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Today was not Liam's day. Well, it hadn't been his damn day for several months now.
Going into Redbull, then getting demoted to VCARB after two races was one thing, but he didn't expect to be currently in his driver's room, cussing out the world because he'd presented mid season.
He'd presented as a beta, which most frankly, would not care about, but his entire team ecosystem in Redbull were mostly comprised of Alphas (aside from the exception of Max who was an omega). In the Redbull system, especially under Horner and Helmut's eyes, anything other than an Alpha driver was something to be scrutinized. Especially if you weren't the perfect driver already.
Liam had gone largely unpresented most his life, something that his father, Nico, had become content with. Though the grid didn't actually know Liam was Nico's father, since Liam left the public eye by the time he was 5. According to Nico it was because of some situation with an ex, Liam never really pried into it.
"Fucking hell."
Liam muttered to himself, trying to mask his now new scent of lemon and grapefruit with a hint of raspberry. He'd grab one of the scent blocker patches Nico had left in his driver's room after a quick and rather secret visit to Liam, and he'd tear open one of the packets that held the patches.
After a quick read of the instructions, Liam carefully put the thin transparent films of patches onto both sides of his neck covering his scent glands. He'd sigh a breath of relief instantly. His scent was practically gone.
"Liam? What's taking so long in there?"
Liam practically jumped at Isack's voice coming from outside his driver's room door, scrambling to hide the scent blocker patches by haphazardly shoving them in his backpack.
"I just got distracted on my phone I guess, sorry."
Liam said, before swinging open his driver's door, praying his scent wasn't lingering around in the room.
"You and your phone man,"
Isack would say, before trailing off for a moment. Liam watched the Alpha sniff the aif a little, which made the man want to jump out a nearby window.
"Did someone come in here recently or something? The scent is real strong in here."
"Ah maybe? I don't know, considering people come in and out constantly."
Liam attempted to deflect, hoping Isack took the bait. He did not want his teammate to know that he'd recently presented.
"True. That or someone's deodorant leaked."
"A deodorant leak, really?"
Liam said in response to Isack's words, hoping to steer the conversation away from focusing on him. He'd zip up his backpack, before slinging it over his shoulder.
"Best I could think of."
Isack would say with a chuckle, Liam would walk along with him, moving through the paddock after a long day of media obligations now done.
"Eh, I probably couldn't think about anything better."
Liam said with a shrug. As the two moved to exit the paddock, he'd feel the thin film of one of the scent blocker patches starting to peel. He'd bring his hand up, smoothing it back down without much notice. He internally cursed himself, obviously presenting would cause a lot of wetness around his scent glands, but he didn't expect the patches to start peeling off so soon.
Isack seemed to sniff the air at the sudden change in smell for a brief moment, before slowly turning his head to look at Liam. Liam would turn his head away, not wanting to have this conversation.
"Liam."
Liam would ignore Isack, simply moving towards where his car was parked in the parking lot. He then felt Isack's hand on his shoulder, the man's scent of burnt cinnamon and charcoal had grown more sharp. "Liam. Don't ignore me. Are you presenting right now—"
"I'm fine Isack. Don't worry about it."
Liam said, cutting Isack off and shoving his hand away. He'd take that moment to get into his car, utterly ashamed of himself, and what he presented as. He wasn't an Alpha like Isack, and he wasn't a good driver like Max, so he wouldn't get a pass within the Redbull system.
"Liam, don't cut me off like that."
Isack would say, opening the driver's side door to the car. He'd practically glare down at him, seemingly annoyed. Liam took it as Isack looking down on him, for being something other than an Alpha.
"I don't want to talk about it okay? Just, fuck, leave me alone."
Liam would say, his metaphorical walls coming back up as he slammed his car door shut, forcibly ending the conversation. He'd hear Isack walk away with a worried sigh and pulling something out of his pocket. Liam didn't really look back, he'd just turn on the car, hoping to avoid Isack for a while despite the race weekend.
The race weekend was, luckily uneventful, Liam got some points albeit only 2, and he managed to not get caught with his whole, now beta status. Though Isack was practically staring into him the whole weekend, which he was not down for approaching.
Though as he mulled about in his hotel room, packing his things, the door to it would open, revealing Nico. Liam was not ready to see his Dad right now, considering he'd also avoided him at the paddock this weekend. And Liam didn't have the scent blocker patches on.
"Liam, I just wanted to check you were alright. Considering you'd been avoiding me all—" Liam watched Nico visibly pause, shut the door behind him, then carefully walk over to Liam who was stood at the foot of his hotel room bed, his suitcase sat on the floor at his feet. Nico stayed about an arm's length from Liam, considering whenever Liam was stressed Nico knew from his years of raising his boy, that touching Liam suddenly always made him freak out.
"Liam, you, presented already?"
"I,"
Liam paused, nervously pushing together his yet to be packed t-shirt in his hands. "During the end of media day. I, I used your patches to hide it."
Liam quietly admited, he couldn't ever bring himself to lie to his father, not when he knew how easily the man could read him. The grapefruit and lemon of his scent clashed into a sickly sour smell that overpowered the slight raspberry.
