Archive of Our Own

It was already past midnight, but the party felt like it was only just beginning. More and more people were arriving, the music was growing louder and intense, more voices and laughter slowly filling up the space.

It was a house party, well not exactly — it was technically a bar, but it was designed to look like someone’s apartment, or at least what a rich person’s apartment in Monaco would look like. There was a living room area with couches and armchairs where people lounged with their drinks, a dj booth set up where the tv would normally be, and a huge terrace for anyone who needed some fresh air. 

It wasn’t exactly casual, to say the least. It was the kind of place that sat on the 14th floor in the center of Monaco, filled with all the who’s who. 

They decided to go out after the race — just for a bit. Max, Checo, Yuki, Gasly, and of course Daniel. 

The night was going pretty well. Max was still nursing what was left of his first gin and tonic of the night, while Daniel was already halfway through his second rum and coke.

“I’m heading to the bar. Anyone want another round?”

Daniel raised a hand, downing the last of his drink.

“Rum and coke, thanks.”

By the time Max came back, Daniel had already set his empty glass aside, quick to take the fresh one from his hand.

“Perfect timing”, Daniel said, grinning as he took a long sip. 

Max watched him for a second longer than necessary as Daniel drank, the glass tilted back, his adam’s apple moving with every sip. A second later he was already laughing, easy and loud at whatever Yuki had just said.

Max wasn’t sure if it was the rum, but Daniel looked lighter tonight, loose in a way Max hadn’t seen in a while. 

It probably had something to do with the fact that he was back at Red Bull, he was back home. As a third driver, sure — but still. No more McLaren drama, no more pressure to prove himself at any given moment. It seemed like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Max loved seeing him like this. It felt familiar — like the Daniel he remembered from their Red Bull days. Not the quiet, worn down version he had become later, when things in his career started going downhill.

Max had been lost in his thoughts when Daniel suddenly looked back at him, and only then did Max realize he’d been staring the whole time. But he didn’t look away. Instead, he smiled and raised his glass in a silent toast. 

Daniel smiled back and lifted his own drink.

“Cheers, guys”, he said, and Yuki, Pierre and Checo joined in.

They all clinked their glasses and drank before Checo suddenly announced he was going to take a piss. Pierre and Yuki dropped onto the couch where a couple of seats had just freed up, leaving Max and Daniel standing where they were, house music filling the space between them. 

“Wanna go get some air?”, Daniel asked, and Max, of course, agreed.

They stepped out onto the terrace, and even though they both lived there, the view never really got old.

From the 14th floor, Monte Carlo looked incredible at night — tiny lights from the yachts reflecting on the water, the breeze warm and pleasant. There was music on the terrace too, though softer, some kind of mellow techno. 

Daniel leaned back against the stone railing while Max stood facing him, their eyes meeting again for a brief moment.

Max looked away first.

He couldn’t really help it — Daniel just looked so good tonight. Good enough that Max forgot about everything else for a second, the glass still hanging loosely in his hand. 

He didn’t want to lose it in the blur.

He wanted this — exactly like this.

“Nice race today, by the way”, Daniel said, grinning as he sipped his rum.

“Yeah, it was alright”, Max shrugged lightly.

Daniel snorted. “Alright? You were flying out there. Especially once the rain started.”

Max just huffed a quiet laugh. Daniel leaned a little closer against the railing.

“Seriously though… it was good. Watching it from the garage”, he rolled the glass between his fingers.  “Made me want to be there, not gonna lie.”

Max glanced at him.

“You were there.”

Daniel shook his head, his smile still wide despite the hint of vulnerability in his voice.

“No, I mean really there. Out on the track.”

Max watched him for a second.

“You will be again.”

Daniel hummed softly at that, tapping the rim of the glass absently with his thumb before bringing it to his lips for a quick drink. At that moment, nothing felt important enough to ruin the mood.

When Daniel lowered his drink, he glanced back at Max — and caught him staring again. Daniel raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching. 

“Mate”, he said slowly, tilting his head a little. “You’ve been staring at me all night.”

“I haven’t!” Max said defensively, looking away as he suddenly felt his cheeks grow warm.

