Work Text:
1st gift
Charles looks at the blue container filled with stroopwaffel, the idea to start off with something sweet and something Dutch has been a great one –special thanks to Pierre–.
To tell the truth he is so nervous that he could vomit now if he thinks a minute more about the implications and the changes this move is about to bring.
He has been reluctant to start courting, both scared of rejection and the option that Max might laugh at him. But then Carlos said if he doesn’t try, he’ll never know and sooner or later someone would just take Max and leave Charles miserable, because truth to be told, the Alpha had never once in his life imagined his future without Max by his side.
Call him crazy, he won’t deny it. Max is THE man for him. It’s him or no one else, and even if ends up rejecting Charles, he’d rather spend his life in faithful celibacy, than choose another mate.
So, it’s decided. He’ll sneak into Max’s drivers’ room, thanks again Pierre for lending him GP’s contact, place the baked goods onto the bed, along with the flowers. He wrote a card as well, swirly letters, simple message, because everyone knows sometimes Max can be a bit dense when it comes to secondary gender stuff; ‘First gift, I hope you’ll say yes <3 –C.L.’
Both Carlos and Pierre checked it over and given him the green light.
He gently takes the container and the yellow tulips he chose, and GP is waiting for him in the promised place.
“Nice bouquet” Charles blushes at the remark, but before he could come up with an answer GP surges him with a “now hurry up” so Charles takes action and arranges everything nicely on the bed.
It feels weird, being in Max’s intimate space. When he looks around, he can see several red bull caps, a couple of cloths here and there, and copious amounts of red bull cans.
But the most visible thing of all, is the nest on the bed. It’s objectively a nice nest, fluffed up in the right amount, full of soft looking blankets and a couple of personal items tucked in between pillows.
And the nicest thing about it, is that it has Max’s scent. Strong and inviting. The caramel sugary sweet, the honey fresh. Charles wants to lay down and roll around like a lovesick fool, because it’s all so sugary sweet that it makes him drool.
Max’s scent is usually subsided around the paddock, something about it being too strong without any suppressant. Well, Charles doesn’t know, it always seemed absolutely perfect to him.
As he keeps standing there inhaling everything that is Max, he notices that there is another, second scent though, seeping into his senses slowly. Probably coming from the nest. But it is quite faint and before Charles could sniff around more to make out whether is family or competition, GP is banging on the door with the words “time is up kid, get out!” so he reluctantly leaves. On his way out he runs into Max, who has his arm wrapped around Kimi’s shoulder, herding him towards the garage gently. They are probably done with their post-race interviews as well.
Max smiles at him when he passes, his scent sharpening a bit, honey overfilling. Charles’ alpha preens happily, and he might melt on the spot, if not for Kimi’s death glare. He takes a double take, thinking he must have imagined it, but when he looks back, he finds that the pup is still staring at him like that. Annoyance bubbles up in him, bursting his previous happiness, dragging him back from sugar, honey, caramel, to the cold reality, and he can’t help but roll his eyes in annoyance.
If only he knew why Kimi hates him.
But on second though, who cares, when Max is about to see the gifts he left for him, and Charles is either about to become the happiest or the most miserable alpha known on Earth. He has a great feeling about this!
He has a horrible feeling about this! It’s almost midnight, and there is still no response from Max. Not while they were still in the paddock, and not a message and not even a call ever since they have left.
Charles is back at his hotel room, checking his phone again. There isn’t even a reappearing chat bubble, that would indicate that Max is at least writing something.
And okay, maybe he is busy. He could be. Celebrations and stuff…
But from a very close and personal source he knows for a fact, that Max wasn’t feeling up for partying today, so he went back to his own hotel to relax.
He hesitates, his phone in his hand, with their chat open. He was thought that you shouldn’t rush an Omega in his decision to accept courting or not. But this is Max, and a simple yes or no question. He isn’t the type to take forever with these kinds of things!
Charles decides to fuck it, he is going to double text, not getting a response in real life is embarrassing enough, what could it hurt to try and seek them out via text then? He is not the one in the wrong here. Or he hopes so. Not wanting to sound too desperate so he goes with a lighter question, mostly circling the topic lightly instead of brutally going straight to the point.
Charles
Did you get the flowers?
The Omega’s response comes within minutes. And that must mean something. Right?
Max
The tulips?
Charles
Yes
Max
Yes
They were very pretty
Thanks
👍
A thumbs up emoji. Maybe Charles is the dense one? What is that supposed to mean? Is that Max’s way of telling him yes? Or is this Max’s way of friendzoning him (again)?
He sends the screenshot in the alpha group chat with a sigh. This is clearly getting to a truly embarrassing point.
Charlieboy
[screenshot679.jpg]
Does this mean yes?
Smooth operator 🌶️
I mean…maybe?
Danny
Max?
Charlieboy liked this message!
Danny
then it probably means yes, he is just emotionally constipated
Charlieboy
hey! watch what you’re saying!
Oscar P.
I would double text
just to be sure
Charlieboy
This was me double texting…
Oscar P.
Oh
I can ask Lando?
Charlieboy
now don’t take offence,
but Lando isn’t the most subtle guy I know
Oscar P. liked this message!
Kimi A. (Max pup)
If it’s not a Y-E-S, it’s probably a no.
Charles groans at his phone. Seriously…What is this guy’s problem? Does he get this from George? Or where the fuck does this attitude towards Charles comes from? As long as he is aware, Kimi is nice with everybody else. Except him, of course. And any time he complains about it, like the time everyone wanted to put the guy in the alpha group chat apart from Charles, he ends up being the villain because ‘how can you hate an innocent pup?’.
Well, as a matter of fact, Kimi hated him first. For absolutely no reason! If anything, it should be Charles holding a grudge against him, for always clinging to Max like a second shadow, not leaving any room for Charles. If it wouldn’t be for the fact that Max adores the kid and thinks of him as his own (cute), Charles would have challenged him years (months) ago. He is not proud of it, but sometimes he can be that alpha.
Charlieboy
Thanks for nothing, kid
Didn’t even ask you
Smooth operator 🌶️
Oy
Charles
Danny
wtf charlie
LH
Hey! Play nice! I don’t want to kick you out
Danny
Again…
Kimi A. (Max pup)
😜
That’s it. Charles is going to strangle this guy!
