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Synopsis: After falling off a ladder, Y/N decides that calling an Uber is probably the safer option for getting to the ED. While Dr. Abbot treats her injured wrist, Robby, Y/N’s brother, finally returns the voicemail left for him. However, he isn’t thrilled by the way his best friend and little sister are interacting, or by the tension he senses between them.
Contains: Slow-burn romance • Workplace tension • Medical drama • Emergency department setting • Mutual flirting • Emotional intimacy • Flirting • Professional boundaries • Found family • Forbidden feelings
The school year was finally over. Which meant you could finally give your teacher brain a much-needed break before spending the rest of the summer pretending you weren't already thinking about next year's classroom.
You loved being a kindergarten teacher.
Sure, five-year-olds were tiny tornadoes with endless questions and even more energy, but you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Your classroom was always filled with bright colors, tiny artwork taped to every available surface, and enough glitter to last a lifetime. You'd miss your class this summer, but at least you'd still get to see them in the hallways next year as first graders.
For now, though, your focus was on making your apartment feel a little more like home. You stepped back to admire the nearly finished gallery wall in your living room.
One blank spot.
One last painting.
Easy enough.
Well... in theory.
You let out a small sigh as you adjusted the ladder against the wall and looked up at the empty space.
"I hate heights," you muttered to yourself.
From the couch, Cheddar, your very judgmental orange tabby, barely lifted his head, watching you with what could only be described as disappointment.
You pointed the hammer at him.
"Do you want to do it?"
Cheddar blinked.
"Yeah, I didn't think so."
He stretched dramatically before settling back down.
"Exactly. Quit judging me if you're not going to help."
Taking one last deep breath, you climbed the ladder with a hammer in one hand and a nail in the other. The nail went into the wall without a problem.
"So far, so good," you mumbled.
Now came the hard part.
You climbed back down and picked up the large, framed painting resting against the wall. It wasn't incredibly heavy, but it was awkward to carry, wide enough that you couldn't get a good grip on it without extending your arms.
"You've got to be kidding me," you groaned, readjusting your hold.
Slowly, you climbed the ladder again, carefully balancing the painting against your body.
One step.
Then another.
By the time you reached the top, your arms were already beginning to shake from holding the frame out in front of you.
"Almost there..."
You lifted the painting toward the nail, trying to hook the wire onto it.
Just a little higher...
As you shifted your weight to reach a little farther, the ladder wobbled beneath you.
Your stomach dropped.
"Oh, no..."
Instinctively, you tried to steady yourself, but the weight of the painting pulled you off balance. Your foot slipped from the rung, and before you could recover, gravity took over. The painting lurched forward. You lurched with it. Everything happened at once.
The frame slipped from your hands. Your body twisted sideways. And as you fell, you threw your right hand out to brace yourself. Pain exploded through your wrist the instant it hit the hardwood floor. You landed hard on your hip, the painting crashing beside you with a loud thud that echoed through the apartment.
For a few seconds, all you could do was stare at the ceiling, trying to process what had just happened. Cheddar, completely unbothered, hopped off the couch and wandered over. He sat beside you, tilted his head, and let out a single, judgmental meow.
You groaned. "Not. One. Word."
Carefully, you tried to push yourself upright. The second you put weight on your right hand, a sharp, searing pain shot from your wrist all the way up your forearm. You immediately jerked it back toward your chest.
"...Well," you hissed through gritted teeth, cradling your wrist. "I think that's broken."
Eventually, you managed to stand, wincing and groaning through every movement as you searched the apartment for your phone. You'd called your brother, Michael, earlier that afternoon. He'd told you about his shift, and you'd excitedly mentioned finally hanging the new painting you'd bought.
He'd told you to wait until he came over to help. You, of course, hadn't listened. You hit his contact and held the phone to your ear.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
You frowned. "Come on..."
Another ring. "The one time I actually need you to answer."
The call rolled over to voicemail. Normally, you never left your brother voicemails. Today seemed like a good exception.
"Hey... so, uh... I guess I'm taking myself to the hospital." You looked down at your rapidly swelling wrist.
"Turns out, while hanging that painting, you know, the one you specifically told me to wait and let you help with, I may have fallen off the ladder."
You sighed dramatically. "And I may or may not have broken my wrist." Another pause. "I'm heading to your hospital now. Just thought you'd want to know before you randomly get a call from them because you're my emergency contact."
A small laugh escaped you. "Anyway... love you. Bye."
You ended the call and dropped your head back against the couch cushion. Driving suddenly seemed like a terrible idea. With one functioning hand, you opened the Uber app and requested a ride.
A driver named Taz accepted within minutes.
---
Thankfully, Taz was easy to talk to. He asked what had happened, and before you knew it, you were explaining the painting, the ladder, and your complete lack of common sense.
"So..." he said with a grin as he glanced at your wrist at a stoplight. "...I'm no doctor, but that's looking pretty swollen."
You looked down. It had definitely gotten bigger since you'd left the apartment.
"Yeah..." You frowned.
"That's... concerning." Taz chuckled.
"I'd get that looked at."
"That's the plan." You sighed dramatically. "This is a really inconvenient time to have a broken wrist."
"Big summer plans?"
"Not really." You held up your injured arm. "It's just my right hand."
He nodded sympathetically. "Oof."
"Exactly."
---
A few minutes later, Taz pulled up to the emergency department entrance.
"Good luck," he said.
"Thanks."
You climbed out carefully, waving goodbye with your uninjured hand before making your way through the sliding glass doors. The familiar smell of antiseptic immediately hit you. The waiting room wasn't packed...But it definitely wasn't empty.
You glanced toward the registration desk and let out a quiet sigh.
"Well...This should be fun."
A short line had already formed, so you waited patiently while each person checked in ahead of you. Eventually, it was your turn. The woman behind the desk offered you a polite smile.
"Name, date of birth, and what brings you in today?"
You returned the smile. "Y/N Robinavitch. My birthday is February twenty-third, two thousand. I fell off a ladder and I think I broke my wrist."
She typed your information into the computer. As she read your chart, her eyebrows lifted just slightly. You noticed the look but couldn't quite place why. A moment later, she grabbed a clipboard and a packet of paperwork.
"Here you go." She handed it across the desk. "Have a seat, and we'll call your name as soon as we're ready."
"Thank you."
You took the paperwork and found an empty chair in the waiting room. Now...You wait.
You hadn't even finished filling out the first page of paperwork when the door leading back to the emergency department swung open.
A kind of tall nurse stepped into the waiting room.
He looked to be around your age, maybe a few years younger, with dark, curly hair that had clearly given up on staying neat halfway through his shift. A pair of blue scrubs hung comfortably on his athletic frame, and a pair of trauma shears clipped to his waistband bounced lightly as he walked.
He glanced down at the chart in his hand before looking up. "Y/N Robinavitch?"
You stood, careful not to jostle your wrist. "That's me."
He offered an easy smile. "I'm Mateo."
He held the door open for you. "Come on back."
You followed him through the secure doors, immediately hit by the familiar sounds of an emergency department in full swing. Monitor alarms chimed in the distance. Someone laughed from one of the nurses' stations. A physician was speed-walking toward a patient room while reading something on an iPad.
It somehow looked both completely chaotic and completely organized.
Mateo led you into a small triage room. "Go ahead and have a seat."
You climbed onto the bed as carefully as possible, cradling your injured wrist against your chest. Mateo rolled over on his stool, computer already awake.
"So..." he said as he logged into the chart. "What happened?"
You sighed dramatically. "I lost a fight with a ladder."
He paused. "The ladder won?"
"Oh, by a landslide."
A laugh escaped him. "I appreciate the honesty."
He clicked through a few boxes.
"Walk me through it."
"I was hanging a painting."
"By yourself?"
"Unfortunately."
"YouTube tutorial?"
"No."
"My own poor decision-making."
He chuckled as he typed. "So you fell?"
"I was standing on the ladder trying to hook the painting onto the nail." You motioned toward your wrist with your free hand. "The painting was bigger than I expected, I lost my footing, and I put my hand out to catch myself."
"Ouch."
"Yeah."
Mateo finally looked down at your wrist. His eyebrows immediately climbed. "...Yeah."
You followed his gaze. "It wasn't that swollen twenty minutes ago."
"I believe you." He gently reached for your forearm.
"I'm just going to take a quick look, okay?"
You nodded. The second his fingers barely supported your wrist, you winced.
He immediately eased off. "Sorry."
"No, you're good."
He rotated your hand only a few degrees before stopping.
"Nope."
"What?"
"I'm not doing any more of that." He looked back at the computer. "I'm willing to bet we're getting X-rays."
"That's what I was afraid of."
He smiled sympathetically. "Any numbness or tingling?"
You wiggled your fingers carefully.
"No."
"Can you move them?"
"Barely."
"Good enough." He entered another note before wrapping a temporary ice pack in a towel and handing it to you. "Here."
You carefully rested it over your wrist.
The cool pressure was an immediate relief. "Thank you."
"No problem." He looked back at the chart. "Pain on a scale of one to ten?"
You thought for a second. "If I'm sitting still?"
"Mhm."
"Maybe a... six?"
"And if you try to use it?"
You laughed once. "Let's not find out."
He grinned. "I'll put down an eight."
"That feels fair."
He continued clicking through your chart before suddenly pausing.
"Huh." You tilted your head. "What?"
He looked back at the screen.
"Your emergency contact is Michael Robinavitch?"
"Yeah."
"My brother."
Mateo nodded slowly. "I thought the last name sounded familiar."
"You know him?"
A smile spread across his face. "Know him?" He leaned back in his chair. "I work with him."
Your eyes widened. "Oh..."
"Yeah." He laughed.
"He's one of our Chief Attending Physicians."
You let out a dramatic groan. "Oh no."
Mateo couldn't help but laugh. "Oh yes."
"You haven't called him, have you?"
"I haven't."
You sighed in relief. "He already knows."
Mateo blinked. "He does?"
"I left him a voicemail after I fell."
"Ah." He nodded knowingly.
"Then I won't be the one getting you in trouble."
"You think I'm in trouble?"
Mateo gave you a look that could only be described as amused. "You ignored the advice of an older sibling."
He stood from his stool. "I have three sisters. They always think they know better."
You smiled sheepishly. "...He's never going to let me live this down, is he?"
Mateo opened the triage room door with a grin. "Absolutely not. And honestly?"
He glanced back over his shoulder. "I can't wait to watch."
----
Mateo stepped out of the triage room, chart tucked under one arm. He made it about halfway to the physician station before spotting Abbot reviewing lab results on an iPad.
"Hey, Doc."
Abbott looked up. "What've you got?"
"Twenty-six-year-old female. Fall from a ladder while hanging a painting."
Abbott nodded. "Wrist injury?"
Mateo handed him the chart. "Pretty swollen. Limited range of motion. Mechanism sounds like she caught herself with an outstretched hand."
Abbott skimmed the chart. "Any numbness?"
"No."
"Pulse?"
"Strong."
Abbot continued reading before his eyes stopped on the name. His eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly.
"Robinavitch?"
Mateo nodded. "Yeah. You know her?"
A small smile crossed Abbott's face. "I know her brother."
"Such a small world," Mateo stated, kind of sarcastically.
Abbott closed the chart. "I'll go take a look."
---
A soft knock sounded on the wall before the curtain opened. You looked up from your phone. The man who stepped inside looked to be in his mid-forties, tall, neatly dressed in black scrubs with a stethoscope hanging around his neck.
He offered a warm smile. "Hi. I'm Dr. Jack Abbott."
You returned the smile. "Y/N."
"I know." He glanced at the chart. “I hear ladders aren't your friend."
You groaned. "They're dead to me."
He chuckled. "I'll make a note to avoid introducing the two of you again."
Despite the pain, you laughed.
"So..." He washed his hands. "Tell me what happened."
You gave him the shortened version.
"The painting was heavier than I expected. I lost my footing. I tried to catch myself."
"And your wrist lost the argument."
"Pretty much."
Abbott pulled the rolling stool closer. "I'm going to take a look." He looked up first. "If anything hurts too much, tell me and I'll stop."
"Deal."
His touch was careful. Gentle. He supported your forearm before lightly examining your wrist. The moment he palpated the outer side, you sucked in a sharp breath.
"There?"
You nodded. "Definitely there."
"I'm sorry." His voice softened.
"I know."
He compared both wrists before checking your fingers. "Can you wiggle these for me?"
You managed a small movement.
"Good."
"And squeeze my fingers."
You tried.
He smiled. "Not your strongest handshake."
"I'll work on it."
"I'd appreciate that."
He laughed quietly before becoming serious again.
"I think we should get some X-rays."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
"I'd rather be wrong than miss something, sweetheart."
Before you could answer, the curtain flew open.
"Y/N?"
You looked up. Your brother stood in the doorway wearing his pajama pants, hair slightly disheveled like he'd been running through the department.
"Oh, hey Michael."
He crossed the room in three long strides. "What happened?"
"I fell."
"You what?"
"I fell."
"Off what?"
"A ladder."
He stared. "...Seriously?"
You smiled sheepishly. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
Abbot stood, trying unsuccessfully to hide his amusement. "I'll go put in those X-ray orders."
Robby nodded distractedly. "Thanks, Jack."
Abbot gave you one last reassuring smile before slipping out of the room. The curtain closed behind him.
Your brother folded his arms. "So..." You already knew that tone. "Why didn’t you call me twice?"
You blinked innocently. "Oh, I don't know. I figured if your little sister was calling, you'd probably answer."
He winced. "I was messing with my bike, my phone was inside."
"So I figured..." You shrugged. "... I left you a voicemail at least”
Robby sighed dramatically. "You left me a voicemail saying, 'I may or may not have broken my wrist,' and then hung up."
"I also said I loved you."
"That's not the point!"
"It softens the blow."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I specifically told you to wait until I came over."
"I know."
"And you didn't."
"I didn't."
He looked toward the curtain where Abbot had disappeared.
"You know..."
"What?"
"The way Jack was looking at you."
You froze. "...What about it?"
Robby narrowed his eyes. "He doesn't look at most patients like that."
You tried very hard to keep your face neutral. "I think you're imagining things."
"Oh, am I?"
"You are."
He smirked. "I've known that man for ten years."
"So?"
"So I know his 'doctor face.'"
"And?"
"That wasn't just his doctor face."
You laughed, trying to brush it off. "You're ridiculous."
Robby pointed toward the door. "He called you 'sweetheart.'"
"He did not."
"He absolutely did."
You paused.
"...Maybe once."
Michael folded his arms. "Mhm."
You couldn't help smiling. "Well..."
He raised an eyebrow.
"If he keeps calling me sweetheart..." You grinned. "...you're about to have the brother you've always wanted."
Robby stared at you for two full seconds. Then he barked out a laugh. "Oh, absolutely not."
"What?"
"I am not dealing with you dating my best friend."
"I didn't say I was dating anybody."
"You implied it."
"I joked."
"You never joke like that unless you're thinking about it."
You opened your mouth. Closed it. "...I hate that you know me so well."
Robby smiled triumphantly. "I changed your diapers."
"You did not."
"I could've."
"You literally weren't old enough."
"Details."
Before either of you could continue, the curtain slid open again. Abbot stepped back inside with a portable splint tucked under one arm.
He looked between the two of you.
"...Should I be concerned?"
Robby answered immediately. "Very."
You rolled your eyes. "Ignore him."
Abbot smiled, somehow sensing he'd walked into the middle of something.
"I usually do."
Robby pointed at him.
"See? He flirts."
Abbott looked genuinely confused. "I... what?"
You covered your face with your good hand. "Oh my God."
This was going to be a very long visit.
-----
About forty minutes later, you were wheeled back into the same exam room after X-rays. You didn't even need someone to tell you the news. The radiology tech had done an impressive job of keeping a straight face, but the sympathetic smile she'd given you on the way out hadn't exactly inspired confidence.
You stared at your swollen wrist. "...You're expensive."
A soft knock interrupted your conversation with your arm. The curtain slid open, and Dr. Abbot stepped inside with a tablet tucked under one arm and a box of casting supplies balanced in the other.
Robby looked up from the chair he'd claimed in the corner. "So?"
Abbot couldn't help but smile. "There is a fracture."
Robby immediately leaned forward. "Where?"
Abbot turned the tablet so both of you could see the X-ray.
"This bone here." He pointed toward the larger bone in your forearm. "You've got a nondisplaced distal radius fracture."
You blinked. "...In English?"
"The good news," he said, "is nothing shifted out of place."
"So I don't need surgery?"
"No."
The relief was immediate. "Thank God."
Abbot nodded. "We're going to put you in a cast today to keep everything immobilized."
"How long?"
"Probably about six weeks."
Your face fell. "Six weeks?"
"I'm afraid so."
You groaned dramatically. "I teach kindergarten."
"I know." Abbot's lips twitched. "I imagine you'll be signing a lot more things with your left hand."
"I can barely write with my left hand."
Robby snorted. "You can barely write with your right."
You looked over. "Traitor."
"I've seen your grocery lists."
"They're perfectly legible."
"They're hieroglyphics."
Abbot laughed quietly as he set the casting supplies on the bedside table.
"I'll let the two of you debate handwriting while I get everything ready."
Robby stood. "I'm gonna go to the restroom before she starts throwing things at me."
You held up your cast-less wrist. "I physically can't."
"Exactly." He grinned. "My timing is perfect."
The curtain swished closed behind him. The room became noticeably quieter.
Abbot pulled the stool closer. "Ready?"
"I don't really have another option."
"Not unless you'd like to keep the broken wrist."
"I'll pass."
He carefully positioned your arm on a pillow before picking up the soft white padding.
"I'm going to wrap this first."
His movements were slow and deliberate, making sure your wrist stayed supported.
"Let me know if anything hurts."
You watched his hands work. "You've done this a few times."
"A few."
"What's the worst injury you've seen from someone hanging a painting?"
He looked up with an amused smile. "Oddly specific."
"I'm trying to see where I rank."
"You don't crack the top ten."
"I feel oddly proud of that."
"I wouldn't."
"I'll take what I can get."
He chuckled, continuing to smooth the padding around your forearm. "You caught yourself at just the right angle."
"So I got lucky?"
"You did." He reached for the fiberglass casting rolls.
"What color?"
You looked at the small selection.
Blue.
Black.
Purple.
Green.
Then—
"Oh." Your face lit up. "There."
Abbot followed your gaze. "The pink?"
"The very pink."
He smiled. "I should've known."
"You should've?"
"You strike me as someone who enjoys color."
"I teach five-year-olds."
"Fair point."
"My classroom is basically a rainbow."
"I believe it."
"You don't even know me."
He met your eyes for just a moment. "I know enough."
Your cheeks warmed ever so slightly. He seemed to notice, but wisely said nothing. Instead, he dipped the fiberglass roll into warm water before beginning to wrap your wrist. The material molded smoothly beneath his hands.
"Try not to move."
"I'm trying."
"I know." His voice was calm. Encouraging.
The kind that somehow made everything hurt a little less.
"You'll probably notice the cast getting warm."
"It already is."
"That's normal."
"It feels weird."
"It'll harden over the next few minutes."
You studied the bright pink layers forming around your arm. "I look like Barbie lost a fight."
Abbot laughed. "I was going to say it suits you."
Your eyebrows lifted. "The cast?"
"The color."
You smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was intended as one."
For a brief moment, neither of you spoke. He focused on smoothing the edges near your thumb. You watched him work.
Finally, he broke the silence. "You said you're a kindergarten teacher."
"Mhm."
"What grade?"
"Kindergarten."
"You like the little ones?"
"I love them." A smile spread across your face without you realizing it. "They're exhausting. They're messy. They ask me why the moon follows the school bus. But they have my heart"
Abbott laughed. "I don't know how you answer that."
"I make something up until I can Google it later."
He smiled, shaking his head. "I had a feeling you'd say something like that."
"You did?"
"I've gathered you're... optimistic."
"I try."
"And patient."
"Most days."
He finished molding the last section of the cast before gently lifting your hand. "How does that feel?"
You carefully flexed your fingers. "Much better, actually."
"Good."
He inspected the cast one final time before resting your arm back on the pillow.
"I want you to keep it dry. No swimming."
"There goes my Olympic career."
"No lifting."
"There goes moving my couch."
"And no climbing ladders."
You looked at him innocently. "...That one feels oddly personal."
"It is."
You laughed. "I'll do my best."
