Chapter Text
It was almost two weeks after Christmas that Oscar texted Max that he’s in Monaco, and if they could meet. He was surprised how formal Max was even thought the texts, getting just a simple - where would like us to meet?
He was staying at Lando’ for the time being, his flat was being repaired, just new floors the company didn’t manage to do over the Christmas brake.
He wanted to match Max’ formality ,texting a simple - you texted me you address few weeks ago, so why don’t I finally come to your apartment.
And he admitted to himself, it wasn’t really formal in the end, and from his side it was really straightforward with it, but he remembered the was Max was acting with him in the paddock.
He got a simple - why don’t you come today then, maybe around 6 or 7 if you are free.
He was actually always free, no plans, the only reason he came to Monaco was them.
I’ll be there.
So there he was at 18:46, in front of the building texting Max that he’s downstairs.
“Oscar, hi, you have no idea how much we missed you.” Charles was practically screaming with happiness upon seeing Oscar, quickly opening the door to the building. “Come here, can I give you a hug?”
Charles was standing, gripping his shoulders, “sure, I - “ but he was being hugged, no further words needed.
“Max is making dinner, don’t be freaked out, but we googled your favourite food, its weird I know. Is it weird?” Charles wouldn’t leave Oscar even a second to talk, stepping into the elevator, he pushed the to floor. “So what have you been up to? Max said that you’d be in Australia, huh?”
“Yeah, i was at home, got to be with my sisters after a long time and - “
“God, i always wanted a sister, I envy you and Max, sorry, do continue please.”
“I never realised how talkative you are.”
Charles just smiled at him and stepped out of the elevator. “Sorry.”
“Oh, no, don’t apologise - “
“What are you sorry for?” Max was leaning against the doorframe, hands crossed in front of him. “Hey.” Came to Oscar’ direction, looking like had no idea what Oscar was doing, but he did that little bastard, Oscar just thought to himself
“Hi, we were just talking about my sisters.” Oscar had the need to explain himself to Max, like he did something wrong and needed an excuse.
“Yeah, how much I envy you to.” Charles pushed Max deeper inside their apartment. “Come inside Oscar, do you want some shoes?”
“No, its fine.” He put his shoes to the line of what seemed like their indoor training shoes and went into the living area. “Oh, before I forget, here is something for you.” Pulling out a little bag with gifts he bought them back in Australia.
Max was the one to take the bag, pulling out a little bear, “look Charles, he gave us a stuffed toy with his number,” Charles ran back from the kitchen to look, “oh, thank you, Oscar,” running back inside the kitchen.
He then pulled out two bracelets, each with all of their numbers, “I bought them from this little business in Australia, it was their biggest hit, our numbers.”
Max took a look at the numbers, then back at Oscar, “816.”
“Yeah, you don’t have to wear them, well I do have mine, but…” pushing his hoodie a bit up his arm to reveal the bracelet.
“Shit, come here, you must be hot.” Max put down the back, came to stand behind Oscar and helped with his coat and hoodie. “You will have it the hall, okay?” Oscar just nodded and when max came, he invited him to go to the kitchen.
•
The food they made wasn’t the best he ever had, but it was pretty decent, especially because it was homemade. They talked a bit about the previous year, what they think is gonna happen this one. Then they got to talk about their families, Charles yet again brought up the sister thing.
“No, really, you say it like it is a bad thing, but you two are ones of the most charismatic people I have ever met, and that is done by growing up with sisters!!!”
They were laughing at him, but deep inside, after sharing a wing of knowing, they kind of knew Charles was right.
They were on their third bottle of wine, with max once in a while having a sip of his homemade mojito, when they moved to the living room to sit on, in Oscar’ opinion, way too expensive sofa. Charles made sure that it was Oscar that was sitting in the middle. While himself and Max were rotated to him with the closer leg towards Oscar.
“So, Oscar, you came to us.” Max was talking like straight out of a romcom, knowing exactly what and why he was saying it.
“Well, I have been here for more then an hour.” Charles was giggling next to him, probably that he saying the obvious thing.
“You told me you’d told me more after Christmas, so? Max looked suddenly very uncomfortable, knowing what was Oscar’ last reaction to talking about it.
“Your body aura is right, I don’t like talking about it.” There was a hand creeping at his neck, he looked down, seeing both Max’ hands at his lap, meaning it was Charles that was teasing his upper back.
“How do you know what my body aura says?” He looked even more uncomfortable, fidgeting with his fingers even more.
“Well, when I'm nervous, I look down at the floor and go red in my face. When you’re nervous you play with your hands, and Charles plays with his rings.” He stayed like it was the most obvious thing.
