Chapter Text
Their arrangement was simple: physical relief after races and sometimes between them when the need was too unbearable. It was a simple system without any necessary rules or explanations for outsiders. Yes, they were almost caught at the beginning, and they still fought like cats and dogs during GP sessions; they also took breaks from it when they were in committed relationships. Sooner or later, those turned out not to be as serious as they thought. Although George believed that Max and Kelly worked well together, the controversies surrounding the relationship, its beginnings, and the people involved proved too much for them to continue being together. His own relationship was going amazingly well until the distance and lack of time ruined it.
They were soon back at each other's apartments, sneaking around random hotels with staff unprofessional enough to accept bribes and book under their friends' names so no one would suspect anything.
It was one of those days when they were both overwhelmed by everything. Mercedes pressured George, and his mind was a mess because of the lack of news about his contract extension. Max was pacing angrily because his father had made remarks to the press about him being unstable in his decisions and life. Even Alex and Lando noticed they were out of it during padel hours before.
“Come on,” Max grumbled under his breath, dragging George to his car. The other didn’t say a word; he just took out his phone and sent Alex a message to cancel their lunch. He knew that Max, in one of his moods, meant a longer-than-usual time locked in the Dutchman’s bedroom.
The drive was short; one of Monaco's benefits was its size. Everything was closed. They left their sports bags in the hallway, not bothering with anything else.
“You’re infuriating, you know? Couldn’t you wait an hour for me to have lunch with Alex?” George asked, breathless when Max released his lips. The blonde mumbled something, trailing his lips down the Brit’s throat. They were still in the hallway outside the main bedroom, with the taller pushed against the wall and Max on him. “Impatient,” he tsked and grabbed him by the short hair at his nape, making the Red Bull driver lean his head back and crash his lips against his. A warm hand grabbed the white material of George’s training t-shirt and pulled it up. George let out a slight whine, cut off their kiss, dragged the piece of clothing over his head, and threw it aside. Max pushed his hands into the other’s hair, pulling him into another kiss.
“Max, are you ba- OH Dear!”
They jumped away from each other, staring in horror at Max’s mother, who was standing in the entry of the living room with wide eyes and a hand on her mouth. Max’s eyes were wide and staring at his mother in pure mortification. George didn’t even blink, his big blue eyes even bigger with fear.
“Mom! What are you doing here?!”
Sophie looked between the two and raised her eyebrows high. She kneeled and picked up George’s t-shirt, throwing it at him swiftly. The Brit seemed to wake up from whatever trance he was in and quickly pulled it over his head, grimacing slightly as the moist fabric touched his skin.
“Clearly, you’ve forgotten that we were supposed to meet today to go on a short trip to Italy,” Sophie crossed her arms; Max wanted to hit his head against the wall. He did forget. “Hello George. Lovely to see you.” The smile Sophie sent him was close to feral - way too many teeth.
“Um, hello, Ms. Kumpen,” George felt like a teenager caught in someone’s bedroom.
“So, maybe we should go and sit instead of standing here like idiots?” Sophie didn’t wait for an answer; she turned on her heel and marched back into the living room.
Max looked at George, who was staring at the place where she stood just seconds before.
“Come on, the sooner we get this over with, the better.”
They walked in and sat on the low couch Max put against the wall, Sophie already claimed the armchair opposite it. She was currently scratching Jimmy between his ears, not looking at them.
Inside Max’s head, scenarios were overtaking each other. One more ridiculous than the other. He scratched the skin next to his nails, fighting the overwhelming need to bite his nails, and ran for it.
“Max,” his head snapped up, and suddenly he was five again and trying to lie his way out of breaking his mother’s plant pot. “Care to tell your mother what she just saw?”
George gripped his hand suddenly; the action was not new for Max, who had seen the Brit anxious before. He lightly pressed his thumb against his hand, and then he moved it slowly in circles. Sophie’s eyes followed the movement, and she felt her heart skip a beat.
“Oh, dears. Why haven’t you told anyone? Especially your mother, Max!” She laughed a little, stood up, crossed the short space between them, and hugged them both.
