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Spain
George placed fifth, while Max sat in second, behind Kimi. George parked his car in p5 at parc ferme as he saw Kimi celebrating in the arms of Mercedes.
All he could think about was ‘how did Toto react to Kimi’s win?’ And ‘Would he feel the same if it was me?’ He highly doubted Toto would care if it was him not like Kimi.
Kimi is his prodigy and George was his past that he just can’t get rid of.
George has come to terms with this fact, he understood it well. He was this trophy that once the spotlight was on him he had to act like the perfect, pr trained, never had bad word to say driver he was and once those lights turn off he was left in the wind to gather dust till the next time the light turns back on.
George wanted to walk past his teammate just to lock himself in his drivers room but he couldn’t do that could he? That would break the carefully arranged ‘family’ Toto has and he would get an earful about it.
So he swallowed his pride and smiled in Kimi’s direction while he went to give the classic dab up and hug he gave with a small clipped “congratulations on p1, you deserve it.” Even he didn’t believe those words that so easily came from his mouth. He quickly went to get weighed before escaping to his driver's room.
He was taking a shower as he felt it, something breaking even more in his heart, as if someone just pulled out this large piece from his chest. It hurt so much, too much. He couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down his face, warm and hot, as his mind was consumed with these last two weeks but what mostly filled them was Max. The only person who truly was there for him. He sinked down sitting on the floor of the shower water just running above him as he drowned out everything.
He thought back to that hotel room in Italy, where Max showed up for him in a way he never thought would happen. He let himself be held by Max and let himself fall asleep to the lull of Max’s voice as he rambled on about any and everything.
Italy
A soft light spilled from the curtains, as George shifted up the warm duvet. He felt an arm hooked around his waist that tightened against him when he moved. It took him a minute before he recalled the night before, he remembered Max holding him whispering sweet nothings in his ear as he started to feel the day weigh on him. His tiredness took him fully.
The soft voice and presence of Max was comforting and felt like they had done this before when that couldn’t be far from the truth.
They had slept together before that wasn’t something new, they blowed off steam by fucking, but this softness of max holding him as he fell asleep that was new and if George was being honest, he felt seen with Max and loved even.
Hearing Max say ‘I love you’ again and again last night was enough to fix that hole in his heart, feeling Max’s touch and his warmth knowing Max would never leave him.
“You’re staring.” George said, as he felt Max’s eyes oh him.
“I can’t help myself now can I?” With that Max leaned in holding George close, kissing him slowly till he had no breath left in him.
It was still early in the morning when the door was knocked on, Max stood to go check it leaving George confused and cold with the sudden movement. Max walked down the hall, as he grabbed the tray a small thank you leaving his mouth as he handed a couple 10 euros to the person. He walked back balancing the tray in his hands, smiling widely as he placed the tray on the bed looking at George.
“What did you do Max?” George questioned.
“I got breakfast, I got you a latte because I know you like those and a couple pastries with an egg. You didn’t eat last night so I was worried and I don’t want to go on a flight without you eating something.” Max replied, as if ordering him breakfast was the most normal thing in the world.
“I didn’t ask though.’ George felt a bit guilty ‘and I am flying with Toto today. Speaking of, I need my phone. Have you seen it?”
“Yes, it’s here and no you're not flying with him. You're flying with me and that’s final.” Max eased himself back on the bed, giving George his phone and grabbing the black coffee off the tray, taking a sip of it while looking at George.
“But Max I can’t, Toto told me to come with him.”
“Right, and I am telling you to come with me. Just say you got Alex to fly you back or something.” Max said with ease.
George had no energy left to fight on it so he just mumbled a small ‘okay’ texting Toto he won’t be joining him, as he grabbed his latte and took a few sips from it.
They ate in silence but not awkwardly, more a silence that was warm and comforting and didn’t need conversation to fill it.
On the plane, they drifted to each other as if it was normal, George sitting next to Max as Max slung his arm around George’s shoulders squeezing them softly as he paid attention to his phone in his hand.
Once they reached Monaco Max didn’t leave George at all. They stayed in each other's presence, eating breakfast together, going to bed together, going on walks together. Everything together. None of them were ever too far from each other.
Spain
He didn’t hear the knock at first, nor the second time, he was too consumed by his thoughts that were running much faster than he wanted.
George didn’t even hear when someone walked into his room and didn't know how much time had passed.
All he felt was the water stop and a warm, comforting hand touched his skin as he looked up, eyes red rimmed and swollen as his lower lip trembled.
“Ah schat, you’re okay now. Just breathe George. I am here”
He knew who was there, he was aware as Max wrapped a towel around him and held him close, never letting go, as he promised.
After a couple minutes passed, George now sported a Mercedes polo and jeans that Max helped him with. They were now lying cramped on the small bed as Max held George tight, his warmth calming him.
“Hey, want to go to dinner after media? I know a small place where the food is good and the people don’t look twice.” Max asked gently, hand running up and down George’s arm.
“You know what. Why not sure!” George replied, after the day he had he really didn’t mind getting as far away from the paddock as he could.
“Great, meet me in the lobby at 8.” Max was looking forward to it.
Media was finally over and George was just in his hotel room as he fixed his hair a bit and sprayed cologne on. He was a bit nervous, they never really went on a date before, he slipped on his shoes black loafers as he was wearing dark linen trousers and a light blue silk shirt leaving a couple buttons on the top undone.
