Formula One, Oneshots.

Max Verstappen & Charles Leclerc.

I have come out of retirement. I don't know how long I will be out of retirement for, but I've had this ache to write again. So, I may be a lil rusty, but enjoy this, no smut from now on tho, more cutesy/wholesome content :)

Inspired by Justin Bieber - "Nothing like us" & "Purpose" & David Kushner - "Daylight" & Birdy - "People help the people".

For years, Max and Charles had been branded as "Enemies on Track and potentially off-track too." Though neither of them had ever shown any hatred towards each-other when not on track. They we're definitely not the "bestest" of friends, but Max and Charles, they got on with each-other. There was history behind the two drivers friendship, the friendship itself was built on anger, and angst, both teenage boys at the time of their major karting battles. Both boys loving the adrenaline that coursed through their veins each time that they raced each-other. Both so stubborn and headstrong, the necessity to be the best was routed into their friendship. Though, their friendship that was built when they were teenagers, is nothing like their friendship now. The friendship that Max and Charles have now is different, they don't argue, or bicker, or even make remarks about each-other. Some had thought it was something short of a miracle!

Though the remarks were something that Charles hated the most, his tendencies to listen to the words people had to say about them, most of which he believed, though, the majority of words from people that he believed were negative towards him, and this didn't stop when Max made the remarks either. Charles may have held a strong front for several years, but internally, he was crumbling. He was unsure of how long he would be able to keep the barriers up for, fragile and vulnerable, Charles had to keep the barriers up, he couldn't let people see the person behind the barrier. That person behind his barriers, Charles himself didn't even know who they were anymore. Charles had been happy when his relationship with Max had matured, but even after maturing, Max still made hateful and disrespectful remarks towards Charles. Charles always attempted to counter these, but he just could never get the words out, instead his face being full of anxiety, sadness and despair. He ought to confront Max about these remarks, his internalised pain becoming overbearing. As Charles lay in his bed, in a pitch black room in Monaco, the sound of rain pitter pattering against the windows, he decided after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he would talk to Max. That is if his walls hadn't collapsed by then.

