls falling over her sleeve.

Joe looks at them and feels an ache in his stomach. Actually he feels it everywhere.
He misses having a relationship, even though he never seemed to have a girlfriend that fit him as much as Cissy and Lando fit each other.
It's difficult finding someone who's made for you.

The two of them just got lucky, Joe didn't.
He's gonna find that girl one day, until then he'll be patient.

May 21 2024
Monaco

Joe somehow regrets coming to Max's apartment. His cats Jimmy and Sassy are cuter than Max himself could ever be. Nevertheless it's been boring, sitting on his couch for nearly an hour now.

Max was nattering about Rocky. Max Emilian Verstappen and his boy names for cars. The opposite of Seb or Joe, who both name their cars after girls they...hung out with.
Max can't let go of Red Bull, they were talking about their contracts earlier and how Toto wanted both of them in his team. He stuck with them while they didn't have an engine and he's still sticking with them although Horner and Helmut Marko keep sniping at each other like teenage girls.

Although perhaps Max would be better off somewhere calmer. He's constantly fiddling with his hair, bouncing his leg and looking distressed. Joe isn't quite sure if it's because of the work stress or because he's sitting inches from him right now.

Joe isn't any different with his team-favor though, stuck with McLaren through every high and low. When they didn't have a good car back then, yet Joe still managed to bring it onto the top step in Monza 2019. He probably didn't like this team, he only liked the constant praise he was getting.
He hated Zak Brown, he hated Andrea Stella. But he loves the way they keep praising him over every little thing he does.

He'd be better of at Ferrari. That's what people say. Being italian, growing up in italy and all around Motorsport. He was made for driving in rosso corsa, but chose papaya instead. The Tifosi love him but hate him at the same time, they'd surely give him the most obscure prince-treatment if he joined Ferrari.

„Do you think Toto is crazy enough about us to drop Liron and take us both?" Max questions, looking over at Joe. They both didn't bother wearing something special, it'll get taken off later anyway.

„Probably. But I'd never do that to Liron."

„Right," Max mutters. His brain starts hurting from how jealous he is. „It'd probably end in a disaster anyway. If he took us both."

„I agree," Joe huffs, his eyes narrowing a little at Max.

„You're way too insufferable, I couldn't stand this a whole season long. You talk so much," Max starts complaining and Joe smirks. „You were the one who was just nattering my eyes numb about Rocky."

„At least Rocky's interesting."

„Yeah? I'd rather like you if you were shutting up about a car you will never drive again."

Max's jaw drops a little and he groans. „You'd probably also rather like it if I was riding something other than the RB20."

„Don't try to flirt now."

„Why not?" Max bites his lip. And he looks so fucking bratty it will make Joe puke if he looks at Max's lip for two more seconds.

He can't bring himself to say anything, his mouth is just slightly open and he's staring.
Before he can even slightly move, Max is already leaning in. Placing his big hand on Joe's neck and kissing him.
Ever so sweetly letting his tounge roll against the Younger's.

„You know, if you'd like," Max starts, groaning a little when he keeps kissing Joe and touching his neck and shoulders so electric. „You could come to Red Bull, Christian wants you in the team."

The Italian stops for a moment but then goes back to practically licking Max's face. Putting his hands on the Dutchman's hips, they're quite big for the fact he's a man. But Joe can't lie about the fact that this shit turns him on.
„Christian Horner can suck my dick."

„He rather shouldn't. It's all mine," Max giggles and starts kissing Joe's jaw.
His pupils dilate, why would Max say something like that?

The Older is already tugging on his shirt, touching his soft ribs. „Want your shirt off." He murmurs, muffled by his own kisses over Joe's tanned neck.
Joe immediately complies, pulling his shirt off and letting Max push him down on the couch after he got rid of his own, extremely tight, white shirt.

„Why do you always wear baggy clothes?" Max mumbles, kissing Joe's collarbone.

„Why do you always wear the tightest jeans and top you could find?"

The Dutchman drags his tounge over Joe's neck and groans. „You know you like it. Don't think I haven't seen the way you stare at my thighs sometimes."

„Can't really blame me when you're allowed to legally run around with those thighs, can you?"

Joe looks at Max's spread thighs, observing that he isn't wearing tight blue jeans. He's legitimately wearing sweatpants. To a date.
Is it a date? Both of them can't really tell.

Max moves to kiss him again and Joe immediately thinks about his full lips. They're soft, a little wet from how much they have kissed. And the Younger keeps kissing that mole Max has on his upper lip.

Any girl would kill to have her lips looking like the Dutchman's.

Max pulls away from the kiss and sits up, he's sitting on Joe's tighs, his own ones spread over them. He pulls away a bit further, unbuttoning Joe's baggy jeans and pulling them down. Moving on to carelessly throw them onto the ground.

„Want yours off too." Joe groans, watching as Max takes his black sweatpants off and throws them onto the ground aswell. He grips Joe's shoulders, pulling him to sit up only to lower himself onto his lap.

He can feel the other's crotch pressing against his rin and moans. „Fuck, you're hard," He observes and then the younger huffs. „Is that bad?"

Max bites his lip and shakes his head, he keeps grinding back and forth. Trying to stay quiet but he's already being loud. „You don't have neighbors?"

„I do," Max murmurs while kissing every little mole on Joe's neck. „But my apartment is big, they're so far away, they won't hear it."

„Are you sure? Don't want them to think you're getting murdered," Joe teases, his hands groping Max's waist. His waist is quite tiny, he observes while watching Max repeatedly thrust and grind his hips.

„Shut up. I won't be that loud," the Dutchman grunted and looked down to where their boxershorts meet. He leans back in, nibbling at Joe's neck and occasionally licking it. It smells so fucking good, Max can't stop inhaling Joe's cologne. It makes him squirm his hips faster, getting increasingly turned on by the fucking smell.
„You got condoms with you?"

„I mean, I'm clean. But yes, they're in my jeans," Joe replied, biting his lower lip. Max doesn't have to bend down a lot, but it's enough for him to arch his back. And Joe fucking loves this.
His back bent so deliciously, showing off the little dimples he has on his pale back.

Max puts the condom aside at first, hooking his fingers into the waistband of Joe's boxers. „Can I taste it first, please?"

„Because you asked so nicely." Joe fake smiles, but in reality he does like it when Max sucks on his tip as if his life depended on it.
He looks pleased when pulling down his boxers, leaning down and wrapping his hand around the base of Joe's cock.

„Oh my fuck, it's really huge. I don't think it will fit," Max murmurs, biting his lip while moving his hand up and down on Joe's shaft a few times. „I thought you took Rico Verhoeven's cock once, isn't he big?" The audacity. Max rolls his eyes.

„Rico. Is just a friend," he mutters. He wants Joe to fucking shut up, so he leans in and licks his tip. Fluttering his aquamarine eyes right at him.

He immediately clenches his teeth when Max starts to suck on the tip. „Don't be quiet...want your noises."

Joe breathes out and unclenches his teeth. Then starts to let little moans leave his mouth, they quickly turn into groans when Max sucks harder and tightens his grip around the base.

Everything feels so incredibly sensible and hot, Max might faint if he doesn't feel something stuffing his hole soon. He pulls away, right when he's about to pull his briefs off, he realizes that Joe had never seen him naked before.

But he wouldn't judge him, right? Max shakes the thought off his brain and just takes them off.
Of course Joe looks at him, that's what everyone would do. It's definitely not small, not massive either. Pretty average, Max himself would say, probably a bit bigger than average though.

For sure, it's different to Joe's. But it's not bad. More than enough to satisfy the tiny models he fucks, whenever he decides to have sex with a woman. And it's not like he's the one to use his cock whenever he has sex with men.

Max rips the condom package open, being quiet while rolling it onto Joe's dick. „Which position do you want?"

The young Italian is startled, but he drags his eyes from Max's cock and thighs back to his face. He's cheeks are pink, his chest aswell. His nipples are puffy and he's still squirming ever so lightly.

„I don't care, you can decide."

The older sighs and turns on the couch. It's shameful to get fucked on your own sofa, nevertheless Max somehow finds it nice.
He doesn't want Joe on his bed, the couch will go just fine.

„I like it from behind," Max says it as if it was the most casual thing in the world. As if his biggest rival since 2009 won't pound into him in a few moments from now.

He bends over, ass in the air and his flushed chest on the cushions.

„You've got experience?" Joe can be glad that Max can't look at him right now. Otherwise he would kill him on an instant. „Yes, I'm not a fucking virgin, are you?"

„No," Joe quickly groans, already running his hands over Max's ass and waist, it makes him shudder.

„Then why are you getting mad over the fact that I'm not a virgin either?"

„I was legitimately just observing," the Italian groans, Max likes it. His groans are so hot, even if he still sounds like an 18 year old boy.

„Whatever, can you just shut up and fuck me now?"
He's being so commanding and Joe's freckled chest flushes even more. Max is probably a pillow princess, groaning and commanding Joe around without doing anything himself.

It takes Max by surprise when he feels Joe's cock on his rim, he whines. It's getting steamy, the Dutchman tries to relax when Joe breaks him in. He feels like he's being split apart, groaning into one of the soft pillows of his couch.

He's clenching a lot, dragging a strangled whimper out of Joe. „Fuck, you're tight."
Finally bottoming out and Max feels like he's in heaven, his body is lump, clasping down on Joe's cock and being so damn full.

„Oh really? I thought this would be easy considering you have never fucked a man before," Max quickly argues back. „Fucking Bastard."

It's so hot around them, Max's body heat is unbearable. Joe's body is rather cold considering he's starting to pound into Max at a steady pace.
The Older starts moaning at every thrust, wriggling his ass back onto Joe to feel him deeper.

„Will you shut up and let me fuck you rough, or do you want me to stop?"

„No," Max jokes out between whines. „Please, do go on."

„Lord, are you ever going to stop constantly acting like a girl on her period?"

The Dutchman has to bite back an insult, rather whimpering again. „Fuck..."

„Oh, don't tell me it hurts," Joe moans, groping Max's hips and pulling them flush against his pace.

„Can you flip me around?"

„Oh my god," Joe stops moving, letting out a big groan of frustration. „Why?"
„Because I'd like to see your face while you fuck into me," Max casually says, trying to turn over by himself.
„Because you're so in love with me?" He questions, helping Max flip around. Immediately feeling the other guy's legs wrap around his waist.

„Nah, I want to see how pathetic you look."

Joe thrusts again, probably to make Max shut his mouth. He's getting rougher by the moment and the Dutchie is clawing at the cushions, whimpering and cursing something dutch under breath.

„You know, you're pretty chatty for someone who keeps begging for cock in several holes of yours," He groans and Max gasps.

„But I always get what I want."

„Yeah, maybe because you're a slut, hm? Is that the reason?"

Max likes that a lot, biting down on his lip and whimpering. He can't even speak anymore, nodding at him and keeping his eyes shut.

He opens his eyes to see Joe, head thrown back and eyes closed. Pumping his hips into Max's core at a fast but comfortable pace, groping his thick thigh to thrust deeper and groaning.

Max's eyes are drawn to the golden cross necklace around Joe's neck, hanging right between his light pecs. Christ, he's going to hell.
He doesn't have too many muscles for a formula 1 driver, he's even taller than Max and would probably weigh too much if he had big muscles everywhere.

But he finds it hot, it makes Joe look so vulnerable. A side of him that no one knows.

Max throws his head back onto the cushions. Letting out a loud whimper after Joe changed his aim and hit him at the right spot. „Please again...please, fuck that felt so good..." he's begging now, his eyes rolling back when Joe hits it over and over.
He gropes his thighs harder, Max starts clawing at Joe's back. „Harder...please," He desperately whimpers, he sounds like he's sobbing. His cock twitches, leaking amounts of precum onto his tummy. When Joe complies and does thrust harder, Max bites his lip and smirks. Whimpering at every thrust. „Good boy," Max breathily praises, just to tease Joe.

It makes him whine though, burying his face into Max's neck and kissing him all over. The Dutchman knows he enjoys the praise, it's getting quite obvious. Especially now that he has felt Joe's cock twitch inside him at the praises.

His body moves against the sheets with every hard thrust, Joe does that on purpose. „Fuck, please...harder, Schatje..."

Again, he starts pumping his hips harder and rapidly into Max's hole, it makes his eyes roll back and gasp.

„Yeah? You're gonna cum untouched? Is that what this is, Maxie? Cumming from a cock inside you alone?"

„Mmm-mh," Max nods, keeping his legs spread and clenching around Joe. It makes the younger whimper and curse. Max is very happy he knows bits of italian.

„Not even a little bit of stimulation on your tits, no?"

Tits. Fucking hell, Max whimpers.
Then shakes his head, he doesn't need more stimulation. All he can think about how huge and heavy Joe is inside him and the fact that he's hitting all the right spots that make him dizzy.

Fingernails digging into his skin and when he spills all over his own stomach, he also scratches over Joe's back. Legs trembling and his hips are still wriggling, this was definitely good for a first time.

He's abruptly getting so tight around Joe, it doesn't take him a minute until he finishes into the condom.
He literally just got fucked by another driver on his couch, in his apartment, in Monaco, on the Monaco race weekend.

Then it's quiet, their rigged breaths hollowing in the living room. Max feels dirty, cum all over his tits, how Joe called it, and stomach. „Stop breathing like that. Ugh." Max groans and pushes Joe off lightly.

Feels him pulling out afterwards and now he's empty. Everything's moving in a blur, he didn't even realize when Joe got dressed and disposed the condom.

He's still naked, spread out on the light grey couch of his apartment. Joe doesn't look like he minds it, staring at Max's thighs.

„Can you get me a towel, mister gentleman?" He asks, clearly pissed off. Joe groans, luckily he's been to Max's before for a party. He knows where the bathroom is and brings him a towel back to the living room.

It takes a while because Max's apartment is big, surely the size a mansion would take up aswell.
He takes the towel with grace, wiping his own cum off of his torso. Afterwards slipping back into his clothes aswell. It hurts a little when he moves, but he'll manage for sure.

Monaco isn't a track that requires a lot of effort. Well, of course it requires concentration. But it's not easy to overtake and Max will probably have to sit with the position he qualifies at.

„I'll have to leave, going to a dinner with Cissy and the Leclercs," Joe excuses himself gets up from the couch. „Yeah, whatever," Max shrugs.
King of aftercare, huh?

The Italian narrows his eyes. „No hard feelings, okay? You liked it, didn't you?"

„Yes, of course I did," the Dutchman huffs. „It seems like you didn't though."
„What?" Joe stops. „Of course I enjoyed it."

„Is that so? If you really did, could you come here and make out with me?"

His shoulders go lump, but his feet drag him back to the couch and make him sit on it, letting Max on his lap aswell. „I'll be late-„ He gets cut off by the Dutchman who is already getting his mouth all over Joe's face.

„I don't care, isn't this better anyway?"

The younger guy opens his mouth and lets his tounge flush against Max's. He smirks into the kiss and leans in further, it's slow and passionate. Making Max whimper. He puts his hand on Joe's jaw after feeling two hands on his ass, the kiss getting rather sloppy now.

It's so wet, so much salvia. Both of them can only moan, touching each other all over.

***

„Sorry, I'm late," Joe excuses himself quickly when sitting down next to Arthur and Cissy.
The French girl eyes him, noticing how messy his shirt is, the dark curls being messed up, cheeks flushed and his pupils dilated. His lips look puffy aswell.

„Don't worry, Joe, it's fine," Pascale, The Leclerc's brothers' mom, says.
Charles and Lorenzo are nattering something about work, their girlfriends chatting with Pascale.

„Just came back from the date, I see," Arthur grins, observing the look on his best friend's face aswell.

„Well, yea. It was wild."

„A blue eyed blondie I suppose," Cissy teases while eating her food. It's always the blue eyed blondies that get him like this, it's been an inside joke since forever. But this time, it's different. Max is a blue eyed blondie in fact, but he isn't a girl.

He isn't the girl his best friends must be imagining right now.
„Yeah, aquamarine and dark blonde," Joe pronounced.

„Oh? Going for the dark blondes now?" Arth teases, taking a bite of the stocafi he's eating.

„Yup, no light blondes left anymore," he giggles, Cissy kicks his foot under the dinner table. She hates when the boys joke about girls. It's not funny, and it never will be.

But they're boys, what is she supposed to do?

May 23 2024
Monaco
Media day

„Yes, Christian, I promise I told him about your desire to have him on the team," Max hates this. He hates sitting in Christian's office to talk about this kind of stuff.
The second Red Bull seat is none of his problems, he should let Horner do all the work.

„And how long did that conversation last?"

Max's cheeks flush and he tugs at his Red Bull team gear. Remembering what Joe had said about Christian while they were licking each other's faces.

„Not long. But I promise, I'll try to convince him, okay?"

His team principal looks at him, eyebrows rising, before nodding. „Max, I want you to be genuine. You seem distracted lately, more distant than usual."

He laughs it off. „Well, must be stress, I guess. I swear, I'm genuine. I will try to convince him."

May 26 2024
Monaco

The monagasque crowd is quite the opposite of the dutch one, it's mostly rich people watching from their yachts. A lot of celebrities who only know Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen by chance. Only a few genuine fans. Also a lot of ex drivers like David Coulthart or Mark Webber.

Jenson is there aswell, had wished Joe and Cissy good luck before the race. Even though they qualified P4 and P6, there's not much to do from that position on a track like Monaco.

The race was boring aswell, barely any overtakes, it felt like driving in a circle for 78 laps straight.

At least Charles won, and it was a very special one to him. It made all of this a bit more interesting.

Joe stayed on P4, Max on P5 and Cissy on P6. They should've brought a pillow, that's how boring it was.
They all came to hug Charles though, and Arthur congratulated Joe and Cissy too, even if they didn't reach the podium.

Charles was quite emotional, but home wins are always more special than regular wins. And it's Charlie's first, after 4 seasons of mistakes.

Max comes back from the interviews, packing his stuff in his driver's room. He wants to go back to his apartment, spend the rest of the night with Jimmy and Sassy. Obviously he felt bad for telling Charles that he didn't have the energy to come to the afterparty, but he understood.

Today's race was draining for the Dutchman, his best friend had noticed that and told him upright that it's fine. That he'll just come along the next time Charles wins.

Max likes how understanding the Monagasque is, he knows the meaning of empathy and has no shame in showing the world that he cares.
The Dutchman feels like he could never be praised and appreciated as much as his best friend does.

But that's quite alright with him.

A message on his phone gets him out of his thoughts.
Joe
I'll come over to your driver's room. Very frustrating race, you know

He honestly has no idea if the energy for that is still left in his body. But at the same time, kissing makes people relax. So why not try?

When Joe steps in, he immediately crashes their lips and tounges together. Stumbling backwards until Max is against the wall, letting out a shuddering breath. It's sloppy, not romantic at all. Touches all over their bodies. Max feels like he got lit up, Oiled up and set on fire.

Feeling Joe's slim hands on his ass again makes him groan into the kiss.
The door opens, it's fucking GP. Max and Joe had never got off each other so fast, even though the race engineer had probably noticed, judging by the way he said „Oh god."

But honestly, it's his own fault. He could've knocked.

The two boys act nonchalant, at least they try. „I'll just text you later," GP says before closing the door, terror and trauma blank in his eyes.

Max looks at Joe before he starts to laugh, hiding his face in the younger's shoulder. „Look, I should probably get going, enjoy Charles' afterparty though," he murmurs after a while, forcing a smile, but the tiredness is evident on his face.

„Yeah, enjoy your night then," Joe expresses, a slight smirk from what just happened still etched on his face

„Oh my god, I'll have to print an NDA," Max laughs again, hushing Joe out of the hospitality with him. „You're not seriously making your engineer sign an NDA,"

„I am," He grits through his teeth, shushing Joe with his finger. „But thank god it was just GP."

Yeah, thank Jesus, God, whoever's up there, that it was only GP.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Chapter Text

May 27 2024
Monaco

P5 obviously isn't the best result for Max, but it's a non-race week now and he has no buisness doing anything but simracing and going to the gym. He likes relaxing too though, so all he plans on doing for the next 7 days is staying in Monaco.

And perhaps talking to GP.
That's a thing he should set a priority on.

While he's sim racing on the Canada track, for preparation of next week, GP calls him.
GP does have a thing for calling Max while he's busy.

Max picks up anyway, putting the phone on speaker and not bothering to pause his game. Gianpiero often says he's like a teenage boy when it comes to simracing, which might be true.

„Hey Max, uh, I'm not calling as your race engineer; rather as your friend. Should we talk about...yesterday?"

The Dutchman can feel the heat in his cheeks, his stomach churns but then he recalls that it's just GP. „We could talk about it tomorrow; Are you still in Monaco? Better question, are you still in the red bull hospitality until tomorrow? Because I might be busy right now but I do want to talk about it, you know."

Gp sighs, a big sigh. „Slow down, Max. And yes, I still am in Monaco."

Max chooses to ignore the sigh and the command, slowing down is for losers, he supposes.
„I'll come to the paddock tomorrow then."

The paddock is still open, it always takes a few days to put all the stuff away and often the engineers and mechanics still work on the data and the car for a few days.

„Are you simracing?" GP questions out of the blue. And Max bites his lip, hesitating.
„Yes."

„Are you seriously putting simracing over talking to your engineer about your secret gay love affair?" He jokes, although his voice contains an amount of sass.

„Sassy."

„Are you calling for your cat or did you just insult me?"
Max giggles, GP isn't the only sassy person on the planet. „I insulted you."

„I've figured."

„Can I hang up now? GP you know I'm a busy man." Max says, sounding hurried while focusing on the big screen in front of him.
„Sure, big guy."
GP doesn't has to elaborate further, Max presses the red button the second he says that.

He does think that it's necessary to talk to GP about everything that has been happening, he deserves an explanation. Especially since Max's and Joe's affair is surreptitious.
If it's even an affair, Max sees it like that but the Italian can be oblivious when it comes to sex.

Only sex, nothing else between them. Max could never picture feelings other than hate and arousal between him and Joe. And he's pretty sure his rival thinks the same way.

He also has no idea where the younger is at the moment, because they don't talk unless it's an argument or sex. It proves Max's point, they're nothing but enemies with benefits.

And GP happened to find out without Max wanting it, so he can't lie to him. It's hard enough to lie to Cissy and Lando, the Dutchman has a qualm because of it.

He might be a dead man when anyone finds out anyway. No literally, it's an odd situation. He's hooking up with a guy, who happens to be his straight rival since longer than a decade.

But nonetheless he's preferring simracing over his sexuality for today, he swears he'll talk to GP tomorrow.

May 27 2024
Brussels, Belgium

She still can't believe it, only 24 and making her dream come true by being a journalist at sky sports UK, specifically at formula 1 races and other sorts of motorsport.
Miray has been watching formula 1 since, probably, birth, her biggest idol is Sebastian Vettel.

And now she'll actually get to interview her idols in post-race interviews for the first time next week in Montreal.

She might still be freaking out over all of this.

Even though she's met a few racers already, it's still an enormous achievement for her. She got her degree and immediately went to celebrate with her parents.
Women working in jobs connected to motorsport is still important, despite the fact that there are 3 women driving in formula 1 currently.

They still get hated on, get called stupid, receiving comments such as „women can't drive" or any other kind of mysogynistic shit like that.

And it's the same with female journalists, they often get mistreated only because they're doing their job.

Miray is afraid despite the fact that she wanted this job. She has a trepidation about being seen and heard by other people, many people don't care about the journalist in motorsport, but some do. And she thinks people might not like her, they might put her in a bad situation.

And what if she accidentally falls in love with a driver? That would be hell, she's the worst when she has a crush on a guy. Everyone would notice and embarrass her until she decides to hide inside a cage back in Brussels.

What if she embarrasses herself in front of the other, cooler team members of sky sport? Such as Jenson Button or maybe even Nico Rosberg.

„Hey Miray, your boss couldn't reach you so she told me to tell you you could fly over to Montreal already, get used to your new job of traveling and all that stuff," her best friend says while she's working on the computer in her office.
It's still crazy to think that she has a big job now, Miray gets reminded of it every other hour and she still can't process everything that has happened in the last few days.

„Tell her I'll write her an email today. Sorry, I'm really busy right now," Miray flashes her best friend a help-me-out-of-here grimace and she starts grinning.
„Okay then, I'll tell her that...I wish I could come with you to Montreal. We could go shopping and I could come with you to your first days of action in your job!" she says enthusiastically, Miray is flattered but they both know it doesn't work as easily as it's said.

„Me too but you know that won't work," she sighs, her best friend frowns. „You'll have to tell me everything about Carlos Sainz though."

„Don't worry, I will," Miray ironically rolls her eyes, then goes back to writing on her computer. She still has to write about her last interview where she spoke to a belgian footballer. It was one of her first big interviews ever and she's still excited about writing everything down.
The reason she gets to interview more famous people now is because she's always cognizant about her words, she'll stay calm at any time and keeps knowing what to do in difficult situations.

That's what makes her special in her own opinion.

Although she doesn't know how people think of her, she doesn't care either way.

After she finished writing her article and sending an email to her boss, she comes back to her apartment in the middle of Brussels to pack her suitcase to Montreal. She can't pack everything yet, since she doesn't know when exactly she will take off.

But she wants to be prepared, always.

May 28 2024
Monaco

GP is amused, and Max knows he is. He can feel the tension in the air when he sits down in front of GP, who has his lips curled up in a little smile that he tries to surpress.

„So first of all, do you want me to sign an NDA?"

„Do I have to?" Max asks, raising one eyebrow and GP can't surpress the full smile anymore. He even cracks a little laugh but this reaction might not be appealing for Max. „I'm sorry, it's just so unrealistic and funny I can't stop thinking about it."

„GP, I will leave." the Dutchman groans, looking right at his engineer.

„Okay okay buisness man here. I won't tell anyone but in case you want to, you can make me sign an NDA at any time."

„Fine by me," Max shrugs.

„Who knows about it?"

He thinks for a second. „Daniel. And I don't know if Joe told anyone. We don't talk."

„Wait, you don't?" GP looks like he'll laugh again and Max is so close to stand up and leave. „Max, that's a bit wild."

„No shit Sherlock."

„So you're basically still enemies but you enjoy his dick up your ass?"

„Yup, I'm leaving, thanks for the conversation, GP."

His engineer rolls his eyes at him, he's aware that Max would never stand up and leave by saying this, he would at least slap 5 people once before waddling away.

„No really. Is Daniel the only guy you told?"

„Yes? I mean, I'm sure it'll only be like a 2 month thing until Joe is bored."

GP looks like he's deep in thought while Max says that, but he just nods. His face is concentrating and then turning into something more relaxed, something that tells Max he's not going to share that thought with him. And he probably has a good reason, that's the main thing that's unsettling about this whole situation.

He knows too much already, Daniel knows too much. Max is barely able to handle it all himself, he wanted Danny as a help only to make him realize he's just horny and gay and not in love with Joe. The Australian says otherwise but that isn't Max's point.

He only wanted Daniel to know because he wanted him to help. Surely, he doesn't need more than one person to help him and especially not his poor race engineer who has to put up with him since he's 17 anyway.

„Don't let yourself get caught. Don't do anything stupid."

Is one of the last things his race engineer says to him on that day.

May 30 2024
Maranello, Italy

Charles is aware that bringing your puppy to an important meeting at the Ferrari factory isn't the best decision. But he couldn't find anyone to watch him while he's gone, since he's just a puppy Charles is paranoid that he will accidentally get hurt while he's gone.

And him and his earlier girlfriend broke up just recently, that's one of the reasons why he even got Leo.
He felt lonely, being all alone in such a big apartment.

In any way, the people love Leo. He's pretty sure there's going to be someone who can watch him in the factory while Charles is in the meeting.

The meeting is mainly about strategies, they need to catch up with Red Bull and if necessary also with McLaren. On the other hand it's also about the future, Charles' contract doesn't expire for a few more seasons, while Fiona's expires by the end of the year.
Fred wants to discuss with her if she wants to stay or not, she won't have to put a decision today but probably pretty soon.

Charles knows what Fred wants in the team. Who Fred wants in the team.

At this point anyone wants him there. But Charles is scared that his potential will be in his shadow.

He takes Leo out of the car with him, it's still early morning so there are not many people seeing him walking around in Maranello.

Charles did find people to look after Leo while he was in the meeting. Meetings like these might be boring but at least he has something to do and won't feel bad for doing nothing.

He's overworking, at least that's what his mom tells him. But it's not exactly his fault that he feels bad when he's being lazy for longer than 10 minutes. He was raised in that way, at least to a certain point. Otherwise than that it's just his personality, Charles is hardworking.

And it pays off.

„Charles won in Monaco. I bet he can do it again in Monza. Right, Charles?"
Fred snaps him out of his thoughts and staring at the white wall for ten minutes.

„Uhh yes. Although I'd prefer to win every race from now on," he jokes, Fiona gives him a little smirk.

„See? He's motivated." Fred says, throwing his hands up in defense.
He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice Fred starting to argue about Charles' mindset with Ferrari strategy workers.

They exist?

Charles thinks and he has to smile a little, covering it with his hand. Fiona, next to him, notices and kicks his leg under the table. For the past 2 years she has always made sure Charles was paying attention during meetings that specifically focused on their strategy.

After he was hit by the fatalities of Ferrari's strategy in 2022, he knows how important this is. Especially for Fred, he's aware of Charles' potential.

When the Monagasque wants to leave the room, Fred calls him back. His gut tells him he knows what this is about.

„Charles, first of all another congrats on your win in Monaco, it was truly amazing. I'm very proud." Fred smiles, giving him a polite clap on the shoulder.
„I wanted to ask you about your relations with Joe."

The Monagasque swallows a little and then he sighs. „I mean he's my younger brother's best friend. Back then he was always simply annoying. But now I'd say we're on good terms, we talk sometimes," He smiles.

„Great! That's all I wanted to know," Fred smiles back and it's almost like Charles is able to read his mind.

—————

It's afternoon when Charles finally makes it out of the Ferrari factory with Leo. The area is more crowded now, since there's the big museum with daily visitors aswell. He also meets some fans and even after a longer day of work, Charles appreciates any fan.

He's never made a bad experience with any of his fands anyway, which he is really glad about.

After saying bye to two of his fans, he wants to walk to his car. It's only 5 steps away but these 5 steps are always difficult when you have an energetic puppy by your side and fans coming towards you from any direction.

He doesn't even see where he's going anymore, which leads him to stumble into a person.
„Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't look where I was going," Charles excuses himself quickly but then he sees that it's just Alessia.

She giggles. „Don't worry, you must've had a busy day."

Somehow Charles finds it disappointing that she doesn't seem to be in the mood for talking right now. Only because she's already fiddling with the keys of her ferrari. That's enough of a reason for Charles.

„Yeah, you totally get it," the Monagasque smiles and watches Alessia while she leans down to give Leo a few ear rubs while he licks her hand.
„What are you here for?" he then asks.

Obviously it's weird to see a McLaren's driver's sister at the Ferrari factory.

„They wanted to shoot some pictures with me and the Ferrari SF90, apparently because the men will like my face on the pictures and buy the Ferrari," she slightly rolls her eyes.
„You don't like the idea, non?"

„Of course it's my job by being a model and I hear that a lot from men but it's still, you know, I should be more than just a face."

„Right." Charles nods, he really hopes he didn't fuck anything up by asking.
While he's already thinking and staring, he can't stop revolving his brain all around the blonde strands Alessia has in her dark wavy hair.

„But why do that for Ferrari and not for McLaren?"

„Charles," Alessia sighs, almost in the same way as Fiona would sigh sometimes when he says something really extraordinary unhumanly stupid.
„I'm italian and my grandpa is one of the many people who won a championship with Ferrari, are these enough reasons?"

Charles decides to nod. „Tell your brother he would be better off at Ferrari."

„Oh we've told him that a million times," Alessia smiles, leaning back against her white Ferrari. „You know how stubborn he can be."

„Well aren't you twins? You must be just as stubborn."

„Wow." Alessia raises her eyebrows at him and he knows he needs to pull off the charming smirk now.
„Maybe, I don't know." she then says, her lips curling into a little smirk while she looks up at him.

„And maybe you should go home because your little friend Leo seems to be enjoying your shoe laces."

Charles immediately looks down only to see Leo biting on his shoe laces. „Leo no!" He picks him up but as soon as he looks around he notices that she's gone.
Indeed it would be good for Charles to drive home now, he's at his absolute end.

He feels like a tired dad, Leo can't sit still for longer than 2 minutes and he's constantly up to trouble. He totally gets his mom now.

June 2 2024
San Remo, Italy

He really doesn't know why he's calling, it's 3am and it's race week. It feels like Joe's facetiming Max „just because".
But he has so many things on his mind and he needs someone to talk with, to let all his energy out. Also for some reason he feels like Max is the only person to be awake at 3am. Cissy and Lando are grandparents, they both fall asleep at 10pm while watching tiktok and cuddling.

Joe's seen it many times.

Gladly, Max picks up. But he looks sleepy.

„It's 3am, Joe! Why are you calling?" the Dutchman groans in a sleepy voice, rubbing his eyes with his free hand.
„No, wait, you don't understand!" Joe says, throwing his hands up in defense. He's talking fast, almost ununderstandable. „I've got so many things on my mind! It feels like I've been so much more creative and smart in the last days!" The Italian explains, his voice is euphoric and Max clearly wonders what's going on.

„What a surprise. You didn't drink, did you?"

„No what? No. But maybe we should go to the club this week with the others, don't you think?"

Max sighs and his eyebrows curl in what Joe would perceive as confusion.

„It's race week. I don't think we should drink, maybe after the race on sunday?"

Joe rolls his eyes, clicking with his pen while he looks at his phone. He notices that he has eyebags, probably coming from the lack of sleep. The thing is, he isn't tired at all.
If he could, he would go outside now and play football all alone. But people might think that's weird, including his mom.

„Y'all are soooo boring...maybe that's why I'm your only friend. But Sunday is fine by me. Also, are you in Montreal yet because I'm not and I lowkey feel bad because usually I'm already there on a monday but I somehow forgot that it's race week."

Max raises his eyebrows. „How do you forget that it's race week?"
„Dunno, I just did. Also it's crazy that you're still awake and that you actually picked up."

The Dutchman sighs and looks at the screen, Joe seems to be sitting at his desk and it looks quite suspiciously like his teenage room.
„Well, I thought it would be mean not to pick up. And I was half-asleep and bored."
Joe nods. „That's crazy. You were just gaming, were you? You really need to quit that. When I was 15 my mum always said video games make you go coconuts." He twirls his finger next to his head.

Max lets out a little laugh. „How can you talk so much at 3am? Also, are you at your parents' house?"

Joe immediately nods his head. „Dunno why I talk so much, I'm neurodivergent. Did you know that? Anyway yes, I'm at my parents'. It's like I'm never really in the same spot because of all the traveling. My mom says him a son of the world and she's probably right. So I like to come back home to San Remo whenever I've got time for it."

He raises his eyebrows, that's a lot of info.
Joe talks a lot, but does he ever talk this much? Last time he did this was during summer break last year, but it certainly wasn't as bad as this.

„That's nice. So you're flying to Montreal tomorrow?"

„Yup, probably. Most likely together with Cissy, she's in Menton right now and will drive over here tomorrow so we can fly together. Private jet stuff from my fam, you know that shit."

„Right, nepo baby things," Max giggles. „Mhm. Although for you it's world champion things rather than nepo baby things. By the way, I would've also flown with Logan but he's already in Montreal with his girlfriend sooo..."

Max's stomach twirls. Logan Logan Logan. It's always Logan. When will that ever stop?

He's quite sure Logan is straight.

Although Joe claims he's straight aswell. So he can't be sure.

„Logan?"

„Yeah, he was in Saint Tropez last week and he visited. My mum loves him now."

Visited. Max has to take a little breath and he hopes Joe didn't hear.
„Okay, that's nice. You mean visited as in visited you at home?"

„Absolutely. We even slept in the same bed, does that make you jealous?"

Max's stomach turns even more, he's not quite sure if Joe is just saying it to make him jealous or if that actually happened.

„Definitely not," he lies.

Well, actually, if he thinks about it he probably can't blame Joe. They've never talked about consequences of their little affair and if each of them is allowed to be with someone else at the same time. They never clarified that, and Max knows by now that Joe is just like a horny 15 year old.

„Whatever, Blondie. Keep lying to yourself."

„Your room hasn't changed much since you were 18, I see," Max observes after a few seconds. Joe takes his phone and shows him around the room. „That's true. But it's also because I'm barely here."

„Is that a One Direction poster?"

„No."

He goes over to the big windowsill, through the window Max can make out the skyline of San Remo, the garden of Joe's family's villa and it's genuinely enormous. Max guesses that's normal for the fact that Joe's dad used to be an f1 driver as Fernando Alonso's teammate and his grandpa is a 2 time world champion from the 70s.
They simply have a lot of money.

And it looks so fucking italian, it almost makes Max sick to his stomach because it's so beautiful. He has always been mesmerized by the beauty of Mediterranean culture and architecture. That's one of many reasons why he moved to Monaco.

„It's not even that cold right now," Joe observes while opening the big window and leaning out of it. He's giggling, but Max's heart drops a little. „Joe be careful, you're leaning out quite far."

He rolls his eyes, giggling again. „Don't be scared, Blondie. I'll be fine. This isn't even that high, just in case I fall." He shows to the camera how high it is.

It's not necessarily high, but it's higher than Max expected if he's honest. „I'm not joking. Please be careful."

Joe gives in, leaning a bit further away from the window again. „Absolutely dramatic. I've got you and just in case anything would've happened, you would've seen it and would've been able to call someone."

Max rolls his eyes at the camera. „You're careless."

„That line seems familiar to me."

He can't help but roll his eyes again, although he's glad that Joe is currently closing the window.
„Are we finished then? I'm really tired." Max complains, his voice already drowsy.

„I can watch you fall asleep." Joe says with a smirk. „That's creepy, you better not."
He laughs, and that is even more creepy to Max. „Well, okay then. If you're such a sleepy princess, you can hang up."

„Ugh, don't call me that."

„Whatever you say, sleepy princess. Good night." Joe smiles into the camera and Max has to giggle a little. „Good night. See you in Montreal, hopefully privately aswell." Max raises his eyebrows, hoping that Joe will get the implication.
„Of course." he says, biting his lip slightly. „Bye bye." Joe grins as Max hangs up.

That was weird. Max can't help but think that was weird. But it was also a little funny, he had never experienced Joe like that.

As soon as he lies back in bed he can't help but think about Logan again. Joe and Logan are friends, obviously.
And the American has a girlfriend. So they possibly can't be anything, right?

Max has read many gay novels, he's aware that some people cover up their queerness by dating people from the opposite gender on purpose. To distract people from who they really are in love with.

And it makes him question even more, so many things twirling in his head until he has a headache.
He decides he will talk to Logan in Montreal, and he will get answers.

Maybe he should clarify certain rules with Joe aswell.

June 6 2024
Montreal, Canada
Media day

Her first real appearance in the paddock as a journalist and sky sport reporter. Miray really tried to look her best. Obviously, she's not trying to make anyone think she's pretty and she's also not trying to get someone's attention.

She only wants to make a good first impression in front of sky sports reporters, other journalists and most importantly f1 drivers and their team employees.

It's early when she starts working and the driver's aren't there yet, she still has to finish writing a few articles so she decided to go to the paddock and try out the food they have there.

She finds out it tastes amazingly good, that's most likely why paddock passes are so expensive nowadays.

————

First thing Max does after all the media crap is search for Logan. Although the American was baffled for a second when the 3 time world champion, who he has barely ever spoken to, tapped on his shoulder when he was about to leave.

That's the thing about Logan, Max would try talking to him but he's never there. Very introverted guy, that's for sure.

„Um, is something wrong?" Logan asks after Max blinked at him blankly for probably not even a second.

„So, I heard you were at Joe's last week," the Dutchman tries not to sound jealous, but his heart feels like it's dropping to his knees and his throat hurts so bad, Max could think it would explode any second if even didn't know any better.

„Oh yea, his parents are sooo nice and sweet. We've been quite close lately, why do you ask?"

Logan is already suspicious, he has never heard Max ask something about Joe. He assumed that he didn't care about a thing the Italian did.
It's not just that, it's also the fact that a 3 time world champion is currently talking to him. He could swear for life that nobody except Alex cares for him in the paddock.

When he comes back to reality, Max looks almost ashamed.

„Um, not that important."

The American knows he must be lying, his cheeks are tinted pink and he can barely bring himself to look at Logan.

„Oh my god, you're not jealous, are you?" Logan asks and he doesn't want to smile but he can't help himself from letting out a small giggle.

Max's cheeks flush, that means Logan caught him. „No way," is his first reaction and then he thinks before he speaks again. „I mean, are you jealous because you like him or?"

Max nods, his throat feels worse now and he's so embarrassed, he doesn't even feel like he wants to say anything ever again.

„Hey, first of all, I'm super super straight, like absolutely. Second of all, I have a girlfriend. I'd never ever hit on Joe."

Max is glad he isn't asking any questions, although Logan would be a good way to find out more stuff about Joe. Of course he already knows a lot and he can't ask Cissy or Lando because he's not going to tell them. Now Logan knows, and he's the only option left.

„Could you help me find out more about him?"

„Only if you tell me what's going on between the two of you," Logan makes a deal, looking around for a second to see if anyone important is around.

„Alright, fine," Max nods. „But not here."

The Dutchman manages to sneak the American into his driver's room. He didn't want Cissy to see because she would ask questions and she wouldn't let him live in peace until she got the answers to those.

Logan blinks at him and Max considers this dumb decision for a moment. Lo looks trustworthy and he would be able to help Max. Give him genuine advice other than Daniel who only keeps talking about the fact how hilarious it is that they're secretly hooking up.

He appreciates Daniel's help. But often he wonders if he even can consider it as help.

„This might sound absolutely ridiculous. But me and Joe have been kind of hooking up, I mean, I gave him a blowjob twice and we fucked once. Sorry in advance if this is too much info. We plan on to doing that more often but I don't think I can live an affair without catching feelings. And I might find him cute but I also hate him so much and I really don't know what to do or think.
So please.
I want to know who he really is without actually asking him, he would probably think I'm obsessed.
That would ruin everything."

Logan raises his eyebrows. „Calm down firstly."

Max takes a soft breath and takes a seat beside Logan. Waiting for him to continue.

„In my opinion, I don't think he would think you're obsessed. You need to know the real him, and that only works if you spend time with the real him. But still, I'd be glad to help you out, mate. Ask me anything about your crush."

The American smirks at the last part but Max doesn't bother. He appreciates the fact that Logan takes this well, he doesn't question a lot. Takes things as they are, Max likes that about people.

„So, do you know if he's ever said anything about previous boys or his sexuality in general?"

Lo sighs, as if he was disappointed. „He claims he's straight. He's only ever mentioned a kiss he had with a boy at around 17, don't know who though. But if he's hooking up with you, I doubt he's genuinely straight."

Max nods, he knew that already. „He's so confusing and complicated," He whines while leaning back.

„True."

„Did he ever do any sports other than karting? I never looked at things like these as kids, I did my own thing so, didn't really see what was going on at his side."

Logan thinks for a moment. „He did ice hockey. Apparently he was quite good at it, Cissy once told me about that one game he had, it was really special for him."

Ice hockey. That's...quite surprising for a southern European but Max takes it. He's been to a few ice hockey games and he must say, he's more mesmerized by the players than by the game itself.

„Oh. Can you tell me about it?"

„I don't remember a lot but I can try," Logan nods.

december 2015
Nice, France

During the off season, Cissy and Joe don't like to focus all on racing. They're basically on holidays. Formula 3 isn't that important for them, Joe managed to win the championship this season without even paying real attention to it.

As kids, Fernando had tried many times to take them karting in the winter but both of them complained too much about the freezing cold weather and how they rather wanted to go ice skating.

So Fernando took them every time. Until Joe demanded he wanted to play ice hockey when he was about 9. His parents allowed him to, that's his plan B just in case the racing thing doesn't work out.

He's quite the natural talent, that's what Fernando says. But that doesn't mean anything, Nando says that to anyone.

Just about two weeks after Joe started playing ice hockey, Cissy told her parents she wanted to try out figure skating. She's quite good at it but she only does it for fun if she's completely honest.

They're the only two people in the ice rink at the moment, Joe has a big game about the french junior championship winner tomorrow. Normally, the northern junior teams are better but this winter it was different.
They made it to the finals and that's all that counts at the moment.

Also, it's already late and Cissy had asked if they wanted to go for a last little skate. The only person there is the nice lady who cleans up after big hockey practices.

They keep skating next to each other, mostly chatting about school.
It's a bit cold, but they're both wearing a hoodie, it should go just fine.

The atmosphere in an indoor ice rink is ineffable.
It's freezing, but it's warm. It's somehow unsettling but comforting at the same time. And it makes your cheeks flush red.

It also makes you sweat, but that might be puberty aswell if they think about it.

„Is Mick coming tomorrow?"

„He wanted to for sure. I told him it's important for you."

Joe smiles brightly. „It totally is! I mean, what if we're gonna be champions?"

„You're italian playing in a french junior hockey team, you shouldn't be so proud if you're not even from here," Cissy argues with a little smirk, she's just kidding.

