I'm so happy that my first Maxiel fic got some love! Here's the next part with a special shoutout to @f1-obsessed333 @electricromanov @stephanieu8719
Unlapped / Maxiel Part 2
Link to Part 1
Daniel stared at the message on his phone screen.
I told them I want you back. Please say yes. Not for them, for me. Will you? MV
Was he dreaming? Was he still drunk?
His trance was broken by the sudden beeping of his phone.
His heart started racing as a long forgotten name flashed on his screen - Christian RBR!
He had saved Horner's name as "Horny Boss" for six months before Christian caught him and made him swear that he'd change it to something more...civil, thus was born the name "Christian RBR".
But that was a story from his past life. A life when Daniel wasn't a mere shadow of himself, he remembered with a sharp pang of pain.
His heart filled with a strange uneasiness as he picked up the call.
"Hello, Daniel?" The familiar warmth in Christian's voice eased Daniel's anxiety a bit.
"Christian, hey, what's up?" Daniel hoped Christian couldn't hear the slight tremor in his voice.
"I suppose you've heard the news..." Christian said after a brief pause.
"Yeah, yeah, news to me too, mate", Daniel's cheeky response was greeted with a small chuckle at the other end.
"Can you make it to the headquarters this weekend? There are tons of paperworks to be done, Danny, you know how it goes...", Christian sounded a little weary, Daniel could tell.
He nodded sympathetically, and then realised Christian couldn't see him.
"Yeah, I know. Don't worry. I'll be there." Daniel replied in a small voice. A stupid lump in his throat was making it super hard to talk, in fact!
"Danny?" A breath.
"Hmm..."
"It's still home, you know that, right?" Christian's voice was thick.
Daniel bit the inside of his cheeks. He absolutely could not cry in front of his potential employer, but then, it was Christian. The same guy who asked Daniel to be the best man in his wedding!
"See you soon, Chris..." Daniel managed to rasp before he cut the call.
He pressed his knuckles to his eyes to stop the stinging sensation that threatened to turn into waterworks at any moment.
"Maxy! Oh, Maxy, what did you do!" Daniel whispered.
*******************************************
Daniel was feeling restless, cooped up inside his cabin. For the past half an hour, his phone hadn't stopped buzzing. People sometimes tend to forget all about time zones, and the fact that he was in a little log cabin in the middle of nowhere in a place they lovingly called "the down under"!
He took his phone and stepped outside his cabin. A cool wind murmured past, carrying the smell of freshly cut grass and pine cones... And rain!
What was the name for the smell of rain? It was a beautiful word, Hailey mentioned it once, when he was looking for a unique word to tattoo on his forearm.
"Who do you think I am? Shakespeare?" He teased her jovially and forgot all about it.
For an insane moment, Daniel thought about calling her. What would she say if he told her? Had she already watched the news? Did she still think that he was, quote /unquote, incapable of taking himself seriously even if his life depended on it?
But that was a bridge he had burnt himself! And he shouldn't go back there even if he wanted to.
Instead, he must make what without doubt was going to be the single most difficult phone call of his life. The clouds overhead thundered, matching the frantic beating of his heart. But he couldn't back out of it, now that he had to know why...
Daniel pressed the phone to his ear, and felt his pulse beating in his eardrums. Exactly after two rings, he felt a presence on the other side.
"Daniel?"
Daniel would know that accent even in his afterlife!
"Maximilian" He said softly, as his heart was fluttering.
There was a long pause during which none of them spoke.
"Wow!" Max exhaled "Feels like years since someone called me that."
"Looks like you were missing it, huh?" Daniel tried to keep it lighthearted, but his voice betrayed him.
"When are you coming?"
Ah! Typical Max, replying a question with another!
"This weekend."
"Have you booked your flight?"
"Michael's gonna do it, tomorrow morning."
Another moment of silence stretched between them, but it wasn't awkward.
"Michael's coming with you." Max said knowingly.
"Yeah, and Blake too. There's gonna be a lot of boring contract talks, and you know how much I...
"Hate paperworks. Yeah, I know, Daniel", Max sighed. "Will there be anyone else?" He added hesitantly.
It took Daniel a moment to realise what Max was really asking.
"Uh, no, Max. Hailey's not coming. We broke up... On New Year's Day", He bit his lips and chewed on them.
"I'm sorry", Max's voice grew heavy, his accent thicker than usual. Daniel could picture him worrying his soft, plump lips, a little frown appearing on his forehead.
He hated it! He didn't want to manifest his own worries on Max. So, he decided to goof around, desperate to lighten the mood.
"What! A sorry! What am I gonna do with that? Come on. My heart is broken. Don't I get a hug at least?" Daniel fussed.
He managed to get a soft chuckle out of Max, and immediately felt very accomplished!
"You will get it when you're here", Max's voice still had a hint of smile, which felt good.
"Max, I, uh, really wanted to ask, why did you... " Daniel found himself fumbling for words.
Why did you take my name? Why would you trust a old, washed-up dude whom nobody would touch with a ten feet pole? Why, oh why, would you want me back, Mr World Champion?
Before he could collect his thoughts, he heard another voice over the phone.
"Maxyyy... Nail polly" A child's voice called out on the other side.
"Yes, yes, Penny, I'm coming" Max giggled; an unexpected sound that sparked something warm in Daniel's heart.
"Sorry, my friend, I have to go. Penny's got some nail polish from her mum's makeup box, and she wants to try it on me" Max laughed softly, rendering Daniel speechless.
A few minutes after the call ended, Daniel decided to push his luck and text Max his unspoken question.
Why do you want me back Maxy?
He hit the "send" button and plopped down on his bed, nervously looking at the phone's screen.
Beep! A notification!
Daniel's hands shook for no reasons as he opened the text message.
Because you are good. And you deserve good, Daniel.
The simple, earnest words pierced Daniel's heart like a jagged knife. He cupped his face to muffle a sob, and typed...
Aww Maximus you are a big softie!
Seconds later, another notification!
Shut up 🤫😜
Make me...
Daniel's fingers typed befor he could stop himself.
A minute passed. Two.
Daniel stared at the screen, breathless.
Save me with one word, I'm drowning, please... He prayed.
The reply came after 5 full minutes. It was just one emoji!
😘
Huh! W T F!
Daniel swore loudly and let out a high pitched cackle, surprising himself.
A kissy face! A bloody kissy face!
How does someone respond to a kissy face? What's with Max and his weird emojis?
Daniel tossed the phone on his bed, and walked back outside. He felt like a heavy burden had just lifted off his chest. He sat on the lowest step of the staircase, letting the rain soak through his expensive party shirt.
He touched his bottom lip with trembling fingers.
Did he just flirt with his old slash new teammate?
And worse, did Max just flirted back?
What if I want more than just a hug?
Daniel breathed.
He closed his eyes and listened...
To his heartbeats.
To the relentless sound of the rain, roaring and thundering like a grid full of people chanting his name.
Daniel had not felt so alive in years!
***********************************************
Thank you for reading this far! 🤗 I've now posted my fic on AO3 too, with the same name. Your love and support are much appreciated 🙏 and I plan to continue writing as this has become a healing therapy for me as well. Much ❤.
