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Naps are dumb.
Diapers are dumb.
Highchairs, carseats, pacifiers, cribs, toys, everything is dumb! Okay, he is a little and what? Despite hiding his real classification, he kicked everyone's ass for years. He has four championship trophies to prove his classification means nothing. Nothing! Do you hear him? Nothing!
Of course no one hears him. They don't want to hear his arguments and protests, that's why the FIA simply handed him to Checo and Daniel to take care of, as if he is an abandoned kitten and not the champion. Nowadays he is on medical leave, that's what Red Bull calls forcing him out of his car and thrusting him in the hands of his ex-teammates. He won't admit it, but some part of him was terrified of Checo and Daniel. He didn't treat them nicely, he knows it and he is painfully aware of his vulnerability. After accidentally regressing for the first time in 15 years, being found crying by a maid, and his real classification being revealed as the consequences of his own stupidity - that's how dad would call it - he can't be on his own without setting a regular schedule for regression. Until then he is going to stay with Checo and Daniel - no matter if he likes it or not.
Back to his dilemma - are they going to take their sweet revenge after he spent years tormenting them? Something in the back of his head is gnawing on his brain, telling him they will treat him as their toy until they get bored of him and then he will be thrown away, too broken to go back to racing.
🦁🦁🦁
“Maxie… did you have a nice nap?”
The door of his new room opens a bit and Daniel’s head with a cheerful smile is peeking inside. His sing-song voice is annoying, they both know pretty well he didn't sleep. Thank you, but he is not a baby. He won't fall asleep after playing for the whole morning and eating lunch because guess what - that's what REAL babies do. Real babies or littles like Charles and George. He witnessed both of them falling asleep at the loud paddock as if doing nothing is the most exhausting thing.
Daniel slips in the “nursery” - Max refuses to say such a humiliating word to describe his new bedroom - and heads toward the dreaded changing table. Checo and Daniel are crazy if they believe he will ever pee in the pull ups they force on him. He can use the toilet, or “potty” as they call it, but he must wear a pull up all the time in case he has an accident. Pfff, Max is an adult, he regressed once, ONCE, and suddenly everyone thinks he can't control his bladder. Yes, there were a few close calls, but that's not his fault. Checo and Daniel bought so many toys for him, it's statistically impossible to not like at least a handful of them. And with nothing better to do - with no working out, no sim racing or video games or drinks - he actually plays a bit. Nothing soft like stupid tea parties Charles and George throw for their stuffed toys, but real toys like his magnetic blocks and books about dinosaurs.
As Daniel gets a fresh pull up and a pair of soft shorts, Max keeps glaring at him through the bars of his crib.
“Do you need to use the potty?”
Daniel unceremoniously pats his bottom and Max squirms. He is dry so fuck off, Daniel! Swearing, another thing Max misses deeply. He used to swear during the first few days of living with his ex-teammates, but he quickly found out it's a bad idea to mess with Checo. Checo doesn't hesitate to correct Max's behavior, no one will punish him for crying, but there is a long list of rules and if Max breaks them … well, he doesn't want to ponder about how many times Checo has pulled him across his lap and spanked his bottom.
Max doesn’t know how he feels. Should he be mad? Probably, how else are you supposed to feel when everyone finds out you are a little? Max doesn’t even think he is a proper little. He isn’t cute like Franco or George, Max is … Max, not some adorable doe-eyed little with fluffy hair. No, he is blunt, aggressive even and that’s good because this sport is brutal, you can’t win races if you pee in diapers. They aren’t Verstappen, they didn’t grow up with a father who had one very clear view on littles - in Jos’s eyes littles shouldn’t exist.
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After nap time comes the right time for a snack. Max doesn’t remember the last time he ate so much. Every day he eats three meals and two snacks. Breakfast usually consists of a warm oatmeal and fruit, then comes the first snack - it’s always something healthy like mixed nuts or sliced apples, maybe a smoothie served in a sippy cup. When lunchtime rolls around, Max finds himself strapped in the stupid highchair and a sectioned plate is put in front of rice. Daniel cooks, he cooks every meal almost everyday with Checo occasionally replacing him in the kitchen, but the result is the same. The food they cook is healthy, nutritious and Max has to eat until his plate is clean. Yes, he can refuse, but that results in either Checo or Daniel taking the spoon - apparently, he is too little to use a fork and a knife - and they feed him. When his face burns with embarrassment and he changes his mind about feeding himself, they tell him he is too fussy to do it on his own. There is no espace, not for Max. He could regress to get away from the humiliation, he witnessed Lewis feeding George enough times to know little George enjoys when his daddy takes care of him. God, regressing would mean escaping from feeling belittled every minute of every day. He doesn’t know why he regressed in the first place. He just … it’s missing, he tries to find the reason, but it’s not there. They don’t understand, Max is Verstappen and Verstappens aren’t littles. Littles are a mistake, a biological error. He just needs to deal with his own imperfection and vulnerability. After all, little Charles looks happy playing tag with Leo, little George is annoyingly cute while singing songs from Disney movies and little Lando is squealing with joy every time Andrea gives him a piggyback ride.
