Archive of Our Own ^beta

Vegas always carried its own magic.

And he’s not talking about the buzz from the different speakers banging trending music, or the amount of influencers trying to get the spotlight, and much less he was referring to the distinctive odor that the place had –that between us, it made everything a bit dizzy–.

No.

The grand prix of Las Vegas was different in its own way. It was the weekend where shame was almost non-existent, where the craziest parties or random things happened between drivers and crew. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, isn’t it?. That’s what everyone says when they were close to fuck something, and somewhow those secrets that the city carried were usually buried and no one digged on it.

Key word: usually.

Max didn’t have that luck.

— Max, por el amor de Dios, stop ogling at them. It’s not funny anymore, man.

The groan from his side made Max turn to look at Checo, who looked rather tired beside the Dutchman.

— I don’t even know what you are implying, mate.

Checho just looked at him, his face dead serious. — Seriously? So, you are just respectfully eating with your eyes your childhood rival AND his girlfriend for no apparent reason, because you clearly loathe them and are not desperately in love with them, right?.

Max’s mouth opened and closed, no sound coming from them, just for then seal them in a thin line.

— I thought so. Now, come on we have work to do, you can pity yourself in your hotel room not hours from the start of the race.

The Mexican gestured to go back inside the building, walking already towards the entrance as Max just stood for a few seconds more, watching from afar the way Charles hugged Alex by the waist and she leaned towards him with a shy smile on her face as some cameras flashed at them continuously.

— Max!.

— I’m coming! Jesus, can’t a man have a break?.

He turned his back from the whole picture he was gazing at just a minute ago, walking towards his teammate, not noticing the two pairs of eyes that now looked at his back. The soft smile and the smirk that followed him, as if they knew what was meant to happen after.

Silently scheming.

It was just a matter of hours, the couple thought.

The race was impeccable as always, a masterclass some of them said, RedBull dominating the sport as they once did a decade ago. People clapped and screamed as they got off the cars and were welcomed with excitement, adoration and giddiness from the crowd and crew members.

Then, it was just the three of them. Greeting and congratulating themselves for the race, even saying some comments about the turns they took in certain laps, the championship and the race in general for the other drivers.

And, well, maybe Charles started the teasing this time. — So, the limousine for the winners?.

Checho nodded and Max smiled too.

— You bet it.

The Monegasque returned the smile, licking his lips as he looked at the blonde man. — Can’t wait for it then.

— Oh no…

The limousine was charming, giggles, shared gazes and some intern jokes between Charles and Max –Max is not taking into account that Checo as in the middle of it, thank you very much–, and he just left the car with a new amused face, buzzing from excitement not only for the victory itself. He knew he was going to win, obviously, it’s him, and 2023 it’s clearly his season again, he could savor his third championship already. But because of the promise of the winner’s party, he was fucking ready to crash it out and feel the moment.

He turned to Checo, who looked if he was already dreading the fact that he was there, they both out of their racesuits, looking at the people already dancing on the floor, bartenders overworking themselves with multiple orders and waiters coming all the way around to greet the newcomers and take orders, walking from different parts with bottles of different types of alcohol. The mood was clear: Party, enjoy, and forget. And Max was for it all, already spotting some of the drivers scattered around the VIP zone, if he squinted his eyes in the back Oscar was talking with Logan, and George was already on the dancefloor with Fernando and Carmen –Alex with Lily on the back cheering–, aaand, bingo! Charles was with Alex, Carlos and Pierre near them.

He smiled and tucked his teammate' side.

— Don’t let me get that drunk, mate.

— I can’t promise such a thing, Max, and you know it.

— Come on, at least try.

Checho didn’t answer, he just sighed and nodded, though he had a small smile plastered on his face as Max walked towards the latter group of people.

— Me agradecerás después, Max.

The second driver of RedBull followed Max as the Dutchman danced his way with a gin-tonic already on his hand, greeting some people and bathing himself with pride and all the congratulations from the different guests about his victory. And well, soon enough Max was surrounded by Alex and Charles, both of them at his side while Carlos and Pierre just shared a look with Checo, the other two looked as tired as him. So it was mutual, eh?.

This will be fun.

Checo smiled. — Hey, what about I invite you to a good tequila? I know they have some strong ones here.

The agreement came in once and in less than ten minutes they were already taking shots of a good aged tequila, some cocktails and more things they will regret the next morning. But for now, they will take advantage of the fact that they were just the three of them, their friends already on other sides of the club.

The woman smiled to herself, taking another sip from her glass as she looked at Max from head to toe. — How are you feeling tonight, race winner?.

Max smiled, already tipsy, almost drunk. — Awesome.

She approached him, slightly touching his chest while locking their gazes. — Well, you indeed look awesome, Maxie.

— You look gorgeous too, Alex.

— Really?.

The man gulped, his cheeks taking that rosy shade on them as he quickly tried to look around and find Charles –who was very much drunk and dancing, thank go the lights were low–, he turned again, Alexandra’s eyes still on him, her perfect eyelashes batting as her gaze fell to his fulled lips, smiling.

