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Max sighs for what feels like the hundredth time in the day, subtly rubbing his temple as he tries to pay attention to what Gemma is explaining to him about what is next on their schedule for the day.
It’s Thursday on a race weekend which means dealing with the media, interviews and social media videos alike. None of which helps him deal with the headache he has had since yesterday morning. It’s not the worst migraine he’s ever had, it’s more of a constant dull throbbing, but the other symptoms make the situation worse: he is more sensitive to smells, the lights hurt his eyes and there is some sort of a fog in his brain that slows him down his mind and affects his speech.
His team knows about the pain he is in, and has already taken his pill combo that usually helps, but he is on day two of his migraine so he doesn’t feel too hopeful for the painkillers to work.
“Just one more interview and then you can go rest, Max.”
Max decides against nodding, to try and avoid spiking his pain even more, instead he simply hums to signal that he heard her.
Once he is free to do whatever he wants, Max decides not to head directly back to his hotel, instead he heads to the pack room that is in every racetrack. He prefers the comfort of the lingering scents of the rest of the drivers, plus the omegas always arrange the most perfect nests for all of them to enjoy. And laying in one of them right now sounds like the perfect way to pass the time until his meds do the work and his head stops hurting.
Max isn’t a usual visitor to the pack room, always preferring to be in his own space, but the few times he has been, it’s always been a nice experience.
As he makes his way in, he hopes the room is empty, or at least with not that many pack members in it. As he stumbles through the door, the smell of red apple with hints of cinnamon greets him immediately, meaning Charles is in the room, apparently by himself.
“Hi, Max,” he omega greets him from where he is accommodating some blankets and pillows.
“Hey.” He greets back a little less enthusiastically than he normally would greet the Monegasque.
Charles stops what he is doing to look back at the alpha standing awkwardly by the closed door. “Are you okay?” The dark scent coming from the alpha definitely indicates that something is off, instead of his usual summer rain scent, it smells deeper, like a storm brewing in the horizon.
“Um, I—” he points to his head lazily. “I have a headache.”
“Oh.” is all he says for a while, looking around then back at Max. “Do you want to lay down? I can, um, I can build something for you, if you want, then I will leave so you can sleep.” Despite having made a nest for himself, if Max asks him to leave, he will, since the alpha is in pain and probably there is not much he can do to help him besides making him somewhat comfortable.
Max stares at him for a second longer than necessary, slowly processing the omega’s words. Headaches always make his head foggy, he hates it. “Yeah, okay.”
Charles doesn't waste time and gets to work, building a bigger nest for himself and Max. It’s not like the alpha had invited him in or anything, and Charles himself has offered to build the nest and leave, but part of his brain can’t help but feel like he is building a nest for the both of them to lay on it together.
Once he is finished, he signals the alpha to remove his shoes and to step in, rearranging more pillows and blankets all around him.
Charles kneels down next to him on the nest. “What else do you need?” He asks quietly, not wanting to disturb the alpha. “Do you need any pain medication, or should I call someone? Please tell me how else I can help you.”
“Cold pack,” is all Max says, pulling the blankets higher, almost up to his ear.
Charles immediately goes to the corner furthest in the room to retrieve a cold pack from the mini freezer and a water bottle from the fridge for good measure. He returns to the alpha’s side and places the bottle on the nest next to Max’s back, and gently places the cold pack against the Dutchman’s forehead. The alpha sighs, shoulders dropping and muscles relaxing.
“There’s a water bottle behind you, in case you want one, okay?” Charles resists the urge to run his fingers through the blond strands.
“Okay.” Max closes his eyes, willing the pain to go away. “Stay?” He asks when he feels the omega moving.
“Oh, okay. Um… I’ll just—” Charles is not sure what he should do.
Did Max ask him to cuddle? He obviously wants the omega to share the nest with him, that much Charles has gathered (or maybe Charles is just deluding himself but he is okay with that prospect), and truly, who is Charles to deny a three time World Champion to cuddle with him?
With very stilted movements Charles sits down next to where the alpha is layed down. He puts two pillows behind his back so he doesn’t get cold from pressing against the wall. Charles holds his breath as he feels Max shifting closer, his forehead almost resting against the brunette’s hip.
Charles forces himself to relax, to breathe once again. He has no idea why Max asked him to stay, but the Monégasque sure as hell won’t disturb the alpha’s much needed rest with his tense body and awkward feelings.
Max for his part tries to visualize the pain, a technique he learned after a few years of dealing with them, slowly willing the pain to thin out and move from behind his eyelids. Charles' presence and scent are doing a great job in helping him relax, muscles unwinding and breathing soothing out. Instead of focusing on the pain he feels, his attention instead is on the omega next to him, on Charles’ sweet scent, on the way he forces his body to relax and his breathing to even out. He knows he is probably overstepping some boundaries with Charles, but right now Max is in too much pain to be able to do something about it.