A plate with his afternoon snack arrives - a sandwich with ham and eggs, cut into the shape of a dinosaur, cheese strings and slices of ball paper and apple juice in another sippy cup. It seems their supply of pacifiers and sippy cups is never ending. Max takes a bit of his sandwich when Checo appears next to him out of nowhere.
“What do we say to daddy?”
Daddy and papa - they’re delusional if they think he will use their new names. Max frowns at Checo, but there is always a chance the older man will punish him. Swearing would earn him having his mouth washed with soap, pushing them away means a quick slap on his hands. Max grits his teeth until he thinks they will break and finally looks at Daniel.
“Thank you.”
Daniel beams at him and hands another sandwich to Checo. They’re sitting around the kitchen island - Max strapped in the highchair, Daniel and Checo perched on bar stools. The schedule is clear - after snack comes playtime. Maybe they will go out to the nearby park, but Max hates it there because the park is full of happy littles who run around and play on the numerous playgrounds. Luckily for him, Checo lifts him from the highchair and they go into the living room.
Checo bought some new puzzles and now he spreads the colorful boxes on the coffee table. Max chooses the biggest one, like this he can work on a puzzle and they won’t force him to play with anything else. This puzzle is massive, almost 1800 pieces creating a picturesque Japanese garden. Max successfully ignores Checo who is putting another puzzle together and when Daniel brings him a sippy cup full of watered down juice, Max doesn’t forget to thank him. He would prefer something stronger, he realizes he might have a drinking problem, but this is going to be his detox. No sodas, coffee or alcohol. Just water, juices, smoothies and tea which is fucking boring. Max glances at Checo, it seems the older man can read his mind because he raises his eyebrows in a silent warning. Max frowns and goes back to biting on the plastic spout of his sippy cup. Fuck Checo and his rules.
🦁🦁🦁
Today is different and Max doesn’t know why. The playtime after lunch is cut short and Checo goes to take a shower. It’s too early for bedtime. What are they up to? Daniel takes him in his bedroom and opens the closet, he is digging around the countless drawers and piles of neatly folded clothes and Max is sitting in the red beanbag next to the small bookcase. Clothes, another thing they choose for him. Max doesn't mind this part, he has never cared about clothes, but he saw a few infantile pieces he would like to set on fire. Colorful clothes with glitters, pictures and ruffles look good on other littles, but Max knows he isn't the pretty one. Charles and Franco can pull off cute cardigans, George with his light up sneakers is as dumb as you can imagine - he always watches his light up sneakers and not where he is going, resulting in slamming into things and people. But Max is different, he doesn't want cardigans with embroidered bunnies, footed sleepers or knitted hats with bear's ears. He wants clothes, normal clothes.
Daniel has a hard time choosing an outfit for his little one, but in the end he settles on beige shorts, brown leather sandals and a cute T-shirt with cartoon firetrucks. He hopes Max will tolerate the T-shirt, after all he loves cars and trucks. However, Max proves him wrong within minutes.
“No! I’m not going!”
Max doesn’t care if they go on a walk or in the supermarket, he isn’t leaving the house wearing something so childish. Daniel and Checo are silently observing him - Daniel with the clothes in his hands and Checo with his arms crossed. His expression is unreadable and Max would probably recognize the danger if he isn't busy with throwing a tantrum. Max doesn’t realize how ridiculous he looks right now, how close he is to acting like a little. He is only wearing a pull up with Toy Story characters as he stomps his feet and yells in Dutch. This behavior, throwing a tantrum over the smallest thing, is so typical for littles because Max is a LITTLE, no matter how hard he tries to fight it.
Daniel checks the time with a tired sigh. He hates being late and Checo has had enough. He grabs Max’s upper arm, spins him around and lands a few spanks on his padded bottom. Max immediately shuts up and Checo takes the clothes from Daniel.
“You wear what daddy and papa choose. You’re too little to decide, that’s how things work.”
Max is stunned, he stands still while Checo pulls the shorts up and then his head is guided in the T-shirt. Daniel hurries to clean his face using a wet wipe and he soothes Max, he strokes his soft hair and offers a pacifier before they leave the apartment.
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Walking in between the two taller men is mortifying. They’re outside, people are looking! And worse - people are cooing at him as if he is a cute puppy. Max still doesn’t know where they’re going, they walk past the supermarket where they usually shop, they go past the coffee shop where they buy him ice cream. Max frowns and weakly fights against their hold. Checo is holding his left hand, Daniel is holding his right one. Their fingers are soft but unyielding - he can squirm but they won’t let go of him. Suddenly Max finally recognizes where they’re heading to.
No! No, no, no! They’re going to Giacomo!? This place is so popular, it’s always packed! And then he recognizes Lewis’s Mercedes parked outside.