Max exchanged looks with George over her head. A shocked expression met a confused one. What was his mother talking about? Sophie let them go and patted their heads, smiling. She kissed Max’s forehead like she used to when he was little and then did the same to George, who stared at her with his mouth slightly open. Max swallowed, shutting down the thoughts about what that mouth should be currently doing instead.
“You two were probably so scared. Tell me, how long have you two been together?”
Max.exe stopped working.
He blinked, feeling like the entire room was spinning. He could hear his mother talking to George, whose voice was a little higher than usual. Jimmy walked over and bumped his little head against Max’s calf. He absently petted his head and looked at George, who was bouncing his knee.
“Max? Maxie, I’m not angry or disappointed. I am just a little sad, and maybe a little frustrated with myself, that you didn’t feel comfortable or safe telling me. But you are my son, and I will love you no matter what, alright?” He felt his mother’s thin arms wrap themselves around his shoulders. He looked at George with fear. The other was shocked, staring down at his hands.
“Mom, listen-”
“No, no, no,” Sophie pushed herself off him and sat on the short coffee table. “You two will listen. You must understand that no matter what others say, I will always support you, okay? It’s wonderful how you two could overcome whatever was happening between the two of you and create a relationship on this foundation. I’m proud of you, both of you.” She grabbed their hands and squeezed them before standing up. “Okay, I’m going to give you a minute to deal with that. Oh, so does that mean you will join us for our trip, George? Oh, we could also invite your parents. Send me their number. I’ll call them immediately.”
She disappeared from the room, leaving behind two stunned drivers and one judgmental cat watching them from her tall cat tree.
“Max,” George started, not moving his eyes away from their reflection in the Dutch’s large TV. “What the actual fuck just happened?”
The blonde just groaned and slumped down on the couch, sliding down onto the floor. Max’s heart rate was higher than he thought possible, his hands were shaking slightly, and his breathing was quicker than usual.
How could he forget that his mother was coming? How could he forget about the bloody trip?
“You fucking muppet,” George jumped to his feet, hands on his hips and glaring down at the older man. “Your mother thinks we’re in some kind of romantic relationship, hiding away from everyone!”
“Keep your voice down!” Max rose quickly, pushing his finger into Mercedes driver’s broad chest. “The situation got out of hand. I will talk to her and explain everything.”
“Explain? Explain?!” George sputtered, waving his arms. “Max, she thinks she just witnessed her son coming out! She was so supportive. How do you think she will react when you tell her that what she saw was your fuck buddies' moment with your rival?!”
Max opened his mouth and wanted to answer him, but didn’t know how to do so. His mind was blank except for Sophie’s warm eyes and gentle touch when she talked to them. He swallowed and sat heavily on the couch, hiding his face in his hands. She was always more understanding than his father and was always the one he could turn to when he needed a break or advice. Seeing her disappointed, sad face when he told her she had assumed him, George would break her, and he would break, seeing her hurt.
“You need to help me keep this up for some time,” Max said out of nowhere, making George stop his pacing. The taller man looked at him as if he had just randomly grown two extra heads from his neck. “I can’t tell her the truth, especially all of it! You saw her yourself, and you heard her. It would destroy her and would make me look like a monster in her eyes. For a couple of weeks, after that, we will tell her that it was too much and decide to break it off.”
“Mate,” George hissed. “Do you actually hear yourself?! Max, you want me to lie to your mother knowingly and probably also mine because there’s no way she doesn’t have her number already!” He waved his hand in the general direction of the space Sophie disappeared to.
“George, please.”
That made the Brit pause and look at Max. He could see the desperation and pleading in his eyes. Max Verstappen was many things, and pride was very high on the list, so it was a rare sight to see the man overcome his pride and ask directly for something.
“The season will start soon. She doesn’t come to most of my races. I meet her before them or after if she’s there. We can say that you have a briefing or meeting with Mercedes and can’t come. She doesn’t want to come across my dad, so she stays away.”
“This is the worst idea you have ever had during all the years I have known you.” George crossed his arms over his chest and looked up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and breathed out. “Fine. We carry on with the story. But you will explain that to our teams if someone takes a picture of us.”