He smiled. "I believe you."
Then he reached for the discharge papers. "I'd like you to follow up in about a week."
"With orthopedics?"
He nodded. "We'll repeat the X-rays to make sure everything's healing the way we want."
You hesitated. "...Will I see you again?"
The question slipped out before you could stop it. Abbot looked up from the paperwork.
"If I'm working that day..." A small smile appeared. "...I'll make a point to check on how the pink cast is holding up."
Your own smile mirrored his. "I'd like that."
For just a second, neither of you looked away. The curtain suddenly swung open. Robby walked back in carrying a bottle of water.
"Did I miss anything?"
You and Abbott looked away from each other at the same time. Abbot cleared his throat and handed Michael the discharge paperwork.
"Just instructions."
Michael looked between the two of you, then down at the exceptionally bright cast.
"...Pink?"
You admired your arm proudly. "It matches my personality."
Robby sighed dramatically. "I've created a monster."
Abbot smiled to himself as he gathered the remaining supplies. "I think that happened long before today."
---
One week later...
You had become surprisingly efficient at doing everything one-handed.
Opening jars? Impossible.
Buttoning jeans? A daily exercise in patience.
Trying to carry more than one thing at a time? A disaster waiting to happen. The bright pink cast had become a permanent accessory, and honestly, you were starting to get attached to it. Your summer break had been going great before the whole "falling off a ladder and breaking your wrist" incident, and now your days mostly consisted of finding creative ways to entertain yourself while avoiding doing anything that might make your injury worse.
Robby had been checking in constantly, which you appreciated...
Even if he was being slightly dramatic.
Okay. Very dramatic.
Your follow-up appointment had gone exactly as expected. The orthopedic team repeated your X-rays, confirmed everything was healing well, and told you to keep the cast on for a few more weeks.
The doctor smiled when she saw the color. "Pink?"
You looked down at your arm. "Obviously."
She laughed. "Good choice."
You left with another appointment scheduled and one less thing to worry about.
---
The next stop on your day was much more exciting.
Robby.
Your brother was working that day in the emergency department, and after hearing him complain for three days straight that the cafeteria coffee was "borderline criminal," you'd decided to surprise him with a coffee from his favorite shop.
It was the least you could do after giving him a mild heart attack the week before. The emergency department was already buzzing by the time you walked through the sliding doors.
You smiled at the receptionist as you approached. "Hi."
"Hi there."
"I'm just dropping off a coffee for my brother."
She looked at the cup in your hand. "Robby?"
"That's the one."
"He should still be in the department."
"Perfect."
She pointed toward the badge-controlled doors. "You know where you're going?"
"Unfortunately."
She laughed. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
You thanked her before heading through the familiar hallway. It felt strange being here without checking in as a patient. Stranger still......without your wrist throbbing every time you moved.
You rounded the corner toward what looked like a nurses station and nearly walked straight into someone.
"Oh!"
A steady hand caught your elbow before you could stumble backward.
"Easy."
You looked up. Dr. Jack Abbott.
He smiled. "Hello, sweetheart."
The nickname slipped out so naturally that neither of you seemed to notice it at first.
Then his eyebrows lifted. "I mean..." He cleared his throat. "...Y/N."
A grin spread across your face. "I heard the first one."
"I gathered."
"You can stick with it."
His lips curved into a small smile. "I probably shouldn't."
"Probably not."
For a second, neither of you moved. Then his eyes dropped to your arm.
"The cast survived."
You lifted it proudly. "Barely."
He laughed. "I like the stickers and the doodles."
You glanced down. Your cast was covered in colorful drawings, glittery stickers, and tiny doodles from you being bored at home and finding an assortment of colorful pens and stickers you didn’t use with your last class.
“I got a little bored and figured it could use some more décor”
“It looks very decorative for sure” His eyes lingered on the cast for another second before returning to your face. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better."
"Any pain?"
"Mostly just when I forget I can't use this hand."
"You've been behaving?"
You gave him an innocent look. "I've thought about behaving."
He folded his arms. "That's not what I asked."
You smiled. "I've been mostly behaving."
"I'll take mostly." He looked genuinely relieved.
"I'm glad." You studied him for a moment.
"You look... awake."
He blinked. "I've never been accused of that before."
"I mean it. From what Robby says, you usually look like you've already worked half a shift."
A laugh escaped him. "That's because I usually have."
You frowned. "What time did you come in today?"
He hesitated just long enough for you to notice. "...Earlier than usual."
"How early?"
"About forty-five minutes."
You raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
His gaze drifted briefly toward the nurses' station before returning to you. "I had some charting to finish."
"Mhm."
"And I wanted to check in with ortho."
"Mhm."
"And..." He stopped himself.
"And?"
A small, almost embarrassed smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I remembered today was your follow-up."
Your heartbeat skipped.
"So..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "...I thought I'd come in a little early."
You stared at him.
"...Just in case I ran into you."
Silence. Not awkward. Just honest.
You couldn't stop smiling. "You came to work early..."
His smile turned sheepish. "...Maybe."
"...to see me?"
"I wasn't counting on it."
"But you were hoping."
Another pause.
"...Yes."
The admission was quiet. So quiet you almost missed it beneath the distant monitor alarms. Your chest tightened.
"You know..." You shifted the coffee carrier to your left hand. "...that's probably the sweetest thing anyone's ever admitted to me."
His ears turned the faintest shade of pink. "I wasn't planning on saying it out loud."
"I'm glad you did."
Before Abbott could answer, another voice echoed from the nurses' station.
"Well... this explains why I couldn't find either of you."
The two of you turned at the same time. Robby was walking toward, looking tired but noticeably more awake the second he spotted the coffee in your hand.
"There she is."
You held up the cup with a grin. "I come bearing peace offerings."
His eyes lit up. "My favorite?"
"You've complained about the hospital coffee every day for a week."
"I have."
"So I fixed the problem."
He accepted the cup like you'd just handed him a winning lottery ticket. "You are officially my favorite sibling."
"I'm your only sibling."
"Exactly."
You rolled your eyes. "You're welcome."
Robby took a grateful sip before looking between you and Abbott.
"...How long have you two been standing here?"
Abbott answered first. "Only a few minutes."
"Mhm."
Robby nodded slowly. "A few minutes."
His eyes drifted down for just a second. Then back up. Abbot followed his gaze. Realization immediately crossed his face. Without a word, he stepped back. His hand, which had been resting lightly against the small of your back while the two of you talked, slipped away almost instinctively.
You hadn't even realized it was there. Apparently...Neither had he. Robby blinked once.
Then looked at you.
Then at Abbott.
Then back at you.
"...Jack."
Abbot rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah."
"You know your hand was on my sister's lower back that entire conversation... right?"
Silence.
Your eyes widened. "It was?"
Abbott looked genuinely caught off guard. "I..."
He glanced at you before looking back at Robby. "I didn't realize."
Robby let out a slow breath before taking another sip of coffee. "Huh."
"What?"
"I've known you for almost twelve years."
Abbot sighed. "I know."
"I've watched you comfort family members after losing loved ones."
"I know."
"I've watched you run trauma codes without your heart rate changing."
"I know where this is going."
Robby pointed the coffee cup toward him. "I have never..." He paused for emphasis. "...seen you accidentally touch someone."
Your cheeks immediately warmed.
Abbot looked somewhere between embarrassed and amused. "It wasn't intentional."
Robby raised an eyebrow. "No?"
Abbott shook his head. "No."
Another beat.
"...At least not consciously."
Robby laughed so hard he nearly spilled his coffee. "Oh, buddy."
Abbot closed his eyes. "Please don't."
"I was wondering why you showed up forty-five minutes early."
You looked over at Abbott. "You really never come in that early?"
Robby barked out another laugh. "He fights coming in twenty minutes early."
Abbot muttered under his breath. "I like my sleep."
"And yet," Robby continued with a grin, "today, somehow, you were here before half the nurses."
Abbot looked at the floor for a moment before meeting your eyes again. "I think we've established that it wasn't a coincidence."
Your smile softened. "I think we have."
Robby looked between the two of you one last time before taking another long sip of his coffee.
"...You know..." He pointed toward Abbott. "If this man keeps looking at you like that, I'm going to have to start pretending I don't know either of you."
You laughed. "I thought you wanted another sibling."
Robby groaned dramatically.
"I was joking."
Abbot couldn't help but laugh.
"I figured." Robby sighed as he shook his head. "Just..." He pointed a finger between the two of you. "...Whatever this is, don't make me fill out paperwork."
Abbot smiled. "I'll do my best."
Robby looked at him. "I wasn't talking to you."
That earned a genuine laugh from both of you.
Abbot checked the time on his watch. "I should probably go pretend I'm here to work."
"You probably should," Robby agreed.
Abbot looked back at you one last time. "It was good seeing you."
"You too."
"I'll see you around."
"I hope so." His smile lingered for just a second before he turned and disappeared down the hallway toward the physician’s workroom.
You watched him go until he rounded the corner. Robby noticed. Of course he noticed. Without looking away from the hallway, he casually bumped your shoulder with his.
"...You're in trouble."
You smiled to yourself. "...I know."
"And I don't think it's because of the broken wrist anymore."
You looked down at the bright pink cast and laughed. "No...I don't think it is either."
The Pitt is baby's first fandom for so many people. Wdym I should hate Langdon, because he was stealing pills and treating patients high? I was 9 years old watching Dr House pop 3 stolen Vicodin with a half bottle of Whiskey and then treating the Black Plague. Who am I to judge?
your ex cheated. you dumped him. simple, clean, no tears—just a block, a race win, and an innocent instagram post. you are over it. but your rookies? not so much.
somehow, they’ve formed a secret matchmaking club and are now trying to set you up with half the grid. you know. max knows. (he’s your very smitten, very amused boyfriend.) but neither of you say a word.
because watching them try? is way too entertaining.
fc : luvstruck on ig (love a tattooed baddie as a face claim)
original request is here.
(a/n) : this was so much fun for me. i hope you all enjoy! love youuuu
—
yourusername
liked by kimi.antonelli, olliebearman, isackhadjar and 4,550,700 others.
yourusername : his loss.
—
view 285,003 other comments.
username000 : did she finally leave that ugly demonic man?????
liked by yourusername
↳ username1 : oh thank god. we got our baddie back🙏🏻
liked by yourusername
yourbff : man just couldn’t handle having a baddie. the funny thing is he can’t watch the race without seeing your name or face 😏
liked by yourusername
↳ yourusername : he shall never know peace.
liked by yourbff
yoursister : i can hear the streets callin’🧏♀️
liked by yourusername
↳ yourusername : call me pluto cuz im alr in them
liked by yoursister
↳ yoursister : where are your children? its rare i make it here before they do.
liked by yourusername
↳ yourusername : oh they will be here within like the next 10 seconds
liked by yoursister
↳ olliebearman : heyyyy so what’s his address? so i can send a hitman.
liked by yoursister, yourbff and yourusername
isackhadjar : if i see that man IT IS ON SIGHT.
liked by yourusername
lando : if i were him id never leave the house ever again, not just because of the 6 angry children at my door but just out of sheer embarrassment from what i fumbled.
liked by yourusername
kimi.antonelli : im small but i can bite ankles. he is a dead man. im going to kill him
liked by yourusername
gabrielbortoleto_ : yn i cannot handle these vague captions. pls answer the group chat. im spiraling and about to hire someone to do horrible things.
liked by yourusername
↳ isackhadjar : i feel sick to my stomach.
liked by yourusername
↳ olliebearman : i just threw up
liked by yourusername
↳ kimi.antonelli : i am pacing
liked by yourusername
↳ jackdoohan : just threw my phone across the room
liked by yourusername
↳ yourusername : guys, im fine. truly. it was for the best. i will call you all later!
↳ kimi.antonelli : yn did he hurt you?? i destroy his entire bloodline
↳ isackhadjar : stop lying. you are ignoring our texts. you never do.
↳ olliebearman : ok well he hurt you so we will just find him and kill him. its all taken care of
↳ gabrielbortoleto_ : cannot believe you are just ghosting your six emotionally unstable children.
username07 : the rookies falling apart in the comments while yn is unfazed is taking me OUT.
alex_albon : he peaked in high school and drives a toyota 💀 and now fumbled an f1 driver…him being him is punishment enough
liked by yourusername
↳ yourusername : i can’t with you 💀
oscarpiastri : absolutely no clue what happened but i instantly take your side. he is a dick.
liked by yourusername
alexandrasaintmleux : he fumbled so i could have you😇
↳ kimi.antonelli : you let us in or we break the door down
↳ yourusername : im sure that breaking and entering is already somewhere on oliver’s crime list so lets not add to it. come on over kids.
↳ gabrielbortoleto_ : YAYYYYYYYY
↳ jackdoohan : on my way! (already outside of your apartment)
↳ isackhadjar : i have been sitting in the hallway since this was posted.
↳ yourusername : get in here🙄
username15 : these kids love their grid mum 🤧
—
flashback
You hadn’t expected the night to end in a breakup. But maybe you should’ve.
It started with his phone—left unlocked, screen facing up, buzzing like a warning. You hadn’t meant to look. But you did. A message preview lit up like a punch to the chest.
last night was the best;) miss you already xx
You didn’t open it. You didn’t need to. The way your stomach dropped told you everything you weren’t ready to admit.
You sat there for a few seconds, staring at the screen. His voice filtered in from the bathroom—some off-key humming, clueless and careless. It made you feel numb. Or maybe free. You weren’t sure which yet.
When he walked back in, grinning like he still had you, you held the phone up.
“You should really be more careful with your passwords,” you said calmly.
His expression dropped. “Babe, it’s not what it looks like—”
“It looks like you’re sleeping with someone who isn’t me.”
You didn’t yell. Didn’t cry. Didn’t even let him finish his half-assed explanation. You just grabbed your heels, your pride, and your keys, and walked out the door like it owed you nothing.
You texted your girls on the way out.
club. now. i finally left the bum.
By midnight, you were wrapped in black mesh and revenge-red lipstick.
The bass vibrated through your bones, and the margarita in your hand burned in the best way. Your friends were already dancing like the world was ending, and for the first time in months, you felt alive.
And then you saw him. Max.
Standing at the bar with a half-finished drink and that usual unreadable expression—until he looked up and saw you.
His eyes flicked over you once, slow and deliberate, before his lips curled into the smallest smirk. He lifted his drink in silent acknowledgment, and you raised your brow like, Don’t test me. But he didn’t walk away.
No, he walked toward you—unhurried, completely sure of himself, like he’d been waiting for you to show up all night.
“You good?” he asked, leaning in just enough to be heard over the music.
You shrugged, grinning. “Better than ever.”
He studied you for a second longer. “You look free. Like you finally let go of that one thing that was dragging you down.”
You met his gaze head-on. “Maybe I did. But I don’t regret it.”
Something about your voice—clear, certain, maybe a little dangerous—made him nod slowly. Like he knew that version of you. Like he’d met her before in himself.
He didn’t say anything for a moment, just offered his hand. “Come dance with me.”
And God help you, you said yes. One song bled into another, and suddenly you were dancing like your skin was on fire, like the world couldn’t touch you anymore. Max wasn’t just keeping up—he matched you. Step for step, stare for stare, like the two of you spoke the same language in a rhythm only you could hear.
You didn’t remember leaning in. You didn’t remember whose hand touched whose waist first.
But you do remember the way his lips brushed yours, soft and warm and slow at first—like he was asking a question. And how you answered with a kiss that tasted like tequila and freedom.
When you finally pulled away, breathless, Max just looked at you with that same amused smirk and said, “Definitely his loss.”
You laughed. You weren’t just fine. You were starting over.
—
The sunlight hit your face before the memory did. Warm. Gentle. Relentless.
You blinked a few times, groggy and still wrapped in that heavy limbed softness that comes from too many drinks and not enough regrets. The room smelled faintly of something distinctly Max—clean, expensive, and just a little smug.
You rolled over. He was already awake.
Lying there, one arm folded behind his head, chest bare, the sheets dangerously low on his hips. His other hand held his phone, which he casually tossed aside when he noticed you looking.
“Morning,” he said, voice rough, sleepy.
You groaned into the pillow. “Tell me we didn’t do something stupid.”
Max tilted his head. “Define stupid.”
Your eyes narrowed. He smiled.
“We danced,” he said. “You kissed me. Twice. And then you tried to start a debate about tire compounds in the elevator.”
You winced. “Sounds like me.”
He laughed under his breath, that low rumble sending a shiver down your spine.
“But no,” he added, softer this time. “You were upset. So I brought you back here. You changed into my shirt, stole all the covers, and fell asleep with your face in my shoulder.”
You blinked. “I didn’t kiss you again?”
He hesitated. “You almost did. Then you said something about how ‘this doesn’t count when you’re drunk’ and knocked out cold.”
You groaned again. “God. Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said, without missing a beat. “It was the best night I’ve had in a long time.”
You looked over at him, eyes soft. “You sure? I was kind of a mess.”
Max shrugged. “You were real. That’s what I want to see.”
For a second, the air stilled between you. No jokes. No tension. Just quiet understanding. You’d kissed him the night before thinking it was a one time thing—sparked by adrenaline, tequila, and heartbreak. But lying here now, in his bed, wearing his shirt and breathing in his space.
He shifted, propping himself up on one elbow. “So… breakfast?”
You blinked. “You’re offering to feed me now?”
“I’m offering to bribe you with pancakes so you don’t ghost me later.”
You smirked, climbing out of bed and grabbing your phone.
“I don’t ghost,” you said, pausing by the door. “But fair warning—once I post a thirst trap, our children are going to lose their minds.”
Max grinned, already reaching for his shirt. “Perfect. Let them panic.”
And as you headed to the bathroom, still wearing nothing but his t-shirt and a smirk, you realized something—You really, really didn’t miss your ex.
—
present day
It’s been a few weeks since that night. Since tequila and heartbreak and Max Verstappen.
You’ve seen him a few times since then—quiet dinners in hotel rooms, lingering handholds between debriefs, shared glances across the paddock that made your stomach flip like a rookie on their debut lap. It’s easy, exciting, safe in the strangest way. No pressure, no labels.
And somehow, for once, no noise. Just the two of you, figuring it out behind closed doors. Which is exactly why you should’ve known that post would send the entire grid into DEFCON 1. Because you barely have time to finish brushing your teeth when it sounds like your whole front door is being broken down.
You freeze, toothbrush halfway to your mouth. Then—
DING DING DING DING.
“YN OPEN THE DOOR RIGHT NOW.”
You peek through the peephole. And there they are. All six of them. Kimi. Ollie. Isack. Jack. Franco. Gabriel.
Every last one of them in complete disarray. Jack’s hair is still wet. Gabriel’s holding a box of oreo’s, one stuffed into his mouth. Franco has absolutely no shoes on.
You blink. “Good morning?”
“You can’t just post that and disappear,” Ollie blurts.
“Disrespectful,” Franco agrees. “Honestly rude.”
“You owe us answers,” Jack adds, pushing inside like this is a crime scene. “Did he cheat? Did you dump him? Do I need to start training for violence?”
“I’m already in shape for violence,” Isack mutters.
“I brought Oreo’s,” Gabriel says, holding them up as a gift of peace.
Kimi just crosses his arms and stares you down. “What happened.”
You close the door behind them and sigh.
“Nothing crazy,” you say, voice steady. “I found out he wasn’t who I thought he was. So I ended it.”
You head to the kitchen and start making coffee. Like this isn’t the opening scene of a Netflix special where the 2025 F1 Rookies begin a manhunt.
“But… are you okay?” Franco asks gently.
You turn and smile. “Honestly? I’m great. It’s probably the healthiest decision I’ve made in years.”
Kimi leans against the counter. “You don’t have to be fine right now, you know.”
You sip your coffee and shrug. “I am fine. Genuinely. I don’t miss him. There’s nothing to cry over.”
There’s a beat of silence. Six sets of eyes narrow, exchanging looks like they’ve rehearsed this. You can feel the shift in the air. The whisper of an unspoken plan forming. But no one says it. No one says “we’re going to find you someone better.” No one says “we’ve already made a list.”
Instead, Gabriel sits beside you. “Okay. Well, if you’re fine… we’re still staying for brunch.”
“Obviously,” Franco says.
“Non-negotiable,” Isack adds.
Ollie leans forward, fake-casual. “So… no one new in the picture yet?”