"Liam. You know that's a bad idea? You would've had such an irritated neck all weekend."
Nico stated his tone more worried than firm, Liam would feel Nico's eyes on his neck, it was a little bit red, but not as bad as it could've been. His breath would hitch for a moment as he felt Nico's hands come up to check both sides of his neck. He'd sink into the familiar touch of his father, whining as he gently nudged his head onto the taller's shoulder.
"I'm scared, I, Redbull won't like it."
Liam mumbled out, his shaky hands still holding onto the shirt he had yet to pack. He could smell Nico's scent of spearmint and spring water sharpen slightly, becoming almost icy for a moment.
"Liam, I don't care what anyone at Redbull thinks, that includes VCARB. You're good enough to be in F1, and that's all they need to know."
Nico firmly said, one hand came up to the top of Liam's head, threading his fingers through the dark blonde strands.
"But, what if they say something? Helmut and Christian already were annoyed with me when they swapped me 'n Yuki."
Liam mumbled out, leaning into the familiar hand on his head, the two were on Liam's hotel room bed now, and Liam was attached to Nico like a baby bird refusing to leave their spot under their parent's wing.
"And if they say something I'll have a conversation with them."
Nico firmly said. Liam paused at that, sitting up slightly.
"But wasn't the whole point of my whole, fake last name, to not let people know we were related?"
Liam nervously clarified. According to everyone but the higher ups in his team (that being payroll and corporate), his last name was Lawson, not Rosberg. That included Horner and Helmut.
"True, but, I'm willing to play parent if they decide to use the media and team dynamics against you. I may not be a racer anymore, but I still have influence bub."
Nico stated, resulting in a soft huff from Liam. He acted like he was annoyed he was still being called that nickname, but he still secretly enjoyed it. Though he'd dig his own grave before admitting that.
"So I just, go into the next race weekend without patches?"
Liam would ask, his head now back on Nico's shoulder. Nico would nod in reply, continuing to run his fingers through Liam's hair.
"I'm gonna have a lot of explaining to do tomorrow."
"That you will, but let me know if any issues come up."
"Okay."
Liam mumbled, staying in his father's arms just a little bit longer.
The next race weekend was off to an alright start. Liam did tell those he needed to about his presenting, which luckily went well. Isack even forgave him for being an asshole.
But, the calm tone didn't last. Because as himself and Isack were sat in hospitality, Liam eating his usual breakfast burrito, Horner walked in and went straight to Liam.
"What's this I hear about you presenting?"
"Yeah, I presented last week. I'm fine."
Liam muttered, his tone awfully short. He didn't want to make this conversation longer than needed, considering what was to come. Though he could feel Isack's foot against his leg.
"And you're a beta? Rather dull is it not?"
Horner said back, causing Liam to brissle. His scent shifted, now sharper than a knife in a way. Isack was quiet about it though, his foot still against Liam's leg.
"Oh calm down, not like you could do much anyway."
"Do much?"
Liam said before he could think, he quietly cursed himself for taking the bait, which he saw Horner cockily smirk at.
"Yeah, considering betas don't exactly amount to anything. You're in an ecosystem full of Alphas, let's just hope you're a drift beta."
"You-"
"That's enough."
Liam paused, his head turning as he looked over at Isack. He wasn't expecting him to pipe up, and he didn't expect such a glare coming from him.
"Calm down Isack, you're not part of this conversation."
Horner said, trying to shut Isack out in a 'I'm your only ticket to Redbull Racing' way. Liam sunk into his seat a little, not liking where this was going.
"Well I'm sat right across from Liam. And you shouldn't speak to him like that, he's my teammate."
Isack shot back. Liam could hear the growl in Isack's voice, and he quietly shivered at it. He wasn't sure why Isack was so suddenly being so possessive but he didn't want the situation to escalate.
"Hey, calm down, both of you. I'm, I'll pull my weight in Horner, and if you have issues just, go to Mekies about it."
Liam said, attempting to shut down the conversation.
"Fine. But this isn't over Liam."
"Oh my god I hate him."
Isack muttered as soon as Horner was out of view.
"Wh- Isack you can't just say that out in the open!"
Liam said, slightly panicked. He wasn't sure why Isack was still acting possessive, he could feel the man's hand now on his knee.
"I can. He disrespected you."
Isack replied with a huff, glaring in the general direction of where Horner had exited the hospitality building from.
"Isack, I, I should be fine. Don't worry about it, I think he was just trying to spook me."
"Let's hope so."
Liam couldn't quite tell why Isack was so mad, but, he was happy he let it go for now. He just hoped things didn't get worse.
Most of the weekend was largely uneventful, and Liam managed to get through the race. He'd head to the media pen, going through an interview.
"Liam, reports say you recently presented as a beta. How does Redbull as a whole feel about that considering the majority Alpha presence in the team?"
Liam would blink at the reporter, he didn't expect the news to get out that quick. Considering he'd told barely anyone, even most of the drivers didn't know. He could deny the reports, but he absolutely reeked with a beta scent currently.
"I, everything is fine. Mekies is fine with it, it's not affecting my performance at the team."
Liam managed to reply, earning a slight murmur between the reporter and their cameraman.