Checo’s small smile turns into a thin line after Max abruptly stops. The little is tugging on their hands, trying to break free. His feet are digging in the pavement as he refuses to take another step. Daniel looks at Checo, he never knows how to react when Max acts difficult. Luckily for him, Checo solves this problem quite easily - he effortlessly picks Max up and hoists him up on his hip. This only forces Max to fight harder, but then Checo rests one of his large hands on his bottom. Max glares at him, so this is how Checo wants to play? A silent threat of a very public spanking if he fights?
Of course that Giacomo is packed, but Checo heads toward the back, there’re two private dining rooms with one of them being outside in a small yard. Max catches people watching them, some of them are holding their phones up, taking pictures and recording videos. He hates people and their fucking phones! He hates them! Max feels hot tears of embarrassment and shame leaving his eyes, but he refuses to be caught crying in public so he does the only possible thing - he buries his face in the crook of Checo’s neck. HIs aftershave is heavy, it smells like herbs and spices, but Max finds it surprisingly comforting … at least until they reach the yard.
The limited space is buzzing with voices and energy. Max is placed down on a regular chair, but the caregivers don’t leave his side. Max glances around and finds George sitting at the opposite side of the long table. Max studies his innocent eyes, there is no sharpness George’s eyes usually hold, he is captivated by a cartoon playing on Lewis’s phone. The man’s tattooed hand adorned with many silver rings is resting on the back of George’s neck. His thumb lazily rubs the side of George’s neck as the little stays laser-focused on his cartoons and sucks on his pacifier. Then there’re Carlos and Charles - Charles has a coloring book opened in front of him and he colors with such concentrated expression as if he is battling for P1. Then there is Andrea who is cleaning Lando’s face - seriously, how does Lando always spill everything? Mark is holding Oscar in his lap and the little is showing him an interesting rock he found on their way to the restaurant. Pierre and Franco arrive shortly after them and they can finally order dinner.
Daniel feels bad after Checo had to spank Max to snap him out of his unnecessary tantrum, but he is sure it didn’t hurt - the pull up is quite thick. He hands the menu to Max to cheer him up a bit, choosing his own meal won’t hurt for one time. Max is determined to use this chance to prove he is not a little, while pasta and pizzas are ordered for other littles, Max confidently asks for the salmon risotto. Pffft, Charles decides to be extra, he asks for chicken nuggets - they’re not on the menu - but of course their waitress melts and promises they will make them extra only for him. However, an alcoholic drink is still out of his reach. While caregivers order bellini, gin fizz or margarita, Max gets a glass of fresh orange juice. He pouts and plays with the cutlery, but other littles quickly gain his attention.
George - still glued to the screen of Lewis’s phone. Ewww, is that drool escaping from the corner of his mouth?
Oscar - eehmm, boring, he joins George because they both love Bluey.
Lando - busy using a paper straw to blow bubbles in his glass of lemonade, spilling it everywhere during the process.
Franco - speaking about football with Checo.
Okay, who is left?
Charles - extending his hand offering a crayon to him.
The coloring book is opened on a clean page and it’s obvious Charles wants Max to join him. Okay …. because it’s Charles. Carlos switches seats with Max so he can color with Charles. The picture is quite boring - kittens in a basket, how original - but Max finds himself lost in choosing the right color for his kitten. He chooses orange and pink for the bow around the kitten’s neck. They’re almost done when dinner arrives and Max swallows a whine at the last second. Pheeww, that was close!
Max lifts his fork and frowns. His salmon risotto looks disgusting compared to George’s Mac and cheese, even Franco’s vegetable pizza looks good. Fucking hell, and what about Charles’s nuggets!? They look crispy, and the sweet potato fries must be so oily and crunchy … Charles definitely wouldn’t mind sharing. Sharing is caring, right?
Before poor Charles can take a bit, a hand sneaks toward his plate and snatches one of his nuggets. He had 6 nuggets and now there’re only 5 left. That’s … that’s not fair! Everyone turns toward them after Charles hits the table. His nuggets! He had six of them and now he only has five! Max shoves his catch in his mouth, but the adults see it’s one of Charles’s nuggets and the risotto stays untouched. Carlos is immediately on his feet, he runs around the table and kneels down next to his sobbing little one.
“I know, baby. So mean …”
Carlos glares at Max, he knows Max isn’t regressed so he did this only to be a jerk. The place goes silent, eyes flicker between Checo and Max who hurriedly swallows to hide the evidence of his crime. Max tries to act cute, he clumsily wipes his mouth and takes a sip of his orange juice while avoiding looking at the drivers. Charles’s crying slows down, but the atmosphere remains tense. Checo also stands up, but he is calm, too calm. He walks around the table and Max grips his chair, ready to put on a fight if Checo tries to spank him in front of everyone.
“Tío! Look!”
God bless George’s dumb ass. He bursts into laughter and shows the phone to Checo, where Bluey and Bingo pretend to be old and Bingo is saying I slipped on my beans! This distracts Checo for a bit, he might be mad, but he doesn’t let it show in front of George and Max snatches the opportunity to climb under the table.
