Chapter Text
Max couldn't believe he was actually going to the Red Bull factory. When he signed for Toro Rosso it was more than he could have hoped for, but he wasn't expecting to be doing pre-season meetings and sim testing at the Red Bull factory. Helmet Marko wanted to meet with his father though and thought it would be a good time to allow Max a tour.
Max knows that Helmet is angling a Red Bull seat for Max soon, but that depends on this first season.
Which is why Max is itching to get into the simulator and practice driving the car. He can prove he deserves to be here. Toro Rosso took a risk, many risks, with his age and his omega status, he wasn't going to let them down.
He followed behind Jos and Helmet, taking in the long, clean halls and busy atmosphere. There was a general white noise as people talked and engine revving played from videos. A muted combination of scents washed over the whole facility. It energized him but gave him an overwhelming heady feeling. His father insisted on a sterile environment at home for better focus, so the scents freely circulating was entirely new.
Once they entered the lower levels with car parts and tools laying neatly on tables the tour abruptly halted. Jos gave a stern look, "You'll take a brief tour with some of the red bull mechanics, don't bother them with too many questions." His gruff voice made Max's back straighten and give a quick nod.
Helmet laughed at the interaction, "Don't look so nervous, they like to talk about technical aspects." He turned to the left and called over a handsome black man. "Callum, this is Max. Take him around, show him how we work, maybe show him some data. He may be Toro Rosso but he's Red Bull family."
"Nice to meet you Max, I'm sure we can keep you entertained for a bit." Callum's voice was nice, a calm wave to Max's nerves. Max watched Jos and Helmet walk off with a bit of trepidation. It was his future they were going to be talking about.
Max met Callum's eyes; they were kind. A warm shade of brown that matched his sunny smile. "Yes, nice to meet you too. You don't have to mind me if I am slowing your work. I can just stand and watch."
Callum's face did an odd twitch but his eyes shown with care, "You’re not slowing us down at all. Let's get you introduced." Callum gave Max's shoulder a squeeze, his scent gland glancing over Max's neck for a moment.
Max shivered at the touch. Must have been an accident, most people don't scent so familiarly with someone who isn't pack. But the scent is nice, a pleasant, spiced orange. The touch warmed him and relieved some of the nerves.
Max noticed a bit embarrassedly that a pleased sweet Stroop waffle scent tinged with milk was permeating the garage. He wished he had a better control over his instincts. He didn't want the others to feel uncomfortable or triggered by the clear omegan smell. Or treat him like some pup.
A few mechanics' heads popped up as the pair approached. Max was quickly introduced to too many people. He can remember Jon and Matt by their similar scents of smokey woods, and Ole smelled like sea and rum, but soon the new people blurred together. It didn't help that everyone was scenting him as he passed.
Scenting must be a Red Bull thing then. It created a rich, invigorating, adrenaline rush scent that engulfed Max. He did think his sweetness helped mellow it out into something weirdly enticing.
By the time introductions were done Max was practically vibrating with energy and need to ask questions. First it started with explanations of the parts, then into the different tools and fuel. The mechanics took liberties and started to move him by the wrist or with a hand on his lower back from one end of the garage to another.
At first, he thought they were patronizing him when they kept encouraging his questions. Obviously, they had heard them all before and the more experience drivers must know all the information already. Except the mechanics kept complimenting his curiosity and their tones had genuine surprise at his ability to follow their explanations and ask follow-up questions.
It was the whispers that clued him into their sincerity. He had always had keen hearing; it was how he could track his father through every garage and hotel room.
He could be a junior engineer
I want him in the car to get real feedback. Do you think Christian would let us put him in one?
Fuck, he’s adorable.
He’s only 17? Only had 1 year of single seater racing??
God, he’s so young. Are we really putting him in a car?
Admittedly, some of the comments weren’t what Max wanted to hear. He ignored them with a blank face. As long as the mechanics liked him, he would have a better chance of getting promoted.
Some beta guided Max to a stack of tires and insisted he sit down on the heated blankets. Max barely noticed, so invested in the technical talk and data sheets he was being shown. Slowly the tension left his body and he melted into the padded warmth of his new seat.
A woman alpha brought him an unbranded electrolyte drink at some point, just placed it into Max’s hand and left before he could even say thank you. His throat was getting a bit dry from all the talking, probably making his raspy lisp harder to understand.
The sweet cherry taste was divine and a pleased little purr escaped without his control. Max flinched at the vibration, never having done so before. Multiple soothing rumbles from the surrounding alpha came in an effort to calm him and displeased glances were shared at his odd reaction.
After an hour of conversation with no return of Jos, Callum took the lead again and offered to take Max to the simulator room. Max rapidly nodded and jumped off the tire stack with haste.
Whispered words were exchanged and a few mechanics rushed out of the garage but Max barely noticed. This was the moment he was waiting for, and opportunity to see the big teams car and get a bit of practice in before the season.
Callum smiled at Max’s excitement, “I wish we could bottle your energy into fuel Maxie. Our car would be flying.” His hand went to Max’s lower back to guide them along while also trying to dispel some of the jitters in Max’s walk.
“I love sim racing. I have a portable sim kit that I want to bring to races that way I can get practice on the tracks I haven’t been to. But, I really want to see how Red Bull’s is different,” Max rambled as they walked along.
Once they entered the sim room Max seemed to connect the whispering and rush exit of some mechanics. The sim chair had multiple blankets draped over it and there were pillows scattered around on various surfaces. Everything was scented by various people from the mechanic pack. There was some snacks and water left on the table directly next to the seat.
Max stopped in his tracks. What were they expecting him to do? He was here for sim testing not to make some kind of nest.
Callum seemed to feel his hesitation, “No pressure kid, we just wanted to make the room more comfortable for you. Do what feels right.”
Max’s rusty instincts swirled for a second. There was a confusing pull the run his hands over every fabric. He tentatively walked to every pillow to feel their firmness and fabric type.
Slowly he chose a navy-blue suede like pillow and hugged it to himself. He quickened his pace to the sim and placed the pillow to support his back. Then he felt each blanket before slipping a fluffy orange one over his shoulders.
Max practically snuggled into the sim seat and fought another purr from escaping. Callum reached over Max to start up the sim and explain each of the options. Max wasn’t allowed to practice with the current concept of the car but he could use the 2014 model to get a feel for a front running F1 car. It was pure bliss.
More mechanics filtered into the room to watch Max race. Every half hour or so one of them would bring a straw to Max’s mouth and insist he hydrate more or someone would hand feed him some nuts to keep his energy up.
Max had never been pampered like this. He didn’t understand why they were acting like he was something precious. They didn’t know him, and they wouldn’t even get to interact with him that much over the season. An ache started to form in his chest, he could really get use to this kind of treatment but he knew it would never happen.