The Italian rolls his eyes at the girl's comment, skating a bit faster than her now. „We're all world's kids. I can be proud of any achievement."

„That's very wise, I'm impressed."

„I know, right," Joe snickers and takes both of Cissy's hands in his to skate with her. „Who you're going with to prom in two weeks?" he then asks and she suddenly feels weird.

She's always had a bad feeling about prom and she's not excited to go. People always make her feel like she ruins everything, Joe doesn't, but most of all the others.

Their school is full of dipshits, Cissy only likes her friendgroup, everyone else is mean or, well, just quirky.
At least that's Cissy's opinion.

„Pascal, the guy in my maths class."

„Ohhh, yea. You're going as friends or as something more?" Joe wiggles his eyebrows.

„Joe!... I don't know, he flirts with me but I don't know if he's being genuine and maybe he'll laugh at me if I ask him out."

„Maybe you should just ask him out on prom night, don't make things complicated and tell him what you think."

Cissy considers it for a short moment and then smirk. „If you say it's so easy, Mr. Romance expert, then why don't you ask out Charlotte?"

Charlotte is the girl Joe has been having a situationship with, apparently it's going very well and they obviously like each other. So Cissy wonders why he doesn't just ask her out.

Boys.

The Italian groans. „Whole different story, don't turn this around."

„No but it would be so embarrassing if he laughed at me."

„I don't think he'd do that," Joe argues and Cissy sighs.

„What are you wearing for prom then?" he asks and Cissy was waiting for this question.
„I asked fashion icon Michael what he thinks I should wear and we picked out a long black dress with golden accents together."

„No way, he said that to me too."

„Is your girl wearing black and gold too at least?"

Joe rolls his eyes at her, skating backwards to pull her with him by both hands. „She's not my girl. But yea, she's wearing black with a few light gold accents but she said I shouldn't expect too much."

„She's totally your girl! You've kissed already, haven't you?"

He's bad at lying when it comes to love, the flush on his cheeks and nose is always giving it away. Or maybe it's just the fact that Cissy knows whenever he's lying.

„Yea. But...only once."

„That doesn't change anything," Cissy smiles provocatively so Joe lets go of her hands to push her down onto the ice. He lets out a squeak when his best friend pulls him down with her.

And now they're lying on the ice laughing.

„You'll tell me as soon as you got something serious going on, right?" Cissy just wants to make sure Joe won't be a dork and not tell her.
„Of course I will."

————

Joe woke up early that day, eating a healthy breakfast and going on a run. It's a certain routine he got from his dad, he says it makes the muscles work better whenever Joe has a big race or game coming up.

Cissy was still in bed for a long time though, it's a weekend and the game only starts around 6pm. There's no reason to wake up early if she can just continue sleeping until her mum comes in to tell her she should get up.

 

In ice hockey there's 3 periods that last about 20 minutes. First 20 minutes are already through and it's 1-1.

It stresses Joe. It doesn't only stress him on his own but also his family and Cissy and Mick.
They're all watching and Cissy is so glad Mick was able to be there. Joe's siblings can be exhausting sometimes and she's just happy to have someone there that doesn't talk as much.

Alessia's also with them, she's less exhausting than the rest to say at least. She showed Cissy her prom dress and it's utterly beautiful in her opinion, Mick said it's nice aswell.

A typical boy answer, but everyone knows that Mick is always being genuine. He got taught all the manners.

At least Joe made the first goal and that's when the three of them cheered as loudly as they could.

Of course, the stadium isn't as crowded as it would usually be for a game of ice hockey since it's only the junior team. But nonetheless many people showed up, most of them being family and friends of the players.

The sound that signals the start of the second third fills the stadium and the crowd goes a bit louder.
Joe feels overwhelmed playing hockey sometimes, the constant cheers and applause are getting more to his head than the sound of the single-seater car.

During a race you just blend the sound of the engine out after a while. But it's different during a game of other sports, it's constantly ringing in Joe's ear and it makes him lose concentration.

His conclusion while he plays is that he should stick to racing, only do ice hockey for fun.

When the other team scores their second goal, he looks over to his twin sister, Mick and Cissy. They're still cheering, even while they're losing.

And that's what counts at the moment.

Joe plays in the center position, meaning he's the team's favorite to score a goal. Which is not always easy, especially not on ice and when you're playing against a team full of jocks.

It's not like Joe is short, quite the opposite. But he isn't broad, basically built like a stick. And the guys from this other team look like they're in their mid twenties and have been in jail, more than once.

He knows he needs to attack more aggressively, so that's what they do. And it works, scoring their own second goal in no time.

The rest of the time no one scores, they weren't able to get through and at the same time their defense was also good. So absolutely no chance in Joe's opinion.

During the pause he drinks, chats with his team.
They said they'd like to do 2 more goals, to make sure they keep their distance.

Their plan doesn't work out as it's 4-4 three minutes before the game ends. They don't want extra time on the game, it's unnecessary.

Joe gets the puck from another team during their maneuver so he tries to be fast now, there's about 20 seconds left he guesses.
Everything feels slow for him when he's giving the puck a shot right through the other's goalie's legs.

It goes through and he can already see and hear their side of the stadium cheering and screaming for them. His whole team gives him a high-five and it feels a little unreal to him.

It still feels unreal when he gets off the ice, Charlotte being the first one to hug him.
Cissy and Mick wait until she gets off him and then they hug him too, as well as his family.

The realization only starts to set in when they're cheering in the dressing room, he also took Charlotte with him and she's pressed to his side.

„We'll go celebrate it later with, you know, alcohol, you wanna come too?" He asks, his senses are heightened just as well as his emotions.
„Yea, I'd like to."

„I'll go ask Cissy, my sister and Mick."

He's so happy, he doesn't even notice the shift in Charlotte's mood when he mentions his friends. Especially Cissy.

————

Later that night Joe is incredibly drunk on several types of alcohol. Drunk enough to kiss Charlotte in front of everyone, she isn't as drunk so she took him to the bathroom. They're celebrating at the house of a teammate, basically the only place they're old enough to stay at.

„Did you mean it?" Charlotte asks, sitting on the bathroom floor with Joe, being closely pressed to his side. „Mean what?" he asks, his voice slurry but he's also giggling.

„To kiss me in front of everyone," she murmurs, almost feeling ashamed to ask now.
„Yeah. Wouldn't have done it otherwise," he shrugs, saying it as if it was clear.

It makes her grin. „So we're officially a thing now?" she trails her finger up his chest, he's not been wearing a shirt for the past 2 hours. „If you want us to be a thing," Joe giggles.

„I think I do."

He smiles and leans in, kissing her. But it's a little sloppy, he's so drunk and she notices it.
They talk a lot on the bathroom floor, it's just been 20 minutes but it has felt like an hour.

„Have you ever done, um, it before?" she asks, who can blame her? They're 15 and a couple now, so they should at least talk about sex.

Joe looks at her blankly and then shakes his head. „No. Is that weird?"

She smiles a little and shakes her head aswell. „I can teach you then."
Putting her hand on his chest again, Joe doesn't seem to despise it.

Charlotte is a year older than Joe, therefore a little more experienced in certain things.
That's the thing about her that the Italian likes, she always knows what to do and she can tell him what to do.

„Would you be okay with trying it out now?" she blinks at him, a smile curling in her lips. He looks baffled at first but then he just nods.

So she leans in and kisses him again, his hands find her waist and hers wander down his chest.

————

It's almost midnight and Mick and Cissy haven't been able to find Joe. Alessia had left earlier because she didn't want her parents to get mad.

Mick would have to take a train back to Monaco, it's almost too late for that. And Cissy doesn't feel well, not because of the alcohol but because she worries.

So Mick decides to take the bus with her, accompany her back to her house.
„Your parents aren't home?" he questions because Cissy is getting her keys out.

„Nope. They're on a night out, probably coming home at around 3am. My brother is at my grandparents' for the weekend," she explains, getting her door open but still standing there to talk to Mick.

„It's very late, I don't think you should take a train by this time. Maybe text your mum you're staying here for the night?"

It's never been a problem for their parents. Boys and girls can also be friends, they had to make it clear many times but by now their parents are completely fine with sleepovers.

Besides the fact that she wants to spend more time with her friend tonight, it would genuinely be dangerous for a 16 year old to go home alone on a train ride at night.

„Yeah. You're right," Mick sighs and gets in with her, kicking his shoes off.
After they made themselves a quick midnight snack, they're going upstairs to Cissy's room.

Mostly they're catching up, they haven't seen each other for a few weeks.

The bad feeling in Cissy's stomach still hasn't gone away. „I really hope Joe will still pay attention to me when he has a girlfriend."

She says it outloud and Mick looks at her immediately. „I mean, I'm not jealous in a romantic way. Quite the opposite, I don't want him to only pay attention to his girlfriend when he has a best friend he has to care for aswell." She quickly clarifies.

„Hm, well. You still have me." Mick shrugs and smiles. And suddenly all the bad feelings went away.

„I mean it's not quite the same, but I'll take it." She murmurs with a smile and let's her head fall on Mick's shoulder. Her breath hitches a little when she feels his hand on her waist.
But she keeps her composure, it's nice and warm.

Normalize cuddling with your friends.

June 6 2024
Montreal, Canada
Media day

„So all I know is that they won the junior's championship that day and he got into his first real relationship," Logan explains shortly.

Max hates himself for being jealous about a girl that was with Joe about 9 years ago. But he can't help it.

„Do you think I could impress him in any way? Like, get his attention?"

„To be honest, you've got all his attention whenever you win. He can't stop talking about you when you outqualify him and win," Logan smiles a little, as if he can read Max's mind.

„But whenever I win, he talks about me negatively."

„That doesn't matter. All that matters is that you have his attention. And then you can work with that."

June 8 2024
Montreal, Canada
Qualifying day

Logan's point is proven. Max qualified on P2 behind George after they set the same time in Q3, although the Brit set it earlier and that's why he gets to be P1.

Joe qualified on P3, therefore behind Max.

He first got jealous when the Dutchie was laughing with George. He felt like he was thirdwheeling, stupid George should be the one feeling left out and not him.

He's not sure why he's suddenly so possessive of Max, but he found all the laughing annoying.

And the Dutchman could only smirk to himself when Joe pulled him with him to his driver's room.

„You're doing it on purpose, right?"

„What?" Max blinks at him innocently, as if he didn't know exactly what Joe was talking about.

„Trying to make me jealous," Joe tries to sound tough but he keeps grinning.

„And so what? What are you gonna do about it?"

Joe grabs his waist, digging his fingers into Max's white fireproofs.
„Maybe I shouldn't do anything about it. You should try harder than this. It's almost pathetic how you're trying to get my attention by laughing with George. Although I must say it worked, but there's better ways than that."

Max pouts, he thought he'd finally get some of Joe's attention. It's still weird, Joe had been talking so much lately. Ever since he called him that one night.

Turns out Max has to make him proud tomorrow by winning the race.

„So when I win tomorrow, will you give me a reward afterwards? Said reward being private time in your driver's room?"

„Maybe," Joe lets go of him. „You should hurry before Zak Brown sees you. He'll go insane when he sees you here."

„Zak Brown can lick my ass, and no one is more insane than you" Max bites his lower lip, giggling at his own sentence. „I wouldn't say that, you'll dream about it. And am I really that insane?"

Max immediately makes a grimace at Joe, he's not going to answer that question. „Can you kiss me at least? Before I leave?"

He doesn't know why he said that, it would feel very intimate. And they're only intimate when it comes to sex, nothing else.

„That's very romantic, Maxie. But fine. You can kiss me anyyyy time."

Max smiles and kisses him, putting his hands on his neck for a short moment before they stop and the Older sneaks out of the papaya garage.

————

Miray screams internally when she's being told that she can interview Carlos Sainz today, on Qualifying day, and tomorrow, on race day.

Her favorite team is Ferrari, her favorite driver being Vettel. So it's always been one of her biggest dreams to interview a Ferrari driver.

She's a little nervous talking to Carlos at first, but he must've noticed so he keeps giving her reassuring smiles.
Despite Carlos being moody after being out in Q2, he was overall nice and supporting.
Mostly he was only stating that not a lot is possible from P12 but they will definitely aim for P5 or P4 at least.

Although he didn't seem happy when Miray asked about Ferrari's strategy tomorrow at the race.

The whole weekend had been fun. On media day she sat in the press conferences and asked them some questions, she thinks she did a pretty good job.
Yesterday on practice day she couldn't do much, instead she talked to Jenson Button and some other people from the sky sports team.

She's surprised how supporting all of them are, she's only made positive experiences so far. So far so good.

And she genuinely loves this job and the sport, she wants to do this for the rest of her life.

————

Talking how bad the day was for Ferrari, it was a decent day for Williams. P10 and P13, Logan is pretty proud of himself he must say.

A lot is possible from these positions, maybe Lo can fetch a point or two.
James had also been surprisingly happy with him in the last few races, so Logan stays optimistic.
Alex also told him it's important to never lose hope, and maybe there's still hope for Logan.

Maybe it's only a spark instead of a fire, but everyone starts somewhere.
Overall it had been a good day and it's noticeable, the American was a lot more chatty today.

He even talked to Daniel. The real Daniel Ricciardo.

It still feels weird to Logan.

Now he wonders if Danny knows about the Max and Joe thing, he should probably ask the Dutchie.
He feels like he's going to explode if he has to keep this to himself for longer.

So instead of gossiping he could simply talk to a person who already knows aswell.

June 9 2024
Montreal, Canada
Race day

Plenty of rain, many crashes, a double Ferrari dnf and a double Williams dnf. Adding to all that Cissy crashed aswell.
And stupid Max still manages to bring the RB19 onto the top step.

Joe knows that's impressive, and the Dutchman isn't going to leave him at peace until he gets what he wants.

At least he's on the podium aswell and he can shoot him a glance in the cooldown room. George may not realize what's going on but he did give them a weird look.

„Sooo am I getting what I want?" Max asks, clinging to Joe's side after they walk from the press conference.
„You tell me, Princess Maxie" he laughs and the Older looks at him as if he was joking.

„Why have you only been annoying me in the past few days? Isn't that getting boring after a while? Like there's way more fun things, like partying and alcohol." Joe asks after Max only pouts.
„At least I'm not as annoying as you, dickhead," they both roll their eyes at each other.

„So are you going to fuck me now or not?" He whispers, he sounds pissed off though, while they're walking through the paddock.
Joe's cheeks immediately flush and he looks incredibly cute in Max's opinion.

Cute in a way that makes him want to punch his face.

He takes the blush as an answer and tries to be nonchalant when following Joe around like a dog.
If he could, he would talk to Cissy about her dnf. But she's probably already with Lando.

Because Joe checked if he was in his driver's room and he's not there.

Thankfully, the drivers' rooms at McLaren have a lock. Otherwise they would have to hurry up at that would be anything but fun.

He gropes his waist again and Max puts his arms around Joe's neck while they kiss. The kiss is sloppy and fast, they haven't really gotten the chance to do that yet this week.

They walk backwards until Max is pressed against the wall, Joe putting his knee inbetween the Older's thighs and it immediately makes him yelp into the kiss.

„Fuck you don't have any condoms here, do you?" Max groans, moving his hips against Joe's knee between his thighs.
„No. I mean we're both clean though."

„Oh so you want to cum inside me?" Max smirks, raising his eyebrows, letting out another whimper when he rubs himself against the Younger's leg more frantically.

Joe's cheeks blush in a heavy pink again and Max giggles. „Would you be mad if I did want to cum inside you?"

„Nuh uh." the Dutchie immediately shakes his head. He whines again, he can't hold it any longer and he needs Joe now.
Turning around against the wall and letting Joe grope his hips, pushing him back a little until he arches his back nicely.

They want a fast one, so Joe only tugs the Red Bull race suit down until Max's lower thighs, then doing the same thing to his own race suit.

„Can you do preparation aswell?" Max asks, the truth is that he only wants Joe's fingers inside him. There's no other reason.

„As you wish, princess Maxie."

„Shut up and finger me."

„So feisty lately," Joe giggles.

He breathes out immediately after he feels Joe's dry fingers enter him, he clenches around them but the Younger tells him to relax.

While rolling his eyes he tries to relax though. He scissors his fingers to stretch his hole out and a soft moan leaves Max's lips.

After a while they fit nicely and stretched him out well, so Joe pulls them out.
„It's gonna hurt without lube. Just to warn you."

„I'll be fine," Max breathily says, he's taken worse.

He lets out a series of soft moans when Joe breaks him in. It feels like he's being split in half when the Italian bottoms out.
His cock is incredibly big and Max thinks he can feel it inside his tummy.

Joe starts moving and they both whimper, Max pushes his ass back against him at every thrust and the Younger groped his hips to support his little bounces.

„Faster, please, please go faster," he whimpers, muffled by his hand. They're still only in the driver's room, anyone walking by could hear.
Max's eyes roll back when Joe goes way faster than expected.

He can feel kisses being peppered along his shoulder blade and he whimpers loudly into his hand when he feels Joe's cock hit his prostate.
„Fuck," he cries between whines.

Clenching down on Joe on purpose to make him whimper aswell. „Aww, you whimper."

He's being shut up as soon as Joe not only goes faster but also harder and he's an absolute drooling and moaning mess against the wall. „Anything to say, Maxie?"

Shaking his head, his cheeks are flushed and his chest is tinted in pink aswell. He absolutely loses his mind when Joe reaches around to grope his chest while fucking deep into him.

His chest is still covered by his fireproof but now he wishes he would've taken it off. „Fuck, I wish I could grab your bare tits instead of your fireproof."

„Shut up." Max whimpers, although he knows he likes it.
„You know I won't, Maxie" Joe says between groans, still squeezing Max's ‚tits'.
„I'm gonna punch you, I swear."

Everything tingles down in his tummy after the Italian hit his prostate for a few times and also kept toying with his nipples. He puts one of his hands down on his cock to not make such a mess when he cums.

„Clean it up," Joe groans into his ear. So Max licks his hand full of his own cum clean while his rival fucks into him from behind and for the first time Max genuinely feels like a proper whore.

Maybe he is one because he's a moaning mess when Joe cums inside him with a whimper. His hands are now on his arched back, touching him all over while they catch their breaths.

He pulls out of his aching hole and they both get their race suits back up onto their hips.
„Thanks, it felt so good," Max is being honest, he really is. It was quick but it felt degrading, and he somehow liked that.

„That's what you deserve after looking so pretty on the podium today," Joe murmurs while Max kisses his neck a little. He feels a little bite and he's praying that it won't leave a mark.

„Wow, I thought you were the one liking the praise," the Dutchie giggles.
„Maybe I like that aswell."

Max bites his lower lip, looking up at Joe and having his hand on his neck. „Then I might aswell just tell you that you drove a great race today and I hope you keep it up so I can be the one rewarding you next time."

Joe raises his eyebrows and a smirk crosses his lips. „Then don't be mad if I win the championship."

„That's absolutely not going to happen, asshole. You're way too young for that."

„You were the same age when you won your first."

„Different story," Max kisses him one last time to shut him up.

————

They both still have messy hair and tinted cheeks when they go back outside to where the interviews are waiting.

Deciding that they will just blame it on the race. Even though that's a stupid excuse.

Someone stops Joe while walking and it's no other person than Nico Rosberg. He remembers way too many pre-teen stories where he was embarrassing while trying to impress Nico.

He can't even look at him normally anymore.

But instead of seeing a whole camera and sky sports team, he only sees Nico. Nico Rosberg alone.

„I wanted to tell you about something really quick, it doesn't have anything to do with the media itself and I'm not going to give this information to anyone. So don't worry," Nico clarifies and Joe is visibly confused.

But he says nothing, looking at him blankly to make him continue.

„Don't let the media control any of your friendships. I'm just going to say it, I'm telling you because of Lando. You two are a great team, don't let it get ruined."

„Okay, yea, I'll keep that in mind," Joe laughs nervously. Is he trying to say he thinks him and Lando will end up like Brocedes.

„I hope you know that I'm serious."

„Yea, totally. But I'd never get into a big fight with Lando. That's such nonsense. Me and Lando are basically best friends," Joe grins, he's talking loudly and Nico is impressed how he can use so many words without really saying anything important at the same time.

He's never talked like that before. And he's also heard from Zak Brown that he had been incredibly chatty and restless this whole race week.

He just decides to not question it, maybe he's simply in a good mood.

„You're saying that now."

————

Miray is so happy when she comes back to her hotel on Sunday night.

Carlos Sainz complimented her red dress, saying that she's probably wearing it because of Ferrari.

Which is the case.

But he said the dress is pretty. A real f1 driver gave her a compliment and suddenly she's 13 all over again.

She can't wait for the next race week, the people in the paddock are so nice and welcoming.

And she'll definitely make sure to wear the exact rosso corsa next time.

Chapter Text

June 14 2024
Barcelona, Spain

Charles was clicking through instagram stories, seeing that Alessia is in Barcelona.
He knew that her family had an apartment here in Barcelona from when they were partying once as teens.

Although he didn't know Alessia was coming to watch the race.

Of course he didn't know, why would she tell him. They've barely ever spoken since 2016.

He wishes they would talk more though, Charles wasn't even going to deny it. There might be some feelings creeping in from when they were younger.

But it would be stupid to think that Alessia still somewhat likes him in that way. Both of them have had many relationships in these 8 years and totally got over each other.

Charles wouldn't want to date her back then because she was simply too young, he didn't want to date someone who was basically still a kid. But now that they're both adults the 3 year age gap shouldn't matter anymore.

It's a dilemma, really. He wants to talk to her, but how? She's so complicated, always been. Charles guesses that's in the family.

And he's just a guy. Well, he obviously isn't. He's Charles Leclerc. But Alessia is an f1 champion's granddaughter, she somehow still has more connections than Charles.

And she's so ugh. Charles can't even explain. He's boring in comparison to her, and he's aware that he for sure isn't a boring guy.

Despite that, all of his previous relationships never ended well, partly it was even his own fault. Alessia doesn't deserve that. She deserves a gentleman, Charles really tries to be one.

But it's really difficult to always stay focused, he's also just a boy in the end. A boy that Alessia doesn't deserve, because she deserves a man.

So like he's thinking, it's a real dilemma.

He made it worse by texting Alessia if she's in Barcelona, which was so stupid because it's just an obvious thing. She can literally see that he's viewed her story.

Too late, she's read the message.

Alessia
Yup, always love the Barcelona GP so I thought I'd come
You know my family has a house here

Charles lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He's glad that Alessia is nice even though he's acting as if they were teenagers all over again.

Charles
Yess, I knew that
So what are you doing rn?

Why did he even ask that? What is he? 14 years old?

Alessia
About to watch football, you know the Euros start tonight
Family loves that

Charles honestly didn't realize. He watches football sometimes but it was never really something big in his family. His parents were already stressed enough with the fact that two of their kids desperately wanted to start go-karting.
Not exactly the easiest hobby to finance. Especially not for a family like Charles'.

Alessia
Anyway, wanna call? I'm sooo bored

He plays it off cool, but he's screaming internally. Immediately calling, the Italian picks up.

„Hey, you're all alone?" she asks. Charles shakes his head with a laugh. „I have my friend Leo here."

„Leooo," Alessia smiles at the camera when she sees him.

„What about you?"

„My parents are in the Living room, two of my sisters aswell. The rest is gone."

„Joe's gone aswell?" Why is Charles even surprised?

„He's been out partying all week, barely showing up." Alessia sighs, she sounds worried and the Monagasque's face drops slightly. „I hope he's not out alone though."

„Yea, no, Cissy and Lando must be with him I suppose."

„Makes sense."

„Mom is still worried though, she says that these behaviors from Joe come back occasionally. He doesn't always act like that, that's the weird thing. But enough about him." Alessia rolls her eyes at the last sentence, there's a hint of amusement in her voice though.

„So you're coming to see the Grand Prixs next week?" Charles asks, the Italian wanted to change the topic, so he did. He checks his hair in the camera, he looks so stupid. The brown waves are messy on his head, he needs to trim his beard aswell.

He somehow wishes now that Alessia hadn't asked for a call.

„Yup, I'll see if I can be there for Saturday's qualifying. I'm not just here for fun you know, I'm a woman of buisness, Charlie."

He has to smile when he hears that. She's simply amazing. She's so smart and so composed.
And Charles is so lost in the moment, he must look like he's on drugs.

„I know..." he says dreamily, he also notices how tinted his cheeks are and hopes that it's not noticeable in the camera. „I hope I'll win next weekend, only for you to watch me."

Why did he say that? Charles is immediately drawn back to the present and he's currently praying that Alessia either didn't hear or will not react weirdly to it.

In any other case, the Monagasque might simply have to die on the spot.

For his luck, she's laughing. „Oh yea, so I can watch your... hair on the podium."
She sounds like she's making fun of him and Charles isn't sure if that's some weird kink or just straight up pathetic, but he likes it.

„That's a little mean but I'll take it."

„What did you say last time about me and Joe being basically the same person? Don't complain when I prove you right."

Charles lets out an audible giggle when he remembers their short conversation a few weeks ago. Alessia's right. And once again, Charles likes that disgustingly much.

„Hm, I see."

June 15 2024
Barcelona, Spain

Miray had been spending her week in Barcelona, she's never been there before and her best friend Claire insisted on showing her around the city.

She's also there for work, doing designing stuff that Miray doesn't want to understand.

So they've basically been out all week and they're sure they've seen every last corner of the city. Except parc de la cuitadella, that's where they want to go today.

„I wish we could spend next week like this aswell," Claire pouts as she puts some last stuff into her bag for the short trip. They need to prepare for the upcoming week, they can't spend too much time being out.

Miray obviously has to go to the paddock, get the usual things done. Claire has to work aswell, go to some exhibitions and meetings.

„Yeah. But the duties call, as always."

„At least yours are fun, you get to talk to formula 1 drivers. That's way cooler than what I have to put up with."

Miray laughs, getting outside the hotel to walk to the bus station with Claire.

„It's not only about meeting them. You know that."

„Of course," Claire playfully rolls her eyes. „I bet it's like babysitting."

„I didn't mean it in that way," Miray giggles. Although that might be true. She doesn't know any of them well enough yet to be able to tell.

If she only counts former f1 drivers, she's only ever genuinely spoken to Jenson Button. Obviously she's had one or two conversations with Carlos but the talk with Jenson was different.

They were chatting almost like friends, but Miray blames it on the fact that Jenson is just a nice guy. At least he's no one Miray has to babysit, as Claire would say.

Jenson was more like the funny dad of the kid she has to babysit.

„I bet Carlos is like the most exhausting one," Claire says while she checks the bus plan on her phone as they're waiting.
„He's the only one of them I had somewhat of a conversation with, so I can't tell," Miray grins.

„So what's he like? You said you'll tell me but you still haven't," Claire sets up an almost ironic looking pout.

„I don't know, he was nice for sure. But he seemed a little stressed, I mean he was basically at work so, it's understandable."

„Does his hair look just as fluffy in real life as in the photos?" Claire giggles and Miray has to roll her eyes.

She really doesn't understand the hype. Of course she sees that Carlos is somewhat handsome, that's not a question. But all the fangirling around him is way too much.
He's just a regular spanish guy who happens to be a formula 1 driver and a nepo baby.

At least that's her opinion on the whole thing. It's obviously better for her if she didn't obsess over any of the drivers anyway. It would be embarrassing if anyone from the paddock found out.

————

It's a coincidence that Carlos Sainz happens to be at parc de la cuitadella at the same exact time as Miray and Claire. It really is.

And it's a bit surprising that Carlos recognizes her.
„Hey, you're the journalist girl from Canada, right?"

„Yeah, that must be me," She smiles politely and she swears that she can hear Claire giggling behind her while she's taking pictures.

„So how's the job been so far?"

It's unbelievable how nice Carlos is. Miray didn't expect anything else but him being this nice wasn't on her list. Maybe Spanish boys are always this polite.

„Stressful. But I love it, the paddock is full of nice people and it's really fun," Miray grins a little, she doesn't want to seem to excited.

Carlos smiles back at her, at least that's how she views it.
„You're here all alone?"

„No, I'm with my friend Claire," She turns around to gesture to her best friend sitting on a bench. „You?"

„I'm here with my sisters. They insisted on family time."

Miray lets out a small laugh, it's slowly getting awkward and she really doesn't know what to do. „That's nice! Maybe I should get going though, see you next week around in the paddock."

„Yeah, me too," Carlos nods and she's absolutely thankful for the fact that they don't see each other for the rest of the trip.
It's not like Carlos was weird or anything, she's the one being awkward. She doesn't know how to act sometimes and she's simply grateful that she didn't embarrass herself yet.

Claire on the other hand said the encounter was cute. And now she can judge for herself if his hair looks as fluffy as she imagined.

It does.

In any way, Claire finds anything cute. So that doesn't really matter.

They're something like colleagues, maybe, Carlos was likely just being nice to someone he knows.
As anyone would be. Well, Miray wouldn't have gone up to him if she was the one spotting him first.

But that's a whole different thing.

Carlos isn't shy at all, he speaks to everyone as soon as he gets the chance to do it. Miray doesn't, that's why she wouldn't have done it.

June 16 2024
Barcelona, Spain

Cissy pulls the curtains open. It's 4pm and Joe's room is still dark. „Get up, don't be a pussy." She swats at his arm.
The Italian makes an audible groan, he couldn't sleep until 10am. Or let's say he didn't want to sleep. But his body needed rest eventually.

In conclusion, he's still tired. He turns in bed to look at Cissy, standing there in one of Lando's jumpers and a pair of shorts.
„Finally awake?" she raises her eyebrows at him.

„Yeah." Joe yawns. „Do you want me to get up to go partying or why exactly did you wake me up?"

He sits up, Cissy puts some things on Joe's nightstand away simply because they annoy her.
„No, it's Sunday and tomorrow race week will start. Remember why you're here, you didn't become a formula 1 driver because of parties or sex."

„Did I?" he narrows his eyebrows, a slight smirk on his face. „I might aswell go to the club alone. If you're so desperate to stick to your own rule of not drinking during race weeks."

„Don't act like it's only my rule." The french girl groans and then looks at Joe's neck. „Did someone choke you?"

He immediately touches his neck, it hurts and it's incredibly sore now that he thinks about it. „Maybe. None of your buisness who I fucked with though."

„You probably don't know her name anyway. Get up though. You need to eat something."

With that, she's gone. And Joe falls back onto his bed. He tries to remember, he really does. But his mind is blank when he thinks about the nights out in the club for the last whole week.

Then he has to think about Max. They never made a rule about not being allowed to sleep with another person during their unspectacular affair.
Nonetheless, Joe feels guilty as if he cheated on Max.

He won't be able to hide it. And if Max has a problem with that, he'll have to set rules.
It's not like Joe ever stuck to rules anyway. But he'd listen to Max's rules. Simply because he can at least remember the times he's slept with Max. He doesn't remember many times he's slept with girls.

That doesn't mean anything, of course.

As soon as he's dressed, he goes straight to the kitchen. Mainly because Cissy dragged him there to eat something.

Honestly, Joe would've eaten if he remembered to eat. He's constantly in a rush, he thinks too much and he's out all time. Forgetting things can happen, right?

But while he's on the way to the kitchen, he can hear Cissy talking to someone in the living room. Joe isn't sure if it's Lando or one of his sisters.

„I don't know, I think his behavior is weird. He's been like this since we were teens but back then we just blamed it on the puberty." Joe stops to listen. It's Cissy who's talking.

„What do you mean weird behavior? And when did that start?"

Late Spring 2013
Sarno, Italy

The FIA junior Karting championship had just started. Joe is somewhat glad that Max isn't there, he's out racing in the Karting championship in Varennes.

What he didn't know is that Max would be there to watch. It's annoying the shit out of Joe to see the dutch boy and his dad's faces everywhere. They should start minding their buisness before Max fucks the championship up against Arthur's brother, Charles.

Everyone's aware that it wouldn't end well if Max happens to lose the championship. Joe is quite known about the situation they got into when Max lost in 2011.

Truth is, Joe had always been creeped out about Max's dad. He's convinced that everyone who ever met Jos is creeped out by him though.

The kids in karting know, their parents know and the reporters know that Jos is a horrible father. For a long time it's been kept away from the other kids. Joe can't recall when it exactly started, but one day Jos started screaming at Max in front of all the other kids instead of privately.

Both Cissy and Joe wonder why nobody acts on it.

Well, they're 13 year olds. They can't change a lot. But adults can.

Back to karting, Cissy and Joe are pretty much ready for the race. They drive for the same team, occasionally being able to talk with each other in the garage without being bothered by adults wanting something from them.

Since it's the first race, there's lots of trouble. At least Jenson, Fernando and Seb are there to watch, it takes a weight off their shoulders since their parents couldn't make it.

Joe and Cissy are lucky it's an F1 free weekend, otherwise the 3 of them would've not had time to watch aswell.

„Why is Max everywhere where I am?" Joe complains to Cissy, slopping down next to her on a chair, a critical look to the outside of the garage etched on his face.
„Stop being obsessed with him," Cissy laughs, fixing a part of her helmet.

„I'm not."

The girl immediately cocks her head up to look at Joe. She's doing the face she always does when Joe is being an oblivious, dumb prick.

„Leonie and Arth will be watching too, they're coming back from a karting session just in time." She changes the topic and Joe gives her a nod.

Fiona is racing with them, just in another team. The team that her father sponsors.

Of course Joe's friends would all be rich nepo babies, that's what Max thinks. Obviously, Max isn't exactly middle class aswell. But Joe and Cissy are on a whole different level.

Their friends are just as bad, Arthur isn't. But Arthur is different anyway, he's not as loud as Joe and he simply isn't so fucking annoying that Max wants to puke.
But Arthur is Charles' brother and that makes him just as bad.

Charles is his biggest rival in the karting championship. Most of the time, Max underestimates him.
He has the right to do that. His father taught him this way, you need to be arrogant to be a champion.

But besides that, the Monagasque is an unfair racer. He pushes Max off the track all the time, then acts like Max was the one being the issue.
He's just like Joe.

No really, whenever Max thinks he's getting rid of these narcissistic opponents. Another one makes his way up to him just to simply bother him for a whole year or longer.

Like, he thought he was eventually getting rid of Joe. But he's long realized that it won't be like this for a long time. The Italian is rich and actually quite decent. No wonder if he makes it up to Formula 1.

It's not even a question about an if, it's a question about when.

Max is almost 16 by now, he's also aware that he can't run away from that 13 year old forever. It's a little pathetic if he's honest to himself.

But Max has always been sensitive.

„Give it your best, I won't be easy to catch." Joe shrugs with a smirk, giving Cissy one last handshake before climbing into his kart.

„Dream on, Joey."

————

After the race, which Joe clearly won, he struts back to the garage after talking to reporters and Arthur.
The Monagasque just came from one of his own karting races to watch and support him and Cissy.

Cissy came in second, but he couldn't find her anyway near the reporters.
There was only Lando and it would've been weird to ask him if he could accompany Joe on his way back.

So he decided to rather walk alone.

He hears it first before seeing it. Max and his dad sitting in Jos' van. They must be arguing, it's pretty loud for the fact that they're sitting inside the car.

It's like Joe can't move his feet away now, he's looking straight at them. He can't understand anything they're saying when he listens closely. Must be dutch.

He really tries to understand, unfortunately with no use.

Max looks like he's on the verge of tears. Joe never really knew what the relationship between Max and his father was now that he genuinely thinks about it.

Despite not understanding a thing, Joe stays. He listens anyway.
Until he sees Max's lips moving, he's too quiet for Joe to hear but he must've said something.
Then Jos slaps Max across the face and Joe had never started walking so fast.

His race suit feels so tight all of a sudden and he really has to focus to not drop his helmet while he's walking.

Why did he do that to Max? Joe is so confused and then for some reason he feels incredibly guilty.
He has nothing to do with that, right?

Also, it's Max. Why does he care so much?

He can answer that question himself, he cares because he isn't an asshole. But he's never cared in a way like this.

Ripping the velcro fastener around his neck open because he feels like he can't get any air.

Reality only starts to set in when he's back in the garage, putting his helmet away with shaking hands.
It feels impossible for him to catch his breath and his lungs feel like they're collapsing.

He can't explain himself why he feels like that all of a sudden. It feels like all the eyes are on him even though no one is paying attention in reality.
His heart is racing and he's pretty sure that there's a pit in his gut.

At least it feels totally strange.

Everything around him is suddenly so uncomfortably cold and hot at the same time, it feels feverish.

„Hey Joey, congrats on your win!" it's Jenson but for some reason Joe can't be happy at all.
He opens his mouth to say something but he just can't. It won't work.

„Is everything okay?" Jenson then asks, tilting his head a little, a worried expression on his face.
Joe immediately nods, hoping that no one notice the way his breathing is faster than usual.

„Anyway, I got you to drive you and Cissy home. So are you coming?"

He nods his head again, swallowing and letting out a breath when Jenson leaves. It's a little better now, but that was extremely weird. If he didn't know any better, he would've thought he was going to die.

————

The next morning when Joe wakes up, he turns back around in his bed. Everything feels off since yesterday, as if there was some sort of trigger and now he feels guilty for something he didn't do.

He can't help but blame himself for what Jos did to Max. Of course it was just a slap, but he's his father. He shouldn't be doing any of that.

The last time Joe noticed Jos being this angry was at the Gas station 2 years ago. So his assumption is, Jos got angry because of him.

Eventually it's his fault that Max got slapped.

And that makes Joe feel fucking horrible. It would be better to bury him alive at this point.

The Italian didn't notice how late it was until Cissy came in.
„Uhm, your mum let me in. I wanted to ask if you wanted to play on my Wii with me?" she suggests, being uncertain.

He really doesn't have the energy for that. Cissy will find another friend to play with anyway. In his eyes, Joe isn't important. There are several replacements ready just in case he will be gone one day.

So he shakes his head, still lying in bed and not moving a muscle.

Cissy lets out a small sigh, Joe's door handle still in her hand.
„Is your puberty setting in or...?" she tries to joke, hoping to cheer her seemingly hopeless best friend up.
But Joe doesn't laugh, he doesn't even look at Cissy nor curl his lips into a tiny smirk.

„Are you mad at me or something?" she asks, a softness in her voice that makes Joe feel even worse.

„Go away," he manages to whisper, closing his eyes again. Cissy leaves without a word, probably because she's the one being mad now.

Joe thinks to himself, now he fucked another friendship up. Just like he always does. He's a bad friend.

He's mean. He's arrogant. He's a fucking pussy, Max is right.

His dad comes in a while later, sitting down on the edge of the bed and putting his hand on Joe's arm to rub it. „Hey, chico... it's a little late, don't you think it's time to get up?" he says and Joe knows he's fucking worried aswell.

People should stop worrying about him, there's no point behind it anyway if Joe keeps being a prick towards everyone.
They should simply let him go.

„Why didn't you get up to play with Cissy?" his father is still smiling to try and help him to feel better. Sadly with no achievement.

„Look, I know puberty is hard but you should get up and eat something, okay chico?" his dad grins and then gets back up. Although Joe can tell that there's a hint of distress in his voice.

After a while, Joe manages to force himself out of bed and into the bathroom.

He looks at the razor blade at the sink, his dad probably left it there. Then he looks at his arm and then he feels like he has a really bad idea.

His feet drag him along, up to the sink and his hand reaches for the blade. He observes it for a moment, it's really sharp.
His heart rate picks up while he puts it on his bare skin.

It might be better for everyone if he was gone, there would be peace for so many people. That's what he thinks about when pressing it down. Yea, he fucking deserves this.

He needs to do it. Because hurting himself would be the only thing on this planet that he deserves. He doesn't deserve his talent, Cissy or Arthur. It's all so stupid, they would be better off without him.
There wouldn't be so much trouble.

He's a bad person. He can never behave.

The door opens and one of his younger sisters comes in, being a little startled when she sees Joe. He put the razor blade away from his arm immediately and looked at his sister.

„You're too young to shave, you don't even have a beard." she says sassily and Joe is so fucking glad that she's too young to understand anything.

„Right," Joe murmurs, leaving the bathroom to go back to his room. It feels like he's floating, he's so dizzy when he lies back down on his bed. Probably because he hasn't eaten a thing today.

He doesn't want to.

Eating nothing can't be that bad if it only happens once, right?

June 16 2024
Barcelona, Spain

„I honestly can't tell the exact date. But I think it was in 2013, something happened and then he...changed. I think he was depressed or something, but it only lasted for a month." Cissy explains, she sounds stressed. Too stressed for Lando's liking.

„Do you know what happened?" he asks. Joe keeps waiting to listen, his fingers toying with each other.

„No. But maybe there was something that...triggered him? I'm not sure I understand what's going on in Joe's head."

„There's a lot of things going on at Joe's head." Lando jokes but Cissy clearly isn't in the mood for any jokes. „Lan, I'm being serious."

„I know, I'm sorry. You could try talking to his family? You know, if there's any... blood related conditions in the family?"

That sentence makes Joe's ears shut off, he practically runs back into his room.

Do they think he's crazy or something? Mentally ill?

He's not sure of many things but if there's one thing he's sure about, then it's the fact that he isn't mentally ill.

He falls back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Is he going crazy?

Cissy must be overreacting. She always is. Truly, that's one of the reasons why he hasn't told Cissy and Lando about Max. They overreact over anything. And Joe really doesn't need anyone to command him what to do with Max or how to treat him.

He's doing everything right with Max on his own. There's nothing serious between them anyway. They're simply having fun. Both of them agree on that.

And that's the only thing they agree on.

June 20 2024
Barcelona, Spain
Media day

Miray did make sure to wear the exact rosso corsa this time. On today's plan is the press conference with Sainz, Alonso, Piastri, Zhou and Ricciardo.

She's so lucky to be in the same press conference as Carlos, she wonders if he'll notice the red she's wearing again.

To be clear, she doesn't want to draw his attention on her because she is not crushing on him. But it would in fact be nice if he noticed.

It's a little weird that Carlos wanted her to wear Ferrari rosso corsa even though he isn't a Ferrari driver. He drives at Porsche with Oscar.

Maybe he'll move to Ferrari? His contract is expiring and it would be an explanation.
Also, the seat next to Charles is probably open for anyone.

Miray thinks that would be a great question to ask the Spaniard, wether it's at the press conference or not.
The driver's contract interest her more than anything else in this Paddock.

————

„So people have wondered: in the Porsche garage, is it you or Oscar, perhaps someone else entirely, who puts on the music?" she asks in the press conference. That question might be childish, but at least it's interesting to the teenage fans. And Miray is still just a young adult.

She's allowed to ask childish questions.

Carlos chuckles at the interest.
„Usually, I put the music on and Oscar takes whatever I put. He doesn't complain."

Miray smiles, writing it down onto her notes. „May I ask which artists?"

„We like listening to Arctic Monkeys." the Spaniard smiles and Oscar has to giggle at it. Especially when he sees Miray's face, he has to giggle again.

She's screaming internally. But she knows she has to be professional and keep her composure on the outside. She writes it down on her notes and has to hold back a squeak while doing so.

Her favorite band are the Arctic Monkeys and Carlos, Carlos Sainz, likes them too? Miray must be dreaming. Clearly.
This shouldn't be happening.

Who thought that they would genuinely have something in common?

„Okay, thank you," she politely smiles.
Eventually she can let out a squeak when she's back in her hotel room that night.

June 21 2024
Barcelona, Spain
Practice day

„No, I swear, Daniel. He clearly had something on his neck and it didn't come from me!" Max has been ranting to Daniel for about 10 minutes now.

Apparently Joe's neck had marks on it, Daniel didn't see those. But Max is convinced.
„Are you jealous?" Danny smirks, leaning against the wall in Max's drivers room.

„No?" Max says it as if it was as clear as the fact that the sky is blue. Daniel looks at him in a way that makes the Younger know.

The Dutchman sighs and flops down in his seat in defeat. „I mean, yes. Yes, I am jealous. I didn't think he'd go on and fuck random girls from bars during our...affair?"

Daniel raises an eyebrow, looking down at him from where he's standing. „Have you ever set that boundary with him before?"

Max pouts his lips and shakes his head in slight embarrassment. „No..." He plays with his fingers.

„Then...do it." Daniel shrugs. He makes everything seem so easy. For Max, that's not easy at all. In fact, it's the most difficult situation he's ever been in.

„You know it's not that easy, Danny!" Max complains and the Australian has to run a hand through his hair.

„I'm telling you, it is easy. You're making a big deal out of it, as always."

The Dutchman rolls his eyes at his friend, who seems to be enjoying this banter a lot. „So you're genuinely jealous about some random girl enjoying his cock the same amount that you do?"

„Shut up, Daniel!" Max would hit him if he wasn't so far out of reach. „Also, no one enjoys Joe's cock as much as I do."

„Yeah, I totally didn't need to know that, mate."

————

So that's why Max finds himself in Joe's drivers room later that day. Daniel really had to drag him there.

But he's here now.

And he's currently destroying Joe's face rather with his tounge than his hand.
The Younger's arms wrap around his waist and Max's hands move to Joe's hair.

He feels his tounge against his and everything around them feels amazing. Max is completely focused on Joe's mouth, his slim hands and his god awfully pretty jawline.

The Dutchman starts trailing open-mouthed kisses over the Italian's cheek and down to his jaw. One of his hands wandering down to Joe's throat and caressing it.