“Max! Come out right now!”
The long tablecloth moves and hands reach under the table to pull him out, but Max squeezes himself to Andrea’s legs. He is still holding Oscar in his laps so his hands are full. Max sees Checo’s suede loafers quickly moving around the table, but he completely forgets about Daniel. Max jumps in fear when a pair of hands grab him around the waist, he knocks into the table and tips over a bottle of San pellegrino. As Daniel is pulling him out, cold sparkling water is running behind the collar of his T-shirt and suddenly he is standing face to face with frustrated Daniel and angry Checo.
“Apologize to Charles for stealing his food.”
Checo won’t let his fit slide, what Max did is wrong. And he is kinda mad at Daniel, it was him who gave the menu to Max and let him order. Checo drags Max to Charles who luckily stopped crying and Max mumbles his apology. Dammit, Checo is strict but Max is glad he isn’t spanked in front of his friends. They sit down again and the plate with risotto is pushed in front of him. Max whines in disgust - how can he eat the disgusting risotto after eating the delicious crispy chicken nugget!? Max pushes the plate away and angrily crosses his arms. He is not eating that!
“Max, you eat what you order.”
Max sticks his tongue out at Checo, he is so sure Checo won’t spank him that he forgets about Daniel.
“Papa is right.”
Daniel pulls the plate closer and Max throws his head back.
“I don’t wanna!”
Daniel sighs and rubs his forehead, he loves Max, but does he need to be so difficult all the time?
“Then why did you order the risotto?”
Max whines before he can stop himself. The sound is high pitched and needy … it’s the same sound the littles around him make when they want something.
“I don’t know!”
Max feels something inside him is breaking. What is that thing? It feels as if this only barrier is holding an emotional volcano away from erupting and Max doesn’t know why. Why is he so angry? He has eaten risotto hundreds of times before, he doesn’t like it but he has never felt like the whole world is ending over a dumb risotto.
“You wanted a meal for grown-ups.”
Checo takes a bite of his now cold pizza and eyes Max. He shares a quick glance with Daniel - they both think Max is close to regressing, but stress regressing isn’t the thing they want for him. Daniel takes the plate, he carefully removes every bit of salmon before putting the place back in front of his little.
“Finish the rice and vegetables, baby.”
Max grumbles but the risotto isn’t so awful without the fish. He slowly chews while fellow littles doze off one at the time. George is asleep with his head resting on Lewis’s shoulder, his bucket hat pulled low in his face in order to block the dim lights. Charles is sprawled across his chair and daddy’s lap and even Franco and Lando are peacefully sleeping in their caregivers’ arms. Only stubborn Max keeps fighting with sleep, his head drops only for him to force himself awake. Checo thinks Max will hurt his neck if he continues like this. He pulls the young driver in his arms, he is a bit unsure, but he copies Lewis’s precise movements and even starts patting Max’s bottom in the same way Lewis does with George.
The dinner ends peacefully, the sleepy littles are carried by their caregivers who silently say goodbye and head home.
🦁🦁🦁
Max is too warm. No, he is not warm, he is hot, he is boiling alive! Help! He wildly kicks his legs, but something is wrapped around him. Help, somebody help! Yellow light suddenly floods the room and Max realizes a stupid blanket got tangled around his legs. Max cries out in frustration until two large hands take hold of his ankles and get rid of the blanket. It’s Checo who heard the soft whimpers and came running to save their little. He was expecting to find Max feeling sick, but then he discovered a blanket caused all of this. Checo slowly lifts Max from the crib and starts rubbing his back because Max looks pretty shaken up. How could a blanket tangled around his legs give him a panic attack? Well, it's 3 in the morning and Checo is not awake enough to unwrap another trauma caused by Jos Verstappen. Checo holds Max on his hip and reaches in the crib to take the abandoned pacifier and a stuffed lion with the softest mane you could ever imagine. He knows Max isn't regressed, but leaving him alone feels wrong so Checo carries him in his bedroom. Max doesn't protest for once, he allows Checo to lie him down in the middle of the bed and then the lion is thrusted in his arms. Max hugs the soft toy, but he turns his head away when Checo presents the pacifier. Okay, Checo went too far with the paci. He puts it on the nightstand, just in case Max feels distressed again, and he lies down before pulling the little closer. Max is calming down. Being trapped in the crib is no fun, but he knows climbing out of that cursed thing will only earn him a spanking. But Checo took him out of the crib so it was him who broke the rules, not Max. Max finds himself focusing on Checo's breathing, he tries to match the slow rhythm and soon sleep claims him again.
Waking up in a “big boy's bed” he is apparently too little to sleep in anymore, feels strange. Checo's arms wrapped around his belly are even weirder. Max looks down at his unmistakably softer stomach, a small belly replaced his abs and Daniel and Checo are to blame for this. Their home-cooked meal with proper ingredients, juices, ….. oh my, their snacks…. This is the only thing Max likes about this, he can eat almost whatever he wants, no one is forcing protein down his throat, no one is counting calories. Max almost lets go of the lion before he decides he kind of likes this toy. Charles's stuffed puppy is too sweet, George's beloved bunny is too infantile … Max will rather die than being caught chewing on his stuffed toys like Lando. But this lion is cool. He stares in the beady eyes, his brain is captivated in taking every tiny detail in. The soft mane, paws, tail and ears …. but then something in the room chirps. Checo's phone!
