Wie het laatst lacht, lacht het best (Dutch Politician AU)
pairing: Politician!Max Verstappen x Politician!reader
summary: Max is your rival in parliament. Little does everyone know there's more than what meets their eyes.
a/n: this is the max piece i was excited to write! i got the inspo from funny dutch politics reels that keep popping up on my fyp. some of the jokes r also from real dutch politians' talks. so enjoy!
"Mr. Verstappen, if you would please state your proposal to the office, that would be much appreciated," the speaker, Mrs. Smit, says as she looks up from the papers in her hands.
Max stands up from his place and walks up to the speaking box at your opposite side of the room. You ease back in your chair as you already know what he's going to say.
Max fixes the mic to his comfort and starts, "Thank you, Mrs. Smit."
He clears his throat and looks towards the parliament members. "Honorable members, I rise here today to propose that this house prioritizes freedom and minimal regulation in the development of new technologies. "
He sweeps his gaze over everyone once. Though his eyes catch yours and lingers for a moment before speaking again, "Over regulation stifles creativity, invention, and entrepreneurship. Many life-changing technologies like the internet, vaccines, space exploration emerged in times of free experimentation. Nations that regulate too heavily fall behind global competitors. And the Netherlands is not going to be one of those nations."
He stops as murmurs fill the room. Some MPs nodding their head along to his words, some whispering to the person beside them, some just looking bored to be there.
"That is a wonderful proposal, Mr. Verstappen. Would anyone like to add anything?" Mrs. Smit asks with a questioning glance. Max stands there with a small smirk, knowing what's coming his way.
You raise a steady hand. "Miss L/N, please," Mrs. Smit gestures towards the opposing speaking box of Max.
You stand and confidently walk up there. Not without throwing a glance at Max. He seems to be staring straight at you.
"Thank you, Mrs. Smit. Honorable members, I stand against Mr. Verstappen's proposal. I instead propose that this house implements strong regulations on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and social media algorithms. Without regulation, corporations can and will try to profit over people. AI and automation already threaten jobs so these safeguards are needed. Not to mention unchecked social media causes mental health crises, misinformation, polarization."
You finish and the murmurs start again. Some now agreeing with you, some confuse whether to support Max or your proposal.
Knowing you gave a strong opposition, you turn towards Max to see his expression. He looks impressed and grins at you. But you know he won't back down easy.
"Risks are real, yes. But we Dutch adapt very fast. Progress demands risk," he says.
"Regulations donโt kill progress. They direct it toward safer outcomes," you say back.
"Regulations written by politicians today will quickly become outdated in tomorrowโs tech world. And I'm talking about the future, Miss L/N, unlike you."
You scoff. "Sure, because you, Max Verstappen, are the man of tomorrow. We must govern technology or else in the future technology will govern us," you retort as you cross your arms to act defensive from your side.
Max smirks and folds his own arms. His eyes glint with mischief. All eyes in the room on you two. You both know they don't mind seeing your banter as they get a laugh out of it. So Max speaks again, "You're absolutely right, Miss L/N. But if I'm the man of tomorrow, you are like a woman who doesn't want to be loved and so makes herself as unattractive as possible."
Everyone starts laughing at his joke and Max looks pleased with himself. But he remembers to look at your reaction just in case he went too far.
You just smile amused. Mrs. Smit lets out a laugh and asks along his joke, "And how do you, Mr. Verstappen, know this about women?"
"Oh I don't. It is meant to be a personal attack against Miss L/N!" Max says through everyone's laughs.
You just shake your head, chuckling to yourself. Then say, "And who's going to say it," everyone stops laughing to hear what you have to say, "the whole country still doesn't know if Mr. Verstappen has ever even been with a woman!"
The whole room is full on laughing now. Anyone outside walking past must be thinking what the hell is going on in the parliament.
Max ducks his head and laughs along with the room. He knew you could hold on your own. He just says into the mic even though no one's listening, except you, "That's also true! But as the Dutch proverb goes Wie het laatst lacht, lacht het best (He who laughs last, laughs best), we'll see."
You two keep staring at each other with soft smiles on your faces, while the whole room composes them from laughing so much. At last Mrs. Smit says, "Miss L/N and Mr. Verstappen, it's always delightfully refreshing to see your banters. Thank you very much. But work is work! So, I would like to ask everyone here to think both of Miss and Mr's propositions thoroughly and vote in the next office day. Today's office is officially dismissed."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You let out a sigh as you unlock your front door, finally in the comforts of your home. But tense immediately when you hear rummaging inside the house. You definitely should call the guard, instead you grab a blow poke from its stand silently and head towards the sound. It's coming from the kitchen, which confuses you very much, but you kept going slowly with the poker raised in your hands, ready to strike.