“Yeah, you have. Do I have something in my teeth or something?” Daniel asked with a laugh.

Max just chuckled and looked back at him again. This time, he let his gaze wander, taking his time, looking at Daniel’s exposed collarbone, the tanned skin of his chest showing beneath the open buttons of the shirt he was wearing. 

When he finally lifted his eyes back to Daniel’s, he simply said,

“You just look good tonight, that’s all.”

Daniel’s smile widened instantly to the sound of the compliment.

“Yeah?”

Max’s eyes lingered on him a few seconds too long. 

“Yeah”, he said. “That shirt looks good on you.” he glanced down briefly.

“You look… happy. I don’t know, loose.”

He hesitated for a fraction of a second before adding,

“It’s been a while since I've seen you like that.”

Daniel didn’t answer right away. Instead, he studied Max for a few seconds, like he was trying to piece something together. Then he shook his head slightly.

“No. That’s not it.”

Max raised an eyebrow. 

“What?”

Daniel leaned back against the railing, swirling the last of his drink in the glass. 

“That’s not a ‘you look happy’ look”, a smile formed at the corner of his mouth.

“You’ve been looking at me like that for years.”

Something shifted in Max’s expression. Not shock, not denial, just a quiet sort of understanding that maybe Daniel hadn’t really been as oblivious as Max had always assumed this whole time.

For a moment neither of them said anything, and Max didn’t look away. He leaned into the moment, meeting Daniel’s eyes like there was no point pretending otherwise.

“Yeah”, he said. “Maybe.”

The space between them felt a little smaller now.

Daniel let out a quiet breath, studying him like he was seeing something familiar from a completely different angle. The alcohol humming softly in his system made it easier to stay there, in that moment, without overthinking it, without wanting to run away.

For once, he didn’t feel the urge to laugh it off or to change the subject. Max had said it so simply, like it wasn’t a big deal. Like admitting it was the most obvious thing in the world… and maybe it was.

Daniel tilted his head slightly, a slow smile spreading across his lips. He was going to say something when Checo suddenly appeared with more drinks in his hands, shoving another brand new glass of rum and coke to Daniel’s hand and a beer bottle to Max’s.

“There you are!” Checo said. “I was looking everywhere for you two.”

Daniel blinked, the tension between them snapping apart.

“Cheers”, he said automatically, taking the glass. Max took the beer as well, his eyes flicking briefly back to Daniel before looking at Checo.

Checo glanced between them, one eyebrow slowly creeping up.

“…Did I interrupt something?” he asked, half joking.

Daniel scoffed immediately.

“What? No.”

Max huffed a quiet laugh and took a drink from the bottle.

Checo still looked suspicious for a second, his gaze bouncing between them like he was trying to solve a puzzle. 

“Hm”, he said. “Sure.”

Then he shrugged it off.

“Come on”, he added, nodding toward the inside of the bar. “Yuki and Pierre are dancing like idiots. You need to see this.”

Daniel laughed at that, already turning toward the door.

“Now that I have to see.”

They headed back inside together, the music from the dj booth growing louder as the terrace door slid open. The living room area was even more crowded now, people moving between the couches and the dance floor, drinks raised, the bass vibrating through the floor. 

Yuki and Pierre were indeed dancing like complete idiots. Daniel laughed immediately, letting himself get pulled toward the dance floor by Checo. 

Max stayed back for a second, watching him. 

Daniel was laughing again, loose and bright in the flashing lights, moving easily with the music. 

For a moment Max forgot about the crowd, the music, Pierre and Yuki, everything else in the room. Then Daniel glanced back over his shoulder, and caught him staring.

Again. 

Daniel’s smile only widened. He lifted his chin toward Max in a small, unmistakable gesture. 

Come here.

Max didn’t hesitate. He made his way over the crowd, the bass from the speakers vibrating through him as he stepped onto the dance floor. 

Daniel was already dancing, grinning as Max reached him. He laughed, bumping his shoulder lightly against his.

“Thought you didn’t dance”, Daniel said.

“I don’t.”

“Sure looks like you’re about to.”