“Well, he is right.” They both looked at Charles, very, noticeably more drunk then the two of them together. Now laughing, he gripped Oscar at the back of his head. “Tell me I can kiss you?” He was asking the answer even though he was already moving forward.
“I - I…”
Max stood up, feeling Oscar’ uncertainty, “Charles, go to the bedroom.”
“No, no, please, Oscar, Max, I fucked, sorry.” He stoop up, knocking his wine glass at Max, and leaving to, what Oscar estimated, was their bathroom.
Max just sat down next to Oscar, “im sorry, he wasn’t supposed to be so straightforward.” He put his head in to his hands, sighing.
“I don't even know what to say,” then noticing Max’ stained thigh, “oh, so that is were the wine went.” Laughing softly, not moving an inch. There was a moment a silence, both men minding their own business, completely quiet.
“Its not the first time this happened…” Max said eventually sighing loudly, cursing to himself.
“That he knocked a wine glass on you or that he wanted to kiss someone else?” Oscar said the latter one as a joke but judging by Max’ silence, it was the right answer. Then he realised that he’s probably not the first person they invited, dined, maybe more. “How many times have you done this?”
Max was still silent, not moving, still head in his hands put in his lap.
“You know what? You should go to see what is Charles doing, and I should leave.” He didn’t get to even move to his hands, Max being faster, when he pushed further into the sofa and stranded by Max sitting in his lap, “you are right, im sorry we didn’t tell you.”
“What am I right about?”
“This in not the first time we’ve done this, but it can be the last time, if you’d like that.” He was putting more and more of his wight on Oscar, until he was fully seated in his lap. “Tell me more, about that night.”
“What about Charles? Wouldn’t want you to know him too?”
“Charles is probably already sleeping, don’t worry about him. But you don’t have to tell me.”
There was a minute of silence, Oscar looking somewhere behind Max, Max looking directly at him. “What are you doing, not now, but like…” Max’ answer unanswered.
“You want to know how many times we’ve done this?” straightforward as always, Max was always predictable in this case.
There was just a slight nod from Oscar that wouldn’t be noticeable from afar. “I cant say to you that we have done this many times, but there were people we have tried this with. People that left in the end. People that weren’t enough from either our side to theirs.”
“So, im just another one in your bed or are you serious about me?”
“We have been serious about everyone, you don’t have to worry about that, everyone was important for us for a while, im just asking you to try it with us, give us time, let us into your world and we're gonna let you into ours.”
“Do you want me to decide now?”
“Take as much time as you want, we’re not asking for a relationship right away - “
“You’d like it to be a serious relationship, like a normal, loving relationship?”
“Well, we have enough love for a third person, and its only your choice if you decide if that is what you would too.”
In some way, his introverted self, wanted exactly that. For someone to come, claim him, love him, be with him. But now that it was here, he didn’t know what to do with it. Oscar finally got the courage to look at Max properly, having a long eye contact, not looking away like last time.
He wanted to give it time, he really did, but he was already on his way to kiss Max.
And then he was kissing, Max being dominant in every possible way. His hands roaming everywhere he could touch, his weight fully crushing Oscar down, his tongue calming Oscar’ mouth as it belonged him.
“Stay the night, you don’t have to be in our bed, just stay, I will show you the guest bedroom…” then he was kissing him again, claiming anything and everything.
“I will stay, but not alone.”
“Okay, in our bed or?”
“With Charles?”
Max just nodded, stood up, took Oscar’ hand and lead him to the their bedroom. Charles was already asleep, just in his briefs, laying on the right side of the bed.
“I doubt you want to sleep in your clothes, do you want something of mine?” He wasn’t even trying to whisper, knowing there was nothing to wake up drunk Charles.
“I- sure.” He stood next to wall of pictures, Charles and Max, their families, their friends, their pets.
“Here, its Charles’ shirt and a fresh pair of underwear, don’t worry, you wouldn’t believe how many friends we have that sleep over, so we just buy a bunch of stuff like this. And if you want there are some brand new toothbrushes is the cupboards in the bathroom.”
Oscar took the clothes, “isn’t he gonna wake up when we are talking like this?” Going in the direction go the bathroom he was when he came.
“You can come to our bathroom, and no, his sleep is really deep after alcohol, so don’t worry.” His hand was in the air, shoving Oscar the direction of their bathroom.
“Thanks,” said Oscar as he was heading to the bathroom, locking after himself.
He came out little later then Max anticipated, wearing Charles clothes. “You took you time. Mr. Piastri.” Sitting against the headboard, on the other side of sleeping Charles.
“I also brushed my teeth, I hope you don’t mind.” He put his clothes on a chair that was probably never used, judging by clothes accumulation.