“Ay ay, captain.”
“It was one time, let it go!”
“Never, princess!”
And that’s how George found himself with his parents, Max, and Max’s mother in a villa in Italy for a week. It was hard to guess what Alison and Steve Russell were thinking about their son dating his biggest rival, or about being informed of it by the rival’s mother over the phone while simultaneously being invited to a holiday, but George kept telling himself they were fine. Especially, since his mother and Sophie turned out to have way more in common than possible, and Steve and Max actually got along.
After one day of exploring and an unusual cooking class Alison signed them up for, they returned to the house, and everyone went their separate ways, but Steve followed Max outside to the terrace, and for a while they were sitting in silence, watching the small town in the distance.
“Why George?”
The man was sitting in the garden with his iPad and headphones, concentrating on something shown on the small screen. His eyes were following the movement, and his brows were furrowed. Max was quiet for a moment. He felt a sliver of panic inside. This man was George’s father, and he wasn’t the most pleasant one to be around, but he was, after all, a father who was checking on his child.
“Why? What do you mean by "why’?”
Steve exhaled. “You know exactly what I mean. You were with Piquet’s daughter, and it didn’t work out. She knew how this industry works; everyone knows. You have titles, money, and reputation. And you have chosen my son. Your rival, the man you mentioned as a thorn at your side. So yes, why George?”
Max swallowed and looked down at George, who was still focused on the screen.
“I can’t tell you. I truly can’t. He’s a great driver; he’s an even better strategist. He forces all of us to work during the race because you can never know if George is not behind you and won’t overtake you. But I also saw him defend all of us when necessary, and yes, I mentioned he’s a pain, but” Max paused and looked at the town. “It wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Steve was quiet for a moment and then whistled.
“Well damn, lad. You have it bad. Who would have thought?” He stood and clasped his hand on Max’s shoulder. Then he looked at his son and shook his head. “If it ever comes to an end, do it fast. It will hurt, it’s inevitable. But ripping the band-aid off all at once is better than doing it slowly and extending it. Also, I will ruin you if you hurt him. Remember that.”
Max huffed once the man left and settled into his chair. He did mean what he said to Steve, but it wasn’t romantically charged at all. George was integrated into the paddock so much that it would be truly weird if he just wasn’t there one day. And yes, he was infuriating and repeatedly made Max’s life more difficult than it should have been, but it was all George. He followed the rules to a T and called out everyone who didn’t.
“Fuck my life.” He muttered and closed his eyes.
The next day, his own mother was against him. She woke all of them up at the crack of dawn.
“Maxie! Georgie! Wake up,” She barged into the bedroom, where both of them were still asleep and unaware of just how much of Max’s mischief was from her. She cooed as she noticed that the two of them had migrated overnight and were currently entangled under the sheets. A quick photo and she sneaked out.
Ver(y)stappen Family Chat
Momma
Look, honey, they look so adorable.
V as Victoria
Mom!>?!
Mom, who is that next to MaX?@
Momma
George, who else, dear?
V as Victoria
GEORGE??!?!?!
GEORGE RUSSELL GEORGE?!!!!!!
Mom, what is happening?!
Momma
What do you mean, honey?
George and Max are with us,
Alison and Steve also came.
It’s like meeting the parents 🙂🙂
V as Victoria
Mom, what do you mean
meeting the parents?
That happens when someone is.
No.
MAX AND GEORGE ARE TOGETHER?!
Momma
Well, yes of course
They are simply adorable.
I have so many photos of them.
Aly has even more, even Steve took some.
He won’t admit it, but I saw him.
V as Victoria
This little weasel didn’t say
a thing!
How long has this been going on?!
Mom, tell me!
No, you know what
sent me the address
I’m coming over
Momma
Yes! A family vacation
I will prepare the room for you.
Oh, maybe we can call for
the rest of the Russells
What a wonderful idea!
“Your mother just made a shriek so loud it could wake up the dead,” George mumbled, his eyes closed. Max, who was busy trying to get rid of George’s clothes while kissing his throat, paused and looked up at him.