He goes back to his chat with Max, the thumbs up emoji mocking him through the screen. It seems he hit a new low: he is going to triple text
Charles
Did you get the card?
Again. Reply comes within minutes. If the thumbs up was a letdown surely Max wouldn’t even respond to him by now, right?
Max
Yes, they sent it out
Everything is fine
👍
Double thumbs up. That must mean a yes. Noone in their right mind would text that atrocious emoji intentionally once, let alone twice, if they don’t mean it as a yes…
Screenshot, back to the Alpha chat, just to really make sure.
Charlieboy
[screenshot680.jpg]
Okay
This must mean a yes
right?
Danny
Oh god
he actually triple texted
Charles my boy you are down BAD
Charlieboy reacted with a 🖕 to this message!
Oscar P.
Good job!
According to Lando, this must mean a yes
Don’t worry, he didn’t talk to Max
He says, I quote ‘Anyone who texts that emoji intentionally, two times must mean a yes’
👍
oops
Charlieboy
Great, that’s what I thought!
Thanks guys!
I’m gonna do the second gift next week then
Smooth operator 🌶️
Yes
You are rocking this, Charles!
Charlieboy liked this message!
Kimi A. (Max pup)
hm
sorry
if it’s not a Y-E-S, it’s probably a no
but what would you know about respecting boundaries…
Danny
Okay, I think I’m starting to see the pattern here
Charlieboy
Finally!
2nd gift
Next week comes fast enough, too fast. And Charles would be lying if he said he isn’t nervous. He hasn’t talked with Max ever since his triple texting, and the Omega didn’t seek him out either.
But that’s fine, it’s a triple header, people get busy and stuff.
Today they would see each other anyway, there is no need to panic.
The gift lays on the table in his driver’s room ready for Sunday afternoon, all prepped and scented.
It’s a jellycat, a lion with a gaming console in its hand. Charles scented it a bit to make it more appealing. It’s accompanied by some cinnamon cookies Charles always brings to any function, because it’s a recipe he can’t mess up. It looks perfect.
Except for the part, when he showed it to Pierre, he gave it a weird stare. And Charles is Charles, so obviously he knew Pierre had a different opinion.
And oh boy, maybe he shouldn’t have pried, because from Pierre’s perspective the things looked like this.
“For Max?”
“Who else?” Pierre hums. Hums. “What’s with the stare?”
“Nothing, I just thought, he wasn’t interested like that” he says carefully.
So now Charles is not only nervous about the gift, but is also angry at Pierre for apparently thinking Charles is some desperate alpha running after an Omega who clearly wants to do nothing with him.
Well jokes on you Pierre, because Max is definitely interested. He is so sure of it.
Okay, somewhere between, he must have made a colossal mistake. Because Max is wearing a hoodie that is not his. Charles has been staring at him ever since he spotted him talking with a few other drivers in the hallway, and naturally he made space for himself next to the omega, and just like that inserted himself into the conversation. Max didn’t even bat an eye, just smiled when Charles made his present known.
But Charles’ real goal wasn’t to chat about braking points, but to keep staring at the hoodie, and trying to contain himself until the end of the conversation so it would only be him and Max and he could ask about, why is he wearing a purple hoodie that faintly has the weak ass smell of another alpha.
The gods bless him five minutes later, when the first interview group is called into the media pen, and Max excuses himself to the toilet. He follows in step and waits for the omega outside.
When Max walks out, his scent spikes again from seeing the stranger’s hoodie, and has to regulate it not to arise suspicion or not to scare the omega. When Max goes to pass by him, he gently takes his arm and pull him back a little. Max turns around with a confused look.
“Charles?” Here should come some formalities, before going straight to the point, but this is Max. The Max Charles is courting and honestly, fuck the formalities.
“That’s not your hoodie” Charles states, trying his best to suppress a growl. Max tilts his head down so he could see what he’s wearing almost as if he had forgotten.
“It is?” He asks more than he answers. Charles frowns at the purple abomination again which still carries the very unpleasant scent of an unknown alpha. He had smelled it somewhere before, but he just can’t pinpoint where.
“It literally isn’t? I’ve never seen it, and it doesn’t smell like you”
“Like you know all the sweaters I like to wear” Max scoffs, completely ignoring the comment, Charles made about the strange smell on the item, not even denying it. Charles just gives an unimpressed glare, because he does in fact know all Max’s hoodies, he’s a great observer, thank you very much.
“Take it off” he blurts then, because one moment more of the love of his life wearing some other alpha’s sweater and he is going to lose it.
“What? Charles I’m not gonna just take it off! What has gotten into you” Charles almost makes a step so he can take it off himself but ultimately decides against it. They are in public. And he is getting less and less sure whether Max really did say yes to the courting. He doesn’t want to risk adding ‘harassment’ to the ongoing list of qualities that might make the omega say no, fair and square.
“Just…just don’t wear it please” he settles on, in a much pained tone than before, and he quickly removes his hand from Max and hurries away, knowing he is about to be called.
And later, after the interviews, when he sees Max again, leisurely walking around, he is in the baby blue sweater Charles got him to test out the material for his upcoming collection. Who better than the softest, most perfect omega to judge if the material Charles chose is good enough. He nods in Max’s direction with a satisfied smile, and almost faints on the spot when Max turns his face away, clearly embarrassed of the way his cheeks wear a prominent blush. Charles never loved him more.
And just like that, he is confident again, that Max and him are courting, the omega is just new or shy to this stuff. Completely understandable, and Charles isn’t going to be a douche and force himself on him all the time. He can keep a respectable distance until Max becomes more comfortable about it.
But again, this self-assurance only lasts until Sunday afternoon. He instructed GP to hand over the gift directly to Max, making sure that this time, against all odds, it reaches the target.
Also, he included a card again, but instead of some riddle he decided to go all in, turns out he can go lower than triple texting, and wrote “Second courting gift to the race winner, congrats chéri! Text me when you’ll have time. – Charlie”.
This is absolutely foolproof. There is no way it will leave any room for confusion.
Wrong.
Wrong, wrong wrong.