You raise an eyebrow. “Are you taking attendance for my love life now?”
He shrugs. “Just making conversation.”
You laugh. “Well, no. There’s nothing to report. I’m enjoying being single.”
Half-true. You take another sip of coffee and hide your smirk. They all nod slowly. Quiet. Suspicious. Too quiet.
Gabriel’s already texting someone under the table. Jack’s typing into his Notes app. Franco looks like he’s trying to remember every eligible man on the grid. Kimi is definitely plotting a background check. You say nothing.
Because letting them believe you’re freshly single, emotionally vulnerable, and in need of saving? Is way too fun to correct.
—
The brunch was meant to be a quick thing. A little comfort, a little check-in, maybe a pastry or two.
But somewhere between the third round of pancakes and Kimi yelling at Jack for putting ketchup on eggs, it turned into something else.
You knew you were doomed the moment Ollie declared, mouth full of toast.
“You’re not allowed to be alone today. We’re going with you.”
You’d laughed. Thought it was a joke. But now it’s two hours later, and they’re all still here. You walk into the training facility like usual, hoodie up, bag slung over your shoulder, calm and collected. Behind you? Six men trailing in a chaotic single file like toddlers on a leash.
Gabriel’s rapidly texting on his phone. Franco’s wearing sunglasses indoors. Jack’s humming. Isack is trying to arm wrestle Kimi mid walk. Ollie keeps speed walking ahead of you, then backpedaling like a mall cop on edge.
“You guys don’t actually have to stay,” you say for the fifth time, mildly exasperated.
“Yes, we do,” Ollie insists. “What if your ex tries to talk to you again?”
“I blocked him.”
“What if he makes a burner account?”
“I blocked five burner accounts.”
Kimi snorts. “I told you she’s too smart for him.”
Isack stretches like he’s preparing for a UFC match. “Still. You’re emotionally delicate right now.”
You raise an eyebrow. “I’m emotionally fine.”
“She’s in denial,” Jack whispers. “Classic phase two.”
You groan, swiping your pass at the entrance and holding the door open for your band of feral ducklings.
—
You’re halfway through your warm-up laps when it happens. You jog around the corner of the facility and pass by a small group of guys—some local trainers and junior athletes. You nod politely at them, earbuds in, barely noticing.
But they notice you. One of them—tall, maybe twenty-five—stares for a second too long. Not creepy. Just curious. And apparently, that’s enough to start World War III. Because from across the room, you hear a voice yell.
“HEY. EYES UP, BRO. THAT’S MY MOM.”
You stop in your tracks. Spin around. Ollie is storming toward the guy with a hand on his chest like he’s about to deliver the sermon of the year.
The poor guy looks so confused. “I—what?”
“She’s a national treasure,” Ollie says, dead serious. “You don’t ogle national treasures.”
You jog back over, cheeks already burning from embarrassment. “Ollie. He just wanted an autograph.”
“No he didn’t.”
“Yes. He’s holding a pen.”
The guy timidly raises his hand. “I just wanted to say hi. I’m a fan.”
Ollie glares. You sigh and pat the fan on the shoulder. “It’s okay. I appreciate it.”
Behind you, Isack leans toward Franco. “Should we start screening everyone she interacts with?”
“Already doing it,” Franco says, typing something into his phone. “I have a form.”
—
By mid-afternoon, they’ve followed you to recovery. Then to the simulator. Then back to your place, where they claim they’re “just checking your locks.” Kimi installs a door camera. Jack offers to sleep on your couch. Gabriel keeps offering to cook for you.
Every time you so much as look at your phone, someone leans over your shoulder.
Ollie squints, head on my shoulder. “Who’s that?”
You sigh and chuckle. “My nutritionist.”
Franco looks up at you. “Okay. What’s his intention?”
”My nutrition.”
Eventually, you collapse onto the couch, arms folded, finally fed up.
“Guys,” you say flatly, “I’m not a baby deer in a storm. I am fine. No one needs to be screened. I don’t need a 24-hour security team. And I definitely don’t need—”
Ding. Your phone lights up. A message from Max.
You alive or are they still holding you hostage?
You smile at the screen—just a little. Just enough for Isack to notice.
He leans forward. “Who was that.”
“Just… a friend.”
Six heads whip around.
“WHO.”
You roll your eyes and stand. “I’m going to shower. Please, for the love of god, do not follow me.”
They groan like they’re being abandoned on a battlefield. And as you shut the bathroom door behind you, you hear Jack whisper.
“We need to escalate. Operation Boyfriend starts now.”
—
f1gossipgirls
785,090 likes.
f1gossipgirls : Mercedes driver YN LN made her first paddock appearance since her rumored breakup — and if anyone’s heartbroken, it’s definitely not her. Looking radiant and unbothered, she was welcomed with a big hug from teammate Kimi Antonelli and closely tailed by Isack Hadjar, who appeared glued to her side all day.
The real kicker? Her full squad of rookie ducklings followed her everywhere — from the garage to the grid walk to the drivers parade, forming what can only be described as a personal security detail (or cult? unclear). But we love this new and radiant Grid Mum!
—
view 185,090 other comments.
username000 : kimi hugging her like a baby koala was not on my 2025 bingo card but i’ll take it
username00 : ollie: “she doesn’t need us” also ollie: breathing down the neck of anyone who looks at her for more than 0.2 seconds 😭
username0 : franco, gabriel, jack, ollie, kimi, and isack acting like sons to a woman only a few years older than them… peak formula 1 content
username1 : Grid Mum is such an accurate title like they would all FOLLOW HER INTO BATTLE 😭
username5 : i’ve never been more proud of a woman i’ve never met in my LIFE. she won. she’s glowing. she has six rookies as her army. iconic behavior only.
—
The date with Carlos was scheduled with precision.
Ollie booked the restaurant himself, despite forgetting to ask whether you were allergic to seafood. Isack made a shared Google Doc of outfit suggestions. Franco literally coached Carlos on what not to say during the car ride there. Gabriel told you to “just act natural,” which was rich coming from someone who panics ordering coffee.
Carlos, for his part, handled it like a champ.
“You know they sent me a PDF,” he tells you, raising an eyebrow as the waiter pours wine.
You blink. “A PDF?”
He nods, fighting a smile. “Title was ‘So You Think You Can Date YN.’”
You nearly choke on your water. “I swear to God.”
He grins. “Very detailed. They had a whole section on things not to mention. Like your ex. Or 2019 qualifying in Monaco.”
“Fair,” you say, smirking.
To his credit, Carlos is very good at this. Charming, confident, a little teasing, but never pushy. He asks about your training, your favorite circuits, the meaning behind the small tattoo on your wrist. He compliments your eyes like he means it.
And for a second, you let yourself lean into it. Until you spot them. Behind Carlos, tucked into a booth near the corner?
The Ducklings.
Poorly disguised in sunglasses, hoodies, and baseball caps—like a weird boyband on the run.
Jack has a menu held upside down. Gabriel is clearly filming on his phone. Ollie is wearing a fake moustache. Franco waves when you make eye contact. Kimi sits with his arms crossed like a bodyguard. And Isack’s just… staring at Carlos. Like he wants to wrestle him across the table.
You bite back a laugh. Carlos follows your gaze, glancing over his shoulder. He turns back, grinning.
“Should we tell them I saw them an hour ago?”
“No,” you say, sipping your wine. “Let them have their fun.”
He raises his glass. “To the worst spies in F1 history.”
—
You don’t know how they convinced Pierre to do this. Maybe it was Franco’s charm. Maybe it was the rookie group chat descending into madness after “Carlos Date Day.” Or maybe Pierre’s just here for the chaos, as always.
Either way, here you are. Dress. Dinner. Dim lighting. And Pierre, in an offensively good shirt, holding out a chair like he was born for this.
“I must say,” he smirks, “the moment they approached me with the idea, I said finally. Someone’s letting me take the prettiest driver on the grid out.”
You snort. “Do you use that line often?”
He grins, absolutely unapologetic. “Only when it’s true.”
You sit, trying not to smile too much. The restaurant is all low lighting and flickering candles—Pierre’s choice, obviously. He orders a bottle of wine in French, and the waiter actually blushes. You already regret letting Franco be in charge of the location.
“So,” you say, narrowing your eyes playfully, “what did the Ducklings promise you?”
“Ah,” he leans back dramatically, “they said if I sweep you off your feet, I get Kimi’s sim time for the month.”
You blink. “That’s… weirdly generous.”
“I know.” He raises his glass. “They’re getting desperate.”
You clink. “They are insane.”
“Insanely devoted to you,” he corrects.
You pause. Let that sit. Because he’s not wrong. And that’s when you spot them. The Ducklings. At it again.
Ollie and Isack behind the wine rack. Kimi pretending to be a server with an apron and a scowl. Jack crouching behind a decorative plant that is way too small. Gabriel and Franco sitting two tables over with fake menus covering their faces, whispering like spies.
You sigh into your wine. “They are so bad at hiding.”
Pierre glances over, raises an eyebrow, and smirks. “Should we give them something to talk about?”
You lean forward, amused. “Like what?”
He doesn’t answer. Just raises a brow and slowly reaches across the table to take your hand, smooth and steady. In the background, someone gasps audibly. Definitely Isack. Pierre doesn’t flinch.
“They need to believe I’m a threat,” he says lowly, thumb brushing your knuckles. “Otherwise, what’s the fun?”
You shake your head, trying not to laugh. “You’re dangerous.”
“I’m French,” he says with a wink. “Same thing.”
—
over with the rookies…
“HE’S HOLDING HER HAND. HE’S HOLDING HER HAND.” Ollie panics into his little earpiece.
Isack sighs. “Deploying emotional damage protocol. Permission to interfere?”
Kimi sets the glass of water down at the table he is pretending to serve. “Negative. We observe. We do not assassinate.”
Gabriel smiles from behind the menu. “She just looks so pretty. I wouldn’t be able to let go either.”
Franco starts panicking and fanning himself with said menu. “Guys. She’s smiling.”
Jack puts his head down. “It’s Carlos all over again. This is a spiral.”
Ollie face palms. “I told you we should’ve gone with Alex first. He would’ve been soft. Safe. Pierre has an agenda.”
—
Pierre’s still holding your hand when you laugh—genuine and loud and a little tipsy. The date has been fun, even if it feels like an elaborate school play. He’s charming, flirty, just the right amount of dangerous. But still…
Not the one who sent you a photo of your coffee order this morning. Not the one who smirks every time the rookies panic. Not the one who hasn’t stopped texting you versions of “good luck surviving them” all day.
You finish dessert—chocolate tart and rookie glares—and stand with Pierre as the waiter brings the bill. He leans close, lips brushing your cheek.
“Merci, chérie,” he murmurs, warm and quiet. “This was fun.”
And it was. But the second you step outside and the rookies swarm you, dramatic as ever—
Ollie checks you over quickly, holding your arms. “ARE YOU OKAY? DID HE POISON YOU WITH COMPLIMENTS?”
Isack rushes over, out of breath. “DO YOU HAVE EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH??”
Gabriel reaches up and brushes your hair. “Did he touch your hair???”
You just laugh, shrugging them off as you walk to the car. Because even though Pierre was perfect on paper— He wasn’t Max. And maybe the rookies haven’t figured it out yet.
—
You were promised a casual night.
“Low pressure,” Gabriel said.
“Light-hearted,” Jack promised.
“Just Alex,” Franco winked. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Famous last words. Because ten minutes into sitting across from Alex Albon at a cozy Thai restaurant — one he picked himself — you clock all six rookies sitting in a booth across the room in matching black hoodies like they’re in a rogue choir.
Alex leans in, smiling wide as he watches you clock them. “So. We’re ignoring the Secret Service detail?”
“Apparently,” you deadpan. “Their idea of ‘stealth’ is coordinated outfits and Jack holding a menu upside down.”
Alex chuckles, offering you a piece of spring roll with his chopsticks. “I’ll admit, I kind of love the chaos. Makes me feel like I’m in a sitcom.”
You grin, accepting it. “Is this their idea of soft-launching us?”
“Please,” Alex says, mock offended. “If I was soft-launching you, it’d be on a boat, golden hour lighting, maybe a quirky caption.”
You laugh out loud. Truth be told, this is the most normal of the “dates” so far. Alex is sweet, calm, and effortlessly funny. He talks to you like you’ve known each other for years. No pressure, no forced charm. Just vibing over pad see ew and Thai iced teas. Still, something’s… off. Not with him, exactly. Just… something.
—
duckling commentary…
Ollie whispers lowly. “Why is she laughing that hard? What did he say? I need a transcript.”
Isack squints. “She looks relaxed. TOO relaxed.”
Kimi shrugs. “He’s got soft energy. I’m not threatened.”
Franco sighs. “But what if she likes soft energy.”
Gabriel with a mouth full. “I like Alex. He’s soft. Like tofu.”
Jack moves the menu from his face. “I will literally flip this table if he touches her hand.”
—
back to you and mr. albon…
“You know,” Alex says, mid-bite, “I told them this was ridiculous. I said, ‘She’s not looking for someone. She’s got that look in her eye like she already found someone and hasn’t told them yet.’”
You go still.
He looks up at you. “Sorry—was that too much?”
You stare at him for a second.
And then: “No. That was… very on point.”
Alex smiles, a little softer now. “It’s not me, is it?”
You shake your head slowly. “No.”
He sits back, letting out a small breath. “Didn’t think so. Just wanted to be sure before I told Isack to stop plotting date number four.”
You laugh. Like full body laugh.
“God, they’re so intense.”
“They’re obsessed with you,” Alex says easily. “I get it. You’re kind of their mum. But also their queen. Their general. Their—”
“Duck wrangler.”
“Exactly.”
You sip your drink. “You’re handling this well.”
“I like being a decoy,” Alex shrugs. “Gives me a front row seat to the Max Verstappen Situation.”
You choke. “The what?”
He smirks. “Oh, come on. You don’t think we all saw him volunteer for the draft room? He showed up like he’d already won.”
You press your lips together. “It’s… complicated.”
“Is it?” Alex grins. “Because I think the only people who haven’t figured it out are the rookies. And honestly? I’m not telling them. Watching this slow unraveling is the best thing to happen to the paddock since Pierre got stuck in that bathroom in Baku.”
—
You and Alex step out of the restaurant into the night air, the six rookies immediately materializing from inside.
Isack approaches quickly. “Rate the date. Out of 10. Be honest.”
Ollie checks you over, again. “Did he hold you?”
Kimi crosses his arms. “I brought pepper spray in case things got weird.”
Gabriel sighs dramatically. “Alex, are you in love with her?”
Jack stares at you. “Was it mid?? Be real.”
Franco stares down Alex. “You better not hurt her or I’ll flatten you on the sidewalk.”
Alex just throws his hands up. “Guys. I’m literally the safe option. You picked me for vibe control.”
—
The place is quiet. Max picked a rooftop bar just outside the city — warm lights, open air, panoramic views, and most importantly—no cameras. Well. Except the ones hidden behind a concrete planter across the deck. You glance toward it and spot the very obvious outline of Ollie’s curly hair. You don’t even say anything. Max sees it too. He smirks.
“They really don’t know how to blend in, huh?”
“Nope.”
“I think he is wearing the fake mustache again.”
“I give them points for commitment.”
You clink your glasses together — you with a ginger beer, Max with something dark and still half-ignored — and settle into the kind of silence that feels earned, not awkward. The breeze lifts your hair slightly. His eyes follow the movement, just for a second.
“You’ve been humoring them,” he says after a while.
You glance at him. “You’ve been letting them spiral.”
He grins. “I don’t intervene in things I already won.”
Your heart does a thing. You sip your drink to cover it.
—
meanwhile at the rookie watchtower…
Jack smiles, looking satisfied. “Okay, we’re officially in the final boss round.”
Isack eyes the both of you. “Do we think he’s actually playing the game or just… winning by default?”
Gabriel shrugs. “He’s not even trying to flirt and it’s working. I hate it here.”
Ollie squints at Max. “He’s got that smug ‘I already kissed her’ look—”
Franco shrieks. “Wait. Has he???”
Kimi eyes all of the boys. “Do we interfere if tongues happen.”
All of them erupt. “YES.”
—
back with you and maxie…
Back at the table, Max leans forward slightly, eyes on you like he’s choosing every word carefully.
“I’m glad you let them do this.”
“Yeah?”
“Gave me a front-row seat to your smile. And their chaos. Win-win.”
You raise an eyebrow. “So what’s your plan? You know they’re watching.”
He shrugs. “Not here to impress them.”
“Oh?”
Max sets his drink down.
“I’m here to kiss you in front of them and end this game.”
You go still. Heart? Racing.
“You’re serious.”
He stands. Offers his hand. You take it. And then he pulls you in gently, tilting your chin up just enough, and kisses you like it’s not even a question anymore. Like it never was. Warm. Certain. Slow. Soft. And behind you—
“OH MY GOD.”
“THAT’S ILLEGAL.”
“THAT’S AGAINST THE RULES.”
You don’t even break the kiss until Max pulls back with a laugh, turning just slightly toward the human pile of rookies currently losing their minds behind a planter.
His arm stays looped around your waist.
“That’s against the rules!” Ollie yells again, hands flailing.
Isack looks like he is going to faint. “I NEED TO SIT DOWN.”
Gabriel clutching his chest. “I think I just blacked out.”
Kimi smirked. “I knew it. I KNEW IT.”
Ollie crumbles quickly. “They made us schedule a date with Alex when she was already WITH HIM—”
You turn toward Max, cheeks warm, heart light, still half-shocked and entirely melted.
“That was… dramatic.”
“Worth it.”
“You really planned to one-up the rookies?”
He grins. “No. I planned to end the game before they tried to match you with Lando.”
You laugh and kiss him again — brief, bright, completely yours. Alongside the two of you, six ducklings begin planning a joint wedding speech.
—
maxverstappen1
liked by gabrielbortoleto_, olliebearman, kimi.antonelli and 5,505,023 others.
maxverstappen1 : grid mom and dad making it official. love you, schat❤️
tagged : yourusername
—
view 250,000 other comments.
gabrielbortoleto_ : i feel like i found out santa isn’t real but also found out my parents are canceling the divorce on the same day.
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ yourusername : idek what that means but okay my little ducky.
↳ gabrielbortoleto_ : im betrayed but overjoyed
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
francolapinto : mama y papa
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
olliebearman : we scheduled dates. we made color-coded spreadsheets. we googled how to flirt respectfully. AND YOU WERE ALREADY KISSING.
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ isackhadjar : i was ready to flatten pierre with my car for this woman. AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT ME???
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ jackdoohan : we booked a RESTAURANT. i WORE A COLLARED SHIRT. i told a waiter “it’s her big day.” for WHAT.
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ gabrielbortoleto_ : i was her emotional support water bottle holder. do you know how much responsibility that is???
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ kimi.antonelli : i knew. i always knew. but i let the others spiral because it was funny.
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ olliebearman : don’t even talk. i wrote her a DATING PROFILE. with bullet points.
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ isackhadjar : they KISSED ON THE DATE I WAS HIDING BEHIND A PLANT FOR. i need financial compensation.
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ olliebearman : HEY. i wore that itchy ass mustache four dates in a ROW.
liked by yourusername and maxverstappen1
↳ yourusername : i would trust you all with my life. just not my love life ❤️
—
bonus scene!
The checkered flag waves. You don’t even hear the roar of the crowd at first — not over the static-crackling voice of your race engineer, screaming so loud he’s probably broken something in the garage.
“P1! YN, that’s P1 — you did it! YOU BLOODY DID IT!”
You’re not breathing. Your hands are shaking around the wheel, your visor fogged slightly with heat and adrenaline. You let out a noise — somewhere between a yell and a laugh and a sob — and punch the air so hard you might’ve dislocated something. And then another voice cuts in. Kimi. Completely unprofessional. Totally euphoric. “GRID MOM WINS. THE GRID MOM WON!!!”
You let out a laugh, heart racing, vision blurring. Your car rolls over the finish line and onto the cooldown lap, your fingers white-knuckled around the wheel.
By the time you’re climbing out of the car, the world is already screaming. Fans at the fence chant your name. The Mercedes crew is piling over the pit wall like lunatics.
You tear your helmet off and throw your arms in the air. You’ve barely taken a full breath when you’re tackled from the side — Kimi, jumping on you like a golden retriever with too much kinetic energy.
“I’M SO PROUD OF YOU,” he yells, muffled by your shoulder.