„Heard you were out a lot the past week..." Max murmurs between his kisses on the Younger's neck. „Did you let someone else touch you?"

Joe's arms tighten around Max's waist and he groans, peppering more kisses over the soft, freckled neck.

„Be honest."

„I'm sorry." Joe avouched, his hands wandering down to squeeze Max's ass.
The Dutchman groans at the answer. „You're lucky your cock is big."

„That's all I'm good for?" the Italian bites his lip, teasing Max mercilessly with it. The Older keeps pressing his white fireproofs against the McLaren driver's black one. His body heat feels nice. Actually, all of Joe feels nice. That's all Max can think about while he's devouring the Younger's neck.

„Yeah. That is all you're good for."

Then Max pulls back, his hand still on Joe's neck. It makes him tilt his head, giving the Dutchman more access.

„No really... I wanted to talk to you. About something important." Max starts, his eyes drawn to where Joe's throat is red.

The Younger swallows, Max observes the motion.

„Is it okay if we... don't fuck other people during our... whatever this is?"

Joe's face is soft at first, his hazel eyes looking at Max like a deer in the headlights. Then it turns into a smirkish face. „You want me to yourself, hm?"

The Dutchman has to grin a little, his thick lips curling nicely enough to make Joe think about them wrapped around his cock.

„I do. I'm way better than any girl, right?" his hand travels over his neck to cup his jaw. Joe grabs his wrist and kisses his palm. „Totally."

„Good..." Max sighs dreamily, pressing his body closer to Joe's again and they basically melt into each other. „We have to get going... practice 2 starts soon."

„I know," the Italian mumbles, looking down at Max's lips before kissing them one last time. „I wish we could spend more time together..." He then says and the Dutchman feels himself blushing at the comment.

„How about you come to my hotel room after the race on sunday? We can spend as much time as we need. Away from... Cissy and Lan?" Max bites his lip while suggesting it, raising his eyebrows a little. He feels Joe tensing under his touches at the mention of their friends. He single-handedly decides not to question it.
„Hm, you don't think anyone would catch me sneaking out just to see you?"

„Probably not. Who cares about you anyway?" He teases, putting another kiss on Joe's lips.

„Wow. You care?" the Younger grins, squeezing his waist before letting go. „You caught me there."

June 22 2024
Barcelona, Spain
Qualifying day

Joe isn't sure if it's becoming a routine, but he finds himself together with Max once again after surviving all the interviewers following his awful qualifying.
He has to start on P9 due to a 5-place grid penalty.

Setting onto that, Lando is on pole.

Usually, Joe is happy for Lando. But this year is something different, it's a constant battle between the two of them. The better one will always earn more respect.

So it's simply getting on the Italian's nerve when Lando outqualifies him.

At least he has Max currently pressed to his side, peppering kisses along his jaw and neck. „Why are you so pissed at Lando getting Pole?" he asks, his fingers playing with Joe's jaw.

„Wouldn't you be pissed at Cissy if she's on pole while you're starting on P9?" He looks at Max, who smiles a little. „No, I'd be happy for her."

„Well we're not alike then." Joe murmurs, pressing a kiss to Max's lips. „I knew that beforehand."

He keeps running his hand over the Italian's neck and jaw, feeling how soft his skin is. Then he goes back to kissing all over it.

Moving to sit on Joe's lap while licking his neck. But he has to stop the Younger's wrists when they move beneath his fireproofs. „We can't... the bumps on the track always hurt in my ass after we fucked."

The Italian groans, laughing a little though. „Don't tease me when we can't do it."

„I didn't tease you, you just get horny from anything." Max grins, leaning down to kiss Joe again. He slides his tounge against his', gently biting down on his soft lip. The Younger's hands move to the small of his back, pressing him down against him.

————

„Hey, do you know where Joe is?" Cissy taps on Liron's shoulder. You could see that australian girl from miles away, the blonde hair, the white Mercedes cap and the headphones. Probably listening to Rihanna or The Weeknd as the French girl knows her too well.

She takes her headphones off when she sees Cissy, putting her hands into the pockets of her Mercedes jacket. „No, is he not in his drivers room?"

„He isn't," The french girl sighs, rolling her eyes.

Liron raises one of her eyebrows. „What do you need him for? Maybe I could tell him in case I catch him around."

„I wanted to talk to him about something really really important." Cissy urges and Liron quickly nods in understanding.

Before she puts her headphones back on, Cissy stops her. „Actually, I feel like I have something to talk about with you too."

The Australian widens her stormy eyes, waiting for the French to continue.
„I dunno, did Toto tell you? So, I might get the second seat at Mercedes and I felt like I have to tell you. To warn you about your possible awful teammate next year."

Liron's face lights up as if it was fucking Christmas. „No way!" she squeals. „Don't be so loud, the press will hear you!" Cissy shushes with a giggle.

„A two female driver lineup? That would be perfect. I hope Toto chooses you." Liron then continues in a whisper.

„Yea, well. The decision is not just up to Toto but also up to me. And I'm not sure if I really want to leave Red Bull, if I really want to leave Max."

The Australian's smile drops a little but she must understand. „Yeah, I get that. A little info, Toto has Kimi Antonelli on his watch. If I was you, I'd choose my team fast."

Cissy feels like her heart is cramping at the thought of having to make a decision all on her own.
Especially when it's such a hard one.
She'll either have pity for Max and choose him, stay at Red Bull and live her career in Max's shadow.

Don't get her wrong, she loves Max and she thinks he totally deserves every tiny bit of his success. Because he worked hard for it, despite his father's way of raising him. And he got what he wanted, not only that but he's also extremely talented at it.

But that makes Cissy appear smaller in the team. She's great but not as great as Max. She's confident but not as confident as Max.

And that's the thing that's getting on her nerves since a long time.

These things would change at Mercedes, but she'd have to leave one of her best friends, her only teammate in F1 so far. She's seen it with Liron and Lewis, the Brit is a 7 time world champion and holds incredibly high records and standards.

But Toto doesn't treat them differently from each other. The whole team doesn't. Both of them help each other out aswell.

Although Max had helped Cissy many times to win a race, most of the times it was Cissy helping Max.

She's sure Max would've won the 3 championships even if he didn't get any help. But it still counts for Cissy, the Dutchie knows that. That's mainly one of the reasons why he tries to help her out whenever he gets the chance to do so.

„I'll keep that in mind. He really seems to be amazed by Kimi."

„Who isn't?" Liron shrugs, smiling a little. Her eyes disappear when she smiles, just like Joe's. Cissy notices these small things about people. She's hypersensitive on that topic.

„True. He certainly has talent considering his age... anyway it was nice to talk to you though, good luck tomorrow," Cissy beams and Liron shoots a little smile. „You're the one in need of good luck."

That might be true since Cissy is starting the race on P11, through a grid drop. The FIA really wasn't playing today. Handing out penalty after penalty.

„You've got Max in front of you, you clearly need more luck than me," Cissy jokes, making a gesture to the Red Bull hospitality. The Australian cracks a giggle, shrugging a little. „I guess I'll manage to tame the lion. We should really get going, it was nice though."

„Bye then, we should talk more often!"

June 23 2024
Barcelona, Spain
Race day

On lap 63/66 Joe gets the radio: „Let Lando pass"
Did he really fight his way from P9 up to P2 only to give his position to his british teammate?

Despite that, he's also busy catching Max. If the team wouldn't bother him all the time, he'd already be passing the Red Bull.

„If he wants to get past me, he should catch up."

Even without seeing her, Joe knows exactly what kind of face his race engineer Kiki makes right now.
„Joe, if you want us to be champions, you need to play fairly not just against the other drivers but also against your teammate."

„You don't even have a good reason why you want him to pass me."

To be clear, Joe isn't exactly pissed. He's focused on Max in front of him. The gap is narrowing down and if Kiki wasn't constantly ringing in his ear, he might aswell would be able to win the race.

„Your passing on him wasn't fair play, you ran him off track. If you don't let him pass you now, you'll get a penalty."

Joe lets out a clear sigh, then slows down to let Lando pass him on the straight.
He finishes the race on P3, which is a decent result. But he knows he could've done better.

When he gets his helmet off and puts it down, he sees that Lando is just as frustrated.
What is he frustrated for? He got what he wanted.

Joe looks at him for a moment before drawing his eyes to Max.
He looks so perfect in his race suit, the dark blue fits him well. It hugs his curves, his thighs.

The Dutchman catches him staring and Joe pulls his eyes away, noticing the smirk on Max's face though.

He arrives in the cooldown room, Max and Lando already sitting side by side. Towelling off to the other side of the Dutchman, Joe sits down.
They're reviewing the start and the Brit seems visibly upset. He looks at the Italian as if it was his fault that he fumbled lap 1.

Max got squeezed at the start aswell. Lando called it fair.

Right. Because he knows so much about fair play.
He leans back in his chair, deciding to watch Max rather than pay attention to his teammate.

The podium seemed different from the last times. Joe knows why.

Max is content with his result, obviously. Joe is, you know, still quite okay with it. P3 is fine. He couldn't do much more today since he also started from P9 and fighting his way up through the Mercedes drivers certainly wasn't easy.

But Lando, he's gutted with fucking P2. Joe could really get sick on it. Acting like it was his fault that Lando couldn't win the race. He made too many mistakes, that is none of the Italian's business.

The Brit can barely crack a smile, lifts his trophy in a very lackluster manner. He doesn't even smash the bottle of champagne on the ground, causing it to create more fizz, like he always does.

That shit really gets on Joe's fucking nerves. He needs to accept that he can't win every race, especially with Max being on a whole different level from the rest of the grid.

It's the harsh truth he has to accept, he isn't going to be a world champion just because he won a single stupid race in Miami. And that was only because he had a lot of luck with the safety car.

The press conference isn't as pleasant, the media keeps asking about him and Lando and what the problem was today. They lie to them, saying that they figured it out already, which they haven't.

But that is because Lando hasn't talked to Max nor him since the cooldown room.

When he walks past Nico in the paddock, he feels like the German's eyes are burning through his skin and making him rot on the spot. It takes a knowing look from him and Joe is dying inside.

He's already hating this. Lando and him are not like Brocedes. At all. They were simply having a bad race, Lando's gonna get over it within a week.

————

Logan's race was unspectacular, as always. P20, it's nothing new for him. Fortunately, Alex wasn't performing a lot better though. So Williams as a whole had a bad weekend, not just the American.

When he gets back into the garage, he has his girlfriend Alexa there.
„Hey, babe." she says, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. „Don't frown like that." she tilts her head with a smile, her fingers tracing Logan's jawline.

„How can I not frown when I finish the race on P20?"

She sighs, her hand wandering to the back of her boyfriend's head, burying in his blonde strands.

„You're trying your best. And you're more than enough for me."

He knows that's true. But that doesn't help his performance. He especially feels bad for his Alexa, she always tries to cheer him up and get him into a better mindset but it really doesn't seem to work at all.

And she shouldn't worry about him, it's not her fault Logan thinks he's a failure.

„We can order something and watch YouTube when we're back at the hotel, how does that sound?" she asks, tucking her blonde curtain bangs behind her ear because they're basically all over her face.

„Sounds good, babe," Logan forces a smile and leans down to kiss her. „You're sweaty," Alexa giggles and runs her hand down from his hair to his shoulder. „You should really take a shower, I'll probably be with Lily in case you'll search for me."

Alexa and Lily have gotten quite close over the last month. They wait together for their boyfriends whenever they have media duties after the race.
Sometimes it can take pretty long for Logan and Alex to be back from the interviews and they often decide to look at some data aswell.

So their girlfriends have no other choice than spending their time together. Lily usually tells her about golfing, Alexa likes listening to her.

Adding onto talking about work, they also like giving each other tips on hairstyling. Their hair structure is pretty similar, with the difference that Lily has dark hair and Alexa is a blondie.

She sits down in front of Lily in the Williams hospitality. She's eating some Paella which she got from the paddock.

„You want to try some?" she asks as Alexa flops down. „Oh yes, thank you,"
She takes a spoonful and then sits back in her chair again. Lily waits for a reaction and surprisingly Alexa likes it. Normally these types of food aren't her thing, but this one tastes pretty good.

„I suppose Logan and Alex will take their time," Alexa giggles and Lily nods, rolling her eyes playfully. „Alex was super frustrated with his result."

„Him and Logan are pretty similar then."

Lily swallows and then she looks like she's thinking. „Logan doesn't have a seat for next year right?"

Alexa shakes her head, making a grimace to show the distress she feels about that. „What about Alex?"
Lily nods, picking up some rice onto her spoon. „He signed another contract with Williams this weekend."

Alexa raises her eyebrows. „That's nice! Yea, Logan doesn't have a lot of luck on that topic."

„He wants to leave Williams, right?" the Chinese girl asks, finishing her bowl of Paella.
Alexa nods a little. „I suppose that won't work if he doesn't gain a better mindset though."

„I know what you mean," Lily laughs a little. „Alex is just as despondent as Logan, he doesn't show it as much though."

„Probably because he's extroverted as hell."

„Oh yes, he is," Lily nods, a slight smirk on her face.
Alex talks a lot when he wants to. Logan doesn't. He's not a big talker. That's probably the only difference between the two of them.

The truth is, Alex supports Logan in the best way he can because he knows how the American feels. It's not only the fact that Alex is an empathic, he found himself in Logan's exact situation a few seasons ago.

Back then, when he started at Red Bull. He saw what this team was really like to drivers who don't perform well under pressure. Adding onto that, Red Bull always favoured the white drivers. His thai roots are important to Alex, he wasn't going to erase them simply because Christian Horner liked him better as a Brit.

But that's a different story.

Alex knows exactly what must be going through Logan's head. And he doesn't want the American to end up like him back then. He deserves much more, Williams should see that aswell.
Alex often thinks he's the only one who sees people like that. Probably because he went through a lot.

He doesn't understand how so many people can't see the good in so many drivers, not just Logan.

————

Joe was kissing him against the wall of his driver's room and well, unfortunately Max doesn't mind this at all. His world is complete fuzzed out into static and he loves when he doesn't have to think.

He leans more into the kiss and is rewarded by Joe's mouth sliding and opening against his. They're tounges brush together and fuck, Max wants to swallow it whole. His hands are tugging on the Italian's dark curly roots at the back of his head while his hands are squeezing Max's waist deliciously.

Joe smells like champagne and a fine sheen of sweat. There's also a hint of his rich perfume and Max would drown himself in it if he could.

He doesn't want to, but he eventually pulls back. They still have press interviews to go to, having to look at some data with the team aswell. Max hates the fact that the race weekend isn't over after the race.
He often stays in the paddock until midnight just because it's always incredibly busy, even if it's after the race.

„We should continue that later in my hotel room," Max smirks a tiny bit, brushing his hands over Joe's fireproofs.
The Italian pouts at him but he nods.

„Okay, so," the Dutchman continues. „Here's what we're gonna do. You're gonna stay at least, like, six thousand feet away from me for the rest of the evening. Or else I'm going to do some very bad things to you that I do not want the public eye to see. Because you keep setting rumors up."

„I-„ Joe gets cut off with a finger on his lips. „Let me finish."
Surprisingly, that makes the Italian go quiet and listen to him as if he was Michael Schumacher scolding him at that one dinner in 2009.

„And then you're gonna go to your hotel, being all normal. And then you are going to come to my hotel room at 10, I'll text you where it is and which number I've got. And if you fucking ghost me again," Max stops, groping Joe's chin softly.

„I'm going to run you over personally with one of these stupid-looking golf carts when you and Lando go golfing next time. And I will tell your press secretary to take you back to Italy on your own where you can rot in your horniness on your own. Got it?"

Joe swallows, Max observes and he would love to be down the Italian's throat aswell. „Perfectly." the Italian spits out with a nod.

„And take a shower before you come to mine."

„Oh I'll even shave," the Italian smirks, sounding like he was proud of it.

„Wow, what a gentleman," Max playfully says, biting down on his lip.

————

„I swear he was annoyed at me," Lando mumbles into Cissy's shirt, lying on top of her and hugging her waist while she plays with his dark curls.

She's smoking, but it doesn't seem to bother Lando at the moment.
„It's Joe," Cissy begins, dragging her fingers lightly over her boyfriend's scalp. „He's not mad at you but mad at the fact that he had to give up his position shortly before the race ended." She finishes, dragging on her cigarette.

They're inside their hotel room, but for some reason she couldn't care less. The windows are wide open, letting the early summer night breeze in. You can barely even smell the smoke coming from her cig.

Smoking as a Formula 1 driver isn't smart, Cissy knows that. But she doesn't do it often, and none of them ever sticks to the rules. There's no rule saying that drivers can't smoke. So why shouldn't she just try it out?

Drivers used to smoke all the time back then, why would it be a big of a problem now?

„I don't want our teammate dynamic to be gone. I admit that I was lowkey a prick today, especially in the cooldown room. But Joe knows me, right?"

„You shouldn't worry so much, love. You'll both calm down and then it'll all be fine," She reassures, still playing with Lando's curls. „I hope so," the Brit sighs. Sitting up to give her kiss, tasting the chapstick she put on after her shower.

„You should stop smoking," He murmurs, kissing along Cissy's cheek. She hesitates for a moment before giving in with a smirk, putting her cigarette away before coming back to Lando.

„Good girl," he giggles, his lips curled. „Oh shut up," She playfully hits Lando's arm but then kisses him.

„Will you be there at breakfast tomorrow?" Lando asks while peppering kisses on his girlfriend's neck. „No, sorry. I told Fernando I'll have a breakfast with him and Joe."

The Brit pouts. „You always leave me alone," He says, but there's no heat behind it.

„I'm sure Fernando wouldn't mind if I bring a companion." Cissy giggles, pressing a short kiss to Lando's lips where he's smiling so foolishly like he always does.

————

Joe feels ridiculous when sneaking into Max Verstappen's hotel; he feels like an adult stalker. He's aware that he will no longer be a professional athlete and millionaire but a dead man if he gets caught here.

When he pushes the button of the elevator, he hurries himself. The elevator should hurry up because if he's going to stand here any longer there will be a Red Bull mechanic or some sort of other bullshut Red Bull employee catching him.

When the elevator door opens, he's face to face with GP. Fortunately, he looks just as surprised as him.
He silently gets in, standing next to GP, who lets out a loud sigh.

„Are you guys stupid or are you here because of Cissy?"

Fuck. He didn't even think about Cissy. He knows Lando is in her hotel room. In conclusion, since Cissy and Max are teammates, they probably have their hotel rooms on the same floor of the same hotel.

„It might be the first thing, GP."

He rolls his eyes, letting his arms fall in something that must be stress. The kind of stress you get when two professional rivals, who happen to both be men, secretly fuck with each other.

„Don't let his press officer, Gemma Lusty, find out. And don't you dare let Helmut Marko catch you. Also, you better be quiet. I wouldn't like to wake Christian up from his beauty sleep."

Joe nods, getting out of the elevator when he's on the right floor. He knocks on the hotel door.
And, well, he knows he fucked up when it isn't Max who opens the door but Cissy, who looks like she just had the worst sleep of her entire life.

Fuck, that must mean their hotel rooms are right next to each other.

„Oh, hey Joe. What do you need?"

„Uhm," his heart is racing, and he's making a grimace. „I, uh, wanted to speak to Lando...? In person?" he shifts awkwardly on his feet. This is bad, this is so fucking bad and he can never lie to Cissy.

She thankfully is tired enough to accept this, walking into her hotel room to get Lando.

In the meanwhile Joe is stressing. How will he talk to his teammate like this without getting to prepare for it?

„Uh, hey, yes, I wanted to apologize because of today. I was a dick and I should've let you pass since the beginning. It's just a stupid race, nothing life changing. Sorry for being dramatic," He says, shrugging a little to come across as chill.

He isn't chill.

„Oh, it's fine, I promise," Lando rubs his eyes, then smiles a little. „I was dramatic too, just because I fucked up my start. I guess both of us behaved like toddlers so, it's all good. I'm sorry too."

Cissy walks over to them, putting her head on Lando's shoulder.

„Good, uhm. Bye then," Joe smiles awkwardly, he's screaming internally and he wishes he could scream on the outside right now aswell.

„Bye," Cissy smiles, watching as Joe leaves to go to the left of the hotel room. Her eyebrows narrow. „The elevator is on the right," she says and Joe stops on his way.

„Right," he laughs, walking in the other way. As soon as their door closes, he turns around again and walks as quietly as he can. He also manages to put the quietest knock on Max's hotel door.

„You're late," Max smirks and Joe pushes the door further open to get in and press their mouths together, kicking the door shut with his foot.

Joe is so tall and gorgeous and ugh. Max wants to get these adidas sweatpants off immediately. He has to remind himself he doesn't have feelings for this guy. Really.

But his lips are so nice and pink, his face is freckled and the look on his face makes Max clench by just looking at him. Their noses brush against each other while Max tilts his head to shove his tounge into the Younger's mouth.

„I accidentally knocked at Cissy's door," he mumbles into the kiss and Max pulls back. „You what?!"

„Shh," Joe immediately shushes him, his hands gripping his waist and then his ass, it makes the Dutchman groan. „I managed. She does not suspect anything, I promise,"

„I hope you're right for once," he murmurs before destroying Joe's face with his pink lips again. He suddenly realizes that this hotel room thing was a terrible idea with Cissy's room being located right next to his'.
But it's fine. And it's way too late now.

Max slides one hand up the nape of Joe's neck, gripping his hair. Joe could never lie about it, he loves the way the Older gropes his hair whenever they kiss.
He tugs on his curls in a way that makes Joe realize the difference between paddle and tennis.

The Italian pulls Max closer by his ass, flushing their bodies against each other.
They stumble backwards until they land on the clean white sheets of Max's hotel bed. These sheets smell just like him and Joe could totally lose his mind over this. But he stays normal and focused, right?

The Dutchman enjoys this kiss a lot, it's nothing like the earlier ones. No teeth, just a soft, deliberate and measured kiss.
It's how he had always expected Joe to kiss on the first hand, before, well, this.

Sweet and deep, not rushed or dirty like they usually are. It feels like they are standing in the sunrise in a italian garden during a late summer night. It's ridiculous that Max thinks this way, but it's the truth. He can practically feel the wind in his blonde hair.

Suddenly, Max flips them around, pushing the Younger down onto the mattress. He starts feasting on Joe's neck with a lot of tounge-kisses. His warm hands making their way beneath Joe's white shirt.

He tugs on it, pulling it over Joe's head and carelessly throwing it onto the ground next to the king-sized bed.
Max pulls his shirt off aswell, chucking it away just as carelessly as he did with Joe's.

Kissing his way down Joe's neck and over his chest. „You look so hot," he murmurs while placing kisses all over Joe's torso.

It enlightens a gasp out of the Italian and he lightly tugs on Max's hair. „What's your plan?" he smirks, his breathing already deliciously uneven.

„Be patient," the Dutchman teases, licking around Joe's nipple until he whimpers. His chest is thin, nothing like Max's. He isn't sure why he has such big cans actually, so he's a little jealous of Joe's chest.

It looks boyish, immature. Just like the rest of him, Max supposes. So technically, his body fits him very well.

The older licks a stripe down to Joe's waistband. The elastic waistband of his boxers peeking out beneath his sweatpants. Max hooks his fingers in them, making eye contact with Joe's hazel eyes before pulling them down slowly.

His hips squirm when he sees how hard Joe already is, he smirks and wraps his hand around the Younger. Tugging on it to get a few pathetic whimpers out of the McLaren driver.

„What was that thing about being patient?"

„S-sorry," Joe murmurs between a desperate whimper as Max teases his tip with his thumb.

„Mhm, tell me what you need, baby," he playfully smiles, tilting his head to the side. Joe's face contorts in something between arousal and impatience.
He whines instead of answering, so Max squeezes the base of his cock. „Answer me."

„C-could you suck me off? Please?" he sounds desperate, his voice shaky and rough. Max loves this so much, he didn't know Joe could be this sensitive.

„There we go. Good boy," Max smirks, leaning down to kiss Joe's inner thighs before he grabs the base of Joe's cock and sucks on the tip. His face flushes while he looks up at the Younger, he gets turned on badly when he has the Italian's big cock in his mouth.

Like, really badly.

His eyes roll when he takes him deeper down his throat, Max doesn't have a gag reflex. It makes Joe groan immediately and he buries his hand further in Max's blonde strands.
Max feels the pressure on Joe's hand, it's like he wants to push him further down on his cock but isn't sure if the Dutchman would be okay with such thing.

The Older relaxes his throat, allowing Joe to push him down. He can feel the tip of his cock on the back of his throat and he isn't even taking all of Joe.

His head lolls back a little, he wants Joe's hand to guide him now. He simply doesn't want to think, he wants to relax and take Joe as he is. Not having another care in the world than to please the Younger.

„Want me to move for you, baby?" Joe asks between soft groans as Max swallows around him, his throat contracting against his cock.
He only manages to nod before the grip in his hair tightens and Joe guides his face up and down.

He keeps murmuring sweet nothings into the hotel room while Max takes his cock down on throat all while not gagging a single time. „Fuck, no gag reflex, you're taking it so well," Joe groans and his back arches a little when Max keeps running his tounge over his shaft in time with his head movements, controlled by the Italian's hand.

Joe gives him a long, strangled moan as Max flashes his turquoise eyes at him and flutters his eyelashes. „So pretty..." he whimpers, tugging on the blonde hair in his hand until Max whines around his cock.

„D'you think you can take it if I cum down your throat?" it's a rhetorical question, Joe knows the answer to that. Max nods anyway, hollowing his cheeks to suck on the Italian's cock with more spit and salvia.

„Of course you can take it," Joe murmurs while thrusting his hips upwards in time with his hand guiding Max's plump lips. He gets rougher by the second, moaning louder. „You always take what people give you, isn't that right, Maxie?"
The tip of his cock keeps crashing against Max's throat and he knows it's going to hurt when he wakes up tomorrow. He hums around Joe's cock as an answer.

But his eyes roll at the feeling, he feels so desperate by now. He can't lie, it's also embarrassing. But on the firsthand it's fucking hot, he loves the way he doesn't have to focus on anything but Joe's words and cock.

With one last thrust into Max's mouth, he cums down his throat. It feels warm against the earlier roughness, Joe's whimpers get quiet again and the grip in his hair loosens.

Max swallows it down before gliding his pink lips off his cock with a pop. Joe's eyes are glassy, his tanned chest now flushed and his freckled cheeks tinted.
He looks like a prince, and it makes Max want to suck on his cock again.

„Did you like it?" he asks innocently, nipping on Joe's neck. „Of course I did," he says breathily. „You looked so hot with my cock down your throat, you always do."

Max bites his lip and presses a toothy kiss on Joe's. „Are you ready for round 2? I still didn't get what I wanted..." the Dutchman teases, his fingers playing with Joe's dark pink nipple.

He admires him for a moment, his dark curls are messy and hanging rather loosely around his head. He doesn't have a single beard stubble, it amazes Max. Joe is 24 years old and has a baby face.

He's not sure if that's his genes or if Joe shaves his face so well that it looks truly smooth.

The question brings a whimper out of Joe and his eyebrows narrow. „You know I couldn't resist you."

„Because you always do what I tell you to. Like a good boy," Max teases but he knows it secretly turns Joe on when he gets praised. It's now confirmed due to the fact that the Younger's cock twitched between his legs as soon as Max called him a good boy.

„I'm not going to deny," Joe murmurs, leaning in for a kiss only to push Max down and get on top of him now.
He trails hot, open-mouthed kisses over the Dutchman's neck and to his chest. He kisses one of his nipples before gently biting down on it. His hand coming up to play with Max's other nipple and squeeze his chest.

„You have such pretty tits, you know," Joe murmurs, his italian accent thicker and it makes Max clench around nothing immediately.

If Joe won't deny the fact that he likes getting praised, Max won't deny the fact that he likes getting feminized. At least to a certain point.

„So big and gorgeous, I was thinking about them on the podium," Joe trails off while still kissing and licking Max's nipple, he moans softly as he bites down again.

„That race suit, it really makes your tits pop."

It surely makes Max moan louder, his cock is already uncomfortably hard inside his shorts and he feels so fucking empty. If Joe doesn't hurry up, he might aswell just stick his own fingers inside his ass to get some sort of relief.

The Italian doesn't kiss his nipples anymore, kissing over his tummy, down to his hips and then to his thighs. Max automatically spreads his legs wider which enlights a positive moan out of Joe.

Although Max now misses the stimulation on his tits. He brings his own hands up to play with his peaks and squeeze his chest. All while Joe starts nibbling and licking his thighs, completely ignoring his neglected cock inside his shorts, which are a little bit too short in Joe's opinion.

„Your thighs are just as fucking hot, baby," Joe murmurs against his thick bare flesh. „So thick and pretty."

As a teen, Max was always insecure about his thick thighs. Only girls have thick thighs, all the boys' legs were skinny. But as he got older and got a seat in Formula 1, therefore went into more clubs. He found that men love his thighs, they love biting them and kissing them.

The fans love it aswell, Max has seen everything on X and Tumblr.

He moans when Joe starts biting his inner thighs, leaving marks. It takes way too long, Max is getting desperate, he's constantly squirming under Joe and to get his attention he now makes a few impatient noises. „Hurry."

Joe listens, and that's so fucking steamy in Max's opinion.

He hooks his fingers into the waistband of his shorts and boxers, pulling them down in a rush. „You need prep?" He asks while making sure Max keeps his legs spread, so he gropes his thighs and squeezes them.

Max's face turns red and he shakes his head. „I prepared myself before you came..." he whispers, as if it was something embarrassing to do.
He was fucking desperate to get something inside him, so he did what he craved. That's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Joe's face turns into a wolfish grin. „Good. Condom? Got any lube?" while he asks, he already spots the lube on Max's nightstand. He smirks again while getting it.

„You prepared really well for this."

„Shut up." Max groans a little, although he's smiling. He sucks in a breath when he feels the cold lube on Joe's fingers against his rim.
They circle his hole before pushing inside. It doesn't last long, as the Younger simply wanted to lube him up. But that doesn't mean Max didn't enjoy Joe's long fingers inside him.

In fact, he enjoyed them so much that he's clenching around nothing now, waiting for Joe's cock to finally enter him.
„So, no condom?"

Max shakes his head, letting out a tiny whimper at how fucking hungry he is for Joe's cock inside him. It's so bad that it even starts to hurt.

„No, please. Wanna feel you bare."

The Younger smirks at the answer, but he likes it just as much as Max. The last time they did this, Joe fucked him bare aswell. And the Dutchman loved feeling his warm cum inside him, he even jerked off to the thought of it a few days ago.

Feeling Joe's tip press against his hole, Max spreads his legs a little wider. The Younger gropes one of his thighs to keep him spread open while he breaches the tiny ring of muscles.

„You have to relax, stop clenching, please..." Joe whinily says while pushing further inside Max's warm hole.
Saying please? For some reason this turns Max on harder than it actually should.

So he does stop, he isn't being bratty tonight. Joe groans and bottoms out, letting Max stretch around him for a moment.
Max grips his shoulders, squeezing them until his muscles relax around Joe's cock.
„Move, please..."

The thrusts are slow at first, making Max relax around him further. Joe lets out soft moans right into the Older's ear and, well, it makes him clench again.
Max's mouth falls open, his jaw slackening as Joe's thrusts pick up the pace, hitting his insides deliciously.

„Faster, please, fuck. Go faster," He whimpers, gripping the Younger's shoulders again and moving his hips in time with Joe's pumps.
He does as he's told, going not only faster but also harder on Max's hot insides.

He tilts his head, letting Joe destroy his neck with his mouth. One of the Italian's hands goes up to play with Max's nipple and he starts whimpering beautifully.
„Mhm, fuck," Joe whimpers when Max starts clenching more and more. His thrusts grow harder and the Older feels like he's being split apart on his soft mattress now.

His insides feel like they're turning when Joe repeatedly hits his prostate, making him moan louder. His mouth is slacking open when the Italian wraps his hand around his cock and jerks him off furiously.
„Fuck 'm close, harder, please," Max's face contorts and he's a whining mess under Joe.

He lets out a low moan when he finally reaches his high, his cum spurting down onto his tummy. It doesn't even take two thrusts until Joe cums a second time, filling his hole with his hot cum.
Max groans because of it, Joe whimpers in his ear and manages to catch his breath after a while.

Then he smirks at Max and it looks like he got a very filthy idea. He brings his hand to Max's lips, he automatically opens his mouth and lets Joe slide his fingers inside. „Keep it open."

„What are you gonna do?" Max smiles, then opens his mouth again. „You'll see. Wide open, baby." Joe smirks, watching as the Dutchman opens his mouth wider.

Joe leans down to the puddle of cum on Max's stomach and licks it up all in one go. He doesn't swallow though. He moves back up to be face to face with the Red Bull driver.

And then he fucking spits in Max's mouth. He didn't see that coming but fuck, he's moaning.
He didn't think it would be so hot to taste a mix of his own cum and Joe's spit but here we are.

„Swallow." the Italian orders with a grin and fuck, yes, Max swallows it down without making a grimace.

Then he pulls out of Max and the Dutchman feels empty again.
His tummy suddenly feels weird, he hopes Joe won't leave again. He wants that aftercare. Especially after a session like this. Because this made him feel like a slut, so fucking filthy.

Joe rolls onto the side next to Max, he's clearly tired.
He can feel his cum leaking out of him, so he gets up, takes his boxers and shorts with him to the bathroom.

When he comes back, Joe is also dressed back in his sweatpants.

It's a surprise he's still there, but it makes Max let out a breath that he didn't know he was holding.
He climbs back into bed, to his surprise, Joe scoots closer to him and wraps his arms around his waist, lying his head onto his chest.

Max smells Joe's curls, they smell good. He buries his hands in the curls, feeling how silky they are.

„Football was on. Do you want to rewatch with me?" Max asks softly, reaching for the TV remote and making sure not to disturb Joe too much.

He isn't sure if Joe likes football. But who doesn't like fucking football? Especially when it's the European Championship.

He feels a slight nod against his chest, so he starts playing the replay of the Germany-Switzerland match that happened earlier that evening.

Tracing his fingers along Joe's bare back, he has so many moles and freckles. They basically melt into each other, they don't say a word but it's not awkward at all.
The Younger's body is pretty cold, Max's hands are warm against his soft back.

After a while, Max notices that Joe must've fallen asleep, braced against him.

When Joe wakes up in the morning, he feels like he's had his first good sleep in months. The morning sun is shining into the hotel room, casting light blue shadows over the room.

Max is sleeping beside him, his hair tousled and his pale chest barely covered by the white sheets. Joe wants to turn around again, spoon Max from behind simply because he looks so soft and cuddly.

But then his phone rings. And it's fucking Cécile.
„Hey?" he picks it up, his voice tired and still drowsy. He tries to be quiet, to not wake Max.

„Where are you? We're having breakfast at Fernando's. You're super late! And you're not in your hotel room? So where the fuck are you?"

Joe's eyes widen and he stutters. „Uhm. I uh, I slept with a Red Bull mechanic I'm sorry." he quickly lies, already hitting his own head at how dumb this excuse is.

„Oh god. Well, hurry up then. Me and Lando already at Fernando's." Joe can see the face she's making while saying that. „Yup, I will. See you." he quickly hangs up.

Max is awake now. Joe groans and gives him a quick kiss. „Sorry that I have to leave so early. See you in Spielberg, okay?"

He says while hurriedly searching for his shirt in their mess of last night. „Don't worry," Max murmurs, a tired smile on his face. „Call me this week, okay?" the Older asks, his voice is so soft and god, Joe wishes he could destroy that throat now.

„Yes, I will." he presses one last kiss to his pink lips before leaving the hotel room.

————

He's at Fernando's now, sitting down on the chair next to Lando. It's only them, so he didn't care about his messy appearance.

They all know how messy he can get, especially after „a one night stand". Cissy and Lando must've told Fernando about it, because he gives him an approving look while sipping on his black coffee.

„What? You're coming here and sit down without wanting to spill anything?" Cissy says, pronouncing it as if Joe was kidding.

„Well, uhm. I don't kiss and tell." Joe smirks.

Yeah, he doesn't kiss and tell. That's not a lie for once.

„Oh come on, who was it?" Cissy drags, pouting as if she was a toddler who was about to cry.

„Cissy. I do not kiss and tell."

„So you're a gentleman all of a sudden, chico?" Fernando laughs.

„I have to agree, that's really something new." Lando gives him a look, raising his eyebrows a Joe.
And now everyone is looking at him while he's sipping on his mango juice.

„Like I said. I do not kiss and tell. I mean, fuck and tell."

Chapter Text

June 24 2024
Spielberg, Austria

Fiona knew exactly why she was flying over to Austria with Charles and Fred.
The future was still uncertain, but Fred's intentions were clear.

She knows what he wants to aim for.

Who he wants to aim for.

That's why she was sitting next to Charles on the jet, Fred up ahead, the air thick with tension.
It was that strange feeling, the feeling when you know something was coming, something inevitable, but even though you're so certain about it, you still don't want it to happen.

The criticizing look on their team principal isn't helping the matters.
Well, it wasn't exactly criticism, but it wasn't amused either.

There's a hint of a smirk on Fred's face and, obviously, it's just Fred. He isn't scary like other team principals. But it still made Fiona feel like he knew something she didn't.

He knows what his drivers need. But this expression, it's different.
It's not the look he gives them after the Monagasque and the polish girl had raced each other even though they were explicitly told not to.

And it wasn't the look he gives them after they leaked some nonsense gossip to the press and neither it is the look when Charles says something about his usual geography blunders again and Fiona has to sigh and bite her tounge before answering.

The silence is also different. It's only the three of them.
Although Charles doesn't quite know what's going on at the moment.

He keeps looking back and forth between Fiona, who is putting her ginger curls behind her shoulders, and Fred, who remained silent, waiting.

„I'll assume you two know what we need to discuss?" Fred says, and his accent is so french that Fiona has to smirk.
„Maybe you should start though," the ginger suggests after a few seconds of Charles seeming confused.

„So," he starts then, putting his hands on the table and leaning forward. „Fiona, what's your plan for the next season?"

Charles immediately perks up, his head cocks up to look at his teammate next to him. Her lips press together, she seems like she doesn't want to say it.

The Monagasque knows now, he doesn't need to hear it.
„I've been thinking about it and uh, maybe it's time for a change in my career after 3 seasons."

Yea, Charles is sure know that he certainly did not want to hear. His stomach dropped and it felt like he had just been punched in the gut.
„That's totally fine," Fred says, Charles barely even registers the rest of what Fred is saying afterwards.

They must be discussing duties for the rest of the season, strategies, if that even exists at Ferrari. But Charles doesn't quite want to listen, his thoughts are miles away.

He's had 3 teammates in Formula 1 so far, and it has always been difficult for him to let them go. He knows that it's part of the sport, teammates come and go and they can leave behind glory or chaos.

For charles, it has always been glory.

It was especially hard to let Seb go. Seb showed him how to be a formula 1 driver in the first place, Charles was so young and he would be lying if he said Seb didn't influence him at all.

And Fiona, they've been teammates since 2022. She isn't much younger than him but he still felt like a sort of older brother. It has always felt like a sibling kind of bond.

Now imagine having to let a sibling figure leave the team.

The thoughts of letting her go seemed harder than he thought they would be.

Charles was so lost in his own dramatic thoughts that he didn't notice he now was alone with his teammate.
„Tell me," the Monagasque murmurs, tilting his head.

„Tell you what, Charlie?" Fiona replied, her voice light.

„Where you're going."

Fiona looks at him, raising her eyebrows in a disappointed-mom kinda way instead of a teammate way.
„I mean," Charles continues, a sigh escaping his lips. „If you're leaving the team, you must already have a place to go. A seat, right?"

„Charles I can never tell you secrets because you always gossip with Pierre and Pierre fucking tells everyone he's ever known."

The Monagasque's jaw drops. „Not true. Also, please I swear I won't tell anyone this time. I swear," he then begs and he's aware how stupid he must sound doing this.

„Okay fine but you're a dead man if you tell anybody's soul."
She punctures the word anyone. Charles almost gets a shiver down his spine.

He looks at her with these big eyes he does to convince people he's sweet and innocent.
As if he doesn't complain and have a tendency to fight with everyone at the team all the time.

„The team's color is my favorite color," Fiona and her stupid hints. Charles has enough of them sometimes. He turns his brain off when it isn't a race weekend, currently it's monday.

So Charles' thoughts are absolutely definitely completely elsewhere. Probably in another dimension.

„But your favorite color is red." to be honest, the Monagasque is even more confused than before.

Fiona's lips twitch. „Charles. I have two favorites. You should know this by now."

Two favorites. Charles can practically feel his brain cells working. Then the realization dawns on him.

Green. It's green.

June 25 2024
Spielberg, Austria

Media duties on a non-media day is not appealing to the papaya boys. But they can't choose, they know that by now.

McLaren is going to have a new sponsor after summer break and the two boys will watch a god awfully boring tennis match today.

They don't hate tennis. But like, compared to formula 1, this shit is boring as fuck.
But they still have to sit here and watch two men swinging a green ball back and forth for 3 hours on end.

No matter how awful this is, it's still better than to rot in bed.
Because both, Joe and Lando, absolutely feel like rotting in bed right now. They both know it would be wrong.

It's good that they're outside together, even if it's a sponsored tennis match.
The Italian fixes his light blue jeans, he didn't think it would be this hot in early summer here in austria.

„Mate, when did this start?"

„About ten minutes ago," Joe groans, already not being able to sit still in his seat and constantly scooting down to lay there like a high schooler.

He basically still is one, that's the issue.

The Brit takes a deep breath and pulls his phone out.
Then he has to giggle and Joe automatically snaps his head up to look at Lando's phone.

It's a picture of him and Max on the most recent media day in spain, caption written „we love this freshly formed Bromance!" by the official f1 account.

Joe's face says it all and it makes Lando giggle once again. „Not a bromance, no?"

„Just because we talked without shouting at each other for one fucking time."

In fact, Joe's stomach twists while he says that. Maybe he should tell Lando, and Cissy, about it.
No, he already discussed this in his head.

He isn't bi and he isn't gay either. He's straight and he's fucking Max for fun. No hard feelings and no reason to tell his friends.

„I mean, to say the least, you two have been less toxic to each other since a few weeks."

„Whatever, he's still an asshole."

„Of course he is." Lando sighs, it reminds Joe of Cissy a lot. That sassy fucking sigh.

„Bromance is also such a unprofessional word. And not fitting at all."

„Right," Lando snickers, adjusting his sunglasses. „It's more like a hateful, utterly brutal war crime relationship." he continues.

Joe smirks and shakes his head. No really, bromance is an unprofessional word.
It sounds boring as fuck, lazy as fuck and nowadays the media decides to call any two dudes interacting a bromance.

Only if they knew, Joe has to hold back a smirk.

„People online are saying you're leaving McLaren," Lando says it with a hint of anxiety. He always does when they speak about contracts.
Especially when it's about Joe's contract.

„They always say that."

That's true at some point. But this year the 'Leaving McLaren' thing is something different and Lando isn't stupid.
But also, Joe hasn't genuinely put his thoughts around his contract yet.

He could basically go anywhere only if he wanted to.

Right now, he's got McLaren and Mercedes.
He hasn't told his friends that Toto talked to him about wanting to sign him, not even Cissy. And he's pretty sure he's not the only one of his friends that Toto wants to sign.

Lando looks like he's trying to put his opinion together, as if he wanted to say something but he keeps his mouth shut and looks back at the tennis match in front of them.

That's the reality they live in, these two will see a harsh topic and decide to ignore it until it's impossible to.

Perhaps that's a Joe and Lando thing. They've always been like that but it has been working. That's why they're not stopping with this technique.
Like back then when the Brit got with Cissy, that was fucking harsh.

It wasn't like Joe was jealous or anything, it was simply weird talking about it together. Cissy never had a genuine boyfriend before Lando.
To be fully honest, maybe Joe was jealous.

But not in a romantic way. He was jealous because that's how teenagers react every time. Your best friend's partner is someone you're jealous of because they could start spending more time together.

And you're going to be the second choice.

Cissy also reacted this way whenever Joe had a girlfriend. It's a justified reaction.

Thankfully, they never put each other behind their partners. Love is important, that's no doubt.
But they were there for each other before anyone else was.

In the end, it's always them together.

So, in conclusion. Joe will not tell Lando about the Mercedes thing.
He doesn't even want to go to Mercedes.

He'd be lying if he said he never thought about leaving McLaren. But his option had never been Mercedes.

„If you could, would you leave?" Lando asks out of thin air.
Before Joe can open his mouth, they both get tapped on the shoulder.

„Hey could you two at least try to look like you're enjoying this and stop talking nonstop," Andrea Stells sighs. Of course it would be him complaining, like he always does at every little thing the two of them do wrong.

Joe can quite literally see the eye roll behind Lando's sunglasses because he's doing the funny smirk he always does when he's amused.

So, the Italian drags his eyes towards the match. The worst thing is that they won't be able to leave as soon as this is over. They still have to talk to people.

Ew.

Zak said they should be polite and 'act as if they're straight from the british royal palace' to look good in front of the sponsors.
They probably wouldn't support McLaren if they knew about all the terrorizing acts the both of them perform in the garage since 2019.