“Of course not, come sit with me.” Patting the little place that was between him and Charles.
Oscar was sure Max couldn’t see the scars that was under the underwear, the lack of lighting helping a bit, but something about Max facial expression told him otherwise.
“So,” now was the moment Oscar thought that he’d be confronted, “what do you say about our place? We made sure it was both our styles combined, so we’d both feel at home before we sold our separate apartments.
“He was surprised by the question, not expecting it again, answering it to them a few minutes ago, in the kitchen. “Like I said, I like it here, im having done something similar to my place.”
“Don't worry about Charlie, he’s gonna be a bit hangover tomorrow, but he’ll be fine,” and that was the question that surprised him even more then the first one.
“He did drink more then the two us together.” He was looking in front of himself, surprised when turned to Max, finding him looking the same was he always looks at Charles.
“Promise me you’ll think about us.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I already didn’t have my mind decided.” They were looking at each other without breaking the eye contact, “wait, wha-,“ but Oscar was quick to put a finger to Max’ finger, “give me time, a few weeks maybe.”
Max was gonna say more, but couldn’t, just a little, “I promise,” turning around a bit, turning the bedside lamp off and falling asleep faster then he could thing about the three of them together.
•
He woke up to a cold bed and a note on his bedside table
I’d be happy to go out any time you’d be free, until them, with love, Oscar.
There was nothing else than a little heart and their numbers in it. 816. There was something about it that made Max thing deeper. Why was Oscar sometimes in a good mood and sometimes in a bad mode.
And the scars, of course he saw then. It looked like most o them were old, not old old, but not more then a year.
He told everything to Charles, talking about it the whole morning, the breakfast long forgotten. About the little note he left, about the time he promised to give him, about the scars he saw.
•
The next time Oscar saw both of them together was at the pre season testing. They have been texting back and forth since that morning he left their apartment, never finding time to meet.
It was supposed to be Oscar’ only day off, Lando driving the whole day, when he entered the paddock. He knew Max was to drive in the morning and Charles in the afternoon, so he was surprised to see both of them talking in front of the red bull hospitality at lunchtime.
It was Charles that noticed him the first, Max’ back turned to him, waving and calling at him. He came to stand next to Max, the dutchman not once looking at him.
“Hey, how are you here, wasn’t today supposed to be you day off? You should tell Zak to not make you come here so early.” Charles had his media trained smile, talking like he was talking the press.
“I promised Andrea I would be here around 12, so…” he turned to Max, something obviously wrong, “Is everything okay?”
He was looking at Max the whole time, surprised to hear Charles talking, “I was just here to distract Max, why don’t you come with me, huh, Osc?” He waved again, this time in the direction of the red bull employees, standing outside. He took Oscar by the shoulder and lead them in the direction of his own motorhome. “Don’t worry, GP is gonna take care of him, why don’t you come to this place, lets say around 8 or 9?” Shoving Oscar a little card with an address.
“That is the hotel I am staying at, so where do you want to meet?”
“Really, amazing, I will text you, okay?” With that he left him standing in front of the McLaren motorhome.
•
The text came on his way from the paddock, he was just talking to Zak outside the gate to the paddock, immediately looking at his phone.
“So who is the lucky girl, huh?”
Zak was so god damn stupid sometimes, he has known the man for years, telling him multiple times he wasn’t exactly into a relationship with women, but him never realising what it truly meant.
“Just my mom, she wants to know when I am coming to Australia.” Zak was also very easy lied to, Oscar using it almost every day.
“Well, say hi from me,” with that, they went their separate ways.
Room 9021.
That meant they were at the top floor, Oscar himself just at the forth floor. He actually got to the hotel hours before, but found himself impossible to do anything. He did promise at least an hour in the gym to his trainer, but getting bored just after very long 20 minutes. He still had hours into their ‘meeting' , so he found himself nowhere else then instagram. And it wouldn’t be the power of internet if the first video the popped up at his feed wasn’t THE Max Verstappen leaving paddock, but time time just few minutes after him.
They was nothing written under the post, nothing more then just him leaving early for what was probably personal reasons.
He immediately went to the group chat, seeing Max online.
Can I come to yours?
It was just second later that he got a reply.
you know where.
Oscar was on his feet in an instant, taking just his phone with him. The elevator ride was actually pretty quick, knocking on the door just a minute later. Max was still in his red bull shirt and jeans. He looked like he was crying but was holding it in himself at the moment.
He said nothing more than just a little ‘come in’ and Oscar new that it must’ve been something big.
Max went straight to the bed, Oscar choosing to sit right next him, putting a hand in his hair.