“You got your first podium!” you laugh, hugging him just as tightly.
“And YOU WON. So, respectfully — I will get in line, this is your moment.”
He lets you go with one last enthusiastic pat on the back, and that’s when you see him.
Max. Standing a few paces away, helmet off, hair messy, eyes only on you.
The way he looks at you? Like you painted the sky.
He doesn’t rush you. Just walks forward with that calm, smug patience he always has — but when you meet him halfway, wrapping your arms around his neck and laughing into his shoulder, he lifts you slightly off the ground without hesitation.
“You’re unbelievable,” he says softly into your hair.
You pull back just enough to see his face. “Still think you let me win?”
He grins. “Only because you’re hot.”
The champagne sprays. The flashbulbs explode. The crowd is still roaring when Max steps off his podium block, strides across to you — and kisses you. It's not subtle. It's not quiet. It's a hard launch in high definition. He pulls back only slightly, curls his arm around your waist. Your eyes go wide, but you're already smiling. Laughing, even. You press your forehead to his and exhale one word through your grin.
“Dramatic.”
“Correct.”
But before either of you can bask in it for too long— CHAOS.
Suddenly, there’s yelling. Sprinting. A commotion behind the barriers. And then— A ROOKIE STAMPEDE.
Ollie is first. He launches himself up the side of the podium steps like it’s the final stage of Ninja Warrior. Franco and Gabriel follow, scaling like climbers on caffeine.
Jack does a running leap. Isack vaults the barrier with no regard for ankle safety. And Kimi, of course, simply walks up — nods at the FIA official like this is normal, and joins the crowd. They pile onto the podium. No one stops them. Security gives up. Fans are shrieking.
Franco hugs your waist and yells, “MY MOM WON!!”
Jack flings an arm around Max and shouts, “DAD HARD LAUNCHED! HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE!”
Ollie collapses onto the floor of the podium and moans, “I feel so emotionally unsafe right now, but I’m also so proud.”
Gabriel is taking selfies mid-hug.Isack is clinging to your arm like it’s the last flotation device on the Titanic.
Kimi sighed happily. “It was time. The people needed to know.”
And in the middle of it all, Max just throws an arm around your shoulders and says with a completely straight face. “These are our children now.”
—
Later that night, Max throws his phone on the hotel bed and flops down beside you, still smiling.
“I think we broke the Internet,” you murmur.
“I think we adopted six grown men.”
You laugh. “Worth it.”
He turns his head, grinning. “They love you, you know.”
“I know.”
You pause. “They love us.”
He kisses you again — soft this time, slow — and the world outside fades. For now, it’s just the two of you. And the six rookies already planning family brunch in the group chat.
Seb: So guys, who is going to cook tonight?
Yuki: ME ME ME, let me cook!
Charles and George in a dubious voice: let him cook
Seb: So who is going to cook with Lando?
Max: I can make a perfect pasta pesto, so i can help him?
Liam: I loooovveee pasta pesto, please let me cook too!
Seb: Alright, so these three are going to do the cooking. Lew and I will set the table and the rest of you will help when dinner is over with cleaning everything up.
Yuki: Liam, I bet you I can eat 5 pasta penne
Liam: I bet you I can eat 8
Yuki: I bet you i can eat 15
Liam: Deal
Max: Guys, we need the pasta for the pesto, come on
Yuki: foo fate
Liam: He says, too late
Max: I am the meat in an incompetent sandwich
----------------------------------------------------
Hey guys,
So I've missed writing these stories so I am trying to start again!
please message me any ideas you have for improvement/new chapters and we'll chat about it if you want!
Sincerely,
S~
A wild night in Vegas left you hungover, married, and shocked to discover your new husband is Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 World Champion. What starts as a drunken mistake turned into something more and a question you never thought you’d ask—was this really just a stupid decision, or the best thing that ever happened to you?
pairing. Max Verstappen x wife! fem! reader.
warnings. rom-com (i tried), 10,6k words, accidental marriage, soulmates-ish, love at the first sight, my poor humor, soft! max, reader is clueless about f1, domestic fluff (literally just reader and max bullying each other white they’re married) alex s. m., lestappen bromance, pet names (schatje, baby).
YOU CAME TO LAS VEGAS FOR ONE REASON: to have fun. Maybe gamble a little, maybe dance a lot, and definitely forget about the stress of your everyday life. It was supposed to be a wild weekend with your friends—filled with overpriced cocktails, glittery outfits, and questionable decisions. You knew the Grand Prix was happening the same weekend, but you weren’t exactly a sports girl. Formula 1 meant fast cars and loud engines, and the only thing you really cared about was how the race would mess up traffic. You had no idea how much more it would mess up your life.
One night, your friend—who always seemed to know someone who knew someone—dragged you to a party she swore would be crawling with celebrities. You didn’t believe her, but you went anyway, dressed in something sparkly and slightly too short, because why not? Vegas was built for nights like this. The party was on a rooftop, lights glowing against the desert sky, music thumping through your bones, and drinks flowing like water. You weren’t sure who was famous and who was just pretending to be, but everyone looked expensive and slightly untouchable.
And then you met him.
He was tall, with messy hair and a grin that made you feel like you were the most interesting person in the room. Dutch, he said. His name started with an M—Mark? Max? You couldn’t quite remember. He was charming in a way that felt effortless, confident in a way that bordered on cocky, and somehow still made you laugh until your cheeks hurt. You didn’t know who he was, but you liked him. And the drinks kept coming. Tequila shots, champagne, something neon blue that tasted like candy and regret.
The night blurred into a haze of laughter, dancing, and whispered conversations that felt like secrets. You remembered him pulling you onto the dance floor. You remembered him saying something about fate and bad decisions. You remembered kissing him. And then—
Well, no drink could have prepared you for what came next.
───
You woke up with a headache so sharp it felt like someone was playing drums inside your skull. The room was too bright, too quiet, and far too unfamiliar. But what truly terrified you wasn’t the pain—it was the man sleeping beside you.
His back was turned, broad and bare, the sheets tangled around his waist. His hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction. He looked peaceful, annoyingly comfortable, like he belonged there. Like you belonged there.
You sat up slowly, clutching the sheet to your chest as if it could shield you from the chaos of whatever had happened the night before. Your dress—what was left of it—was draped over a chair like it had given up. One heel peeked out from under the bed. The other was missing entirely.
You glanced at him again, trying to piece together the night, and that’s when your eyes caught something that made your stomach drop.
A ring.
On his left hand.
Bold, shiny, and impossible to miss.
Your heart stuttered. Oh God. Did you sleep with a married man? You stared at the ring, panic rising in your throat. But something about it tugged at your memory—a flash, a moment, a laugh. You looked down at your own hand, slowly, carefully, like you were afraid of what you’d find.
And there it was. The same ring.
Only yours had a diamond. A very large, very catchy diamond.
You blinked. Once. Twice.
Oh fuck.
Your heart was already racing, but it kicked into overdrive when your eyes drifted to the nightstand. Amid the clutter—an empty glass, a phone, a crumpled napkin—was a piece of paper that looked far too official for a party night in Vegas. Thick, cream-colored, with bold lettering across the top. You leaned closer, squinting through the haze of your hangover, and your stomach dropped.
It wasn’t just a piece of paper.
It was a marriage certificate.
You froze, staring at it like it might disappear if you blinked hard enough. But it didn’t. It stayed right there, mocking you with its very real, very legal presence. You reached out with a shaky hand and picked it up, scanning the names printed neatly in black ink.
Max Emilian Verstappen.
You blinked. That name sounded… familiar? Maybe? You weren’t sure. It rang a bell, but not loud enough to make sense of it. You looked down, and there it was—your own name, printed right beneath his. Only now it had a new addition. His last name. Your name, with his last name.
You stared at it, mouth slightly open, brain refusing to catch up.
You married him.
You didn’t walk. You launched yourself out of the bed like it had burst into flames, nearly tripping over the twisted sheets as you scrambled to grab your phone. Your heart was racing, your brain still foggy, and you had no idea what you were doing—only that you needed to not be in that room. You bolted to the bathroom, slammed the door shut behind you, and locked it like you were hiding from a monster. For what? Safety? Privacy? Maybe just a moment to breathe. Or maybe in case Max Verstappen woke up and decided it was time for a honeymoon on a yacht. You didn’t know what married people did. You weren’t supposed to be one of them.
The bathroom light was way too bright, and you winced as it hit your face. You blinked hard, trying to adjust, and caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. It wasn’t pretty. Your makeup was smeared like a bad painting, your hair looked like it had fought a tornado, and your eyes were wide with panic. You looked exactly how you felt—like a disaster. A very confused, slightly drunk, newly married disaster.
Your thumbs were shaking as you opened Google, typing in the name from the certificate as fast as you could.
Max Verstappen.
And then your screen exploded with results.
Photos. Headlines. Videos. Interviews. All of it.
“Four-Time World Champion Max Verstappen Wins in Las Vegas.”
“Verstappen Dominates Under the Vegas Lights.”
“Undeniable King of Formula 1.”
You stared at the screen, jaw slowly dropping.
There he was. The man in the bed. Standing tall in a sleek racing suit, champagne bottle in hand, sweat glistening on his skin under the podium lights. His arms were raised in victory, his grin wide and confident, like he owned the world. Another photo showed him on the top step of the podium, gold trophy in one hand, waving with the other. Cameras flashed around him. Fans screamed his name.
And okay. You could admit it.
Your husband? He was hot.
Like, really hot.
Of course he had to be the kind of guy who looked even better sweaty. Of course he had to have that smirk. That face. That body. That entire vibe. And of course he had to be one of the best athletes in the world.
“Fuck!” you hissed the second your phone buzzed in your hand, nearly dropping it into the hotel sink.
Incoming call: my girl xx
You didn’t even hesitate. You smacked the green button and brought it to your ear like it was a direct lifeline to reality.
“I think I married Max Verstappen!” you whisper-screamed the second the call connected, pacing across the bathroom in bare feet, trying not to pass out or throw up or—god forbid—wake him up. You had no idea if the feeling in your chest was joy or terror. Probably both. Definitely both.
There was a beat of stunned silence on the other end.
Then: “Y/n, what the fuck? Did you take something? Are you high?”
You let out a strangled laugh, half-sob, half-manic giggle. “No! I mean—I don’t think so? But like… I woke up next to this guy, okay? Big, hot, Dutch guy. Tall. Sleepy. Smug. And he had a ring on. And then I had a ring on. And then—” you reached over to snatch the paper from the counter again, yes you took it with you “—there’s literally a marriage certificate. Signed. With both our names. His is Max Emilian Verstappen. I googled him. He’s a four-time Formula One World Champion?!”
You stopped to breathe, then whispered aggressively, “I married a rich race car driver.”
Your best friend went quiet again, then finally said, “Wait… Max Verstappen? Like, actual Max Verstappen? The hot one who wins everything and never smiles?”
“Yes!” you hissed. “Except he does smile, and I think he kissed me last night, and he definitely slept next to me— and with me, and now I don’t know if I should cry or call Vogue and pitch a cover story as his wife.”
“Y/n, I left you alone for five minutes and you got married?!” your best friend shrieked so loudly through the phone that you had to pull it away from your ear before it shattered your eardrum.
“I didn’t do it on purpose!” you whisper-yelled, pacing the bathroom like a wild animal trapped in a cage. Your bare feet slapped against the cold tile, your sheet toga flapping behind you like a cape of shame. “There were drinks! There was dancing! He had a really nice smile, okay? I don’t even like racing! I came to Vegas for overpriced cocktails and bad decisions, not a whole husband!”
You were so deep in your meltdown that you didn’t hear the footsteps until they were right outside the door.
Then—two soft knocks.
“Are you panicking in there?” a deep, amused voice called through the bathroom door.
You froze. Completely. Like a deer caught in headlights. Like someone had hit pause on your entire body.
Your eyes went wide. Your mouth opened. That voice—it was him.
Your husband.
Max Verstappen. Actual Max Verstappen. Speaking. To you.
You turned toward the door, heart pounding like a drum in your chest. “Yes—I mean no!” you called back, instantly cringing at how weird your voice sounded. You sounded like someone who had definitely married someone by accident.
There was a pause. You thought you heard him laugh. Just a little. Low and quiet. Like he found this whole thing funny.
You turned back to your phone, whispering like you were in some kind of spy movie. “Gotta go. I’ll call you later.”
“Wait, Y/n! Does he have any hot fri—”
You hung up before she could finish the sentence and dropped the phone onto the counter like it had burned your hand. You stared at the door, heart racing, brain spinning, and absolutely no idea what you were supposed to say next.
You couldn’t stay locked in the bathroom forever, no matter how much you wanted to hide from the world—or from the man waiting outside. You had to face it. Face him. Face the fact that you were somehow married to Max Verstappen.
Slowly, you reached out and unlocked the door, pushing it open just enough to peek your head out. You weren’t sure what you expected—maybe chaos, maybe cameras, maybe him halfway through packing his bags to escape this mess. But instead, you saw him standing there calmly, looking like he’d just rolled out of bed and into a magazine cover. His hair was still messy, shirtless, but he looked relaxed. Too relaxed. Like this was just another normal morning.
“There you are,” he said, his voice soft but amused. “Do you want something? Coffee? Water? You look pale.”
You blinked at him, stunned. “Yeah, and you look completely fine! You shouldn’t!” you said, stepping out and slowly making your way back to the bed. You sat down carefully, still wrapped in the sheet, trying to keep your brain from short-circuiting.
He tilted his head, clearly confused. “Why?”
You stared at him, trying to find the right words. “Because you’re Max Verstappen! You’re like… F1’s big dog. The guy who wins everything. You married a random girl in Vegas!” You paused, trying to breathe, trying to make sense of it all. “Oh my god, can you imagine the drama? The headlines? The press? The fans? Your team? Your mom?”
“We can keep it secret for now, if you want,” Max said, his voice calm and casual, like he was suggesting you skip breakfast or order room service. Not like he was talking about hiding a marriage from the entire world. He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, looking way too relaxed for someone who had just woken up married to a complete stranger. His expression was unreadable—cool, collected, almost amused.
Meanwhile, you felt like your entire body was buzzing with panic. Your heart was racing, your thoughts were spinning, and you were pretty sure your eye was twitching. You were sitting on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a sheet, trying to figure out how your life had turned into a headline overnight.
You stared at him, trying to process what he’d just said. Keep it secret? Like it was no big deal? You couldn’t even think straight, and he was already planning how to cover it up. Your mouth moved before your brain could catch up.
“We should annul it,” you blurted out, the words tumbling out fast and loud. “Obviously.”
Max turned his head slowly to look at you, like you’d just said something completely ridiculous. His eyebrows lifted, and he tilted his head slightly, studying you like you were a puzzle he hadn’t quite figured out yet.
“Why?” he asked, voice still calm. “I like you.”
Your brain stopped working.
You blinked at him, mouth falling open, unsure if you’d heard him right. “Wh—what?” you stammered, eyes wide. “You like me? We met like—what—ten hours ago?”
Max shrugged, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “And I liked those ten hours.”
You stared at him like he’d just suggested you move to Mars. “That’s not a reason to stay married!” you said, your voice high and full of disbelief. You couldn’t believe you were even having this conversation. You were wrapped in a hotel sheet, hungover, and somehow arguing about the validity of a marriage with a man you’d met less than a day ago.
Max didn’t flinch. He didn’t laugh. He just looked at you with those stupid, perfect blue eyes—calm, steady, and annoyingly unreadable. “It’s not a bad one either,” he said, voice smooth and quiet. But there was something in his eyes. A spark. A glint of amusement, maybe interest. Maybe even a challenge. Like he was waiting to see what you’d do next.
You clutched the sheet tighter around yourself, trying to hold onto reality, but your brain had already started to drift. You couldn’t help it. You imagined it—being his wife. Not just the ring on your finger or the chaos of last night, but the life that came with it. The luxury. The attention. The private jets and race paddocks. The kind of dinners where the wine cost more than your rent. The interviews where people called you Mrs. Verstappen. Waking up in Monaco. Falling asleep in Italy. Kisses in Singapore.
It was ridiculous. It was insane. It was completely out of your comfort zone.
And yet… it didn’t sound bad.
Okay. Maybe annulment was a little dramatic.
“Okay,” you sighed, dragging a hand through your tangled hair as you sat up straighter on the bed. The sheet was still wrapped around you like some kind of makeshift armor, and you were starting to feel like you’d need it. Your head was spinning, your heart was still racing, but you knew you couldn’t keep dodging the reality of what had happened. “We should… talk about this. All of it.”
Max’s lips curled into a smirk the moment the words left your mouth. He looked far too amused for someone who had just woken up married to a stranger. “That’s how I like you,” he said, clearly enjoying your slow descent into chaos. “Assertive. Calm. Rational.”
You gave him a look. A sharp, tired, are-you-kidding-me look. “I’m none of those things right now.”
He shrugged, completely unfazed, his eyes still sparkling with mischief. “Still. Be grateful you married me and not Lando.”
You blinked. “Who’s that?” you asked, your eyebrows pulling together in confusion.
Max paused, then actually laughed. A real laugh. Not a smirk or a chuckle, but a full, amused laugh that made his shoulders shake slightly. “Oh wow. You really don’t know anything about Formula One, huh?”
You stared at him, unsure if you should be embarrassed or proud. “Is he, like… worse than you?”
Max tilted his head, clearly enjoying the question. “Debatable,” he said, his grin growing wider. “He’s a walking red flag though.”
You didn’t know what that meant exactly, but the way Max said it made you laugh. Just a little. Just enough to forget, for one second, that your life had completely flipped upside down.
───
The hotel breakfast room was way too quiet. That strange kind of quiet that only happens when everyone’s hungover and pretending they aren’t. Even the soft clink of a spoon against a coffee cup felt like it echoed through your skull. You were surrounded by people who probably had millions in their bank accounts, all dressed in expensive clothes and sipping tiny espressos like they hadn’t made a single bad decision the night before. But you knew better. You could see it in their tired eyes and slow movements. Vegas had worked its magic on everyone.
You sat across from Max, your very real, very hot husband of roughly ten hours, trying to act like this was normal. Like you did this kind of thing all the time. Like waking up married to a stranger and then sharing breakfast with him was just another part of your weekend plans. You picked at your croissant, trying to look casual, even though your brain was still spinning.
“So,” you said, raising an eyebrow as you tore off a piece of pastry, “tell me something about you, my husband.”
The word husband still felt strange coming out of your mouth. It made your stomach flip a little. It was weird, but also kind of exciting. You barely knew anything about Max — other than the fact that he was ridiculously attractive, strangely calm about the whole situation, and apparently some kind of international sports legend.
Max leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed, like he had all the time in the world. “Well,” he began, “I’m Dutch, but I was born in Belgium. So technically I’m Dutch-Belgian. My mum’s from Belgium.”
You nodded slowly, pretending to take that in like it was important information. But honestly, your brain was stuck on the way he said my mum. It sounded so soft, so sweet, and it didn’t match the image of a guy with arms like his and a face that belonged on a billboard.
“I started karting when I was four,” he continued, “then got into Formula One when I was seventeen. And now I’m here—with four world championships.”
You blinked. “Casual,” you muttered, trying to sound unimpressed, even though your jaw wanted to drop.
Max gave a small shrug, like it was no big deal. He wasn’t bragging. He was just telling the truth. And somehow, that made it even more impressive. You could tell he wasn’t trying to show off. He was just… being himself.
And honestly? He was kind of a racing nerd. You could see it in the way his eyes lit up when he talked about karting, in the quiet pride in his voice when he mentioned his career. You weren’t into sports. Like, at all. But there was something really endearing about how much he cared. It wasn’t just a job to him. It was his whole world.
And because you couldn’t help yourself — because even though you didn’t follow racing, you did know the one headline that had practically broken the internet — you tilted your head and asked the question that had been sitting quietly in the back of your mind.
“Aren’t you the one who robbed Lewis Hamilton of his eighth title?”
Max didn’t answer right away. He paused, his eyes narrowing just slightly, like he was deciding how honest he wanted to be. There was a flicker of something in his expression — not anger, not guilt, just… something unreadable. But then, slowly, his lips curled into a smile. Calm. Cool. A little smug.
“That’s what some people say, yeah.”