As the American said, maybe they should in fact act like they're british princes.

Lando still has his phone out, staring at the rumours of Joe leaving. He isn't quite sure why his heart feels like shattering.
They're only rumours. And Joe is right, they say that every other year.

But he knows Joe won't stay forever.

He then pushes the off-button on his phone and puts it back into the backpocket of his jeans.

Joe doesn't know if Lando was genuinely sleeping or if he was simply lost in thought but he had to kick his leg when the game was over with the words „Lan the game is over."

And it did take Lando a few seconds to respond with a groan.
Because now they had to speak to sponsors.

„Maybe we should behave for once. But, like, you can act like a gentleman but I can't. It's impossible." Lando sighs while they're walking.
„Yeah, I know," Joe smirks, the Brit rolls his eyes. „No really, you have that italian charm. I'm just a chav."

„Mate, you're not a chav," Joe grins.

„I lowkey am though," Lando says and he almost sounds like he's sorry for it.
„You think that's a bad thing?"
„Not necessarily, no."

„See then," the Italian shrugs.

After about 3 hours of pure horror and shaking hands with people they will never speak to again, they can leave eventually.
Sponsor meetings are the most boring thing on the planet, especially because you have to be polite at all times.

And you can't talk about things that interest you, you have to listen and then force a laugh.

„Are we gonna play some paddle tonight or something?" Lando asks, looking out of the window while Joe is driving them back to the hotel.
„I should have time, yea."

When they played paddle for the first time, they didn't know it was going to be their sport. They simply thought it's a cooler version of badminton.
And the rest is history.

Originally, Joe and Lando used to play football together in their free time. Because it was a thing both of them enjoyed, so in conclusion they thought it would be nice to share that interest.

The Italian knew some tricks back in 2019 when they were in their rookie season, their first year as teammates. He used to play football when he was younger.

There was a time where he wanted to become a footballer in the future, but one thing led to another and he wanted to race instead.

In any way, he wanted to show Lando these tricks or let's say his teammate insisted on seeing them.

August 10 2019
Bristol, England

„Hey," Joe gives Lando a handshake at the airport, since it's summer break they decided it was time to visit each other. So, the Italian will spend a week in England and then they will visit Italy.

„Bro don't mind my fam by the way," the Brit says while getting into his car with Joe. „No way, I'm excited to meet them."

————

Summer break is great, they can just be boys instead of formula 1 drivers. And they can play video games all day long and Lando shows Joe around the city.
Obviously, England isn't the prettiest place but Bristol is surprisingly clean and colorful.

Different from other British cities Joe's been to.

And Lando's family isn't a lot different to Joe's if he's honest. Lots of siblings and their parents are basically the same people.

The Italian truly feels like he's Lando's new brother. And they also went out with Max Fewtrell, Joe never really spoke to him in karting but they were always nice to each other.

Which is obscure, Joe used to be mean to everyone but his friends.

In any way, Max is a nice guy. Other than the Max they're racing against.

Currently they're in Lando's living room, playing Fifa together.
„Why don't you boys go out? It's warm outside," Lando's mom scolds them somehow. She's right, but at the moment Fifa seems more appealing to them.

„Maybe later," Lando answers for the three of them.

His mom sighs, they aren't sure if it's disappointment or an 'okay', and then leaves again.

„Joe what's your opinion on the fact that Max has already won 2 races this season?"
Max just wants to tease him, it's a rhetorical question.
And Joe makes the face he always makes when talking about the Dutchman.

„So fucking annoying. He keeps telling me any time he has the chance to."

Max and Lando do giggle at it. „What's your problem with him anyway?"

Joe is quiet for a second, then he whines. „He bullied me when we were kids. He's arrogant and can't keep his mouth shut."

„Sounds more like a description of you," Lando giggles. „I mean, Cissy likes him."

„Cissy likes a lot of people," Joe groans, getting more comfortable on the couch since his back had been hurting like hell since Hungary last week.

„I think he's a good guy," Max shrugs. „But you do you."

The worst thing is, Joe genuinely doesn't know why he hates Max so fucking much. It's just how he is.
People hate Justin Bieber for no reason so Joe can hate Max Verstappen for no reason.

It works damn well to hate the dark blonde dutchie.

„Let's talk more about Cissy though," Max snickers an eye at Lando, his face turning tomato red.
Not obvious at all.

„Uhh, yea, Joe what does Cissy like?"

The Italian's eyes narrow. „Probably you, idk."

Max starts holding back a laugh, his lips curling.

„No," Joe stops, looking less amused now. „She likes watching rugby, she loves all these portugese things, you know. She enjoys ice skating and listening to these old french songs that usually play in bars in south France. Silver jewelry is her favorite but she'll also wear gold if she has to."

Lando's cheeks are still tinted, but he's giggling now. „I'll keep it in mind."

„You want to ask her out?"

„Isn't that obvious," Max laughs, pushing Lando on the shoulder.
Joe does smirk at it, of course it was obvious. But he needed to make sure.

Cissy likes him back but honestly, Joe doesn't want to put his fingers in this. It's not his buisness and his two friends should work it out themselves.

Otherwise they wouldn't me made for each other.

Joe never needed help from his friends to ask his current girlfriend out. He isn't sure Lando is smart enough to do the same though.

June 25 2024
Spielberg, Austria

„Thanks for driving me, mate," Lando says, getting out of Joe's black McLaren and walking into the hotel with him. „Absolutely no problem."

„I'm gonna tell Cissy about the paddle thing, maybe she knows a 4th person we can take with us."

„Please not Max," Joe starts. „Anyone but Max," he corrects.
His acting skills are hopefully on top.

„Alright, I can't promise anything though," Lando chuckles, fiddling the keys into the door of his hotel room.

————

No like, Joe can explain why he's in Max's hotel room by 7pm.
The Dutchman had texted him if he was up to fuck, it's as simple as that.

And yup, the Italian completely forgot about the paddle thing.

„It's nice that you're here," Max pulls him into the room after opening the door, immediately starting to feast on his neck with kisses.

Joe wraps his arms around the Older's waist, pulling him flush against his torso. „How could I have said no?"

„Don't try to be a gentleman now, you're a fucking bastard," Max groans into his skin and then he yelps as Joe picks him up into his arms.
Really, the Italian doesn't look like there's any muscles on his body so why the fuck is he managing to pick Max up this easily.

He's really surprised, that's all. But for some reason this also turns him on.

Biting his lip when he lands on the bed with a huff, Joe on top of him and kissing his face anywhere but on his lips.

„Kiss me," is the only thing Max manages to squeak out while shoving his hands beneath Joe's white t-shirt to touch his bare torso.
Thankfully, the Younger doesn't complain and does as he's told, pushing their mouths together in a soft kiss.

Max loves when Joe kisses him like this, pure softness and a tiny bit of teeth.
The Dutchman shoves his hands higher to get rid of the shirt, breaking the kiss temporarily.

But then he goes back to kissing his cheek and neck, his cold hand traveling down on Max's shirt to slip beneath it.
„You know, you could wear these regular clothes to the paddock. Would be much more appealing than the Red Bull kit." Joe murmurs, still kissing all over Max's neck.

„Shut up."

„What if I don't? You're gonna complain?"

„Mhm would you enjoy that?"

„No," Joe says bluntly, but Max knows he's lying. „Don't lie to me, you'd love my complaining."

„Yea cause you're so fucking hot when you whine," the Younger groans into his neck, biting at it. „Stop that. Media day is tomorrow."

„No shit sherlock."

Max sighs audibly, gripping Joe's hair as he bites and sucks on his neck again. „No, really. Stop it."
And with that, he flips them around.
The Italian looks flabbergasted for a brief moment but then it turns into something like arousal? At least that's how Max perceives it.

„I really hope for you that there's no mark."

„Too late," Joe giggles, biting his lip. The Dutchman groans. „You're dead."

„Obviously I'm not."

„Yea because I haven't killed you," Max takes off his shirt, his thighs trapping Joe beneath him. „Yet," he continues.

The Older was currently kissing Joe's stomach when the Italian's phone, placed on the nightstand next to the bed, rings.
Max cocks his head up to look at the display.
„It's Cissy."

Joe slaps his hands against his face. „Fuck, I forgot about the paddle thing. We wanted to play paddle."

The Dutchman groans. „Are you going to leave?"

„Do I look like I rather want to play paddle or do really bad things to you?"

Max grins. „The second thing sounds more like you."
Joe nods, his lips curled up in a little smirk. „Decline it," he orders and Max is quick to do so.

He kisses Joe, noses brushing and a tiny bit of tounge. And his world immediately blurs.
He's wearing shorts and the Younger starts groping and squeezing at his bare thighs until he's writhing.

Joe tugs on the waistband of his shorts, Max lifts his hips to allow him to pull them down.

He wasn't wearing any boxers and the Italian sucks in a breath when he feels the Dutchman's bare hips against his hands. „You weren't wearing any boxers the whole time?"

The smirk against his lips, he knows it too well. „Thought you'd like it," Max leans back, his full body on display.

„I do," Joe licks his lips, then a groan escapes him as Max starts rubbing his crotch through the jeans he's wearing. „Want me to take them off for you?"

„Mhm," the Younger whines, his hips moving against him.
„Say please."

It enlights a whimper out of Joe and Max is so proud of this, he gives the bulge in Joe's pants another squeeze.
„Please take them off, Maxie."

„There we go. Good boy," the Older praises and presses a quick kiss to his stomach. Pushing the button of the jeans open and pulling the zipper down, then hooking his fingers into the waistband and tugging them down Joe's deliciously thin legs.

He looks so handsome, his boxers being the only thing covering him now and Max might want to eat him whole.
Yea, he is not normal about any of this.

„Can we try something new tonight, Schat?"

Joe squirms and he doesn't know if it's because of the dutch pet name or because of the fact that Max is currently squeezing his crotch.
„Babe, you're still asking that?"

The Dutchman bites his lip in a mischievous way, then also tugs his boxers down.
„So you're letting me do anything to you while you're ignoring your poor friends?"

Joe's face and chest flushes. „Clearly."

„Fucking hot," Max groans, placing wet kisses all over Joe's face. „Please," the Italian starts being impatient, squirming his crotch against Max's thick thighs and whimpering into the room.

„Please what?" Max gasps, he's trying to come across as dominant but as soon as Joe touches his chest again it's over.
The Younger squeezes his chest, playing with the sensitive pink peaks.
„You still have pretty tits, even when you're being dominant," Joe murmurs, sitting up to kiss Max's breasts.

„You don't think?"

„At the moment I don't think, no," Max groans, pushing Joe against the soft mattress of the king sized bed again.
His mind is clouded with Joe's cock if he was going to be honest, his hole is clenching around nothing and he's desperate to get these stupid black boxers off of Joe.

„Mhm but I think you are thinking about something specific."

„I liked you better when you didn't talk back, just a few moments ago."

It makes Joe go quiet but fuck, his hands are still splayed beautifully over Max's chest. His thoughts are blurring away and he's practically ripping these boxers off of the Younger.

Joe's cock is hard, straight, beautiful and Max is hungry to get this thing inside him and bounce on it until he can't walk for the rest of the race weekend.

He grabs the lube without another word, he's going to prepare himself just because he wants to see the Italian's reaction.
So, he squeezes the lube onto his own fingers and reaches behind himself. Groaning when he breaches his hole with two fingers.

Joe's jaw slackens while he watches, his eyes big with something that Max identifies as need.

„Can't wait to get your cock back inside me, hm?" he teases and a really desperate, pathetic whimpers escapes the Younger's pretty pink lips.
„You won't have to wait for too long, baby."

It takes a few moments until Max is adjusting to his fingers inside him, but he's quick to moan and writhe on top of Joe, feeling his cock rubbing against his rim.

As soon as he feels stretched out enough, he pulls his fingers out and reaches back for the lube. With his plump lips turning into a smirk, he squeezes some cold lube onto Joe's tip.
Wrapping his hand around it and lubing the long cock up at a teasingly slow pace.

It's incredibly cold and it makes Joe whine more than it actually should. „Hurry."

No really, if Max wasn't going to speed the fuck up and bounce on his lap and time soon, Joe would just leave and jerk off alone in his hotel room.

It would be much more easier than this aswell.

The Older sighs and then let's go of his cock, positioning himself on top of Joe's lap and reaching behind him to grasp his cock.
He lines it up with his hole and slides down on it with a strangled whimper.

He gasps, his jaw dropping. Joe groans at the sight.
Max's nose looks beautiful, his tits are flushed in a soft pink that reach until his cheeks, the thick thighs are spread, keeping Joe in place.
Besides all that, the Dutchman's mouth is open, showing off his plump lips, with the little mole on the top one.

„You're so big," Max tries to say, but he's rather squealing instead.
„No you're so tight," Joe responds, Max's hole is gripping him like a vice. And this cock is filling the Dutchman up so good that he has to hold back tears and too many dutch swear words.

He can almost feel him inside his stomach when he clamps down on it.
It's stretching and stretching until Max feels like he's ready to move. So his hips undulate and he starts to slowly move around Joe's cock.

His hands grip the Younger's waist, moving up to his chest and then to his throat. He's not squeezing it, nor choking him. He's simply touching it because it's so handsome.

In the meanwhile, Joe has been squeezing Max's waist and thighs, supporting his weight while he starts to properly ride his cock.

The Dutchman starts moaning as he picks up the pace, his insides gripping Joe tightly. His mouth is open and he starts tugging at his own nipple, in no time Joe's hand covers his and plays with his tit.

Now he's squeezing the Italian's throat with one hand, looking at him closely to see the reaction.

Thankfully, Joe is whining at the stimulation, his lips quivering and opening in a few more whimpers.
„You sound so hot, fuck. Look at you, you enjoy being choked?"

„You already know the answer baby," the Younger whimpers, now watching the way Max's hips slam down on his crotch, creating a sound of skin slapping against skin.

„So fucking pretty, such pretty tits. They're so big, hm?" Joe starts murmuring, squeezing Max's tit and his nipple until it's swollen and red.
It makes the Dutchman pick up more pace, in no time he's a whimpering mess.

And he's so incredibly loud, he's currently praying that Helmut Marko or Christian Horner can't hear them.

„Y-yeah, and they're all for you, Schatje, all for you."

„All for me?" Joe repeats with a groan, watching as Max's eyes roll while he's bouncing on his dick, now biting his lip to stifle the loud noises that escape his lips over and over.

„Yea, they're all for me, aren't they? God made you so pretty just for me, didn't he?"

Max whimpers, bouncing furiously on Joe's cock while his jaw is opened and slacking.
He reaches for the gold cross necklace between Joe's nipples, touching it with his warm fingers.

Joe might be going to hell but he's taking Max with him, that's for sure.

He loves when Joe calls him pretty, that might be a filthy thing to say but it would be a lie if he said he didn't enjoy it.

The Italian loves admiring his thighs, his tits, the turquoise eyes and the soft, blonde strands that fall over his forehead while he's riding his cock.

Then Max let's out something that sounds like a choked sob. „I'm so close, so close. Please keep talking, baby."

„Hm, telling you that you're all pretty? Or should I tell you that you're a slut?"

„Anything, please. Just need to hear you while I cum," Max whines.

„Oh, Maxie," Joe grins, biting his lip and still squeezing Max's tit while he's bouncing and sobbing around his cock. „I bet you'll look so pretty when you cum for me, like a good, dirty slut for me. Isn't that right? You're gonna look so filthy with these tits, bouncing on my cock and cumming while whining like a bitch."

That's all it takes for Max to cry out, his cum spurting down on Joe's v-line while he's riding him, his hole fluttering and clenching.

The Italian whimpers at the tightness around him, a few swear words later he's cumming inside him.

Groaning at the warmth, the Older slowly slides off of the dick inside him.
He collapses onto the dark sheets, right next to Joe.

He supposes he should clean up the mess he made on the Younger's stomach. So he leans in. „Can I help you clean up, Schatje?"

„Hm, it's your mess." Joe grins, letting Max lick up his own cum from his stomach.
It's the fact that Max swallows every single time without making any grimace. It makes Joe's breath hitch.

The Dutchman gets himself some boxers, and he puts his shorts back on because Joe is doing the same with his clothes.

He hesitates but he can feel Max's gaze on his back. So he decides to climb back into bed with Max.
This is more important than a game of paddle.

Joe might be an asshole but he isn't careless. If he's going to have an affair he should at least care for it aswell.

The Older starts playing with his silky curls again, Joe wraps his arm around Max's hips and lies his head on his tummy.

They don't say a word, but this is more than enough for Max.

After good twenty minutes, the Italian breaks the silence. „I hope what I said wasn't too much."

The Dutchman's eyebrows narrow. Does Joe really think that way. „I wouldn't have asked for it if I didn't want it. That was fucking hot."

The Younger giggles. „Alright then. I was just kind of worried," he's speaking slower than usual, it's somewhat uncertain and Max doesn't know how to handle this.

„No, really. I enjoyed that, I hope you enjoyed it too."

„I always enjoy it," Joe starts, sitting up to press a soft kiss to Max's lips. „What kind of question is that?" he finishes, talking into the kiss.

Max makes a contented noise but a rather annoyed one when Joe pulls back.

„Maybe I should leave though. Before Cissy and Lando come back and ask where I am or something. It would be the worst if they caught us here."

He sighs and nods. „You're right..."

„It was fun though, hopefully not the last time this week." Joe winks and Max rolls his eyes, making sure the Italian sees it aswell.

„Maybe after the race on Sunday? Otherwise I can always head in for a quickie."

The Younger laughs again, picking up his phone from the nightstand. „I'll keep it in mind, see you."

As soon as Joe is gone, Max falls back onto his dark blue sheets.
He wipes his face with his hand, staring at the ceiling in a very dramatic way.

I don't have feelings for him.
I don't have feelings for him.

Is what he keeps repeating in his head. This is so stupid. Everything about this is so fucking stupid.

Joe is straight, at least he says he is. And first of all, he's Max's biggest rival since like, 2009.
And he's an asshole, he's arrogant.

But he doesn't seem like that anymore when they're together.

Overall, Joe would never have genuine feelings for Max though. So he should simply forget about it.

He could cry when he thinks about how cute Joe is, how he kisses him and how he tells him how pretty he is.

Is that what people talk like in a casual affair?

Max isn't sure and he really has no one to talk to about this.
Daniel would tell him he's in love with Joe.
Logan would tell him to figure it out.

That wouldn't help him at all.

And these two are quite literally the only people he's told about this.

He only realizes it's too late when he starts thinking about Joe's eyes, his freckles. The way his eyes squint when he smiles and how his dark brown curls look in the sun. All while blushing from head to toe

Yup, he's fucked. And he knows.

But that doesn't mean he can't deny it. Because he's going to deny it until he dies, probably. He's taking this with him to the grave.

Because Joe could never be his boyfriend.

————

While sneaking out of the hotel, Joe feels ridiculous once again. It's always his bad luck, because Cissy and Lando are currently walking towards him.

„Joe," the French girl protests, she doesn't exactly sound angry but it also sounds different when she's happy to see him.

„Cecilou," Joe laughs it away, at least he tries, but his smile is awkward and quickly drops when Cissy doesn't find it funny at all.

„Why are you here? And why didn't you come to play paddle with us? It would've been okay if you didn't want to, but you at least could've told us," she rants, Lando stands still next to her and he seems to be sharing the same reaction as Joe.

„Uhm," the Italian starts but Cissy quickly stops him. „Don't even tell me, you were probably sleeping with that Red Bull girl again. I don't want to know about that. Just tell us next time when you decide to ignore our plans."

Joe sighs as soon as she walks away. „Tell her I'm sorry about it."

Lando smiles a little. „I don't think it's that deep. But maybe you should talk to her tomorrow before she completely loses her mind."

June 27 2024
Spielberg, Austria
Media day

When Max wakes up and drags himself into the bathroom to wash his face, he notices the hickey on his neck.

He absolutely wants to hit his head against the wall a few times, but he supposes that would only make it worse.

Now he has to think. Think about a way how to hide this thing from the media. He doesn't own a turtleneck, besides that it would be way too obvious to wear one in the middle of summer.
And obviously, he doesn't own makeup either.

How was he going to hide this?

Maybe he needs to tell Cissy, he won't have to tell her it's from Joe, right?

————

„So, who's the lucky person?" Cissy asks while putting makeup over the hickey on her teammate's neck and trying her best to hide it away.

Max locks his eyes onto her for a brief second but he doesn't say anything. „Okay, don't tell me then."

His heart drops low, at least it feels like it, when Cissy stops and narrows her eyebrows.
She looks like she's putting things together, but she wasn't going to say it.

It's the face she makes when she suspects something, but she will keep it from Max until she knows for sure.

„Is there something wrong?" the Dutchman asks and Cissy shakes her head. „I was just thinking about something," she murmurs while putting some more makeup on Max's neck. It's absolutely not his shade, but the french girl couldn't care less.

She's tanned and Max is, well, very light. The dutch kind of light, with a few moles and freckles crossing his arms.

But a slightly darker spot is still better than a hickey.

————

„We've heard that you're back in a relationship with your ex-girlfriend. Because she was at the same tennis match as you yesterday. Can you deny or confirm anything about it?"

Well, Joe knew nothing about the fact she was there. But he won't say that.
„I can deny it," He smiles. „I'm not back with her, she might've been there but I was there with Lando because of the sponsorships."

„Okay, thank you, Joe."

He bares his lips and nods, finally getting released from this stupid interview.
While walking in the paddock, he feels like Fred's eyes are on him constantly.
The Ferrari team principal is walking a few meters next to him, his gaze is practically buring into Joe's face.

He walks into the Red Bull garage. The good thing about this is that no one will question it, everyone knows him and Cissy are best friends.

Even if he's not visiting Cissy. But they don't have to know about that.

Max is pulling him into his driver's room by his shirt, pressing their lips together and squeezing Joe's shoulders. „Heard your ex girlfriend was at that tennis match."

There's a hint of jealousy in his voice and the Italian has to grin. The Dutchman is currently kissing his neck.
„Yea, we didn't talk though. You aren't jealous, are you?"

Max pulls back, studies his face for a moment and then bites his lip. „I might be."

Joe looks rather mesmerized than invested in what Max is saying. He's looking at the curve of his nose, his eyebrows, the slight hint of freckles covering his nose bridge. And he realizes he should stop staring.

He isn't pretty. No. Joe should stop thinking like that.

There's no way he's indulged in the way Max Verstappen is looking at him and there's absolutely no way he thinks it's pretty.
He's straight. He really is.

Max's face drops, but it's still soft. The whole room is quiet.
„You're kind of an asshole for not saying anything."

„When am I not an asshole?" Joe forces a laugh, the Dutchman's face drops even more.
The Younger thinks about what must be on his mind, but he's still not saying anything.

„You're especially an asshole when you don't tell me what's up. Why are your eyebags darker than your pitch black car?"

Joe rests his hand on Max's shoulder, the Dutchman's hand immediately coming up to rub Joe's soft back, caress the nape of his neck and play with the dark curls on his head.

The Younger can smell Max's perfume and he wants to drown himself in it, never pull away from the Dutchman's broad shoulder.

„I'm just an insomniac. Nothing dramatic." He murmurs, wrapping his arms around the Red Bull driver's waist. Everything is blurring away when Max starts kissing his jaw and neck again.

All the tiny moles on Joe's neck, the freckles.

Max wants to die on the spot when the Italian grabs his chin with his thumb and index finger, tilting Max's head to kiss him.
It's all soft, nice and slow. Max still wants to die.

Any time when Joe kisses him as if he was a prince in line to become king, Max wants to die.

It's perfect when the Dutchman buries his hand in the back of Joe's head again, tugging at the dark brown strands.

Then he starts kissing the corners of his mouth, placing open-mouthed kisses all over Joe's face.
„I think Cissy suspects something."

„Why?" The Italian squeezes his waist, then brings his hands down to Max's ass to make his breath hitch.

„She was looking at me weird while she was covering the hickey."

„She doesn't have any proofs though. We shouldn't worry about what she suspects," Joe murmurs, giving Max's ass a quick squeeze through the blue jeans he's wearing. „Although I know she always finds things out if she tries hard enough."

„Exactly," Max bites his lip, pulling away from Joe's face to relish in the way he's groping and squeezing him.

„I don't think we should worry until we get caught."

„Dirty," Max giggles. „But yes."

June 29 2024
Spielberg, Austria
Sprint and Qualifying

P2 in the sprint. Not bad.

With Max in front of him and Lando behind him Joe is quite content.
Although the Brit might be mad about the fact that Joe went past him on the last lap of the sprint, taking P2 from him.

And back in Qualifying the Italian managed to set the third fastest time. So the press conference was, once again, him together with Max and Lan.

They're all aware that Max is going to be a beast tomorrow. It's the Red Bull ring and he was going to deliver. With Cissy starting from P4, a Red Bull 1-2 wouldn't be unrealistic tomorrow.

That doesn't mean Lan and Joe won't fight though. They're Max's closest competitors in the World Championship so they'll have to try and see how many points they can pick up tomorrow.

„Hey," Max wraps his arm around Joe's shoulder while they're walking, although he does have to lean upwards a lot, almost walking on tippy toes.
„Barely had time to talk today."

The Italian nods at him, Lando is still walking beside them but he seems very much more interested in talking with Zak.
Probably about strategies tomorrow, which Joe does not give a fuck about.

„Want me in your driver's room?"

„Would be hot."

So, that's why Joe is picking Max up into arms as soon as they enter his driver's room.
The Dutchman is grinning ear to ear as the Italian is putting him down onto the small black couch.

„You think you can win without any competition tomorrow, hm?" The McLaren driver groans into his ear, kissing his neck. Max tilts his head for better access, closing his eyes. „Mhm I probably will."

„You won't, baby. Maybe in your dreams."

A moan enlights him as Joe bites down on his neck once again. Their fireproofs brush against each other.

„As if Lando or you were competition."

„Oh wow, getting arrogant now?" he kisses his jaw, peppering kisses all over Max.

When the door opens, Joe pulls away as quickly as possible, although he's still sitting between the Red Bull driver's legs.
And thank god, it's just GP.

He gives them a look, raised eyebrows but a slight smirk on his face nonetheless.
„Zak wants to speak to you, Joe."

The Italian looks at Max before standing up with a sigh, rolling his eyes. „You didn't tell him I'm here with Max, did you?"

„Of course I didn't, told him you're with Cissy," GP says it as if it was the most normal thing and Max is really fucking happy that he told him now.

When Joe is gone, GP still stands in the doorway. „Are you two boyfriends yet?"

„GP! No, we're not!" The Dutchman protests, throwing his hands onto his reddened face.
„But you like him?"

Max audibly groans, loud enough for everyone to hear.

„Maybe a little. Just a tiny little bit though."

————

Joe flops down onto the seat in front of Zak.
Looking at him expectantly, almost like he's trying to figure something out.
It's probably about the strategy tomorrow, as always.

And as always, Joe has to ignore his personal needs to talk with Zak. About things he doesn't even properly care about at the moment.

It's worse when Andrea Stella comes in aswell.

He honestly feels like he's in the hunger games, but he only lets out a breath and waits for them to start talking instead of looking at him dramatically.

„You don't want to stay with McLaren, do you?"

Joe's heart does sink, and he blinks a few times before his face turns into something between despair and a smile.
„I do, uhm, at the moment I really do."

„You do?" Andrea raises his eyebrows, Joe's leg starts bouncing a tiny bit, he puts his hand on it to stop it.
He can't tell why his heart is racing, he can feel it in his chest and in his ears. His head starts hurting from it.

„Yes. I want to stay with McLaren."

Zak shoves a paper and a pen into Joe's direction. „Can you sign it then. Just a simple 4-year contract. The same as always."

He sits up, taking the contract and the pen. Swallowing down a heavy piece of anxiety and setting the pen onto the empty line.

But then he stops.

„Can I...do that another day? I have something very important to do."

The two team principals stare at him blankly, then they give each other a look that Joe can't figure out the meaning of.
Then they nod at the driver.

„Of course."

He forces a smile before he leaves the office through the big white door.
„Just signed the contract, huh?" Lando claps on his shoulder as he spots him walking out.

Joe forces his lips to curl, nodding, despite it not being true.

June 30 2024
Spielberg, Austria
Race day

It's lap 64 of 71 and Joe wishes he would've brought a popcorn bucket into his car.
A few laps earlier Lando had gone off track in front of him, he had to give Max the position of the lead back.

But now, in turn 3, the two of them make contact and the Italian has to concentrate to not get distracted by this. Both of them have a puncture and he can only imagine how badly Max must be swearing at the moment.

Well, good opportunity to calm him down later.

He doesn't want to know how Lando is feeling when he hears that he's retiring. Currently, Joe is in the lead. Max is on P5 since he had to pit for new tires.

Cissy is in the DRS range behind him, so he has to defend.
Which isn't as easy since the Red Bull has been a beast this weekend.

In the last corner of the last lap, the Red Bull grazes his side and he loses balance.
But he finishes P2 behind Cissy, about 1 second behind her.

Getting out of the car and looking at his McLaren.
No, this is getting him really pissed at Cissy.

The papaya color on the McLaren is grazed, peeling off from the contact him and the Red Bull girl had.
He takes his gloves off while walking towards her.

You can barely hear each other through the thick helmets, so Joe has to communicate by tapping Cissy on the shoulder while she's celebrating with the Red Bull team and holding his hands up in a shrug.

And the french girl doesn't seem affected at all.
It gets him even more pissed, so much that his head hurts.

His interview is making it worse. At least it's Jenson hosting the post race interviews though.
„You were behind Lando and Max when they had contact in turn 3, what was your first reaction?"

Joe laughs, putting a hand on his neck and pulling just slightly at the black fireproof because suddenly it seems a bit tight.
„Uhm, I don't know honestly. I had to focus on my own race so, I didn't really think about it."

„Who's at fault in your opinion?"

He knew that question would come sooner or later, so now he's fucked.
„Uh, not sure. I couldn't properly see it yet so..."

That answer was good, not too much, not blaming anyone. It's not his buisness anyway what Max and Lando do during races, the thing that's pissing him off the most at the moment is Cissy.

„Race control is looking at the incident involving you and Cécile, she might receive a 5 or 10 second penalty which would turn you into the winner of this race."

Fuck media training. This would be the best thing that happened to Joe this weekend.
So, he grins.
„I mean it would be great but I should've been the winner in the first place so. I think it's called karma?"

When walking back to where Cissy is standing to get his stuff and leave to the cool down room, he ignores the way she wants to shake his hand.

Right when the Red Bull driver comes into the cool down room, they're being told that she received a 10 second penalty, dropping her to P2.
Joe knows it would be wrong to laugh now, so he grins at George instead when he stands up from his seat, sitting onto the middle chair.

Cissy carefully puts Joe's helmet onto the middle stand, her own helmet onto the one for P2. Despite being careful with the helmets, she carelessly throws the P1 cap at Joe.

Who does she think she is? Nico Rosberg?

Joe picks up the cap nonetheless, ignoring the looks from George that seem rather confused than amused now.

The worst thing is that the Italian won't be able to escape this for another week, it's the second race of a triple header so they still have one more, Silverstone, to go.

The three of them look at the tv, showing the incidents between Max and Lando first. The Brit's puncture looked really bad.
While the Dutchman was fuming on the radio about how bad the car is and the fact that it's ridiculous he got a 10 second penalty.

Honestly, Joe finds all of this a little dramatic. Not from Max's side. But from the media and McLaren.

Things like that happen, it's called proper racing.

Apparently Lando doesn't know what that is.

When the contact between the two other McLaren and Red Bull drivers is shown, he can feel Cissy's eyes buring through the back of his head.

This is like, really the first time this happened to Cissy. She never won a race before and had it taken away from her immediately because of a stupid penalty.
The contact didn't even affect Joe's race in her opinion. She would've been P1 in any fucking way because the McLaren's tires were getting worse and worse.

The podium is dull, the italian and english anthem playing instead of the french and austrian one.

And Cissy isn't glorious about this P2. She keeps looking at the bigger trophy that got handed to Joe.

The worst thing didn't come yet, but it's happening now. Joe doesn't spray Cissy with champagne.

Yes, this shouldn't be so dramatic. But it had never happened before. The Red Bull driver can't recall a single time in their whole life of 24 years where Joe did not spray her with champagne on the podium.

His full focus is on George and his stupid McLaren guy that went to the podium with him.

And she's alone.

So she sprays the crowd instead.
It's getting too much for her to handle so she immediately leaves after the official ceremony is done.

Joe is taking his P1 trophy and the medal around his neck back to the McLaren garage with him.

The tension is thick, the Italian can practically feel it down his throat when he steps inside, putting the trophy aside.

Lando and Zak don't look like they're arguing, but they're talking loudly and Lan is doing the thing with his hands that he always does when he's pissed off.

„Congrats on your win Joe!" he can hear about 10 people saying that while he's walking towards the Brit and their team principal.

„Joe, there you are!" Zak stops his fuming to give his number 1 driver a hug, Lando mesmerizes them.
„Congrats on the win, perfect drive. Stupid moves from Red Bull today, the typical though."

„Well, Cissy didn't do it on purpose different than Max," Lando defends and it makes the Italian stop. He looks at him like he's waiting for the Brit to declare it a joke.
„Max didn't do that on purpose either."

„Well, he clearly did. He wants to sabotage us, don't you see? I thought you'd be with me on that one. I can finally see why you hate him so much now."

Joe is still pulling a grimace, looking away from the two. „Uhm." he groans out.

„Don't you guys think that's going a bit too far? I mean, the sabotaging stuff. Max is a fair driver, incidents like that happen."

Zak blinks, looking back and forth between Joe and Lando.

„But when it's Cissy it's wrong?" he narrows his eyes, looking straight at his teammate.

„I never said that," Joe laughs, although his heart is cramping really uncomfortably. His face drops a little before he says it, but he really wants to say that now. Because he's had enough of today.

„Maybe you two should stop being sensitive because that's what racing is about. You need to realize that not everything we do wrong is another team's fault. It's so fucking annoying to constantly hear you blaming other people for your mistakes. Get a grip."

„Right, because you never blame others." Lando's voice gets shaky and Zak still doesn't say anything.

„Not everything is about you, Lando."

With that, he claps his teammate on the shoulder and leaves. He has to get out of this garage because he needs fresh air. And he still has many interviews to do about his win.

The celebration with the team can wait, and now that he thinks about it he doesn't even want to celebrate with the team.

So, he has to take a breath as soon as he's outside.
Then he feels a hand on his shoulder.

————

Cissy is getting back from the podium, her engineer Michelle by her side, carrying the trophy for her.

„I don't think he's that mad at you, you two have been through way worse," she tries to calm her down but the french girl is still frowning.

Her hair isn't even properly wet, it's still a little messy from the helmet. Nobody sprayed her with champagne, she doesn't even smell like it either.

Of course she's right, her and Joe had way worse fights and they always ended well eventually.

But this feels like a proper ending, she's blaming herself now.
She was full of pride first but now she realizes it was in fact her fault, but she can't bring herself to apologize to her best friend.

They get back into the hospitality, where she's met with a disappointed look on Horner's face.

It feels like something is off and suddenly there's a bit knot in her stomach.
„I'm not sure how to tell you this," Her team principal starts.

Are they dropping her from the team for this incident? Are they going to let her race at the racing bulls though?

She sure hopes so.

„They weighed your car and," he starts again, letting out a sigh and now he looks rather angry than disappointed.
Cissy wants to disappear right at this moment.
„It's under the weight limit. You got disqualified."

She makes a little sound, and her heart is racing. „That isn't my fault."

Horner looks at her, his face isn't denying what she's saying.

No, how the fuck is this her fault.

„It's not my fault, Christian. It's not."

Her voice isn't broken anymore, she turns away from them.
„Cissy," Michelle starts but she can't hear it anymore, she's already out of the garage.

And the intentions are clear now.

She's heading straight where she wants to go, not caring about anyone seeing her.

„Where's your fucking pen?" She groans when entering the door to Toto's office. She knew he'd be here and she also knew he'd understand what she's talking about.

So, he pulls the contract out and a pen.
Cissy takes it immediately, signing her name at the bottom.

————

Joe didn't expect he would sit in Fred Vasseur's office by the end of this race weekend.

But here he is, his hair still wet with champagne and he's still in his papaya race suit.
The look on Fred's face says it all.

„Fighting with Lando?"

The Italian lets a sigh escape his lips. He doesn't want to complain. But he will.

„I just don't understand why it's that dramatic. Things like that happen in racing but my team always has to make such a big deal out of it."

Fred nods, studying him. „I'll assume you know what I want to ask."

Joe's eyes switch to the pictures on the wall, some of Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, Sebastian Vettel. And of course Charles and Fiona aswell. He furrows his eyebrows.

„Who would be my teammate?"

„You're still asking that?" Fred laughs and all Joe can do is shrug.

„So, would you come to Ferrari? 2-year contract, we'll see how it goes."

Joe looks at his white race shoes, and he's thinking. He's thinking about it more than he did with Mercedes.

„Have I got time to think?"

Fred blinks, then nods. „Until Monza."

Until Monza.

————

„BABE!!" Logan falls into the arms of his girlfriend Alexa, still wearing his helmet.

He's got a point. It's only P10. But it's still a point, right?

„Babe, you got a point! Amazing drive, so so proud." Alexa puts her hands on Logan's helmet, giving it a kiss.
„You're my lucky charm, I suppose."

The blondie giggles, swatting the American's shoulder. „Don't be a flatterer, Logie."

„But it's true," Logan wraps his arms around her waist. „Thank you so much, babe."

Alexa's cheeks tint, but she can't suppress her joy. This point means a lot, even if it's just a single one.

It was a double point finish for williams, so Logan is congratulating Alex aswell. And Lily searches for Alexa again, they need a way to celebrate this tonight.

Maybe by taking a dinner out? They boyfriends will still pay of course.

„Alexaaa hey!"

Alexa spots the chinese girl and flashes a soft smile towards her. „Hey, we need to celebrate this tonight, I'm so proud of both of them."

Lily immediately agrees. „I know a place where we could eat. Not sure austrian food is the best though."

————

They settled on eating burgers.
Although Logan and Alex don't eat too much of the good, since they still got one race in the triple header to go.

„Strategy was on top," Logan says, munching on his burger. „It certainly was, James also cooked."

„I was afraid he was going to cook me if I wouldn't have scored points any time soon."

Alexa and Lily give each other a look of amusement, Alex clearly has to reduce his screen time on social media and he has to stop influencing Logan with it.

„Glad that you're so happy, boys," Lily murmurs, a soft smile crossing her lips.

Austria was great for Williams.
While it has obviously been pure hell for McLaren and Red Bull.

————

Joe is careful when walking out of the Ferrari garage, the last thing he deserves today is the media thinking he's going to go rosso corsa.

But he sees Cissy walking out of the Mercedes garage and that does peek his interest.
Putting a hand on her shoulder before he realizes that might be dumb considering the circumstances.

Despite that he's also not coming from the direction of the McLaren hospitality and maybe Cissy would be smart enough to notice

„Cécilou, uh," Joe stops, looking almost embarrassed. But Cissy's face is less annoyed than earlier, her eyes are shiny and her lips are resting.

„Signed with Mercedes?"

She immediately lets out a breath. „Who would I be to lie to you? Yes. I did."

When Joe looks at her like a deer in the headlights, she decides to give him a confused look.

„Okay, fine, good."

Now that was weird behavior. And it was even weirder considering the fact this was their first conversation after the race.

But Cissy takes that as a 'We don't need to talk about it'. So it's should be fine again, on both sides.

Joe could cry when he enters his driver's room.
Most depressing win of all time.
Today was the worst, it was stressful and he hated everything about this stupid race.

And Zak only makes it worse when he knocks on the doorway of his driver's room.

Look, Joe might not like Zak but that doesn't mean Zak doesn't care for him. He does. And the Italian knows it's genuine.

So, he sits up and lets his team principal take the place next to him.

„The argument with Lando wasn't good on both of you. Just to let you know."

Joe is staring at the ground, he wasn't about to answer.

„This team can be challenging sometimes. I know this myself. It's harsh and really, it's full of dipshits. I understand everything you're saying," he continues and puts a hand on the driver's shoulder.

„But you're our first driver for a reason."

The Italian has to look away, he's not sure if he wants to hear any more of this.
„It's important to me. You should stay."
He swallows, drags his eyes back on Zak.

„We could also drop Lando if that's what you need."

Something in Joe shatters immediately, the team principal must have noticed because he's clapping his shoulder and then leaves the room.

What the fuck?

That's not a statement he should make, ever. Joe is utterly confused about this and suddenly he feels very very guilty.

Lando is doing the best he can, Joe knows that. And he doesn't want the Brit to stand in his shadow, but McLaren keeps making it happen.
The Italian would do him a favor if he left.

————

Where else would he find himself after such a frustrating race? Of course, Joe is in Max's driver's room and currently letting the Dutchman play with his scalp while his head rests on the white fireproof.

„Lando wants me to apologize. Quite the statement to make in my opinion."

The McLaren driver giggles at it, although it sounds more like a sob at the moment.
Max doesn't apologize. That should be clear to everyone by now.

„I don't you did anything extraordinary wrong, if it makes you happy."

„It does make me happy. They always act like I'm the villain."

Joe smirks, sitting up slightly to put a kiss on Max's lips, getting rewarded by the Older's tounge sliding into his mouth. „Maybe you are the villain."

„No but, honestly," Max starts, sitting up on the couch, pulling Joe with him only to switch their position. The Dutchman on top now, as always.
„I was impressed by your drive today."

„Well," Joe murmurs, shrugging just a little beneath Max, who is currently tugging at the fireproof to free his soft abs and kiss them. „I wouldn't have won if it wasn't for you and Lando."

„If my mom had balls she would be my dad."

Finally, something that makes the Italian laugh. He hasn't laughed all evening, even when Max was complaining again and usually Joe finds that hilarious.

The Dutchman is kissing along his v-line, hooking his fingers into the papaya race suit which is pooling at Joe's hips.

„Need some distraction, Schat?"

Joe moves his hips, helping Max get them off his hips. „You always know what I need."

In no time, the Older is sucking at his tip. „You're so hard already, getting so excited just because of me?"

The Italian bites his lip, suppressing a moan. Max is using a lot of spit and it's messy.
„Yea, yea just because of you," Joe murmurs sweet nothings when Max takes him deep into his throat.

He buries his hand in the blonde strands and the Dutchman's world blurs away into colors and statics as soon as he's sucking and licking on Joe's dick as if he was starving.

When Joe looks down, he sees Max batting his eyelashes at him, the turquoise eyes shining in the white light of his driver's room.
„So pretty, baby," his italian accent gets thicker and the Dutchman is immediately a whining mess.

„Yea? Want me to cum down your pretty throat?"

Max nods around the thick length, hollowing his cheeks and taking Joe deeper until he can feel him against the back of his throat.
The Italian certainly deserves this after such a day like that. A long, sloppy blowjob.

But after Max started licking around the tip in time with his sucks, Joe was cumming in no time.
Whining some italian swear words while releasing down his throat and murmuring something like the lines „God, Max, look so pretty with my cock in your mouth." and „fuck, you're so good.".

The Dutchman swallowed, pulled off and came up to press a soft open-mouthed kiss to Joe's lips. Not caring about the fact that Joe might be tasting his own cum on his plump pink lips, swollen from sucking on the Italian's dick.

————

Joe didn't talk to Lando nor Cissy for like, the rest of the night. So one last race in the triple header to go before having a week off.

Despite currently laying on Max's chest, the warm hands of the Dutchman splayed over his back and tracing his moles and freckles, he has to think about what Nico said in Montreal.

Lando and him might end like Brocedes.
And this might be the end of the beginning.

Max must be noticing the way Joe's breathing isn't evened out anymore and he tangles his fingers in his hair, pulling the Italian up to pepper kisses over his face.

„You look tired, come on, stop thinking about Lando."

How did he know he was thinking about Lando?
Joe decides not to question it.

And Max is right, the Italian should try to fall asleep.
Which happens a lot faster and easier than he thought.
Maybe lying on Max Verstappen's chest is doing wonders for insomniacs.

Chapter Text

July 4 2024
Silverstone, UK
Media Day

Joe knew the inevitable was coming, he had to share his opinion on the Max and Lando situation because the media can never shut up, they ask and ask and ask even if you don't have anything to do with the situation.

They're just trying to cut wounds. And really, Joe and Lando don't need that right now.

They didn't talk since the race in Spielberg on sunday and the tension in the McLaren garage today, on the media day of the last race of the triple header, wasn't quite comfortable.
It's not like Joe is annoyed at Lando.
And Lando isn't mad at him either.
The only thing is that, obviously, there are still wounds from the last rounds that they didn't clear up.

Joe doesn't see a reason why he should apologize, he simply told the truth and genuinely doesn't have the energy to fight any more. He'd rather be alone, or with Max.

Even if he doesn't love Max, they can be friends, right? Friends with benefits or whatever people call it nowadays.

Yeah, he's pretty sure he doesn't love Max. The only thing he'd think about would be the Blondie if he was, right?

And he totally doesn't think about Max all the time.
Totally.

Although the media already labels them as a bromance.
Joe has already been through this last week. Bromances are stupid.

„So, Joe, it's a question that I must ask: Who do you think is at fault at the racing incident that Max and Lando had?"