Because when Charles steps into the post-race debrief at the Ferrari garage, a random mechanic presses the exact same jellycat into his hands, like it’s burning him.
“Red bull sends this to you, they said it must have ended up with them by mistake”
Then he scurries away embarrassed, leaving Charles in the middle of the garage, holding onto a stupid plush toy for dear life.
His life is falling apart, and it’s falling apart fucking fast! He rips out his phone, seeing no new notifications.
He dials Yuki on instinct and strangely he is not surprised when it goes straight to voicemail. He combs through his hair frustratedly. This was not the plan; Max was supposed to put this into his nest. And eat the cookies– wait. Where are the cookies?
Oh god. He ate the cookies. He ate Charles’ best creation and sent back everything else, because he is putting him in friend zone. Again!
He though the events three months ago wouldn’t repeat, but here he is, standing stupidly with a children plaything. He growls to himself and throws the dump jellycat to the ground.
But the soft lion’s bead eyes bore into his soul, and the longer he looks at its cute smile, the more he feels like crying, so he picks it up, dusts it off, and rushes to his driver’s room instead. He throws himself into the bed, holding the lion close. At least he can have the plush version of Max.
He opens his chat with Max, the thumbs up staring at him dumbly, with blurry eyes. He wants to ask; why. What is wrong with me? Why don’t you want me? Can I do anything else to change your mind?
But those are desperate and inconsiderate words, so he goes to the alphas instead.
Charlieboy
Crashed and burned guys
Kimi A. (Max pup)
I bet
Charlieboy
not now Kimi
please, just
not now
Smooth operator 🌶️
Oh I’m so sorry Charles
Danny
WHAT
NO
NO NO
I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BEST MAN AT YOUR WEDDING
YOU TWO ARE LITERALLY SOULMATES
THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF MISUNDERSTANDING
Charlieboy
thanks Danny, but I don’t think Max feels that way
I think having my courting gift given back to me is a
pretty clear message
Oscar P.
No, I actually think Danny is right here
Charlieboy
?
Oscar P.
Lando just told me he walked Max back to his driver’s room right now
They are about to nest together
Apparently, Max wasn’t feeling well after the race, so Lando accompanied him to the medical
Charlieboy
WHAT
Danny
Oh thank god!
that means Max couldn’t have seen your gift
someone must have found it and though it got misplaced
Does Charles let out a sob when he reads the messages?
Yup.
Does he care?
No. Because it just turned out he wasn’t rejected; his gift didn’t even make it to Max! Thank God indeed.
It means he is still in the game. He cuddles the stupid toy, flooding the place with his happy pheromones. He still has a chance! And oh boy, from now on he will personally give Max all the presents, not caring about traditions at all. He better not risk it; he has to see the omega accept them with his own eyes. That is what he should have done from the beginning.
He opens his chat with Max, a little check in never hurt anyone, and he is too happy to care about boundaries.
Charles
Heard you weren’t feeling well
I hope it’s all better now?
Max
Ah yes
Thank you
It was just a bit of nausea
Turns out my new meds aren’t compatible with my other ones
Ugh
Meds? Is Max sick? Charles suddenly feels like he knows nothing about the omega. He didn’t know Max had any illness, he didn’t know he wasn’t feeling well today. The thought, that maybe he isn’t an attentive alpha crashes into him like a train. Could that be the reason why Max is so distant? He wants Charles to show he cares more?
Surely that must be it. Okay, game on everybody, Charles is going to court the hell out of Max!
Respectfully speaking of course!
Charles
oh
well, I’m glad you are okay now
and I hope they’ll figure them out
if you need anything I’m here
He debates if he should add a heart.
He adds a heart.
Charles
❤️
Max
thanks :)
Two whole, excruciatingly slow minutes pass.
Max
❤️
The heart arrives with all its glory, and Charles’ heart squeezes in his chest. There is no way Max said no to the courting. He’d better level up for next week.
3rd gift
On Friday morning Charles is sure he is about to live the worst days of his life.
Thanks Pierre.
To say that the beta’s opinion had changed since last week’s argument would be an overstatement. Because his best remained the same, sceptical person he used to be. And Esteban wasn’t here anymore to pat Charles on the back and assure him Pierre is just protective because he cares.
No, this time it is only Charles who has to keep the mantra going, because if not, he might punch the French man’s face and get himself disqualified for violence in the paddock.
He woke up at nine, ready for the day, free practise and all. Happy that he could see Max again, knowing today’s present is the last one, before he officially pops the question, asking Max to bond with him.
It wasn’t the courting he imagined per se, because he was certainly expecting endless cuddle sessions, and his sweet Max to talk his ear off about anything that came to his mind.
But no, their conversations were still a notch drier than what he had wanted, and Max didn’t seek him out. Like, ever. If they weren’t in the paddock, it was almost like Charles was invisible to him.
And then Pierre’s message happened, just when Charles was glad, that he could finally be over with this skipping around each other thing with the Omega.
Pear
Calamar please
Don’t give Max the present
Short, direct, and upsetting. That’s what the message was. Boiling Charles from inside to the outside, because why the hell was Pierre so unsupportive. It made no sense!
Charles spent all his life waxing poetic about Max to anyone who eve n dared to ask, ‘how are things going with the racing?’. Max is a huge part of Charles’ life, has always been. They have a kind of history everyone is jealous of. They know each other well, could probably recognise each other blindly.
And no matter what happened, how far they drifted apart, or what arguments they had, they always, always found their ways back to each other.
Courting made perfect sense.
Not to Pierre is seems.
C
huh?
wdym
Pierre
https://www.f1newsletter.com/’MaxVerstappenStepsIntoPaddockTodayWithMysteryAlphasCourtingGift’
Charles clicks on the link, because he is curious.
He wishes he would have just booed Pierre instead, because now there is a picture, forever engraved into his mind, of Max walking with his backpack with a little lion plush charm hanging from the front pocket’s zipper. It has a little heart in its hands, the letter ‘M’ unmistakable.
Charles swallows and feels the world around him come to a halt.
There is no way.
No, Max would surely not do this. Not just to Charles, but anyone really…okay, maybe just not to Charles.
C
but
but we texted this week
They really did, Charles asked about his days and watched his stream, only so he could talk to Max…or maybe so Max would talk to him.