Max scoffed but didn’t step away. He moved a little closer, close enough that Daniel had to tilt his head up slightly to keep looking at him. 

For a moment they just moved with the music, the crowd pressing around them, warm colorful lights flashing across their faces.

Daniel leaned in a little.

“You were staring again”, he said, voice just loud enough to be heard over the music, his stubble grazing softly against Max’s cheek.

Max didn’t even bother denying it this time. Daniel laughed softly.

“What is with you tonight?”

Max tilted his head, studying him.

“You started it.”

Daniel blinked, amused.

“Did I?”

“Yeah.”

Daniel lifted his glass, taking a quick drink, his gaze still fixed on Max over the rim.

“Is that so?”, he said, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth, like he was pushing his luck, digging even further.

Max let out a short laugh, recognizing the bait immediately. 

Daniel leaned closer again.

“You know”, he said, his lips brushing against Max’s ear as he spoke. “You might actually win this time.”

Max frowned slightly.

“Win what?”

Daniel’s smile turned a little crooked.

“In our little game.”

Max’s eyes narrowed a little in recognition. 

The stupid game they were playing for years. The unspoken game in which Daniel was always the first to back off. 

Daniel held his gaze.

For a moment Max felt a little thrown off, Daniel’s words taking a second to fully register. He wasn’t used to it. Wasn’t used to Daniel being so forward.

Sure, they’d never been afraid to show their affection for each other in public, pushing the line just far enough before it got too real for Daniel to play it off as a joke.

The teasing, the flirting, it was always just them fucking around. Nothing meant to mean anything.

At least that’s what Max had always told himself.

It was never real.

The mere idea that it could be, made Max’s knees weak, made his throat go dry, made his heart race out of control.

“…Are we flirting right now”, Max asked slowly, “or is this just… what we always do?”

He honestly couldn’t tell anymore.

Daniel just looked at him with a crooked, almost mischievous smile, his eyes bright, honest, and daring in a way Max had never seen directed at him before. He seemed to enjoy watching the realization slowly settle across Max’s face.

“What would you like it to be?”

Max didn’t look away.

“I think you know.”

For a second, neither of them moved. They just looked at each other, their eyes lit with the same honesty, the same eagerness. But while Max’s eyes sparked with a dash of openness and vulnerability, Daniel’s burned a little differently. Wilder. Hungrier.

Daniel let out a soft laugh under his breath.

“Yeah”, he said, almost to himself. Then, without breaking eye contact, he reached out and grabbed Max’s wrist.

“C’mon.”

Max didn’t even ask where they were going. He just let Daniel pull him through the crowd towards the bar. Daniel leaned against the counter, raising two fingers at the bartender.

“Another rum and coke”, he said, then glanced at Max. “And whatever he’s having.”

Max let out a quiet breath. 

“Are you sure you want another one?”

Daniel looked back at him, amused.

“I’m Australian, mate. I’ll survive.”

Max huffed a laugh, ordering another beer for himself.

“Pretty sure you lost count two drinks ago.”

Daniel grinned, accepting the fresh glass when it was placed in front of him.

“Five”, he said casually. “I’m pacing myself.”

Max shook his head, taking the beer bottle from the bartender.

They didn’t stay long. The noise inside suddenly felt too loud, the air too warm. Daniel tilted his head toward the terrace.

“Let’s go.”

The night air hit them the moment they stepped outside.

The terrace was still busy, people scattered in small groups, drinking and smoking, but it felt quieter than the chaos inside.

Daniel leaned back against the railing again, taking a sip from his glass. Max stood in front of him.

Neither of them spoke.

Max’s eyes drifted down without meaning to. The open collar of Daniel’s shirt, the sheen of sweat on his chest from dancing. His neck.

His gaze dropped lower, tracing over Daniel’s body, and then quickly to the floor the moment he realized what he was doing.

And Daniel noticed all of it, of course he did. He was watching Max attentively. A small smile spread across his lips as he reached out, fingers sliding under Max’s chin, lifting his face back up.

“Hey”, Daniel murmured.

Max swallowed. 

Daniel’s thumb brushed lightly across Max’s lower lip, slow and curious, like he was testing the line.