The interviewer is a brunette, young, looks something between south European and middle eastern.
She's wearing wine red and Joe lies his eyes on Carlos, who is just walking past her amd also gives her a wink as soon as she spots him.

Joe wishes he didn't have to answer, but he drags his eyes back to the interviewer.

„Uhm...honestly they were both being reckless and I think all this drama around it is exaggerated because things like that happen during racing, so, I don't think there's someone to blame and they should talk about it together but not bring anyone else into it."

The girl nods, a soft smile on her lips. „The McLaren is usually very strong here in Silverstone, do you think you're in for another win on this week's sunday?"

It's always the same. The same questions over and over again, Joe is tired of laughing at every single one and answering with the same exact sentence since 5 years.
Obviously he loves being an f1 driver but nothing could be worse than the press and media that come with it.

„I think we'll be strong enough to try for sure but teams like Mercedes and Ferrari have been strong aswell lately and we can't forget about Red Bull either even if they're struggling a bit at the moment."

„And do you believe it would be better to let Lando pass since it's his home race weekend?"

What kind of question is that? Joe narrows his eyebrows.

„If he wants to win he needs to do it himself. I'm pretty sure he knows that too."

What Joe also knows is that the press will feed on the fact he didn't arrive in McLaren team gear today. Well, he usually doesn't wear much of it either but he at least brings a cap or some t shirt.

But this time, he's wearing nothing that bounds him to McLaren.

If he's honest, the world is allowed to know he's pissed at his team. They're genuinely making Joe and Lando feel awful, he's pretty sure it's not how it's supposed to be because Max seems to be treated very well by Red Bull.

Max is the star of Red Bull anyway, their golden boy, of course they would treat him well. Suddenly, Joe feels sick to his stomach again when thinking about his Max.

His Max?

He definitely needs more sleep.

„I know you get this question a lot but especially today I need to ask you, what is 2025 going to bring you? Is a contract ending with McLaren already certain?"

Joe thinks for a second, his hands suddenly feeling very sweaty, wet, he wipes them on his jeans.
„No, no nothing is certain yet. I still have to make a decision. I think I've got enough options."

Apparently, he didn't think enough. Lando thinks he signed a contract on sunday, when Joe just got out of Stella's office.

He only realizes he has to think of a lie when the interview is over.

***

It's sunny, warm and for once not raining in the UK. Of course it's not as warm as his home at the Mediterranean coast but Charles can still accept this.
Although the weather forecast says it's going to rain on race Sunday.

But that's not even on his mind right now, what's on his mind is Alessia. At this point it's obvious and Charles is a fool for not asking her out on a date.

And he's talked to her, she's in London at the moment and she's sure she can drive over to Silverstone for the race weekend.

So he tries to spot her in the paddock now, as he's having a break from the media duties.
Now he's getting nervous like a 14 year old boy asking his crush out for prom. It's getting embarrassing how much he thinks about what he's going to say, how he's going to ask her out.

Charles is a 26 year old man, a professional athlete and a millionaire but he's scared to ask a girl out who happens to be the twin of one of his colleagues.

Plus he's been through this before. When they were teens they sort of did like each other but they have an age gap of two and a half years and as teens these 3 years make a difference, Charles didn't want to date someone so young because it simply would've been weird.
So, his 'crush' on her was debatable, they simply had mutual friends and he found her pretty, that's all. They always had a banter going on too, she was mean to him as a joke, a part of Charles thinks he deserved it somehow.

But now they've both changed a lot. Charles used to be super awkward in high school, he was always sweaty and now that he thinks about it his sense in fashion was an utter disaster.

And Alessia used to be quiet and reserved, now she's all fancy and extroverted, nice to everyone and always the best dressed.

Charles clearly has a type.

He knows, yes, he knows he broke up with Alex barely a month ago but one of the reasons was also that he felt more drawn to someone else.
And breaking up his still better than cheating on her, obviously.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice he walked into someone, why does this happen so often to him.
„je suis tellement desolé- uh I mean I'm so sorry," Charles sometimes forgets not everyone speaks french.

„c'est pas grave."

Well, Charles found what he was looking for now.
„I didn't know you could speak french."

„Charles," Alessia raises an eyebrow. „We've literally spoken french with each other often enough??"

„Whatever, Alessia, I wanted to ask you something." Charles grips her shoulders but now he realizes how this must look so he lets them go, watching the Italian's face change into something unreadable.

„I thought maybe we could eat something together after the race on sunday, I'll find a restaurant and pick you up. Only if you want to, of course, I guess it's a date but if you don't want that we can also go as friends."

She looks at him, blinking, and Charles is suddenly kind of nauseous, a knot in his tummy.
„I'm glad you're finally asking," she laughs. „of course I want to, yes."

Charles can now breathe again and he smiles. „Thank you, I mean, I'll text you as soon as I got something settled, alright?"

***

„I swear Claire, he winked at me, I swear I wasn't imagining stuff," Miray excitedly tells her best friend on the phone when she's back at the hotel.

„You should talk to him then, how cool would it be if you were going to be a wag," Claire sounds enlightened at the thought.

Miray wishes she could be too. On one hand, it would in fact be nice to be a wag. And Carlos is pretty handsome, that's for sure. His dark prince hair, the tanned skin, the muscles, he's absolutely that guy.

But she always gets reminded of the promise she made to herself before she got to be a journalist for sky sports; She won't fall in love with a driver.

Nonetheless that's exactly what's happening right now and the brunette fears she can't stop it.

„What if he's just making fun of me though?"

„Miray, are we fourteen? Carlos, a formula one driver, wouldn't do this just because he wants to joke about you. He's like... totally into you."

For Claire, boys have always been easy. But for Miray it has always been a different story.

From hopeless crushes in middle school to failed relationships in high school. And adding onto that, she hasn't been with many boys.

„You say it as if it was an easy thing to ask said formula 1 driver out. I'm only gonna embarrass myself. He's so cool and handsome and drives for Porsche and I'm just- me."

„Fine, then don't. But don't miss your opportunity and don't tell me I didn't say so."

Miray sighs. „Alright, bye. See you soon, love you."

„Take care, alright?"

The brunette nods into the facetime camera before she hangs up.
Then she takes a deep breath, tomorrow will be a new day and from now on she will surely try to dress up in porsche-coded colours instead of Ferrari ones.

She's always been a Ferrari girl, but Carlos doesn't have to know.

July 5 2024
Silverstone, UK
free practice day

„So have you spoken to Cissy and Lando yet?"
Max asks while him and Joe are walking in the paddock.
Max is wearing something other than skinny jeans and a red bull gear for once, Joe thinks it's obviously because of his stylish influences.

„About what?" the younger sounds confused, narrowing his eyebrows.

„Well, I thought you haven't been talking since the race last week." Max shrugs, turning his head to look at Joe.
He now keeps his hands closer to himself, he caught himself almost wanting to grab Joe's hand as if they were a couple.

Ew.

Absolutely not.

Joe now shrugs aswell. „I don't feel like I have to talk to them, you know? I don't even know what they're mad at me for, so like, not entirely sure about this."

Max's eyes lock on him and Joe can't tell if he's mesmerized by his beauty or if he's disappointed.

„If you say it's not that deep then it won't be hard to talk to them, right?"

„Max," Joe starts. „I low-key don't even have the energy to get out of bed, remember? And I don't have the energy to discuss anything with Cissy at the moment either, she can be so annoying when she wants to be in control of the situation, which is like, always."

„But you have the energy to talk to me?"

Max finds this ironic, Joe is refusing to talk to his best friend since basically forever but is currently talking to his enemy since basically forever.

Whatever. Guys are a mystery to Max.
Joe is the worst mystery of them all.

„You're way different," Joe says it casually, but it makes Max's heart twist in a good- bad- he doesn't know way.

„You're difficult."

Honestly, it slipped out of Max. He didn't mean to say that out loud.

„You are too." Joe murmurs, but there is a slight curl in his lips.
There's an audible groan escaping Joe when he sees all the cameras around the paddock that are totally going to love seeing Max and him walk around together.

The Dutchman can't help but roll his eyes aswell, but that's not going to stop him from talking to his curly head.

„So, are you free later today or seeing your sister or something?" Max still feels awkward asking, fidgeting with his fingers while walking. He says it with a quiet voice, doing a ducky face right after.

„My sister?" Joe sounds just as confused as he looks.

„Your sister?" Max is now also confused.
Joe has a sister, right? Max thought he had like 6 of them.
„Why my sister?"
„I'm confused?"
„Me too?"
„I thought it was your sister..."
„Who was my sister?"

Max groans. „Your sister. Is here? In silverstone?"

„Which sister?"

„I don't know?" Max groans again. „The one who's dating Charles?"

Joe's face is turning into a grimace. „I have a sister who's dating Charles?"

„Errmm, I mean, I don't know if they're dating. They were acting like they're dating. Saw them yesterday here in the paddock and I could swear it was your sister, do you have a twin?"

Joe nods. „Are you sure it was her?"

„I was pretty sure but now that you say it it might've been a random girl. She looked a lot like you tho."

Joe closes his eyes, looking like he has to gather his thoughts.
Max watches him, the way his eyelids flutter closed, the eyebags under his eyes, the lashes.

„First of all, I didn't even know she was in Silverstone and second of all why out of all people would she choose Charles?"

„I don't fucking know, ask her."

Joe groans, standing still but not making it too obvious. „Enough of that, honestly. Back to your original question, pretty sure I'll be free. Your hotel or my hotel?"

Max answers more quietly, there are so many people around and it needs one person to pick up something out of context.
„I'm staying in Milton Keynes so I guess it would be too obvious since you're gonna have to drive."

„But on the other hand people are just going to think I'm signing with Red Bull."

„Do you want people to think that?" Max raises his eyebrows, a little smirk on his lips

„I kinda do. And maybe since the Hilton Hotel is so close to the paddock people could see you."

„Good point, babe."

Joe rolls his eyes, looking down at the blondie. „Don't call me babe."

By now they've started walking again, arriving at the Red Bull garage. „Okay, babe." Max grins teasingly. „See you."

The Italian honestly felt like Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka when he entered the McLaren garage.
As if this wasn't his place, not where he was supposed to be.

He went to his driver's room anyway, put his backpack there and then saw a note on the small couch.

'I know it's kind of embarrassing to write this as if I was a woman from the 19th century sending a letter to her husband who's away for work instead of just sending you a text, but I felt like this would be a more formal way, maybe? Anyway I felt like this whole austrian grand prix beef didn't fully die down yet, maybe I'm just overthinking though. Lando suggested to go golfing at the golf course near the Hilton Hotel later today. You coming? Us two don't have to golf of course, just going there for a chat.
Yours, Cissy xx'

Joe's lips curl when he reads it, Cissy would mostly be the one to apologize first. Mostly because Joe is even more stubborn than she is.

Now, the next conflict, should he meet up with Max or with his friends today?
On one hand, Max had asked him first but on the other hand he feels like his friends would be the smarter option considering their current situation.

He's just going to clear it up with Max.

Also sending Cissy a text about when the golfing would be.
Honestly, he absolutely despises golfing since it's boring. But just like Cissy said, they're just going to chat.
He assumes Lando will bring another dude to golf with him, probably Carlos if he had to take a guess.

The first free practice went pretty well for McLaren, setting the two fastest times. Although Joe had some problems with his brakes, but that's gonna be fixed until the race on sunday, hopefully.

Between the two practices, Joe leaves the McLaren garage, still in his papaya suit.
Getting into the Red Bull garage, obviously to meet Max.

But it wouldn't be the Red Bull garage if the brunette frenchie wasn't there aswell.
She's also still in her race suit, talking with her engineer Michelle.

Joe would have to be a first class secret service to be able to sneak past her without noticing.
She looks at him twice before realizing.

„I read your message but forgot to answer, right?" she smiles, Joe didn't notice but that's most likely the best lie to play along to.
„Yeah..."

„Since the last free practice for today is over at 6 and the golf club closes at 10, I suppose we should hurry after the practice."

Joe nods. „Right."

At least it's summer, so it's warm and light outside until the middle of the night. Even in the UK.

„So, maybe at 7:30?"

Joe nods quickly. „Meet you guys in the hotel lobby then?"

„Sounds good to me, sorry, gotta discuss some changes on the car with Michelle," she gestures to her. „The car is making problems."

„As always," Joe rolls his eyes ironically.

Cissy turns away and that's the Italian's chance to make his way to Max's driver's room.
He can spot GP letting out a sigh when he sees him, then turns to his computer again.

He knocks, just to make sure. Although he wouldn't mind walking into Max when he's naked.

Max opens the door, looking stressed. But when he sees Joe, his face changes into something softer.
The Italian gets into the room, Max closes the door.

„Heard there's problems with your car, hm?"

Max sighs, „it's so difficult to drive, doesn't properly turn and I've been saying this since Monaco but nobody really listens."

„I listen." Joe's soft lips land on his cheek in a few quick kisses.
„That doesn't help the car."

„I know," Joe pouts. „At least I have a chance against you now."

„My talent doesn't rely on my car." Max says and he sounds bratty enough for Joe to grown.
„I know, I was joking babe."

The Dutchman places a kiss on his lips and then looks up at him. „You're not funny though."

„You aren't either," Joe bluffs, then let's out a little sigh, as if he wanted to tell Max something but doesn't know how. „Cissy and Lando asked if I can go golfing tonight."

„Are you going?" Max asks, looking up at Joe in a way that makes him want to rip his clothes off and bend him over now. The turquoise eyes shine, his bottom lashes more prominent than the top ones and his dark blonde hair is messy from the free practice earlier.

„Don't know. I thought we wanted to..."

„Well, yes, but don't you think making up with your friends is more important? You can still come and see me afterwards."

Joe breathes in, then breathes out. „You're probably right."

„Good boy," Max grins and shoves another kiss to his mouth. It amazes him how soft the Italian's lips are, like feathers against his.

***

Evening, round 7:40pm, Lando and Carlos are golfing to the summer's late sun.
Since Cissy and Joe think golfing is absolutely boring and people probably just do it to look rich, they rather sit on the back of the golf cart and chat.

„So, are you still mad because of Spielberg?" Cissy asks, squeezing her eyes as she looks into the sun, which is slowly starting to set and turn the sky into orange and purplish colors.

„You should be the one that should be mad," Joe starts. „I mean, I'm just joking, I understand that getting a penalty and dropped down from a win is shit, and then also getting disqualified is even shittier."

„Yeah but my penalty was absolutely deserved."

The Italian sighs. „But the disqualification."

„No one can be blamed for it, stupid mistake from the whole team which shouldn't have happened," Cissy watches Lando do the swing, then Carlos says something and they both laugh.

„So your conspiracy theory ass doesn't think Red Bull manipulated your car?" Joe smirks, turning his head to look at the Brunette.

She shrugs. „I guess they could have, but on the other hand it wouldn't have benefited anyone. We lost points for the constructors championship."

He nods, his smirk fading a little. „And your car, is the problem solved now?"

„We've been having problems since last season, to be fully honest. We might've had a dominant season but in the end I noticed how I started to struggle, Max did too but we both didn't think much of it."

„And now it's been getting bad since Monaco." Joe finishes for Cissy, nodding in understanding.

„Christian really did something there, letting Adrian go and now also you," Joe shakes his head. „Dumbass."

Cissy giggles, adjusting on her seat.
„Yeah, the car isn't the only problem in that team. There's so much drama, it's always loud, I think both me and Max deserve better."

„But Max really loves Red Bull."

„And Red Bull loves him." Cissy agrees. „You wouldn't go to Red Bull, would you?"

Joe starts laughing. „Hell no. That would be one too much. I don't get along with anyone in that team."

Cissy turns her head, studying his face before speaking. „I thought you get along with Max now." She says it with a tone that indicates she must know something and Joe shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
„He's not as arrogant anymore."

She makes a grimace with her face that Joe isn't quite sure what to read into.

„I guess we just don't hate each other as much anymore but that's it. Mostly we just talk about work stuff, you know." Joe explains further, smiling a little to come across as believable.

„Makes sense."

Really, Joe wishes he could tell Cissy. But his brain doesn't allow it yet. He doesn't even know how to handle it.
He has found guys attractive, but was that actual attraction or was he just jealous of their looks?

Although Joe thinks of himself as pretty handsome, so would that even make sense?

He definitely thinks Max is cute but he wouldn't if he didn't fuck him in the ass every weekend.
But he doesn't love Max. Never will and never could.
He can't even imagine being in a gay relationship, it's not that he thinks it's weird or anything but it simply isn't for him.

And the thing with Max is still just for sexual pleasure instead of a sexuality experiment.
Joe would be kind of an asshole if he used Max simply for experimenting.

And he doesn't need an experiment to know that having sex with the Red Bull driver is comparable to heaven.
In any way, Joe would like to find out if he's even into guys before telling anyone.

His heart aches when thinking about being...not straight.
Joe would be fine with being in love with Max if it didn't mean he was in love with a boy.
But in that way, he's conflicted.
He's pretty sure the thing with the dutchman is only temporary though, it's going to stop in a few months and both of them will have a girlfriend and forget about everything they've done together.

It's just sex. It's not like they've gone on dates or did all that other romantic stuff together.

„And what about that Red Bull mechanic you're sleeping with?" Cissy's lips curl in a smirk and Joe has to smile. „She's just an affair, I'm sure it'll be over soon."

„And you don't bother telling me who it is?"

Silence. „It's not Michelle, is it?"

„No, god, never," Joe quickly denies, then he grins. „Maybe it's Christian Horner, who knows."
Cissy breaks into laugh. „Or GP."

„Stop it, Joe. I really want to know who it is." Cissy protests with a giggle.
„It's Christian Horner, I literally just told you."

She sighs, burying her face in her hands. „You're insane."

***

Later, when they're back from golfing and in the Hilton Hotel, Lando is in the bathroom and doing his hair. He always complains that his curls are so hard to take care of, but Cissy's wondering why he's even fixing his hair when they won't go out today any further.
So she watches him from the doorway, crossing her arms and smiling.
She had always admired Lando's curls though and since he takes care of them they look even better.

He's shirtless, so she can't help but look at all these little moles and freckles on his tanned back.

„What?" Lando asks, his lips in a little smile that makes his eyes squeeze, looking at Cissy through the mirror.

„Nothing," she mumbles, giving him a half hearted smile.
Lando sighs. „Joe lied to me."

„About what?" she asks, now walking towards Lando to lean against his arm.
„His contract, he told me he signed with McLarem but then goes on to say in an interview that he hasn't signed a contract yet. Honestly, I wouldn't be mad at him if he left McLaren, but he should at least be honest."

„I get that," Cissy nods. „I think he's just scared to tell you he wants to leave, you two have been teammates since 2019, he's probably just as much attached to you as you are to him."

Lando sighs again.

„I think you should talk it out with him."

„It's difficult at the moment." Lan draws his eyebrows together, looking at Cissy with sorrow.
„Team strategies are slowly ruining us, you know. We keep switching back and forth between P2 and P3 in the championship but the team doesn't want that. They want one of us on top and I don't think I have to explain to you how it's most definitely going to be Joe."

Cissy takes one of Lando's hands. „Joe might be stubborn but he has always been a fair player. If you talk to him about it and you two go and talk to Zak and Andrea about it together, then they might do something."

„That's the thing," Lando starts, „Zak has always been leaning towards my side and Andrea to Joe's. And on top of that they hate it more than anything when me and Joe fight instead of doing teamwork, and I hate it too."

„Lan," Cissy looks at him, putting a hand on his soft cheek. „Don't lose your mind over this. It's going to turn out fine."

Lando opens his mouth to say something but he closes it again, accepting what his girlfriend is saying. She's right, Joe's all into fair play and so is Lan. They won't lose their friendship because of their job.

He only needs to learn how to ignore the media with all their 'the next Brocedes' bullshit.
Because that's the last thing that would happen.

***

Joe feels foolish when sneaking into Max's hotel in Milton Keynes, his black McLaren parked outside and he's ninety percent sure someone already snapped a picture of him.
The only thing he hopes is that he doesn't run into the media, but why would they be anywhere at 10:30pm?
Netflix would absolutely milk this for Drive to Survive, tell everyone he's signing with Red Bull, which he, obviously, hasn't even thought about.

Red Bull hasn't crossed his mind once, mostly because he thought Cissy was staying but she signed with Mercedes so there would be a seat.

He has to think about it, maybe.

So, he gets into the elevator and he swears if GP sees him again, he's going to lose it.
He knows Cissy is staying at Hilton Hotel with Lando, she won't be a problem this time.

„You're 3 minutes late," Max states, pulling Joe in by his hand as soon as he enters his hotel room.
„Aw, I guess I have to make up for it then."

Their lips crash together and Max opens his mouth, allowing Joe's tounge in. He burrows his hand in the dark brown curls and tugs on them.
Joe's hands are on his ass and the blond boy can't help but groan.

„You can be loud tonight, Cissy's staying at Hilton Hotel with Lando."

Max groans into the kiss, „Christian Horner stays on this floor though."
„Let's hope the walls are thick then, hm?" Joe breaks the kiss, hands wandering to touch Max's bare waist beneath his shirt.

Max buries his face in Joe's neck, placing a few kisses. „Zak called what I did in austria unsportsmanlike and Andrea said he sees Lewis as an 8 time wdc. You got something to do with that?"

„Never," Joe groans. „They don't know what they're saying." his hands slowly strip Max's shirt, Max lets him do it.
„They don't appreciate that you're so talented and so so perfect," he murmurs. „Perfect for me at least."

Max's breath hitches. „Perfect for you?"

„Mhm," Joe hums, hands moving to Max's shorts. „You are very very perfect, mon amour."

„Your french is terrible," the dutchman giggles and Joe rolls his eyes. „Can you stop ruining the moment?"

„Sorry, ruining your ego?"

He raises his eyebrows. „I can also just leave if you'd like that better."

„No," Max presses himself against Joe, feeling his arms wrap around his waist again. „But I would in fact prefer if you could hurry up now."

„This hungry?"

„Yes, I'm starving," Max bites his lip, letting Joe pick him up.
Lying on the bed just in his shorts and watching Joe take his shirt off, jesus, he's missed this.

They don't really see each other between the weekends, so Max is particularly starving a lot whenever the race week is starting.

The Italian goes on to kiss his neck, down to his stomach and to his thighs.
„Such pretty thighs, they're like a girl's, Max."
He tries pressing his thighs together but Joe's hand is stopping him from doing so.

„Keep them spread, baby, you want me to see them, right?"

„Yes," Max whispers, letting his legs fall open. Joe's lips feel like fireworks against his thighs, he lets his eyes fall shut to concentrate on the feeling.
Feels like waves crashing against his skin, or maybe it just reminds him of that because Joe smells like beach and right now, he smells Joe everywhere around him as if it was a blanket he's cuddled in.

Tigers are the only cats who like water, after all.

He was so lost in the haze of Joe's soft pink lips pressing against his pale, thick thighs, that he didn't even notice he took his shorts off and is currently jerking Max off.

He lets out a soft groan, looking at Joe with glassy eyes.
„Hurry."

Joe smirks, fingers still wrapped around Max's rather small dick, compared to the Younger's at least.
„Need me to finger you first, baby? Or do you want to be nice and tight for me?"

He whimpers. „Can you decide, please?"

The Italian smirks. „Want me in control today, don't you?"

„Mhm," Max hums. „Would be very good."

There's days where Max wants to be the one controlling the pace, looking down at Joe like he's supposed to. Joe can be submissive when he wants to be, but what Max admires is that he can also be like this.

And sometimes, Max has days where he just needs someone to take care of him, someone to press his head down and fuck him into the mattress until he's satisfied and all hazy.
Joe can do both, that's why Max thinks sex with him is so satisfying, he goes after the blond boy's needs.

„Then I'll do that for you, chéri. Can you turn around for me?"

Max does it without thinking too much, turning around with his ass in the air, face against the pillow, resting on his arms.
For some reason, he does find it hot when Joe speaks french.
And his french is nowhere near bad.

He might be italian but he spent most of his days in monaco, in a Monagasque school where they speak french. His best friend is french and he used to be in a french ice hockey team.
Therefore he speaks french fluently and Max's mind goes blank when he thinks about the fact that Joe can speak french and italian perfectly.

Max finds these languages, stereotypically, very sexy.

„So willing and so so pretty," Joe murmurs while kissing the back of his thighs. „Joe," Max whines, his dick already hard between his legs and leaking.
„Please."

„Please what?" Joe teases, running a finger along his rim but not filling him up, Max clenches around air and whimpers again. „You know what I want."
He wanted so sound tough but he rather sounded like a whiny toddler.

„I want you to say it though. In press conferences you've always got such a mouth on you and now you can't even ask for what you need?"

Max shoves his bottom half more towards Joe, whining again. „Need you to fuck me, please?"

„Wasn't so bad, was it?" Joe asks, Max loves the teasing tone in his voice, it makes him clench again.
He's rewarded with Joe's finger entering him, making him clench more.

It's a single digit, that's not quite enough to fill Max up properly.
Also, the Italian is not using any lube and it stings just a little bit.

„More, Joe, fuck," Max whines, pushing against the Younger's finger.
Whimpering, Joe pulls his finger out and gives Max what he wants. But Max needs to wait first, looking back at Joe with heat in his eyes.

Max has doe eyes, like a doll, they're big and blue. And when he looks up, he looks like a deer in the headlights. His lips purse in a way that makes him look innocent.
Joe wishes he could tell him, he truly looks like a doll made just for him.

Absolutely for him. For him only.

He runs his fingertips over Max's back and he shivers beautifully. „Max." He swallows.

„You're beautiful."

Max buries his face in his arms, his back arching like a cat's.

„Most beautiful I've ever seen."

He keeps going and Max sighs when he feels his tip against him, entering him slowly, Max's lips part and he breathes.

„Wish I could sculpture you, put you everywhere I want you, see you all the time, your beautiful face. As if it was made out of glass, that's how beautiful you are."

Max can feel his nipples rubbing against the mattress ever so slightly whenever Joe thrusts inside him.
Joe's wearing rings, the coldness grazes Max's back dimples as the Italian puts his hands there.
He clenches, moaning and just letting Joe take him.

It's not rough, it stings slighty, just how love should be. But it's also soft, thrusts that make Max see stars. His mouth is open in soft moans. Every time Joe hits that spot inside him he has to groan, it's like a firework inside him.

And Joe is so big, Max feels like he's being split apart gently, as if Joe wanted to murder him, quietly.
His eyes are closed, making it all more intense.

It's so slow, drawn out thrusts that make Max gasp into his pillow.
„Wish you could see yourself like I see you."

If Joe keeps going like this, Max is going to cum, more than once.
His hand wanders over his back, making the blonde shiver over and over again. Their bodies move in sync, something they've never done before.
Max realizes only now, this is the best thing that's ever happened to him.

And he loves Joe.

He's never received it this gently but at the same time so emotionally and it's hurting him so good. It's everything at once, his stomach is churning and he cums with a few loud gasps.
„Sei un angelo, max, fuck," Joe's breath is hot against Max's neck and he feels his lips again, until he can feel the groans and whimpers.

It's hot and so cold at the same time, Max arches his back against Joe and his hand presses him down against the mattress just slighty, until his dick is rubbing against it, getting attention finally.
And Max cums again, just from this.

„You come straight from heaven," Joe now murmurs, pulling out of Max.

His heart is racing, he feels the mattress going down next to him and he turns to his side.
Eyes locking on Joe's, who lets out a sigh and puts his hand on Max's waist, on his stomach.

The most beautiful blue eyes he's ever seen, he wants to drown in them as if they were an ocean, his hand now cups Max's jaw and he leans in to kiss these plump pink lips, flushed from sex.

Joe's cheeks are rosy, his chest aswell, Max lays his hands on him, finally.
He's always wearing this golden cross necklace. It's simple, not packed full of diamonds or anything fancy like rich people usually wear.
It's just gold, probably not even real gold.

But it's always hanging in front of Joe's freckled chest. Even now.

Max puts the cross between his fingertips when they break the kiss.
„You always wear it, are you very religious?"

Joe looks down on himself, letting Max put his hands on him.
He shrugs. „Not very religious, but just enough to wear this."

„I suppose you don't believe being gay is a sin then?" Max doesn't know if it's okay to joke about this with Joe, so he tries it out.
He smiles a little. „No, I've always been taught Christianity is about love and acceptance. That counts for everyone."

„Hm," Max nods, understanding.

„And the necklace?" it's still between his fingers. „Any special meaning besides the religious one?"

„My grandma gave it to me," Joe murmurs, interlocking their legs to feel Max's pale skin against his.
„She died when I was 17."

„Grandma on your dad's side?" Max genuinely barely knows anything about Joe's family, he knows he's part polish and that it comes from his mom's side. But otherwise than that?

„Yup," Joe nods, he's blinking faster. „She was very religious, but... she wouldn't have been against this."

„You think so?" Max runs his hand over Joe's shoulder, it's tense, so he presses his fingers down on him, a slight curve in his lips.
„Yes," the Italian sighs. „She was very open to the world, she loved people and I doubt she would've hated me having fun."

„Right." Max is honest about this, he believes Joe.

„What about your family? Do they know?"

„Yea," Max gives a quick nod, but he's still focusing on Joe's shoulder. „They know I'm bi, my dad wasn't too much of a fan but I think he's grown onto it. I've never got to date a guy anyway, maybe that's part of the reason, maybe he's just, I don't know, ignoring it."

The Younger inhales and keeps looking at Max. He knows he still wants to say something.
„But in the end he's still my dad and I know that he loves me, in some way. Like I said, he'll grow onto it one day for sure."

It's not a secret that Max's relationship with Jos is difficult. And the media only knows a third of it.
He feels tears swelling up in his eyes so he quickly wipes them.
„And you?" Max starts. „What are you? I mean, do you know?"

Joe suddenly sits up, his eyebrows drawn together, arms resting on his knees. Max sits up with him.
„I'm," he looks at the blonde next to him and Max sees something in his eyes that is different from what was in them before.

„I can't be what you need me to be."

Max's face grows heavy, he's suddenly very hot around his forehead and his throat hurts.
„I don't know why, I hate it, Max."

He shrugs and the Dutchman is emotionally intelligent enough to know Joe's about to cry.
„I've always grown up to accept these people, gay people. And I do, I genuinely do. But I don't accept me being that. On the other hand," Joe sniffs, looking at Max again.
„If I felt guilty about this, I would've stopped it. I don't feel guilty about you."

„Joe," Max interrupts, taking one of his hands. „Does that mean you're confused?"

„Yes," Joe suddenly wraps his arms around Max, burying his face deep in his shoulder. „I'm so sorry for being difficult, you don't have to keep doing this if you can't take it."

„No," Max starts, burying his hand in Joe's curls and playing with them.

If he was guilty about it he would've stopped.

„Joe, it's fine to be confused. And you don't need to choose anything for me," Max's heart aches.
„How about we just keep doing this and you can tell me anytime if you want to stop it. I'll be fine, I swear. Like we said in the beginning, no hard feelings, right?"

Joe nods and Max sighs eventually.
„Sorry for hitting a sensitive topic."

The Italian shakes his head, leaning away from Max. „I'm just being whiny, it's okay."

„No, your feelings are very valid. Don't say you're whiny, it's an important topic."

Joe feels so...full of love. He's never had anyone accept his feelings like this, his heart didn't feel like shattering when Max saw him cry, it felt warm and fuzzy when the Blondie accepted it.

„I'm hungry, are you hungry?" Max then comments and Joe nods, watching him get up.

„I know it's like super basic," he says when coming back with strawberries. „But I really love strawberries."

„Max," he groans playfully when Max sits down next to him. „They would've been better if they were chocolate covered."

„Hey," Max holds his finger up. „It's a race weekend we can't put up the calories."

„You're right," Joe smiles with his eyes, leaning back and taking a strawberry to feed Max.

„You look like you've never eaten a strawberry in your life, Maxie." He giggles, the Dutchman's chin is red with strawberry juice. Giggling aswell, Max wipes it away.

„You're so mean, I hate you."

„Make me leave then," that damn smirk, Max could fold just from this.
„I rather don't, you can be fun."

July 6 2024
Silverstone, UK
Qualifying day

Knocks on Max's hotel door in the morning, Joe is in a haze, dressed just in shorts to open the door.
Then he realizes this is not his hotel room.

„Joe, what?" Charles looks at him, very confused and then his eyes widen.
„Am I at the right hotel?"

Joe could slap his own face, he doesn't say anything. He's tired as hell and he doesn't really want to wake Max. It's only 7am, the last free practice starts at 12. Well, they would've gotten up soon but not this early.

„You are at the right hotel, Charles."

„Jesus." Charles starts. „Did you like, fuck with Max?"

Joe can't even find a way to get himself out of this situation. There's no possible lie to explain why he would be dressed in shorts only at 7am in Max Verstappen's hotel.

„Yeah. Also, Charles, now that you're here. Did you like, fuck my sister?"

Charles opens his mouth to say something but then he closes it again. „Not yet," he mumbles.
„Actually, don't tell me. Just don't tell anyone about what just happened, not even Pierre. If you do, I won't hesitate to do something you will not enjoy."

„Yes, don't worry I understand. But does that mean you did fuck Max? Or maybe he fucked you, I don't want to know now that I'm saying it. So did you?"

Joe can only close his eyes and nod.
„Wait, it makes so much sense," Charles gasps.

„Is Max awake?" he then asks and Joe shakes his head. „Maybe talk to him in the paddock."

„I definitely have to, jesus, he's so... you know."

„Yes."

„Okay, tell him I need to talk to him when he's awake," Charles smiles politely, Joe nods and closes the door. He leans against it.

When Charles knows, it's already over.

***

Miray handed in papers earlier in the week, now she got called into her boss's office. She's nervous, heart racing when she sits down. Did she do something wrong?

The Silverstone weekend had been a blessing to her, she spoke to Carlos outside of her work and got his number. She knows she's acting as if she was 15 all over again but this is getting serious now.

She's been loving her job here in Silverstone and saw the museum aswell.
This could ruin everything nice that has happened to her this week.

And why is Nico Rosberg there aswell? He's making her even more nervous.

„I've read your works," her boss starts. „And I'm surprised, positively. You take work very seriously and I can see you have fun being a journalist for sky sports aswell. It's nice seeing young people being interested in it, especially women."

He continues: „So, I've decided that instead of Nico, you're going to host the post race interviews after the race on Sunday. The question is, would you enjoy that or should I give it back to Nico?"

Her eyes widen in something between disbelief and pure joy, that would mean her name gets shown on tv, live on sky sports. That would mean she would finally have a name to her career.

„Yes, of course I'll take on that offer and I'll do my best job."

„Great! Nico's here to help you any time, he's an expert."

————

Miray's day couldn't get better, Cissy complimented her outfit, the actual goddaughter of Sebastian Vettel, who's like her biggest idol ever.

She gets to host the post race interviews and currently she's in the press room for the press conference after qualifying.

July 7 2024
Silverstone, UK
Race day

Joe and Lando think they could head for a 1-2, although the Mercedes' have been very good aswell. Of course, since it's Lewis's home race and Silverstone had always been a good track for him.

„It's going to rain later, tire management is going to be difficult," Zak states in their last strategy discussion.

Lando talked to Joe yesterday, telling him they should do a fair fight, no team orders. Obviously he agreed, he wants that more than anything else aswell.

They've decided they won't tell McLaren though, they're both a little pissed at them, thinking it would be funny to ignore team orders like they said they would.

But then it's at the end of the race, for the record, Lando is P2 in the championship by now, he picked up a few points at the latest sprints and therefore went past Joe on the lineup, so in any way Joe is currently P3 in the race.

Team orders tell him he should let Lando pass, who's on P4.
They've discussed it with the Brit, he's not quite sure if they also told Joe though.
Since Lando currently has more points they want him to reduce the gap to Max, which is a lot, but in that case they want Lando in a higher position than Joe every time.

Lando is aware that's not fair play, that's what he's annoyed at.
But that somehow is what McLaren has done in the past years, just the other way around.

Lando had to let Joe pass numerous times. The Italian did it once or twice maybe.

But he still somewhat annoyed right now.
He didn't think Joe would genuinely ignore the team orders. He should've known.
Like, the media would talk bad about him, Lando's fans. He also should've known Joe doesn't give a single fuck about the media.

The Brit wishes so often he could do that aswell, but it's easier said than done.

In the end, Joe doesn't let Lando pass and ends up on the podium with Max on P2 and Lewis on P1.

Winning a race again after quite a long time, and his home race aswell. A very justified win in everyone's eyes. Lewis is a very hardworking man, he deserves this.

Right now, emotions are overflowing Lando and he knows he can be quite difficult when his post race emotions kick. He will calm down in a day, but right now he simply hopes that no one gets on his nerves, rubs it all over his face that he's not on the podium at his home race.

***

On the podium, Joe looks over to Max the whole time, although it’s obvious he’s staring since he has to look past Lewis.

Joe understands the fangirls. Max really does look delicious in that Red Bull suit, his thighs and his ass and Joe needs to stop staring otherwise he’ll pop a boner.

The press conference is the same as always, the mood is lightened up since Lewis is so happy but otherwise it’s still the same repeating questions every time.

„It’s a question for both of you, Joe and Max, what happened between the two of you to get along this well now? A month ago you were still bickering over each other at every opportunity you’ve got.“

Max smiles with his teeth, they’re beautiful, Joe knows he’s staring.
The Dutchman takes his microphone and everything he says is „maturing.“

Joe nods to the press room in agreement.
Lewis has basically been smirking this whole time, he must be lost in thought, he looks like he’s in a haze.

„Also, I think we were married in another lifetime.“

Max‘s smile changes into something softer, his eyes shining at Joe. „That’s where the bickering came from aswell,“ he adds.

The press room laughs.

***

„Joe, what was that?"

Andrea Stella is the most annoying prick on earth.

„Me and Lando discussed privately that we'd like a fair fight, which you guys would've initiated from the beginning if you actually cared about your drivers."

„Then tell us that? God, Joe, this messed up our strategy badly."

„Strategy of what?" Joe groans. „Lando winning a championship? Yea, not happening this year. We're already halfway through the season and realistically, it's not possible to narrow the gap to Max enough to have a chance at the driver's championship. I know that's a bad mentality or whatever but we should rather aim for the constructor's championship on the first hand."

His team principal sits down again, sighing. „Red Bull's car has been getting worse, that's our chance, on both championships."

„Red Bull has two driver's who don't need a good car to succeed though."

„Max Verstappen can't drive as soon as his car isn't the best on the grid."

Joe feels his cheeks heaten up. „You know nothing about Max."
„But you do? Go on and sign with Red Bull then."

„Okay," Joe shrugs. He honestly couldn't care less about this team anymore, the only thing they do is make him feel bad. Not only him, but Lando too. Even if he claims otherwise.

Lando is getting destroyed under this role, it would be best for him if Joe left and he got to be the first driver.
Since Joe isn't appreciating this privilege enough.

„Joe," Andrea says when he stands up to leave.
„The last thing we need is a Brocedes in this team. Don't fuck this up."

When he runs into Lando the first time after the race, his hair looks tousled.
„Hey, good race," Joe claps him on his shoulder. „What did the old man say?" Lando forces a little smile.
„Pff, too much drama. I'll just let you pass next time."

„No," Lando quickly shakes his head, he's already calmed down a bit, took a shower after his interviews. „We said we want a fair fight and letting me pass just because would not be fair. And you were very fast today, I couldn't catch up and that's my fault."

Joe nods eventually. „I should pay you back some time though, alright?"

„Different topic," Lando starts after nodding in acceptance. „Jenson asked me and Cissy if we wanted to go for dinner tonight, told me I should ask you too and in case you want to bring someone, you are allowed to."

„Uh, yes, sure. I still need to shower though."

„No rush, got a table at 8 or something."

„Also," Lando stops him with a little laugh when Joe wants to go for a shower. „Next week, Sunday I think, euro finals together?"
„In Berlin?"
„Yup, got two tickets but Cissy is at the 20 year Red Bull anniversary on the same day, she can't come."

Right. Max said something about it.

„Yea, let's go together then."

***

Joe left the paddock early because he's going to meet Max. The Dutchman has a pretty stressing week in front of him and won't be able to meet up, so they have to make use of their time now.

Max said he knew a nice spot, now they're at a big landscape, the Blondie'a car parked right there with his trunk open. He usually rents a car when he's in the UK for a while, which he will be now.
They're sitting in the trunk, Max leans against Joe to test his reaction. He leans back towards him.

It's way too early for the sun to set, but the sky is already lightend in a soft yellow and orange around the sun over the flower field they're at.

They don't need to say anything, feeling Joe's skin against his is all Max needs at the moment.
„You looked so hot on the podium today," Joe then comments and the Older rolls his eyes. „Will you ever, like, stop thinking about sex?"

„Not a chance, sex with you is just too good, Maxie."

„What a gentleman you are, Joe."
„Well, I am one. Very bold of you to say it in such a sarcastic tone."
„Mhm, if you're such a gentleman I bet you could lend me your jacket because I'm getting a little cold."

„Cold? Maxie, that's insane, it's july."
„But we're in the UK and it rained like 3 hours ago, it's a little breezy."
„Dramatic," Joe comments, but he does give his jacket to Max. Simply because Max looks really pretty in it aswell.

He smiles, leaning in to peck a kiss to Joe's lips. „You looked handsome on the podium too, by the way."
Joe grins, kissing Max again.
„You know what I'm craving soooo badly right now?" Max whispers, doe eyes looking at the Italian.

He doesn’t have to say anything for Joe to let him touch him anywhere he wants.
Max is quick to pull his shorts down together with his boxers, stroking Joe’s half hard dick until he‘s fully hard.

„So big,“ Max leans in and runs his tounge over the tip of Joe’s cock. „Never fits in my mouth fully.“

The Italian whimpers as Max takes him into his mouth, starting to move his head in a nice rhythm which he knows that Joe loves.
He looks up at him on purpose.

Then he feels his hands tugging at his blonde strands and he continues swirling his tounge around Joe. He moans when he gets pressed down against his pelvis, choking a little, but Joe lets him breathe.

„You’re too good at this, baby, fuck,“ he whines, Msx purposely drooling onto Joe’s cock before taking it in his mouth again.

He’s quick to cum down his throat with a few swear words, the Dutchman swallows and pulls away, eyes hazy and his cheeks painted pink. Giving Joe‘s dick a few more strokes before pulling his shorts back up to his hips.

„It was quick but I still hope it was good,“ Max says this as if he was anywhere near innocent.
„It was so hot, mon amour.“
He grins, Max leans against him again, he feels so nice.

„Could you drop me off somewhere near the restaurant?“ Joe then asks, it’s already getting a bit late and the blonde wasn’t going to stop him from going to the restaurant with his friends.

Max drops him off when he sees that no one is really looking, not in the middle of the city, Joe said he’d walk the rest of the way.
He wants to lean in and kiss him for one last time but Joe stops him, he knows they can’t do that here.

The windows aren’t tainted.

Joe sighs, looking into the blue eyes. „I wish we could.“

„Don’t worry,“ Max‘s lips curl in a smile. „See you in Hungary then, have fun, don’t fuck anyone else.“

„I‘d never if I could also have a body like yours in the sheets.“

„Okay okay, enough now. Oh wait your jacket.“

***

It'll be nice to talk to Jenson again, most of the time they see each other is when they're at work in the paddock so there isn't much time to chat.

Joe‘s fit isn’t too formal, especially with the jacket, but it’s nice to see the others didn’t show up too fancy either. „Sorry, I‘m a little late.“

„Still soon enough, we didn’t order yet,“ Jenson jokes.
„Where were you though?“ Cissy asks, turning her head towards Joe.
„Probably went out with the Red Bull girl, huh?“

„Oh? Tell me more, what’s the gossip,“ Jenson looks at him now aswell.
„They make a big deal out of it, Jens. I‘m just messing around with someone.“
Joe shakes his head, trying to come across as if his heart wasn’t beating rapidly.

Lying about this has gotten increasingly difficult, Joe‘s not quite sure why. Must be some psychological thing.

„You could also just tell us who it is,“ Lando comments, raising his eyebrows expectingly.
„I rather don’t, with that face you’re making.“

Alessia and Charles walk past, Joe has to look twice and then he gives the Ferrari boy a glare.
„Uhm,“ Jenson starts, „Is this something only I didn’t get told again?“

„Nope, that’s new, but it always has been obvious, can’t lie,“ Cissy nods, watching them but then looking away. „We should let them have their thing though.“

The gossip didn’t end there for Jenson, since he was asking for it.
„And I thought your sister and Max had something going on, Joe. She was talking to him and he was red as a tomato,“ Lando states.

„Maybe he was just sunburnt, he‘s dutch after all.“

„Max as in Max Verstappen?“ Jenson asks, now eating his dinner since they just got it.
„Didn’t know he would be brunettes,“ he continues.

Joe has to prevent chocking on his food. „But as we can see it’s not Max who’s here with her, right?“ he forces a smile.
Honestly, he’s not going to baby his sister simply because she’s his sister. He is suspicious of Charles, obviously.

But she’s 24 years old, she mess around with whoever she wants.

On the other hand, why did it have to be Charles, our of all people, why Charles?