Max carefully slips out of Checo's loose hug and looks around the room. A silver iPhone is lying on the nightstand next to a pacifier. The screen lights up again with notification and Max's fingers itch. His phone is God knows where, again, he is too little to have it. The same applies to his notebook and other electronic devices. Only the stupid iPad with parental control and no Internet connection stays, and even that useless thing with a colorful case has limited screen-time. But Checo's phone … Max could check the Internet and read what people think about him. They probably hate him for being a little and his dad must be sharing every embarrassing story about his bedwetting with every reporter who is willing to listen. Max’s fingers brush against the cold screen and he carefully picks the phone. The weight in his hand feels familiar, but now he realizes he doesn’t know Checo’s password. Alright, face ID … does it work when the owner is asleep? Trying it won’t hurt, who knows when he will have access to another phone? Before Max can bring the screen to the sleeping man’s face, Checo stirs. Max must think fast. If Checo catches him toying with the phone, he will spank him for sure. Max hurriedly drops the phone as Checo stirs even more and he grabs the next thing he sees - a pacifier. This one is pastel blue with a little dolphin painted on the shield. Max loathes pacifiers, but if it can literally save his ass … Max pushes the rubber teat between his lips just in time because Checo is opening his eyes.
Checo is surprised for a few seconds before his sluggish brain remembers Max cried last night and he took the little in his bed. The bed next to him is still warm, but why is Max standing up above him? Checo’s eyes land on the pacifier sucked between Max’s lips. This is new. Checo glances at his phone and then back at Max. Max carefully sucks on the pacifier, the rubber nipple in his mouth feels strange, but … comforting? Familiar? Max knows there is no way he could remember sucking on a pacifier from his childhood. Max’s eyelids grow heavy involuntarily, as if the pacifier reaches some place deep in his brain he forgot he has.
Checo looks convinced, he doesn’t question why Max is awake or why he got up all alone. He is happy to see Max enjoying his pacifier for the very first time. He scoops the little up in his arms and checks on his pull up before he opens the door. Daniel is still fast asleep, Checo can enjoy having his arms full of soft and warm Max. He goes into the kitchen, making a quick breakfast using only one arm is complicated but possible. Max is suspiciously cuddly, usually he wouldn’t hold still like this. But today he is clinging to Checo, he is so cuddly and pliant … as if they get a whole new Max today. Checo isn’t complaining, he kisses Max’s chubby cheek before they eat their morning oatmeal with nuts and honey.
🦁🦁🦁
Checo is pretty excited because he bought a cool new toy for their little one. Max loves cars so that’s what is in the gift bag with colorful balloons. Checo knows he is spoiling Max, buying gifts just because he saw something cool is spoiling, but he thinks Max deserves a gift. He is right, Max squeaks in happiness after he opens the bag and pulls the large box outside.
It’s an RC car - a red Porsche. Checo helps him to unpack the car and they start playing. Max is tightly holding the controller, he is driving the car around the living room, barely paying attention to the two caregivers. Daniel takes many pictures and cute videos of their little one. Max looks so serious, as if another championship is only a few points away. After a long while Max sits down on his padded bottom. He hands the controller to Checo, after all he bought the car, he deserves a race or two. Max gets a sippy cup full of apple juice and he sits next to Checo, drinking juice and watching the car driving under and around the furniture.
Daniel is a bit jealous. He and Checo agreed on keeping Max away from racing and F1 and then Checo goes and buys an RC car? And now they play together for nearly two hours while he cooks lunch. Checo doesn’t even offer him to join them, they’re playing and Daniel is cooking stupid meatballs and homemade pasta. He spends the whole morning making pasta, grinding meat and cooking a tomato sauce and they don’t offer to help him, they don’t ask him if he wants to play with them. Daniel isn’t angry, he is just sad and disappointed. He wipes the stray tears leaving his eyes and sets the table before straightening his T-shirt and going into the living room.
“Okay. GP Living room is over.”
Checo finishes the lap and stops the car in front of Max, but the little doesn’t move, in fact he seems frozen to the beige carpet. Daniel and Checo share a concerned look, and Daniel kneels down next to Max. Ohhh … he knows what’s wrong. Max had an accident. The wetness indicator on his pull up, the blue line around the waistline, turned yellow and Daniel believes Max was so preoccupied with his new car that he forgot about his bladder being full of juice. It looks like the feeling of swollen padding sinks in right now and Daniel reaches one hand to stroke Max’s back. Before his fingers can brush against the boy’s back, Max flinches away and swats Daniel’s hand away.
“I hate you! Hate you!”