Max sat in his hotel room, Las Vegas Grand Prix Trophy in his hands, tears of happiness mixed with tears of sadness trickling down his cheeks. Max wasn't sure why he was crying, and more so why he was feeling sad, but he sat there fiddling with the trophy, he had had an amazing race earlier on, and he was excited to celebrate, but after the race, Max had decided he wanted to stay home instead. Something drawing him to his hotel room, he felt like a magnet was pulling him to the hotel. As he sat on his bed, holding his newly won trophy, Max thought back to the podium celebrations. Himself and Checo on the podium, though a P3 for Checo wasn't what the team would have wanted, but Max was glad Checo finished P3, as it would've meant the beautiful brunette haired Monegasque would have finished P3. Max had always wanted Charles to be fighting him for wins, for podiums, and only since last season, Charles has been doing that, occasionally beating Max to the top spot. And every time, that Charles would finish higher than him, Max would still be just as happy and content as if he was first. Max was just happy to see the Monegasque finally doing well. Max knew he could be tough on Charles, especially after rough races, which he has been having a rather lot of recently, Max knew he was being more than just "tough". Max was being borderline horrible to him, and fuck did Max regret it, he always saw the face Charles would have after Max said something rude, and god did Max want to take back his words immediately, he doesn't even know why he says them in the first place. Well, that's a lie, he knows. Charles is openly gay, were as Max is still in the closet. Max internalises his feelings, which build and build, and result in a spillage of unwanted words, harsh and cruel words. Though, none of it Max actually feels or believes. The trophy in Max's hands shaking heavily as Max's body shakes and trembles as his tears turn from soft to intense, his sobs loud and laced with pain. Max's eyes clouded over from the tears, his brain in complete overdrive, and his skin turning a bright red from the force he is exerting into the poor trophy. There are a few rapid but soft knocks on Max's hotel door, Max only in a extra large hoodie and boxers was drawn out of his depressive state, to answer the door. The Dutchman whining as he opened the door to reveal a very concerned Charles Leclerc. Charles opened the door and shut it behind himself, he eyed Max up and down, the trophy still in his hands, his eyes still bloodshot red and tears stained on his cheeks, a slight pink tint a top of his cheeks too. Charles sighed, "Oh, Maxy." Charles had noticed the remarks from Max had slowed down over the weeks as they closed into the final end of the season, but Charles hadn't noticed all of the unsubtle looks and glares that Max had been giving him. Though, right now, that was the least of his concern. He led Max over to the bed, and gently grabbed the trophy from the Dutchman, placing it on his nightstand for the morning. The silence between the two drivers was comforting, it was somewhat relaxing, both just existing next to each-other, though one appeared to be caring for the other, but neither mentioned this. Charles sat on Max's bed, his head resting against the headboard. He looked over to the Dutchman, the light from the moon was shining through the window, the glow it gave Max, made the Dutchman look stunning, even if his hair was messy, his eye's bloodshot and his cheeks tearstained, Charles taken a back by the stunning man sat next to him. Charles had been keeping his crush on the Dutchman a secret for several years, over a decade, from the first time he beat Max in one of their karting races, that was the first time he laid eyes on the Dutchman and thought of him in a way that was more than just platonic. Max was aware of the little space between him and Charles, he wasn't even sure why Charles turned up on his hotel room doorstep, but part of him was thankful for him, the panic was starting to take over him. Max sighed, took a deep breath and asked "Why did you knock on my hotel room Charles?", Charles looked at Max, Max still looking down into his lap, fiddling with his hands. Charles smiled sadly, and spoke softly, "I heard your sobs, and I just couldn't take listening to them any longer Max." Max turned to look at Charles, the Monegasque's beautiful green eyes looking directly at him, his face so gentle and endearing. Max smiled, he was thankful that Charles showed up, god forbid he had a panic attack. "I- Thank you Charles, for knocking on my door I mean." Charles smiled, "Anything, anytime Max, I'd have thought you would've done the same for me too." Charles was right, he would've done, even if the Monegasque didn't want him there. Max sighed heavily. Max wanted to spit it out, he couldn't take having to keep saying these remarks, it was eating him from the core. He fidgeted, his heart beating like a prancing horse, Max knew it was now or never. "Charlie", Charles looked over, his eyes wide, Max hadn't called him Charlie since 2010, Charles inhaled sharply, "Yes Max?" Max shivered, he took a pause before he spoke, "Charlie, I, fuck. These remarks I have been making against you, they're so horrible, and I don't actually mean or believe or agree with them. I say them to hide my sexuality. I'm gay, my family know, but other than them, no one knows. So to hide it, I say these things but I really don't mean them!" Max pausing to take a few breaths, his speech fast and raw with emotion, tears pooling out of his eyes, Charles trying to swipe them away. "What I am trying to say Charlie, is that, I really really like you, and I feel awful that I said these things to you, I never meant to say these things. I didn't and don't know how to express, handle, and deal with these feelings, but I know that I need to tell you that I am in love with you. And fuck, I feel so fucking bad that for years I've been saying these remarks, I have caused you so much pain and I don't expect you to like me back. But I just wanted you to know." Max let out some pain ridden sobs, Charles pulled him into a hug, one that was full of pain from both of them, but also, it was full of raw emotion and feelings, Charles pulled back, placing a kiss on Max's forehead, his own tears now falling from his eyes. Charles felt relief, the remarks would now stop, for good. But now, Max was in love with him, Charles had always always loved Max, he just hadn't expected the other driver to feel the same way. Charles eased his breathing, wiping his tears away, "Maxy, I. This is a-lot, I hadn't imagined that you would ever feel this way towards me. But I am happy you told me. I have always always loved you Mon Lion, from the first time I beat you on the karting track. Maxy, if you had just told me earlier, neither of us would be such emotional and depressed wrecks. But I am so glad the remarks will stop, I don't care what made you say them. All I care about right now, is us, you've given me purpose Maxy. I am in love with you too Max. I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you." Max smiled at Charles, he was in a state of overwhelming emotion, he hugged the Monegasque tightly, Charles responded by hugging back just as tight, he slid the pair of them down into the bed, pulling the covers over himself and Max. He kissed the Dutchman on the forehead, and whispered, "I love you Max, forever and always Mon Lion." Max hummed in content, "I love you too Charles, Always Mijn mooie jongen." Max pulled Charles into a kiss, the passion and raw raw emotion that both shared, filling them with overwhelming love and warmth, their lips intertwined so perfectly, fitting together like puzzle pieces. Maybe that was what they needed to figure out, they were like small pieces of a puzzle, and once the puzzle was solved, they were complete. They had completed their puzzle, and the love that came from that completion, was beautiful.

I suppose, Max and Charles really do fit together like a puzzle.