He took the lift to the lobby and spotted Max instant this time wearing a pair of jeans and a simple shirt. Not much but in George’s mind it's better than that ugly Redbull shirt he wore 24/7.
Once they reached the restaurant, they took a table in the far back next to a window that overlooked a beautiful view of greenery.
The place was dimly lit and wasn’t too full at all. Max had told him to grab whatever he wanted and that he would be paying.
George felt bad he wasn’t even splitting the bill but Max didn’t want to hear it so George ordered Paella De Mariscos with a glass of lemon water while Max ordered Codillo A La Gallega and sparkling water. While they waited for their food to arrive, Max intertwined his fingers in George’s as they sat there in the peaceful warmth that surrounded them. Just them, and no one else.
Max’s eyes lingered on George's bare wrist as he thought of a right moment before he could think longer George spoke up “Max I can hear you thinking, what’s wrong?” Waiting for Max to reply.
“Oh nothing, just thinking about how empty your wrist looks.” Max’s grin spread wide.
George was confused “Huh? What do you mean Max?” Lost was an understatement.
Before George could wonder more about what Max meant, he pulls out a square velvet box and places it in George’s hand. George is even more perplexed on what was going on.
“Wha-“ George started but Max cut him off. “Just open it schat.”
George does as he is told, opening the box as he is met with a shiny gold bracelet, wrapped around a small cushion, a small pendant hanging off the bracelet. The small pendant had an engraving on it. ‘M+G’ on one side and the other their numbers intertwined ‘3363’.
George felt his eyes start to water as he brushed his thumb over the engraving. A small ‘I love it, it’s the best’ leaving with a small breath as Max reached to clasp it around George’s wrist, brushing his thumb over the inside of George’s wrist as he looked up and saw a small tear spill from George’s eyes.
George had had enough tears shed today, he reached over and ticked it away with his thumb, cupping George’s face as he leaned over to kiss him.
As he slightly parted away he began “George I love you so much and if you ever think I don’t, just look at this bracelet around your wrist. We will forever be intertwined and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I love you too Max.’ He could tell him that forever. “I will never think you don’t love me and when did you buy this? I don’t recall you ever going to a jeweler?” George questioned.
“Ha, well when you were too asleep in bed intertwined with the cats to care I even left. I went and got it ordered and before we left for Italy I picked it up and well now we are here!” Max answered, proud of himself.
A small dramatic gasp left George’s throat. “I was not too sleepy to care if you left. Excuse you and plus the cats are soft and fluffy and very cute might I add.”
“So you love them more than me. I see.” Max retorted dramatically.
“No I even thought that but now that you say it. I mean they are fluffy and they don’t decide to randomly disturb me while I do my skincare.” George started laughing.
“Oh you love those, I know you do.” Max side eyed George, who was now laughing openly.
That loosened something in his chest, he never really saw George laugh this freely in a while. Max loved it.
Their food came a bit after, as they dug in they started talking about everything. Mostly drama around the paddock, matching stories to see if they connected.
The conversation hit Lando and Oscar.
“No, they definitely have something going on! Did you see them this weekend all smiles?” George started
“I mean there’s a reason Oscar is called ‘heart eyes Piastri’ but I think you're right they definitely have something. Especially after all that tension from last year.” Max replied, he did spend a bit of time on social media to know what the fans say about them.
“Firstly, is Max Verstappen agreeing with me? Someone mark the day! This is revolutionary’ Max rolled his eyes at George’s eagerness. ‘Secondly, it definitely started before but maybe it got more serious after last season? Who knows though I would really like to find out.” George finished.
Conversation moved after that, after Max paid the bill the waiter spoke. “Thank you sir, also you and your boyfriend make a very cute couple.” The waiters' broken English filled the air and he smiled warmly at them.
Max didn’t bother correcting him just saying thank you as he gave the waiter a 20 euro note. George was slightly perplexed on why Max didn’t correct the waiter but then realised he didn’t really care, he enjoyed being Max’s other half.
Once back at the hotel, they changed into more appropriate clothes, as they took turns in the bathroom both brushing their teeth. As George was doing his skincare, Max was standing in the door of the bathroom as he watched his boyfriend do his skincare.
“You're staring again darling.” The term of endearment rolling off his tongue with ease.
“Slightly hard not to when I am looking at you.”
George felt content with that response as he moved towards Max with some cream in his hand.
“You always have so dry skin I don’t know how you manage.” George started working in the cream into Max’s skin while Max just stood there smiling.
“Ah well now I have you to help me with it. Don’t I?”
“Yes, yes you do. I shall make it my mission to fix your dry skin problem!”
“Perfect schat” Max brought George into a hug, as he pulled them onto the bed.
After a second, they got comfortable in bed once again intertwined with each other. Just like their numbers that now sat around George’s wrist forever.
George sighed contentedly as Max kept his arm around George’s waist.
“What’s wrong?” Max asked.
“Oh nothing, just we are now properly together. I didn’t think I would see the day.” George looked up at Max.
“Oh well now you're living it. Aren’t you?” Max looked George in the eye. The softness in George’s eyes as he looked back.
“Yes I am. Best part.” George finally replied.
They were now a couple. Max and George. George and Max.
Just two people navigating life but at least they were together and had each other.
That meant more than anything to them. George’s thumb caressed the engraving on his bracelet that his boyfriend bought him. It had a nice ring to it no? George’s boyfriend.
I’m yours, you’re mine. Like paradise.