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In the center of Monaco, a 5’11 man, also a very popular Formula 1 driver. Who should have been resting in his home in this always sunny weather of the country. Was walking back to his home. Instead of spending his day in front of the sim beating every other player's ass.
Here he was picking up the prescription. Because his boyfriend managed to come down with flu.
Despite being an athlete with a strict dieting and training schedule. And always ensuring to get the flu shots on time. George somehow still managed to got sick.
It was truly commendable, if you ask Max, his beloved (and annoying) boyfriend. George truly was born in wrong era with his posh accent, attitude and not to forget the immunity of a Victorian baby. All of it just blends well together.
Fortunately or Unfortunately, depends on who you ask. George got sick during the unprompted spring break. That means now Max has to take care of George alone. Without any help from their performance coaches or team, whenever either of them gets sick during race weekend.
And don’t get the older driver wrong, he loves his boyfriend. He isn’t the one to leave someone during their sickness. Even though he and George aren’t married and technically in sickness and in health vow isn’t applicable.
Again, he truly loves his boyfriend. But even for him, a sick George is too much George for him to handle. If one thinks, that George is such a drama queen.
Well hate it to break it, but they haven’t met the final form of the said drama queen, Sick George.
And don’t get fooled by the PR curated image that doesn’t let loose its grips, even when he is sick. Behind the close door, a dramatic, somewhat adorable, yet equally frustrating boy looses the shackles of PR curated image of the Posh British man. Specially when that said British man is sick.
And if you wonder, what has George even done to get such a reputation, when he is sick?
A person’s brain slows down when they are sick. An indication that their body needs rest. Well… Not with George, his mind works almost overtime when he’s sick. Like it’s offended with the thought of slowing down.
And as a result, his brain conceptualize things which aren’t entirely true. Somethings happen that really shouldn’t happen.
One time, during one of these sick episodes. Last year, George managed to convince half of the grid that Max tortures him.
Just because Max refused to give cuddles and told George that he’s going to be on the sim, checking out the new settings of his car for the upcoming race.
It took Max, a month to convince everyone that it isn’t the case. Yes, a whole damn month, that he doesn’t torture his boyfriend. That the drivers don’t need to call police on him, for such a heinous crime like domestic abuse. Because that’s not the case at all.
He actually loves his boyfriend.
Sometimes Max feels truly blessed, that he lives in Monaco. Not for the fact that it makes one feel that they have truly made it in their life. Or the advantage of tax reductions. But due to the fact that all the amenities, like grocery and pharmacy are far away.
It gives him enough time to mentally prepare himself to deal with his sick boyfriend. He enters the duplex apartment after his morning walk, by pressing the digits on the digital pad. The password being a six digit code, date of their first date.
With a soft click, the door finally opens. He kicked off his shoes and wore in house slippers. A routine ingrained into his mind by George’s nagging. Something something about germs and bacteria that shouldn’t enter home or what not.
As if all that fussing, has ever stopped him for being sick.
Why is that much particularity even worth it? But the older driver knows not to fight it. He wouldn’t like to be mentally assaulted with another PowerPoint presentation. Thank you very much.
The root cause for Max's all problem, was sitting on the couch, curled up with a soft linen blanket on top of him. His cheeks flushed with fever that stubbornly clung to his body. His curly hair, which usually tame, now flying in every direction, looking like an duckling incarnate.
“Schat”, the older announced with a soft voice as to not startle the sick driver. “I am home. You can finally take your medicine.”
George eyes lit up seeing Max, as if he has hung up moon and stars on sky. “Maaaax, you are finally back!” He stood up to hug Max, despite being taller he felt perfectly tiny in his boyfriend’s arm. “I missed you”, he whispers in Max ears. His accent even deeper due to fever.
Max let out a contented sigh. Seeing George, his usual uptight partner being vulnerable in his arms made his heart flutter. He wraps his free hand around his boyfriend’s slender yet toned waist. “I missed you too”, he answers with a kiss on the forehead to showcase he definitely means what he says.
A thought flickers in his mind. Maybe he can take care of George. It shouldn’t be hard for him.
He can do this. He’s Max Verstappen, a 4 time world champion. He had multiple wins, countless podiums. Handling his sick boyfriend? It’s a child play for him.