Max didn’t pull away. If anything, his mouth parted just slightly under the touch, just enough to feel Daniel’s finger on the tip of his tongue. 

Daniel’s eyes flicked down to it. His thumb lingered for a second, then dragged slowly across Max’s lower lip, smearing the softness of it, messing him up. 

His gaze followed the movement as his finger moved higher, brushing over the freckle on Max’s upper lip, pressing just enough to leave a faint sting before pulling away.

It made Max want to take what he wanted — what he’d always wanted, because this might never happen again. Daniel might never look at him like that again, might never touch him like that again.

“Daniel…” Max murmured, feeling lightheaded. His mouth watered, his lips parting without thinking. 

Daniel didn’t rush it, his thumb lingered there for a beat, pressing just enough to make Max ache for more. Then it slipped past his lips, smooth, too easy.

Max inhaled sharply, his breath catching as his mouth closed around it, instinct taking over before he could even think, tracing it slowly with his tongue. His gaze was on Daniel as he did it, watching Daniel watch him, and god, the look on Daniel's face, he looked like he was barely holding it together.

He couldn’t help it — his hips jerked forward uncontrollably, a brief, barely-there brush against Daniel’s that sent heat through his entire body. 

Max pulled away then, cheeks flushed, eyes hungry.

“We must look insane right now”, he muttered, fighting every urge to press himself against Daniel again. 

Daniel let out a quiet huff of amusement.

“You’re the one doing that in the middle of a crowded terrace”, his hand sliding to Max’s side, fingers tightening around his waist, keeping him right there.

“Daniel”, Max murmured, already feeling a little unhinged. “What do you want?”

Max’s voice barely sounded like his own, and that — that did something to Daniel. His grip on Max’s waist tightened instantly, pulling him closer without even realizing it. 

His gaze dropped again. Max’s mouth. Pink, slightly parted, still a little wet. 

Daniel exhaled slowly, like he was trying to steady himself. It didn’t work.

“Jesus…” he muttered under his breath. 

His thumb brushed over Max’s lower lip again, pressing a little harder this time, dragging slowly over the soft fullness of it, needy. 

His voice came out rough, lower than before. He looked up, finally meeting Max’s eyes again. 

“Fuck, Maxy.”

Max swallowed, pulse loud in his ears. His hand slid past him, gripping the railing beside Daniel’s hip, caging him in without even thinking about it, close enough that their bodies brushed again.

“You want my mouth, don’t you?”

Daniel’s eyes closed for a second, like that alone was too much. Like he couldn’t even look at him while hearing that. His grip tightened on Max’s waist, fingers digging in.

“Max...”

And then —

“Yeah”, he admitted. “Fuck. Yeah, I do.”

Max held Daniel’s gaze, exhaling slowly through his nose. There was something different in his expression now. A quiet kind of confidence, like he knew exactly what he was offering. Like he might have wanted this just as much. 

“I can give you that.”

Daniel let out a quiet breath, something almost disbelieving in it, his eyes lingered on Max’s mouth like he couldn’t help it.

“Yeah?” he murmured. A small, dangerous smile spread across his lips.

“You’d do that here?”

He did everything he could not to reach for his mouth again.

“Right now?”

Max swallowed hard, but he didn’t look away. Didn’t hesitate. 

“Yeah”, he said quietly.

Their bodies kept drifting into each other, hips brushing, drawn like magnets, thighs pressing between the other’s legs before pulling back again.

Daniel exhaled, shaking his head slightly, like he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing, or how much he liked it.

“In front of everyone?” he pushed, voice lower now.

Max’s hand tightened just slightly at the railing on Daniel’s side, steadying himself.

“Don’t care.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened. His gaze snapped back up to Max’s, something raw flashing there now. His hand slid from Max’s waist to his wrist, grip firm.

“Yeah, we’re not staying here.”

He didn’t wait for an answer. Just pulled Max with him, already moving.

Max followed without question. He was aware of the music, the people around them, but none of it registered. Not when Daniel was pulling him like that.

And he didn’t slow down. He moved through the crowd like he had somewhere very specific in mind, hand still tight around Max’s wrist. 