“Please do not ever again bring up my mother when I’m trying to get you naked,” Max sighed and leaned his forehead against George’s chest. The younger laughed, making Max jump a little. “Seriously, I will make you remember your father in those swimming trunks from Tuesday.”
George made a face, and Max burst out laughing, falling back to his side of the bed. The silence in the room was cut by a phone call.
“Hello?” Max placed his phone on his chest, and George looked over at the caller ID.
“Max, you are literally the worst brother on this planet! I had to learn from our mother that you’re in a relationship! With George Russell! Seriously?! How have you managed to keep it under? You will tell me all of it! We’re boarding in three hours. George, I know you’re there. Cara is coming, and we’re trying to get Benjy there as well. See you, loverbirds!”
The drivers looked at each other and groaned, putting pillows over their faces.
It seemed like their intrigue was getting out of control.
“It’s all your fault,” George hissed while smiling and waving at his nieces and Max’s nephews, while hugging Max with one arm.
“Shut up and keep smiling,” Max hissed back, leaning closer to George, only to pinch him at his lower back.
Victoria, her husband, Cara, with her husband, and Benjy were slowly making their way towards the entrance of the villa. Steve decided to start a barbecue to make sure everyone was comfortable before the talk. Alison and Sophie were running around and preparing the rooms for everyone. Thankfully, both George and Max looked for a bigger villa for the trip and switched the reservation at the last minute before coming.
“Well, hello, hello. Never thought Georgie would bring us back a brother-in-law, especially not you,” Benjy looked Max up and down and smirked. “So, how’s the driving?”
“Oh, leave them be.” Cara appeared in front of George and wrapped her arms around him. “Hi, little brother. How’s life treating you?”
“Perfectly well, as you can see.”
Max frowned and looked at him, surprised, then the taller man slid his cold hand under his shirt behind and pinched him. He yelped and then quickly smiled, seeing everyone’s eyes on him.
“Uncle Max!”
Two boys launched themselves at the Dutch driver, and George quickly let go, letting the two boys hug the blonde.
“Victoria!” Sophie walked past them, cleaning her hands with a small kitchen towel. She hugged her daughter and son-in-law and turned to watch her grandsons. “Come on, let’s get you all unpacked, and we can sit down to eat. Steve has been grilling for the last two hours.”
Max was free from the hugs, but Luka stayed by his side, his blue eyes narrowed and watching George with curiosity. The Brit smiled nervously and crouched in front of the boy.
“Hey, how about you take your uncle and make him show you all the toys we got you, huh?”
The boy lit up and whipped his head to stare at his uncle in wonder. Max gave a resigned sigh and nodded. Luka suddenly grabbed both Max and George and dragged them into the house, yelling about presents. The rest of the kids soon followed, and the drivers found themselves babysitting for the next hour and a half.
Finally, when they joined the rest of the family, Max’s hair was a mess, George’s shirt was wrinkled, and he didn’t even have the strength to change it. They were sitting on the small sofa, leaning against each other, eyes closed and heads back.
“How much longer did we book the place?” George mumbled, turning his head slightly towards Max.
“Four days. But I think Mom is trying to get Vic to call the owner and extend the stay.” Max almost whined. They both could feel the tiredness growing heavy in their bones. And it was just day one.
“Maybe we could sneak away? I think there should be at least one hotel in town. We could sleep,” George said, turning his body so he was partly lying down on the pillows.
“Sounds like a plan,” Max yawned and followed him down.
Both were completely unaware of multiple pairs of eyes watching them. Sophie and Alison were smiling, and Victoria was giggling behind her hands pressed to her face. Steve was just drinking his beer with Benjy while the kids were running wild around the garden.
“Do you think we should take a break after all this?” Max asked, his body warm and heavy. “We usually go our separate ways after."
George hummed, his mind already slowly shutting down. "Are you telling me you want to break up, Mr. Verstappen? How cruel of you,”
“Funny," Max said quietly, his heart beating a little bit faster. “What do you think will happen when Toto learns that you’re sleeping with the enemy?"