Pear
maybe he didn’t know how to let you down gently
I’m sorry Charles
C
no
until max doesn’t say that’s a courting gift, it’s not
Pear
Charles
C
no, you know the media, they blow everything up
according to the news Max has a new alpha every other week
but I am his alpha
Pear
Charles, I know this is hard
but
Max never said yes to you, remember?
look at this logically
this is him saying no to you subtly
C
it is not possible
I’m going to give him the gift
why do you want me unhappy!
Pear
Charles, you know I want nothing more, than you to be happy
but maybe not with an omega who keeps you guessing
who parades around with other alpha’s stuff
I know about the hoodie as well
C
but he took that off!
Pear
you shouldn’t need to ask…
C
he is not good with the alpha-omega stuff!
Pear
Charles
C
no
you are ruining this for me Pierre
right now you are ruining this for me
There are tears in Charles’ eye, his scent distressed and sour, flooding his room, because he cares. He just always cares so damn much. He mutes his chat; he isn’t interested what his best friend has to say anymore.
What he knows, is that the can of red bull, Charles’ favourite hoodie, scented thoroughly sits snugly in a white basket. He also put two scented candles in there, one mimicking his, the other, Max’s scent.
He knows that by the big courting book he should gift him jewellery. Preferably the same one his mother got from his father. But he has already messed this thing up twice in a row, so he is eager to make it right and make it clear.
When Joris rings him that it’s time to leave he grabs the basket and makes his way to the car with it in hand. Joris gives him a curious look.
“Steppin up your game I see” he notes with an amused smirk. Charles huffs, angry and uncomfortable, the bag charm on Max’s bag circling his mind like a curse.
Joris wisely decides to shut up, sensing Charles’ mood isn’t fit for conversing right now.
They get to the paddock relatively fast, and Charles is out of the car before it even fully stops. He marches in the midst of people, they parting in front of him like the red sea. He locates Max’s driver’s room and bangs on the door.
And soon enough Max is in front of him, his scent calm and relaxed. Wearing a regular T-shirt, that Charles knows is one of the omega’s. His own scent also wavers, happiness creeping in.
“Charlie?” Max asks, soft and sweet. Charles puts down the basket on the ground and jumps into the omega’s arms.
He wraps his arms around Max tightly, inhaling his scent, while spreading his own directly onto the omega. It’s shameful, a proper alpha would never do this. But Charles’ insides crawl at him, making him restless. The urge to bite Max is stronger than ever as he keeps him in his arms, hearing him huff out a surprised laugh, before hugging the alpha back.
Charles’ scent turns spiced, as he almost bursts from happiness and satisfaction. Max would surely push him away if he had another alpha. He lets out a relaxed breath as he pulls away, looking his sweet Max in the eyes. He smiles at his confused, flushed face, and he can’t help but reach out and cup Max’s crimson cheek. The omega glows. Maybe it’s the early light of the sun, or just the happiness blinding Charles, projecting a golden halo around the person he spent most his life being in love with.
He bends down for the basket and passes it gently into Max’s arms. The omega looks at it with wide eyes. His scent ripens filling Charles’ senses as his teeth ache with the desperation to bite bite bite. Max peers into the basket softly, finding the treasures there. He looks back up at Charles, a question at his lips–
“Hey!” They turn around seeing a red bull employee looking at them directly, with a scowl. “You can’t be here!” He points to Charles, then immediately starts to make his way towards them, Max looks at Charles desperately.
“Don’t worry, we’ll talk after free practise?” he asks, clasping his hands around Max’s. Max smiles and nods, almost purring. Charles has to put a hand to his heart, fearing it might beat out of his chest.
He can feel his future with Max in his bones, the love filling him up from the inside out. And for the first time for weeks, he feels like everything will be alright.
Except…
Except, they don’t talk after free practise, because Max is nowhere to be found. Charles has been running around following anyone who might have a hint of the omega’s whereabouts, without success. One dead end after another.
His phone finally chimes, just when he is on his third round in the red bull garage asking around for Max. He wrote to at least a dozen people, but apparently, he is the only one of them who checks his phone frequently and doesn’t take hours to respond. Lando’s message comes through like a ray of sun on a dark day.
Lando Norris
Max went back to the hotel
he isn’t feeling well
that’s all I know
srry
Charles Leclerc
hold on what?
is he sick?
should I bring something?
seen
Great, and now he is being ghosted by the only person who might now something.
Charles objectively knows what he should do. Call Max again, text him again, be more persistent but keep the healthy distance just in case. He knows he shouldn’t go the omega’s hotel, because that would be a huge invasion of privacy, and it really looks like Max isn’t a huge fan of him right now.
Charles goes to the hotel. It’s a bad decision, he is glad Pierre doesn’t know about it, because he is not sure how would he ever explain this to him. But he is worried, he is in love, has been for years, and is confused. He has been getting mixed signals, and just when he thought he was finally in the clear, Max drops down from the face of earth without a word, becomes completely unreachable via phone, and the only confirmation that he is at least alive comes from Lando Norris, of all people. Charles has to do something, because if he doesn’t, he might end up pulling out all his hair until tomorrow.
He has his phone is hand, Max’s room number gleaming from the screen, thanks to Lewis somehow as he makes his way up. The woman at the reception is nice, and completely buys, that he is just here to bring medicine to his friend, with a distracting smile.
After that, he practically runs up to the designated floor, and knocks on the door with force. Nothing. He knocks again, a bit more urgently. And just when he is about to knock for the third time, scared that something really did happen to Max, the door finally opens. Max is standing in front of him, in soft clothes, his hair messy from sleep. Before Charles can even get a word out, Max’s pupils dilate as he takes in who is standing in front of his hotel room, then his face reddens, and with painful whine he shuts the door directly into Charles’ face. Wow. Charles just can’t catch a break, can he?
“Max!” he says, knocking again. “I just came here to check on you, please” he can hear a faint whimper, and it clenches his heart in just the right ways. “Please, open the door. I need to know you are okay. I just– Please” he doesn’t care, if Max has someone else, not in this moment, he doesn’t. He just needs to see him. That he is alright. With his own eyes. He is panicking, the sour scent of the omega is slowly filling his senses, and that’s it, he can’t take another minute of this. But he doesn’t have to, because the door opens, and Max is standing there, his head hung low, not even looking Charles in the eyes.