“Yeah! Me and the baby missed you!” George voice rings throughout the apartment. His eyes sparkling with unexplained giddiness.
Baby? What Baby? Whose Baby?!
Max took a step back. He felt like a ice cold water was thrown at him with full force without any warning. Before his heart could cry out with panic, his mind decided to rationalise the situation. Maybe he’s talking about the cats? But they are with the sitter due to George’s sickness.
“Love, what baby are you talking about? I don’t understand”, his voice unusually calm for someone who was being thrown under the bus.
George squinted his eyes towards the shorter driver, trying to judge if he’s joking with him. A pout forming on his lips. He untangled his arms from Max to wrap his arms around himself, more specifically around his lower stomach area. “I am talking about our baby Max!”, he spoke in an obvious tone.
Max sighed, a deep rattled sigh which shook his entire upper body. He pinched his nose bridge in frustration or maybe just tiredness he doesn’t know about that.
He was also amused, mentally applauding George for the concoction of idea, his mind has decided to web this time. “Georgie, we are not having any baby”, he said while looking directly into his boyfriend eyes to show he’s serious.
George gasps at the statement. He sit down on the couch with a huff. Offended and betrayed at same time. He glares up at Max with all the energy he could muster up. He crosses his arms to show that he’s serious too. “Of course, I should have known it. You want to abort our baby don’t you?”, he spats almost venomously.
Max freezes at George’s words. This conversation felt even worse than this year's red Bull. Because Abortion? How does one sick person even think about that? He would love to have his and George’s baby one day.
And don’t get him wrong. He’s not one of those pro-life people. He believes abortion should be the pregnant person choice and that person choice alone.
But the problem here is not about abortion. Or that Max doesn’t want to have a baby. The problem here is that George is male. A cis male. With no reproductive part in his body that could carry a literal human child. He can’t get pregnant with Max's baby no matter what.
It’s not biologically possible!!!
“I can take care of the baby perfectly fine. I don’t need you to raise my baby. I have all the means to handle a baby”. George’s thick raspy voice due to the sickness, made the older driver get out of his thoughts.
Max resigns to his fate that he has to deal with this. He sit besides George and hold his hands, ensuring that his boyfriend looks into his eyes. “George, schat. You are male”, he pauses for a second letting George comprehend his words. “You can’t get pregnant love.”
George scrunches up his nose at the information. Like he’s getting to know some world bending information. “But I definitely got morning sickness this morning. I puked my entire guts out. It’s pregnancy symptom”, he retorts with a frown on his face. As if his daring to speak against something like pregnancy symptom.
“That’s because you are sick.”
“But I really felt nauseous with different smells around the apartment. And I definitely felt something in my stomach.”
“That’s also because you are sick”, Max deadpans in a monotone voice. “You always get nauseous while you are sick. And your stomach rumbled because you threw up due to your sickness.” He informs while caressing George’s hands with his thumb.
George felt like he was loosing the battle but he’s George William Russell. He has never lose a fight and he won’t lose a fight today either. “But I’m pregnant! Lando told us men can get pregnant remember?”, he said with his lips wobbling and eyes getting teary.
Max's mind fluctuates for a second. When did Lando ever said that? Then he remembers the absolute imbecile of the monstrosity, called fan fiction. Lando sent out the link of in the unofficial group chat of the drivers.
Where it was about him and George, doing an angry fucking session resulting in George getting pregnant. He doesn’t even know how someone can write and post about them having sex so easily on the internet.
Of course George’s mind during fever, thinks something like that is reality. Max will definitely kill Lando, when he get hands on him. He would have done that way earlier if not for Lando's boyfriends Carlos and Oscar. But right now he has to take care of his schat, who’s now all emotional at the thought of not being pregnant.
Max sighs fondly this time. He knows it’s useless to fight with George, specially when he’s this sick. It’s better to just indulge his boyfriend for the time being.
“Schat, I am sorry for saying that you are not pregnant with our baby. Of course you are pregnant with our baby. You are practically glowing with pregnancy glow”, he expressed with an exaggerated indulgent tone which would definitely make George happy.
And it did, George beamed at Max's indulgent admission. He peppered his boyfriend face with soft pecks. After a minute or so, he cuddles Max under the soft linen blanket.
“Before you came back. I was thinking of baby names”, he started looking at Max. His eyes sparkling again with giddiness and contentment.