“Knowing Toto, he would think it’s a strategy to get you to Mercedes and would book us hotel rooms himself on Mercedes dime.”
And yes, Max could actually picture the Austrian doing so. He shuddered and looked up at their families and noticed them holding their phones up. He could already count how many pictures of them they had on their phones. He flipped off his sister and stood, looking down at the sleeping Brit.
“He will be a pain if he’s in pain later,” he sighed and leaned over the taller body. "Do not move or talk, maybe they will give us an hour if you continue sleeping.” He slid his arms under the ‘sleeping’ George and picked him up, slowly turning around. He could see how his mom and Alison were looking at them with softness in their eyes, and he felt truly bad about the entire situation. "I’ll place him in our room. We’ll be back soon, okay?”
Once safely in their assigned bedroom, he dropped George onto the sheet, and the other opened his eyes, startled, looking around with wide eyes. He must have really been sleeping. His gaze finally landed on Max, and he sighed, falling back onto the pillows.
"You want something, you do it yourself. I’m knackered,”
Max chuckled and climbed over him, already without his shirt and sliding his hands under George’s. “Typical. Don’t you ever dare to tell me you aren’t a princess.”
George opened his mouth to deny, only for Max to crash their lips together, making the Brit forget whatever he wanted to say.
Family Holidays From Hell, as Max lovingly names ten days in Italy with George and his family, ended without much fanfare. They went to the airport together, and everyone boarded their planes. Of course, Max, being a good son, offered to fly everyone back, but Benjy made a comment that flying with him and George on a plane with a bed and kids wouldn’t be the best idea.
When he and George finally landed in Nice, they drove separate cars, and that was it. They had enough of each other for some time. True, they had a better relationship than before, but calling themselves friends didn’t sit right for either of them. Max was glad that there was no need to see the other driver for a couple of days, and apparently, George was too, because three days after they came back, Max’s Instagram homepage showed him George in Greece. Alone. Which of course was perfectly okay, or at least would be if they didn’t announce to their families that they were in a relationship several days back.
V as Victoria
Little bro, what did you do?
George is alone in Greece,
Where are you?
Momma
Max Emilian
What happened?
What have you told him?
Maxie
Why are you 2 assuming
I did something?
V as Victoria
Because a week ago, we
Couldn't keep you two away
From each other
And now you’re in Monaco.
And he’s on an island.
With handsome men
And beautiful women
Momma
I like that son-in-law.
Do not make me come to you.
again.
Maxie
We just needed some time alone
You know? Before the season starts
And George wouldn’t do anything
He wouldn’t
Max wanted to throw his phone into the sea. Perfect. George was having fun and probably relaxed with no care in the world, and he had an overprotective sister and a worried mother to deal with. He huffed and picked up Sassy from the floor, laying her on his lap despite her quiet protests. He absently stroked her back and stared at a football match on his TV.
He could text George and tell him to calm down Max’s mother and sister, but then it would look like Max didn’t have anything better to do. He groaned and looked down at Sassy, who was watching him unimpressed.
“Yeah, I know. You do like him. But he bribes you all with pate,” he grumbled and let her jump off.
He was deciding whether or not to order some takeout for dinner when his phone pinged.
Lan
drinks 2nite?
Maximus
sure
Did he want to go out with Lando and probably get shitfaced? Maybe. He needed to relax and forget about George and their families and the mess he put them into. Why did he have to lie to his mother about him and George being together? Thank God no one from the paddock knew. He could already hear the screams from Lando and Esteban and the judgment and disbelief from others.
“Fuck, why couldn't I pick Carlos or Pierre or even Daniel?” he asked himself and then grimaced. He couldn't imagine himself in any sort of intimate relationship with any of them. "Fuck, why?”
Hours later, he was in one of the most frequently visited clubs in Monte Carlo, Lando happily bouncing on a small sofa next to him and Charles chatting with Pierre on the opposite sofa. If he heard right,
Alex and Yuki were also coming. The rest was still scattered around the globe.