He’ll make sure to apologize later.
Charles knows the exact moment the alpha falls asleep, his whole body sagging as he no longer feels the pain that he has been suffering for who knows how long. His shoulders dropping from his ears, expression smoothing out as his forehead presses harder against the omega’s hip.
A ping from his phone has Charles’ heart racing and scrambling to find it so he can silence it, making Max huff in annoyance, his right arm coming up to rest across the omega’s lap, big hand holding his opposite hip to stop him from moving around too much. Heat rushes through his face as he blushes at the unconscious hug.
When the screen lights up, he can see the message his teammate has sent him.
Carlos:
the car is here.
where are you?
Charles blinks a few times, unable to decide on what to tell Carlos. He had forgotten they had made plans to leave the paddock together early and catch a late lunch back at the hotel. That won’t do now.
Eventually he replies back.
i’m a bit busy at the moment
Carlos:
busy with what?
are you in the bathroom? we can wait for you
Charles looks down at Max, happily snoozing on Charles’ nest, next to him, holding him. How is he supposed to move when the alpha is this comfortable? How is Charles meant to find the strength to break away and leave Max behind?
He can’t. So he doesn’t.
Instead of replying with words, he takes a selfie from his chest down to show where the Dutchman is wrapped around him. He sends it to Carlos.
He doesn’t have to wait too long for a reply.
Carlos:
IS THAT MAX???????
DIOS MIO CHARLES QUÉ ES ESTO?????
he has a headache :(
Carlos:
and??????
that doesnt explain why he is HUGGING YOU
are you two together and didn’t tell me?? is that it?
…
you know that’s not it
Unfortunately, Carlos has been privy to more than one mental breakdown after Max has smiled his way or had grabbed his waist while on the podium and Charles had needed to freak out in private. All that’s to say that the Spaniard knows about the omega’s silly crush on the blond alpha. And Carlos has never missed an opportunity to tease him, all in good nature, about it.
he came into the pack room while i was building a nest
he asked me if i could build him one, so i did
and i helped him get settled and then he asked me to stay with him
how was i supposed to say no carlos?
Carlos:
mmm
i dont like it
i’ll come find you and have a talk with him
Carlos he is in pain, please don’t come
tell the team i’m nesting and that i’ll find my way to the hotel
Carlos:
Not on your own
tell Max to drive you back once he is better
what if he doesn’t feel better then?
Carlos:
then you’ll drive him to his hotel
and you’ll have to spend the night with him :)
you’re enjoying this way too much
Carlos:
aren’t you? ;)
Charles locks his phone, not wanting to entertain his teammate any further than he had already done. He puts it aside before focusing back on the blond alpha napping on his lap. Max still has a small frown on his face despite looking comfortable where he is, so Charles takes that as the opportunity to freely run his fingers through the soft hair, gently massaging the Dutchman’s scalp.
When Max moves, furrowing his head further into the omega’s lap, Charles holds his breath, seizing every movement so in the odd case Max were to wake up he wouldn’t catch Charles petting him. Instead, Max lets out a huff of annoyance, his frown making an appearance and only leaving his beautiful face once Charles cards his fingers through the blond locks once again.
Somehow, Charles is both surprised and not really shocked to find out that Max Verstappen is a bit touch-starved. He knows how the blond grew up with his father Jos, an angry man that never seemed capable of smiling, and how he spent most of his formative years away from his mother’s loving touch. He wouldn’t blame Max if he were a cold and distant person, since that was all he knew under Jos’ care, but Max came alive under Daniel’s teasing and humor and friendly touches.
Charles is lost in his thoughts to the point he doesn’t hear the door opening, revealing one of his closest friends alongside his mate until the flash of a camera distracts him enough to tear his eyes away from the alpha resting on his lap.
“Calamar, I didn’t know you were able to move this fast.” Pierre comments with a sneer, but before Charles can say anything in his defense, Yuki hits him in the arm. “Hey, what was that for?”
“For making fun of another omega.”
Charles just watches the exchange silently.
“He’s not another omega, he’s Calamar. Hopelessly in love with--” He doesn’t finish his sentence, Yuki hits him twice in a row.
“I didn’t appreciate people making fun of me for liking you and not doing anything about it, and I don’t like it that you are doing that to Charles, no matter how pathetic it may be.” He hits the taller driver just for good measure.
Charles blinks in surprise, honored that the younger omega is defending him despite the fact he doesn’t appreciate being called pathetic. But he won’t take it personally, English isn’t either of them’s first language.