„Speaking about hair colors, why is there a blonde hair on your jacket, Joe?“ Cissy gets him out of his thoughts and he looks back at his jacket.
„Wow, you’re a detective now, or what?“

„Why is it so short?“ she raises an eyebrow. „Dating a short haired girl?“

„Maybe she has bangs,“ Joe shrugs, smirking a little. He is trying to play this cool, his life would be kind of over is Cissy was up to play detective well enough.

He’s aware she can find out what she wants if she only wants to hard enough. And when it’s about Joe‘s love life she’s even worse.

She claims that Joe never tells her the truth about his affairs, which is somewhat true. But this is a whole different story.

This isn’t about some girl he met in a club and took home with him this is about Max Verstappen.
Which is, in fact, quite a shocker for the fact Joe is his life-long enemy and a guy.

Well, Max is openly outed to his close circle, he doesn’t need to worry about telling Cissy stuff that involves dudes. But for Joe this is a completely different story in a different context.

„I hate when you do that, Joey,“ she rolls her eyes, Jenson and Lando are just watching.
„It’s not that hard to tell us who she is. I don’t even know a blonde Red Bull girl with bangs.“

„Cissy,“ Jenson steps in with a sigh. „How about we don’t talk about Joe’s experiences in bed sports while we’re in a public restaurant. Because I don’t even want to know so much detail, y‘all are kids, it’s kind of inappropriate.“

They know he’s partly just joking, but sometimes Jenson goes all adult-mode, it’s weird. Happens from one second to the other.

Joe nods though, in agreement. „Exactly, so childish of you Cécilou.“
„You shouldn’t talk.“

„Can I enjoy a meal at a restaurant without you two acting like 5 year olds like ever?“ Lando groans, although he’s smirking a little.

It’s getting pretty late, Lando and Cissy went outside to get 'fresh air', Joe and Jens didn’t push the issue further.
Joe went to go to the restroom, but that was mainly because he saw Alessia going and he needs to speak to her.

„Alessia, god.“ Joe stops her when she walks out of the women’s restroom. „Out of all fucking motorsport athletes you chose Charles who has cheated on half of the girlfriends he ever had. I mean, you do you, but the fuck?“

„We’re not even dating,“ Alessia protests.

„ah, okay, thanks for informing me for once.“

„Says the one fucking Max Verstappen behind everyone’s back.“

Great, it’s been like 14 hours and Charles already told someone, who happens to be Joe’s sister, which means it’s not too big of a deal but he still told someone.

„Lydia knows.“

Joe doesn’t even know why he told their youngest sister in particular, he just felt like it.

„Yeah, but I didn’t. Alright, I‘ll tell you if I happen to start dating Charles. I‘ll even tell you first, drama queen.“

He goes back to Jenson, sitting down. That old man is looking at him as if he heard something.
„What’s that look, Jens?“
„Nothing.“
Joe raises an eyebrow. „Were you spying on me?“

„No, absolutely not.“

He copies Jenson‘s look, looking at him in the same way.
„Okay I might’ve heard something I wasn’t supposed to hear, maybe. But your secret is safe with me, I am literally a closed book.“

Joe lets out a tiny breath, in less than 24 hours two people found out, Max and him need to work on this secret affair thing.
„It’s fine, just don’t tell Nando, he doesn’t know shit about it and I also don’t want him to.“

July 14 2024
Chichester, UK
Red Bull anniversary

Honestly, the whole day tired Max out badly, except when he got to update Daniel about Joe and how weird he’s been acting lately.

He’s saying such romantic things, calling him pretty and all that shit.
Max feels like he’s begging for him to get attached.

He only hopes it’s not love bombing.

„What are you thinking about?“ Cissy decides to be annoying when they’re sitting on the dark blue couch, still waiting for David Coulthard to arrive. He was driving an older Red Bull car, doing some donuts.

„About what I‘ll do when this is finally over.“ Max lies, cheeks growing red. He hates he can’t lie, Cissy always knows.

„And what are you going to do then?“

„Call someone.“

„Who are you gonna call?“

„Cissy,“ Max snaps. „Honestly. Your mom.“
„Sorry, you’ve just been so weird lately.“
„Thank you?“

„I mean, you don’t tell me anything about your love life anymore, remember how you used to tell me all about your affairs after breaking up with Kelly?“

Max looks at her, shrugging. „There’s not much going on.“
„You come across like you‘re getting loved by someone though.“
„How-„ Max furrows his eyebrows. „Are you spiritual now or?“

Cissy giggles. „I‘m just saying you’re happier. Except right now.“
„I‘m always happy.“
The french girl hesitates. „You’re literally grumpy so often.“

„Never.“

July 14 2024
Berlin, Germany

„Mate, I only had a spain jersey, I‘m sorry.“ Joe jokes when meeting up with Lando at the hotel to get ready for the euro finals that they will watch in just a few hours.

England against Spain.

George is surely going to be there aswell with his girlfriend Carmen. Joe‘s pretty sure he saw something on Instagram about it.

„Oh fuck,“ Lando sarcastically gasps. „We can’t go together then.“

„Yeah, fuck, that’s bad.“

When they’re at the game, Joe decides to check his phone during the half time pause. It’s been pretty boring, the english football team always bottles.

That might be a pattern.

All he can see on his socials is people saying Max and Daniel were flirting at the Red Bull anniversary though. Joe reads into it.

He knows they do this as a joke often enough, Daniel is a good guy. But he also knows Max is doing this on purpose in this context, he‘s trying to get a reaction out of him which he will most likely not receive because Joe is staying calm about this.

He’s staying calm.

Lando looks over his shoulder. „Stalking someone? Creep.“

„Lando,“ Joe groans, shutting his phone. „Did Cissy already tell you how the event went?“

„Nope, must’ve been as boring as always.“

„At least it’s summer break soon,“ Joe comments, looking at all the Spanish fans in front of them. „Got any plans with Cissy?“

„We’ll definitely visit her grandparents in Portugal and the ones in South France but otherwise we’ve got not too many things planned. If you want to you can come with us or we can also come to Italy.“

„No, it’s fine you should enjoy your time together as a couple. I always feel so out of place.“

„Mate, you need a girlfriend then.“

„I know,“ Joe sighs. „But you could come to italy if you got the time, I‘ll be at my parents‘ house most of the time I feel like I need some family time.“

„Feel that, I‘ll visit England too I think, without Cissy. So you can also spend some time alone, you know.“

„Yeah… we’ll plan that later on I guess.“

Silence, then Lando speaks up.
„You know uh, speaking about Cissy,“ he starts. Joe is all ears now, looking at his teammate through his sunglasses.

„I kind of want to propose to her.“

Chapter Text

July 14 2024
Berlin, Germany

Joe blinks, slowly, waiting for Lando to go on. But he doesn't say something. Only looking at Joe with big eyes like a deer in the headlights.

"You want to get engaged to her? To cissy? To the Cécile?"

He waits again. "Are you sure?...She can be bitchy."

"Joe that doesn't help." Lando whines. "Do you think it's too soon? I've just felt like we're really happy and we always said we do want to get married so, what do you think about it?"

"You've been dating for like 4 years without weird 'I bet we're gonna break up soon' phases, I think that's honestly enough time," Joe starts, looking around for a second to make sure they're having a private conversation.

Why would Lando tell him this at the euro finals anyway? There's so many fucking people that probably know them too. It's not like they couldn't hear parts of their conversation.

"And if she wants it too, what are you waiting for then?"

The Brit nods, then fidgets with his hands, letting out a soft smirk. "Just wanted the bestie's approval."
Joe grins. "She wouldn't care about my approval but I'm glad you do."

"She thinks about you more than you think." Lan mumbles so quietly that Joe can't even understand it. "What?"

"Nothing. Uhm, do you want to hear about my idea for a ring?"

"Yeah sure," Joe nods. "tell me." He leans back in his seat.

Lando starts rambling, moving his hands along with it too. He seems really excited about this, to the point Joe doesn't listen to what he's saying anymore but can only giggle.

He says something about a simple ring, not too simple but still simple. Cissy likes simple things. Nothing too fancy but still fancy enough for a girl like her, according to Lando.
It has to be silver since she prefers silver jewelry.
Maybe some pretty accents to it, Lando says, no, he's changed his mind, he wants a little diamond on the top. Not too big but still nice enough.

Joe hasn't thought about an engagement since, well, his ex.
She was too perfect for him though. Some blue-eyed blondie from sweden, everyone loved her and god knows Joe did too.

They were a couple for 4 years, until they broke up in 2023. Fernando called her chica, that's when you know it gets serious.

He always thought he was going to get married to her, to some way too perfect, fitting into beauty standards girl. Have kids with her, enjoy his life.

But he was the moon, she was the sun.
At least he thought so.

They exist together in harmony but they just can't be with each other. She always knew, she always knew Joe wasn't truly happy with her. With a her.
His smile had dropped, he's looking away from Lando now.

He feels like his heart is beating out of his chest, rubbing against his ribs and making everything inside him turn. He's dizzy, his head is aching.

"Lando, um, I gotta go to the bathroom, I'll be back."
He quickly says before going away, splashing some cold water on his face and looking into the mirror. He's alone and he looks into his own eyes like they're the ones from a stranger.

Because he is, he never knew what's truly going on inside him. What the fuck is wrong with him or why he's always been such a dick. Why he's always fucking things up, even now.

He doesn't have a seat for next year, is gaining more and more bad reputation at McLaren and worst of all he's fucking his biggest rival, who happens to be his colleague and a man, behind everyones back and adding onto that he hasn't even told his best friends and he still has to audacity to say he's straight.

He must be ruining Max. It will ruin Max.

All because his stupid ego tells him it's fine. But nothing's fine right now.

Cissy is mad at him, Lando is still partially mad at him and he knows Max is pissed too.

Maybe it would be better if he told Max to stop it.

After he's starting to feel like he can go out again he goes back to Lando.
"Everything okay?" he asks, a bit of worry in his eyes.
"Yea don't worry, what were you saying before?"

***

Later that night Cissy is calling him, Joe has been in bed ever since he came back to the hotel though, he's genuinely still wearing that Spain jersey and his jorts. Lando was still chatting with George and his girlfriend Carmen earlier, they probably went out together.

Berlin has great clubs, lots of clubbing culture aswell.

But Joe doesn't have the energy, he's been sleeping. He really wanted to go but he also doesn't at the same time, does that make sense?
Any way, he looks at his phone display for a second, not moving much from his curled up position in bed.

He lets it ring, his phone is on silent anyway.

Honestly, talking to Cissy now would only bring him down more. Talking to anyone. It's not only about Cissy, of course.
Everyone's always so worried.

Joe doesn't know what's wrong with him himself so he would prefer people shutting up about it.
Always their nonsense stuff about his 'phases' or whatever, they say his mood changes rapidly every other week, utter bullshit since that's normal.

People have feelings, everyone does. Joe's might cut him deeper than he'd like but he can't choose his life, right?

And Joe simply feels these phases more intense because he's a very emotional person, he doesn't quite show that but deep deep in soul there is so much love and emotion for everyone and everything.

People don't see that in him.

They see that he's handsome. That he's fit, successful in his sport.
It's always been like that. Also when he was just a teen.

His image of being some heart breaker. He never broke someone's heart or maybe he did but he always tried to make it less harsh than some other people do.

He's had so many commenting on his body at 15, that really ruins someone. Joe isn't complaining people see him as handsome but sometimes it gets too much, especially back when he was still super young.

It's fun to be rich, yes of course, it's also fun to be liked and appreciated by many and also to do a sport that you like and be really good at it.

What isn't fun is that you always have to be in a good mood, nice to everyone and you should never try to show otherwise.
Joe's heart cramps so much, he feels his eyes falling shut again as he's been constantly tired.

The room is dark, it's not late yet but Joe put the blinds down. His phone display lights up again and he lifts his head far enough to see who it is.

Max.

He sighs, lets his head fall down back to the bed.
What is he doing with his life.

He accepts, puts it on speaker.

"Hey, I called because I thought maybe you could chat or something, we haven't talked all week but if you don't want to then we don't have to," Max quicly says and Joe sighs to himself again.

"I'm really tired," he starts. "But I could listen to you talk."

A soft sound from the other sound of the line. "You sure?"

"Yes, chéri" Joe smiles to himself, just a little but it's something at least. "It's nice to hear you talk."

"You're not wanking to it tho, are you?"

He surpresses a small grin. "Only if you want me to but I'm not currently, no."

He's still speaking quietly, softer than usual and a lot slower, Max apparently noticed because there is a hint of worry in his voice.
"Okay then."

Max starts telling him about the Red Bull event first, then about his week in England and how he saw so many things he needs to do with Joe.
He wants to see London with him, not quite the romantic place but well, they have never been romantic, have they?

"And what did you do all week?"

He's still staring at the ceiling, his chest only rising in little breaths although it would be nice if he suffocated.
"I was with Lando."

"Joe? Are you sure you're fine?"

He doesn't say anything, sits up, the sheets pooling around his hips. Swallowing. And then hangs up.
Honestly, he can't have anyone in his ear telling him 'it's fine' or whatever bullshit right now. It doesn't change anything about the fact Joe is never sleeping and somehow still not in his head at all.

Max comes to him in his dreams, his mind can't catch a break of him.
That's probably why Joe can't sleep, the reality of Max being...well, whatever.

***

July 15 2024
Milton Keynes, UK

Max is still in Milton Keynes at the Red Bull headquarters, mostly it's about discussing the car, because it hasn't been easy to handle for either him nor Cissy.

And he hates when he's not in control, when he can't do anything about it. That's how he feels right now.
Not necessarily only about the car.

Cissy is with her manager Michelle, watching some data on her laptop, sitting on these dark chairs near one of the many conference rooms. It's raining outside and the sky is grey. That only adds onto how boring this summer afternoon in England currently is.

Max walks along the hallways with Daniel, he might tell him about his worries. But he's not sure if Daniel could ever understand how much his heart is aching, it's just a small thing people would think, Joe only hung up the phone.

The Blondie sounds like a 15 year old complaining about it. But it's deeper than that, Joe clearly wasn't feeling well and suddenly there's this feeling in Max's chest again.

"Daniel have you ever experienced someone going like, completely depressed for a while and then all of a sudden being completely normal again? How can I help them?"

The Australian stops munching on his cookie to look at Max sideways. "You mean someone who's bipolar?"

"Bipolar?"

Daniel puts a hand on his forehead, standing still. "Wait who are you talking about?"

"Doesn't even matter but what the fuck does bipolar mean?"

"Max, you're crazy for not knowing."

"Whatever. Just tell me." Max looks at Daniel now, his eyes pleading.
He's pretty sure it's a mental health thing, unfortunately Max is way too uneducated on this topic.

"You know, it's like a mood disorder. Low lows switching to high highs. Depends on the person how bad it gets, now who's the guy?"

Max puts a hand on the back of his neck, scrunching his nose. "Joe, but I didn't know he's bipolar."

Daniel lets that sink in, looking away for a moment. "Maybe he just isn't diagnosed. But, wait, you worry about him? That's cute Maxy."
He rolls his eyes at him. "It's really more serious than that, Danny. I just don't know what to do really, he's in Berlin, I think Lando isn't with him anymore and I don't want him to do something stupid."

"It's Joe." Daniel furrows his eyebrows, cocking his head up. "He is absolutely going to do something stupid."

"I don't know what to do with him."

Daniel stops for a second, then nods sternly. "You know him better than I do. And I know you well enough to know you're smart enough to know what to do."
"I don't know him."
"You think so?"

Max almost holds a breath.

Cissy can see them from where she's sitting, Michelle notices the look she's giving them.
"Are you going to tell me what's up...or?"
The french girl turns her head, looking at her engineer. She really wishes her mind would be where it's supposed to be, but it's hard when everything in her life has been thrown around.

She's always been hardworking, concentrating on the task at hand but lately it seems difficult to do what used to be an everyday routine.
This usually happens around her birthday. She had hoped for a somewhat normal birthday party for once but giving the circumstances it might be difficult.

"I don't know, Max has been weird towards me, Joe too. Although I somehow understand why Joe might be upset, but it usually doesn't last this long. I think I did something wrong but it's not helpful when both of them aren't telling me what's up. You know?"

Michelle can basically read her mind, so there's a nod of understanding from her, then she goes: "So now you're thinking about asking Daniel about it because he always seems to be talking to Max about something you're not supposed to know."

Cissy feels caught, it's a little unsettling how fast the spanish engineer gets what she thinks.
"I mean, it's not exactly like that."
"Is it though? You want to know what they're talking about."
"Yeah but I kind of feel like a gossipy bitch when you word it like that."

Michelle cocks an eyebrow. "You're not a gossipy bitch?"
"No, I mean yes," Cissy sighs. "I don't want to know it because I'm a gossipy bitch, I want to know it because Max is my friend and he used to tell me everything, therefore I clearly did something wrong and I want to change that."

"Sounds mature to me," Michelle shrugs, a soft smile forming on her chapped lips. "How about you talk to Max directly instead of Daniel?"

"I've tried. He just avoids the questions like the plague, it's like he's embarrassed. What upsets me is that both Max and Joe are hooking up with someone and refuse to tell me who it is, like they used to be nagging in my ear all about it and now it's just the keeping secrets shit."

Then Michelle suddenly looks rather focused, knitting her eyebrows. "They're both hooking up with someone? How do you know?"

Cissy looks at her shoes on the polished white ground of the red bull racing headquarter, somehow feeling embarrassed for being so nosy.

"Joe says he's hooking up with a Red Bull mechanic, but still not telling me who. He's like, constantly at our hotel and acting all mysterious, he looks ridiculous doing it. Apparently it's a blondie but she must have bangs or something, I once found a short blond hair on Joe's shirt. And Max once had hickeys all over his neck and he's clearly being all lovey dovey whenever chatting with Daniel."

Michelle is looking at her like she's trying to see if she's joking or not. "I don't know, Cissy. Are you just acting stupid or are you genuinely not getting it?"

"What?"

"They're so obviously all over each other!" Chelle throws her hands around, being overdramatic as she always is.
Cissy has to let that sink in. "You think?"

"It's honestly as if you pulled that straight out of a sitcom. The 'Red bull mechanic' Joe is sleeping with just happens to be Max, who as we know, is as straight as the first 50 rows of a lady gaga concert."

Of course, yes, Cissy did know about Max being super gay. Back when he broke up with Kelly he used to hook up with men all the time, tell the French girl all the details. Yeah, he didn't spare her anything.

But Joe swears on his whole bloodline that he's as straight as a ruler.
Might be talking about a flexible ruler.

"Yeah, Max might be. Joe on the other hand is different, he only fucks these models...big tits and ass and all that stuff."

"Honey." Michelle takes her hands just after tucking a strand of her dark waves behind her ear. "Joe used to be obsessed with High school musical and went to 5 one direction concerts back then. He had a cardboard cutout of Luke Hemmings in his room for like 5 years and looked like he almost pissed himself when Luke went to an f1 race once. Do I need to go on?"

Cissy feels her cheeks get rosy. She had always teased Joe about being fruity but in the end it was never really that serious.
"No..."

"Besides," Chelle almost grins. "Max has ass and tits."
It makes her roll her eyes playfully and look over to where her teammate and Daniel are still standing.

"I mean," Cissy starts, although she is unsure where to start. "Joe has hooked up with one or two men. At least I'm convinced he did it with Arthur."
"I'm just gonna act like I didn't hear that. But that only proves my point. Joe's a bicon and he always has been." Michelle takes a sip of her iced coffee, shrugging at Cécile.

She's obviously right. Cissy can't help but feel something inside her shatter when she thinks about the fact her best friend doesn't tell her about his sexuality struggles. She would support him and help him, especially because it's Max.

And she supposes that Max isn't the best choice to explore your sexuality with. No shame of course.

"So have you told Cissy yet?" Daniel asks Max, leaning against a part of the wall where there is no picture of a Red Bull driver, most of these pictures are of Max or Seb, of course.

The dutchman rubs his palms off on his dark shorts, they're getting all sweaty. "Uhm...no. I dunno. It hasn't been that great between us lately in terms of communication. I mean, I hope it gets better next year I really like her as a teammate."

Daniel is silent for a second, he crosses his arms and Max can't tell if it's because he's uncomfortable or if it's something else.
"I liked you as a teammate too, mate, don't be pissed."
"No, no, it's not that."

Max is unsure what to do with his arms, it seems so awkward. He's currently debating if swan jumping off of the roof might be helpful or not.

"I doubt Cissy is going to be your teammate next year."
"Bullshit." Max scoffs, but then he starts thinking as he looks at all the pictures on the wall.

There's barely any with Cissy on them. Max knows he's been getting favorised at the team but well, it's because he's the reigning champion.
That doesn't mean it's fair.
But both him and Cissy have talked this out many times, coming to the conclusion that Max would do the same if the roles were reversed.

Besides, Cissy knew that being a female wouldn't make this sport any easier, Max admires her for the fact she fought her way through with barely any help.
The only help she got was from Joe. And well, everyone knows how helpful he can be. Obviously.

There are a few pictures of Max and her on these bright white walls. He has to stop and look at them for a second.
"You really think she's leaving?"
"Wouldn't you do the same, Max?"

He turns to look at the Australian, considering his words. "I don't think she's leaving, she would've told me."
"She also thinks you would've told her about Joe, at least that's what I assume. You know, now I get what you meant by 'we're not good on communication terms' because yes, you clearly aren't."

"Does that make me a bad friend?" Max worries. He hasn't exactly been a great friend if he's honest.
"You're not a bad friend, Maxy.
That's why she's upset, she thinks differently of you. Communication is key, baby."

***

July 16 2024
Milton Keynes, UK

Max had texted Joe like a desperate teenager.
Not in a dirty way of course.
He asked if everything was alright, what he did wrong, what he can do better, that Joe can talk to him. No reply. Not even reading the messages.

So Max decided to leave him alone for now, talk to him at the Hungaroring on the weekend.

Cissy in the meanwhile went our to grab lunch with Daniel. Obviously, to talk.

"Is Max mad at me?"
Danny looks up from his sandwich, putting it back onto the plate and trying to swallow the enormous bite he just took. Maybe that's why he's single, Cissy thinks.

"You'd be surprised," he starts, "Max is asking me the same thing."

"Oh," Cissy blinks, looking away for a moment before continuing. She needed a moment to think about what she's going to say.
That differences her from her friends, most of her friends are...boys. They don't think before they speak and Cissy often debates if they even think at all.

"Daniel might there be something that Max is keeping from me?"
"No, no, why would you think that?" Danny grins, yea, that grin.
"...because you're so obviously lying right now."

Daniel stops smiling slowly and then clears his throat as he sees the pout on the French girl's tinted lips.
"It's something that I really really...really can't tell you. If it makes you feel better I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who knows. He's going to tell you sooner or later, trust me. Maybe talk to him at your birthday party on saturday?"

Cissy has to hold back a frown, her hands playing with each other in her lap.
"I don't know what I did wrong, Max is clearly mad at me and you're not helping the case either." her voice breaks and she absolutely hates this. She wants to crawl out of the stupid UK right now, go to her Lando in Budapest and sob into his chest.

"Cissy," Daniel lets out a big sigh, reaching over to rub her arm with a gentle hand.
"I'm sorry, but really, Max is not mad at you. Not that I know. He's just really busy at the moment, you know, with the car getting shitty and everything. He's stressed."

She rubs over her face for a moment, collecting herself again. "Yeah, you're probably right. I'm just being really dramatic and it's stupid."

"No you're not," Daniel shakes his head quickly. "I worry about these things too."

The thing about the Australian is, is that he's the biggest empath, hiding it behind that stupid grin. Like, he's super sentimental.

***

July 18 2024
Budapest, Hungary
Media day

Max has been searching through the whole paddock twice and he still hasn't found Joe. He's starting to feel a very weird cramp in his chest.

He avoided asking Zak. He fears he has to now.
So he goes into the McLaren hospitality while he's on a break. It's still early but usually Joe is already turning the paddock into a circus by this time already.

Thankfully he spots Zak quickly and grabs his shoulder.
"Max? What brings you here?"

Max despises that smile. But he's going to be polite today. As an exception.
"Is Joe already here?"

"Joe...no I think I haven't seen him. Apparently he told his manager he's not feeling well, not sure if he's coming today, you'd have to ask Andrea if he's not coming."

Great. Max can only nod before he's out of there again. His thumb hovers over Joe's contact on his phone, deciding whether or not this is a good idea or the worst he's ever had.

He decides to call.

And no one's picking up.
He should've known.

Lando's just walking in, looking like he just arrived in the paddock. Maybe the McLaren drivers both scheduled their media appointments at a later time than Red Bull? It gives Max hope, somehow.

He hesitates, then he stops Lando on his way.
"Lan, what hotel are you guys staying at?"
"Some shit in Budapest, I can send you the address."
The Brit is already pulling out his phone.

"What's Joe's hotel number?"
"313-ish something like that. Why do you ask?"

Max doesn't hear the question, already on his way out of the paddock and to his car.
He might be totally overreacting but he cares about Joe. And what he's currently doing doesn't seem normal.

The world moves too slowly around him until he's in front of the hotel door of room number 313. He really hopes Lando said the right thing.

He knocks on the door. "Joe? It's Max. I want to know if you're okay. Sounds childish and as if I came straight from a tiktok pov, I know."
He waits, leaning against the door.
Then he hears a few sounds, then the door opens just slightly. Enough for Max to push it open and slip into the room.

It's almost fully dark, Max turns on the light.

"Max," Joe groans, already back in his bed.

The room is a bit messy, not messier than usual though.
Max takes it in, Joe isn't wearing a shirt and his torso seems thinner than usual. He's hiding his face, so the Dutchman makes his way to the bed.

"Joe."

He doesn't quite know what to say or do.
"Are you okay?"

"Yes and now leave me alone." Joe mumbles into his pillow.
"I won't," Max says it almost sternly, making it clear that he will stay.

"What did I do wrong?" he asks with a softer voice now, reaching out to touch Joe's bare back.
"Nothing, Max. I'm the problem. I'm not good for you and that's why I need you to leave me alone."

Max frowns, grazing his fingers over Joe's freckled back, down his spine.

He's beautiful like a statue of a greek god.
Now how can an angel like him feel so wrong?

"You're not a problem to anyone, especially not to me. Why do you feel like that's the case?"

"Because I hurt you."

"You didn't." Max shakes his head, placing a kiss on Joe's temple. "Get up for me, okay?"

He watches him turn around on his back, then sit up.
His eyes are tired and it looks like he hasn't gotten a lot of sleep.
"Since when do you feel like that?" he asks as Joe puts on some clothes.

"It happens, sometimes." he murmurs. "When I forget to- doesn't even matter."

Max isn't quite sure if Joe would like to be touchy now, but he tries it, resting his head on the taller's shoulder. "No tell me."

"Not now," he sighs, rubbing his eyes. "You're making it really hard to be sad. Dickhead."

He smiles a little, Max's heart flutters. He decides to put the blinds up, letting natural light into the room.
"How come your manager doesn't mind when you do this?" he's not asking with any judgement, still being soft with Joe because that's how he needs it.

"They all say I can manage on my own."

Max watches Joe trying to fix his hair, although he's already getting frustrated.
"Can you though?" he leans against the door of the bathroom, watching the Italian through the mirror.

"I don't want you to worry about me."

"But I do."

"And I don't want you to. I know deep down you don't care. You don't have to act like this because you feel like you have to."

"That's not true."

He keeps his eyes on Joe, who's currently fumbling for something in his luggage. „Can you look away?"
Respecting someone's wishes is Max's priority so, why not? He turns around, only hearing what Joe is doing.

It might sound silly but Max did do research on the thing Daniel talked about, bipolar disorder.
Now, he doesn't know if Joe has that or if he's keeping it from him or whatever, but he still wants to be supportive of whatever early adulthood kinda identity crisis Joe has.

Besides that, if he wanted Max to know he would tell him, obviously the Dutchman has to tell himself it's okay that he wants to keep this private, that's why he's trying his best not to care about it.

"Okay," Joe says softly, slowly. He's usually a fast speaker. Not currently. "You can look again."

Max turns to Joe and his eyes go rather worried. "Are you ashamed of it?"
"Yes," Joe nods, feeling caught.
"What is it?" Max is honestly kind of confused, he told himself he didn't need to know but this seems harder now.

"I can't tell you," Joe swallows. „Is that okay?"

Max then nods in defeat. "I'll bring you to the paddock."

***

By the late evening, when the only people left in the paddock are some f1 drivers and team members, Max already took Joe to his hotel room.

It's still pretty much light outside in Budapest, Max's gaze keeps hanging on the window, the sun is setting, slowly. Creating a pink shadow over Budapest.

Max lets his fingers card through Joe's hair, his head on his lap.

His finger grazes his cheek, he's so soft. And beautiful.
"How was your media day?"

"Boring." Joe mumbles, almost into Max's shirt.

Max smiles, rubbing Joe's freckled cheek with his thumb. "I bet. Mine was super boring aswell."

Silence with Joe isn't awkward, it's refreshing and Max could touch him like this forever without saying a thing. God, yes, he's making heart eyes at him.

"I want to leave McLaren." Joe says and it's so sudden that Max almost jumps, but he keeps his hand in Joe's hair.
"Where do you want to go then, baby?"

The Italian basically nuzzles his cheek back into Max's hand, his eyes still closed.
"I've talked to Fred."

Well, yes, of course. Max should've figured.
Joe looks good in red, he's young, italian and handsome. He was pretty much made for Ferrari if he thinks about it.

"And Christian still keeps calling Mika."

Mika Häkkinen is Joe's manager, he must live a quite stressful life.

Max would love that, his handsome at the same team as him? They could spend so much time together and no one would find it weird or suspicious.
Yes, Joe at Red Bull would be nice.

"What do you want?" Max asks, playing with a little curl on Joe's forehead.

"I'm undecided."

The Blond drags his finger over Joe's nose, then his cheek. "And just objectively, what do you think fits you most?"

"Max," Joe sighs. "I really don't know. I wish I wouldn't have to- I mean I wish I could just be with you forever without any...stupid bullshit." This time the italian curlyhead looks at him.

Max can only bear a smile. "Totally relatable."

He intertwines their fingers and it seems like Joe is almost delicate with it.
"We should spend time together during summer break." Max says dreamily, he didn't really think about it.

Joe will probably say no, this will turn into the most embarrassing conversation Max has had in a long time, he won't ever be able to face Joe again and the younger will even make fun of him for it, tell everyone and lastly post it on social media how desperate Max is.

"That's a good idea," Joe smiles softly. "I'm in italy with my family but I'm sure you can come along."

Max lets out a breath he didn't quite know he's been holding for the last 2 seconds.

"You don't think that comes across as weird?"

"Well no, I could just say we're friends."

"So we're not friends?"

Max is cheeky.
Joe starts smiling, still holding his hand. Then he shakes his head and scrunches his nose.
Max's lips do turn into a smile and he can't hold back the kiss he quickly puts on Joe's lips.

"What are we then?"

"You ask a lot of questions," Joe smirks, but he places a kiss on Max's knuckles. "We're like...enemies with benefits?"

"Sounds quite fitting."

Joe nods, still holding his head in Max's lap and looking up at him. Max tilts his head.
He looks like he's about to say something.

But he only opens his mouth and closes it again.
"You won't tell anyone about this morning, right?"

Max blinks, then he nods his head. "If you don't want me to tell anyone then I won't."

He isn't quite sure why Joe doesn't want anyone to know he barely made it out of bed to go to the paddock. But Max is more than willing to fulfill his wishes, even if he doesn't understand them.

"Thanks."

Max wants his eyes to say 'no problem' and he really hopes Joe got the message.

July 19 2024
Budapest, Hungary
Free practice day

Today was a better day for Joe.
Max supposes he took these meds he has, whatever their purpose is.

Because Joe came into the paddock almost kissing him on the lips and smiling broadely.

But, well, Max quickly had to deny that kiss and played it off. Since the media declared their relationship as a "bromance" anyway, Max doesn't think anyone's gonna believe something weird.

After he gave Joe a quick goodbye handshake in front of the McLaren hospitality, letting his hand linger for a moment longer than necessary and glancing at him in a - Max doesn't know how to describe it - a slutty way? Anyway the Dutchman made his way to the Red Bull hospitality, past the Mercedes one.

His gaze wanders around, the paddock is nice during summer. Max really likes summer. Especially this one. For no particular reason that involves a curlyhead of course.

He glances at Liron and Cissy in front of the Mercedes hospitality.

Wait.

Liron and Cissy? Mercedes hospitality?

Max's and Cissy's eyes lock, she quickly excuses herself to Liron and tries to pick up with Max's pace. Really, he is way too tall and his legs are too long.
No. Cissy is not too short. That stupid Dutchman is simply too tall.

"Hey Max," she starts, walking quickly next to her teammate, although she's almost sprinting.
"How are you?"

"I'm fine," Max smiles, but the french girl can tell it's forced.

"Are you pissed?"

"No." Max shakes his head, this seems genuine tho. He starts adjusting his white shirt while he walks, yes, no Red Bull team gear. And also no skinny jeans.
It's pretty hot, so Max decided to wear shorts. Joe calls them slutty but the Blondie decided for himself that he must like that. Slutty things.

"I just didn't know you started being friends with Liron." Max quickly states, pressing his lips together and looking down at Cissy while walking.

He doesn't have anything against her, really, but ever since she obviously started flirting with Joe he might be a little opposed to the idea of ever speaking to her.

Pushing her off a cliff might seem more fitting towards Max.

Cissy nods, showing understanding, but then she swallows.
"Well, I didn't know you suddenly liked Joe either."

"We're just like- you know- colleagues. We're not friends. We get along now. But that's it." Max quickly explains, grabbing onto his backpack almost like a primary schooler.

Cissy doesn't say anything, only walking next to Max, stubbornly. He knows she wants to make conversation but doesn't know how.

"Despite that, I thought that's all you ever wanted."
Max starts again. This time he seems a tiny bit pissed, he's squeezing his eyebrows together.

"Well yea," she answers.

He studies her concentrating face, now she's annoyed too.
"Great."

"Great." Cissy repeats and in no time Max is walking upwards to the Red Bull hospitality. And due to his long ass legs, his teammate won't be able to catch up.

So she lets it be.

She really tries to spend as less time as possible at Red Bull, she wasn't ever going to follow him in.

***

Between the two free practices Joe remembers that Fred wanted to see him. Unfortunately he wants to see him in the Ferrari garage, that's why he's currently sneaking behind all the hospitalities to find a way into the prancing horse's castle where 100 reporters don't see him.

He knows they have a back door, so he's going to use that.

He walks past the Williams garage, the Porsche garage and-

And Carlos and that brunette Reporter girl are violently making out.
Joe stares.

He can't remember her name at the moment, something starting with M? He's not sure.

Marlene? No.

Miray. It's Miray. By the time Joe got the name they're staring back.

"Uhhh, don't worry I won't tell anyone." Joe says. Carlos grins, just like he always does. "You're very stupid."

"Says the one making out with a reporter behind their hospitality."

Carlos has to laugh, while Miray rather looks like a scared bunny, fixing her long dark hair.
"Driver's room is a way better place." Joe says, but he must be making this conversation more awkward than it already is.

"You've got experience?" Carlos asks, Joe's cheeks turn a dark shade of pink. Around Carlos he is always shy, doesn't know exactly why but he supposes it's because he's known him since he was like 9. And Carlos was like 15.

So obviously, as a kid you're scared of anyone older than 12.
And to be fair, Carlos didn't hold back about making fun of him and Cissy back then when they were having dinners at the Schumacher's house.

"No, I'm just saying." Joe quickly answers, but Carlos is still grinning.

"And where are you going even?" Carlos asks, Miray obviously looks like she's about to leave.
This whole situation is much embarrassing and confusing to her, poor her.

"Do I really have to tell you?" Joe tilts his head, scrunches his nose. It's a habit.
"...No, I guess not."

Now Carlos looks lost again, that look in his eyes that just screams that he's in a different universe right now. Yea, that look.

So, Joe keeps walking after Carlos starts eating that Brunette's face again.

At least he made it into the Ferrari garage, now face to face with his sister.
His sister?
Right. Joe forgot.

She looks at him like a deer in the headlights, and he looks at her the same way if he's totally honest.

"What are you doing here?" she quickly asks, she's whisper-screaming, looking up at her twin brother like a little gremlin.
"Oh wow, I could ask you the same thing." Joe groans.

She tucks a brown curl behind her ear, her hair is so long by now, reaching down to her lower back. She's wearing a long white dress, showing her shoulders, kind of flowy. There's a hint of red on her golden necklace.
"I'm here to support my boyfriend Charles at a race, and what are you doing?"

Joe's jaw slacks open, then he raises his eyebrow.
"I'm here to talk with Fred."

"Oh wow," his sister starts, raising her eyebrows too. They really are too similar. "And here I was thinking you might have an affair with another guy in the paddock. Since you fuck around all the time."

"Shhh," Joe quickly shushes her and pushes her aside by her shoulders. Luckily she got their mom's genes, she's short as hell.

She won't ask why he's talking with Fred, she's probably smart enough to know by herself.
Joe's walking towards his office, the Ferrari engineers don't even seem to notice him much.

When he finally gets to the office he knocks first. Who would've thought such a comparably small hospitality would take so long to navigate through.

"Joe. Please sit down."

He sits. In front of him Fred and- Fred and Mika. Joe's manager.

"You know, I wanted you here because I know how difficult the situation between you and McLaren is and I wanted to check on the whole contract situation. Are you still interested?"

Joe blinks at the french team principal, then nods quickly. "Yeah, I haven't signed any contracts for next year yet so I'm still free."

"And you've got interest in joining Ferrari?"

"If you can give me a car that I can win the championship with then yes, yes I'm interested."

Mika looks at Fred, almost as if he was about to say "Told you".

"We can provide that."

Joe keeps drifting his gaze over the white table, he hates this kind of blue-ish lightning in a room. He's not concentrating, he knows.
But he nods. "Okay, great."

Fred almost sighs, but there's still a smile on his face. Fred looks funny. Joe can't explain. But he does.
"So the offer is still sign the contract until Monza, but I really want to tell you that you should sign it sooner. You're not the only one in talks."

"I'll- yeah, I'm still undecided and I'm gonna think about it over the summer. But thank you."

Fred nods his head. "If it's not opposing to you, I'd like to see you in Maranello during summer break, discuss some further things if you're interested."

Summer break. Joe can surely still be with Max though, right? He'll be in Maranello only for a day, he assumes.

"Yup, sure."

"Great, I'll send you an email."

Fred grips Joe's hand in a handshake as he's about to leave. "I'd love to make an agreement."
Joe nods, hazel eyes big.

He walks out with Mika, he didn't even know he'd be there this weekend.
He keeps looking into notes, but Joe might be too uninterested to ask.

"Joe, I'd really like you to sign that contract before Monza. Ferrari is the best option we have considering all the circumstances. Plan b would be waiting for other contract opportunities. And for Plan b to work you need to stop doing that...thing...with McLaren."

Joe furrows his eyebrows as he walks next to his manager in the paddock. That july sun really crashing down around this time of day.
"What thing?"

Mika adjusts his glasses, then sighs. "You know, like, talking badly about Zak and Andrea in media, making backhanded remarks towards them in person, never listening to team orders, being passive aggressive about them anytime they get brought up and lastly, liking a hate post about your own teammate."

Well. Joe admits it sounds like a lot. But that's not entirely true. Many things get mistaken, not his fault some people don't have a good sense of humour.

"First of all, that wasn't a hate post it was just a joke which I even showed to Lando and he laughed. And otherwise I know I did some stuff that was wrong."

Mika adjusts his glasses again. "Okay, good. Don't fuck this up. You know that it's not a good image in front of other team principals to act like a 16 year old on weed when you're on track. Now even off track."
Joe groans, his mouth open. "I'm not a teen anymore."

The two-time world champion nods, putting his pen back into the pocket on his shirt.
"I know you're not 16 anymore," he starts. "That's why I trust you to do the right thing."

To be exact, Joe always does the right thing in his own eyes, but he's quite sure Mika isn't approving by the way he looks at him.
"I won't do it again, I promise."

The McLaren driver walks back to his hospitality, of course being greeted by Zak Brown.
"Joe," god. Will this ever stop.
"Me, you, Lando, golfing tonight? Team time? Just like the good ol' days?"

Joe absolutely does not want to. He doesn't want to spend time with Zak nor Lando. On top of that he doesn't like golfing that much.
But he thinks back to Mika.

'Don't fuck this up.'

"Yea, I'm up."

Truth is, he'd much rather be in Max's hotel room and be the little spoon again while looking out that big window that shows the skyline of Budapest. In pink when you look at it at the right time of day.

Guess he'll have to text Max later that he's not coming.
Bullshit. Golfing is shit.
Boring and only there for the aesthetics.

***

By the evening, after the two free practice sessions and media is done, Joe is sitting on the back of the golf cart with Lando.

Zak is driving, by surprise it's not a bumpy ride.
When they're standing, golf clubs in their hand, Zak puts his hand on his hip.

"So boys, real reason I've brought you here is because me and Andrea of course have listened to your wishes of not prioritizing one of you, or so to say we shouldn't have a first driver."

Joe looks at Lando, he looks just as annoyed as him. He came here for golfing, not work stuff.

"So, basically when we say Papaya rules to you on the radio it means you're allowed to race each other as long as you stay in the guidelines and don't crash into each other."

Joe looks at the ground, the green grass, although it must be full of chemicals judging by the way it's way too healthy and shiny.

"Isn't that, like, kind of uncareful considering the constructor's championship? Racing incidents still happen, we've seen in austria, so what if we do crash? That's points just being thrown away," Lando says, although that 'Papaya rules' thing is what they both wanted since the start of this year.
Or so to say, when Red Bull started being less dominant and they've had a chance of winning again.

Honestly, Joe hates to say it, it was nicer being a midfield team. Just for the teammate situation, it's way easier to handle.

"Well yea. Racing incidents do happen, but that was with Verstappen. Not between you two. Any incident with Verstappen is just, ya know, kind of the usual thing. He can't do it any differently when he doesn't have the fastest car."

Joe bites his tounge, clenching his teeth and looking at Zak.
"I think you two are smart enough to know what's right and what's wrong. You're both very smart boys. Unlike Red Bull's golden child it seems."

"Why are you so obsessed with him? If you hate him so much why do you keep calling his manager and ask if you can secure him a contract at McLaren?" Joe almost snaps, Lando quickly looks at Zak and then at his teammate.

"How do you know?"

"Doesn't quite answer my question. Racing incidents could also happen between me and Lando, you're never gonna know how we think inside the car. You can't predict it and sometimes you're just unlucky. If you don't want to secure a first and second driver then you have to accept the fact that something might happen during wheel to wheel racing." He starts, still looking at Zak and leaning onto his golf club.

"Really, Max is not a rookie he's a world champion, of course he wasn't about to wave Lando by in Austria. That doesn't make him nor Lando a bad driver. It's such bullshit, you can criticize his actions but you're criticizing his personality as a racing driver and his achievements aswell. It's so so so fucking pathetic."

Zak only blinks, then sighs.
"Sometimes Max goes to far."

"And?" Joe squeezes his eyes, shaking his head.
"Back then you always told me I shouldn't know when to stop. That also goes for Max."
The previous team principal eventually nods, then smiles.

Lando seems confused, he kept looking back and forth between the two, and he knows Joe is still pissed judging by the way he's gripping his golf club.

***

Joe did leave after that conversation, he had no energy for that bullshit.
Papaya rules? Who thought that's a good name?

It's kinda giving millennial and unfortunately Joe is so not here for it.
By fact, these rules aren't a bad idea. And him and Lando wanted fair racing, yea, that's what they wanted.

But it doesn't seem so fair anymore when the team puts their hands in it too. The Brit and him were completely fine handling all by themselves.
And what if they don't allow Papaya rules? Like, what if the team doesn't give them these orders? Will they have to listen to their unfair orders, such as letting the driver with more points pass so he can push up to Max?

It doesn't make any sense, and because he's so done with everything he really needs Max.

Unfortunately he keeps forgetting that Cissy is usually staying at the same hotel as Max due to Red Bull.
And to his surprise she's sitting in the lobby with that Brunette reporter girl.
Miray, Joe keeps forgetting her name.

————

Cissy had agreed to a more private interview with a sky sports interviewer, it was that brunette, she was always nice to Cissy, she's new and young. They must have a lot in common, so, the Red Bull driver agreed with a little meetup.

Due to circumstances they sadly had to meet at the hotel lobby, although they both don't mind.
Miray has her pen and notes ready after exchanging a handshake with Cissy.

She really has to smile, Miray is still new to the job so she seems a bit shy, but the french girl thinks she might be able to make her crawl out of her shell.

"So, first of all, good evening Cécile, it's nice to be able to speak so personally to you." she almost giggles, fixing her hair as an attempt to look more professional.
"Of course, yes, good evening to you too."

"Uhmmm, so let's start, of course there have been several rumours about your contract, especially about your contract at Red Bull not being renewed. Are there any reasons you might want to leave the Red Bull family while you've been part of it since almost 6 years?"
She holds her pen ready, flashing Cissy a smile.

Cissy smiles back, crossing her legs.
"I don't think there's a particular reason. I haven't signed a Red Bull contract yet because I wanted some time to think about it clearly, you know, it's the first time I've ever even considered not signing. I love Max as a teammate and I'm in general in very good conditions with the team but sometimes for me personally, I need changes. And changes in teams is one of the things I need from time to time. I think it's part of the sport."