As you peek round the kitchen door, you see the familiar back of a light blue shirt. Max! You let out a sigh of relief and throw the poker on the ground.
Max startles at the sound and turns his head around to see you glaring at him.
"I could've hit you! I'm starting to regret giving you a key, now that you come here unannounced to scare me."
Max rolls his eyes. "Oh please, I know you're glad to see me. Plus you should appreciate it, I cam here to surprise you by making dinner for us. It's our 9 month anniversary after all!"
That startles you. It also warms your insides. Everyone always joked about how you and Max give off a political rivals to lovers vibes. They don't know your romance had already bloomed 9 months ago, when you finally decided to go out after endless flirtings across the parliament floor.
But in secret, as you two are from opposing parties. Obviously, you two aren't in it for selfish gains but your parties won't get it. They would probably ask you to break it off. Not to mention the supporters, they might be angered at this unconventional relationship.
You walk towards him until you're standing right in front of him. "That's sweet of you, really. But what if someone sees you coming or leaving, you know that can create quite the ruckus."
Max turns fully now. His hands come up to cup your cheeks and he stares intently in your eyes, like he's about to say something serious. You look up at him with the same look.
Then he half jokingly, half seriously says, "That's why I've been telling you we should get married."
You sigh exasperatedly. Max started insisting from some weeks on getting married. You were shocked at first. Not only was your relation fairly new, you both were young too. But after some thinking you realized he's right. Getting married will get people off your back, cause then they'll know you two are serious and not in it for political gain. That way, you can be together without any fear of getting caught. But in the end, you decided now's not the time.
"Max you already know what I think about getting marri-"
He cuts you off as you start to fidget, "Hey I know, I know. I was just joking...right now. But I'm serious about marrying you, in the future, when you're ready. Cause you're it for me, schatje."
You were surprised and flustered at his declaration. Nonetheless a smile creeps up on your face. Not really knowing what to say to that, you just blurt out, "Gosh, if only the others could see what a sap you are, man of tomorrow."
Max chuckles bashfully and lowers his lips to yours in a sweet kiss. You snake your hands to his neck as he places his hands on your waist to carry you up and place you on the counter. All without breaking the kiss.
You two keep kissing until oxygen cut short. So you break apart but keep your foreheads touching while wearing big smiles on your faces.
"you know," Max speaks up, "I quite liked our back and forth today."
You pull away to look at his face, which is now sporting a cheeky grin, "Mmhmm of course you did." You roll your eyes.
"But I do want you to know, I lied. I happen to find you very attractive and easy to love," Max says, suddenly serious again.
You fake gasped, "Max Verstappen! How could you lie in front of the government of the Netherlands?!"
Heat rose up his to his cheeks, colouring his neck in a blush too. "Oh shut up," he says as he peppers your face with kisses, landing the kiss on your lips.
You both look at each other, with eyes full of love and contentment. You take one last look at the freckle on his top lip before saying,"See this is also a reason we shouldn't get married now. Two Verstappens going back and forth won't be as fun as how it is."
You stopped and raised your eyebrows waiting for his reply. Max almost gives you look that seems offended. "Well, I think it will make it even funnier. You just don't have a sense of humour."
You laugh out loud and he smiles at your laugh. "Yeah, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Now let's go watch a movie. But no comedy since 'I don't have a sense of humour'," you say as you slide down from the counter and start walking towards the living room.
Max joins you on the sofa with two plates.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later, you two are cuddling on the bed with full bellies, cheeks hurting from smiling too much, in comfy clothes, with the lights off and the house silent. Almost dozing off, you remember one thing you wanted to ask Max.
"Hey, you didn't mind that I opposed your proposal today, right?" you lift your head from his chest to look at him. Max answers immediately, "Of course not, schatje! I've told you in the beginning, you have your own thoughts and I have mine. I won't mind you for sharing your opinions. Plus, I see your point too. It's not bad, so why would I mind?"
Your chest fills with butterflies all over again. Yep, he's definitely it for you too. You're not letting him go.
"Ik hou van jou (I love you)," you say smiling.
Max kisses your forehead, "Ik hou meer van jou (I love you more). Now go to sleep, schatje."
a/n: in celebration of Max's birthday <3
any guesses where the kitchen scene is inspired from?
ยฉ Do not copy, repost or translate my work under any circumstances. If anyone sees my work somewhere else please notify me.
P.S: All photos used in my fanfics are from pinterest and the rightful credit goes to their rightful owner.