Max doesn’t know what happened. He has never pissed himself, not even during the toughest races. He had a few accidents but only when he was fast asleep, but now he is awake. Awake! Adults don’t piss themselves!
“You’re hurting me! It hurts!”
Daniel takes a step back while Max hurls insults at them. It’s hard to see Max like this, he acts as if they’re torturing him. Daniel does everything for the little, he does everything he can to help Max to regress and accept his real classification. That’s why he turns around and runs out of the apartment with Max throwing a tantrum in the living room.
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Daniel left in a hurry. His phone, wallet, everything stayed back at home. Daniel aimlessly wanders around Monaco until he spots a familiar face at the large park with many playgrounds for littles.
“Lewis..?”
The man turns around, pleasantly surprised to meet his friend, but when he looks closely, he sees Daniel looks exhausted and stressed out. Daniel plops down on the bench next to Lewis and rubs his face.
“I knew it would be hard, that Max will fight, but not …. this”
Max keeps refusing everything they offer - pacifiers, toys, even fuzzy, soft blankets. Daniel knows they have months to help Max into being a proper little, he will dedicate every minute of every day to making Max feel good in their care. No little should be forced to live like this, alone, without a loving caregiver who takes care of them while they let go and relax. But no one told him it’s going to be this hard.
Daniel silently observes George playing on the playground. George is a normal little who isn’t ashamed of his classification. Daniel knows George’s parents weren’t happy, but after it didn’t stop him from pursuing their shared goal, they simply dealt with it. It’s not like they have the time to visit George very often, the little is mostly only with his daddy, but Lewis and George were clearly made for each other.
“How do you do this, Lewis?”
George looks so happy, no shame or worries, he excludes carefree innocence and joy while he runs around the playground. He occasionally stops and waves to daddy and uncle before going back to playing with other littles.
“How do I do what? Making George happy? You know George isn’t afraid or ashamed of being a little, he is just this little ball of sunshine. And we both know Max can be too if you give him time.”
Lewis smiles at Daniel, he hopes his smile is encouraging. Max isn’t George, little George is happy-go-lucky, Lewis doesn’t know what he would do with Max.
“I think regressing for the first time must be terrifying. Imagine feeling so young and vulnerable, not knowing what is going to happen to you.”
Their serious talk is interrupted when George gets the bright idea to jump off of a swing. He lands on the ground covered with wood mulch, he is alright but Lewis still gets up to check on him. They sit on the bench together and Daniel watches Lewis cleaning George’s hands and chin with a wet wipe, a sippy cup is handed to George and Lewis discreetly checks his pull up. Daniel wants this. He wants to go to a park, play with Max on the swings. The short time he spent with Lewis and his little is enough for Daniel to regain his determination.
🦁🦁🦁
Meanwhile back at home, Checo has his hands full. After Max yelled at Daniel and after Daniel left, Checo did the only right thing. Following Daniel was not that thing, but taking care of Max was. He quickly got rid of the wet pull up and wrestled Max into a dry one. Since then they've been sitting on the spacious couch in the living room. The RC car is long forgotten as Max cries his heart out in Checo’s arms. Checo stays silent for once, he slowly rocks shivering Max and hopes the little will calm down before becoming sick. Max’s first accident is a game changer, it means Max is heading toward regressing, but Checo wasn’t ready for so many tears. Max is choking on sobs, his whole body shakes and his face is red and blotchy. Checo rubs his large thumb across Max’s left eyebrow and gently shushes him, but it seems Max is nowhere near stopping.
It takes another 30 minutes before Max runs out of breath. He lies in Checo’s arms, his body limp and his redrimmed eyes absentmindedly stare in Checo’s. The older man uses the back of his fingers to stroke Max’s hot and tearstained cheek, he hopes Max can snap out of this trance. He keeps patting Max’s back until the little squirms a bit. Checo has one more secret weapon - the pacifier from earlier. Max doesn’t protest, when they tried giving him a pacifier before, he always sealed his lips shut and refused to open his mouth. Only this time, Max parts his lips and actually sucks on the pacifier without fighting. Checo pulls him up until Max’s chest is pressed to his own. The little is still softly hiccuping and sobbing, but Checo thinks Max is finally calm enough to listen to him.
“We're trying to protect you, help you, but all you fight and push us away. Daniel doesn't deserve to be yelled at.”
Max whines a bit. He knows Checo is right, but peeing in a pull up was embarrassing. He didn’t know he was peeing, it just happened and then they saw, they saw the swollen pull up and Checo had to change him out of a soiled pull up. He hates how secure the diaper feels like. The padding is soft against his skin, his bottom, crotch, everything is engulfed in soft cotton and Max should hate it, but it makes him feel safe. That’s not normal. What would his dad say if he could see him right now? Being diapered in Checo’s arms and sucking on a pacifier. Dad would take his leather belt and …. Max clings to Checo until suddenly the front door of the apartment unlocks.