"How are the family holidays going? Meeting the parents?” Alex joked as he slid into the seat next to Max; Max choked on the sip of his beer and started coughing, quickly letting Lando take the bottle from him. Pierre was hitting his back, and the rest watched in surprise. “Fuck, Max, you okay?" Alex asked.
"Yeah," the Dutchman nodded, taking a couple of napkins and wiping his chin. “Too foamy."
They didn't look convinced by his explanation, but let go soon after and started discussing a tennis match that happened over the weekend. Max breathes out in relief. Of course, Max wouldn't be angry at George if Alex knew about their arrangement. After all, the two sometimes seemed glued together. But to tell him about the holidays - that was a different thing.
“Maxxxx,” Lando whined, leaning towards the other driver. “You won’t tell me that nothing interesting didn’t happen. By the way, what pissed you off after paddling? You basically murdered each other with your eyes back then.”
Alex moved his eyes to look with curiosity at Max. He did remember that George cancelled their lunch that day and basically ghosted him. He was aware that the Dutch driver seemed uncomfortable with the question, slowly peeling the sticker from his bottle.
“Usual stuff, nothing important. Besides, he stormed right after we finished, and I haven’t heard from him since.”
Alex was quiet for a moment and then sighed. “Would explain his silence then. He usually closes off when he knows he was wrong and doesn’t let anyone in. I need to call him soon.”
Lando nodded, but his eyes were searching for something in the crowd. Charles, who was silently nursing his drink and listening to Pierre’s ramblings about the newest scuba diving trip with his girlfriend, suddenly put down his drink and left their table without a word. They all looked after him until he disappeared in the crowd.
“What,” asked Yuki, blinking, clearly stunned. “The fuck was that?”
Charles reappeared some time later, somehow dragging someone behind himself.
“Daniel?!” Max watched with surprise as his ex-teammate greeted everyone.
“Hey, Maxy,” Daniel pulled him into a hug and sat next to him, grinning. “Why, I’m a little hurt Lando didn’t text me, but I can forgive you if I can get a drink out of him.”
Lando just nodded and jumped to his feet. Max had a feeling he wasn’t really hurrying to get the said drink, but that he finally found what he was looking for in the crowd. He narrowed his eyes as he watched the curly head storm towards the direction of the other VIP lounge.
“Anyone heard anything from my Australian brother?”
“Huh?” Pierre looked over; he frowned and looked around. “Where’s Charlie? Oh, well. When it comes to Oscaro, I think something happened between him and our resident Goldie. Lando has been trying to get a hold of him, but Webber has been keeping the kid away.”
“Really?” Daniel leaned forward, always ready for paddock gossip and drama. “I always thought that there was something there. Lando wasn’t like that with Carlos or me. Imagine that,” he leaned back, and Max could almost see the cogs moving in his head. “We never really had an openly gay relationship in the paddock. Maybe if Toto would finally admit he wants to bend Christian over any available surface, we would, but that won’t come for some years.”
“Mate, what the fuck.” Alex was gaping at Daniel; Max stared at him with wide eyes. Pierre was laughing along with Yuki.
“Oh, come on. You can feel the tension. There was definitely something there once or will be, and we won’t be ready.”
Max laughed and finished his beer. Lando still wasn’t back, and neither was Daniel’s drink. He looked down at the empty bottle in his hand and stood, stepping over Alex’s stretched legs.
“The usual? I’m sure Lando will be back by tomorrow,” Max asked Daniel, who nodded, and he was off to the bar.
During the time they were talking, more people walked in, making it a little harder to reach the counter. However, he was accustomed to navigating tight spaces, and it helped that people recognized him and let him through. He flagged down a bartender and was soon back with his little group. With an extra addition.
“Here you go,” he passed Daniel his drink and sat a little closer to him than before.
“Thanks,”
Lando was holding down clearly uncomfortable-looking Oscar, eyes a little watery and shining. Max frowned and looked at Charles, who was once again sitting next to Pierre. The Ferrari driver shook his head, and Max knew enough. It wouldn’t be an easy evening.
Three days later, all drivers gathered in Bahrain for testing. Max could see George standing in his fireproofs with his newest teammate, both talking with Toto and pointing at their cars. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. The heat was getting to him, his head was pounding, and he felt overheated.