“Baby names?”
“Yup! Baby names for our perfect little girl.”
“And how do you even know if we are going to have a girl?”, the older driver asked. His voice laced in teasing tone. Eyes sparkling with amusement.
If looks could kill, then Max Verstappen would have been long gone, just a tale in people’s phone and mind. Max Verstappen? Oh yeah, he was good driver, great even. Sadly he died because he didn’t knew when to keep his mouth shut.
“Of course I know what gender our baby is. I am carrying her. So of course I just know her gender you buffoon”, George grumbles at his partner. Glaring at the audacity of Max to even think of opposing him.
Max immediately raises his hands in surrender. He wants to live and not be known as a legend who left us too soon. He kisses his boyfriend for a good measure. “So name, what name have you think of?”, he asks as to not let his days on the earth be numbered.
“Lily!”
“Like Alex's fiancé?”
“Not like her! Just because it’s a good name. And lily flowers means purity, devotion and rebirth. I think it’s perfect name because it’s going to be our rebirth as different human beings. As our little Lily’s parents!”
Ok that was actually sweet and very thoughtful. It almost made Max tear up. Almost but then he reminded himself, that there wasn’t any baby. He glanced up at the digital clock on the wall. It was almost noon, and they both haven’t had something.
Specifically George needs to have something before he can take the medicines prescribed by the doctors.
“Schat, why don’t you try watching pregnancy videos. Meanwhile I will be in kitchen”, Max suggested hoping George won’t retort at him. Luckily enough for him, his boyfriend doesn’t.
He was ecstatic at the suggestion to watch pregnancy related videos on YouTube. He grabbed his IPad from the coffee table and started searching for good pregnancy related videos. He likes to be prepared for the journey ahead.
Max carefully slipped out of the blanket cocoon around him. A smile made it on to his face seeing George’s antics. He walked towards the open kitchen.
Luckily enough for him, their performance coaches ensured to send meals for the day. Personally curated for both of them, each morning without fail. The meals just needed to be reheated. He’s really grateful for the prepared meals. He’s a disaster in kitchen. He managed to burn kitchen more then few times. That now he’s considered a natural hazard in the kitchen.
But in Max’s defence, all his skills are stacked for driving. Ever since he was young, he was made to focus on one thing and that was driving. Not his fault that he wasn’t made to learn essential skills like cooking. Because his (and his father’s) goal was to be one of the greatest Formula 1 driver.
He warmed up the soup for his boyfriend quickly in the microwave. And brought it back in the living room. A smile making it’s way on his face, at the scene in front of him. Seeing George engrossed something other than, the data sent by engineers or some commercial mood board he needs to shoot, was definitely a sight to behold.
Max put out down the warm bowl of soup on the coffee table before sitting down on the couch. The couch squeezing down due to the sudden weight, made George look up from his iPad.
The younger driver nose scrunched up due to the aroma of soup, which he at that moment began to notice. Older driver sighed knowing feeding George would be a task.
George is not a picky eater by any means. He just isn’t fond of eating. He eats enough just to survive. Occasionally enjoying a thing or two. And eating while sick? That’s like committing a sin in his mind.
Max brought the spoon filled with warmed up chicken soup near George’s lips. George immediately turning away with a frown forming on his face.
“You need to eat something George”, he practically begged to his boyfriend. Something he would have never done few years ago. But here he was now, doing it without any shame.
“No go away. It’s making me nauseous!” George argued, not daring to turn towards Max because he doesn’t want to be force fed.
The older driver took a deep breath trying to be patient as he can be. He for the fact knew George isn’t actually feeling nauseous by the smell of Chicken soup. Then an idea popped up in his mind.
He mentally prayed to all the angels in heaven to show mercy on him. “George you need to eat for our baby. It’s not healthy for a growing fetus to be hungry”, he announced. His voice calm and collected though inside he was scared George will see right through him.
George turned around and looked like a deer caught in light. His boyfriend can’t bring their baby in between this talk. He opened his mouth with a sigh escaping his mouth that practically screamed ‘I am only doing this for the baby’.
Max beamed at the action, quickly scooping up some soup in the spoon and feeding his boyfriend. He kissed his forehead. The kiss lingering on, making George smile in content. Soup finishing quickly with his soft whispered encouragements.