You blinked, surprised. That was not the reaction you expected. No awkward laugh. No defensive speech. No attempt to explain or justify. Just a simple, quiet answer that carried more weight than a whole press conference. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t back down. He just sat there, sipping his coffee like he hadn’t just casually admitted to being part of one of the most controversial moments in sports history.
It was the kind of energy that made your stomach twist. The kind that said he knew exactly who he was and didn’t feel the need to explain it to anyone — not the media, not the fans, and definitely not the girl he’d accidentally married in Vegas.
You chewed slowly, studying him. You weren’t sure if you wanted to punch him or kiss him. Maybe both.
But deep down — and you’d never admit it out loud — you were starting to think you might’ve married someone weirdly interesting. And dangerously charming.
“But that’s a long, boring story,” Max said with a casual wave of his hand, brushing off four world championships and one of the biggest rivalries in sports like it was nothing. Then he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table, and gave you a look — the kind that made your heart skip a beat. There was a mischievous glint in his eye, playful and curious. “I want to know something about you, Mrs. Verstappen.”
The way he said it — so smooth, so relaxed, like it wasn’t the most insane thing either of you had ever done — made your stomach flip. Mrs. Verstappen. You’d been trying not to think about how official that sounded. How serious. How… weirdly not awful. It was ridiculous, but hearing it out loud made something flutter in your chest. You weren’t sure if it was panic or something else entirely.
You cleared your throat, trying to snap out of it. “Uh—well,” you began, suddenly feeling very aware of how painfully normal you were compared to him. He had trophies and fans and a career that spanned continents. You had… a messy Instagram feed and a half-used planner.
“Mostly I live off my dad’s money,” you said, giving a small, awkward laugh. “Because, you know, he prefers to pay me to leave him alone.” You took a sip of juice, hoping it would make you sound less ridiculous. “But I studied art. And now I sort of work in marketing? Like, social media stuff. Influencer-adjacent.”
You winced a little as the words came out. God, you sounded lame. Like you were trying to explain your life to someone who’d never had to worry about rent or job interviews or whether their post got enough likes. You were sitting across from a man who drove cars at 300 kilometers an hour for a living, and you were talking about hashtags.
Max didn’t laugh. He didn’t tease. He just nodded, like everything you’d said made perfect sense. Like you made sense. It was strange, really — how someone so far removed from your world could listen like he’d known you for longer than ten hours. His expression was calm, open, and maybe even a little curious.
“And I, uh, moved to Monaco a few months ago,” you added, almost as an afterthought. You weren’t sure why you said it. Maybe because you wanted to sound a little more interesting. Maybe because you wanted to find some common ground with the man sitting across from you.
But that got a reaction.
Max’s eyebrows lifted, surprise flickering across his face. “No way,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “You live in Monaco?”
You nodded, feeling a little sheepish. “Yeah. Mostly for the tax thing, but let’s pretend it was for the vibe.”
Max grinned, and it was the kind of grin that made your stomach flip again. “Me too.”
Your jaw dropped a little. “You’re kidding.”
He shook his head, still smiling. “I’ve lived there since I was eighteen.”
You stared at him, trying to wrap your head around that. Eighteen. Already living in Monaco. Already racing in Formula One. Already building a life that sounded like something out of a movie. Meanwhile, you were still figuring out how to pay your phone bill on time at that age.
“I mean, most of the drivers do,” Max said, leaning back in his chair, eyes wide with disbelief. “You live in Monaco and don’t know anything about Formula One? Even though there’s a Grand Prix happening there every year? It’s like… the biggest event in the city.”
You crossed your arms over your chest, trying to look offended, but the smile tugging at your lips gave you away. “Hey! I do know who Charles Leclerc is,” you said, lifting your chin slightly. “He’s Monaco’s bias — the hometown hero everyone pretends they’re not obsessed with.”
Max blinked, then burst out laughing. Not just a chuckle, but a full, warm laugh that made his shoulders shake and his eyes crinkle at the corners. It was the kind of laugh that made your chest feel lighter, like you’d said something genuinely funny and not just accidentally charming.
“I married the right girl,” he said, still grinning, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe his luck.
You felt your cheeks warm, and you looked down at your plate, trying to hide the smile that was now impossible to fight off. It was ridiculous. You were still hungover. You were still confused. You were still technically married to a man you barely knew.
You loved every second of it.
───
You’d been in Monaco for a few days now, and somehow, without really planning it, you’d spent most of that time at Max’s place. His apartment was sleek and modern, with huge windows and a view that looked like it belonged in a travel magazine. Sometimes he came over to your place too, and it was starting to feel… normal. Comfortable. Like you’d known each other for way longer than just a few chaotic days. You went on cute dates—late-night walks by the harbor, quiet dinners tucked away from the cameras, even a grocery run that turned into a mini adventure. You’d both agreed to act like you were just dating, like the marriage part was a funny secret between you. And honestly? It worked. It felt easy. It felt right.
So when Max insisted that you had to bake a cake for your one-week anniversary, you didn’t argue. You went out and bought all the ingredients, found a beginner-friendly recipe online, and tried to convince yourself this wasn’t going to end in disaster.
Standing in his kitchen, surrounded by flour, eggs, and a very confused Max Verstappen, you gave him a look. “I’m warning you,” you said, tying your hair up and glancing at the recipe again. “The last time I baked anything, I was eighteen. It was a birthday cake for my best friend, and it was… not great.”
Max raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter with a smirk. “Well,” he said, gesturing to himself, “do I look like I’ve baked anything in my life?”
“No,” you said as you rolled up your sleeves, determined to make this cake happen—even if it ended up more like a sweet disaster than a masterpiece. Max stood beside you, watching the recipe on your phone like it was written in a foreign language. You handed him the whisk and pointed to the bowl.
“Okay, start mixing the eggs and sugar,” you said, trying to sound confident.
Max squinted at the bowl, then at the whisk, then back at you. “You’re trusting me with this?”
“You drive cars at 300 kilometers an hour,” you said, grabbing the flour. “I think you can handle a whisk.”
He gave you a dramatic nod, like he was accepting a mission, and started whisking with way too much enthusiasm. Sugar flew out of the bowl. You gasped and jumped back, laughing as tiny crystals landed in your hair.
“Max!” you shrieked, swatting at him with a dish towel.
He grinned, completely unbothered. “Precision is overrated.”
You tried to stay focused, measuring flour and butter, but Max kept sneaking little pokes at your side, bumping your hip, stealing spoonfuls of batter when he thought you weren’t looking. At one point, he dipped his finger into the mix and held it out to you.
“Try it,” he said, eyes sparkling.
You leaned in, tasted it off his finger, and paused. “Not bad.”
He smirked. “Told you. Natural talent.”
You rolled your eyes, but your heart was fluttering. The kitchen smelled like vanilla and sugar, and the air was warm with laughter and something softer—something sweeter.
The cake was safely tucked away in the oven, and for the first time in the past hour, the kitchen was quiet. Warm. Sweet-smelling. You leaned against the counter, catching your breath, your cheeks flushed from laughing too hard and moving too fast. Max stood nearby, watching you with that familiar smirk that made your stomach flip every time.
“You have flour on your nose,” he said, pointing at you and laughing softly.
You reached up to wipe it off, but then paused, a mischievous idea forming. You looked at him, narrowing your eyes playfully, and moved your hand toward his face.
“Oh, don’t you dare,” he warned, stepping forward just as you lunged.
Before you could get him, Max caught both of your wrists in his hands. His grip wasn’t tight—just firm enough to stop you, but gentle enough to make your heart flutter. You tried to wriggle free, laughing, but he was too strong, too steady. And honestly? You didn’t really want to escape.
He pulled you closer, slowly, until your body was pressed against his. Your chin rested just under his collarbone, and you tilted your head up to look at him. His eyes were soft now, not teasing, just… warm. You smiled without meaning to, and he smiled back, like he couldn’t help it either.
And in that moment, something shifted.
You felt it in your chest—a quiet, fluttering feeling that wasn’t panic or confusion anymore. It was something sweeter. Something softer. Were you falling for your own husband? The thought hit you like a whisper, unexpected but not unwelcome.
Max leaned down and pressed a light kiss to your lips. It was gentle, slow, like he was testing the waters. Like he wanted to make sure you were still with him in this strange, beautiful mess.
You smiled against his mouth, pulling back just enough to speak. “Was this part of the recipe?”
He grinned, eyes sparkling. “Obviously,” he said, and kissed you again—this time longer, deeper, like he didn’t care if the cake burned.
When the oven finally beeped, you jumped a little, startled out of the warm haze you’d been floating in. You grabbed an oven mitt and carefully pulled the cake out, setting it down on the counter. You blinked at it, surprised. It actually looked… good. Like, really good. Golden, fluffy, not burned. You tilted your head, inspecting it like it might suddenly collapse, but it held its shape perfectly.
“See?” Max said proudly, stepping beside you. “It looks fantastic.”
You laughed, brushing a strand of hair out of your face. “Yeah, but does it taste fantastic?” you teased, eyeing the cake like it might be lying to you.
Max didn’t answer. Instead, he turned toward the fridge and pulled out a bowl of whipped cream—dark blue, of course. “I want to decorate it,” he said, already grabbing a spoon and getting to work.
You raised an eyebrow, amused. “Okay, Picasso,” you said, crossing your arms and leaning against the counter to watch.
Max was focused, tongue slightly poking out in concentration as he carefully spread the whipped cream across the top of the cake. He wasn’t fast, but he was determined. You stepped closer, peeking over his shoulder, and smiled at the mess he was making. The letters weren’t perfect, the spacing was off, and the whipped cream was a little too runny—but it was adorable.
And then you saw it.
Written in slightly crooked, slightly smudged letters across the top of the cake:
Max + Y/n, always and forever
Your heart did a little flip.
You stared at the words, warmth blooming in your chest. It was silly. It was messy. It was whipped cream on a cake made by two people who barely knew what they were doing. But it was also sweet. Thoughtful. Real.
You looked up at Max, who was still focused on smoothing out the edges, and felt something soft settle in your chest. This wasn’t just a joke anymore. It wasn’t just a wild Vegas story. It was starting to feel like something more.
“Aww,” you whispered, smiling so wide your cheeks hurt.
Max glanced at you, eyes twinkling. “Too cheesy?”
You shook your head. “Just cheesy enough.”
───
One thing about your husband, Max Verstappen — he adored Charles Leclerc. Like, actual bromance level. The kind of friendship that involved inside jokes, constant teasing, and way too many shared podium selfies. So when the idea of a double date came up, it wasn’t dinner or drinks or something chill. No. It was karting. Because of course it was. The most on-brand plan imaginable for two Formula One drivers who couldn’t go five minutes without turning something into a race.
The guys were hyped. Already texting about lap times and trash talk before you’d even left the apartment. And you? You were nervous. Really nervous.
Alex was everything. Fashion icon. Gorgeous. Confident. The kind of girl who looked like she belonged on magazine covers and red carpets. She was Charles Leclerc’s girlfriend — the it-girl of the paddock. And you were… well, you. Clumsy. Still adjusting. The newly accidental wife of Max Verstappen who had only just learned what a pit stop was.
You clutched Max’s hand tighter as you both walked toward the karting center, your stomach bubbling with nerves and regret over the fizzy energy drink you’d chugged earlier. Your heart was racing, and not in the fun, adrenaline kind of way. More like the what if I embarrass myself in front of Monaco’s golden couple kind of way.
“Max,” you said quietly, your voice barely above a whisper, “what if they don’t like me? I mean, I’m not exactly—”
“Schatje,” he cut in gently, turning his head to look down at you. That soft half-smile was already forming on his lips — the one that always made your brain short-circuit a little. “They’re both excited to meet you. Charles has heard so much about you already.”
You blinked up at him, heart still fluttering, but something about the way he said it made you feel a little steadier. Like maybe you weren’t walking into a disaster. Like maybe you did belong here, even if you weren’t sure how yet.
You stepped inside the karting center, your nerves buzzing just beneath your skin like tiny sparks. The smell of rubber and engine oil filled the air, and the sound of distant engines revving made your heart beat a little faster. You spotted Charles and Alex waiting near the entrance, both dressed casually but somehow still looking like they belonged on a magazine cover. Max’s face lit up the second he saw them. He walked straight over and pulled Charles into one of those quick, half-hug, half-pat-on-the-back greetings that guys do when they’re trying to act cool but are clearly happy to see each other.
Before you could even process the moment, Alex stepped toward you with a bright smile and zero hesitation. “You must be Y/n,” she said, her voice warm and confident. “You look stunning, girl.”
You blinked, caught off guard by how friendly she was. Before you could even say thank you, she pulled you into a hug — not the awkward kind, but the kind that felt real. The kind that said, you’re safe with me. It was soft and strong all at once, and something in your chest loosened. Just like that, you knew: this girl was going to be your girl.
“And you’re even prettier in person,” she added with a grin, looping her arm through yours like you’d been friends forever.
You laughed, the tension in your shoulders finally starting to melt. “You’re literally so cool, this is unfair.”
Max, overhearing your comment, smirked and leaned toward Charles with a playful glint in his eye. “Maybe we should do a few laps without them,” he said, voice teasing. “You know, as revenge for that time you pushed me off track.”
Charles rolled his eyes, already used to Max’s drama. “You brake-tested me,” he replied, deadpan.
Max waved him off, already distracted by the sight of you and Alex laughing together like old friends. You could feel his eyes on you, and when you glanced over, he was smiling — that soft, proud kind of smile that made your stomach flutter.
Alex leaned in and whispered, “I think we’ll definitely find something to talk about.”
You nodded, heart lighter than it had been all day. You weren’t just the accidental wife anymore. You were part of something. Something fun. Something real.
Max walked over, his voice quieter now, just for you. “Cheer for me, schat,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to your cheek. The warmth of it lingered as he grabbed a helmet and headed toward the karts with Charles, already tossing playful insults back and forth.
You and Alex sat down on the bench near the track, the loud buzz of go-karts filling the air as Max and Charles disappeared around the first corner. At first, the sound was a bit much — engines roaring, tires screeching — but after a few minutes, it started to feel kind of normal. Like background noise to a day that was already turning out better than you expected. You leaned back, letting the sun warm your face, while Alex pushed her sunglasses up and turned to you with a friendly smile.
“So,” she said, her voice light, “how’s it going? Being a WAG and all?”
You laughed softly, brushing your hair behind your ear. “It’s new. I didn’t grow up watching racing or anything, so I’m still learning. But… I’m happy.”
And you meant it. Even though everything had happened so fast — the wild Vegas night, the surprise marriage, the dates, the quiet mornings — it felt good. Like you’d landed somewhere that made sense, even if it was unexpected.
Just then, a blur of navy and red flew past the pit lane. Max’s kart. He lifted one hand off the wheel and waved as he sped by. Even with the helmet on, you could tell he was smiling. And without thinking, you smiled too — like it was automatic now.
Alex saw it and grinned. “You’ve got it bad,” she teased. “But don’t worry — Max is even worse.”
You blinked. “Really?”
She nodded. “He called Charles the morning after Vegas. Didn’t even say hi. Just started talking about you. Said you were funny, smart, and somehow kept up with him better than anyone else.”
Your mouth opened a little. You hadn’t known that. Max had never told you. You’d been wondering if this was just fun for him, something casual. But hearing that he’d been excited enough to call his best friend the next morning?
Your heart did a little flip.
Alex leaned closer, her voice softer now. “He’s serious about you. I’ve never seen him like this.”
Max and Charles walked over with matching grins, the kind that spelled trouble in the most entertaining way. Their hair was messy from the helmets, their cheeks slightly flushed from the race, and they looked way too proud of themselves for two grown men who’d just spent twenty minutes trying to out-drive each other.
“They’ve got two-seater karts,” Charles said, clearly amused. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and you could already tell he was up to something. “Wanna race?”
Max stepped forward, smirking straight at you like he was already imagining the chaos. “And you two are driving,” he added, handing you a helmet like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Your eyebrows shot up. “Me driving? With you in the kart?”
“Exactly,” Max said, his voice calm but teasing. “Don’t worry, I trust you.”
You stared at the helmet in your hands, heart thudding a little faster. You weren’t a racer. You weren’t even sure you knew how to start the kart. But Max was looking at you like you could do anything. Like he believed in you without question. And somehow, that made you want to try.
Charles turned to Max with a smug smile. “We’ll see which couple’s faster. Verstappen’s or Leclerc’s.”
There was something in his tone — playful, yes, but also curious. Like he was watching closely. Like he could feel there was more going on than you were letting on. You were still supposed to be just Max’s girlfriend, after all. But something about the way Charles looked at you, then back at Max, made your stomach twist. He was catching on. Maybe not the whole story, but something.
You and Alex exchanged a quick glance, wide-eyed and a little too in sync. You could tell she felt it too — the shift, the tension, the unspoken truth hanging in the air.
Alex leaned in, her voice low and full of humor. “If we crash,” she whispered, “at least we look cute doing it.”
“M’lady,” Max said with a dramatic little bow, holding the helmet like it was a crown. You laughed, nerves still buzzing in your chest, as he gently placed it on your head. His hands were careful, adjusting the straps with surprising focus, making sure everything was secure. His fingers brushed your skin, and even through the nerves, you felt a little spark — soft, warm, grounding.
You took a deep breath, the weight of the helmet settling over you like a reminder that this was real. You were about to drive a kart. With Max Verstappen sitting beside you. No pressure, right?
“I’m sorry in advance if we crash,” you said quietly, trying to joke your way through the nerves.
Max looked at you, that familiar grin spreading across his face — confident, playful, and just a little smug. “We won’t,” he said simply, sliding into the seat next to you like he’d done it a thousand times. “You’ve got this. You’re a Verstappen now.”
Your heart did a little flip at that. The way he said it — not as a joke, not as a tease, but like it meant something. Like it was something.
You glanced over at Alex one last time, catching her smile through her helmet. She gave you a thumbs-up, her eyes full of encouragement. You smiled back, grateful for her calm energy, her warmth, her quiet way of saying you’re not alone.
The countdown lights began to flash in front of you — red, red, red — and your grip tightened on the wheel. Your heart was racing now, faster than the engines around you. You weren’t sure if it was fear or excitement, but it didn’t matter.
The lights turned green, and you hit the gas a little harder than planned. The kart jolted forward, and Max let out a quick laugh beside you — not mocking, just amused. “Okay, okay, not bad,” he said, gripping the side of the seat. “Keep it steady, baby. Eyes on the track.”
You nodded, trying to focus, but everything was moving so fast. The wind rushed past your face, the engine roared beneath you, and the track curved ahead like it was daring you to mess up. Max leaned slightly toward you, voice calm but firm.
“Brake a little before the turn. Not during. You’ve got this.”
You followed his instructions, easing into the curve, and to your surprise — it worked. The kart glided through the corner without spinning out or crashing into the barrier. You grinned under the helmet, adrenaline buzzing through your veins.
“See?” Max said, clearly proud. “Natural talent.”
You barely had time to process anything — the speed, the noise, the curve ahead — before Max reached over and casually placed his hand on your thigh. It wasn’t rough or rushed. Just steady. Warm. Like it belonged there. Like he’d done it a hundred times before.
Your brain short-circuited.
Your heart jumped straight into your throat, and your grip on the wheel faltered for just a second. The next turn came up fast, and you almost missed it entirely.
“Max!” you shouted, half-laughing, half-panicking, as you swerved a little too wide. Your voice was breathless, your cheeks burning, and you couldn’t stop smiling even though you were trying to act annoyed.
He didn’t move his hand. Didn’t even flinch. Just leaned in slightly, his voice low and full of amusement. “What? I’m just helping you relax.”
You glanced at him, eyes wide behind the helmet visor. “You’re distracting me!”
Max grinned, completely unfazed. “Not a chance. You’re doing great.”
You shook your head, trying to focus again, but your heart was racing faster than the kart. His hand was still there, grounding you and distracting you all at once. And somehow, even with the chaos of the track and the roar of the engine, you felt safe. Like you could crash and it wouldn’t matter — because he’d be right there, laughing beside you.
The checkered flag waved, fluttering in the wind like a final exclamation point, and your kart zipped across the finish line just a breath ahead of Charles and his. The moment you passed it, your heart nearly exploded with adrenaline. You’d done it. You’d actually won — with Max beside you, coaching you, cheering you on, and somehow making you feel like you belonged in his world.
