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Being an Omega in motorsport wasn't an easy feat, Charles Leclerc could tell you all about it. There wasn't a day he didn't wish to be a Beta. He was very sensitive, even for an Omega, scents being an insanely annoying thing to deal with. Everyone in the paddock was required to wear scent patches, but that doesn't mean things still didn't get too much for him. There's one person that was always a calming anchor for him though. Max Verstappen. He didn't know why, he never questioned it, he just knew being near Max made him be able to deal with life just a little bit easier. Not many people knew about this quirk of his, in fact he only ever told one person, Pierre. He then, of course, told Yuki as well, but Yuki never brought it up and was actually a surprisingly good sport about it, casually leading Max towards Charles when he saw him looking uncomfortable, so he didn't mind. It did come with its own realm of teasing though.
It was a Thursday, a media day, the worst fear of an F1 driver. He was scheduled for a press conference with Pierre, Lando and Max. He arrived first, taking a seat on the far left side of the couch. Lando followed next, exchanging pleasantries, and took the opposite side of the couch. There were two spots left, one next to Charles and one next to Lando. Pierre was next, Charles expected his closest friend to sit next to him, but he happily took the seat next to the Brit, leaving Charles a little confused.
“Pierre?”
"Alors? On attend son homme Don Juan?” (Waiting on your man, lover boy?”)
Ah, that's why Pierre didn't sit next to him. He sighed deeply.
"C'est pas mon homme.” (Not my man.)
“Whatever you say. Look, here he comes,” Pierre said in a sing-songy voice, acting and sounding like a literal child. Charles sometimes wondered how they became best friends and why he ever told him about Max. He deeply regretted that decision.
“Charles, hey mate!” Max's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, which all involved various ways to kill the Frenchman.
“Hello, Max.”
“We're here too, ya know?” Lando said, a little annoyed that Max only acknowledged 1/3rd of the couch. He was very bitchy about those types of things.
“Ah yeah, sorry, hey guys,” Max said with an embarrassed chuckle.
“Apology accepted for now, though I would appreciate financial compensation, maybe a new yacht as well and-”
“Ahem, now that all of you have arrived, Pierre, question to you-”
That signaled the beginning of the conference. Max and Charles were lost in their own little world, talking throughout the whole thing, only taking short breaks to answer the questions they were asked. Talking with each other was much more important than some stupid media duties anyways.
The conference went as well as it could have, the drivers soon disappearing to make room for the next sorry bunch that got assigned to this. This also meant that Max and Charles needed to part ways which was fine, Charles was totally okay with it and definitely not disappointed with it. He definitely didn't go to this driver's room and sulk, he's too mature to do something like that. It was so stupid of him to behave this way just because he can't spend time with someone that isn't even his teammate but goddamnit, Max provided something calm and there wasn't a moment where he didn't search for that. This week seemed to be especially bad for him, he was very worried about actually getting in the car.
Fp1 was fine, nothing remarkable, probably for the better, but Charles wasn't feeling great. Being in the car was fine, but everyone on the grid annoyed him so much, he was definitely way too bitchy on the radio instead of being helpful and providing his team with information, his fans are going to have a field day with those clips. He was being scolded in the garage when an unfamiliar scent hit him. No one should smell like this in a paddock. He elegantly told his engineers to shut the fuck up, leaving to find the source of said smell. It was fresh, it smelled like a storm, overpowering his senses in the most pleasant way possible, an Alphas scent. It all led to one place, Max Verstappen. Which also meant it led him in front of the Red Bull garage.
“Charles? What are you doing here?”
The Monegasque didn't answer, instead inching closer to Max, his scent enveloping him.
“Why do you not have patches on, Max?”
Realization flashed across the Alpha's face, flushing a deep shade of red from embarrassment.
“Fuck they must have peeled off earlier, I'm so sorry, Shit-”
Charles stepped closer, only stopping himself when he realized he couldn't bury his face in his rival's neck in front of an audience.
“Go…put some back on.”
“Yeah, I will. Um…thank you for telling me, and I'm sorry again.”
They looked at each other for a while, neither saying anything nor moving away. Something between them shifted. Motorsport was notorious for making sure designations didn't interfere with racing, everyone being on scent suppressants, patches, anything to make it an even playing field. This was the first time Charles has ever smelled Max's scent and he smelled divine. Just like his storm lap. It fit him perfectly. His Omega liked it and so did he.
“Ferrari is probably looking for you,” Max finally broke the silence.