— Alex… I don’t think that this shoul-

She silenced him with another sip of cocktail, maybe some vodka mixed with other drinks and some other things, but it tasted good, so Max nursed himself with the rest of the drink. Nevertheless, the alcohol in his veins was already a lot so somehow he felt a bit free and courageous as he turned again to Alex.

— You don’t think you should what, Maxie?.

Her tone was a mocking one, extending a hand towards the man, and Max? He wasn’t that strong.

— Fuck it.

Their kiss was not quick, they took their time to explore each other's mouths, Alexandra’s hands going towards the blonde strands, curling them as she smiled when Max hugged her. They separated for a couple of seconds, just looking at each other, their pupils dilated and their breaths becoming one as the alcohol disinhibited their own prejudices and fears, sharing another kiss. This time, a hungry one.

But nothing is a color rose.

Another voice came, calling his name. — Max!.

He knew that tone, very well. Fuck, it was Charles.

Max separated himself from Alexandra, already dreading the confrontation that would come as the Monegasque stumbled over them, Alex smiling at him, as if what just happened wasn’t considered cheating. In the turmoil of his mind the Dutchman didn’t get to understand anything that Charles said before acting without thinking at all.

— Max! Alex! You promised to wa-.

His lips were quickly sealed with Max’s, Charles’ eyes were wide as plates, but the shock disappeared as soon as he realized who he was kissing, reciprocating it and hugging Max by the waist as he profundized the kiss. Now Max was the shocked one, he was the one who stepped out of his embrace, hearing the confused noises that the other man made as he missed the other’s touch and warmth.

— I’m sorry- I- I- I have to go.

He ran from them, not even turning back as both Alexandra and Charles called for him, he didn’t know where he ran to, but clearly it wasn’t anywhere near the exit of the bar. Instead, he just crashed into Checo who looked at him rather amused.

— So? How has your night been, mate?.

— A nightmare. You have something to drink?.

The Mexican furrowed his brows, looking towards the second floor and then at Max again, putting a hand on his shoulder with compassion.

— What the fuck happened, max?.

He asked as they went towards the bar, Max drinking three shots straight, leaving Checo surprised as Max answered with his words already sluggish.

— I kissed Alexandra and Charles.

— Oh man… —. Max's eyes were wide, his expression showing regret and fear of the consequences just as Sergio shook his head. — I owe Carlos so much money.

— What?!.

Checo smiled. — Nothing, just… Drink a bit more, maybe you forget about this with a few drinks.

Max nodded, another shot on his lips. — Don’t let me do anything stupid, Checo. 

The other just raised his hands in surrender. — People say that children and drunkards always tell the truth. I promise I won’t let you do anything you don’t wanna do.

To be fair, Max didn’t heard what Checo said, he was just immersed in his mind, praying to any god that the place didn’t had cameras in that corner of the second floor, or that there wasn’t anyone with a phone recording or that George fucking Russell was near. He prayed as the alcohol entered his system and made his own thoughts a bit slower, his eyes darting again to the second floor.

Maybe if he went and asked forgiveness anything would go wrong right?.

Yeah, and whatever happens, that will be a problem for future Max, not his. For now he will have some more drinks to take courage and then confront the two most beautiful people in his life, the ones he has been drooling for literal months and years.

What could go wrong?.

Max groaned as soon as his phone continued buzzing, the mattress under him feeling like clouds as he tried to stay asleep, but God wasn’t kind to him and his phone buzzed and started to ring. The blonde man already dreading to pick up his phone and see what or who the fuck was interrupting him. He got up slowly, his head spinning as he blinked, the first thing to notice was the screen of his phone showing a good amount of messages coming.

— Oh mjin Gott.

He opened his phone and the app, dismissing Sergio’s and Carlos’ messages as quickly realizing that he was added to a new group, he squinted his eyes, trying to make up the letters. He took a big breath as the words finally clicked on his mind: ‘mes amours’, it said, he opened the chat, only to find a small trail of messages of two people saved as ‘schatje’  and ‘liefje’, talking about what to do for breakfast and if they got everything, if max was alright and was safe in the room. With fear he clicked to see the group chat photo, finding a blurry selfie of him, Charles and Alex smiling at the camera with their faces squished over the other. Still, he didn’t believe at first –probably AI, he murmured under his breath–, he went to see the photos of the people he saved with those pet names, just to be sure.

But fuck!.

He tossed his phone to the mattress, as the phone itself bounced a bit on the suspiciously large bed. Max didn’t care, he just got up, searching for his things around the room, finding his watch and wallet rapidly, he took his phone and went towards the bathroom, he needed to refresh or at least put some water on his face, because this was definitely not happening, this was a joke –a cruel one, but still a joke–. He entered the ensuite and turned on the lights, his head already over the counter as he opened the faucet and splashed some water over his face. The cold sensation alliviated some of the pain he felt in the back of his mind and calmed the dizziness of the whole situation.