Soon both of them found themselves in their bedroom. After some (lots of) bickering about taking rest. And ‘how it’s good for baby health’. The only way Max could make his boyfriend take rest at this moment.
“Here love, take your meds. It will help you feel better”. He held the glass filled with room temperature water in one hand and in the other a plastic cup filled with prescribed medications.
“Why do I need to take meds? Is everything ok with our baby?”
“These are supplements. Extra nutrients which baby apparently needs”. Max was secretly impressed with his excuses skill. He can spit bullshit at amazing speeds so this was practically nothing for him. Thankfully George bought it and took the medicine without anymore fuss. “Come on now. Lie down. You need to rest,” he said while patting George’s head.
Puppy eyes should be illegal in Max's opinion. Specially if it’s his boyfriend. It’s utterly unfair, George looked up and used his big blue eyes to make him cave in. “Please sleep next to me. Baby and I could use some cuddles”, George pleads with a soft voice.
The older driver sighs and shuffles next to George. Ensuring both of them are covered with soft linen blanket. Younger driver doesn’t even take a second to snuggle close to his boyfriend. Since he runs a little cold, while Max is always warm even during coldest of winters. It’s like Max is a personal heater from him. He cherishes every second of it.
After few hours or so, the couple woke up together relatively around the same time. Sharp sunlight coming through the window. Now dimmer, preparing itself for the night to come ahead.
George groaned indicating he is awake and alive to the world. His boyfriend caressed his back to sooth him. “Are you alright schat?”, he asked his voice deep with concern and slight grogginess from just waking up from a nap.
“Hell no. I feel like a tractor just rolled over my body.”
Max sat up, resting his back against the backrest to cuddle George more comfortably. “You came down with fever Georgie. So of course you feel like shit”, he deadpans. Reminding George that he has really chosen a Dutch guy as his boyfriend.
“Wow thank you for your kind words”, George sasses, a eye roll accompanying his words. His voice not sounding strained anymore. Indication of the fever finally calming down.
Max scoffed at the audacity of his dear partner to sass him, when he has just woken up from fever. Specially when he has been a good boyfriend to a very demanding younger driver. “Well if you are able to use your mouth to sass me. Looks like someone isn’t sick anymore.” His voice held a teasing glint.
George cheeks flushed, not from sickness anymore. But due to the embarrassment he still feels whenever the older driver teases or flirts with him. “Oh piss off”, he grumbled with no real heat to his words.
He snuggles tightly into his boyfriend’s side. Suddenly looking a sheepish little boy getting caught while stealing cookie, rather than a formula 1 driver. “Uhm I- I hope. I didn’t do anything stupid while sick”, his words coming out more awkward then he intended to.
“Well if by stupid, you mean calling half of the grid to say never date someone like me then…”
“Don’t tell me. I did something like that again.” George horrified, downright mortified with the implementation of his boyfriend’s words.
A chuckle escapes Max's lips. Seeing George getting worked up like this, is never not funny in his opinion. “Don’t worry. It was nothing I couldn’t handle”, he reassured. A breath of relief escaping younger's lips. A chuckle rumbled in his throat, similar to the older driver. He’s very aware of his fever brain tendencies. But that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing.
“What do you think about having a baby soon?” Max's voice not wavering for a second while asking such a mind boggling, future changing question.
George looked, really looked at his boyfriend. Even checking the temperature of older’s forehead by back of his hand, to see that he mistakenly didn’t caught his flu. “Baby? Where the hell this question suddenly come from?”, his voice not concealing the confusion he was feeling.
“You heard me. What do you think about us having a baby?”
“Have you gone crazy Verstappen?! Baby?! In what world do you think we are ready for having a fucking human child. We have barely any time for each other or the cats, let alone a baby who will need our full attention!” George began to ramble about the pro and cons of having a baby. Mostly the cons because he can’t believe the outrageous thoughts his boyfriend is having.
Max didn’t say anything in retort. Not even mentioning how George antics this morning seeded this idea in his mind. His question came from the genuine curiosity of wanting to know what his partner thinks about having their child.
Luckily for both of them, they are on the same page. Currently having no plans of raising a baby. But maybe, in the near future hopefully they would have a baby girl playing in their arms.
That time is definitely not near and is very far away. That decision is for some other time. Right now being with each other is enough.
~The End~