“Max, chéri” Max whines at the pet name and Charles dares to take a step closer “are you hurt?” a beat of excruciating silence passes before Max gives a faint nod. Charles steps closer, and he knows he probably shouldn’t, that he is hovering and this is how you lose the omega, but he can’t stop himself.
“Where does it hurt? Tell me baby, where does it hurt?” Max’s scents sours again, burnt sugar, it’s not pleasant and Charles tries his best to make his own scent as comforting as it can be. Max bring his right hand to his heart, still not looking at Charles.
Colour drains out of Charles’ face. Max is having a cardiac arrest!
“Oh god! Oh my god Max! Do I call an ambulance, oh my god what do I do?” he is flapping around, trying to fish out his phone he had put into his back pocket not long ago. Max gently stops him.
Charles freezes in motion, and stares at Max in bewilderment.
“Maybe it’s best if you leave” he mumbles, his eyes misty, like even the thought of Charles leaving pains him.
“The fuck I will! You are having a cardiac arrest, or a heart problem, I’m not gonna just– I’m not that alpha!” a sad sad look passes Max’s face, that Charles doesn’t ever want to see on the omega again.
“It’s just heartbreak Charlie, it will pass” he says, tone hurt and completely resigning. Charles’ world stops. Somebody broke Max’s heart. His Max’s heart! And suddenly his own courting, the rejection, they don’t matter, when it’s Max’s heart on the line.
“Tell me who, and I will find them and give them the time of the day” he says, growls. Max looks at him, hesitant.
Then he says the words.
“You needn’t try too hard. He is standing right in front of me” and with that, before Charles can even gather his two remaining brain cells and will them to not work against each other just this one time, Max shuts the door in his face. And he even locks it. Which is a very clear message. Charles just wishes to know what he had done to deserve this. He isn’t even hurt, he is just…confused. So far it felt like Max was rejecting him, but now apparently it was Charles who has been hurting the omega all along. He contemplates to write this into the alpha chat but decides against it. This is the point where it gets too personal to share with anyone. Let alone alphas.
Danny would be nosy and would probably bother Max about it.
Kimi would give him even more shit.
He only has the omegas.
He could call Yuki, he is an omega, and Max’s teammate but he wouldn’t even pick up the phone for Charles.
George still hates Max? Or something like that. It's better not to risk it.
The only option is…Lando.
On his way down he dials him.
He picks it up on the third ring.
“Charles?”
“Spill. What the fuck did I do that hurt Max?” he asks, a growl escaping his mouth. He can hear Oscar in the background. Agh.
“What? You? Hurt Max? I though he wasn’t feeling well because of the nausea again” Charles growls again, and has to will himself not the turn around and go back to Max. To clear everything up. But that would probably be way over the top, borderline creepy. So, he instead keeps marching out of the hotel, back to his car.
“Apparently, I did. I broke his heart, and he shut the door in my face. It’s all very…confusing. All long I thought he was rejecting me or had another alpha” Lando scoffs at that.
“I’ll tell him to talk with you tomorrow. I’m sure there is a misunderstanding in this somewhere” Charles sighs. Lando better be right.
“Thanks mate, just try not to force him. I don’t want him to think I put you up to this”
“But you did?”
“Nope, we are not that good friends Lando” the omega scoffs again and disconnects the call with a ‘bye Charles’.
Charles makes it back to his hotel and doesn’t sleep a minute. Keeps tossing and turning, and when his eyes are dropping his alarm wakes him up, so it’s pretty much pointless.
Wonderful.
4th gift (aka. the truth)
Charles is sure that it’s not yesterday, but today that will be his worst day. Although yesterday is a close runner up. His scent is sharp, a bit tense and angry. But most of all, it’s sad. Pathetic even.
Joris says nothing. The Ferrari engineer before free practise doesn’t say anything, and Lewis only gives him one curious look, before he goes back to his own room. He can catch the faint, somewhat familiar scent of an omega on him, and that doesn’t improve his mood at all. Not just because he doesn’t know about the gossip. He tries to pass his time until qualifying with regular things. Like sitting on his bed, staring at the wall and rethinking his entire life. He squeezes his stress ball now and then, but mostly just throws it against the said wall, and makes lame attempts to catch it when it bounces back. That’s until Lewis knocks and tells him to stop the pounding. He lingers a moment more, and Charles finally gets his claws into the gossip when he bits out “I can tell you are sleeping with an omega. Their scent never leaves you nowadays” Lewis is gobsmacked for a second, and Charles throws the ball against the wall again, to fill out the silence, not looking away from the older man. Lewis tilts his head down probably to hide the blush. Charles can only guess.
“They are just…affectionate” Charles hums and throws the ball again.
“Must be nice” he deadpans, and Lewis gets the clue to leave, but he does linger for a second more than what would be optional. he doesn’t say anything, but a sudden determination seeps into his eyes, Charles doesn’t want to know what that means.
Charles doesn’t put the car on pole, which is not a big surprise. It’ Max, George and Lando. Good for them, omega trio something something. Max doesn’t spare him a glace, but George and Lando do, which gives him an uneasy feeling.
They know. It draws to him. He frowns and goes back to his motor home, not fancying any debrief or interview.
He is still moping in his room, when there is a knock. He gets up with a groan, and absolutely drops his stress ball, when he sees its Max standing in front of him.
“George said you are moping” Charles’ lips part as he stares at Max, his brain rebooting itself from the shock. What? George? What?
“What?” he asks, still open mouthed like a fish.
“That’s what I asked as well, I–“ But Max tucks his non-existent hair behind his ear, and Charles catches it. The bracelet.
A bracelet.
He broke Max’s heart, yet he is wearing a bracelet. And that’s all Charles needs to stop moping and be angry instead. Ferrari red all over, because what the hell?
It wasn’t there before and it’s baby blue.
“Okay this is getting ridiculous, what the fuck is your problem?!” he blurts, tone angry and frustrated. Max stops in motion tilts his head, is probably about to ask what’s going on, but Charles can’t wait a minute more so he takes matters into his own hands, gently grasps Max’s hand, always gently despite his anger, and rips off the baby blue abomination from the omega’s wrist.