Max let out a triumphant laugh, the sound full of pride and joy. He turned to you, eyes shining. “See? Told you we wouldn’t crash,” he said, grinning as you both reached up and pulled off your helmets at the same time.
You were breathless, cheeks flushed, hair a mess, but you couldn’t stop smiling. The rush of the race, the thrill of the win, and the warmth of Max’s presence all wrapped around you like a hug. You barely had time to catch your breath before Max leaned over, grabbed your waist, and lifted you out of the kart like it was nothing.
Your feet left the ground, and you gasped, laughing as he held you close. His arms were strong and steady, and you felt completely safe in them — like the world could spin out of control and you’d still be okay as long as he was holding you.
Before you could even react, Max leaned in and kissed you. It was warm, gentle, and full of everything you’d been feeling but hadn’t said out loud. Your knees went weak, your heart fluttered, and for a moment, everything else disappeared.
As Max pulled back from the kiss, still holding you close, you both heard the unmistakable sound of clapping — slow, exaggerated, and clearly sarcastic.
Charles stood a few feet away, arms crossed and eyebrows raised, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, well, well,” he drawled. “Didn’t realize the winner got a kiss as a trophy. Is that FIA-approved?”
You laughed, cheeks burning, but Max just grinned and tightened his hold on you. “Oh fuck FIA.” he shot back.
───
People always say that if your marriage can survive building IKEA furniture, it can survive anything. And honestly? They weren’t wrong. Because if there was one thing Max Verstappen could do — besides win races and make your heart race — it was turn even the most ordinary task into something dramatic, chaotic, and somehow… special.
It had all started so innocently. One quiet evening, Max looked around the apartment, spotted the overflowing corner of helmets, trophies, race gloves, and random F1 gear, and casually announced, “I need another shelf.” Like it wasn’t already the fifth one. Like his personal shrine to motorsport wasn’t slowly taking over the living room.
You’d barely finished your tea before you were in the car, heading to nearest IKEA. The store was a maze of bright lights and confusing arrows, and the two of you spent way too long arguing over shelf designs and trying to pronounce the Swedish names printed on the boxes. Max insisted that sturdiness could be judged by how aggressive the name sounded. You ended up choosing one that sounded like someone sneezing mid-sentence and tossed it into the trunk, blissfully unaware of the emotional damage waiting at home.
Now, you were on the floor, leaning against the couch, a half-eaten bag of chips beside you and How to Train Your Dragon playing softly in the background. The room smelled faintly of wood and frustration. Max sat cross-legged across from you, surrounded by a chaotic sea of screws, wooden pegs, and panels that all looked suspiciously similar. He studied the pieces like he was preparing for a race — focused, intense, and slightly overconfident.
You held the instruction manual in your lap, flipping through the pages with growing dread. The diagrams looked like they’d been drawn by someone who hated happiness. You glanced at Max, who was already trying to fit two pieces together that clearly didn’t belong.
You squinted at the instruction manual, turning it sideways, then upside down, then back again. The tiny drawings made no sense, the arrows pointed in every direction, and the parts in front of you looked nothing like the ones in the pictures.
“I can’t understand a single thing,” you groaned, tossing the booklet onto your lap. “This is actual nonsense.”
Max glanced over, already halfway through trying to jam two wooden panels together. He reached for the manual, flipping it over with a smirk. “Maybe because you’re looking at the French side,” he said, holding it up and pointing at the tiny flag in the corner.
You blinked. “Oh.”
He handed it back to you, this time opened to the English section, like it was some sacred scroll. “Voilà,” he said dramatically. “Now we build.”
You rolled your eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. “You’re so annoying.”
You were twenty minutes into building the SNÖRKLIG — or whatever — shelf — and already three emotional breakdowns deep. Your patience was dangling by a thread, or more accurately, by one tiny wooden peg that refused to fit anywhere it was supposed to. The living room looked like a battlefield. Panels were scattered across the floor, screws rolled under the couch, and the instruction booklet had become your personal lifeline.
“I told you that piece goes on the bottom, Max,” you said, clutching the manual like it was sacred scripture. Your voice was calm, but your eyes were wild. You’d stared at the same diagram for so long, you were starting to see it in your dreams.
Max, sitting cross-legged across from you, held a long wooden panel sideways like it was a sword. “No, it doesn’t,” he insisted, pointing at the drawing. “It clearly goes on top. Look at this!”
You leaned over, squinting at the page. Then blinked. Then sighed. “Max… the drawing is upside down.”
He paused, looked at the manual again, then slowly rotated it in his hands. His face shifted from confident to sheepish in about two seconds.
“Oh.”
You stared at him, deadpan. “You’ve been building this thing backwards.”
Max shrugged, still gripping the panel like it hadn’t just betrayed his entire sense of confidence. “Well, it’s a shelf,” he said, voice casual. “It’ll still hold stuff.”
You stared at him, completely deadpan. “No, Max. It will fall. With all your trophies. Do you really want to explain to Christian why your 2023 championship is lying in shattered pieces on the floor because you refused to read IKEA instructions?”
That made him pause.
His eyes flicked to the mess around you — screws scattered like confetti, dowels rolling under the rug, and a pile of wooden panels that looked more like a failed art project than a shelf. He blinked slowly, like reality was finally catching up to him.
“…Maybe we should build it again,” he said, voice quieter now. Almost humble.
You didn’t respond. You just stared at him, blinking once. Slowly.
Max dragged a hand down his face, groaning like he’d just lost a race by half a second. “Oh, fuck this,” he muttered. “Can’t we just steal Charles’s?”
You blinked. “Wait… you actually want to steal a shelf?”
Max held up a screw like it was proof of his suffering. “Yes. I’d rather get arrested in Monaco than build another one of these Swedish nightmares.”
You laughed so hard you nearly spilled your water. “You’re ridiculous.”
He gave you a serious look. “Schat, I drive F1 cars. I build engines in my sleep. But this shelf?” He pointed at the wobbly mess in front of you. “I’m ready to throw it out the window.”
You slid off the couch and sat beside him, bumping his shoulder. “Okay, okay. We’ll do it together. I’ll read the instructions. You build. And no making it up as you go.”
He sighed, but a small smile crept onto his face. “Fine. But if it breaks again, I’m calling Charles and asking for his shelf. I’ll say it’s an emergency.”
You snorted. “Deal.”
Max grabbed the screwdriver like he was on a mission, mumbling in Dutch as he started taking the whole thing apart. You sat cross-legged next to him, reading each step slowly while Toothless blinked on the screen, like he was silently cheering you on.
Halfway through, Max smacked his forehead. “Wait—this piece was upside down the entire time?”
───
The whole evening had felt strange from the start.
You’d just gotten back from the Red Bull event, and something heavy had settled over you, like a weight you couldn’t shake off. Everyone at the event had seemed so sure of themselves. They walked through the room with ease, dressed perfectly, laughing like they’d known each other forever. They spoke in a language you didn’t quite understand—F1 slang, sponsor talk, inside jokes that flew right past you. They belonged there. They fit.
And then there was you.
You’d stayed close to Max, smiled when people looked your way, nodded politely during conversations you didn’t know how to join. You weren’t rude. You weren’t awkward. But you felt like a shadow—present, but not really part of the picture. You weren’t one of them. You didn’t have the same shine, the same confidence, the same rhythm. You were just… there. A little too quiet. A little too unsure. A little too you.
And that thought had stuck. It had crawled into your chest and made a home there, whispering doubts every time you tried to push it away.
You didn’t belong in Max’s world. Not really.
And now, sitting in the quiet of your shared space, that realization was louder than ever. It stirred inside you, uncomfortable and sharp, making you question everything. Not because Max had done anything wrong—but because you weren’t sure you were enough for the life he lived. The spotlight. The pressure. The people who seemed born to be part of it.
You slipped off your heels slowly, one by one, letting them fall to the floor with soft thuds. The dull ache in your feet was familiar, but it was nothing compared to the heaviness pressing down on your chest. It had been building all evening, creeping in during small moments—quiet glances, awkward silences.
Max sat beside you on the edge of the bed, close enough that your shoulders touched. He didn’t speak right away, just let the silence stretch for a few seconds. Then his voice came, low and steady, but with that quiet edge that meant he wasn’t going to let it slide.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “Talk to me.”
You kept your eyes forward, staring at the wall like it might offer you a way out. You blinked slowly, trying to keep your voice from cracking. “Nothing’s going on,” you said, flat and controlled, like if you said it calmly enough, it might become true.
Max didn’t respond right away, but you could feel the shift in him. The way he turned slightly toward you. The way his gaze settled on your face, searching. You didn’t have to look to know he wasn’t buying it.
“Don’t lie, baby,” he said quietly.
“No—I just think you shouldn’t be with someone basic like me,” you said, the words slipping out before you could stop them. Your voice cracked at the edges, soft and shaky, but honest. “I feel like I don’t belong in your world.”
You didn’t need to look at Max to know he was staring at you like you’d just said the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. You could feel the shift in the air, the way his body tensed beside you, the way his silence turned sharp.
“Don’t ever say that again,” he said, voice low but firm, no hesitation. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. What the fuck do you mean I shouldn’t be with you?”
You shook your head, tears brimming, frustration bubbling up. “I mean—I don’t know what tyre strategy works best in fucking Barcelona—“
He snorted, cutting you off before your spiral could go any further. “Neither does Red Bull, so what’s your point, schatje?”
You blinked, caught off guard by the sudden humor in his voice. It was dry, sarcastic, but warm. And it made something inside you loosen just a little.
You tried to fight the smile tugging at your lips, but the weight in your chest hadn’t quite lifted. It was still there, lingering beneath the softness of the moment. “You know what I mean,” you said quietly, voice barely above a whisper.
Max tilted his head, eyes warm and steady. “Yeah, I do,” he said. “But I don’t need you to know every world champion since 1960. You’re not Sebastian Vettel.” His tone was light, teasing, but full of truth. Then he reached out, palm open, waiting. “I just want you to be my wife. My Y/n. The one who makes me laugh when everything feels too damn heavy.”
You looked at his hand, heart thudding, and hesitated for only a second before slipping yours into his. His fingers curled around yours instantly, like they belonged there.
A small smirk played at the corner of his mouth, eyes glinting with mischief. “My wife Y/n, who had to Google me the morning after marriage.”
You let out a soft laugh, cheeks warming a the memory, “I thought you were footballer!”
“Just remember that you belong with me. Always,” Max said, his voice low and steady, each word wrapped in quiet certainty. He looked at you like you were everything—like nothing else in the world mattered more than you sitting right there beside him. “And the rest? Fuck it.”
You didn’t even get the chance to respond. Before your thoughts could catch up, he leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss into your hair. It wasn’t rushed or dramatic—it was grounding. The kind of kiss that said I’ve got you, even when your doubts were loud and your heart felt unsure. The kind that made the noise fade, just for a moment, and reminded you that with him, you were safe.
─── FEW MONTHS LATER
You were home alone while Max was away for the race weekend. Originally, you’d planned to go with him—packed your bag, even picked out your paddock outfit—but work had piled up fast, and someone had to stay back with the cats anyway. Max’s spoiled little shadows had made it clear they preferred you when he was gone, taking turns curling up beside you or watching your every move from the couch like tiny, judgmental bodyguards.
Evening had settled in quietly. The sky outside was a soft shade of blue-gray, and the apartment was filled with the low hum of your laptop fan and the occasional sound of a cat jumping down from furniture. You were slumped behind your screen, shoulders aching, eyes twitching from too many hours of emails and spreadsheets. You blinked hard, rubbed your temples, and muttered to yourself, Just one more email. Then I’m done.
And then—ding-dong.
You jumped, heart skipping. The sound sliced through the quiet like a siren.
You hadn’t ordered anything. You weren’t expecting anyone. Max was halfway across the world, and no one ever just showed up.
Brows furrowed, you pushed your chair back slowly, the cats immediately hopping down to follow you like a tiny security team. One brushed against your leg, the other sat at attention near the hallway, tail flicking.
You padded toward the door, cautious, curious, and just a little unnerved.
You opened the door slowly, still unsure what to expect—and were immediately met with a wall of white lilies. A bouquet so massive it looked like it might swallow the delivery man holding it. You blinked, momentarily stunned, the soft scent of the flowers already drifting into the hallway.
“I didn’t order anything?” you said, brows furrowing as you tried to peek around the blooms.
The man glanced down at the tag, then looked back up with a polite smile. “Are you Mrs. Verstappen?”
Your heart did a tiny flip at the sound of the name. Mrs. Verstappen. It still felt surreal every time someone said it out loud. You cleared your throat, suddenly warm all over. “Uh… yeah. That’s me.”
He nodded and gently passed the bouquet into your arms. “Then these are yours.”
You took them carefully, the weight of the flowers surprising, petals brushing your cheek as you stepped back inside. The cats stared up at you like you’d just brought home a jungle. You sighed, closed the door behind you, and locked it with a soft click.
You carried the bouquet to the kitchen, heart fluttering, mind already racing with one thought:
Max.
You placed the stunning bouquet into a vase, the lilies blooming like soft stars across your kitchen island. Their scent filled the room, light and calming, and for the first time all evening, the apartment didn’t feel so quiet. It felt like Max had somehow reached across the distance and wrapped the space in warmth.
As you adjusted the stems, fingers brushing against soft petals, something caught your eye—a folded piece of paper tucked gently between the flowers. Your name was scribbled across the front in Max’s unmistakable handwriting, a little messy, a little rushed, but so him.
Your heart fluttered as you pulled it free and unfolded it slowly, careful not to tear the edges.
I wish you were here. Don’t work too hard, and please—eat something other than burnt toast. Even though I’m halfway across the world, I need you to remember how deeply loved you are. Always and forever. With love, Verstappen.
babsie radio ! hope u’re not disappointed y’all cuz this is literally fluff w little plot…still was fun to write <3 love love downbad! max. also yes, i love pet name “schatje” i am not sorry if it’s too many times 🤗
taglist. @lvrpiastri @athanasia-day @hott1es @scarlettxx389 @haniette xx
In which you spend the weekend in Miami as Max's personal guest.
Warnings: smut at the end ;)
Pairing: Max Verstappen x Podcaster!Reader
Word Count: 5k words (whoops) plus social media posts
(a/n: holy shit you guys absoltely blew up part one (its sitting at 1.7k notes last time i checked in under 3 days??? like WHAT???) so here's the much requested part 2. LMK if you want a part 3! Also going to try something different with the tag list tonight, so bare with me as I figure this out!! xoxo)
You play with the hem of the cornflower blue sundress, nerves ratcheting up another notch when the car pulls into the race track. After you had wrapped up filming the podcast two weeks ago, Max had taken you out to one of his favorite London restaurants where you had spent the next nearly five hours talking about everything and nothing all at once. The only reason you had left was that the staff of the restaurant had started cleaning up around you, literally sweeping up under your feet and turning off the music as you had lingered over the last bits of your dessert together.
The next day, Max had needed to go back to Milton Keynes to spend some time in the sim ahead of Miami weekend, unable to stay in London with you despite every bone in his body screaming that he didn’t want to leave you. It was weird, almost scary, to him how much space you took up in his thoughts so quickly. He didn’t usually get attached to anyone, much preferring to remain aloof and independent but in the two weeks that passed since he had seen you, he was unable (or unwilling, depending on who you asked, honestly) to think of anything else. The way you laughed, the way you smiled, the way you seemed to hang on every word that came out of his mouth simply mesmerized him.
So now, here you were, two weeks later, moments away from seeing him again. Because while Max was down bad and trying not to blow this, you were also completely smitten with the Dutch driver. You had spent hours editing the first and second part of his episode yourself, something you hadn’t done in years, because you insisted you wanted to keep the integrity of the interview under your total control. Your video editor had seen the way you spoke about Max and just nodded, knowing that there had been something that sparked between you and him and that there would be no arguing about it with you.
Max is in the garage when he gets the text from you that you’re in the parking lot waiting for him. As luck would have it, he’s just finishing up with some engineering meetings so he’s got some free time. He replies instantly, telling you to wait in the car for him and he’ll be right there.
“I’m running out for a bit, GP. I’ll be back before FP1.”
“I mean, you’d better be. Who else is going to get in that car? Horner?”
Max chuckles, clapping his racing engineer on the back before slipping out the back of the garage.
Max’s heart stalls when he sees the car you're in, nerves suddenly twisting in his gut. You two had been texting back and forth constantly since he left London the morning after you met. Evenings had been spent on FaceTime together when you could manage, but with your busy schedules it hadn’t been enough for Max. The relief he felt knowing you were less than 100 feet away had him swaying on his feet a bit.
You knew Max was coming to meet you at the car but it had been a long drive from the airport, so while you waited you decided to stretch your legs. Max watches helplessly from a distance as the rear door on the SUV swings open, your bare legs making his mouth go dry when you hop out out of the car.
It’s almost as if you sense his eyes on you, the weight of his gaze caressing your bare skin like the touch of a well known lover. It takes you a moment to recover when your eyes lock with his, the look on his face practically a billboard for how excited he is to see you. A wide grin spreads across your face when he starts towards you, heart tumbling down through your toes as he jogs your way.
“Hi.” He breathes, stopping just short of gathering you up in his arms like he truly wants to. Despite how close you’ve grown over the last two weeks, Max reminds himself that it truly only has been two weeks and he doesn’t want to come on too strong.
You look up at him, eyes sparkling with delight at finally being in his presence again. “Hey you.” You croon, nearly unable to stop yourself from throwing yourself into his arms.
This kind of behavior was as out of character for you as it was for Max. You’d been burned by men in your life that were supposed to be there for you, love you, and protect you and so those walls had been put in place high and strong for years now . Something about Max made you question those defenses, wondering if he was going to be the one to stick around long enough to tear them down. While you tried to remain calm, objective, and aloof it was utterly impossible to act that way when you were around him.
“How was your flight?” Max stuffs his hands in the pockets of his shorts, nerves turning the tips of his ears pink. He wants you in his arms so badly but didn’t want to push you away, didn’t want you thinking he had only brought you out to Miami this weekend for one thing. Because he hadn’t. He had simply wanted you by his side.
“Well I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to fly commercial ever again, so I’ll be sending you the bill for all my private flights from now on.” You wink.
“You can use my jet whenever you want, schatje.”
Your stomach does the same involuntary flip it does whenever he calls you that. At first it had been timid, slipped in at the end of a sentence almost like it was an afterthought or unconscious desire to claim you but as time goes on, Max settles into calling you either that or liefje more often than not.
“Don’t tempt me.” You grin up at him, knowing that he fully means what he says. He’d absolutely let you use his jet whenever you wanted, all you had to do was ask.
“So, your timing is really good.” Max nearly reaches for your hand but chickens out at the last minute, settling for just walking you back towards the car that sits idling behind you.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I actually have an hour and a half break before I have to be back for the first practice session so I thought I could take you over to the hotel, get you settled in. I booked you your own room, of course and thought you’d maybe like to take a shower or a nap during the first session and then I could have an intern get you so you can watch the sprint quali later this afternoon.”
Your heart warms at the earnest look on Max’s face. The fact that he’s gone ahead and thought all of this through for you, clearly wanting to make sure you’re comfortable and taken care of all while you’re sure he’s overwhelmed with work, softens those well built walls arond your heart a bit more.
“A shower and a nap does sound good.”
Max smiles down at you, those blue eyes of his taking in every inch of your face like he’s trying to commit it to memory. “Good. Lets get you to the hotel then.”
“Lead the way, Maxie.”
yourpersonalinsta posted a story
story replies:
user9029 girl drop the diet and workout routine plsss
yourdad baby girl, i love you but put some clothes on
>>>yourpersonalinsta love you too dad!
maxverstappen1 are those my socks???
>>>yourpersonalinsta my feet got cold while you were gone playing with race cars.
>>>maxverstappen1 i was literally working! and how'd you get into my room???
>>>yourpersonalinsta a lady never reveals her secrets, maxie ❤️
>>>maxverstappen1 i was right, you are trouble
>>>yourpersonalinsta i prefer the phrase 'joy to be around'. pls hurry though back. i'm hungry and i may die of starvation in the next twenty minutes if you don't feed me.
>>>maxverstappen1 do your fans know you're this dramatic???
>>>yourpersonalinsta why do you think they're my fans?
The rest of Friday blurs together in a watercolor wash of heat, and people, and sounds that you’re utterly exhausted by the time you tumble into your bed late at night.
Alone, thank you very much.