“Ah yeah, I should go. See you later, Alph-Max.”
“See you, Charles.”
Max watched him leave, before rushing to GP, who he knew would have extra patches on hand. Fuck that was almost a scene, he was glad Charles caught it before anyone else did, it would have caused such a massive problem if it was someone different. He couldn't get the way that Charles looked at him out of his mind though. He knew that the other was an omega and he's had plenty look at him in ways that screamed take me, but this wasn't that. It was more close to shock mixed with something different, something softer. It almost made him want to do something stupid, like pulling the Omega close and never letting him go. That's probably not something he should be thinking about when it comes to his friend and rival. He still had data to review and another practice session to focus on, he can't be thinking like that.
Fp2 went about as well as fp1, Max managing to set the fastest time with Charles being only a tenth of a second behind him, the rest of the pack a little more scattered when it came to the timings. Max got out of the car, his eyes naturally snapping onto the Monegasque in red, wanting to congratulate him. He was halfway there to him when the previous interaction played back in his mind, stopping him in his tracks. Should he go up to Charles after something like that? Would it be weird? Is he better off turning around and going back to Red-
“Max, mate, good time out there. I'll catch you tomorrow though,” Charles walked up to him, smiling as if nothing was wrong. And maybe nothing was.
“I'll be watching for you in my mirrors, you won't pass me.”
“I won't need to pass if I'm already ahead.”
“We'll see about that.”
“Are we treating free practice as a race tomorrow?”
“Definitely.”
“Good,” Max pulled Charles in by the shoulder into the weird little almost side hug they tend to do.
Charles stills and tenses up for a second, before being able to relax in Max's hold. The earlier encounter must still be on his mind too, Max guessed. He should have retracted his arm the moment he felt Charles go rigid, but he didn't. What he did was selfish, yes, but he couldn't help himself. He let his hand linger for a little too long, instinctively rubbing his wrist over his shoulder before dropping his arm from Charles. It's only after they bid goodbye that Max realizes what he did. He tried to scent Charles. Subconsciously and with covered scent glands, yes, but the action was still there. Oh god, what floodgates have a couple of faulty patches opened up? That's definitely not acceptable behavior, he's going to need to apologize to Charles like now. He pulled out his phone, searching for Charles' contact. They didn't speak much, but too many things happened today to not talk about it.
Max
Sorry about earlier
Charles
You already apologized?
Max
No, not just that
Charles
What did you do?
Max
I think I tried to scent you?
Charles
Think?
Max
I don't know, I did it subconsciously, it's not like anything happened, I had the patches on
Charles
When???
Charles
Wait…
Charles
Is that why you held onto me so weird?
Max
Yeah I'm really sorry, I don't know what got into me
Charles
It's fine really
Max
No it's not, I'm in no position to do anything like that
Charles
I almost did something very stupid earlier too, now we are equal, so it is fine
Max
But you didn't do anything?
Charles
Yes but it would have made that look like nothing, so we are even
Max
Should I ask about what you wanted to do?
Charles
Non
Max
So I can theorize
Charles
Please do not come up to me tomorrow to Maxplain about every single idea you thought of
Max
You're ruining my plans here
Charles
I'm sure you have better things to think about than me
Max
You're the one meant to be in my mirrors, I think that's a good enough reason
Charles
You are an interesting specimen
Max
Thank you? I think?
Charles
I am not sure what it is meant to be either
Max
Wow, how charming
Charles
Last time I checked you were not the media so I am not legally required to be nice to you
Max
I should leak this to the press
Charles
Do that and I will put you into the barriers
Max
Feisty, bring that to the track tomorrow, I want to fight you
Charles
We will both be told off for treating a practice session like a race
Max
Yes, but it will be worth it
Charles
Maybe it will
Charles
Fuck, I can hear someone outside of my driver's room
Charles
Fucking meetings, I'll see you on track tomorrow
Max
Have fun~
Charles
Eat shit and die
Max locked his phone, still chuckling at Charles' last message. Maybe one small mistake wasn't going to be the end of the world between them. He just needs to make sure it doesn't happen again. His mind wandered back to what Charles said earlier, with him apparently wanting to do something that would be worse than what Max did. What the fuck could it be? It's Charles, he has so much self control, everything he says and does in front of others is perfect, how could he have almost done something that would be considered worse than trying to scent an Omega that isn't yours. It didn't add up to Max, so he chalked it up to Charles probably making something a way bigger deal than it was and throwing himself under the bus so Max wouldn't feel so bad. He wanted to talk some sense into Charles so he never needed to do anything like that again, Max didn't need to be protected. Charles though…he wouldn't mind taking care of him and making sure he's okay, mentally and physically. Fuck he shouldn't be thinking like this.