“Charles! That was a gift!” Max cringes, stepping back.
“Oh, don’t I know it was!” He pockets the bracelet angrily so Max wouldn’t dare put it on his wrist again. “If you wanted a bracelet, you could have just said so!”
“What?”
“Yeah! I’m getting tired Max, if you don’t want me around just tell me that. Of if you want something else tell me that! But don’t just go around with all these courting gifts like my feelings don’t matter! And especially don’t keep telling everyone that I broke your heart, when you constantly keep breaking mine!” Max keeps staring, pointedly at Charles’ pocket where the bracelet lies.
“Courting gifts?” He finally asks. Charles feels like groaning, he doesn’t want to spell things out, he is an alpha, who has been sort of rejected and his desired omega has been walking in another alpha’s stuff all week and claiming he was the douchebag! There is only so much embarrassment he can bear, spelling out he is head over heels for Max would just be cherry on top.
“Yeah. The sweater, the bag charm, and now the bracelet. Have I been inconsiderate or were my gifts just not good enough?” Max is still only looking at him.
“Huh” he says. Charles stares back at him. “I have no idea what you are talking about, I don’t have an alpha” Max finally admits, tucking his non-existent hair behind his ear again. The confession is reassuring, at least Charles still somewhat has a chance. However, something isn’t completely right.
One beat.
Two beats.
Three beats.
Charles gasps.
“What?” He almost shrieks, agitated. “Max, I have been leaving food for you every week this past month!”
“The pastries? That was you?” Charles will actually die on the spot, thank you very much. He nods. It’s Max’s time to gasp. “Oh no I think I’ve made a horrible mistake. I gave those away” way to stab someone’s heart, Charles can physically feel it shatter in his chest.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
“Oh” he says brokenly, his head still bent down. He can’t bear looking at Max right now. “But I thought you liked sweet things”
“I do” Max agrees slowly. Well, at least Charles isn’t a complete idiot, it’s simply that this omega doesn’t want to be courted by him. Pierre was right, he should have fucked off after the first rejection. “But it recently turned out I’m lactose intolerant…” Charles finally looks up. Max’s cheeks are red out of embarrassment. “I can’t take a pill because I haven’t switched contraceptives yet, so. Yeah. I can’t eat things with milk, and that’s why sometimes I get nauseous. I hate it, so I only eat food that I know about” Charles thought he felt like the biggest idiot a minute ago, but no, he definitely feels like one right now.
“Ah” that’s the only thing he is able to say in response.
“I didn’t know you left them, because I handed them to Kimi all the time. Your containers are probably with him” Charles furrows his eyebrows.
“I don’t give a shit about plastic boxes” Max frowns.
“Is that not what you have wanted from me? The containers?”
One beat.
Two beats.
Three beats.
“Max, mon coeur, I’ve been trying to court you for a month now! That’s why I have been leaving you the gifts! You said you got the card” Max’s lips part slowly.
“Oh! Oh! Oh my god, shit! Oh god! I had– Charles I had no idea! I thought when you asked me about the card, you meant my credit card, I lost it the other month!”
“Wait, what did you think the other gifts and the food was for?”
“I don’t know, I only got the flowers and the basket, that’s when I thought about courting but Kimi said you alphas picked an omega to gift that week and that it was nothing serious. Like, just friendly gifts, that you alphas do that sometimes” his voice gets quitter by the end, the hurt seeping in. Charles needs a good moment to take a deep breath in and self-regulate so he doesn’t lash out. So that’s why Max got his heart broken. He got excited about courting only to be told it was just a casual gift. Like Charles would ever gift something to Max for fun. Yep, he really needs a moment.
He doesn’t have a moment.
“I’m going to kill that kid!” He says angrily, turning away, leaving Max behind and deliberately trying to make it to the Mercedes garage fast enough. It all made sense now! It was Kimi’s scent on Max all along. He already smelt it in the nest! That fucking alpha rookie, hating Charles to the point of hurting Max! Making him believe Charles was only toying with his emotions! He was probably the one, who stole Max’s gifts and sent them back to Charles. Max didn’t see any of the cards, because Kimi always got to them first! Max scrambles after him but he is not fast enough to hold Charles back.
“You!” He says to the innocent looking pup, who’s just chilling outside with a can of red bull for fuck’s sake like he hasn’t been ruining Charles’ life this whole month. “You knew I was trying to court him!”
“Huh. Were you?” Kimi smirks. The audacity of that kid.
“Why did you say to Max that I didn’t want him?” Max suddenly whines from behind, Charles turns back, unfortunately Kimi does too. “Because that’s not true, I have always wanted you Max. Always” he confesses, his look gentle, his hand on his heart. Max keeps looking at him, his expression softening, his scent ripening, going full sugary sweet. Charles would die for a taste, but he has something more important to get done.
“So. Why did you do it?” he demands, turning back to Kimi. “Gave your own stuff to him instead? Say that I was only being friendly?” he gritted out. Kimi finally pushed himself off from the wall, pocketing his phone and lowering the energy drink. He dared to go closer to Charles.
“Maybe because I think he deserves someone better! I didn’t want to court Max, I just wanted anyone but you to do it”
“What?” Charles shrieks in time when Max asks “Kimi?” In a gentle tone.
“Yes! Someone who knows Max is lactose intolerant and knows what sweets he likes! Someone who listens to him!”
“What are you on about? I’ve known Max most my life! I know every single fucking thing about him, I always listen to him, listening to him is actually one of my favourite things to do!” Max faintly coos from behind. “Which is exactly why I never stopped with the courting even when everyone else said he clearly doesn’t want me!” Max whines again. “I missed one tiny detail, okay? Yes, I didn’t know about the intolerance. But if I had” and he turns to Max. “If I had, I would have baked you sweets without milk, or with lactose free milk. I would have bought new containers to not risk cross contamination. If I had known, I would have done the courting differently!” Max’s eyes soften. And as he stands there Charles has the mortifying revelation that he’ll continue to fall in love with Max every single day. It’s near impossible not to.
“You would have?” Max asks quietly in a hopeful tone.