They slipped out of the terrace, turning into a darker hallway. One door, then another. The music dulled behind them, the noise fading with every step, until all that was left was the sound of their breathing.

Daniel pushed a door open and glanced back. 

Max was still right there. 

Then, the door shut behind them. 

Max didn’t look around. He didn’t care where they were, how Daniel even knew this place, nothing.

The only thing he cared about was Daniel’s hand already in his hair, the smell of his cologne, the warmth of his body pressed against his. 

Daniel pushed him back against the door. His lips hovered at Max’s jaw as they both tried to catch their breath. 

Max tilted his head just slightly, instantly giving in.

“Tell me this isn’t just you messing with me.”

“I’m not, Maxy.”

Daniel’s hips pressed in, slow, intentional. He lingered there long enough for Max to feel it, the friction, already hard against Max’s thigh.

“Does this feel like I'm messing with you?”

Max sucked in a breath.

“No.”

Daniel exhaled against his skin, hot and heavy.

Then, he grabbed his jaw and kissed him. It was messy and intense, Max’s mouth opening instantly, letting him in without hesitation, his breath catching as Daniel’s tongue slid in, pulling the kiss deeper.

A soft, involuntary sound slipped from him, swallowed immediately by the kiss as his hands found Daniel — his shirt, his sides, pulling him closer like he needed more, all of it.

“Still wanna do that?” Daniel murmured against his lips, voice low, rough, with a hint of a smirk.

Max didn’t trust his voice. His hands slid down first, slow, like he was giving Daniel time to stop him if he wanted to.

He didn’t. 

Max swallowed, his gaze dropping as his fingers found Daniel’s belt, fumbling with it for a second before his eyes lifted back to his. 

“Yeah”, he said, certain, before dropping down to his knees, just like that.

He started opening Daniel’s belt, his fingers moving fast, anxious, too eager, when Daniel caught his wrist. Not stopping him, just slowing him down.

“Careful, baby”, he murmured, his thumb brushed over Max’s knuckles before letting go.

“Don’t rush it.”

Max’s breath caught, something tightening low in his stomach as the nickname hit him hard, sending a rush of heat through him that made it hard to think. It only made him hungrier, made him want to be good for him in a way he couldn’t explain.

His fingers found Daniel’s buckle again, playing with it for a second before working it open, slowly, just like Daniel had told him. When it gave, he popped the button open and dragged the zipper down, leaving it hanging loose on his hips.

He couldn't believe the view in front of him. Daniel’s hips right there at his eye level, his jeans open — barely holding on, black boxers stretched tight against him, outlining everything. Max’s mouth watered. 

But instead of pulling him free, his hands slid up Daniel’s waist, slipping under the edge of his shirt, fingers brushing over warm skin.

He leaned in and pressed his mouth there, just above the waistband, holding it there for a beat. Then he let himself sink into it, lips softening, parting, his tongue sliding out to taste him, tracing slowly along his skin, along the trail of hair there.

“Look at you,” Daniel sighed, voice dipping.

“Been wanting this, haven’t you?”

Max didn’t deny it.

“Yes”, he breathed against him as he lowered himself, settling right there between his thighs.

The open denim pressed to his cheek, its rough edges brushing his skin as he rubbed his face there, while the fabric of his boxers felt soft and thin on his lips. The contrast was so delicious his hand dropped to the front of his own jeans, giving himself a quick squeeze, just to hold himself together.

He pressed closer, moving slowly against him, feeling the weight of him through the fabric. He lingered there, breathing him in, taking it all in — the shape of him, how hard he already was, pressing firm against his mouth.

“Yeah, thought so.”

He sounded mean almost, accent getting thicker with every word. His hand slid into Max’s hair, fingers curling at the back of his head, holding him there. 

Daniel’s jaw tightened, something dark flickering in his eyes. His grip shifted slightly, fingers threading deeper into Max’s hair, tilting his head just enough to make him look up through his lashes, lips parted and glossy, his breath warm against him.

He almost moaned at that, his hips moving forward before he could stop himself, chasing more contact. 

“Jesus, Max…”

It came out wrecked.

