Work Text:
You're a spark in the dark and my clothes are caught aflame
1. red bull mechanics
The thing is, and Kimi is well aware of it, that people working with Max really hold him in such high regard. Still, it makes his skin itch a little when he watches the Red Bull mechanics being so close to him after each podium, each win-grasping Max's waist, hoisting him up, their hands staying glued to his sides as they pat his back, his shoulder, his butt.
On the other hand, it makes Kimi feel warm. It's so endearing to see Max being loved that much. It's something you don't get to see often-not from the press, not from some fans, not from the people making snide remarks about his "Mad Max" era.
(But they don't see the way Max's blue eyes get lighter, his face softer, when he's interacting with younger fans, taking photos, making time for them. They don't see Max around his cats and dog, pampering them with love and soft kisses, like Kimi is lucky enough to witness one day when Max invites him over for some FIFA. They don't see Max speaking to GP in a hushed voice, his eyes crinkling as they laugh at some inside joke only the two of them are privy to.)
(But Kimi does- and he collects all these little moments. He tries to piece them together with the other side of Max he knows: fierce, unstoppable, dedicated. The champion.)
(Truly a spark in the dark.)
(It only makes Kimi admire him even more.)
Nevertheless, the whole ordeal makes Kimi feel like there are two sides of him fighting inside, week after week.
One is screaming at him, "it's what he deserves", while trying not to turn into a puddle, overwhelmed by the sheer force of seeing Max laugh and banter with people who know him so well. His smile is radiant, his blonde hair wet from champagne, as he looks down at his team with eyes full of silent pride.
The other side, however, is bothered by it. The one that makes his eyes take on that distinct green hue as he thinks about how much he wants to be one of them... to hold Max's waist, to smile at him, to spray champagne over him, to laugh with him, to admire him not only from afar.
Soon, he thinks.
And that's exactly what he does, the first time they stand on a podium together, with Max seeking him out on his own.
(Kimi doesn't faint, but it's a close call.)
You should feel how I feel when somebody says your name
2. lando
What throws him off the most about the whole thing with Lando is that Max and the Brit don't seem to be on good terms, especially not after the 2025 season.
The championship battle between them, with Oscar thrown into the mix as well, takes its toll on their relationship. They can laugh about it at the beginning of 2025, but soon there is nothing funny about it anymore. Kimi sees how much it affects Max: being pitted against someone he considers a friend, not only by the press but by the circumstances themselves.
Lando's little snide remarks certainly don't help, but that's just how Lando is. Still, they make Max's eyes turn grayer with quiet hurt. Yet he seems to carry it all by himself, putting on a mask of indifference. Then the season ends. Lando becomes champion, and now here they are: McLaren and Red Bull nowhere near the top, fighting for the championship title this year.
And somehow, that seems to smooth something between them. Slowly at first, but then more and more as the 2026 season goes on... a quiet understanding that they might both be out of the fight, and a chance to bond over it all once again.
And that brings Kimi right back to the problem at hand as he stands in the media pen after Friday's first practice, close to Max-as he usually is these days, really-chatting about the car and the possibilities for the weekend.
Kimi's senses sharpen as his eyes fix on a tanned hand suddenly appearing on Max's shoulder. Lando comes up behind him, almost throwing himself at the older man.
"Maaax," Lando whines deep in his throat, as if he has any business saying the Dutchman's name like that. Kimi's hackles rise instantly. "The car is so shit."
Max rolls his eyes slightly, but still indulges him, a soft smile playing on his lips. "It's not that bad, Lan. Look how far behind we are, then complain."
Lando sighs dramatically. "You're such a heartless man, Maxie. I'm dying here."
Max only laughs at Lando's antics, patting the arm the Brit has slung around him.
"You'll be alright, bud."
And that makes Kimi's hands curl into fists at his sides, his brows furrowing slightly at the casual affection between them. He sends Lando a stormy glare, completely unnoticed.
(Because Kimi doesn't know what bothers him more: hearing Lando call Max by that nickname so effortlessly, as if they're the closest of friends; hearing Max being addressed like that at all; seeing that slight smirk tugging at Norris's lips; or remembering that even though he and Max grow closer the year before-and even more so now-and Max has nothing but good things to say about him, praising his skill and drive, calling him a future champion, saying how easy he is to be around and how they can talk for hours about racing and everything else... it is still Lando whom Max once calls his best friend on the grid.)
I'm the car speeding down the boulevard without a brake
And I want you more than any stupid song could ever say
3. gabi
He likes Gabi a lot. They were rookies together, and now they share a strong admiration for Max-his skill, his talent (and his figure, maybe... or is that just Kimi?). But right now, Kimi really wants to strangle the man.
The sudden urge almost makes him take a step back, but instead he shuffles closer to the Brazilian, placing a hand lightly on his upper arm, as if to say: back the fuck up. He subtly nudges him away, because he is not a maniac, thank you very much.
That makes Max pause in the middle of his monologue, fixing Kimi with a small, questioning look. But Kimi only gives him an innocent smile, and Max simply shakes his head before continuing speaking to Pierre.
So Kimi is free to glare at the Audi driver again. Because what do you mean? The whole "Max giving his Red Bull to Gabi" thing? And okay, Kimi is aware that he can't really be seen walking around the paddock with a Red Bull can, so that's probably why it doesn't even occur to Max to hand it to him. But that's not what matters most here.