“Of course, chéri. I love you, I want nothing more in this world than to court you. I– I never wanted to break your heart, I wanted to earn it” Max nods with a couple of tear drops on his eyelashes.
“Kimi” he says turning to the younger alpha, who is suspiciously staying silent, staring at the opening of his red bull can. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth? That Charles wanted to court me? You know that I don’t know a lot about these things” Kimi keeps staring at the beverage in his hand. Max steps closer. “Kimi?”
“I just wanted what was best for you. I like hanging out in your nest, being in your sent. I like it when you are nice to me. I just–. I just didn’t think Charles was going to be it for you. He doesn’t even like me!”
“Hey!” Charles protests but Max shuts him up fairly quickly with a stern look.
“Aw come here it’s okay” he says letting Kimi step closer and engulfing him in a comforting hug. “Everything is fine” Kimi whimpers, and Max pets his hair gently “A bit of a misunderstanding, but it’s okay. Things wouldn’t change if I had an alpha–“
“Yes, they would” he counters, pushing himself away from the omega, so he could look at Max and Charles. “Charles is very territorial, everybody knows this. He couldn’t bear if I had my scent in your nest. If you gave me your clothes. He would just see competition in me”
“No, he wouldn’t. Because you are not his competition, you are like a pup to me, and there would be no alpha who could tell me otherwise. Not even Charles”
“Hey!” Charles tries again. Same look. Was worth a shot.
“Really?”
“Of course, I promise you. You can seek me out whenever, but you could have just told me this. Because Kimi, I really really like Charles, and he has been acting like a madman the whole week, so I think it’d be fair to cut him some slack and let us be happy”
“You love me?” Charles asks from behind. Max turns back, clearly a bit annoyed, with the same stern look as before. Go to hell Max (affectionately).
“Does he make you happy?” Kimi asks. Max finally turns to Charles with not the stern look but with a loving expression, his eyes full of love.
“Yes, he does. So so happy” his scent is happy and Charles is melting on the spot. Kimi nods, and takes a step to Charles, extending his hand out in a friendly matter. Charles takes it ignoring the way Kimi strengthens the grip.
“If you ever hurt him, don’t expect me to let him run back to you, instead always look in your mirror twice” Charles smiles awkwardly, seeking a look at Max. The omega looks like he couldn’t be prouder.
“Will do, kid” Kimi huffs and makes his way back to Max’s side.
“We’ll be on our way now, post quali cuddles are calling our names” Kimi says, gently pulling Max with him, who seeks one last loving look at Charles. Maybe he wanted to kiss Max, okay? But he knows there is another more important task at hand. He has an omega to court again, for real this time, without any misunderstandings. Game on.
1st gift (here we go again)
Charles decides that he actually prefers the new setting. They are in time for the summer break, meaning he will be able to spend as much time with Max as he can, without any stress. It will be so much better this time. No distance, only closeness. There is no need to rush anything.
So, he decides to go with the lion jellycat as the second round first gift, because that never actually reached Max, but instead spent a whole week in Charles’ bed. Which makes it the perfect nesting material, thoroughly scented and soft.
The minute Max is done with the interviews, and steps his foot into his driver’s room, Charles is there immediately, knocking on the door. If he guilt tripped the employee who chased him away on Friday, well, he said he would do anything for Max and he is a man of his word.
Max opens the door immediately, and Charles’ heart almost jumps out of his chest, when he sees the omega, in soft clothes, with a smile on his face. Max sidesteps from the door and lets Charles come in. As he passes, he catches the omega’s happy sugary sweet scent and lets out a satisfied hum at it.
“Chares” but Charles doesn’t let Max be the one doing the talking. Instead, he faces him, and gently extends his hand, the plush lion held firmly, towards Max.
“Max, mon amour. I messed it up the first time. I wanted to be traditional, and I didn’t realise that is not what you needed. So instead, I confused you, broke your heart, and also gave myself a month of suffering” Max whines lowly at that. Charles’ eyes soften. “There will be no more of that. So. Max. I want to court you. I want to be the alpha that is worthy of having your affection thrown his way, and I hope you will have me. I know I can be many things. A terrible cook, an overthinker and a bit of a helicopter alpha. But. I do promise you, that despite my faults, I will try my hardest every day, to be the person you deserve. And that I will without fault try and give all my love, to you. You have my heart Max. You have me” Max only stares at him for a couple of seconds, but then he tentatively takes a step closer, accepts the plushie, and goes to hug Charles. His scent is happy. Very happy.
He nods into the crook of the alpha’s neck.
“Of course, I accept your courting. I want you to be my alpha. I want you all the time, and I’m sorry I created this misunderstanding” he admits, head still at Charles’ shoulder.
“Max, you are the love of my life, I of course could never be angry at you” Max whines again, desperate, and Charles loves loves loves how vocal the omega is with him. He can already envision their sweet cuddle times in the nest, Max’s content purring lulling them both to restful sleep. “Now Kimi on the other hand” he says, gently biting Max’s cheek. The omega withdraws and swats Charles’ arm playfully while laughing. And isn’t that just the sweetest sound!
“No badmouthing my pup!” Charles growls a bit, unserious grumping, and he bites Max’s plump cheek again. “Charles!” But Charles only hums and noses down the column of max’s throat, scenting him.
“Mhm, your pup needs to stop hating me” he says into Max’s neck, the omega chuckles, and gently moves Charles’ head so he could look him in the eye. A beat passes, and then Max kisses him, his lips soft against Charles’.
And just like that, Charles has a new addiction. Not like he wasn’t addicted to Max so far, but now he is absolutely addicted to kissing the omega. He chases the feeling when Max pulls away.
“I love you” Max says, and Charles is a gone man. He kisses him again, spit and scents mingling just the right way, making everything feel complete.
“And I love you” he answers.
Max not long after invites him into the nest and offers to take Charles back to Monaco the next day with the Airmax. Promising him endless cuddles and a comfortable nest. Charles is way too weak in the knees to say no to that.
Max’s head is on his chest, and he gently pets his hair, making max purr sweetly, until he falls asleep. When he does, Charles carefully fishes out his phone and takes a photo of the two of them.