His grip tightened, keeping Max right there as his hips rolled forward against his cheek, slow at first, then a little rougher, like he needed more.

And apparently Max needed more too, because his hands climbed higher, fingers hooking into the waistband of Daniel’s jeans, dragging them down at last. The denim slipped lower inch by inch, exposing the ink along his thigh.

Max’s mouth was latched onto it before the fabric had even dropped all the way down. His tongue traced the lines of the tattoo, following the ink like he had all the time in the world. 

Daniel’s breath hitched. 

“Fuck…”

His hand tightened in Max’s hair again as Max moved higher, following the path up to mouth at his dick through his boxers again, less shy now, sucking along the length.

This time, Daniel was the impatient one.

His hands dropped to his own boxers, pushing them down, like he couldn’t wait anymore. Max’s mouth followed, pressing kisses against bare skin as it was slowly revealed, moving with it, like he was savoring every inch. 

The fabric slid down, pooling at Daniel’s ankles, leaving him fully exposed.

Max stopped then, just for a second.

He leaned back slightly, letting his gaze move over him, taking him in, fully, openly. His pupils were blown wide, dark and hungry, like he needed that moment, needed to see.

Daniel’s dick was beautiful. The head flushed a deeper shade, sensitive-looking, like it had been waiting. Max swallowed. His eyes moved slowly over him, taking in the length of him, the way it bounced solid and proud, impossible to ignore.

“Go on, baby. It’s yours.”

Max’s eyes lifted to Daniel for a moment, just to see him say it. And… fuck. He looked like he meant every word. He looked like he wanted him like this. Like he was getting off on Max looking at him like that.

His hands settled on Daniel’s hips, grounding himself as he leaned in, mouth finding him immediately, warm and needy.

Daniel sucked in a sharp breath. His fingers tightened in Max’s hair on instinct, his head tipping back just slightly as the first real contact hit him, a shudder running through him.

“Fuck—”

But Max didn’t rush it. He slowed down on purpose, his mouth tracing up and down Daniel’s length like he was learning him, like he was taking his time with something he’d wanted for too long.

“Max…”

A warning, or at least, it tried to be.

Max didn’t listen. 

His grip tightened on Daniel’s hips instead, holding him there as he worked his mouth over his dick — not taking more yet, just dragging it out, letting his tongue trace along him, not quite giving him what he wanted.

Another sound slipped out of Daniel, lower now, rougher, and that — 

That made Max sink into it just a little more, lips closing around him enough to feel him properly, tongue pressing in before pulling back again, feeling the way Daniel’s body tensed under his hands, the way his voice kept breaking. 

He kept him right on the edge, waiting for Daniel to snap. Waiting for him to stop asking, and start demanding. 

And Daniel was getting there, fast.

“Max…”, a breath, shaky, already slipping. “Don’t—“, he swallowed. “Stop playing with me.”

Max’s smirk barely showed, but Daniel could hear it in his voice, loud and clear. 

“I thought you told me not to rush it.”

Daniel let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. His grip tightened in Max’s hair immediately, pulling just enough to sting.

“Yeah… changed my mind.” He swallowed, voice dropping. A brief, helpless twitch right under Max’s mouth giving him away.

“Fuck, Max… I don’t care. Just—”

Max paused for a second, his lips still brushing against him as he glanced up at Daniel, that cocky little smirk still there. 

“Then take it.”

For a second Daniel just stared, like he didn’t quite process it. And then it hit —

holy shit… it’s Max.

Not just anyone. 

Max.

His Max.

And now he was here, on his knees, looking up at him like that, saying things like that.

Daniel let out something under his breath, half a laugh, half disbelief.

“Jesus, Max…”

A breath, wrecked, barely held together. His thumb dragged lightly along Max’s jaw, holding him there, making sure he kept looking.

Max didn’t move. Didn’t even blink. He just opened his mouth slightly, looking up at him from below, waiting.

Daniel exhaled, rough, like it got knocked out of him. His thumb moved from his jaw to his mouth, brushing along Max’s lip, slow, almost careful before pressing inside. 