Daniel walks in the kitchen - the lunch is cold, but he immediately jumps in and begins heating the meal up. He knows pretending that nothing happened isn’t the best solution, but he is too tired right now. Lunch becomes early dinner, they’re all tuckered out. Max silently sits in his highchair, he holds a soft silicone fork and slowly eats the meatballs and pasta Daniel made for him. The food is delicious, like always. No one is counting calories - Daniel and Checo retired and Max is on break until the next season. He savours every bite until his plate is clean. Max feels sleepy out of nowhere, his eyelids grow heavy and he reaches for the pacifier. Sucking on the piece of silicone is soothing, it’s addictive. As Daniel walks around the dining table collecting dirty plates and utensils, Max looks up at him and anxiously chews on the rubber nipple before gathering enough courage to speak with Daniel for the first time since the big fight.
“Thank you, daddy.”
🦁🦁🦁
Even the stupid crib starts to feel better when he finally decides to take one of the stuffed animals with him. He is falling asleep and waking up hugging the stuffed lion. It’s his best friend, a friend who doesn’t speak or judge him. Max cuddles with the lion, he rubs the soft mane against his cheeks and waits for someone to get him out of the crib. He rolls over on his other side and watches the door. Where are they? He is wet and hungry. He was recently “promoted” to diapers, his accidents are getting bigger and pull ups are not enough anymore. The padding between his legs is thicker, it spreads his legs a bit and Max hates it, but the very wet diaper tells a different story. He needs diapers for nighttime and pull ups during the day.
Daniel wakes up before Checo, he automatically heads in the nursery and smiles at their cute boy. He knows Max isn’t regressed, but he loves pacifiers and actually plays with toys a bit. Daniel is quick, he opens the snaps on Max’s onesie - this one is baby blue with yellow little ducks - and discharges the wet diaper. Max is too sleepy to whine about a pull up being slipped on him, he waits for Daniel to gather fresh clothes - Lewis, or uncle Lewis, gave him a tracksuit matching with George’s. The tracksuit is beige with brown teddy bears and everyone was cooing and awing when Max was forced to wear it during a playdate with George. George is another annoying thing in Max’s life. Charles is okay, he has his dolls and can play on his own. Lando is cool too, they both like cars, but George is just annoying because he wants Max to take part in his games. Luckily for Max, George is sick so no torturous playdate for a while.
Max doesn’t leave his lion in the crib, the toy goes with him. Max didn’t have plushies, his dad didn’t want to make him soft. He slept hugging one of mommy’s dresses she left behind when she left, but now he has his stuffed lion and more toys he could ever play with. The only problem is that he is a burden now. He learnt that being quiet and useful keeps him safe and that asking for help and things mean he is a burden. Checo and Daniel don’t think he is a burden, not yet, but it’s weird to have two ex-drivers acting like his servants. They cook for him, keep the apartment tidy, Max doesn’t need to lift a finger. It’s weird, seeing them fretting around as if he deserves so much care and attention.
Max doesn’t know how to be a little, but he spends lots of time watching the others. Lando tries to be independent, but he always ends up creating a big mess. Oscar and Franco are cute, but they would die without their caregivers. Charles is a pretty little thing, he is his daddy’s doll and doesn’t like making a mess. George is a gremlin, but Max soon learnt that batting your long eyelashes gets you out of every trouble.
The only good thing about this “situation” is that littles don’t have as many PR duties as other drivers. Drivers are getting busy with the upcoming season, sometimes Daniel and Checo babysit other littles when their daddies are working. Sometimes it’s fun, having someone to play with, but at the end of the day Max is happy to go back to their peaceful routine.
🦁🦁🦁
Max doesn’t know why he feels uneasy. Maybe because Checo left? He has some business to take care of in Mexico and they will be alone for 2 days. Max feels weird, unprotected, without Checo. Daniel is the caring and soft daddy, but Checo is the protective papa bear. It’s harder to fall asleep without Checo’s rough voice singing a lullaby, Max is tense and Daniel knows it so he takes Max in his bed. It’s strange - Checo leaves for two days and one night and they feel lost. The least they can do is prepare a big dinner for him, Daniel makes margaritas and orders all types of tacos from a restaurant. Now they only need to wait for Checo, his flight should be landing any minute now and then it will only take a moment before he is back home.
Max is playing in the living room when someone rings on the doorbell. Daniel assumes it’s a delivery with their dinner, but when he opens the door, he comes face to face with Jos Verstappen. Before Daniel can open his mouth and send Jos to the deepest hell where he belongs, a swift punch is delivered to the side of his head. Daniel staggers back, his ears are ringing and he falls down on his ass while clutching his throbbing head. Jos doesn’t waste any time with Daniel, he storms into the apartment to find his son. The little sissy pants is going to regret being born. Ruining the name Verstappen! Does he realize how Jos looks right now?! People are mocking them! The FIA is treating his son like a fucking toddler while all he needs is a proper beating to snap out of this.
“Emilian!”