"According to Christian Horner he doesn't seem to be pleased about it." Ah. There's the source, Liam figured Christian probably went to a few of the media about it, meaning he wouldn't be surprised if Nico heard about the leak by now.
"He is allowed to have his own views on the team, however, Mekies is fine with my current, status as a beta. So no current issues here. But I'm aware it creates a shift in team dynamics."
Liam tried to answer, attempting to defend himself, but also not absolutely cuss Horner out on live television. Despite his current annoyance.
"Christan Horner has suggested you could possibly be a drift beta, your opinions on that?"
The news reporter asked, which nearly sent Liam through the roof, he couldn't believe the gal of that man.
"No comment."
"Alright then, so,"
The reporter awkwardly said trailing off a little as they attempted to find their footing having a royally pissed off Liam in front of them. Liam was so going to chew Horner out after this, his career in F1 be damned.
After dealing with the media, Liam headed straight to the Redbull building to talk to Horner. As he practically slammed open the door, he’d be met with a sight he didn’t expect at all.
“You can’t expect me to stay quiet about this, you gave away important information about my son to the media, and I found out about this via the company I work for!”
Nico would angrily say to a bewildered Christan Horner, from what Liam could assume, Nico must’ve split that he was Liam’s father to Horner. Though Liam wasn’t sure if this was purely Nico being protective or if Nico was using this against Horner.
“Dad. What are you doing here?”
Liam said making both of the men in the room turn their heads to where Liam was stood near the shut door to the office.
“Liam, Liam, Nico’s just overreacting, I only told the media so it wouldn’t get found out in a much worse way obviously-”
“Oh, can it Horner. You just did it because you were mad Isack got mad with you today. I get if you’re pissed, but don’t take it out on me.”
Liam said, cutting Horner off for well, the first time in his life. He didn’t exactly expect his confidence to still be there, though it quickly got lost as he realised his words. He’d look over at Nico, now full of worry.
“What my son is saying is that the way his presentation of being a beta shouldn’t be an issue in the workplace. Regardless of your personal views on how the Redbull system in F1 is run.”
Nico would clarify, carefully shifting over more near Liam’s side. His hand coming up to the man’s lower back, comforting Liam immediately. Horner seemed to narrow his eyes at that, clearly seeing the familial comfort as weak and unneeded.
“It will affect the overall dynamic at both teams. We’re a majority alpha comprised system, and having another,”
Horner paused, sighing seemingly for effect. Which Nico and Liam resisted rolling their eyes at.
“disrupting outlier around both teams shifts how we deal with things again. It brings cost.”
Liam’s eye twitched at that though before he could shoot back at Horner, Nico quickly brung his hand up to the back of Liam’s neck. Liam would reluctantly stand down.
“I’m sure Redbull can afford it. And I find it interesting you’re considering one of your most successful drivers is a disrupting outlier.”
Nico replied, making Horner still for a moment. Considering despite Nico’s role as Liam’s father, he was still a journalist for Skysports.
“Now, let’s not overreact here-”
“I’m not. I serve the interests of my son here. And if I find he’s being discriminated against, I will bring it to the relevant figures. Simple as that.”
Nico said cutting Horner off. Liam was basically a fish out of water at this point, watching two far more experienced people have basically the corporate version of an argument. God he thanked his tiny bit of luck that Nico was his father because his quick to anger self would’ve made this situation so much worse.
“Fine. I’ll, make sure he’s accommodated properly, Rosberg.”
Horner relented, sighing and leaning back against his desk, both hands behind him resting on the desk.
“Thank you, Horner.”
Nico said before promptly leaving the room, Liam in tow. As the two eventually got out of the room, now in some, hallway within the building Liam would stop walking. He didn’t really know what to think. Nico just spilt that he was Liam’s father, Liam is a beta in a majority alpha team, and now he had an even larger target on his back.
“Liam? Oh Liam,”
Liam blinked, looking up as he felt Nico’s hands cupping his face. His face was wet. Oh, he was, crying.
“I, what? I why am I crying?”
Liam mumbled, still a little frazzled. He’d sniffle a little shoving his face a little more into Nico’s hands.
“You’re probably just a bit overwhelmed. It’s been a long few weeks for you.”
“I guess, yeah. With presenting and all.”
Liam mumbled out, sniffling one last time, as Nico’s thumbs wiped away the last of Liam’s tears before his hands pulled away from Liam’s face. Liam would adjust his hair a little, despite slightly shaky hands.
“You’re, okay with people knowing you’re my parent now?”
Liam carefully asked, looking up at Nico.
“Yeah, it was bound to happen eventually, considering fans keep wondering why you always holiday near where I live.”
Nico replied with a small chuckle at the shenanigans the fans of F1 went through, some even dubbing Nico as Liam’s ‘Dad but not Dad’ on various online platforms.
“Maybe I could get my last name on my racesuit changed to Rosberg finally.”
Liam mumbled, though he was surprised to see Nico pause, though Nico’s scent smelt more light now, meaning the man was happy.
“That would be nice.”
Nico said with a small smile, before carefully slinging an arm around Liam’s shoulder the two walking together, on the next chapter of things.