Miray kept writing down while Cissy was talking, then she nods warmly.
The Red Bull driver can only notice her dark red nails, matching with her dress. It also really suits her dark brown hair.
Miray glances her brown doe eyes at her, smiling.

"Red Bull has mostly built the car around your teammate Verstappen, is that one of the reasons you might consider a leave?"

Cissy has to think for a moment, playing with her fingers.
"I think it's difficult in some situations, yes. But at the same time I guess that Max deserves it. Unfortunately me and Max have very different driving styles and that's why it's hard to adjust the car to both of us. But I usually manage."

Pen skribbling something onto the paper, when Miray looks up, Cissy can only smile.

"The allegations Christian Horner faced at the start of the season, do you agree with how that was handled?"

The questions are really digging deep, and Cissy knows what she can and what she can't say.
"No."
"That's all you want to say?"
She nods.

"Now there have been rumors of you signing with Mercedes, is there any truth to it?"

Cissy swallows, then just grins. "Who says that?"
"French and English Journalists."
"I have nothing to add to that then."
Miray lets out a little laugh, clicking her purple pen and writing.

"Tomorrow is your birthday, do you have anything planned?"
Cissy almost feels a flutter in her heart when Miray mentions her birthday, it's almost unexpected but certainly cute.
"First of all tomorrow is qualifying and of course I plan to be on pole," Cissy jokes and they both start giggling like little girls.
"But for the evening I'll be with my boyfriend Lando and of course some friends and family, we're having a dinner in the paddock restaurant, they have a nice garden I rented. It's gonna be really warm so I was thinking a garden party is a nice choice."

Miray nods, but she doesn't write it down. "That's certainly very sweet. So only the closests are invited, you say?"
"Pff yea, like colleagues, a few friends and my family."

Just when she mentions friends, Joe walks into the hotel lobby, head down, eyes glued to his phone, wearing a white baseball cap and his stupid Italy jersey.
Well, it's not stupid, Cissy was exaggerating.
But why would Joe be at her hotel?

When he looks at her for a second, and then shoots her a look, Cissy almost feels a knot in her stomach.

She can't tell the emotions of that look, so she sends him the exact same one back. Joe drags his baseball cap further down his face and walks up the stairs.

He must be meeting that Red Bull girly, and Cissy can't just escape this interview. So she simply glares at him, narrowing her eyebrows. The red bull mechanics and engineers are staying on this floor, not upstairs.

Upstairs are her, Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and...Max.
Cissy keeps narrowing her eyebrows, chewing on her lip as she watches him drag his feet onto every little step. But he knows what he's aiming for.

Then she remembers that Joe was golfing with Lando. But Lando isn't back yet. Did Joe leave?
Cissy really hopes they didn't fight, Lando always reads way too deep into it, thinking that his teammate must hate him.

But in reality, Joe is just like that. He can be mean, but he doesn't mean it in the way it comes across. Cissy has learned that by now.

Miray sets her pen and paper down, initiating she's not writing down anymore.
"Are you still friends with him?"
The french girls nods, slowly but surely. "Yeah."
"Lando too?"
"Yeah..."

Miray tilts her head slightly. "What's he doing at this hotel, thought the McLaren's would stay in another one."
Cissy wonders how she knows, maybe these sky sports reporters get more information than she always thought.

"I have no idea..." Cissy states.

***

Joe knocks on Max's hotel door. Room number 313, same as him. Strange.
He looks left and right, the elevator door opens, inside is Horner.
Fuck.

The McLaren driver drags his cap further down his face, if that even was possible.
Max opens the door and Joe pushes it open, getting inside and quickly closing it, which causes a rather loud bang hallowing through the hotel hallway.

Max is silently crashing out.

"Why why why?" He giggles, putting his hands into his blonde hair. "Helmut Marko is staying on this floor, I swear that old potato is already sleeping around that time, that was so loud! Shame on you, you probably woke him up!" Max playfully hits Joe, takes off his cap and gives him a quick kiss.

Joe laughs into the kiss. "Christian Horner was there, should I have let him spot me?"
"Nooo," Max shakes his head, his hands resting on Joe's biceps.

There's a knock on the door and Max's eyes widen, he quickly shoves Joe into the bathroom and closes the door, opening the one to the hallway.

"I'm just checking on you, Max. You just closed the door really loudly, are you upset?" Christian asks, he looks rather amused than actually caring.

"No, uh. That was just the wind."
"You don't have your window open."
"Yes, I closed it a moment ago."

Max swallows, Christian raises an eyebrow.
He really doesn't have the window open, despite that there's two Red Bull cans ready on the bedside table and there's a baseball cap that clearly isn't his on the ground.

Max squeezes an eye shut.

"Well, Max, there's barely any wind."
"It was the wind." The Blond guy groans. "Bye."
He drags the 'Bye' for as long as he can while closing the door.
Enough of that. Max rolls his eyes, not sure if it's aimed at Christian or himself.

He opens the bathroom door, lets Joe out and pushes him towards the bed with a giggle.
"I got two Red Bulls, you know, for us."

Joe sits down on the bed, kicks off his shoes and looks at the energy drinks next to him.
"How do you know I like Açai Red Bull the most?" he looks towards the older guy with a slight grin.

"Just had a feeling, babe."
"You like the original one the most?"
"Yup, nobody's better than the original." Max laughs and opens his can right after Joe opened his.

He looks at the big window, showing off Budapest in the dark, lights floating around everywhere.
The night is chilly, but it's still quite warm.
Moving to the window and opening it, Max lets in some fresh air.

Joe follows him, the window is big. He leans against it a little, Max next to him.
That breeze flowing in is making the Red Bull driver's hair all messy.

But it looks best when it's like this in Joe's opinion, it makes him look less harsh.
And due to no gel being in his hair, it seems lighter aswell.

The thing is Max used to be a total blondie as a kid, but now it's more like light brown in most cases. Although in summer it's still golden.
Joe puts his purple Red Bull can away, looking at Max who's currently smiling.

The Italian leans in slightly, hopefully making his intentions clear before kissing Max. His lips start to feel tingly, his tummy becomes warm and they're both smiling into the kiss. The blond guy opens his mouth, let's Joe's tounge in and tries to single handedly put his Red Bull away before moving his hands no Joe's shoulders.

Joe's hand land on his waist and hips, he kisses him as if he was a girl. And Max likes it. Loves it even.

It feels so romantic, kissing in front of the skyline of Budapest. Max's whole body feels like a firework and his brain gets foggy when Joe starts squeezing his hips.

By the time they both can't think straight anymore they're already making out, Max's hands grabbing onto the brown curls and Joe's fingers digging into his ass.
His body is tingly, his tummy flutters and he presses himself closer, moaning when Joe spins him towards the couch.

***

Around the same time Lando is coming back to the hotel room, Cissy in a robe, she probably showered after her interview.

"How was your interview?" Lando asks, leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom as Cissy applies moisturizer to her face.
"It was really nice. Miray is very sweet and for once an interviewer actually cared about me and didn't really ask about you or Joe."

Lando smiles, his dimples making his girlfriend grin. Although he looks tired, Cissy notices the way he keeps rubbing the back of his neck, closing his eyes for brief moments.

"And how was your golfing with Zak and Joe?"

The Brit sucks in air through his teeth. "Zak spoke to us about some strategy, I doubt Joe liked it that much cuz he left. I mean, I get it. Zak made some backhanded comments about Max."

Cissy looks back at him through the mirror, raising her eyebrows. "What did he say?"
"That Max can't race and stuff like that. Joe was like, super annoyed. He was defending Max as if he was his wife I swear." Lando laughs at the last part of the sentence, but Cissy isn't laughing.

"But now I'm tired because Zak kept talking to me for so long." Lando points a finger to his mouth to indicates he's sick of it.
"So, I should go to bed, babe. But I'm so excited for national Cissy day tomorrow."

National Cissy day.

She smiles, shaking her head as he leaves.
There are people that love their birthdays, Lando does, but there are also people that hate their birthday more than anything, such as Cissy.

***

July 20 2024
Budapest, Hungary
Quali day

Cissy had to settle for a disappointing P7 in Qualifying, on her birthday. The car just wouldn't work, always bumping and not hitting the apexs right.
But that was only the bad part about her day.

Lando woke her up with breakfast, gifted her a new digital camera because that's what she had wished for, flowers, clothes, he just had so much for her.
She got a new fragrance from Joe, it smells like when you enter a flower garden for the first time in early spring.

That's what she loves.

Seb is in the paddock for her today, he already congratulated her. And so many Red Bull team menbers she thought she was never liked by even gave her gifts, small things like sweets.

So overall today was a good day, and Lando is on pole for tomorrow. She's very happy for him.

Right now she's already getting ready for her small birthday party, sadly without any alcohol because it's a race weekend, but they will make that up as soon as it's summer break.

But she's gonna wear a black shirt that shows off her shoulders and a long white boho skirt since it's still incredibly warm outside.

She's got the table all set, it's around 8pm, but since it's summer it totally doesn't feel like that. The sun isn't even setting and it smells like, Cissy can't quite catch it, just like summer.

"I sat you next to Max, thought you wouldn't mind since you're friends with him now," Cissy smiles when Joe arrives to the dinner outside with Max. But her best friend can tell that smile is fake, she's plotted something.

He shakes his head, grabbing his chair and sitting next to Max, right around the corner from Cissy.
Lando sits on the opposite side of Joe, Liron on the opposite of Max's.

Max gets a weird feeling in his tummy, she's gotten close to Cissy.

The dinner isn't really a dinner but more like a buffet. Since half of Cissy's friends are picky eaters, she thought that might be a good idea, that way everyone can take whatever they'd like.

But she does notice Joe's gaze on Lando, Lando who's only picking at his food but not really eating.
"Is everything okay?" she asks quietly to her boyfriend.

Luckily, only he can hear. There are more people at this party than Cissy expected, which is nice but somehow also overwhelming.
"Yeah, just kinda lost in thought." He murmurs, setting his chin onto his hand and looking at Cissy.

He looks dreamy, but she's still concerned. She gestures to Joe, Lando nods. "I can try to talk to him later. I wanted to anyway."

The dinner is pretty much over, now people are moving onto the Virgin cocktail part. Although a real cocktail might be more fitting to fill the pit in Cissy's gut.

And Joe is all giggly with Max, but she needs to talk to him.
She taps his arm, he turns his head and his smile slightly drops but not completely.
"Can we talk? I mean, not necessarily now. Maybe later? Like in an hour or so? Chat with a cocktail? Virgin of course."

"Virgin cocktail fits you." Joe murmurs, smirking slightly and Cissy can tell he just made a sex joke. She looks at him sternly. "I was being serious."
"Yeah. Yea sure, only me?"
"Bring Max."
"Okay? No need to sound so bitchy."
"I'm not bitchy."
"Okay."

She can tell by Joe's eyebrows knitting that he's kinda pissed off. But he's been getting mad at anything. It's so stupid.
Cissy is the same.
She's been fed up because of many reasons, here's the list:
-Red Bull not caring about her issues for the car
-Horner blaming her for a weight related disqualification in austria
-her not having a win yet in this season
-getting shamed by Red Bull for not being able to win in a shit car that they built
-Marko and Horner making sexist comments about the female driver they chose
-Joe not telling her anything
-Max not telling her anything
-Lando acting weird

So, that's why Cissy is currently not in the mood to joke.

Afterwards she spoke to Seb, he gave her his original by Senna himself signed cap for her birthday and also took a drink with her in the warm july night.
She didn't notice Joe and Max left.

————

„Fuck." Max groans, baring himself to Joe who's currently pounding into him from behind.
"You're very fucking deep."

"You could stop complaining unless you want people to hear," Joe says out of breath, his hands glued to Max's hips, making him shudder as the cold metal of Joe's golden rings pressed onto his sensitive skin.
The Dutchman's pale skin looks beautiful in the blue-ish white light of his driver's room.

It smells like sex, a cleaned floor, an opened red bull can and Max.

"You don't want people to hear how much I'm fucking enjoying your dick?" Max almost laughs, but Joe groans. "Stop saying that while I'm fucking your ass."

He whimpers when the McLaren driver hits a particularly sensitive spot inside him, he starts doing it over and over until Max is a mess on the dark blue sofa of his driver's room.

His arms have given out and he's drooling. He's clenching until the point he swears he can feel Joe's veins.
Max is open, yes, he is pratically open for Joe.

"You were fucking made for me, mon amour."
Joe traces his fingers from Max's ass over his lower back, pressing down ever so slightly until he reaches incredibly deep inside Max.

Max starts holding onto the armrest of the sofa when Joe's thrusts start to get uncoordinated, both moans get louder and lull in the Red Bull driver's room.
"Do you want it inside, baby?"

He eagerly nods.
Then his legs get wobbly and luckily Joe is holding him upright while he cums deep inside Max.
It's warm and tingly and simply from that the Blondie is cumming onto the couch.

At least he thought so, he was so occupied with loving the feeling of a dick and cum inside his ass that he didn't even notice Joe was jerking his dick off.
So, he came right into Joe's hand.

"You're very good."
Max shivers at the praise.
"A very good girl."
Max fucking moans and pushes back onto Joe behind him.

Then he lazily reaches out to his phone, seeing the time and his eyes widen. "Cissy wanted to speak to us, it's been half an hour since we should've been back at her party!"
"Fuck."

Max has never put on his dark blue shorts and white shirt back on so fast, Joe taking his hand to run through the paddock with him.

No one's there anymore, everyone's at Cissy's party. Therefore the only noise and light coming from the paddock is right where the garden of the paddock restaurant is located.

The noise is Charli xcx music, Cissy is all into that brat summer.

Max is gripping onto Joe's hand as they're running but also giggling, his whole hand feels like it's going to burn. Hotter than freshly used soft tires during summer.

"You're so stupid!" Max starts, by now the sun has set and most of the paddock is dark. "Why'd you take so long?" he giggles, Joe wraps his arms around his waist and spins him.
"You took just as long!" Joe groans playfully, setting Max down again and now they just start walking.

"Pff," Max rolls his eyes, then let's go of Joe's hand when they're about to get into the garden to talk to Cissy.

There's pretty fairy lights all over the garden and if there weren't so many people, Max would absolutely love to get fucked here.

Cissy is by the bar, tugging her hair away as she reaches for a virgin cocktail. Then she sees Max and Joe. And she swallows.

"You're late," she observes, sipping on the virgin martini. She also observes how messy Max's hair is, how sweaty Joe looks.

"Yeah, uh sorry, we were not paying attention to the time," Joe smiles widely, Max stands very close to his arm and almost looks like a puppy.

"Whatever," Cissy shakes her head. "I wanted to ask from Lando if you're okay with the McLaren strategy cause he's confused by you."

Joe leans against the counter. "I am okay with it. But I wouldn't let him pass just cuz McLaren tells me to, he has to know that. Even if he's P2 in the championship I don't care."

Cissy nods.
"Fine."

***

July 21 2024
Budapest, Hungary
Race day

By the middle towards the end of the race Joe could genuinely be totally losing it.
Long story short, McLaren started favorising Lando, pitted him earlier than Joe which created an undercut therefore the Brit gained position.

After Joe started complaining, McLaren thought it would be best to let him pass Lando now.
Thing is, Oscar in the Porsche was right behind Joe.

Lando listened to the team orders, he's not like Joe.

Lando fits in, comes when called, does what's ordered. It's humbling in a way but on the other hand probably good for his ego or whatever, not to be priority for once.
It's good to not always get exactly what you want when you want it. That's what Jenson had once told him.
He was referring to Lando's first race win, but still.

On that point, it fits.

Joe is the opposite, Lando might think the Italian even despises that mindset. He doesn't do shit for anyone, not even when asked to. His ego is big when he's in the car - in some regards that's good, on others it's not.

Of course he wouldn't listen to team orders.
But in that way, Lando did.
It was a stupid mistake, not entirely his fault, but Lando's brakes locked up when he let Joe pass him in a corner.

Due to the lockup, Lando had driven into some gravel, Joe had to brake and Oscar went past onto P1.

Honestly, in Joe's eyes that's McLaren's mistake. From the beginning, first favorising Lando, then him. Letting him pass when Oscar was just 1.5 seconds behind him was risky.

Now they made it kind of, well, uncomfortable.

Lap 69/70

"Joe we'd like Lando to pass you, due to Oscar being unreachable in P1 we think it might be best for Lando to pick up more points since he's P2 in the championship. He is also currently faster than you."

Really? They tell him this on the almost-last lap?

"If he's so fast, why can't he catch up?"
"Joe, we're not in Papaya Rules currently."
"Why not though? I made it clear that I'm not going to let him pass just because of the stupid championship."
"Joe."
"What? He should work for it if he wants these points, I'm not gifting the championship to him. Otherwise, pick a favorite. But it's not gonna work like this."

Favorising Lando, then Joe, then Lando again? He doesn't see the point.

By the end of lap 70 Joe didn't let him pass. He finishes on P2, crossing the finish line just 0.502 seconds before Lando.

When he gets out of the car, takes his helmet and gloves off, he can see Mika between all the papaya colored people. A stern look on his face, Joe squeezes his eyes because of the sun.

It's Oscar's first win, therefore everyone is cheering his name. But Lando and Joe would rather bury themselves in dignity right now.

They're giving each other silent treatment, both not quite sure what it's achieving.
In the cool down room it's quiet, Oscar seems underwhelmed, only sipping on his bottle of cold water.

Maybe given the circumstances of the McLaren drivers acting like a divorced couple.

Joe sees it on the replay, Max collided with Hamilton, it was basically a re-do of Monza 21.
Max's car went up in the air, but he managed to be back on track, ending his race on P5.

The McLaren driver is yet completely unaware that Max argued with his team over radio like a toddler.

On the podium Lando is barely spraying the champagne, not on Oscar, not on Joe. He also didn't do his famous smash bottle.
He only sprayed Cissy's dad, who's the team principal of Porsche and went onto the podium with Oscar for his first win.

The Australian kept looking at Joe, he looks almost disappointed, Joe looks confused but is also pushing his eyebrows together which, in Oscar's eyes, suggests that he knows what he did to upset Lando.

Joe barely even steps into the McLaren hospitality, he only goes there to change after the press conference. He's now outside in the paddock, checking his phone.

"Is the leading world champion falling?"
"Verstappen told by engineer 'it's childish'"
"Red Bull - from winning team to letting their golden driver down"

Joe can only shake his head at the headlines, he looks out for the dark blue hospitality. He needs to see Max.

And after finishing on P5, he's quite sure Max needs him aswell.

————

Max has never been shy to say anything, he's not sure why he is now. But he's making a ducky face, almost scared to talk to GP.
But he taps his shoulder carefully as he's sitting and looking at the screen of his laptop.

"Oh- Oh Max, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry for being so rude during the race. I know it was childish."
GP looks at him, then quickly shakes his head.

"Max that wasn't aimed at you. I'm on your side. I was talking about the McLarens."

Oh...
Oh.

"Oh. Okay." Max nods quickly. "I'm still sorry though. I could've been nicer."

GP has been Max's engineer since he's 18. He has experienced much worse.
"Don't worry about it."

The fact is, Max is still mad. He's mad at the team, he's mad at McLaren, he's mad at Lando.
Cissy didn't have much more luck, ending up on P6.

"Mate, the car, total bullshit." is everything she said to Max before frustratedly going to her driver's room.
Max only managed to respond with a "yes, it doesn't even properly turn."
He wasn't even done ranting when Cissy was already storming off.

In any way, he's back in his driver's room, his helmet frustratedly smashed down.
He can't afford a P5 when he wants to be world champion this year. But mostly he's annoyed at the team.

Why would Red Bull let him down like that? The strategy was shit, the pit stop ruined his whole race. He could've ended up on the podium but instead they fucked it all over.

Max was aiming for a fourth title, apparently red bull isn't.
He had to splash some cold water onto his face, looking at his soft freckles in the mirror, the turquoise eyes and his lips.
He looks just like his fucking dad.

He's okay. He takes a deep breath. He's fine.
He's not fine.

His cheeks turn red, his throat feels odd.

It's really not that deep, Max grips the sink.
A knock on the door.
"Max it's me."

Joe. Max quickly opens the door, then closests it and locks it.
"Frustrated?" He asks as he observes Max's damp and flushed face. Max looks eatable.
"Yeah," he starts, already grabbing at Joe's t shirt. "Make me forget?" batting his eyelashes at him and making big puppy eyes.

In no time he feels two hands pressing onto his ass, soft lips on his and then a tounge.
His eyes close, arms wrapping around Joe's neck.
"Here?"
"Yes, here." Max whines, tugging at the Italian's belt.

The brunette lunges him forward while basically eating his face whole, walking until they're pressing against the white smooth wall.
Joe starts kissing next to his mouth, moving his lips down Max's neck.

He smells like sweat and his fragrance. Max's fragrance contains grapefruit, forest, myrcia, vanilla.
So, in Joe's eyes that's a fucking wet dream.

Max turns around, pushing his hands against the wall and baring his ass to Joe. His race suit hangs low on his hips, he didn't have time to change yet.

The Younger tugs on his white Red Bull fireproofs, pushing them upwards, his race suit downwards.
"No lube?"
"I'll fucking live."

Max uses his hands to stabilize himself, he's hard and his dick is pressing against that race suit, but his ass is bare for Joe.
"Yea, you're so good, you can take it without lube, hm?"
The blond guy quickly nods, arching his back like a cat.
It's an obscure view.

Joe groans.
He pushes two fingers into Max's mouth, he sucks on them, making them wet with salvia.
"Good girl."
He teases, it makes Max incredibly horny, he whines around his fingers. His knees get weak, Joe holds him upright.

With his fingers pulled out and currently pressed into Max's ass, he clenches and moans.
"Don't be greedy." Joe groans when Max reaches back for his hand, wanting more.
"Please," Max begs, like a whiny little puppy.
"Please what? You had such a mouth on you today on the radio with GP and now you can only say please?"
Max whines.
Joe pulls his fingers out and Max whines out of protest.
"Use your words baby. What do you want?"

"Fuck me."

"There we go," Joe smirks, the Dutchman arches his back more.
Max whimpers when he hears the zipper of Joe's jorts. He looks down to see his white racing boots, Joe's adidas shoes right next to each of them.

They both moan when the Younger breaches his rim.
"Fuck...you're so fucking big."
"You're used to it at that point." Joe murmurs, kissing the back of his neck while starting to fuck him.

Joe is so big and it makes him feel so full and cherised, his eyes shut and he keeps his mouth open as the McLaren driver goes faster.
How ironic.

"Harder," Max whimpers, clenching around Joe's dick. He needs to forget, and honestly Max isn't scared of admitting he's a slut when it comes to cock.
It calms him down to get fucked and it calms him down to be horny.

Especially with Joe.

The Younger doesn't only go harder but also deeper, hitting Max's prostate. Joe reaches around, starts rubbing Max's dick through his race suit.
He hates how quick he is to cum when he does that.

He comes undone with a few groans and whimpers, body shuddering. "Were you that desperate to get off, baby?" Joe makes fun of him.
Max blushes, but in some way he loves this.
He nods, Joe laughs.

Pounding him against the wall for a few more moments, Joe comes right when Max starts clenching. "You're a slut."
Harsh words, a soft tone, Max's whole face is pink.

He absolutely hates that he loves being called a slut.
And what he hates even more is that he could cum again simply from feeling Joe's cum flood his insides.

It makes him feel fuzzy, loved, he presses his legs together and just starts smiling.
Joe gives him one quick kiss before pulling Max's race suit back up onto his freshly pounded ass.

"My hotel later tonight?" the blond guy asks, still slightly out of breath from the quick orgasm. But his tummy is telling him he isn't done yet.
"Yea, why not?"

Max can't help but look forward to that night, it's already late, so he supposes he will have the Italian all to himself for the whole night and even in the morning.
He's also excited for next weekend.

Spa-Francorchamps is basically his second home race, it's the last race weekend before summer break and since original tracks are Max's favorites, he's simply gonna love the next weekend. In his words:
Very simply lovely.

Chapter Text

july 22 2024
Budapest, Hungary

A light blue hue in Max's hotel room from the morning sun in Hungary's capital Budapest.
Joe's nose pressed into the back of the Dutchman's pale neck, his arm wrapped loosely around his waist over the soft white shirt he's wearing.
Joe's shirt to be exact.

Max looks peaceful when he's sleeping. Yes, for once he's not being bratty by complaining or rolling his eyes at everything and everyone.

He is just...peaceful.

Eyes shut, eyelashes not moving, his pink full lips simply resting, his eyebrows not rising or knitting.
Joe wanted to be lazy with him today. Stay in bed until noon, then eat breakfast at 1pm.

He slept in another hotel room, ignored messages from Zak Brown and left the paddock straight after his post-race interviews.
So he just nuzzles his nose further into Max's hair, it smells like forest, grapefruit and vanilla.

Wait.
He slept in another hotel room.

His dreams of a chill summer day were quickly ruined by his manager Mika Häkkinen calling.

He groans, quietly because he doesn't want to wake his princess Max just yet, turns around and grabs his phone to see his fuckass manager's name on the display.
"Where are you?! We need to have a talk."

Joe rubs his eye with his free hand.

"Where do you want me to be?"

"Judging by the way you said that I suppose I don't want you at the exact place you are at right now."
"Bingo."

He hears a sigh, then Mika talks again. A bit less harsh this time.
The thing about him is that he totally isn't harsh. Mika is a sweet guy, he's always just been cute. Even if he's a two-time world champion and used to be a menace to society in the late 90s, he is just a chill guy now.

"I don't have the energy to put up with you. Every time I hear from your actions it takes a year off of my life."

Joe can tell that Mika is grinning while he says this.
He isn't truly annoyed. He only wants to sound tough.

"How are you not dead yet then?"
"I'm asking myself the same thing at this exact second. Please just- please meet me in the paddock."

"Is Zak there?"
"No, Joe. Only me and you."
"Okay I'll be there in 15."

He hangs up as soon as Mika gives him a "yes that's fine."

Max beside him of course woke up. How mean of Mika to wake up Joe's princess from his beauty sleep.

Joe kisses Max's cheek, who still didn't move but groans as soon as the Italian's arm isn't wrapped around him anymore.
"Sorry baby, we'll see each other in Belgium, okay? Keep sleeping it's only 8."
"Hmm," Max nods slightly, melting into his white sheets with a smile when Joe gives him another kiss.

He hears the hotel door closing, he stays wrapped in his bedsheets. Max is tired today, his first and only meeting for today is a stupid PR-meeting. And it's only at 3pm.
So he has time.

The room still smells like Joe, something between a summer storm, the beach and aftershave.
Max buries his nose into the pillow and if Joe was here you could imagine he would borrow his nose elsewhere.

He remembers he's also wearing his shirt, it's plain white, a soft material. Max and Joe have the same size, therefore it fits perfectly.
His shirt also smells like him, Max wants to die in this shirt.

The door opening and closing? Again?
Max sits up.

"Max, I swear, you son of a bitch."

Cissy.
She comes straight into his bedroom.
"Where were you?"
"What?"
"The PR meeting?"

Max is confused. And annoyed. And everything at once.

"I thought it's at 3pm?"
"No, that's when we were supposed to go shooting for Tag Heuer."

Max clearly needs to read the messages in the Red Bull groupchat more thoroughly.
"Uh, I'm sorry. Why did no one call me?"
"We did. Your phone must be on silent."

His cheeks heat up, he's missed a few meetings this year without wanting to already.
"What did Gemma say?"
"She said you'll just have to meet up with her and discuss it, but it shouldn't happen again."

"Yeah. Yeah of course." Max quickly nods. Cissy nods too.
"Dickhead." Cissy slightly pushes Max head, but there's no heat behind the word nor the action. She's grinning.
"Why- How do you even have the keys to my hotel room?"
"Magic, Max."

Max lets it rest, he's not going to push it because he's too tired. He wanted to sleep in today so badly.

"You left me alone. It was the worst." she continues.
"That bad?"
"Christian Horny was talking about Joe non stop. Kinda reminded me of you though."
"Huh?"
"Well, you know, cause you're like...friends now."

Does Max really talk about him with Cissy? He can't remember any occasion.
"Yup."

Cissy stops, then looks at the bedside table that's not on Max's side.
"Isn't that Joe's bracelet?"

It's a rhetorical question. Cissy knows that it's Joe's, she gifted it to him on his birthday back in May.
And Max knows that she knows.
"Yeah he uh...he was here last night, we hung out a bit. He must've left it here."
"You chilled in your bedroom?"
"Well yeah, isn't that what friends do?"

Cissy seems skeptical.

"I guess so."

"Now can you please go? I have some calls to make."
"Rude."
"Not rude."

"Dickhead." she says once again when making her way out of the hotel room.
"Bitch." Max can play that game too.

As soon as she's gone he falls back into his sheets. He needs a minute before he's gonna call Christian and then Gemma.
This is...too much.

It's not like he doesn't want Cissy to know.
But he doesn't want her to know.

He didn't want anyone to know in the first place.
But now Charles knows. Jenson knows. GP knows. Apparently Joe told his sisters?
And he's pretty sure Logan at least suspects it.

So in conclusion, it's not about Cissy, Max doesn't want anyone to know.

————

In the paddock Joe feels like all eyes are on him, even if it's the monday after the race and the only people who are present are minding their own business. Like, getting all the stuff out of the paddock and everything.

But he still can't shake the feeling of eyes boring into the back of his neck.

He meets his manager in his driver's room, where he sits with his glasses on and quite the stern look on his face.
"Where were you? I went to your hotel room and you weren't there at all?" he immediately asks when Joe sits down, although he seems more curious than pissed.

Joe pouts a little, in a way of thinking.
"You might not really...like?... the truth."

Mika raises an eyebrow. "How bad can it be?"
Joe swallows a lump in his throat, fidgeting with his hands as he sits next to the Fin on that small couch that is all of a sudden very uncomfortable too.

"Like really bad? Career-ending bad?" Joe words it like a question, but it's a statement.
Mika looks at him, his smile slightly fading.
"Well now you have to tell me."

The McLaren driver hesitates, opening his mouth but closing it again, then tugging at his shirt uncomfortably.
Mika studies his face. "She's not an engineer, is she?"
He asks, almost laughing.

"Well she is..." Joe stops. "A he."
"And Max Verstappen." he mumbles so incoherently, Mika can barely understand but his eyes widen.

"Oh."

Joe nods.

"Yeah. Oh."

Mika puts a hand on his back, it's almost comforting.
"Since when?" he asks, he doesn't sound disgusted at all and that definitely puts a weight off of the Italian.
"Since Miami."

His manager opens his mouth in shock and looks at him. "You've been doing that since almost 3 months?"
Joe nods, slowly, feeling sort of ashamed all of a sudden.

Ashamed isn't the right word. Joe would never be ashamed of his Max.
But, you know, his insides feel mushy and he regrets not telling Mika sooner.

"How frequent?"
"Very. Almost every day?" he answers his manager, knowing he wouldn't judge.

"And...are you two a couple? I mean, are you sure about him?"

Joe fidgets with his hands again, looking at everything but Mika's face. "I don't know."
"Well I hope you do know you can't release that to the public. At least not yet. And please be careful. Very careful. You know, overall gay people are very accepted but when it comes to athletes-"

He cuts him off. "I know. I... I mean we were always careful. I promise."

"Who knows about this?"

"Very few. Daniel, Jenson, GP, Charles. Charles told one of my sisters. Oh and I told my youngest sister. Charles might've told Pierre, I dunno. Pretty sure Logan's noticed. I think that's all?"

Mika huffs.

"Very few, you say?"

Joe's face flushes. "I mean, they're all our friends, sooo. Can't be that serious?"
Mika sighs, he is so done.

"You see, how about you two try not to tell anyone else for now, except your PR officers. Actually, tell your PR officers."

Joe nods, although Mika is quite sure he doesn't genuinely understand, he often nods just to make people be content with him.

But he doesn't actually do it.

"But, you know, I originally called you here for something completely unrelated to whatever gay lovesick relationship you have going on with Verstappen."

"Well, we're not in a relationship-"

"Shh, not what I'm trying to talk about, I'll leave that to you."

The Italian looks away again, to the white door of his driver's room that all of a sudden is way too bright and gives him a headache.
He knows exactly why Mika called him here and he can tell by that stern look in his eyes behind his glasses that he is not...delighted.

"Joe, I told you 'don't fuck this up'. And what do you do? I really try to understand you, I really do. I used to be a young athlete too, that was a long while ago but you know what I'm trying to say. I totally understand you don't think like I do these days.
But being so- so irresponsible and backhanded over the radio is childish.
I spoke to Zak - and don't give me that look - he's... fed up. And truly I understand that.
If you want to have a future at formula 1 I'd advise you to grow up. I don't want to be harsh to you, you know I do.
But I feel like someone has to open your eyes."

Joe doesn't want to talk back, he knows an argument won't bring him any further.
"It's more difficult for me, you know that."

He fidgets with his fingers in this lap, the same fingers that should be touching Max's right now. Or his chest, or his thighs, his hips, his face.

"I know that. But you can't blame every mistake you make - which are lot, surely - on that."

His gaze hardens at his manager.

"Besides that, Zak knows why I'm fed up. He can't be fed up with me because I am openly fed up with the team. That doesn't make sense. I've told him once and I can tell him again how I feel."

Mika adjusts his glasses, giving in. "Great."
He continues:
"But perhaps keep your opinion to yourself. For now. It still doesn't appeal to other teams that you might want to sign to if you behave like... a demonic teenager."

Joe holds in a laugh, trying to look serious as best as he can.

"Understood, captain."

july 24 2024
Hasselt, Belgium

Max rings the doorbell, to his mum's home. It's kind of a ritual at the beginning of the belgian race weekend.

He loves to visit her, simply chat - Max knows he has a lot to tell her this time - while she makes a tea that she knows Max won't drink. But she hands it to him anyway, in the mug that they bought in Amsterdam when Max was 12.

She opens her door and her smile tells him she already knew it was her son.
"Max, Hey" she quickly hugs him and sighs. They last saw each other at the Monaco race weekend - 2 months ago.

"Hey mama."

It's almost as if Max predicted it, his mum is making tea while he sits down on the new chairs she got.
It's the middle of summer, way too hot for tea. But it's still early in the morning and Sophie likes drinking tea rather than coffee to wake up.

"So, baby, anything new?" she asks while sipping on her cup.
Max tenses up slightly, but he knows he doesn't have to. There's nothing his mum doesn't know about him. There's nothing she wouldn't support.

"Actually yes."

She tilts her head, smiling slightly to encourage him to speak to her.
"I met someone I really like. We're not a couple but he's- he's great." Max stumbled over his words, he has come out to her years ago, but it still feels weird saying it outloud.

His mum simply smiles. "That's amazing, Maxy. How long have you known him for?"

Max lets out a big sigh. "I dunno. Like 20 years?"
"Oh. Is he an old friend?"
"...so to say."

"Max." She says, her smile dropping slightly. "Tell me who it is."

It's almost as if she could sense whenever Max is ashamed. Mothers are truly spiritual beings.
They can always feel when something's up, when someone's lying.

"You're gonna make fun of me!" Max almost whines, but he's not being entirely serious. Just a little.
"I'm not, honey. You can love whoever you want, I just want you to tell me because I don't want you hiding anything from me. And I want to meet him."

"You have met him."

"Max."

"It might be uhm... like it could be. You know. I thought you always sensed everything why can't you do that?"

She doesn't even say anything anymore, only looks at him sternly. Stern in a way of Max-don't-play-with-me.

"It's Joe."

"Joe Lombardi? The guy from karting?"

Max kind of rolls his eyes, then runs a hand through his hair. "It's not just the guy from karting, mum. He's my colleague."

She sighs. Loudly.

"You see, you could've chosen any of your other colleagues and it would've been better."

"What do you have against him??"

"He's kind of spoiled, isn't he? And a troublemaker. I thought you hated him?"

"I mean," Max starts. "I mean I did. Plus he is spoiled, but don't act like you didn't spoil me either."
Sophie shrugs, then laughs.

"I was just kidding, baby. He's probably amazing if you love him so much. And he's quite sexy, no?"
"Mom! Ew!"

She crosses her legs, then sips on her tea. "When are you gonna bring him home then? And when are you gonna move in together? When's the wedding? When are you gonna have kids?"

Max looks at her for a moment. "We're not even dating yet."

"Well why not?"

"Because he doesn't have the balls to ask me, I think."
"Then you ask him."
"But-"

Wait. That's actually kind of smart. But what if he said no? What if he never wanted anything more than sex?

Sophie raises her eyebrows, waiting for her son to go on.
"But what if he says no."
"Honey, men are easy. If he likes to spend time with you and calls you pet names daily, he definitely wants you. But men often don't have the balls - as you would say - to do certain things."

Max sighs. He should know. He's a man himself, right? He should know how Joe thinks.

But Joe is so different. And Max is different too. They don't think alike, do they?

"So when can you bring him here?"
"Technically today. I'll pick him up from the airport later," Max says that as if it totally didn't sound like they are dating.

"Oh, you're that far already?"
He has to pout when he realizes they definitely shouldn't waste time anymore.
But Joe is so complicated.
And still annoying.
And he can be such a snob.
And he's mean.
But he's good in bed.

So like, that makes up for it.

"Well, we're kind of...complicated?"
"I've noticed, honey."

***

Max's windows are tinted, so the first thing he wanted to do when Joe hopped into his car at Brussel Airport was kiss him.
The stupid Italian had other plans.

You know, Max is minding his business, scrolling through his phone while waiting for his hubby. Then he comes, gets in. And when Max leans in to kiss him he just backs away??

And blames it on the paparazzi.

His car windows are tinted???
Hello??

The Blondie is currently trying to make conversation nonetheless, otherwise it'd be too awkward.
"So any news from the last days?"
"No, well, I told Mika. He told me to tell my PR officer and said something about that you should tell yours aswell. So. I also told my PR officer Jules."

"And what did she say?"

Max tries to figure anything out Joe just said. He talks and talks and talks. But there's nothing coming out really.

"It's fine as long as we don't meet up outside of the paddock or hotels. She yapped some shit about that flights could be tracked? So we shouldn't do long distances just to see each other. And I think she said something about that we shouldn't really meet up in private in general but that doesn't make sense."

Max thinks, he thinks for a long time.
Joe doesn't seem bothered.
Max is kind of pissed.

"Joe that's what we're doing right now."
"I know."

He wished that he could give him that look right now, but knows he can't because he has to drive.
So he decides to huff.

"What so now you care about rules?"
"No, I was just saying."
"I'm not that dumb you know."

Max grips the steering wheel, and they still have some time to drive.
"Okay, I'm sorry."
But it sounds forced. And Joe notices it.

But he's the one who started being bitchy? He's the one who's been acting off ever since he left him that morning in the hotel just like he always does.

"I told my mom," Max says in a softer tone now.
"She wants to see you."

"In a threat way?"

The Dutchman hates the fact that he has to laugh and giggle at almost every single thing Joe says.
"No," he smiles lightly. "Would you mind if we went to her's now?"

***

"Why are you nervous, it's just my mom," Max smiles up at Joe after ringing his mom's doorbell. He saw him wipe his sweaty hands, fix his shirt, move his hand through his hair.
"I don't know, she seems kind of intimidating sometimes."

Max raises an eyebrow. "Mhm, no she's really chill. Just be yourself."
"That's not a good idea."

The door opens. Joe knows Max's mom, why can't he just act like he always does? It somehow feels different now than it did back then when they were - when they didn't even like each other to begin with.

He always had a feeling his mom didn't like him either, because of Max's influences probably.

Max's mom is actually quite pretty.
Tanned, Joe isn't sure if it's natural or if she goes to solarium a lot, in either way it looks nice. Black hair, it's shiny, just reaches her shoulders.

It's funny, Max really doesn't look like her at all except for the nose and the face shape. Like, he has mostly his dad's features but they're aligned like his mom's, does that make sense?

"Hey you two," she smiles, leaning against the doorframe before stepping aside. "Come in."

Joe looks at Max, as if seeking for approval. The Blondie can only raise his eyebrows and step into his mom's house.

Her house still smells like tea but also fresher and cooler, it's gotten really hot over the day. And Max does notice it smells clean, she probably tidied up for Joe, but she wouldn't admit it.

She makes them sit outside in the sun, of course she does. As if they were still teens who never leave their room and have to charge some vitamin D.
"Lemonde?" she asks and before one of the two can say anything she's already off to get it.

"She's not scary at all," Joe whispers, Max bites back a grin. "What did you think?"
"You made it sound like she was gonna interrogate me."

Before Max can answer, his mom is back with a tray, setting it down and then pouring each of them a glass. "Max told me a lot about you."
"Only the good things, I hope."

Max rolls his eyes, how does he always choose the worst option of all things to say.
But his mom laughs, and it's genuine.

"I suppose you know how he is."

She sits down aswell and looks at them for a brief moment, the two boys glance at each other before turning back to her.
"So, what are you intentions with my son?"

Joe blinks. Max chokes.

"Mom."

"What?" Sophie smiles sweetly, as if not understanding how this question could be read negatively. "It's a simple question."

Clearing his throat, Joe tries to set up a brave face. This is only Max's mom, right? Why is he even scared?

"Um... to keep him out of trouble. I guess?"

Sophie nods. "He does need that sometimes."
"We both need it," Max corrects her.

Birds are chirping, the sun is burning and Sophie's garden truly smells like a mix of all different kinds of flowers and something Joe can't explain.
Something like...fairy-ish?

But what he rather focuses on is how good Max looks aswell, he just put on sunscreen and he's wearing these shorts.

Max doesn't have to ask to know which adverb Joe would use to describe them.
Begins with S and ends with Y.

"And how are your parents? Haven't seen them in a while," Sophie asks and Joe's gaze hasn't gone off of Max so quickly.
"They're good. They're fine. I mean, they're both just kinda busy. My mom is on a work trip to sweden currently but she'll be back for summer break in a week. And my dad is doing some Rally stuff."

She nods. "I've heard. Well that's nice to hear, how about your siblings?"

Joe's brain works for a moment, he has a lot of them so...?
"They're also good, as far as I know. My twin sister just started dating Cha-"

Max hits his leg with his foot beneath the table, giving him a stern look that says "don't spill too much.".
"She just got a new boyfriend."

***

"You know, he's quite the gentleman," his mom starts, she's cooking dinner, Max is helping her.
"I remembered him so differently."

"Well maybe because he used to be quite a dick." Max says it half-heartedly, raising his eyebrows for a moment.
His mom looks up at him and slightly shakes her head before smiling. "Or maybe he was just like every other teenage boy."

Well, Max doesn't really have anything in his hand against that.
Some guys get like that during puberty.
Maybe it's Max who was different.

Everything he did in his puberty was questioning why he liked boys and girls and why he always got sweaty and defensive around Nico Rosberg.

Yea, sometimes he wonders if Nico realizes that Max didn't terrorize him because he hated him. He simply wanted his attention, wanted Nico to talk about him.

And it worked. To his surprise.
Nico still complains about Max.

***

It's late, they should've went to their hotels about an hour ago since tomorrow's media day. And both of their teams want them doing PR stuff at 8 in the morning.

But they got lost in looking at the stars from Sophie's garden. Lying on two of her sun loungers they decided to put together to make a double-sun-lounger.
It's still incredibly warm for the fact it's midnight and they're basically surrounded by forests.

And they're in belgium.
Joe can't even make sense of the weather here during summer. It changes fast.

Max is nestled into one of Joe's Ralph Lauren sweaters though, he's always cold despite his body temperature being quite warm in comparison.

Or maybe he just wanted to wear Joe's sweater.

He scoots closer to him, leans over and puts a hand on his chest, feeling the soft material of his shirt in his palm.
Joe doesn't react, but Max can tell he doesn't mind.

"You know, I wish I knew more about stars. I only know The Big Dipper."
That guy is so out of pocket, Max looks at him from the side.
"I wish I knew more about you."

Joe turns his head, looking at him. He looks a little thrown off. "You know a lot about me."
Max smiles, shaking his head. "Not really though. I don't even know your favorite movie or favorite colour... I only know you were super annoying in high school."

The Italian looks back up at the stars, shaking his head with a smile.
"My favorite movie is Scream, the one from 1996. And my favorite colour is dark blue."

"Basic," Max laughs, but it's more like a giggle.

"What's yours then, huh?"

"Coral orange and denim blue," he says it with the smirk Joe used to find so unhumanly annoying.
"You're so annoying."
"No, you."

Joe hesitates, then he turns his head back to Max. "What did you even find so annoying about me back then?"

"You used to be such a snob!" Max sits up, playfully hitting his chest. "You always had these fancy private student rich kid clothes, like Ralph Lauren sweaters, you even had Prada sunglasses."

"That's exaggerated, baby."

"No it's not! You came to school in a helicopter."

Joe lets out one laugh. "That was one time and it was literally because my sister threw up and I begged my mom to let me stay home aswell but she forced me to go and I was very late."

"Doesn't change the fact that you were a spoiled posh white boy."

Joe has to roll his eyes this time.

Max laughs, giving him a quick kiss, then lying his head somewhere between the Younger's chest and shoulder.
"What about your favorite book?" He whispers.