“Max? We’re ready for you, also,” GP walked over to him and grabbed his elbow. “Sophie is here? What’s with that?”
The words sounded like they were from underwater, and Max blinked before he registered them.
“What? Mom is here?”
He walked to Red Bull, ignoring GP’s worried looks and saw that his mother was in fact talking with Christian in their garage. They both looked weirdly relaxed and were laughing at something. Christian spotted them and frowned immediately after, his eyes jumping between the younger and older man.
“Max, kid, you okay?”
Sophie looked at her son and noticed his pale skin, red neck, and cheeks, and quickly walked over. “Max, how long have you been sick? What are you doing here in this heat, clearly with heatstroke?! Max!”
The Dutch driver was falling onto the floor before anyone could say anything, and felt lightheaded. Someone caught him from behind, and Max felt cold hands on his neck and forehead.
George has been called by Toto as soon as he appeared in the paddock, the Austrian waiting for the first driver to come to go over the details. Kimi was already talking with Bono, the older man showing the young driver something in his notes.
“Kimi, come here,” the Italian almost materialised next to the principal. “Okay so-”
George’s phone buzzed and he took it out.
Sophie K.
George dear
if you have a minute
please come over to Red Bull
He sighed and then frowned. What did she mean come to-
“Toto,” he interrupted the Austrian; the other looked at him with slight irritation. “Have you seen Sophie Kumpen here today?”
“Well,” The older man paused. “I think so, I thought she was visiting Max.”
“Shit,”
George walked out quickly, his steps echoing.
He walked onto a scene from a telenovela. Christian and Sophie were quick-walking towards Max, who was falling backwards. George reacted before he even thought about it; he put his arms under the older driver and slowly let him fall. He noticed that the other was worryingly warm and seemed to have lost his consciousness.
“Fuck, Max?” He put his hand on his neck to check the pulse. Max groaned lightly and moved as to cover more of his neck by George’s hand. “What’s with him? He was fine last I saw him?” he asked Christian, who flagged down for medics.
“Heatstroke,” Sophie said, kneeling next to her son. “Max, why didn’t you rest?”
The medics arrived and checked him, deciding to move him to a hospital for more tests. Sophie decided to go with them, and Christian called Yuki to take over their testing. They put Max on a stretcher and rolled him out, covering him. The last thing they needed was for the media to notice that one of the best drivers had passed out and was taken to a hospital.
“George,” Max grabbed the younger’s wrist.
Sophie smiled faintly and looked at him. “Come on, we have space, and it seems he’ll need you there to be strong.”
George nodded before he could think about the possible consequences and actual implications of her words. They moved swiftly through the paddock, other drivers watching curiously as what was happening. George saw how Charles paled a little, seeing Max out cold, and moved as if to take a step towards them. But before he could, another looming figure did so.
“George?” Toto watched as his driver was dragged with unconscious Max Verstappen on a stretcher and a worried Sophie Kumpen behind them. “Where are you going? What’s going on?”
George opened his mouth to speak, but then one of the medics cursed, and they all looked at Max, who started to shake slightly. They rolled him away faster, and George moved away with them without saying a word to his boss.
Hours later, George was sitting on an uncomfortable chair in the local hospital. Sophie brought him a change of clothes and a light dinner. George could leave and say that he needed to train before the race. But he couldn’t bring himself to just leave Sophie there without anyone with her. Especially since there was no new news about Max for the last two hours.
“George?” He must have dozed off because Sophie was shaking his shoulder slightly. “They will let us in. Had to tell a little lie, so don’t be angry.” She whispered the last part, and he noticed that the doctor was right behind her.
“Your son and husband is recovering well. We needed to push fluids and monitor him tonight. We can arrange for one of you to stay the night if you want. Same room but different beds,” he looked pointedly at George who nodded like an obedient child. “He was asking for you.” He added with his eyes focused on the other driver.
“Oh,” George swallowed and ran a hand through his hair, breathing out. “I guess I’ll stay I just need to tell Toto-” he paused and his eyes widened.