Charles was suffering in his meeting, nothing felt right, everything was too loud, the lights were too bright, people tried to touch him on the way there and he had to stop himself from growling at them. Fuck. He could handle this if he was at home in Monaco, he could be in his nest, lights turned off, no sounds, no people, just him and some peace and quiet. But during a race week? God, it was fucking impossible. He thought back to the last time he felt calm and of course it just so happened to be with Max. He was so close to hunting him down after this ended just so he could bury himself in his skin- what? That's a new thought, a rather scary one too. He shouldn't want to be around Max as much as he does, that won't lead to anything good. But he couldn't deny the calm that washed over him earlier, when he could truly smell Max, the scent enveloping him like a cozy blanket, narrowing the world down to just the two of them. Oh to hell with everything, he would rather embarrass himself than deal with wanting to claw his organs out of himself. The moment he was out of the meeting and on the way to his hotel, he pulled out his phone.
Charles
What hotel are you saying at
Max
????
Charles
Just tell me
Max
I think it's the same one Ferrari is at, I saw Lewis earlier
Charles
The one closest to the track?
Max
Yeah
Charles
Room number?
Max
What are you doing?
Charles
Please
Max
316
Charles
Thank you
Charles
And I'm sorry in advance
Max
Charles?
Max
Are you okay?
Max
Charlie???
Max
What's going on???
Max was interrupted by knocking at his door, it sounded frantic, panicked, his heart dropped.
“Charles?” He opened the door to the Monegasque man looking…definitely worse than Max has ever seen him look before.
“Charles, what's going on?”
“Quiet,” Charles said before doing something he never thought he would do (if his self from 2019 was able to see this, he would have retired on the spot) and he threw himself into Max's arms. He clung to the Dutchman as if he was the last thing anchoring him to this earth. Max stilled, his brain needing a minute to process what exactly was going on, but when it eventually rebooted, he wrapped his arms around the Monegasque, his Alpha screaming at him to protect protect protect.
“Off,” Charles murmured against him, Max barely being able to make out the words.
“Off? Off what, Charlie?”
“Patches, take them off.”
Max stilled again, before hesitantly letting go of Charles and peeling off the patches covering the scent glands near neck, tossing them in a nearby bin (with Charles still being attached to him, it was a rather impressive feat). The moment Max stopped being busy and went back to holding Charles, the younger buried his face in his neck. Max felt Charles relax in his arms instantly, even being able to pick up a faint purr from the Omega. He needed to do everything in order to not start rumbling himself, being insanely pleased about the happy Omega in his arms. He still had no explanation about what was going on though.
“Charlie?”
“Mmmm?”
“What's going on?” Max was getting concerned about how out of it Charles seemed, even if everything was pointing to him being happy.
“It's…a lot to explain.”
“That's okay, I'll listen.”
“Can't…talk about it right now.”
“You do seem very out of it…would you like to get more comfortable?”
“Please.”
Max gently unwrapped Charles from himself, before carefully picking him up. Charles still let out a yelp when he was lifted off the ground, Max then profusely apologizing for startling him. The Dutchman carried him to his bed, gently setting him down in the middle.
“This okay? I know it smells like me that might not be-”
“Shut up, it is good. More than good. There is one thing though….”
“Yes?”
“Not enough pillows, not enough blankets, give me your clothes too.”
“Charles? Are you?”
“Yes I want to build a nest, now be a good Alpha and help me.”
Max quickly shut his mouth and started giving Charles everything he requested. Hotels kept spare nesting materials in rooms, which he quickly found and gave to Charles, who wasted no time with weaving everything into a plush, soft, inviting nest. Max was mesmerized watching him work, almost forgetting that the Omega asked for his clothes too.
“Max, clothes, now.”
Demanding, but Max could definitely get used to that. He went through his suitcase, handing Charles the items most thoroughly saturated with his scent. Charles seemed pleased, carefully picking locations to place the items given to him. Surprisingly to Max, most of his clothes ended up on the side Charles was laying on. That's what made him realize the nest had room for two. He thought Charles might have just needed a safe space, not that he needed-
“Max, get in already.”
“Are you sure?”