Warmth met him instantly, Max’s mouth closing around his finger, soft, almost too good, and fuck, his dick reacts to it, sharp and immediate, like it refused to be left out, and —

“That what you want?”

Daniel sounded fucking wrecked.

“You want me to fuck your mouth?”

Max looked absolutely devastating like that — lips parted, breath uneven, blue eyes locked on him as he murmured around his finger.

“Yeah.”

“Christ…” Daniel inhaled slowly, like he was trying to steady himself. “Alright.”

His hand slid down, gripping himself at the base. His other hand moved from Max’s mouth to cup the side of his face, thumb brushing along his cheekbone, keeping him close.

He moved in slowly, watching his dick slide nice and easy past Max’s lips, all the way until he heard a small choking sound, immediately easing back — just slightly.

“Fuck… baby— Again”, he groaned, already moving back in slowly, watching the way Max opened up for him, eyes never leaving Daniel’s.

His fingers tightened faintly against Max’s cheek as he went deeper, testing. 

Another choked sound broke out of Max, low, caught somewhere in his throat, and fuck — it made him insane, Max swallowing around his dick, trying not to choke on it, it was too much already. 

He stilled for half a second, deep, just to hear it again, and then, against every instinct to keep going he pulled back, just slightly, just enough to let Max pull in an uneven breath, to steady himself —

And Max stayed right there, didn’t pull back, didn’t lower his eyes, didn’t look scared.

“Yeah, Maxy... that’s it”, Daniel murmured. “You’re doing so good”, he praised, holding right there for a moment, feeling the warmth, the softness, everything.

“Want more?”, he teased quietly.

Max’s reply came as a nod, his eyes watery, cheeks flushed. Fuck.

Daniel held him with his two hands now, holding him steady as his hips started moving forward in a slow, controlled rhythm, not deep enough to fit entirely but deep enough to produce this addicting sound out of Max’s throat, again and again and again.

Max’s mouth flooded with saliva, so wet and slippery and fuck — Daniel was so close. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold it together.

Max let himself give in. He stayed there and took it, letting Daniel do as he pleased, whiny little moans slipping from him, muffled and helpless.

His hand disappeared into his own jeans, palming himself while Daniel kept the pace, fucking into him slow and deep, using him however he needed. 

Daniel was still holding onto that last thread of control — barely.

Every sound, every stutter of Max’s throat around his dick was starting to get to him, breaking through that last bit of restraint.

And then he saw it — Max’s hand moving inside his jeans, the way he responded to it, to him…  he grabbed a handful of soft blond hair without even realizing.

“Yeah…? That’s what does it to you?”, he breathed, voice hoarse.

“Getting off on being used like that?”

His rhythm broke, picking up, rougher now, more unforgiving. 

He was dying to hear Max answer, but he couldn’t slow himself down anymore. 

“Fuck, Max…”

A low groan.

“You like it like this, huh?” 

The only thing Max could do was open his mouth wider, jerk himself faster, his tongue peeking out, giving Daniel more space to fuck into, not pulling away. 

Another filthy sound slipped out of him as Daniel reached too deep, and it only got worse from there.

His breath hitched, his throat struggling to keep up, another set of insane noises slipping through, raw and helpless.

“Holy shit,” Daniel couldn’t recognize the sound of his own voice anymore. 

Max completely gave up all control — drool dripping from the corners of his mouth, his eyes blurred, lashes sticking slightly as they blinked through it. Tears ran down his cheeks as Daniel didn’t let him go, driving his hips into him, deeper each time.

Max choked on it, not retreating. A complete mess, undone and open and taking it, each sound of his throat pushing Daniel further, driving him out of his mind.

“Fuck, Max—“

Daniel let out a broken sob as he started coming right there, flooding Max’s mouth with more liquid before finally pulling away, finishing himself off with trembling hands, letting the rest of it spill messily on the floor.

Max pulled back with a soft choke, gasping for air as soon as he could, his face flushed and sweaty, messy with tears, spit, come, everything. He was so far gone, like something had taken over him, he didn’t even get the chance to come back to himself before it hit him, full send.

