The Right Time (Lestappen)

They can't ignore you now

Warning - very small amount of smut, it's only one paragraph and you can just skip that when you get to it if you would prefer.

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Max had one more thing to do before flying out to the final race of the season, he had agreed to sit down for an interview and photoshoot with Attitude magazine, a gay lifestyle publication. Gracing the cover of a gay magazine had never been in his plans for the year but then again this year had been anything but expected. He thought back to the interview he had given to Marcus Drayford just after he had come out. It had been anything but comfortable. He had tensed up at each question, worried about what to say and had found himself imagining  every word being dissected and misinterpreted. He had been too afraid to be himself and his answers were apologetic in tone. If truth be told he had been terrified.

This interview was completely different, for a start he had Charles with him. Max had suggested sharing the magazine cover but Charles was more than happy for Max to take centre stage on this one, his fiancé had been through so much and he really felt like he deserved this. As Max sat down to chat he felt relaxed, like he could be himself. He spoke about what it was like coming out in the world of competitive sports and how he had been treated, he spoke about Charles and their engagement and he spoke about his new foundation that would be in place by next season to support and encourage other members of the LGBTQ+ community to get involved with motorsports. It was a world away from the awkward stilted answers he had given to Marcus. With Charles by his side, Max felt self assured, ready to inspire others. This time he couldn't wait for his interview to go to print. It would be a couple of weeks until it hit the shelves, which was fine because Max still had one more race left to occupy his time.

The final race of the season in Abu Dhabi had arrived. It had been a gruelling year for a lot of the teams. Flying around the world may seem luxurious but for most of the employees it meant time away from loved ones. Luckily for Max and Charles they had each other, although once again they had received warnings regarding the illegality of homosexual acts in the country. It had been an embarrassing conversation that shouldn't have really been necessary, they were after all two consenting adults. Still, it had been expected. Max had received exactly the same talk time and time again in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in the year race organisers had removed Max from all marketing literature when F1 had raced at Saudi and Max was been told to expect the same treatment in UAE. However, it seemed that being the newly crowned World Champion made you a lot harder to ignore. As Max flew into the country he saw huge advertisements with his image on. Instead of being left out of press conferences he was the main attraction, he was no longer was forced to hide away. It seemed money talked and Max was currently hot property.

The final race of the season was hard fought with the lead changing hands multiple times. It was Max that eventually crossed the finish line first, less than a second ahead of Lewis with Charles not far back in third. As the three men took their places on the podium the Dutch national anthem rang out. Max couldn't stop smiling as he looked across at his fellow drivers. It almost felt like fate that in a country where LGBTQ+ rights were restricted, three members of the LBGTQ+ community were proudly stood aloft on the podium, the crowding watching on and cheering. The adrenaline ran through Max's body, after a season of the highest highs and the lowest lows he got to share the final celebration with his fiancé. It really was the best way to end the season and as much as he loved racing he couldn't help but feel ready for the winter break.

Arriving back in Monaco, Charles helped Max move the last of his belongs into his flat. They had been living at Charles' for months but had never really gotten around to moving across all of Max's stuff. As Charles looked across at the number of boxes and suitcases he was starting to think they may need to get a bigger place. He didn't expect Max to have so many clothes, the man practically lived in Red bull merchandise. Charles couldn't help but think that the unpacking could wait until tomorrow or maybe even until they got back from their winter vacation in the Maldives. Either way it was clear that nothing was getting put away tonight. As he looked across at Max he could tell the Dutchman was thinking exactly the same thing.

"You want to celebrate officially moving your things in?" Charles asked as he made his way over to Max, pushing his lips up against his fiancé's. Max just moaned in response and picked Charles up in his arms, carrying him through to the bedroom.

Charles took his time undressing Max, kissing him all over, his hands tracing up his thighs gently as Max moaned softly at the touch. The shimmering lights from the sunset peered through the window, filling the room with warmth. Max gently lowered himself down on to Charles', the Ferrari driver filling him up inch by inch until Max closed his eyes and started rocking his hips. Charles looked up at his fiancé, Max's head now thrown back, eyes closed, lips parted as he moved up and down. It really was one of Charles' favourite sights.

Afterwards as the two men lay facing each other in bed, Max leant forward and delicately pressed his lips up against his fiancé's. He couldn't help but appreciate how far they had come together. They had started the season as two individuals, alone and afraid what everyone would think of them and they had ended the season inseparable, completely in love and confident in who they were. Max realised that being gay would never define him but it was an important part of who he was. He absolutely embraced it because it meant he had Charles and he couldn't imagine his life without him.

The End. 

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Ahhh guys that is the end 😭😭. I have enjoyed writing this so much and that is because of everyone who voted and commented, honestly reading your comments is so amazing. Knowing people were reading really helped me continue writing even when I would sit down to write a chapter and have no clue what was going to happen.

I definitely don't feel like I am finished with Max and Charles though so I will be continuing to write. I will be writing my Christmas one shot book all throughout December (lots of different driver pairings) and obviously will continue with the Lestappen one shots (but they are all just smut!)

In terms of this story then it's totally up to you guys. I can think about either writing a sequel or a couple of bonus chapters if I don't have enough ideas for a full sequel (I guess it would be Max and Charles trying to balance their championship battle alongside their wedding) . Or I could just start a completely new Lestappen book. If anyone wants to read more and has any preferences then let me know. Otherwise thanks so, so much everyone <3 <3