"The Great Gatsby. It's the Great Gatsby."

He has to grin, then giggle.
He does giggle too much.
"I didn't know you were into that kinda stuff."
"I didn't know you were into naming simple colours Coral Orange and Denim Blue," Joe says mockingly.

Max rolls his eyes, but there's really no heat behind it. Cause maybe he's right? It's boring colors, really, he wanted to impress Joe, maybe it's that.

He drags his gaze to his own fingers, moving from Joe's chest down to his stomach.
"What else do I not know about you?"
"I love musicals lots."

The Blondie bursts out laughing, hiding his face in the Ralph Lauren sweater. "Musicals? Really?"
Joe raising an eyebrow, probably questioning what's so funny, but he's smiling too.

"Yeah, like West Side Story, Grease and so on."

Max only looks at him, he really has no idea about these kind of things. His world only consists of cats, geography, racing and sex if he's being honest.
Joe groans. "See, you're the one who's boring."
"Maybe we're both boring."

He only huffs, Max leans back onto his chest. He traces his fingers again, doing little heart shapes on Joe's tummy.
"Joe," he suddenly starts, making the Younger humm as an answer.

"How far do you want us to go?" Max asks after what felt like a minute of pure hesitation.

He doesn't even answer, and Max grips his shirt in a loose fist. He didn't want to ruin the moment, it's a genuine question. And they have to talk about it eventually.

So, if Joe keeps avoiding it then Max just might aswell have to call it quits.

"Max, I don't think you'd still want us to go further if you knew what you were getting into."

He sounds almost disappointed.
But what could he be talking about? Is it about that illness he has? Or because he's a fuckboy?

"I don't mind your anxiety stuff, I can help you with it. And I don't mind you being a player either, that's just stupid stuff people that don't even know you say."

Joe's hands are cold when they come to hold Max's cheeks. But he would never mind. Touches from Joe always feel warm.
"Max," he starts, and it's a whisper so quiet - he's never heard something this quiet coming from Joe - it sent a shiver down his whole body.
"It's not anxiety. I'm bipolar."

Oh, it's what Daniel explained to him.
Yeah, Max was kinda stupid for saying it's anxiety, he should've thought that through one more time before speaking.
He almost forgot to react because he was so lost in thought.

"That's- I mean, Daniel explained to me what it is and I totally understand you think I'd like you less but that's not the case, really. It doesn't define you, you're still you. And you happen to have it. And I like you."

Joe looks down, Max still searches his eyes.
"How bad is it? Is there like a spectrum or something?"

"Yeah but it's not really defined by how bad it is. I have bipolar 2 which has depressive and hypomanic episodes. So less stronger manic episodes but I think it shouldn't be compared in a way of what's worse and what's better."

Max nods, he gets that. He gets that better than anyone.

"And you're on medication?"
Joe says yes, in a way of nodding.
"That makes it better. For me it might've always been a bit easier anyway. I got diagnosed at 17 and went to therapy ever since. I never had like any... big breakouts or whatever."

Max listens, he truly does. He wants to hear it, he wants Joe to be honest. Or at least he wants him to feel like he can be honest.
"Do you have triggers? Cause I don't- I mean I want to be there for you and I don't want to potentially upset you with anything."

Might sound cheesy, yes. But Max is genuine.

"Not really by anything you could say or do. It's more of the things like stress or the lack of sleep."
"It's not good we're awake then," Max laughs and the Italian has to aswell, taking his hands carefully.

"I don't want you to baby me now though. I've dealt with it for long enough and currently it's all under control."
"Okay," Max grins. "Why do you think I'd baby you? But please let me know if it gets worse, alright?"

"You're doing it right now," Joe giggles, the Blondie shakes his head at him.
"I'm just trying to be mindful.
And I care."

Joe gives him a quick kiss before leaning back.
"Now back to my question. How far is this thing with us going to go?" Max asks again.

He sighs. "I just don't want to... I mean I don't want to break your heart."
"Baby, the only thing you're 'bout to be breaking is my ass but-"
"I'm being serious."

Max looks at him, yea maybe that wasn't the right time.
"You're not going to break my heart."
Joe smiles, taking the Blondie's hand.

"I sure hope not. And that's why I think it's worth a shot. You could come with me to my family's during summer break and then we'll see how it works, hm?"

Max giggles. He nods. "Okay baby."
He kisses him, longer this time.

july 25 2024
Spa-Francorchamps
Media day

Cissy's honestly not been having a great day so far, she woke up when Lando was already gone - which is super unusual.
But she figured he might've just not wanted to wake her up.

She had a cig after waking up, thinking it might've made it better that she had been feeling frustrated about literally anything.
Lando says it's just hormones, often enough it is, Cissy sees that.

But this time it really isn't.

This universe is really playing a trick on her.

After she glossed her lips, tried to fix her brown hair and put on an outfit she felt at least somewhat comfortable in, she knew she had to go to the Red Bull garage.

That's her least favorite place at the moment.

She had to do media with Max, which isn't a problem at all, usually.
But he's been... just different.
She's been through this, she knows it's only a matter of time.

And Max said he's "simply really tired" when Cissy had asked him if she did something to make him upset.

Honestly, she's sick of it. All of her friends have been acting off. Even Lando.
Maybe she's just imagining things considering the situation.

But Lando has been distant. As if he was distracted.

Normally they would eat fries together for lunch on media day, just the three of them.
How it used to be.
But Lando told her he's too busy, he promised they'd get fries for dinner then but Cissy knows he only tried to make her feel better.

She tried to ask Joe, but as soon as she even said his name when he walked past her, he purposely looked the other way and didn't even answer.

Made her look like some desperate chick.
Like who is she? Some tinder date from 2 years ago?

Cissy's not here for the whole male species to have some kind of male-period. Cause everyone's just been acting like that's the case, truly.

Then she knew Joe wouldn't be coming.

It's been feeling like he's forcing himself to hang out with her, if he decides to show up at all.

So Cissy sits here now, having a fries lunch break all alone on some chair in front of the Red Bull hospitality.

She looks around, it's sunny, flowers are blooming and everyone's walking around, either doing media stuff or preparing for practice day tomorrow.
But that doesn't change her attitude towards this shitty day.

She looks back down at her fries, popping one into her mouth together with mayonnaise.

"Don't let your head hang, you won't see the beautiful sky that way."

Her head snaps up.
It's Seb.
With that awful silly smile and one of his caps on - because he wants to hide that receding hairline. And Cissy hates that it immediately makes her lips curve upwards.

"It's too bright anyway."
"Too bright?"
Seb almost laughs before sitting down next to her and stealing one of her fries.

He waits a moment before leaning towards her, searching her eyes and putting his hands together.
"Now what's going on? Why the sad face?"

"Have you ever felt like you did something wrong to upset everyone, but you don't even know what you did, so you can't change for the better either?"

Seb rests his chin on his palm now. "Tell me."

"I mean first of all the team is mad at me. Which I partially understand because of my drop in performance but I've tried communicating with the engineers and people that can change something, adjust the car, but they just don't listen. If they listened to me it wouldn't be as bad, I know that."

Seb nods understandingly.
It's nice, you know, because Seb just agrees with anything. He sees every side of the story, he understands every feeling and every opinion without genuinely taking a side. It's refreshing.

"Also, Lando has been acting all weird since, i dunno, 2 weeks maybe? It's like he's hiding something from me. And when I ask him if something's wrong he says no every single time. But I know he's upset and I know he's hiding something. There's nothing he should hide from me, or let's say I don't want him to feel like he has to hide something from me.
He can tell me everything."

Seb blinks, listens to Cissy rant without making her feel like she's too much.
She waits for something, something Seb might say to make her feel better.

"He's probably just stressed out. You know, with McLaren working on the car a lot. I feel like he'd totally tell you if something was actually bothering him."

She nods slowly. "Just wish he'd tell me more about what he feels."
"He's learning."

Cissy hates that he's always right.

"And even Max is acting off. Ever since I came to f1, ever since we've been teammates, he's been like a kind of brother to me. He makes me feel better because we're just goofing around, but we can hold serious conversations too. But lately he hasn't been goofing around, he's not talking a lot to me, he used to tell me everything. You know, even things that I didn't want to hear. Now he's distant. And I don't know if he's pissed that I'm changing teams, or if he even knows that.
But I had hoped he could distract me from everything else."

Seb smiles a little, then he nods.
"It's tough being you, I see."

"Stop."

"No really, I get that," he starts, then nods again. "Maybe, like you said, he's annoyed that you're leaving the team. I think he feels just the same for you as you do for him so he's probably sad. He needs time to accept it, to adjust to it. I'm sure he'll be fine in a while, he's gone through a teammate change a thousand times."

"I hope so. I didn't want to ruin our friendship through that."

Seb shakes his head. "You didn't ruin anything. You left for the better, I totally believe Max understands that you don't feel comfortable with a fucking sexist team principal."

Cissy's eyes widen. He's obviously right but... let's say the French girl forgot Seb could cuss someone out like that.
She has to giggle. "Yeah. Yeah, he'd understand that."
"See? You're gonna be alright."

She really wants to believe that.
Taking a breath. Then ranting again.

"But the worst is that Joe is ignoring me too, Seb. Like, genuinely ignoring me. He doesn't listen to anything I have to say, he's avoiding me and today he didn't even answer when I wanted to talk to him. And I have no idea what I did wrong. He's been super secretive aswell, we're best friends. We used to help each other out and tell each other everything we ever found out about or felt. Like, if he wasn't feeling well or something I might understand why he's been that way but then he has to tell me."

Seb also nods, seriously this time.
"You know how he is."

"Yeah but he can't hide behind that forever. Sometimes he's an asshole despite everything and he has to acknowledge that."

Seb looks at her, swallowing.
Then he smiles, just slightly.
"You two fight a lot."

"Because we're both assholes."

"That's why you get along."

Cissy giggles, even if she really doesn't want to.
Seb starts again.
"Cissy, he's your best friend. He's laughing at you and makes fun of you, and surely he can be the biggest asshole ever. But he's also always been there for you when you were feeling low, same goes for you. You're like siblings. I'm sure you just have to open up and he will too. Just like back then."

He's right. Again.
She might aswell just roll her eyes at how well he knows them.
"Back then?" she asks. Seb laughs.

"Back then in high school."

january 15 2016
Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Cissy's getting ready for prom.
Glossed her lips a thousand times because they just never look how she wants them to. Put on mascara. Covered up her spots. Straightened her hair.
And put on her sparkly black dress with golden accents. She feels nice.

Yes, she actually feels nice. She looks into the mirror and tries to smile before going downstairs.
"Wow," her mother says. "Your hair looks beautiful, my princess. All grown up."

"She's only 15, meu amor."
Her dad holds back from ruffling her hair last second, knowing she'd probably hit him for it.
"Princesa you picked out the right dress, go smash tonight." he says instead.

Honestly, walking in these heels has been difficult. She doesn't wear heels often enough to walk normally now. But she's trying her best.

Her date is some guy called Pascal, he's in her math class and he had asked her out.
She was hesitant at first, because he's a part of that kind of group in school.

But she figured she's just imagining things, because he's genuine. At least he sounded like it.

And he rings her doorbell in no time, picking her up. Well, his parents and him. They can't drive yet.
Obviously.

It feels weird because, you know. Cissy's gonna race in formula 2 by march but she's not allowed to drive a regular car yet.

By the time they're at school it's already quite filled, everything is lightened in light blue and silver. With balloons and these fancy flowy thingies as decoration.
It feels really magical.
And it feels magical too when Pascal takes her hand as they walk.

She has to suck in a little breath before going in.
Joe and his date Charlotte are the first ones who come to them. They're clearly in a situationship.

Although, if Cissy's completely honest, she hates Charlotte. She's one of the popular girls.
And one thing about popular girls is that they never keep their mouth shut about anyone.

She knows they laugh about her.
Especially that girl Sasha, she's Charlotte's best friend and Cissy knows they despise her.
Say her dreams of racing in formula 1 are unrealistic, simply because she's a girl.

And it's weird for a girl to race. Apparently.

"Cissy, your dress is nice," she says, putting up a smile that she knows is forced.
"Thanks, yours too."

She's wearing light pink. Cissy was told she's gonna match Joe? And Joe isn't wearing the gold accents he promised either. Just a boring, black suit like every boy here.

She can feel her mood dropping already, because Pascal is looking at everyone but her aswell.

The night starts with a mandatory dance, although she can't really focus on anything. Her body feels like giving in, the people around her are blurry and she feels her heart racing.

God, she wishes she could simply relax for once.

"Everything okay?" Pascal asks while they dance, she can only nod. "Uhh, yes. Sorry, I'm just really nervous."
"Don't be," he whispers and smiles.

Turns out she really was nervous for nothing, after the dance they ended up sitting together, just the two of them. They ate something and chatted a bit.
He was nice all evening.

"You know, I always thought you were different."

Pascal looks at her. "Why's that?"
Cissy shrugs, she's far from telling him the truth. "Because you're popular."

He makes a face and suddenly his hand lands on Cissy's knee.
"But you're really beautiful and interesting. Is that why you were so nervous? Because I make you feel uncomfortable?"

"No, No I was just scared. Kind of," she quickly says, and she hates how he's touching her knee.
Her dress covers her since it's long but it's still making her feel weird. In a bad way.

"Scared? Why?"
His hand is on her thigh by now, she slightly backs off. "I- I don't know."
When he grabs her upper thigh she quickly pulls his hand back by his wrist. Only looking at him now.

He rolls his eyes. "You're so boring."
He says after a moment and gets up.
Really? Just because she didn't want him touching her?

"Where are you going?" she asks while he's already walking. "I'm getting myself a drink."

His tone is awful, it makes Cissy sit back down in her chair.
After 10 minutes she realized he wasn't coming back, so she got up to search for Joe. Or Alessia. Or anyone that might make her feel welcome.

Leonie is already gone with her boyfriend, probably making out in some hallway.
Arthur unfortunately couldn't come because he got sick.
So, she can already rule out two of her friends.

He finds him at the buffet with Charlotte, she's been clinging to his arm like a monkey all night. Cissy hardly rolls her eyes before tapping Joe's arm.

She can't really reach his shoulder.

He turns his head. "Oh, Cissy." he grins, Charlotte - still clinging to his arm - gives her a little look.
"You were mad at Pascal?" he asks.

Now she's confused. "No, uhm, no that's not what happened." she furrows her eyebrows.
"That's what he told us," Joe says, now also looking weird. "Yeah, he said you pushed him off for no reason." Charlotte chimes in. But nobody asked her really.

"Oh my god how embarrassing, look at Cécile already trying to steal Joe again."

It's Sasha and her minions. Quite literally the last person Cissy needed to hear from tonight.
She gets inbetween her and her best friend.

"Just stop trying to win him over. He's not into you."

Cissy looks at her, trying her best to set up a brave face. She can already feel her throat getting tight though.
"I'm not into him either."

"Oh really?" she laughs, her friends laugh aswell.
"I thought you were only chasing being a 'racing driver' because you thought it might impress him. Little does she know her little dream is more embarrassing than anything else."

Cissy balls her fists, she looks at Joe. He's only making a face and Charlotte laughs. She laughs. And he's not doing anything.

"I mean seriously." Sasha doesn't stop with her annoying mockery voice, fixing her light brown hair and batting her eyelashes. "A girl in formula 1? Maybe in your dreams. Maybe you could get a contract if you start fucking one of the managers. Oh wait, no one wants you in bed so that doesn't work eiher."

Her throat is tight, she can't even answer anymore and she feels like breathing might be a problem aswell. She can't look at her either.

"You think you're special, huh? With your little designer dress - god knows who picked it out for you, it doesn't make you prettier. It doesn't make you more important. You're just digging for male-attention. But truth is they don't want a girl who doesn't even behave like one."

Cissy feels a tear slip, she looks at Joe one last time. At Pascal, who's just laughing. At Sasha and her friends who are grinning from ear to ear.
Before she walks away and her view gets all blurry from the tears.

She doesn't even hear what Sasha screams at her anymore, she's only running out.

And it's freezing cold. She's in a dress and heels, no jacket, no anything.
Monaco is covered in snow, which rarely happens but just for today, so Cissy will suffer in the cold, the whole city of Monte-Carlo is white.

She sits down on one of the benches in the school's outdoor yard. And she starts sobbing uncontrollably, holding her head in her hands while her tears just spill until her eyes hurt.

She should've known it would end like this. Her bullies making fun of her, no one saying anything, no one supporting her, her date ditching her.

It's annoying, it's annoying that she can never enjoy just one evening.
Her feet hurt from the heels. She's freezing in the snow. Her hair is messed up. Her mascara is now messed up aswell.
No one's there for her and she feels guilty for pushing Pascal away when he was literally the one doing her wrong.

She really glossed her lips and put on perfect makeup for a guy who couldn't care less.

If only people didn't treat her as if she was a doll to play with. She fears that she might be the doll who gets her hair cut off, face drawn on and arms ripped out by the little girl who plays with her.

"You lost something."

She quickly wipes away her tears and snot, feeling embarrassed until she looks up to see Joe who's holding her bracelet. She didn't even notice it fell off.

He sits down next to her and puts the bracelet back on her wrist as soon as she offers it to him.
When he's done he looks at her.

"Cissy, I don't even know where to start. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for never noticing that they were laughing at you this whole time we've been at high school."

She shakes her head, tears spilling again.
"It's not your fault they think I'm weird. I'm stupid for even going out with Pascal, I should've known it would end like this. I knew they were making fun of me and I still decided to say yes to him."

Joe starts to listen, knitting his eyebrows.

"Maybe they're right, you know. I'm weird. I chase impossible dreams and I try to make myself more special than I actually am. Like, really. Being a woman in formula 1 is far from reach. And this stupid dress didn't make me prettier either."

"That's not true," he puts a hand on Cissy's bare back. "You are special. And pretty. And yes, your dreams are impossible but that's why you're chasing them, that's why you sit in your car every race and beat 90% of the boys that drive against you. Because you want to prove it's not impossible for a girl to be successful in something that's male-dominated."

She swallows, and listens.

"And yeah, you might be weird. You're really weird, actually." he grins. "But do you want to be like everyone else? Do you want to wear basic nike sneakers and fit in with girls that are basically all the same?"

She shakes her head, smiling slightly. But then she cries again. "I tried to fit in with them. I bought stupid trendy clothes and straightened my hair and," she takes her heels off. "Wore these stupid heels all night just because I thought that might make me feel better."

Joe observes her.

"I don't fit in," Cissy looks at him. "In the worst way possible. You fit in. You know. You're handsome, you date popular and pretty girls, you're funny, you're liked by everyone. Nothing is wrong with you. You're not different, you're perfect. And I like that for you, you deserve it."

He swallows, looks at the dark trees in the distance, covered by snow.
The moon is making the area light up somehow. And the blue light from inside the school of course.

"But for me? I have to jump twice as high as you to be liked. Everyone treats me like a puppet they can just do whatever they want with. No one takes me seriously. While you only have to make a silly joke and flash a grin at someone for them to listen to you. I have to prove myself every single time, work twice as fast and double as hard."

He frowns slightly, nods. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault at all."

"No but... I was an asshole, I really was. Like I said, I should've noticed they didn't treat you right. Every single one of them. And I didn't notice you felt uncomfortable either. Never. And that's so wrong. I'm sorry."

Cissy wipes away her tears again. "I ruined your night."

"No," Joe looks confused. "No you didn't do that at all. You had your night ruined by these insecure assholes that are jealous of the fact a girl can decide to do more than bat her eyelashes at a guy and giggle."

She smiles, having to wipe away her tears again and again.

"Sasha is mean. And insecure. And all the people in her little army are just as insecure, they group with her because they don't want to get bullied."

Cissy nods, Joe's right. They're jealous.

"What really happened with Pascal?" he asks. She bears herself.
"Nothing special. He touched me and I pushed him off, gently. I wasn't even being mean. I just didn't want to be touched there."

He furrows his eyebrows. "Asshole. He didn't tell us he did anything at all."

Cissy shrugs. "He's just like everyone else."
Joe nods.

Then he holds out his hand. "Will you give me a dance, beautiful lady?"
She snaps her eyes at him. "W-what about Charlotte? You shouldn't ruin her night by dancing with me. Would be wrong."

Joe laughs. "I ditched her. Why would I want to go out with a girl who can't even respect my best friend?"

Cissy giggles.
"Her dress was kinda ugly anyway. And she clinged to my arm like a monkey all evening."
"Right?" Cissy laughs. They do think alike.

"As soon as you were gone I told her that's disgusting, I also told Sasha she needs to stop being insecure just because she doesn't have a guy who actually is her friend because of her personality instead of her looks. So, will you dance?"

She nods.

Back inside they go straight to the dance floor, where some other people from school are crowded aswell.
Joe takes her by both hands and the 'DJ' - who's just a guy from their grade - plays 'Shut Up And Dance'.

Joe giggles. "Don't you love that song?"
"It's a basic radio song for white girls."
"But a vibe."

He starts moving, and it looks horrible. But she laughs, genuinely for the first time tonight.
Lip syncing and moving her arms with his hands.
"Why are you not dancing, party pooper."

Cissy has to give in eventually and starts dancing too. The people around them start being blurry, but it's positive this time.

It's just her. And her best friend.

She doesn't need anyone else to laugh.

july 25 2024
Spa-Francorchamps
Media day

"Are you referring to my prom night?"

Seb nods, smiling.

"That was like, the worst day of my whole life."
Seb shakes his head. "But he helped you out of it, at least that's what you told me."

"Yeah, he did. Off topic, but are you gonna stay all weekend?"

"Yup, had a weekend off and since the road isn't too long I thought, why not visit Spa and see how my little girl is doing?"

july 26 2024
Spa-Francorchamps
Free practice day

As soon as they're done with the first practice, Joe comes to visit Max, of course.
So, right now his favorite Blondie is playing with his hair and he's on his phone.

"Did you have a good run?" Max asks him.
"Yea, car is fine. How's yours?"
"I thought it was bouncing a lot but I set the fastest lap of the practice so... can't be that bad."

Joe giggles. "You just like to complain baby." after turning his head towards him, he puts a quick kiss on his lips.

"Hey," Max giggles, putting a kiss onto Joe's nose this time. "I mean, you might be right."

"Hey you lovebirds." GP knocks on the door, then leans against the doorway. "Hate to break it to you, but work is calling. Not sexy time."

Joe sighs, gets up from Max's arms and kisses him one last time. "Bye, baby. See you tonight."

GP raises his eyebrows as soon as the McLaren driver is gone.
Max groans. "Don't give me that look."

***

Cissy's car couldn't be more fucked. So now she's taking a walk through the paddock. To reconnect with nature and touch grass or something like that.

Surprisingly it actually calmed her down.

"Girl." Liron and Fiona look at her.
It's kind of... weird that they're here? In the forest next to the paddock.
"What's going on with you? Why the bad vibes?" Fiona looks at her, fixing her ginger hair.

"Men."

They both go: "ohhh."

"Well, Honey, if I learned one thing, then it's that no man ever will bring you success. You have to baby them and they take the credit," Fiona groans. "Whatever it is, don't take it to your heart. That's just how they are."

Liron grins. "That's why you're into girls?"

"Hey!" Fiona shoots a look at her best friend. "You're just saying that because you have a boyfriend now."

Cissy quickly looks at her future teammate with shock. Not that she's negatively surprised or anything, but Liron didn't say a thing about it.
"Really?"

Liron nods, smiling. "His name is Drew."
"I manifested him for her with my crystals."
Fiona whispers.

"You're crazy." that's the only thing Cissy can comment.
Honestly, they're kinda giving Bloom and Stella from Winx Club. Just a bit more witch-y.

july 27 2024
Spa-Francorchamps
Quali day

Max wakes up with Joe's arms draped around his waist, spooning him from behind.
It's early, the morning sun shining through Max's hotel window and casting yellow light over them.

He nuzzles his nose into his pillow, simply enjoying the physical contact.
Joe is stirring awake too, placing a few lazy kisses on Max's neck.

The Blondie puts his hand onto Joe's and squeezes, getting himself out of the tight grip to turn around.
"Morning, handsome."

Max says, smiling up at him and gently touching his chin. Joe looks perfect in the mornings.
The Dutchman has to admire it for a moment and keep himself from drooling.

Joe has freckles all over his face, tired hazel eyes, a tiny beard between his rosy lips and his nose that he didn't shave yet. His lips are full, his nose has a bump from the side but it looks perfect nonetheless.
Bushy eyebrows, messy curls on top of his head.

Max could look at him for the rest of his life.

He also has freckles on his shoulders, on his chest, on his back.

"Morning, baby." Joe's voice is groggy. He's clearly never been a morning person.
Not holding back anymore, he gives him a soft kiss before pulling back gently.

"Did you sleep well?" Max whispers, moving his hand to Joe's chest and slightly pushing him onto his back.
"As good as it can be. You?"

Max bites his lip, climbing on top of Joe and kissing him again. "With you I always sleep well." he murmurs against his lips.
Joe gropes his waist, his hands starting to wander.

"Had a nice dream?" he asks.

Max smirks. "The best one."

Joe leans up to kiss him, tugging on the Blondie's shorts since he's been writhing on top of him for the past minute.
His face is already flushed pink, one of his thighs on either side of Joe's hips.

The McLaren driver throws the dark blue fabric of Max's shorts onto the floor carelessly.

"Really had nothing underneath, hmm?"

Max blushes, nodding. He didn't wear any underwear. If he's fully honest, he wanted Joe to have easy access to him.
Joe wastes no time and starts jerking the Blond's smaller dick.

"Tell me about your dream."

"It's silly," Max murmurs between little moans, squirming on the bulge that's tenting Joe's boxers.
"You're always silly, so tell me."

Max whines, biting his lip. "It was during the off-season. You moved in with me... and we fucked every day, we could just be us. No stupid media, no other people. Only us."

Joe smiles, rubbing at Max's tip to make him leak more precum. "That's not silly. That's really cute."

The Dutchman giggles. "You're just saying that."

"Maybe," Joe shrugs, letting go of his dick to get his boxers off. Max climbs back on top of him in no time.

"Want to ride you."

Joe nods, Max loves that he always agrees to his wishes. He puts two fingers to Max's plump lips, he takes them in immediately and wets them with his tounge, sucking on them.

He looks Joe straight in the eyes as he does so, knowing his lips look better than anything in the world when he sucks on something.
"Suck my dick first?"

Max can't disagree, he puts Joe's fingers out of his mouth and scoots backwards until he's facing his massive dick. It's about 9 inches long and Max is moaning when he just looks at it.

He starts licking the tip, looking up at Joe who's grabbing into his hair.
"You're way too good. Such a good girl."

Max hates that he loves it when Joe calls him a girl. It makes him feel violated in the best way possible.
He takes him deeper down his throat, he rarely ever gags so he takes him further easily.

Joe sucks in a breath, moving his hips upward to thrust into Max's mouth and god, it makes Max's eyes roll from how turned on he is.
He starts bobbing his head, making Joe's dick wet with spit.

"You're good at anything, aren't you?"

Max wants to smile, but it's difficult with a dick down his throat so he just hums, and Joe leaks precome into his mouth when he does.
"You're not good at padel." the McLaren driver corrects himself, he rolls his eyes, this time from annoyance.

"But you're good at racing, sucking dick...riding dick."

It'd be much more enjoyable deepthroating him if he was quiet.

Max pulls off and starts jerking his dick instead.
"You're annoying. Can't even shut up when I suck you off."
"Sorry," Joe murmurs between moans.
"Will you at least keep quiet when I ride your dick or are you gonna keep talking like a waterfall?"
"No."

He can see that the McLaren driver is blushing, he's probably embarrassed. He gets like this any time Max is just a tiny bit dominant.

"Good," Max grins with satisfaction and sits up, getting back onto Joe's lap. "Can you open me up?" he bats his eyelashes.
And he knows the Italian won't say no.
"Yeah baby," he lets Max wet his fingers first once again before bringing them behind him and circling his entrance.

Max whines, his hands pushing Joe down into the mattress when he enters two fingers and scissors them inside Max's now wet hole to stretch him out.
"You're already quite stretched."
"Duh, you fucked me silly just yesterday."

Joe laughs, pulling his fingers out of Max's hole. He doesn't care anymore about being sore or feeling every ridge in his ass when the race track is bumpy. Actually, he might love it.

It reminds him of the sex with Joe. It reminds him he got fucked like a slut and he loves that feeling.

"Don't need lube," Max murmurs while reaching back to grab his favorite dick and slowly position himself on top of it. He slides down the tip at first with a tiny moan.

"You sure?" Joe already asks, but Max can only shake his head while impaling himself on his dick, slowly but surely until he's sitting on it.

"Take a break." Joe says while running his hands over Max's spread thighs, he noticed that he was already out of breath and wriggling on top of him.
"Feel full." Max comments.

"Thought you liked that feeling."
"Mhm, I do."

Honestly, Max looks like a greek god like this.
His meaty thighs spread onto either side of Joe. The lovehandles on his hips, his little dick leaking precum, the lovehandles on his waist, the tiny hairs on his chest, the pink nipples.
Joe could go on forever.
His broad shoulders yet tiny waist, big hips and thighs, the thick neck with a few moles on it.
The freshly shaved beard on his face, his blond, messy morning hair.
The dark turquoise eyes that remind Joe of the ocean in greece.

That's why he's a greek god.

The god of gay sex, perhaps?

And Max's chest is pink, his cheeks and his neck are aswell. His rosy lips are parting so he can take little breaths.

Joe is that big.

And Max isn't even moving, because he looks even better when he does, he starts bouncing his hips. Gentle and slow for now. They both moan, almost in sync.

Max is still leaking, he covers his dick with one hand and looks down, clenching his hole onto Joe's cock to feel every vein and curve.

He's bouncing faster and in no time Joe moves his hips up into Max's ass aswell.
His dick feels like heaven, and he's not exaggerating.

It's big, hitting the Blondie's insides in all the right places. Max doesn't have to start talking about how good Joe looks when they fuck, right?
Because he looks like a prince. And he also fucks like you'd imagine a prince to fuck.

And he's grasping his thighs, digging his fingers into them while they both pick up the pace in their movements.
"Joe," Max whimpers, gripping his wrist. "I'm close."

He nods, moving his hips in the same rhythm as Max to make it the most comfortable for him.
"You can cum. You earned that for being so good and for looking like a god, mon cherie."

Max gasps and shudders, but he's not coming yet, he's just enjoying Joe's dick hitting his prostate over and over.

"You're taking it so well, baby. You can come for me, can you do that without stimulation on your little dick? Can you cum just from feeling my dick inside you, hmm?"

Max nods over and over, spilling into his hand, that's still covering his own dick. He shudders, clenches around Joe's cock and almost collapses against him.

Which he does as soon as Joe comes deep inside of him, filling him to the brim with cum.
That's the best part.
Max being held while he enjoys a load of cum in his ass after being fucked out.

It just makes him feel kind of protected, especially because Joe is rubbing his back for comfort.
They used to be so bad at aftercare, but now it's Max's favorite minutes of the day.

He gets to relax, turn his brain off and enjoy everything that's physically happening to him.

What's for sure is that he didn't lie when he said it feels like heaven.

***

Max managed to set the fastest time in qualifying, but unfortunately he's got a 10-place grid penalty for an additional power unit element.
Meanwhile Cissy had similar luck for the first time in a while, she set the third fastest and therefore starts on P2 tomorrow.

She truly thinks she can work with that if her strategy team doesn't mess anything up again.

Meanwhile the McLaren boys are satisfied with their results, with Joe starting on P3 and Lando next to him on P4.

"The car is in good shape for tomorrow, yea?"
Lando asks, but it's more of a statement, while they walk to the post-quali conference to plan strategy tomorrow.
"Yea."

That's the only thing Joe says while they walk through the hallway with white walls. If it's one thing about team hospitalities in the paddock then it's that they're way too brightly lit and fully white on the inside.

Honestly, it hurts everyone's eyes.

They sit for way too long with Zak and both of their main strategists. Andrea couldn't come. Gladly.
Although he has to say he likes him more than Snack Brown.

Joe's main strategist is this girl called Amelie, she's knew for this season but she's been doing a great job.
Really, Joe is glad 90% of his strategy and PR teams consists of women.

Much more chill, if you ask him.

"With Max's 10 place grid drop I think we're in a good place to win. We don't have to worry about Verstappen, he'll be busy in the back." Zak clarifies for everyone.

Then he sees the look Joe gives him. He corrects himself without another word. "Or let's say he'll be busy in the back for at least 15 laps."

"Well, Max isn't the only one we should worry about on the grid, Zak." Joe says, looking at the team principal over the table.
"I wasn't done talking yet anyway."

"The Red Bull car was made for this track, you know." Joe doesn't stop. It's fun making Zak look dumb, when he knows he - probably - truly isn't.
"I know," he sighs. Joe shrugs.

"Cécile starts in P2, Leclerc up in front. The Ferrari hasn't looked too good so far for the weekend, Cécile is probably going to overtake him into turn 1, if we're being realistic."

"You never know what happens."

Zak doesn't even say anything anymore, just shoots Joe a glance. Lando has to cover his mouth, acting like he's stroking his beard.

"But Joe, you try and go into attack for the Red Bull, she'd be busy with you trying to overtake in the back instead of overtaking Charles."
"Stating the obvious," Joe murmurs.

If he's honest, he doesn't know why he's doing this. Maybe because it's fun.

After figuring out all those plans, Joe feels like he might puke. He hates structuring.
"Zak, I feel like, maybe for the first few laps at least, you should let me and Lando do our thing. We know what to do."

Zak almost hesitates. "No. I mean yes, yes you do, I'm certain. But the way you do it, diving in with no hesitation, it doesn't always work. I think it's better if you, obviously, try and move forward but if that doesn't work then we're gonna have just the right strategy to overtake or possibly undercut them in the race."

"And why are you so certain we'll manage that?" Joe asks, he's truly asking. In a race, anything could happen. Then all these plans were for nothing anyway.

"Because the Red Bull is going to be easy to overtake."
"Why? 'Cause she's a girl?"

Lando isn't really saying anything. That's the thing about him. He can't keep his stupid mouth shut in most cases, especially in interviews. But when he has to. Really, when he really has to say something and get his fucking gob open, he never does.
He sits quiet.
Not even baring eye contact in these cases.

How can a person shove one's opinion into everyone's face but at the same time keep it shut when it's necessary. It's annoying, in a way.

"No, not because she's a girl. Their car is just-"
"No, no really," Joe starts. "It's because you underestimate her. You wouldn't say that about Max."

"When did you get so protective over Verstappen?"
"Not really important, is it? Cissy won't be easy to try and fight with if we stick to a silly plan. And Charles won't be either. I think you should just let me shoot my shot."

"You hate plans, don't you?"
"You know me too well." Joe forces a smile, then looks at Lando across from him who's still staring onto the ground. It looks like he's trying to dig a hole in it just with his mind.

Joe knows Zak doesn't approve of him going with his own way during a race. He hates it.

But don't get him wrong, Joe understands that possible plans are important. That discussing different scenarios for the race is necessary to have some sort of backup plan in the back of their minds.

But during the race you never know what could happen, you don't have insights on other teams. You don't know what happens into turn 1. Or what potentially happens with your car.

Most strategies change during the race anyway.

So, Joe doesn't understand why they'd just not let him dive in. It's not like he won't communicate with them at all.

"Lando? What do you think?" Zak asks him.
All eyes on him.
He sighs and shrugs. "I, I mean I don't mind anything, I think we should do what people that know best think is the most successful way we could do it." He gestures to the two strategists at the table.

Joe groans. "Amazing, Lando. Great. Great that you decide to play the little puppy."
Lando can't look at him either.

After their unsuccessful strategy conference, Lando wanted to see his Cissy after showering. So he went to walk through the paddock, since the Red Bull garage is usually at the other end.

He walked by Joe and Max, they were talking, leaning against the wall of the Red Bull hospitality.
Lando didn't hear a word, he didn't want to hear a word.

But when he's at Cissy's drivers room she's gone.

"Honestly, I don't even know what's going on. I thought you might be able to help."

Cissy's complaining to Logan in the Williams' driver's room, or let's say it's Alex's driver's room. But he's just listening, happy to be here.

Logan is still chewing his banana before nodding slightly.
"Well, he hasn't talked to me in a while either, so I can't say much."
He chews again. "But I get that you're annoyed."

These 2 really aren't helping Cissy at all. Fiona was right. No man will ever bring you success.

"I kind of, I mean it's silly, but I kind of noticed he's been with Max a lot. And they're both acting off. Do you know anything about that?"

Logan shakes his head after a moment, his mouth full of banana.
Alex looks confused.
"Joe and...Max?... I'm slow."
Cissy puts a hand on her forehead.

"Hey," Alex sounds disappointed. "Why are you two ignoring me now? I want to know."

"It's nothing," Logan says. Cissy looks at the both of them. "They're friends now. No matter if there's more to it or not, they're hiding something from me. And I don't want that. They're my best friends."

"Wait? More to it?" Alex asks, poor guy.
"Like, I knew Max was as gay as the 'I want to break free' music video by Queen but..."

"Yeah, no but." Logan nods.
"I don't think there's more to them though."
The American hates himself for lying right now.

But he swore Max he wouldn't tell anyone, and if he's totally honest, he's incredibly scared of Max.
Max is like a T-Rex. While Logan is, well, more like a nervous lizard.

"Wait- like- Are they fucking?"

"I think so."
"I don't think so."
Cissy and Logan say it at the same time and before Alex can say anything, the American just hands him a chunk of banana.

Great. Really great. Cissy didn't come further as she already was with these two dorks.

july 28 2024
Spa-Francorchamps
Race day

Lando woke up lazy this morning, leaning against the doorway to watch Cissy apply her mascara. She's almost done getting ready.
While he's in grandpa pajama pants.

"Morning, I didn't want to wake you up," Cissy says while looking at her finished look in the mirror.
"All good."

She notices the tone and looks back at him.
"Don't take it too hard."
"He was really pissed. And mean."

He's talking about Joe.

"He always is. It's gonna get better. He's gonna calm down, you know that."
"We never argued like that before. And it wasn't even an argument. I didn't even say anything."
"Maybe that was the problem."
"Cissy."

She shrugs, then nods softly.
"I'm not trying to put you down, not at all. I'm just saying that's what bothers him about people a lot."

Lando is scared for today's race. Scared for him and Joe's relationship even if it's silly to break it over such stupid thing.

He didn't even really disagree. Lando likes to agree, maybe that's the thing. He doesn't disagree and that's the issue.

***

Lap 40/44

During the race Joe ended up doing it his way, and he's running P1 at the moment.
Lando did it the team's way. He's on P5.
It's honestly been, kind of a shit show.

George almost crashed into him on lap 1, Lando got the blame for it and had to serve a 5 second penalty.

Nothing has worked for Lando so far, he's been stuck behind Cissy since, give or take, 13 laps.
While Max and Joe are cruising away in the front. They're his main title rivals.

Well, to be fair, Max isn't really in that fight. The media just makes him out to be. He's too far in the front, the point gap too big and his car too good.

But Joe is in a fight with him, Lando just recently snatched P2 in the championship. He can't let it go to his teammate already.

Lap 44/44

Joe crosses the line to be first, Max in P2 and Charles in P3.

His radio message on the race win for his engineer Kiki was:
"The only people I can thank for today are my engineers, my strategists and myself. Thanks for making this possible today and cooperating with me unlike some others."

Really passive, if you ask TV broadcasters.

When Joe gets out of his car parked behind the 1, he does a little celebration. But he doesn't run to his team.
They expected him to. But he's not coming.
He dabs up a few of his mechanics and engineers, his strategists. And Kiki. But that's really it.

And he can see the look and Zak's and Andrea's face through his helmet, he can also sense a disappointed Mika in the crowd. That's just his energy.

Joe can see Lando in the distance, currently getting his weight checked. Max jumps out of the car next to him and pats his back, he looks down at him before giving him a quick hug.

They've had a battle for the last 2 laps, and genuinely, Max is a beast when hunting someone down. It feels like a lion is hunting their prey.

Getting his helmet and gloves off, he can hear Lando saying his name, trying to call him over.

Lando has his eyes on him. He really wants to congratulate him, but when he doesn't answer he gives up. Turning back another time but he's still not looking.

Meanwhile Joe is getting ready for the post-race interviews being held by Britney. Nico of course.
Max and Charles are chatting, they can barely keep their eyes off each other.

Nico starts with Charles, then Max, then him.
"Congrats on the win, Joe.
We heard you say on the radio, you thank no one but yourself and some certain team members, why's that?"

"I think they know why," Joe says clearly, glaring at Zak and Andrea back in the crowd.
"But nonetheless I think the mechanics deserve an appreciation for preparing the car today, without them it wouldn't be possible. And of course all the engineers aswell, and my strategists who listened to me today but also of course helped me come out on top in the end. They worked really hard today for me and that's admirable. It's definitely a nice finish to this weekend and we'll see if we can do it again after the summer break."

When they're spraying champagne, Joe hasn't ever felt so welcomed. Normally there's always someone making him feel sensitive.
But this time it's just him and Max and Charles.

Charles is nice. Charles is loyal.

He'd like him as a teammate, he's sure.
Well, one of his best friends his Charles' younger brother, so their relationship has always been kind of... Joe can't explain.

Like, he's pretty sure Charles finds him annoying but likes him nonetheless.
Although it doesn't seem like he thinks negatively of him when his hand is on the McLaren's drivers back while he tries to wipe champagne out of his eyes.

Lando is watching the podium from the McLaren garage, trying not to chew on his lip.
He feels guilty, he feels like he's ruining everything.

People don't like him anymore either, Joe doesn't like him anymore, Cissy has been off. There's really no one left.

And Joe is all eyes on Max if you ask him. And now even Charles.
He should go if Charles is so much better than him.

And he probably is. He's surely not as loud as Lando, not as difficult.

"He's a crazy guy," Zak stands next to him, everyone else is gone, probably still at the podium.
Lando nods a little. "How does he do it?"

Zak shrugs. "If you wanted my opinion. It's love, someone's got him wrapped around his finger and that's why he's going crazy."
"Are you saying love makes people crazy?" Lando kind of has to laugh. As if Zak Brown knows so much about love.

"100%. He's head over heels."
"You got an idea on who?"
"You think he'd tell me that?" Zak laughs. "He tells me his opinions often enough but something like that? Never."

Lando grins, probably out of politeness. He's kind of right though.

***

It's after the press conference, Joe already showered and he's only getting some last things done.
The only thing he wants right now is Max is in his hotel room with a cold mojito and a movie and sex with the window open.

A knock on the door of his driver's room, it's Cissy. She looks... angry?

"Why are you like that?"

Joe is confused. "Like what?"
"Mad at everyone? Mean to Lando? Mean to me? Ignoring everyone?"

"I'm not mad."

Cissy raises her eyebrows. "Either you're telling me what's up or I'll get it out of someone else. I'm not afraid to be violent."

"Wow. Okay."

"Joe. Some seriousness here. I want you to be honest. I miss that. I miss you."
"I'm right here."
"Tell me what's going on then, I'm not even angry. I just want to know if I did something wrong or if you're not well or anything, really. I'm not judging you, ever."

"I just told you, nothing's wrong."

He sounds annoyed. And Cissy is getting pissed off too, leaning against the wall.
"Why do you keep snapping at Lando then?"

Joe huffs. "Mine and Lando's relationship really is none of your business. Or is he crying to you all the time? I wasn't even mean, just telling the truth. That he can't keep his mouth shut when it's about on his opinion on other people. But as soon as he has to fucking say something, he's all quiet. And you're kind of the same, you know. That's why you're here."

Cissy looks up at him, shaking her head and doing a face. "You're really out of your mind."
"Not really tho."

She groans.
"Don't give me that look. Fuck, you are so blindly in love you can't even see others than Lando anymore."
"You are too?"

Joe makes a face now aswell.
"With who?"
"You know damn well with who."

He shrugs. "I really don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do. But you know what? You don't have to tell me anything, it hurts a lot. That you feel like you can't open up to me like you used to. But please, go on. If that makes you feel better."

With that she's gone again.
And Joe feels awful now.
She hasn't been that upset since... well, long story.

***

Joe is at Max's hotel room door, waiting for him to open.
He only opens in a robe and Joe raises an eyebrow, leaning against the doorway and giving him a quick kiss.
"Don't say anything."
"Okay."

"Shh," Max whispers when the Italian grabs his ass, making him yelp. "Someone could hear."
Joe looks at him. And his face scream question marks.
"There is no one here, Max. Now let me kiss you."

Max steps back slightly with a smile. Joe has to stop himself from whining about it.
"Helmut Marko is right next to us. I only noticed yesterday evening."
The thought of a old ass Helmut Marko appearing while Joe is practically licking Max's face immediately sobers him up.

He shoves himself past the door, closing it quietly behind him and locking it for good measure. Max is almost doubled over with laughter.
"What? You're going to be thanking me for this later, when a wild Helmut Marko doesn't break the door down because he thinks you're getting murdered."

Max gasps. "I'm not that loud."
"You're louder than the firefighters, cherie. But that's fine. It's what I love about you the most. Now come here."

Joe finally kisses him deeply and the Blondie lets him, already working at his belt.

They stumble backwards onto the hotel bed and Max's robe slips open.