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Max is in a foul mood when he’s finally allowed to leave the paddock. He has no interest right now in talking to anyone at Red Bull, not that they would listen to him anyway. He leaves Silverstone via the quiet back entrance; the smell off a furious Alpha is radiating from him. An omega wearing an FIA lanyard, hurries to the other side of the road, to get away from him. Usually, he would feel bad about letting his scent go wild, but he’s too angry to care. Right now he wants to head butt someone, he can see the headlines already. Mad Max is back, Alpha Max goes feral...
The smell of something sour smacks him in the face; he takes a sniff a distressed omega is nearby. He hopes someone else is dealing with it; the omega is clearly really upset, and Max can’t be bothered to deal with that right now. He takes three steps in the opposite direction, before feeling guilty and hurrying towards the smell. He’s a good person at heart, despite what the press says about him.
He finds George Russell pressed up against a chain link fence, blood oozing from somewhere in his hair and nose; his knees are scraped and rubbed raw. Max’s own problems are suddenly forgotten; he runs over to the omega.
“George, what happened?” George snaps his head around like he’s been slapped and makes a sound that’s a mixture of a whine and a growl and backs himself further away. Max can still smell his own anger, maybe is that scaring George? It’s so unusual to see him this way; he’s usually collected, well polished and not ruled by his second gender.
“I’m sorry I stink, I'm angry at Red Bull not you, please don’t be scared of me.” George looks at him with his big eyes, then bares his neck in submission like Max is going to hurt him. It’s not nice seeing his enemy act this way, scared and distressed instead of loud and feisty. “Please George, I'm not going to hurt you.”
“Go away Max, or I'll bite you.” There’s no venom or any of his usual demeaner; it only makes Max worry even more. “Let me help you, you’re bleeding.” George runs his fingers through his hair and stares at the blood on his fingers like he’s only just noticed it. “Oh, I didn’t mean to make him mad.” George is still staring at his fingers; Max dares to take a step closer. “Who did you make mad?”
George visibly trembles and whines. “The safety car didn’t end.” Yes, the safety car that he fucking caused, Max forces himself to stay calm he doesn’t want to upset George even more and he’s already talking in riddles, maybe the bump to the head was a really hard one? It could even be a concussion. “George did you bump your head?” George blinks at him again and at this point Max is close to calling for medical help. “It hit the road when he pushed me.” Ok they are getting somewhere now. “Someone pushed you, who?” George nervously glances round and shakes his head. “Alpha.” It’s frustrating but its clear George’s fear is messing with his instincts. “An Alpha hurt you?” This time George nods. “I upset them, I'm scared.”
“Can I come closer?” George’s nose twitches; a drip of blood runs from it and down to his chin. “You’re angry.” Yes, he’s fucking angry, not at his own situation but at the random Alpha who attacked George. “I’m angry, but not at you.” George nods. “Okay.” Max slowly steps towards him, still giving him time to back away if he wishes.
“What happened George?” Max sits beside him; the sour smell is even stronger here. “I did wrong, he wanted me to submit and I didn’t. So, he forced me. I fucking hate being an omega, I hate it. You can be as cool and calm as an Alpha but as soon as they use the voice it’s all over.” He bursts into tears; Max watches him for a moment the pulls him into a cuddle.
He expects George to pull away, to fight him even. Instead, George noses his scent gland and sobs into Max’s neck. “It’s ok George, it’s ok.” Max rubs his back and lets him keep crying until his sobs come to a stop, and he pulls away. “Thank you.” George wipes his nose with the back of his hand, smearing blood across his face.
“We should get you cleaned up.” George shakes his head again. “I’m not going to the medical center.” Fine, Max would have happily dropped him off there and let someone else deal with George, but he’s here now, might as well help him. “You’re in your motor home, right? I’ll help you.” George looks skeptical, but he lets Max pull him onto his feet.
George’s motor home can be seen in the distance; it’s hard to miss the thing being massive and bright blue. George is terrified, he’s on high alert carefully looking around till he gets to the door, he unlocks it and runs inside, Max follows him inside. George stands in the middle of the lounge furiously rubbing blockers onto his glands. It’s not working, he’s only rubbing his skin red raw.
“George.” Max says it louder than intend, George snaps his up head instantly; Max wants to smack himself. “It’s ok.” George sits himself on the sofa and brings his knees up to his chin. “I’m too mouthy for my own good sometimes.” George says eventually, sounding so pitiful and sad, it hurts. “Tell me, George.” Max says while rummaging through the cupboards to find a first aid kit. He knows all motor homes have them stocked.
“I should have just submitted, he was smaller than me I thought I could handle it. He was a Lewis fan, he was mad at me, mad at how the race ended. He said omegas shouldn’t be driving, they should know their place at home in the kitchen, he asked me to submit. I said no, he forced me to my knees then made me submit to him and then he kicked me in the face.” Max is furious, how dare some stupid Alpha attack an omega like that. Especially one as cute as George.
Max pulls the first aid kit from the cupboard and walks over; George whines and bares his neck. “Sorry George, I'm mad at him, not you. We should really report this to the police.” Max pours the antiseptic spray onto a wipe and gently cleans the blood around George’s nose. “It’s a bit red, but I don’t think it’s broken.” George sniffs and presses his forehead against Max’s chest; it’s clear he’s crying. “It’s ok.” Max gently brushes his thumb against George’s exposed neck, watching as the goose pimples appear on the pale skin.
“I’m just going to check the cut in your hair George.” He makes an inaudible sound and stays pressed against Max. He gently parts George’s hair and gets a better look. There’s a pretty deep gash, but it doesn’t look like it needs to be stitched. Max gently cleans the blood away. George is still clinging onto him like his life depends on it. Max spots a nest tucked away in the corner. Maybe that will help the omega settle.
“Do you want your nest?” George lifts his head; his eyes are red, and his lashes are thick and clumped together with tears. “Will you nest with me?” Max’s heart gives an affectionate squeeze; he scoops George into his arms and settles them down in the nest. The nest is very George Russell, it’s neat, we all arranged and smells strongly of Mercedes and Alex.
George arranges himself but he’s still clinging onto Max like his life depends on it, Max secretly enjoys having an omega this close, it’s been a while. He softly runs his fingers through George’s hair careful to avoid his wound. He’s quiet at first until a soft little purr escapes, Max keeps doing it, just hoping to hear that sound again and soon he’s rewarded with that sweet sound again.
“You’re so cute.” George snaps his head up, a half smile on his face. “Did you just call me cute Verstappen?” Shit he said the quiet part out loud. “omegas are cute when they purr, what can I say? Any Alpha would be affected” George settles him back into Max’s lap but facing him this time.
“Thank you for helping me, I forgot how to function I was so scared.” Max kisses the top of George’s head without really thinking about it. “Of course, I just wanted you to be safe.” George smiles it reaches his eyes, his scent smells like freshly cut grass on the first day of spring after a long winter. He’s never smelled George like this before.
“I hope you’re still going to race me as hard even though I've let you see my omega side.” Max chuckles, kissing him again. “There’s always a chance I'll crash into you, if you piss me off but I hope you’ll let me kiss you after.” George is quiet and for a second Max thinks he’s gone too far, until George reaches up and very gently kisses Max on the lips.
“I’d like that very much.”