Charlieboy
[photo.10437.jpg]
He said yes ❤️
Danny
OH MY GOD
DUDE
CONGRATULATIONS
TOLD YOU
MAX IS LIKE SUPER OBSESSED WITH YOU
we are all expecting wedding invitations btw
Charlieboy liked this message!
LH
I’m happy for you man
Oscar P.
Congrats!
Smooth operator 🌶️
Attaboy
knew you had it in you!
And just when Charles thinks he saw everything, liked everything, another message comes.
Kimi A. (Max pup)
Congratulations
It hurts to admit, but Max does look happy
That’s all that matters to me
Danny
I’m sensing some changes in the dynamic
is there something I don’t know about?
There is no way Charles will feed the gossip to danny, because he'll never live it down if he does.
Charlieboy
I guess you’ll learn about it at the wedding
Danny
CHARLES NO
Kimi A. (Max pup)
Though life
Charles feels bad for the next thing he does. But he suffered through Kimi protecting Max. And there is someone else he is pretty sure is in line next for the same suffering. So, at the end, he doesn’t feel as bad as he should when he types in;
Charlieboy
Anyways
does anyone know is Lewis is fucking George or not?
the pieces don’t add up
Danny
WHAT NOW?
Kimi A. (Max pup)
COME AGAIN?
LH left the chat
Danny
NO
SOMEONE PLEASE BRING HIM BACK
Charles chuckles out loud making Max stir. He simply presses a gentle kiss onto Max’s forehead, and that calms the omega immediately. He put his phone away, and decides to sleep with Max.
It’s the best sleep he’s got in his life.
+1 gift (/misunderstanding)
“I absolutely cannot believe you” Max huffs, storming into their now shared apartment, Charles scrambling after him, while trying his best to balance the groceries they just bought.
“Maxie, mon amour! You misunderstand” Charles tries to save the saveable.
“Don’t ‘mon amour’ me, I cannot believe you have to be so dumb all the damn time! And you are sleeping on the couch tonight!” Charles gasps.
“NO!” Max looks back at him, then just huffs out an annoyed breath and starts to unload the groceries.
Charles sleeps on the couch that night.
Three days later Max is still only saying bits of incomplete sentences to him.
And it’s getting riddiculous.
How was he supposed to know really?
-
He isn’t one, to snoop. He has never gone through Max’s phone, because he had no reason to. But his phone was on the charger in their bedroom, and you know that feeling, when you get a random thought and you just have to google it immediately. Max’s phone was lying on the coffee table, the movie paused in the background, while Max went to grab some more ice cream. So, naturally he reached for the omega’s phone, unlocked it, and went to google. First, he didn’t even notice the search history. But then a message popped up, awful timing.
George Russell
No, pregnancy is beautiful
I’m sure everything will be fine
Huh.
First of all, Charles didn’t know Max and George were on chatting basis. And second of all, he had no idea George was pregnant.
He thought maybe they wanted to wait with the announcement, or something.
He didn’t know George weren’t actually pregnant. That the pregnant person, was much closer to him actually. That the pregnant person has already planned how he would announce it.
Noone expected that Charles and Max would run into George and Lewis in the grocery store. Because really what were the chances.
But they were there, while Max was in another isle, getting tabasco, that he never in his life even wanted to taste, let alone bring into their home. And Charles wasn’t going to be rude, so naturally after some formalities he congratulated for the pregnancy.
Lewis almost choked on his own spit, George just looked at him in disbelief.
“I am not expecting” he said firmly, then turned to Lewis “I really am not!”
Charles just looked between them.
“But the message–“ George looked at him in confusion, Lewis even more so. And just when Charles was about to continue, Max appeared next to him, right on cue.
“Found it” he mused, putting the tabasco into their cart. George’s eyes grew big, a little panicked, flicking to Max. Just for a millisecond. Charles was dumb, but he was not that dumb. His gaze also flicked to his omega, who was now looking at him weirdly as well.
The realisation came.
He gasped.
He pointed to Max.
“Oh my god, you are the pregnant one!”
Weeks of planning from Max’s part going down the drain.
Fun-fucking-fantastic.
-
“Maxx” Charles whines, the omega is sitting in their bed, nest comfortable and soft around him. His reading glasses are on as he proceeds to read the most current book he got from his sister in Dutch. His left hand rests on his stomach, and Charles can’t look away.
He is going to be a father. And he couldn’t even celebrate it properly, because, well…Because Max is still angry at him.
“No” he counters.
“I am really happy” Charles says. Max huffs, wanting to look annoyed, but the small smile that passes his lips for a second betrays him. He is enjoying this!
“I know. Everything is full of your happy scent” he says, then turns a page.
“Of course! I am going to be a father! The love of my life is having my baby!”
“And yet, you decide to come to these revelations in the middle of a sauce isle, while your precious omega is planning a nice reveal for the literal next day Charles!”
“You can’t really be angry at me! Be angry at George instead!” Max huffs again.
“Goodnight Charles” he dismisses.
“No no no” Charles says instead, and by the time Max looks up at him from his book, he is already there, attacking him with hundreds of kisses.
“Charles!” Max shrieks, but his scent is happy, and content, and there is no venom in his tone. And Charles loves him up and down and is so happy that he could almost burst.
“No no, I have three days’ worth of kisses to make up! I love you mon coeur! Love you so much!” he says, emphasising it with a kiss after each word. Max giggles sweetly, and Charles can’t help but look at him. Stare at him.
Max is glowing. Maybe it’s the light, or the love. But Max is like the Sun. And Charles has never been gladder to get to circle him for the remaining of their lives.
He kisses Max again, and then he kisses Max’s stomach as well.
“I know that’s not how you planned it to go, but Max, mon amour. I am so happy” his voice is teary by the end as he keeps looking up at Max from where his head rests against his torso. A sweet, look passes Max’s face, his eyes also misty, as he puts down his book, and instead cradles Charles face in his palm.
“Come to bed, Charles. Come to bed, before I change my mind and fall out of love with you” Charles first kisses into Max’s palm.
“I don’t think that’s possible” he says. Max leans down to him, and kisses into his curls.
“You are right, it is impossible” their bond pulses, happy scents mixing, and Charles?
Charles loves every single minute of his life.
He especially loves Max.