The wine that you had drank at dinner with Max and a few other drivers has heat pooling low in your belly as you watched Max watch you all night. You had wanted to invite him back to your room, but something kept those words from slipping out all night and Max had been the picture of respectable, simply dropping a kiss on your forehead before wishing you goodnight at your hotel room.
Saturday’s sprint race is just as busy and loud as qualifying had been and by the time it’s over, you’re exhausted, hot, and sweaty. You’re over the moon when Max pulls off the win in the sprint, throwing your arms around his damp neck the moment you see him after his media duties are completed and he finds you waiting for him in front of Red Bull's hopsitality.
“That was amazing Max. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun. You make it all look so easy.” You gush.
“It looks like you’re my lucky charm now, schatje. Won’t be able to win without you.”
You smile, cheeks aching a bit at how much you’ve been doing that this weekend. You’ve fit in so well with everyone it’s almost spooky, like your presence was expected and welcomed in the garage, slotting into Max’s world with uncanny ease.
As you follow Max back to his driver’s room that’s tucked away in the back of hospitality, his hand reaches for yours almost unconsciously. When his fingers twine with yours, the butterflies that have taken up permanent residence in your stomach this week take flight yet again. If this is how you react when he reaches for you, you can’t imagine how you’re going to handle when he finally kisses you properly.
The hallway is quiet and long, with Max’s room at the end of the corridor. You’re only about half way there when a sudden wave of nausea washes over you, stopping you in your tracks. “Woah.” You whisper, free arm bracing against the wall for support.
Max turns to you in an instant, his handsome features a mask of concern. “You okay?”
You blink a few times, trying hard to fight the impending fainting spell you can feel yourself hurtling towards. “I..ummm…I think so?”
Max all but picks you up in his arms, ushering you the short distance that separates you from his drivers room. “Lets get you sitting down. Have you eaten today?”
A blush creeps up your cheeks. “Not since breakfast.”
Max frowns, “That was hours ago, liefje.”
The room is small with just enough room for a couch, massage table, and closet but it does the job, serving as a quiet respite from the mayhem of the paddock. Max gently leads you over to the navy blue couch. “Sit. I’m going to get you some water and food. The heat in Florida is no joke.”
You nod, already feeling a little better now that you’re sitting down. Max is gone for several minutes but comes back absolutely laden down with so much food, you can’t help but laugh. “Max, I don’t know who you think I am but I am not a 300 pound body builder.” You say though your giggles.
Max looks a little embarrassed but just tuts at you, placing the plates (of which there are three) down on the table in front of you. “I didn’t know what you liked. You had fish at dinner last night, much to Lando’s dismay, but they’re cooking salmon tomorrow, even though I asked for some today for you.”
The way your chest squeezes at his ramblings has nothing to do with the headache that’s forming between your eyes and everything to do with the man sitting next to you practically spoon-feeding you a roasted beet and goat cheese salad. You obediently open your mouth when he lifts the fork to your lips, only rolling your eyes a bit at his fussing. “I am an adult, Verstappen. I can feed myself.” You grumble between bites.
“I know but just humor me.”
You roll your eyes again but open your mouth, the beet and goat cheese salad actually tasting really good.
“Good girl.” He coos, setting your thighs squeezing together on their own accord.
Your eyes flicker up to his at the praise and something passes between you two, a little spark of heat igniting there in the small room.
“I’m sorry.” You whisper after a few more bites, tension hanging thick between you as you're tucked up together on the small couch.
“Don’t be.” He insists, pushing a bottle of icy cold water into your hands. “I’m just glad I was here to take care of you.”
“Me too.” You breathe, acutely aware to how close his body is to yours.
The urge to kiss you overwhelms Max, and it's not the first time this weekend this has happened. He’s been fighting the ever strengthening desire to just sweep you up and haul you back to his hotel room since you first stepped out of the Range Rover yesterday afternoon. Truthfully, he’d been wondering what you taste like ever since he’d walked into that recording studio in London.
He couldn’t explain how or why but your sudden appearance in his life seemed like some cosmic shift under his feet, his entire existence adjusting to this new normal of being in your orbit. He’d spent the last two weeks listening to all five years of your podcasts, even finding some old work you’d done in college and with each episode he found himself falling further and further into a rabbit hole that he wasn’t sure he’d ever want to climb out of.
Max falls silent then and so do you, a comfortable quiet settling over the room. The spark that had ignited so innocently just minutes before begins to smolder into something that has the energy between you two shifting. Like the entire reason for you being here this weekend had led up to this very moment.
You break the spell first, leaning in just a fraction closer to Max like he's is the magnet you’re elementally obligated to be attracted to. But Max is equally compelled in his desire to finally find out what you taste like so he closes the gap between your lips and his, mouth grazing yours with the slightest pressure. It starts out as a timid thing, unsure of if it should exist in such a charged atmosphere. Once it gains its footing though, the kiss lengthens and takes on a life of its own.
You sigh into Max’s mouth like it’s a relief to finally have him kissing you. Max lifts the tips of his fingers to your chin so he can tilt your head upwards, allowing him to deepen the kiss to a more heated pace. Your fingers grip at his Red Bull polo, desperate for something to hold on to while the taste of Max races through your veins.
Something akin to a purr rumbles in the back of your throat when Max’s hands sift through your hair and it grows a little hotter when he tugs on the ends, forcing your head back so the slender column of your neck is fully exposed to him. You try not to cry when his lips leave yours, unhappy with how you can’t taste him fully anymore, but that disappointment quickly evaporates when he trails open mouthed kisses towards the enticing hollow of your throat.
“I’ve been wondering what you taste like since the moment I laid eyes on you.” Max murmurs against your heated skin.
Your head spins at his words. So it hadn’t just been you that had felt the spark that first day. “Max.” His name is a reverent prayer on your lips, urging him to never stop touching you.
Max thinks he could go the rest of his life without winning another race and he’d still die happy because he’d finally kissed you. “You drive me mad, liefje. I am utterly consumed by you and I have no idea how you slipped this far under my skin so quickly.”
The words send shivers skittering down your spine and you find yourself leaning into his touch even more, heart hammering wildly against your ribcage.
A sharp and sudden knock sends you leaping out of Max’s arms so quickly, you nearly fall to the floor. “Holy fuck.” You whisper, hand flying to your lips like they’ve been burned.
“Christ.” Max breathes, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Yeah?” He calls, voice a strangled mess.
“Uh…” The hesitation in the person’s voice told you that they knew they had interrupted something. “Max, Christian and GP wanted to go over a few more things before quali.”
Max touches his forehead to yours, letting loose a breath to steady himself before he can answer. “I’ll be there in five.” He grumbles and you can hear the shuffle of feet retreating moments later.
“You are going to ruin me, schatje.” Max murmurs, even though he has a feeling he was already ruined.
You chuckle, rubbing your fingers over your swollen lips. You had never had a first kiss like that, ever. The way your body simply melted around Max like warm butter had your center turning molten. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” You joke.
Max just shakes his head and chuckles before his face pulls serious again.
“How are you feeling? Do you want to stay here and rest or come with me to the garage? I could have an intern take you back to the hotel?” Max lifts his hand so it frames your face, concern flickering across his features. Your chest constricts in the most delicious way when he pulls your hands into his lap.
“I’m good. I think your kisses may have healing properties actually.” You flirt, gazing at Max from under long lashes. “If I’m not too in the way, I’d like to stay with you.”
It crosses your mind then, a quick rabbit of a thought, darting across your consciousness that you’ve been so independent for so long, so bent on not relying on anyone for security or safety, only to have the entire rug of your resistantance ripped out from under you. It’s a gooey and warm feeling that you hope isn’t just a flash in the pan, although your gut tells you Max is the real deal.
You hadn’t given yourself this freely to anyone in so long, panic grips at your throat for a moment, the desperate need to flee suddenly choking you. Just when the panic of what’s transpiring here threatens to pull you under, Max’s cool blue eyes yank you back to him where you belong.
“I think I’m going to like having you by my side.” His breath fans out over your cheeks, pulling you further out of your tumble.
Max stands, sensing something shifting deep within you then. He saw something pass behind your eyes just then, the delicate shiver of hesitation. He’d been expecting it. No one who was as strong as you were got that way without having a story to tell. He knew that and had known this moment would come. What he hadn’t expected was to watch you pull yourself back from that precipice of panic. It had been a stunning thing to watch, even if the act was nothing more than a fleeting moment. But the way he watched you catch yourself spinning and knit yourself back together without so much as a whisper of a breath made him want to shield you from whatever had caused you the heartache to begin with.
He holds his hand out to you, which you gladly take, and leads you towards the door while knotting his fingers up with yours. The nerves in your stomach settle with his touch and it sort of scares you, how well this man can read you so soon. This had been the last thing you had ever thought would happen when the man you were falling for walked into your life just 2 weeks ago.
yourpersonalinsta posted
198,392 likes
liked by maxverstappen1, redbull racing, and others
yourpersonalinsta omg miami if this is how you introduce yourself to a girl, i can't wait to see how the first date goes! super proud of @/maxverstappen1 for winning the spring race today. next up: quali.
user992 girl is auditioning to be the next WAG in the paddock
>>>user020 seriously thirsting for nothing but clout this weekend
maxverstappen1 told you you'd bring me extra luck this weekend
>>>yourpersonalinsta ❤️
>>>user0093 oh this is interesting
user9392 the fact that she was such a genuine fan of the sport before and now she's AT her first race as Max's guest all because of her podcast. i just...
>>>user223 now i'm crying, thanks.
redbullracing so fun having you in the garage today! excited for sunday!
>>>yourpersonalinsta thank you for having me!
There was just something so enticingly attractive about watching Max race on Sunday that had you feeling embarrassingly needy for him by the time he got you back to his hotel room that night. As you had watched him on the podium that afternoon, you just knew how messy you’d be below him later that night.
“I think your performance this weekend has earned you a reward.” Your rasp, voice a husky whisper in his ear as you glue yourself to him in the elevator that evening.
Max cocks an eyebrow at you while his fingers grip at your hips. “Oh yeah? And what would that be, lifeje?”
“Why don’t you take me back to your room and let me show you.” You lick at his neck, savoring the taste of sweat and champagne that clings to him despite his shower at the track earlier.
Max’s groan is enough of an answer and when the elevator slows, signaling your arrival at his floor, you follow him out into the quiet hallway, giggling when he playfully grabs a handful of your ass.
You had tried to convince yourself the entire drive back to the hotel that this wasn’t how the night was going to end. It was too soon, you thought. This was the first weekend you had spent any time with him and you didn’t want Max to get the wrong idea about you. And then he had spent the entire drive back to the hotel with one hand inching higher and higher up on your bare thigh. His thick fingers traced random patterns on your tanned skin, until the very tips had slipped just under the hem of your dress and all thoughts had eddied right out of your head.
Max, meanwhile, had been thinking of this moment since the second he had climbed out of the car. He didn't want to push you but the need to learn how you sounded when he was buried deep inside you was was out of control.
The moment the door snicks closed behind you, you're shoving Max against the wall, utterly desperate to get your mouth on him. Sinking to your knees in front of him, hands trailing down his torso. Your fingers drag over the skin just above the waistband of his jeans, long nails sending a shudder down Max's spine.
"Let me taste you, Max." You moan, reaching for the buckle of his belt.
"Please." He begs as he sinks his hands deep into your hair.
You have to stifle a gasp when you free his thick cock from his boxers, pushing the soft cotton down to his ankles along with his jeans. He's already desperatly hard, dick all red and angry with arousal, practically begging you to take it in your mouth.
Max can hardly believe the sight before him. You down on your knees for him, lips mere millimeters from his raging hard-on, was probably the prettiest sight he'd seen in a long time. When you first wrap your lips around the tip, tongue darting out to taste the salty precum that he's already leaking, it takes every ounce of control Max has to not sink deep down your throat.
"Holy fuck, baby." He shudders, fingers gripping your hair even tighter. Max would be lying if he said he hadn't played out this exact scenario several times over the past two weeks, only it had been his own hand fisting his cock instead of your lips.
All you do is hum in response, the vibration of your voice sending sharp new shivers bolting down Max's spine. One hand snakes up his toned thighs, enjoying the thick muscles bunching and flexing as you take him deeper down your throat. Your other hand, however, trails down your own thighs, dipping below the hem of your dress to find your own already ruined panties wet with the arousal Max has already drawn from you.
"You like touching yourslef while you suck me off, pretty girl?" Max's voice is all gravel as his hips snap towards you, forcing you to take him even deeper into your mouth.
You look up at him, eyes watering, thick lashes matted with tears and smile the best you can with your lips wrapped around him. You continue your work, head bobbing up and down on his length, enjoying the way his dick is slick with your saliva, a bit of it dripping down your chin as you take him even deeper. You swear you could spend the rest of the night down on your knees with how good Max feels and tastes in your mouth, your own fingers buried deep inside you. The release you've been wanting all week starts to build and Max begins to feel it too.
Max knows he's not going to last much longer and he doesn't want to come quite yet. Gently he pulls you off, chuckling at the mewl of protest that slips past your lips when he pushes you off of him.
"Max." You whine, wanting nothing more than to swallow his release down your throat.
"Get on the bed, lifeje." He orders.
You scramble to your feet, disappointment at not making him come with your mouth quickly replaced with the anticipation of what you know is coming next. You've tried so hard to resist the fact that you've wanted this since the moment you saw him Friday afternoon but as you lay down on the bed and watch Max stalk towards you like a lion after his prey, all reservations evaporate into thin air. You know deep within your chest that this is what's supposed to happen right now.
"Dress off." He commands and the thrill of being ordered around flashes through you.
You follow his directions before laying back on the pillow, watching as Max reaches behind him back to strip off the sweaty team kit you hadn't bothered taking off before sucking his dick. A sudden wave of vulnerability sweeps over you as Max stands at the foot of the bed, eyes raking over your bare frame.
"You are the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on." Max murmurs, sensing your hesitation at being so vulnerable in front of him. He doesn't want you to be nervous, needing you to know how utterly obsessed he is with you. It staggers him when he thinks about how deeply you've dug yourself under his skin in such a short time. You've barely spent longer than a few days together and he's already so deeply lost in you.
"Do something, Maxie." You beg, squirming under his heated stare.
His weight is heavy and delicious when he finally covers your body with his, notching his cock just outside your dripping core. Max reaches down, letting out a heated moan when he feels how wet you are for him. "You are soaked for me, gorgeous girl. God, how did I get so lucky? Have you been like this all fucking day, schatje?"
"Been desperate for you all fucking day, Max." You breath, your hips lifting up off the bed in a needy search for the friction you crave.
"Lets see if we can get you some relief, yeah baby?"
When Max sinks into you for the first time, you can't help the desperately needy whine that escapes from your mouth. His name is a prayer on your lips, every nerve ending in your body sparking to life. The stretch of his cock burns in the most delicious way. "So full." You cry as Max's hips meet yours when he slides into you completely.
Max doesn't quite understand how you're so blissfully tight and wet and warm all at the same time but he thinks it's the best feeling he's ever experienced. His head drops to the crook of your neck as he buries himself in you to the hilt, the base of his dick grinding against your clit. "Fuck, you're to tight around me baby. How do you feel this fucking good?"
You and Max fall into a rhythm, the only sound in the room are the quieted sighs slipping their way from your lips before Max can steal them from your throat. The friction is amazing and before he can quell it, Max feel the lick of fire coiling at the base of his spine, telltale sign that he's about to spill. “Won’t last much longer.” He pants, lips falling to suck at the skin at your neck.
Max struggles to keep the pace up, diving into you with long, slow strokes that fill you up and empty you out over and over and over. Sweat forms on his brow that was tipped down in concentration and you have to resist the urge to lick it off. Every stroke deep into your pussy fills you up so fully it's almost too much. Too much sensation, too much heat, too much fullness. You can’t help the whines that slip from your lips but Max only encourages them by chanting your name over and over.
“I know, baby. I know.” He coos in your ear as your muscles tense beneath him. “You’re doing so good for me, taking it all so good.”
The praise is almost too much. “Don’t stop.” You beg when his fingers dip down between you to find my clit as he continues to stroke into you. Stars erupt on the back of your eyelids. “Holy fuck. Max.” You manage to bite out.
“Come for me. I want to feel you come all over my dick, please baby.” Blinding need consumes Max's entire existence, his full attention focused on the way you clench around him over and over.
That’s all it takes. The command sends you hurtling over the edge, right into a spine tingling orgasm. Your body goes rigid for a moment under Max's weight but as quick as it starts, a boneless languid feeling sweeps through you as the endorphins flood your system. Your own climax has pushed Max over he edge and he comes hard, groaning in your ear as he rasps your name.
Max collapses on top of you and you relish the heavy weight of his body on yours. Much too soon, he rolls off and you whimper, instantly feeling empty without him inside you. Max gathers you up in his arms though, the heat of his body quickly warming your chilled skin. Your hand settles on his chest, right over his heart, which is still racing.
“Jesus Christ, shactje.” Max finally breaks the silence, giving my hip a squeeze as he nuzzles into my hair. “You really are going to ruin me.”
maxverstappen1 posted:
838,291 likes
liked by yourpersonalinsta, redbullracing, yourdad and others
maxverstappen1: another great weekend with a good haul of points! Thank you Miami, you were good to us. On to the next!
user2992 uh, max? care to explain that second photo
>>>user92928 is that who I think it is???
yourpersonalinsta had so much fun with you this weekend! can't wait for the next one
>>>maxverstappen1 ❤️
>>>user0221 EXCUSE ME.
user0022 i ran into them late Sunday night at the hotel and let me tell you...there's nothing PR about their chemistry together.
>>>user9288 i fucking KNEW it
user05543 anyone else see @/yourpersonalinsta's dad in the likes!?
yourpersonalinsta posted
231,209 likes
liked by maxverstappen1, redbullracing, charlesleclerc and others
yourpersonalinsta after this weekend, i think i can consider myself officially a red bull girlie. blissfully excited i got to see a MV1 podium AND sprint win! thank you for letting me into your world @/maxverstappen1. can't wait til next time ❤️
maxverstappen1 gonna need you at every race now that you're my lucky charm.
user9282 'thank you for letting me into your world' YOU EXPECT ME TO ACT NORMAL AFTER THAT CAPTION MA'AM???
>>>user7623 kicking my feet and giggling and i'm not even @/yourpersonalinsta omg
redbullracing you're welcome in the garage any time!!
>>>user9935 even admin has a crush!
>>>maxverstappen1 @/user9935 i mean, how can you not???
>>>user9935 omg hi king. glad you know how amazing she is! don't hurt our girl, k???
>>>maxverstappen1 i would never ☺️
(liked by yourpersonalinsta)
maxverstappen1 private stories
story replies:
yourpersonalinsta god i look good in navy
>>>maxverstappen1 no more ferrari red for you, sweet girl
>>>yourpersonalinsta miss you already 😢
>>>maxverstappen1 i know. i'll see you soon, promise
>>>yourpersonalinsta ❤️
danielricciardo excuse me but WHAT THE FUCK
>>>maxverstappen1 : 🤭
charlesleclerc oh she's got you using the lip biting emoji. it's over, pack it up boys. MV1 is officially off the market.
>>>maxverstappen1 accurate though
In which Max decides that maybe doing interviews isn't such a bad thing.
Warnings: jos verstappen mention ew
Pairing: Max Verstappen x Podcaster!Reader
Word Count: 2.5k plus social media posts
TheYappingHour posted:
349,219 likes
liked by redbullracing, charlesleclerc, and others
TheYappingHour Back at it this week with a very super top secret special guest. I simply can't wait to reveal who's on this weeks pod, you guys! You're going to DIE. (peep the clue in the second picture!)
user928 her podcast set up is so aesthetic i can't
user0928 RED BULL??? what does this meeeeeean???
>>>user1211 she hasn't done a ton of athletes in the past, maybe she got one of the Red Bull athletes!!
user00291 DU DU DU DU MAX VERSTAPPEN. (shhh let me be delulu for a minute)
>>>user221 as much as i'd love that, we all know how much Max hates interviews.
There was absolutely no reason why having Max Verstappen on your podcast should be making you this nervous. You’ve interviewed actual heads of state, a former president, and royalty for crying out loud and you’re losing your mind over Max fucking Verstappen? You supposed it came from the fact that you had spent most of your childhood traveling from track to track to watch your dad race in NASCAR, racing was in your blood and you knew how revered and idolized Max was. And how rabid his fans could get. You wanted to get this interview right. Needed to get this interview right. Motorsport were still a huge part of your life, even if you weren’t really outwardly an active fan. You never missed a NASCAR or F1 race and while you considered yourself a Ferrari girlie, Red Bull was most certainly your second team.