— Calm down, Max Emilian, this is just a bad dream. No need to go crazy.

He repeated that mantra for a good minute, blindly going for the hand towel and drying his face, not hearing that the hotel room’s door was opened. But when he took off his face the towel he was nothing but perplexed.

Blue, red and purple.

His goddamned neck was a trail of blue, red and purple marks along his nape, shoulder, chest and neck. Nothing else, not even the white shirt that seemed a bit tight on his body, was able to hide the fact that he was mauled alive. His fingers trailed over the hickeys, the scratches and fingertrails. He didn’t want to admit it, but he kinda scolded himself in his mind for getting that drunk up to the point of forgetting what the fuck happened last night. Because, let’s be real, if Max was going to end up in some media thing being dragged for his status and being portrayed as a homewrecker, he would like at least to have the fucking memories of it! Thank you very much.

Yet he couldn’t go further into his spiraling mind because two voices that he knew too well entered the room and approached the ensuite door.

— ¡Vida! We came back! Are you up already?.

— Ange, you didn’t answer our messages so we got a bit of everything to eat, hope you like shawarmas for breakfast!.

Max looked at his reflection, gulping and many emotions clashing one over the other.

He whispered. — What the fuck did I do last night?.

§

Vegas was buzzing this time.

Max smiled to himself as he walked through the paddock. Greeting staff members and waving at some fans, he was a bit stiff but everyone brushed that, after all, this race was going to be decisive for his career. This race would be –wil bel, Max argues– the race that will crown him as a fourth-time champion in this sport. The 2024 season wasn’t easy, there was a lot of failures about the car and the own strategy, and Max has been fighting with nails and teeth to have his #1 with him. 

And he will not lose, much less today that was his own anniversary.

He could fight his boyfriend and rival on track, but he had promised both his partners that he will win the 2024 season, and he wasn’t giving up on that promise when he was so close to it. He could feel the commentators already calling him champion, no matter if he wasn’t on the podium, he knew he could make it to have enough point to win.

He had already made it seasons ago, this wasn’t going to be the exception.

Max hummed, opening his phone when it buzzed and the screen lit up to show a photo of their pets cuddled together in their sofa back in Monaco, he smiled and opened the group chat just as Charles sent another message.

《— Emergency meeting. Come to my driver room RN.》

《— Cha? Everything alright? Don’t scare us.》

《—I’m real, please come.》

《— I need you both here.》

《— Please.》

Alexandra and him quickly answered, a mix of asking if Charles was alright and confirming that they were coming over, and the blonde man was already sprinting towards the Ferrari building, his anxiety levels going high as he imagined any type of outcome from that cryptic message. He was panting the moment he was in the place, watching Alexandra come running too, both of them looking at each other with clear fear in their eyes, every negative scenario coming to their heads as they entered the place, being greeted by Carlos who just waved at them and signaled to go towards Charles.

— He didn’t tell me anything, mate, just that he needed both of you. and he was crying.

They ran again, every possibility passing through their minds.

Did someone know about these three? The media got the news? Was Charles being blackmailed? Or did something happen to his family? Pascale? Lorenzo? Charlotte? Did Ferrari terminate his contract? 

Too much questions and no clear answers.

They barged into the room, locking it as soon as possible while they hovered around charlos, who was silently crying, his phone hugged into his chest while fat tears came down his cheeks. Both Max and Alex kneeled in front of Charles, their eyes meeting each other and nodding, they moved to try to soothe the Monegasque.

— ¿Cariño? What happened?.

— Schatje, we’re here, you’re safe.

Charles finally seemed to realize he wasn’t alone, he looked at them and smiled softly, which surprised the other two people in the room, but the brunet continued. — I- I- oh mon Dieu Maxie, Alex… We- we.

Another sob broke Charles’ phrase, he shoved his phone to them as he finally  just made himself comfortable in between his partners, Max and alexandra hugging him immediately, the Monegasque phone in Max hand and the other just kept crying.

They looked over and gasped audibly.

Max hand started to tremble just like Alex’s lips.

Their faces a mix of surprise and happiness as little tears filled their own eyes.

Finally, Charles found his voice, looking up to them with a big smile and tear-tracked cheeks..

— We’re going to be parents, mes amours…

They would thing about all the arrangings later, how to break it to the world, the next steps to keep their relationship secret but raise their daughter well, the NDAs that the mother will need to sign and the parenting classes the three of them will need to take. All this could be done later, for now, they need to savor this new step of their relationship.

They kissed the three of them at the same time. 

A bit sloppy and full of tears, their noses picking the other as they laughed. Fear out of mind as their love filled every part of their bodies, the relief of all the programs they were in, the happiness of having their apartment fuller, the fact that they were more established than ever, growing their own family, their own world.

Who would have thought that a drunken night born from the victory in this same track would them them to confess their feelings and finally get the courage to be together and then get the news that they were going to be parents soon?.

— It’s always Vegas, isn’t it?

They laughed and shared another kiss, the race already forgotten for now, they were already winners right there and then.