Charles didn't answer, opting instead to drag the other down into it. Max hit the nest with a loud oomph, it wasn't really painful but he still didn't expect that. Today he was learning that Charles was full of surprises. He was quickly figuring out just how comfortable the nest was, considering it was made out of 90% shitty hotel materials, Charles really knew how to make these.
“This is a lovely nest, Charlie.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you Alp- Max.”
As Max settled, he noticed Charles slowly trying to get closer. He opened his arms as an invitation, hoping Charles would take it. Almost instantly he had an Omega wrapped around him, making him let out a quiet rumble.
“Are you ready to talk now, Charlie?”
“Yes, only if you do not judge me.”
“I would never dream of it.”
Charles took a deep breath, this was about to be a lot to admit out loud.
“I am an Omega, you know that. It is general knowledge that Omegas are more sensitive. It is like this with me too, except it is as if it was turned up to 2000 percent. I can handle it fine at home, but I struggle during race week. It has never gotten this bad before, I was debating not getting into the car. After the session, you were there. You smelled like something safe, you made the other noises stop, I could feel like I could exist without the world screaming at me. When I texted you about me almost doing something stupid, everything in my body was telling me to bury my face in your neck. That would be extremely inappropriate though, so of course I didn't do it there in public. Instead I demanded your hotel location and number like an insane person only to show up and do whatever this is. You always make everything calmer, I do not know why, but you do. You make everything a little more bearable.”
“You find me…safe?”
“To put it simply, yes.”
Max pulled the Monegasque closer, letting his hand wander into his hair, gently playing with it.
“You do not mind this, Alpha?” Charles didn't even try to stop himself there.
“I don't and I never will. If anything, it's an honor to know that you feel that way. I'm so glad I get to see you in this way, Omega. I want to make sure you're safe, I want to protect you, I want you to go out on track smelling like me because it's what makes you comfortable.”
“So many other Omegas would pay good money to have you do all of that for them.”
“I only have eyes for one.”
“Max? Are you-”
“If you'll have me.”
“I'll…think about it.”
“You made a nest in my room with my clothes with enough space for me and you're saying you'll think about it.”
“You said you wouldn't judge me!”
“I'm not judging you, just poking a little fun.”
“You're impossible.”
“And you're in my bed.”
Charles groaned, so much for a semi-serious conversation.
“I liked you more before we tried to talk about this.”
“Well if it's of any comfort, I still like you just as much, schat.”
“Schat? What does that mean?”
“You'll figure it out eventually.”
“You're still impossible.”
“And you're still in my bed.”
“I will leave.”
“I won't let you.”
Charles, in protest, tried to wriggle himself out of Max's grip, only for him to fail miserably. Max had some considerable strength, holding him effortlessly…he wondered what that could be used for. He also instantly tried to get those thoughts away from his head, he didn't need to be hard during something that was meant to be somewhat sweet.
“You're a mean, mean Alpha.”
“I just want to make sure you're okay.”
“And holding me hostage is the way to do so?”
“After you told me I make the world a little bit better for you to deal with, yes, it is what I need to do.”
The Monegasque couldn't exactly argue there, Max was right.
“Screw you.”
“That's for later.”
“Max!”
“What, it's not like we can fuck during race week without one of us being sore?”
“Oh you're horrible!”
“And you're still in my bed.”
“Because you won't let me get out!”
“That implies you want to get out.”
“And what if I do?”
“Then you're lying.”
“And how would you know? You're the only one with patches off.”
“You're purring, Charles. While I can't tell how you're feeling based on your scent, I can sure as hell tell by the fact you sound like a motor.”
“I'm going to take them off and force you to go into your garage smelling of me if you don't stop.”
“That's not a threat to me, schat.”
“Maybe I will do it then.
“Please do.”
Charles chuckled, Max seemed more eager for something like that than he expected. It was very cute in all honesty. Then something else popped into his head.
“Actually…do you mind scenting me before practice and qualifying?”
“Are you sure?”
“I don't want to be overwhelmed during something important and that's as close as I can get to having you near me.”
“In that case of course, anything you wish for.”
“Thank you, Max.”
“Anytime.”
They laid there in silence for a while, two bodies tangled together, becoming one.
“Max?”
“Yes, schat?”
“I think I want to take you up on your previous offer.”
“You'll have me?”
“Of course I will.”
Charles barely finished his sentence before Max was surging forward, capturing the Monegasques lips in a kiss. It was passionate but sweet, something both of them have been craving for longer than either realized. When they pulled apart, they both felt like they found something they've been missing their whole lives.
They finally found each other.