“Everything ready?” Your assistant Shannon pokes her head in as you fluff the last throw pillow on the cream colored lounge chair. Scanning the room, everything looks to be in order. The two overstuffed chairs dominate the center of the small recording studio, each with a microphone set up on a small side table next to each chair. Instrumental versions of Taylor Swift songs floated out of small speakers tucked away and a few candles burned in the low light of the studio, creating the exact ambiance you were famous for.
You’d been doing your podcast, The Yapping Hour, for nearly five years now and it was now one of the most popular podcasts being produced. You specialized in relaxed interviews of people that the general public don’t get to see relaxed very often. Your big break had come about 3 years ago when you had somehow managed to land an interview with Michelle Obama, her episode was still the most streamed episode of yours to date. Everyone had fallen in love with your interview style, how you got these normally highly media trained individuals to drop their guard down a little and be real for even just an hour. It gave people such a unique glimpse behind the curtain of fame and your fans ate up every bit of it.
“I think so!” You nod, smoothing down the front of your boyfriend cut jeans even though the denim is perfectly ironed without a single wrinkle.
“Good, because he just pulled in the parking lot.” Shannon smirks. She knows how nervous you are for this interview and is insisting it’s because you have a crush on the driver. Which would utterly unprofessional if it were true. But it wasn’t true. At all. “And he’s driving this matte black Aston Martin.” She closes her eyes as she bites her lip, smirk growing even wider.
“Okay, let’s cool it on the hero worship.” You warn, following Shannon out into the lobby of the building.
Outside, it’s a dreary late April morning in the heart of downtown London. You had traveled from your home base in New York City just for this interview but had been surprised at how much you liked the ambiance and energy in the city. So much so that you had extended your stay a few extra weeks. The good thing about being your own boss of a podcast was that you could literally work from anywhere you had your laptop.
Peering out into the parking lot, you’re surprised to see a lone figure in jeans and what looked to be a Red Bull windbreaker, hustling across the pavement towards the door. When he approaches the door, Shannons steps forward to open the door, a gust of wind whipping at your hair when Max comes bustling in through the doors.
“Hello!” Max’s voice sends involuntary shivers down your spine, a feeling you fight hard to shove down. This is not the time to be a fan girl, you remind yourself.
“Hi Max, thank you so much for joining us today! Can I get you some water or maybe some tea?” Shannons steps forward first, extending her hand.
Max takes it and gives her a wide smile, his eyes crinkling at the edges. “Water is fine, thanks.”
“Max, it’s such a pleasure to meet you.” You step forward then, the heels of your black Louboutain’s clicking on the hardwood floor as you approach him. It takes every ounce of focus you have not to react at what feels like a white hot spark flickering over your skin when his hand touches yours for the first time.
“Pleasure is mine.” He murmurs, cat like smirk replacing the warm smile that had greeted Shannon. Your social media did you absolutely no justice and Max was finding it hard to keep his composure you were so pretty.
“Are we waiting on anyone else or is it just you today?” You ask, eyes darting above his shoulder to see if there was anyone still in the parking lot.
“Why? Will I be needing my body guard today?” He quips as he follows you towards the recording studio.
You pray the dim lights in the studio hide the way you’ve gone pink. “Of course not! It’s just that normally the people I have on the show travel with an…entourage.”
“I don’t like people.” He says, as if it’s the most obvious fact in the universe. “I prefer to travel solo. Besides, I’m no Queen of the Netherlands or Justin Trudeau, I don’t really need an entourage.”
He casually drops two of your biggest interviews like it’s nothing and you feel the pink tinge of your cheeks heat to a crimson red. “You’ve listened to the show then?”
He nods, taking the seat you offer him as Shannon and your AV guy Steve bustle around getting things set up. A bottle of water appears for each of you and you take out the pages of notes you’ve made even though you’ve got all the questions memorized. You like to be prepared and prefer your interviews to be more conversational, less question and answer.
“I like to know what I’m getting myself into.” His eyes hold this glint of mischief that if you were less of a professional, would have you biting your lip and kicking your feet. Truth was, Max had spent an ungodly amount of time on your socials and wikipedia page, obsessing over you and your career.
“And yet you still came.” You tease.
“I did.” He says simply and you can’t help but notice how his gaze briefly drops from your eyes down to your lips and quickly back up. It’s so quick that if you weren’t in the business of watching and observing people, you probably would have missed it. But those baby blue eyes of Max’s are so easy to read, all you can do is grin back at him.
“Well, thank you for making the trek into London today. I do appreciate it.”
You briefly explain how the interview is going to work, how Steve is going to make sure everything is set up and recording, how you’ll post audio and video versions and that he can have final say in anything that goes in or stays out of the interview. You’ve found that a lot of your guests appreciate that little clause and in the five years you’ve been doing the show only a handful of bits have been kept out. You like to think it’s because you’re good at what you do and get people to open up on a level that they feel comfortable with.
Steve finally gives you the okay and you settle into the cozy lounge chair, Max sitting comfortably in the one opposite you.
“Thank you again for joining me today, Max. I’ve got to admit, I was a little surprised when your manager said you’d agreed to come on the show. You don’t do a lot of lengthy interviews and I could only find a handful of podcast appearances over the years. So, why The Yapping Hour? Why now?”
Max takes a sip of water before placing it on the table beside him. His shoulders are relaxed, his ankle sitting on his knee is a causal pose. You’ve become a veritable body language expert since starting the show and you can already tell this is going to be a good interview.
“I like your style.” His blunt answer throws you off for a moment and your cheeks heat. Again. You make a mental note to make sure they edit your complexion in post production to take the blush out. “GP sent me the one you did with Dale Earnhardt Jr a few months ago and I was impressed at how authentic you were. Dale is a character but you got a lot of depth out of him. Your questions went beyond the typical ‘what’s your favorite race track.’”
“Well, thank you. That is quite the compliment coming from you.” For the third time in a short time, you blush at the compliments this man is handing out left and right.
Your eyes flicker above Max’s shoulder to where Shannon and Steve sit, their smug faces tell you that you’re not imagining him flirting with you.
“I have to tell you, I went karting with a few friends in prep for this interview and oh my God, I’ve been sore ever since! I can't imagine how hard an F1 car is on your body. Talk to me a little bit about your training sch-…”
“You went karting as research?” He interrupts you, face a mask of disbelief.
Now it’s your turn to smirk, “Of course, I like to know what I’m getting myself into.” You toss him a wink and enjoy the way your stomach flips when his ears go a bit pink. “My dad beat me by almost 20 seconds and I don’t think I’ll ever hear the end of it, but it was worth it. I can see why so many people get hooked, it was so fun.”
“Karting with a NASCAR legend had to make it a little better though, yeah?”
“You know my dad?” Your brows nearly hit your hairline, you’re so surprised at this. Your dad had been long retired before Max had come onto the racing scene and there wasn’t a huge overlap in fan bases between F1 and NASCAR.
Max nods, “He was racing around the time Jos was in F1. I still remember that one Daytona 500 where he stole the win from Earnhardt Jr on the last lap after he’d led for the entire race.”
You tilt your head back laughing and Max thinks it’s the prettiest thing he’s ever heard, fully entranced by the long column of your neck that’s suddenly exposed. “Oh God, dad is going to die when he hears you know about that race.”
“Have either of you been to an F1 race yet?” A plan begins to form in Max’s head.
“No!" You lean forward to swat at his arm playfullt. I’ve tried a few times but it’s always fallen through. I do watch most of the races though, as long as my schedule permits. Sometimes it’s easier when you guys are in Europe because the races are so early in New York, it’s easy to watch them from bed on Sunday mornings.”
The image of you wrapped up in a fluffy duvet wearing nothing but his t-shirt as you watch him race nearly sends Max into orbit. He blinks furiously, trying to get that vision out of his mind so he can pay attention to you.
“Tell me this then, if you could pick any garage to watch the race which one would it be and why would it be Red Bull?"
You can’t help that laugh that explodes from you then and Max preens under your attention, smile stretching wide across his handsome face. “You know, I could have sworn it was my name on the podcast Instagram page.” You tease, giving him a wink. “You keep asking me questions, I’m going to be out of a job, Verstappen.”
“I can’t help it when the interviewer is much more interesting than I am.” He murmurs, taking another sip of water without taking his eyes off of you.
The rest of the interview continues on for the next two hours and you get so much content you feel a little dizzy at the thought of having to cut over half of the episode. For the first time in the podcast’s history, you may have to split this into two episodes. Max doesn’t mind one bit, finding that he’s not as nervous as he thought he’d be with how easy he finds it talking to you.
You wrap up the interview over an hour past the time you had told Max’s press officer it would last but neither of you make any movement to get up, despite both Shannon and Steve beginning to wrap things up.
“I’m so sorry I kept you this long, Max. I know you’re not a huge fan of lengthy interviews.”
Max just shrugs, “If all interviews were like this, I probably would say yes to a lot more of them.”
You grin over at him as you rise, realizing the sun is setting outside and your stomach is aching for food. Max follows suit, although he feels a clench in his stomach realizing that his time with you is coming to an end.
“Can I ask you something?” He says when Shannon and Steve walk out of the studio, leaving the two of you alone.
You look up at him and nod earnestly, “Of course!”
“Why didn’t you ask me about my childhood? Usually it’s one of the first things people ask me, especially in these kinds of interviews.”
You shrug, face heating at being found out. “Like you, I do my research and I figured you might not want to talk about that part of your life. I want my guests to feel comfortable when they come on the show, not immediately put on the defensive. I guess I thought there were other more important topics…”
Your words hang in the air, heavy between you two. Something in Max’s chest aches at the simple kindness you’ve extended him. It’s true, he doesn’t like revisiting his childhood very often, especially when it’s recorded and will be put on the internet. His dad was very much still in his life, obviously, and while he had done a lot of work to move past his childhood, it was still painful to talk about.
“Thats…wow. Thank you.” Is all he can manage, voice thick with emotion.
“Of course.” You murmur, reaching out to touch his elbow in what you hope comes across as a comforting gesture.
Max’s eyes drop to where your slender fingers rest on his bare arm before a smile stretches back across his face. “I know it’s kind of last minute but you were saying earlier you’d never been to a race. We’re in Miami next weekend and I’d love it if you were my guest…”
You can’t help the flutter in your chest at how nervous he appears standing before you. Your eyes dart over to Shannon, the official keeper of your schedule and are delighted when she nods vigorously, phone in hand with your calendar already pulled up. You made a mental note to give that girl a raise ASAP. “I would love to, Max.”
“Yeah?” He sounds almost shocked that you had agreed so quickly.
“Yeah.” You say, a hint of a giggle at the edge of your voice.
“How about I take you out to dinner tonight and we can work out the details.”
“Why Max Verstappen, I had no idea you were this smooth.”
TheYappingHour posted
987,392 likes
liked by maxverstappen1, redbullracing, susiewolff, and others
TheYappingHour SURPRISE! Part one of my interview with none other than 3 time F1 world champion Max Verstappen is live on all socials RIGHT NOW. (yeah, I said part 1! We both yapped so much you're getting a part two next week!)
user9382 the chemistry between these two was OFF THE CHARTS
>>>user111 ikr? i felt like i was interrupting something the entire hour.
MaxVerstappen1 it was a pleasure meeting you! can't wait to see you in Miami this weekend!
>>>user2999 MAX WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER IN MIAMI.
>>>user999 stfu she is so coming to the Miami race?? MAX EMILIAN VERSTAPPEN.
user3210 has she ever done a two parter before??? not even the Queen of the Netherlands got a two parter!!
user9928 i don't think i've ever seen Max this relaxed during an interview EVER.
>>>user222 seriously! He was like a little boy with a crush then entire time.
yourpersonalinsta posted
234,100 likes
liked by maxverstappen1, landonorris, michelle obama, and others
yourpersonalinsta we yapped some more and stuffed our faces. til next time, maxie! (tagged: maxverstappen1)
user999 not michelle obama herself in the likes
maxverstappen1 you're going to be trouble in miami, aren't you?
>>>yourpersonalinsta what do you think? ;)
>>>user9932 oh my godddddd
user028 this is the couple i didn't know i needed
tag list (some of you only requested to be on a series tag list but i am not organized enough for that. lmk if you want to be removed!! also fingers crossed this tag list works this time ffs. sorry!)
summary: y/n leclerc starts soft launching a man and soon enough there are paparazzi pictures of the two of them except no one quiet believes that the princess of monaco would settle down with ... max!
max verstappen x leclerc!reader -> smau
cw: some google translated french, my first attempt at a smau, inchident jokes, charles gets bullied
a/n: max won over franco by a few percent and I know there was a lot of people interested in seeing this with franco as well. I'd love to do something with franco so feel free to request it.
yourusername: monaco you were beautiful! I'm so proud of my brother for finally achieving his dream and winning home - love you Cha!
charles_leclerc: you could have at least posted a picture of me to celebrate my win
-> yourusername: don't be ridiculous cha, I have a reputation to uphold
-> carsgovrom: turns out appearing on his sisters instagram is a harder feat than breaking the monaco curse
-> lechair16: of course it is, mother has a refined feed
maxverstappen1: he's come a long way since the inchident
liked by yourusername
charles_leclerc: get out of here
alexandrasaintmleux: <3
yourusername: <3
user366: anyone else notice that max's been in the likes for a while now
user374: he also commented
user366: call me crazy but something may be going on here
user422: you're crazy
maxverstappen1: charles_leclerc what's that in the second picture?
charles_leclerc: get out of my sisters comments, sid
user778: lmao not charles using the max looks like sid meme
user801: he didn't come to play
charles_leclerc: betrayal absolute betrayal!
charles_leclerc: first the redbull picture
charles_leclerc: AND THEN A MAN
charles_leclerc: delete this
arthur_leclerc: say hi to your friend ;)
charles_leclerc: he knows but I don't!!! I can not believe this blashphemy
yourusername: he says hi back!
yourusername: alexandrasaintmleux come take him away
alexandrasaintmleux: consider it done
userus: do the monaco royals know mother is serving the public more than they ever could
user366: can he fight?
maxverstappen1: yes
user366: I'm going crazy
f1wags: last night in monaco, y/n leclerc (charles leclerc's sister) was spotted on a dinner with current f1 world champion, max verstappen. after leaving the restaurant the two were pictures kissing and walking intimately. are we getting a new wag in the paddock?
comments:
user366: and they said I was crazy!
user422: sorry girl
user1020: y'all are believing this? why would she date him?
user7789: I'm supposed to believe max pulled THE y/n?
charles_leclerc: oh!
user880: ariana what are you doing here!?
maxssssv: charles commented, it's gotta be real
userrrr: until mother confirms I refuse to believe she's dating .... him
user7741: does he really think he's fooling anyone with that soft launch?
uswws: oh he's kinda cute actually
user7755: this is the guy who dating Y/N LECLERC?!
charles_leclerc: tell y/n to call me back, I'm not mad I just want to talk
alexandrasaintmleux: he's mad
arthur_leclerc: don't call him back
charles_leclerc: I see how it is
f1addict: charles basically confirmed it, right?
yourusername: another trophy on the shelf and another great race! couldn't be prouder of you or happier to call you mine. je t'aime max
tagged: maxverstappen1
comments:
charles_leclerc: ..... this is embarrassing, take it down
charles_leclerc: you never post pictures of me but he gets a whole post!?
charles_leclerc: don't bother coming over, leo already has a better aunt
maxverstappen1: I love you schatje
user366: crazy! I was crazy once
user122: I know she's astronomically out of his league but they're cute
user1010: no because finally someone said it! I ship it
lechair16: I'm only in the comments to see charles going mad atp
maxverstappen1: happy 1 year, schatje! I love you more than words can describe, you have made every day of my life better since the moment you came to talk to me after your brother ruined my race, and now you're the person I dedicate every race win to. ik houd van je
user001: be honest, was posting charles a condition for him to accept max?
yourusername: yes
charles_leclerc: hey, we said good pictures!
yourusername: I happen to think you look really good in these pictures
maxverstappen1: one would say, you've never looked so good
charles_leclerc: you're on thin ice sid
the fact that we need 8 hours of sleep is ridiculous we should only need 4 and the other 4 should be used to be cozy in your bed and rub your legs together like a cricket and listen to music and think about your little scenarios
summary; the one where yn becomes obsessed with a cute funny looking child she stumbled across on pinterest. only to find out that the “cute funny looking child” is now a full grown formula one driver.
liked by charles_leclerc, and 715,529 others!
yourusername: i found this cute funny looking child on pinterest, then started crying because he’s just so cute
view comments below!
user1: girl what
user2: there’s medical terms for people like you
user3: no i get it
user4: he's actually so cute
user5: these pictures look old...what if this child is grown now??
user6: imagine scrolling through instagram and you see someone calling you a "cute funny looking child"
user7: this is too funny
user8: am i the only one who knows thats max??
user9: NO I DO TOO!!!
user10: us and charles LMAO
user11: he liked this and said nothing 😭
user12: not his childhood photos, not his problem
user13: how are yn and charles friends but she doesnt know what max looked like as a child?
user14: she knows nothing about f1, she's only friends with charles and thats it 😭
user15: what medical condition do you have?
user16: but…why?
user17: you have issues
user18: i don’t think this reaction is normal…
user19: babe that’s max verstappen??? formula 1 driver??? rich GROWN millionaire???
user20: millionaire you say 😏
user23: i see you didnt take your meds today
yourusername: i’ll have you know that my medication ran out so HA
user24: you might wanna ask for more
user25: yeah because this? not normal!
liked by charles_leclerc, landonorris, and 716,019 others!
maxverstappen1: recharging, done ✅
view comments below!
charles_lelcerc: what a cute funny looking child
maxverstappen1: ?
charles_leclerc: nothing…
user21: HE KNOWS
user22: it’s even funnier that charles 100% knows about the ‘cute funny looking child’ thing and just chose to not tell yn it’s max 😭
user23: yn will never live this down
user24: this is going to haunt yn for literally ever
user25: i PERSONALLY will never let her forget
user26: such a cute funny looking child
user27: max has got to be so confused rn
user28: is that a cute funny looking child i see???
user29: cute funny looking child max!!!!
user30: why is no one talking about how good max looks??
user31: i am. HE LOOKS GORGEOUS
danielricciadro: 😍😍
user32: you are handfeeding the shippers
user33: please, he IS the shipper
user34: cute funny looking child
user35: I AM SO CONFUSED BY THESE COMMENTS? WHAT IS GOING ON
user36: so basscialy
user37: what happened was
user38: many years ago
user39: it was a dark and gloomy night
. . .
. . .
liked by maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc, and 619,916 others!
yourusername: this f1 thing is fun!
view comments below!
user40: you lucky son of a bitch!
charles_leclerc: can’t believe you went to a race for HIM 🤮 but not me…
yourusername: i didn’t go for HIM! i went because was invited!!!!
charles_leclerc: IVE INVITED YOU SO MANY TIMES AND YOU ALWAYS SAY NO
yourusername: LEAVE ME ALONE
user41: is ‘him’ MAX???
user42: it has to be
user43: YN AND MAX SHIPPERS ARE LIVING
maxverstappen1: you said you would post more baby pictures of me 😕
yourusername: you’re right in front of me? talk to me?
maxverstappen1: i want everyone to know that we’re on a date!
yourusername: we are?
user46: HUH
maxverstappen1: yes? i asked you on a date and you said yes?
user44: GIYS????
yourusername: i thought this was a friend thing…
user45: HWAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING
maxvertappen1: do all your friends buy you flowers when going out to eat?
user46: YOURE RIGHT IN FEONT OF RACHOTHRT??? STOP THIS?
yourusername: no…
maxverstappen1: exactly! now do you want dessert?
user47: i can’t…i’m sick to my stomach…i cannot
user48: what just happened
user49: i wish i knew
user50: okay so that just happened! now what?
. . .
here’s this before i disappear for a couple of weeks (maybe months?) i apologize but schools been keeping me busy AND i have books on wattpad that take up most of my time! im hopeful ill be able to post maybe once a month? nonetheless i hope you enjoyed this :)