He was fucking shaking, his whole body shuddering as he followed right after Daniel — coming hard into his fist, half-tucked in his jeans, too caught up in the way everything had just unraveled between them. 

And then, silence.

Max stayed there for a moment longer, breath still uneven, throat working to catch up, blinking slowly as he pulled back just enough, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

His lips were swollen, flushed a deeper pink, his cheeks carrying that same heat.

Daniel looked worse.

He stood there for a second, like his balance hadn’t fully come back yet, running a hand through his hair, trying to pull himself together.

“Shit…” he muttered under his breath.

Max let out a quiet breath, finally glancing around the room for the first time since they’d stumbled into it — the couch, the bed, all of it right there, untouched.

“…We had options”, he muttered, a breath of a laugh leaving him.

He glanced around once more, then huffed softly.

Yeah.

Wouldn’t have changed a thing.

He stood up and headed straight to the bathroom without a word, flicking the light on and leaning over the sink, turning on the water without thinking.

Cold.

He splashed some on his face, trying to bring the heat down, but when he glanced up —

“…Shit.”

There were marks.

On his shirt. On his jeans.

Not subtle either.

“Fuck…”

He grabbed some paper towels, wet them quickly, trying to scrub at it, hoping it would fade enough not to be obvious.

It didn’t. Not really.

“Great,” he muttered, giving himself one more look in the mirror before running a hand through the mess of his hair, trying to smooth it out.

He stepped out of the bathroom a minute later, looking more put together, at least at a glance.

If you didn’t look too closely.

Which, hopefully, no one would.

Back in the room, Daniel was already pulling himself together, straightening his shirt, fixing himself back into something that felt normal.

He didn’t feel drunk anymore.

Not even close.

Daniel glanced at him briefly.

“You good?”

Max gave a small shrug.

“Of course.” 

They stepped back into the noise of the party like nothing had happened, music hitting them, lights flashing, people moving around them like the world hadn’t shifted under their feet.

Yuki spotted them immediately.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked between them, once, twice, taking in everything — Max’s face, still flushed, lips slightly swollen, wet spots visible on his shirt.

Then Daniel —

The way he stood, just a little off, like his body hadn’t fully caught up to him yet.

A slow smirk spread across Yuki’s face.

“…You two.”

He tilted his head, amused.

“Where the hell did you disappear to? And… why do you both look like that?”

Max shrugged, way too casual.

“Getting drinks.”

Yuki didn’t look convinced, his gaze flicking briefly to their empty hands, but before he could say anything else, Daniel was already pulling Max along.

“Come on.”

Daniel didn’t slow down until they were a little further from the crowd, weaving them through people and noise until he found a quieter corner, half-hidden behind one of the lounge areas.

“Sit,” he muttered, more instinct than order, dropping down first and pulling Max with him.

They ended up close. Too close to pass as casual.

For a second, neither of them said anything. Just breathing, letting it sink in.

Daniel leaned in then, brushing close to Max’s ear, voice low, rough in a way that hadn’t quite faded yet.

“That was so fucking hot.”

Max blinked once, thrown off just enough to show.

“Yeah?”

He glanced at him, a small, crooked smile tugging at his lips.

“Thought you were gonna lose it.”

Daniel snorted softly, leaning back just enough to look at him.

“Sure fucking did.”

A pause settled between them. Not awkward, just… new.

Max’s fingers tapped against his knee, like he was grounding himself, then he exhaled.

“Daniel… we’re good, right?”

It came out quieter than he probably meant it to.

Daniel’s expression changed into something softer.

“Yeah.”

He smiled and wrapped his arm around Max.

“Yeah, we’re good.”

Max nodded, that tension easing out of his shoulders just a little.

“Okay.”

Then, almost under his breath —

“…I’d do that again, you know.”

Daniel stilled.

For a second, he just looked at him. Something in his expression shifted — his eyes widening just slightly, like that hadn’t even crossed his mind. Like he hadn’t let himself go there.

Having Max like that.

Again.

That hit deeper than he expected.

He let out a small breath, still staring at him.

“…Yeah?”

Max met his eyes, looking like he was already thinking about it, like he’d do it again right now if Daniel wanted to.

“Yeah.”