“Can you guys keep it quiet?” He asks in a lower voice when he feels Max stir next to him. Charles resumes softly carding his fingers through the blond strands to settle him. “He has a headache.”
“That doesn't explain why he is using you like a human pillow.”
Again, before Charles can say anything, the other omega interferes: “It actually does, but you are a dumbass alpha who doesn’t understand these things. You are lucky I like you as you are.” Pierre looks only slightly put out by that statement. “Grab our things so we can leave them alone again.”
Pierre does as he is told with a bit of a scowl on his face, but as they are leaving he hears his friend say “you have too much of an attitude today” and Yuki’s playful “you love it”. Pierre really must love it, otherwise Charles doesn’t think those two would have mated a year after they started dating.
Charles looks back down and sees that Max has woken up, the blue of his eyes barely showing up as he is squinting his eyes so much due to how groggy he probably feels, maybe from sleep, maybe from the headache.
Charles freezes, hand stopping mid air from passing his fingers through the blond strands, heartbeat stopping for a second or two. He is pretty sure he’s breathing has seized too.
Max whines, pushing his face further into his lap, as if urging him to continue. “Don’t stop.”
That’s all the encouragement Charles needs. He gently resumes his work of passing his fingers through the alpha’s hair, ever so slightly massaging his scalp.
“How are you feeling?” Charles softly asks, not wanting to disturb the peaceful moment.
It takes a moment for the alpha to respond, but eventually he says, “Better.”
“Does your head still hurt?” He asks, still scratching his hair.
“Yes, but it hurts less now.” With the arm he still has around Charles’ lap, he squeezes him a bit. “Thank you for staying.”
“You’re welcome.”
They stay just like that for what feels like forever, but were probably fifteen to twenty minutes, laying there together with Charles still passing his slender fingers through soft blond hair and Max hugging him, his thumb lightly caressing the sliver of skin that it has been revealed, maybe by his movements or maybe by Max’s doing. Charles isn’t sure which one is it, but he can’t say he is bothered by the end result.
After a moment, Max sighs, tensing his muscles as if he is prepared to move.
“We should probably go, no?” The alpha doesn’t sound like he wants to, and Charles doesn’t blame him. He doesn't leave this spot either.
“If you feel good enough to drive, then yes, we should.”
Max starts to nod, but immediately stops, face contorting in pain. So maybe he does not feel better after all.
Charles reaches with his hand, fingers caressing the frown that it has formed in the alpha’s face.
“You are still in pain.”
“Yes, but I’m good to drive.”
Slowly, Charles detangles himself from the blond alpha, making his way out of the nest he had built for them.
“No, you won’t be driving like this.” He states, extending one hand for Max to take. “I’ll drive you. Come on.” He wiggles his fingers to urge the alpha to take his hand so he can help him stand up.
Max grabs his hand, but instead of letting the omega pull him to his feet, he yanks Charles down back onto the soft mattress mixed with their scents. Charles yelps, surprised by the action as he falls almost on Max’s lap.
He looks wide eyed at the alpha, heat painting his cheeks red with embarrassment for the position they are now in. The closeness doesn’t help either.
“You know you didn’t need to stay, right?” Max asks, still holding onto the omega’s hand. “I know I asked, but it wasn’t necessary.”
Charles relaxes, accepting this new position. “Of course I needed to stay. You were in pain.”
“You could have said no.”
“Why would I ever do that?”
“I don’t know, I’m sure you can come up with reasons, like other important things to do with your team.” He makes an aborted shrug, knowing better that it will cause a flare up if he does it.
Charles lifts his free hand to cradle the alpha’s cheek, his thumb caressing the stubbled cheek. “I would never say no to you, Max. If you ask me to stay, I will stay. Always.”
Max lightly frowns. “Why?”
“Because it’s you. And I won’t ever say no to you.” He smiles at the alpha, caressing his cheek one last time before standing up, hands still locked together. “Come on, I’ll drive you back to the hotel.”
This time, Max allows the omega to pull him up to his feet. He doesn’t say anything when Charles starts gathering hsi things along his own -- Max knows if he were to bend down to grab his cap and phone he would get dizzy , making his pain worse.
“Here, drink this.” Charles passes him the water bottle he earlier had given the alpha, Max doesn’t think twice before obeying as he sees the Monegasque putting the ice pack back in the small fridge. “Okay, let’s go.”
Twenty minutes later and Charles finds himself in Max’s hotel room, building another nest in the alpha’s bed,making sure to subtly scent mark the things he is using to build it since it seemed it had helped the Dutchman to relax when his pain was at its worst.
Max comes out of the bathroom, showered and changed into some comfy clothes for him to sleep in just as Charles finishes arranging a blanket on the nest.