“I told Christian to handle everything. Don’t worry,” Sophie hugged his side. “Can we go to him?”
“Yes, follow me. There’s a chance he’s still awake.”
George walked into room 93 with Sophie at 6.24 p.m.
At 6.28 p.m. the news about his visit was in the media.
At 6.30 p.m. George’s phone started to blow up with calls from his team and Mercedes, then Kimi called, then Toto.
Sophie looked at the phone with a frown.
George Russell was spotted in a hospital where Max Verstappen got taken!
Mercedes driver seen in Bahrain hospital with rival admitted!
George Russell and Max Verstappen: what is really going on?!
George groaned, seeing the headlines and the picture. Someone clearly had their moment of fame.
“Fuck my life,” he murmured and answered the call from Toto. “Yes, I know it looks bad-”
“Bad? Bad is bad car, bad times or bad weather! What are you still doing with Verstappen in that hospital?!” An angry accented voice was heard by Sophie who huffed and took the phone.
“And I told Christian to tell you that George is indisposed. Don’t test a mother Wolff.”
“Sophie. Why is my driver with you and your son? I know he helped and such, but-”
“Your driver is with his partner, who is in a bloody hospital! Have some decency!”
The silence on the other side of the line was making George feel more dizzy than he was already when he heard what Sophie said.
“I see. Tell him to call me as soon as it’s possible. And,” he pauses and there’s a new voice in the background but neither George or Sophie recognize it. “How’s Max?”
“Stable. Should be fine. Check on your drivers and tell the rest to do the same.”
She hangs up and gives George his phone back, gently patting his head. Then she looks around and frowns.
“I’ll get you some snack and drinks and I’ll go back to the hotel.”
She leaves before he can say a word.
George opens his Instagram and has another dizzy spell when he sees a post from Victoria.
victoriaverstappen I guess I can finally give my official blessing for my new brother-in-law. georgerussell63 I have more of those pictures if you want them 😘😘 max1verstappen do not mess it up - we already have everything planned ❤️
1,190,132 likes
67,083 comments
alicemack23 what am I LOOKING at right now?! 🫢🧐💀
sophieannehalloway girl same. Russttapen is happening 🫢❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
g63g6363g seriously? George with Sid? nooo 😒😥😥
laurie90baby this looks domestic and it’s new. wait. new for us. HOW LONG
cararussell that one time my new brother-in-law pissed my brother enough for him to pack his bags and try to leave, only to find a ridiculous amount of merch in the rented car 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 max1verstappen how did you even have them there?!
1,002,006 likes
42,288 comments
bellaramramramen Max and his skinny jeans and merch is a throuple we cannot separate
hanlawerson1989 he doesn’t own any other clothes? georgerussell63 get your man some clothes other than Red Bull 😂
George groaned and rubbed his face, thinking about possible fallout. There was no way they could step away from this. Not anymore. Victoria made it impossible.
“George?”
Blue eyes met blue eyes as they stared at each other with surprise. George didn’t think Max would be awake so soon, especially after the day's revelations. He looked paler than usual, with ashen rings under his eyes, and he blinked sluggishly.
“Hey, how’re you feeling?” George put his phone somewhere near Max’s legs and pulled his chair closer to the top of the bed.
“Not bad, could be worse. What exactly happened? I was going to the garage with GP to see Mom and then nothing.”
“Well, you suffered a heatstroke. They needed to admit you to the hospital, they will monitor you, and maybe release you soon. Oh, your mother lied to the hospital that we’re married, by the way.” George leaned in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest and narrowing his eyes; Max’s head moved towards him. “Yeah, apparently, you have at least mischief in your character from her. And Victoria outed us with the holidays; she posted a picture. And then Cara did the same.”
Max sighed.
“We’re fucked.”
“Yup.”
“We could fuck.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Max, you’re in a hospital bed. And your mother will soon come back. And you’re recovering from heatstroke.”
“Private room, doors lock.”
George gave him a flat look. “I will strangle you with a pillow if you try to proposition me one more time.”
“Oh, kinky.”
“MAX!”