The Right Time (Lestappen)

No mistake

Charles had not expected to start the weekend at Spa semi-dressed with his left wrist handcuffed to the bedpost but that was exactly how the Friday morning had started. He couldn't help but think that It might have been worth it if it had been the result of some exciting sexual escapade, at least then he would have had some fun before the complete embarrassment that was to follow. Instead he had found himself in a less than ideal situation because Max had thought 'it would be funny' to slap the pink furry handcuffs he found in the bedside cabinet on Charles when he wasn't looking.

Charles liked to think he could take a joke but he had been unable to hide his disgust at the idea of the second hand handcuffs, not knowing who they belonged to or what they had been used for made him feel a bit queazy. In his most commanding voice he had ordered Max to remove them, which would have been fine if Max had thought to check for a key before using them. After an unsuccessful attempt to pry the cuffs open, Charles had tried to call Pierre but to no avail so he had had sent Max to find the Frenchman in the hope that he would be able to help. Max had searched everywhere but Pierre really was nowhere to be seen. Running out of options he had gone to the only other person he could think of.

"Charles, I couldn't find Pierre but I got the next best thing" Max said with trepidation as he peered his head around the door.

"Seb?" Charles asked as he tried to think about who else knew of their relationship.

"Oh, yeah that would have been a better idea" Max mumbled as he let Christian Horner in through the hotel room door.

In fairness to the Brit he was trying really hard to fight the smirk that was spreading across his face. He was used to having to sort problems out and some of those problems would often be unexpected. What he had never anticipated was one of his driver's asking for help because his boyfriend was stuck handcuffed to a bed. Still, Christian was the consummate professional and, once he had managed to stop laughing, had come to help. He had actually made quick work of opening up the handcuffs with a safety clip. Max couldn't help but think that maybe Christian had done this before but he was too afraid to ask because he wasn't sure he really wanted to know the answer.

As Christian made a hasty retreat, Charles vowed to avoid him for at least the rest of the season. A vow that would have been much easier to keep if he hadn't had to head over to the Red Bull garages to check up on Max after the Dutchman had crashed into a barrier in the final stages of the race.

Charles made his way through to the drivers room, doing his best to avoid being seen. When he opened the door he saw Max sitting alone, looking devastated. Charles knew that Spa was one of Max's favourite tracks and that he had huge support at the venue. Having seen the replay Charles also knew that the error today seemed to have been a rather rookie mistake. Watching it back Charles realised that some of the so called fans had booed as Max had exited the car, obviously displeased that their driver had not been able to win. He wanted to go into the crowd and explain to each and everyone of them how much Max had been through lately, he was sure they wouldn't boo then. Max had also heard the booing and it only made him feel like more of a failure, he really didn't want to let his supporters down this way.

"Congratulations" Max got up and gave Charles a quick kiss. The taste of champagne on his boyfriends lips was a bitter reminder of what he had missed out on. He was happy Charles had finished not the podium but he knew he should have been there too, he had been in a healthy lead when he crashed out.

It was clear that Max was angry at himself  but Charles couldn't really blame him. Him and Max were quite alike in many ways, both would give themselves a hard time for any tiny mistakes so Charles was prepared to give him a little space. The two men sat in silence during the car ride back to the hotel but as the evening drew on Max still seemed upset and Charles couldn't help but get a little concerned.

"Everybody makes mistakes Max" he said gently.

"I didn't make a mistake" Max mumbled.

"Max, It's fine to admit you're not perfect behind the wheel"

"I didn't make a mistake" Max snapped.

"Fine, you didn't make a mistake. The great Max Verstappen doesn't make mistakes" it was meant in jest but Charles was also getting frustrated.

Max was also getting annoyed. He didn't really want to continue to talk about it. He felt embarrassed at letting everyone down but much worse than that he knew that the crash hadn't really been the result of a mistake. Charles insistence finally made him snap

"Charles, it wasn't a mistake. I started to panic and then I blacked out okay?!"

Charles hesitated, not really sure what to say, he couldn't understand why Max hadn't given him this information sooner. He would have been far more sympathetic if he had know the full story. Knowing how much Max had been through it was no surprise that he would still be suffering.

"Well you have been through a lot lately, maybe it is stress. What did the doctors say?" Charles asked trying to hide his worry, he didn't want to stress Max out further.

"I didn't tell them" Max answered a little reluctantly, "You know they won't let me race if they think this is going to happen again. Charles you can't tell anybody, you have to keep this quiet." Max pleaded.

"I can't, you need to get checked over" Charles knew he was right but he also knew Max wouldn't be happy with him.

The Dutchman jumped to his feet and for a moment Charles thought he was going to either storm out or start shouting but instead he took hold of Charles hand gently.

"Charles, if you love me you have to do this for me. I would do it for you. I'm begging you. Promise me you won't tell anybody?"

Charles didn't answer. He couldn't answer because he didn't know if it was a promise he could ever keep. If he kept quiet and it happened again with a worse outcome then he could never forgive himself. On the other hand he knew that if he told someone then Max would never forgive him. Instead of answering he just wrapped his arms around Max and hugged him tightly, his mind going into overdrive as he tried to work out what to do for the best. 

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Thanks to everyone who has been reading and voting. Also thanks so much for all your comments, it's always lovely to know what you think. You are all amazing <3

Next chapter will be posted either Thursday/Friday.