“You don’t have to stay, you know.” Max comments, shuffling closer to the bed where Charles had arranged a nest just for him once again.
“We are not going to go over this again, Max, get in the nest.” He orders, his voice not leaving space for the alpha to argue back. Not that Max would, he still is very much in pain.
Charles takes a water bottle from the fridge and searches the blond’s backpack for some medication to give the man now laying in the hotel’s bed, surrounded by some of his own stuff and Charles’ own scent. Once he finds them, he takes both things back to the alpha who takes them without complaint, knowing it is a waste of time to do so when the omega is being this stubborn with him, for his own benefit.
“Thank you for scenting this nest. And you know, for building it.” He touches the soft material from the blanket that the hotel offers to all their guests. “Your scent…it really helped to ease the pain.”
Charles looks away, heat rising to his cheeks as a small smile forms on his lips. “You know,” he turns back to look at Max, fingers picking at his cuticles. “Carlos said something to me earlier. He said—” he bites his bottom lip, thinking it over. “—he said that if I had to drive you back to your place, then I should stay the night, since it’s dangerous for me to be driving by myself at night.” Statistically, it’s not more dangerous for him to drive alone at night in Belgium than it is in Monaco, just because he is an omega. And he, Max and Carlos all know that, but that doesn't stop him from using that excuse, since Carlos used it first on his behalf.
Max gently grabs ahold of one of the omega’s hands, stopping his fidgeting and bringing it closer to himself.
“Will you please stay the night?”
“You want me to stay because you are still in too much pain or are you getting new ideas that would lead to more pain?” He asks with a cheeky grin.
Max shakes his head minutely, still feeling the aftereffects of his migraine. “Two things can be true at once.”
Charles looks at the alpha laying in bed, cradling his hand to his chest like it’s the most important thing he has ever held, despite having held the World Driver’s Championship trophy thrice before, yet he holds Charles’ hand like it’s a precious treasure. He tips his head, admiring the dutchman’s face, looking for underlying intentions, falsehood. But he finds none.
“You are in too much pain to be dropping comments like that.”
“Doesn’t mean it's not real.”
Charles laughs, shaking his head. “Here’s what we are going to do: I’m going to steal some of your clothes because I want to shower, and then we are going to sleep. And tomorrow, after your pain has fully gone, you are going to ask me out, and the date will be at your apartment”
“Why my apartment?”
“Because I want to meet all three of your cats. I will bring Leo, of course.”
Max smiles despite the aftereffects of his migraine. “What about food?”
“I want a real meal, not those salads our trainers make us eat.”
“Deal.”
Charles smiles cheekily at the alpha, a smirk forming on his lips. “I haven’t said yes, though.”
A laugh startles out of Max, who immediately winces at the throbbing pain he feels on his temples. Charles pulls his hand free, running it through the blond strands. In a bold move, he leans forward to press a kiss on the Dutchman’s forehead.
“Sorry for that.” He says, pressing another kiss. “I’m going to take a shower now, okay? Rest for a bit. I’ll be right back.
Max gives him a tired smile. “Okay.”
After Charles gets into bed next to the blond alpha, the Dutchman pressing his body as close to the Monegasque as possible, just as he had done earlier in the day, Charles sends a selfie similar to the previous one to Carlos, to let him know he is staying the night with Max after all.
Carlos:
Well you two move fast 😏
nothing has happened
you told me to spend the night if he was still in pain!!!
Carlos:
I didn’t think you would!
i want to be the best man at the wedding, want to give a speech and all that
explain my part in how you two got together
🙄
you are unbelievable
Carlos:
it’s for a good cause
you two were moving too slow
now you are sleeping together and all
u’re welcome btw
Charles rolls his eyes, done with Carlos’ unending teasing.
goodnight carlos
Carlos :
tell Max i said hi
i will give him the talk tomorrow
Charles shakes his head, amused as he locks his phone, putting it away on the bedside table next to the alpha’s own phone.
“Who did you send that photo to?” Max asks sleepily, face squished against the omega’s chest.
“Carlos,” he replies, one hand coming up to card his fingers through the alpha's hair. “He says he will give the talk tomorrow.”
Max groans, hiding his face on the brunette’s neck, inhaling his sweet cinnamon scent. “He is going to be so annoying, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Charles chuckles. “Now, sleep. You have to plan a way to ask me out tomorrow.”
“So bossy.”
But he still lets himself relax against the omega, letting his body decompress in the safety of the nest Charles had built for them, the painkillers doing their best to afford him a good night's sleep so tomorrow he can feel better and think of the best wait to ask Charles on a date the omega had already planned for them and their pets.