MV3 🦁 CL16 Formula 1 & NH🎶

Qualifying always brings with it a very specific kind of focus, especially somewhere like Japan. 

Early in the morning he has the fanstage appearance, which is fine. The questions are a bit silly, and he always ends up feeling like he’s in a boyband and not a serious athlete, but it’s only ten minutes and he can put up with it for the fans. The Japanese fans are always very enthusiastic, and Max likes Suzuka.  

After that is quali prep, and then quali, and then a debrief about quali, and only then is he free to go home. He sends Charles a text to let him know he’s about to leave, then slings his backpack over his shoulders. 

When he gets out into the paddock, he’s immediately with the loud shout of, “MAX!” 

He twists around, furrowing his brow as his eyes seek out the flustered visage of Charles barrelling straight towards him. 

“Have you seen this?” Charles demands angrily, phone waving around dramatically. 

Max doesn’t really know what this is, but he does know that their teams had been very clear that they’re not supposed to be seen with each other very much. 

“Uh, it can’t wait until we’re back at the hotel?” 

“No, it cannot,” Charles seethes. 

He’s red cheeked and upset, and Max starts to wonder if he maybe did something wrong today that annoyed or angered Charles. He can’t really think of anything he did out of the ordinary, but sometimes PR engagements pass in a bit of a blur for him and he doesn’t really know what he said. 

Charles shoves his phone in front of Max’s face, and then presses play on the video. 

It’s Lando and Oscar up on the fan stage, Lando laughing at something the interviewer said and Oscar smiling his usual subdued smile. 

“Oh, Oscar and I get along very well, don’t we, Osc?” Lando says, grinning widely. Then he throws his arm around Oscar’s shoulders, pulls him close, and plants a big kiss on his cheek.

Charles groans, like he’s in pain, while Max’s eyes widen. 

“There are already three fics in their tag about this!” Charles whispers furiously, stepping closer to Max. “You need to kiss me right now.” 

Max’s mouth drops open. When he wanted them to conspire, he didn’t mean out their relationship to the public. 

“No,” Max says vehemently. He knows how Charles gets in these moments of competitiveness, how all rational thought leaves his brain. He’s probably in some kind of loss-fueled daze and he’ll come out the other side regretting even making the suggestion. “We can talk about this somewhere privately?” 

Charles glares at him, hands on his hips. Then his face lights up and he holds his hand out, like he wants Max to hold it. 

“Yes, let's go somewhere private,” he says, smiling at him flirtatiously. “Make it obvious that you’re whisking me away to have your way with me.”