It's the way Bortoleto gets so close to the Dutchman without making a big deal out of it. As if it's completely normal for him too, and not something that belongs inside the little bubble he and Max have built.
And what irritates him even more is how people on the internet start painting them as this mentor-and-mentee duo only hours later, just like they did with Kimi and Max. This whole father-son bullshit, as if Kimi doesn't want to grab Max and pin him against a wall-
Uh-oh.
Maybe Andrea doesn't see Max as just a good friend anymore, after all.
(When did that happen?)
I feel right, I feel wrong, I feel totally insane
+1. george russell
Kimi doesn't know what sets him off the most-the fact that George is trying to put his hand around Max's waist while standing on the top step of the podium, or the fact that it's his own teammate, his biggest rival, doing it. The one who doesn't even deserve an ounce of Max's attention. Not after spouting bullshit about him to the media, painting him as some kind of villain.
And yes, Kimi knows it was a long time ago. He knows they eventually seem to make up-not exactly becoming friendly, but at least reaching a point where they can be civil with each other. Most of the time.
Still, it makes him see red (or green, in this case, really) as he storms around the paddock searching for the Red Bull driver. His nostrils flare like he's some kind of feral animal-because he definitely isn't thinking straight right now. To be honest, he hasn't been able to do that much lately whenever he's around Max.
Actually, he tries to keep his distance. Last weekend, he doesn't look for Max at all, and it earns him a hurt, fleeting look from the older man. Yet Kimi's feelings have grown so intense since that little Gabi fiasco that he suddenly has to admit something to himself: maybe he wants more.
And that scares him a little. This fierceness in his heart, this overwhelming feeling he carries whenever he is around the blonde man.
(And if the longing, slightly disappointed looks Max keeps throwing him across the podium are any indication that the older man wants Kimi back just as much... he'll take his chances anyway. If he's misread it, Max can head-butt him, for all he cares.)
That's why, when he finally finds Max, almost colliding with him in the hallway, he doesn't think for too long before grabbing the other man's team polo and pushing him roughly inside the first vacant room he finds. He turns the lock and faces the stunned driver again, not even letting him finish his sentence.
"Kimi, what the-?"
Before Max can say anything else, Kimi pushes him against the wall and kisses him fiercely. Like his life depends on it. Like he's trying to say: I'm here. Look at me. Notice me. See only me.
Max's blue eyes widen almost comically, completely caught off guard. He instinctively pushes Kimi back a fraction, both of them breathing hard. But as their gazes meet, something in Kimi's expression gives him pause. His eyes have darkened considerably, his pupils blown wide, and with a quiet, "Fuck it," Max fists a hand in Kimi's shirt and pulls him right back in.
Their tongues collide, Max's right hand disappearing into Kimi's curly hair, tugging just a little too firmly-which only draws a low growl from the younger man.
Eventually they break apart, a thin string of saliva still connecting them. Max lets his head fall back against the wall, taking a shaky breath. His lips part as though he wants to say something-maybe call Andrea out on this madness, maybe tell him to stop-but Kimi doesn't give him the chance.
Instead, he trails kisses down Max's throat, lingering over the soft, pale skin.
"Fuck..." Max's voice trembles slightly, though he doesn't seem to mind. If anything, he tips his head back farther, giving Kimi even better access. "Took you long enough, brat."
That finally snaps Kimi out of his single-minded focus. He looks up, blinking.
"What?"
Max answers with nothing more than a deadpan stare, one eyebrow arching ever so slightly.
"You knew?" Kimi squeaks.
Max shrugs as much as he can while being nearly enveloped by Kimi's body from head to toe.
"Hard not to. You keep looking at everyone close to me like you want to kill them on the spot. I think Pierre's going to be traumatized for life after witnessing that."
The younger man lets out a quiet whine, burying his face in Max's neck.
"Sorry..."
After a brief pause, he asks in a much smaller voice, "Are you mad?"
Max lets out a melodic laugh. The sound scratches an itch in Kimi's brain he hadn't even known existed, making him groan.
"At you?"
The Italian only nods.
"Nah. Can't really do that. Seems I have a soft spot for you."
The words make Kimi brighten instantly. He meets Max's eyes again, his fingers tightening around the man's narrow waist, drawing a low moan from him.
A smug smile tugs at Kimi's lips.
"I'm a lucky man, then."
"Mmm," Max murmurs against his lips. "The luckiest."
The distance between them disappears once more, Max's last word dissolving into a breathless laugh as Kimi pounces on him again.
And I want you more than any stupid song could ever say
Hours later, they're lying in Kimi's private suite, the post-sex glow still clinging to them, their bodies intertwined. So close-you can't tell where one ends and the other begins. Kimi continues to mouth at Max's bruised collarbones.
"You didn't need to be so rough," Max mutters under his breath, looking at him with mild annoyance. He's really glad they don't have a race next week, because his body is thoroughly battered.
"Yes, I did," Kimi replies with a wolfish grin, his little fangs on full display.
Max rolls his eyes, but leans in anyway, brushing his lips lovingly across Kimi's forehead.
He really can't be mad at him, can he?