Jos's voice echoes through the apartment as he makes his way around, trying to find his disobedient son. Meanwhile Max wakes up from the initial shock. He needs to hide! There is no closet where he could squeeze himself into, his best shot is crawling behind the L shaped couch. He barely pushes in the gap between the couch and a wall when Jos enters the living room. Max is too scared to breathe, he is shaking in fear listening to his dad's cursing and Daniel's pained groans. Suddenly something wraps around his left ankle. Max doesn't need to turn around to know he has been found by no one else but his angry father. The grip around his ankle is brutal, Jos is tugging him out of his hiding spot and Max tries to crawl back - he knows that once he is outside, dad will beat him up. The bones in his ankle protest, Max thinks dad is breaking something and then he is unceremoniously dragged outside. Carpet burns cover his knees but Max has no time to inspect the wounds before a hard slap is delivered to the back of his head.
Daddy and papa would never hit him like this …
Checo's spanking means a few soft swats delivered on his bottom, but he is never stripped naked. They sometimes gently smack his hand when he tries to reach something dangerous or forbidden, but dad is slapping him to hurt him for real. Max tries to break free, but another slap makes him cry. Dad is yelling at him, but his ears are ringing and he wants Checo or Daniel to protect him, they always make problems go away so easily and he can't do this on his own. Max curls up into a small ball and waits for kicks and punches, but nothing happens. Dad isn't yelling anymore and Max dares to lower his hands from his face. Jos didn't stop yelling on his own, but Checo made him choose between yelling and having oxygen. He has Jos in a headlock while shaken up Daniel gets up from the floor. Daniel's nose is bleeding but he hurries to Max and cradles the little in his arms while Checo drags Jos outside. Max doesn't want to know where he is taking his dad, he presses his face against Daniel's chest and breathes in the familiar scent of safety and home. He feels Daniel's hands covering his ears as Jos keeps struggling against Checo and two members of security.
🦁🦁🦁
Daniel's nose stopped bleeding some time ago. Luckily it's not broken, but a large bruise blossoms on his face. The hospital room is silent, nurses led him inside after they treated Max to give them privacy and Checo is still speaking with the police. The little is fast asleep in his arms, Max cried a lot and fought against doctors who only wanted to examine his ankle, but he calmed down when Daniel held him. They wanted Max to regress but not like this, not because of pain and fear, but Jos had a different plan for them. Max is safe - his sprained ankle is wrapped with a bandage and Daniel carefully holds an ice pack on the injured limb. Daniel occasionally presses a soft kiss on Max's forehead to show his boy he isn't alone and they wait for Checo.
The ride home is short and silent with Max sleeping strapped in his car seat. Max stays asleep while Checo carries him in the elevator and while Daniel unlocks the front door. His head is resting on Checo’s left shoulder, his limbs are loosely hanging in the air and he doesn’t feel papa lying him down in the crib. Daniel is running a bath, not the usual nighttime bath full of bubbles and toys, this bath is quick to get rid of the sweat and tears of tonight’s actions. It’s almost 10 in the evening, their tacos are sitting in their delivery boxes on the kitchen counter and Checo sends Daniel away, Daniel should rest and eat something, Checo can take care of Max. Daniel obeys, he is drained - both physically and mentally. Meanwhile Checo unwraps Max’s ankle and carefully sits the barely awake boy in the warm water. Max whines, he grabs the collar of Checo’s polo shirt and tries to pull himself up, but Checo quickly squeezes a bit of soap on a soft washcloth. He is quick and efficient, soon enough Maxie is their clean baby again, wearing a fresh diaper and his ankle is wrapped with a fresh bandage. He still hasn’t spoken, not a word, but Checo thinks he is just too small and scared to speak right now. Max accepts the pacifier papa offers and then they go to find daddy.
Daniel reheated the tacos and poured himself a glass of now melted margarita. He doesn’t like drinking alcohol, but tonight he seriously needs a large glass of something to take the edge off. He puts his drink away when Checo walks in the kitchen carrying sleepy Max. Their little one is adorable in the beige onesie with tiny bees. Daniel knew Max isn’t up to eating tonight so he made a bottle of warm milk with vanilla protein powder for their little kitten. Daniel spreads a fluffy blanket and loosely wraps it around their boy before cradling him in his arms. Checo is devouring tacos and Max calmly latches on the nipple of his bottle. With Max hungrily sucking on the bottle, Daniel and Checo relax. Daniel carefully strokes Max’s cheeks while the little huffs and suckles on his dinner.
It’s way past Max’s bedtime when they finish dinner, but they can’t just tuck vulnerable Max in his crib and leave him alone. They go into Daniel's bedroom, his bed is larger, and get under the covers. Max is nestled between Daniel and Checo, he curls up and presses his face in the crook of daddy’s neck. Checo absentmindedly runs his hand across Max’s back and then leans closer to kiss the back of Max’s head. He is wiped out, he can think about Jos or help Max with overcoming the trauma, but it must wait for tomorrow. For now he needs to feel Max’s warm body pressed to his side and hear Daniel’s soft breathing.