“Can I know what happened?” He didn’t want to obvious in wanting to know it, but wanting to give Max a choice.
“My sister called me,” he was silent for a few seconds, “told me the doctors discovered a brest cancer to my mom.”
“Can I get in the bed with you?” He didn’t know if it was Oscar the Max needed at the moment, but he was there.
Max just nodded, no words needed anymore. Charles came few hours later to find Max sleeping and Oscar doing something on his phone.
“Hey.”
“Hey, I hope you don’t mind me in you bed.” They were whispering, even though he knew they didn’t need to. “He’s gonna be sleeping for a while, I hope you dint mind that I gave him something to sleep.”
“You have sleeping pills?” Charles just put his bag in the chair and went to sit on the edge of the bed next to Max, “Why?”
“I couldn’t sleep after, you know…”
And it hit Charles immediately, with a little smile, “fuck, yeah, sorry.”
“He took two, actually, so I don’t think he should be driving tomorrow, there are quite strong.”
“Thanks, I will text it to GP.”
So there there were, in Bahrain, in one hotel room, together. It was Max that was in the middle of bed, Oscar and Charles cuddling him from both sides.
•
It was in Monaco, a few months later, that Oscar got a message from Max, that his mother is improving, and that now he’s gonna have much more time, asking if they could meet at their apartment.
For all those months, they have been texting about almost everything, beginning at some memes about sex lives of other people, making fun of what, deep inside, they wanted to do, going to serous talks about what Oscar likes, that never answered. But they continued, asking small questions, going to big, and the week going to Monaco, when Max was finally free, asked to have the talk.
They were suppose to meet to play paddle on Tuesday, the three of them and their trainers. Max and Charles already on their way to the car, getting a text from Oscar, that all of his sisters surprised him, coming to the Monaco GP without telling him, letting him know when they landed in Nice.
They at least got to enjoy themself, and went to play paddle just with their trainers, inviting just few of their friends along the way.
Few day later, they were on the podium, spraying Oscar as much as they could, rewarding him for wining the GP. As far as they knew, Oscar had no plans following the grand prix, so here they were, texting him from they VIP corner on the club, when they knew he was a few metres away from him.
They agreed on Charles watching Oscar from the VIP corner and Max watching him from the bar. He was very much enjoying himself with some McLaren mechanics he manage to persuade into staying in Monaco, and Lando, who wasn’t really celebrating him DNF, just being supportive.
They weren’t actually sure if Oscar would read their message, not seeing his phone anywhere. It was just around midnight that Oscar wandered to get a drink, seeing Max the moment he stepped out of his little circle.
“I didn’t think you’d want to celebrate your second place!!!” He wasn’t actually sure if he was just talking of screaming, but Max’ answer came immediately.
“Who would I be if I didn’t want to celebrate your first Monaco win!!!”
Max couldn’t really see Oscar blushing because of the flashing light, but something about Oscar turning the other way told him he was, indeed blushing.
“Why don’t you come to us, Me and Charlie, he’s just over there.” Waving his hand in the direction of their VIP boot. Max hopped of from his chair and came closer to Oscar. “We could give you so much more than just champagne, much more that sending videos, hoping you like something.”
“I can’t, I-“
“Oh, then we understand if you - “ Max was just about to turn, to walk away.
Grabbing his hand, Oscar stopped him from going anywhere, “no, fuck, I didn’t mean it like that, yes, of course I like the things you send me, but I cant in a ways that I have all three of my sisters here. And I may look drunk, but I am drunk on adrenaline, Max, you need to understand that. I cant leave them here. They need to get home save, and if I had someone to take care of them for me, I would come either you, believe that. But I don’t have anyone, I need to stay with them.” He knew that the rest wasn’t really needed, knew he was over explaining himself, but he wanted Max to know the truth.
“Oscar, its okay,” he grabbed his shoulders to calm him down, “I get it, we texted you, seeing if you’d come with us, you cant and that is absolutely fine. How about I text you tomorrow, huh?”
There was a few seconds of silence, both looking into each other eyes. “They leave on Tuesday morning.” It was all Oscar was able to say. Not trusting himself with more words.
“Okay, then we will text you on Tuesday morning, let us know when you get home.”
He, in no possible way, expected what happened after those words. He was expecting Max to say his goodbyes and leave him standing there, but no. Max went even closer, and kissed Oscar on the forehead.
And Oscar would be doomed if he said he didn’t enjoy it. The fireworks in his head exploded, because noone has ever kissed him on the forehead, other then his parents. He thought he didn’t like physical touch but just one kiss on his temple changed everything.
He was shaken back to earth by his sister, telling him they’d like to go home, and who would Oscar be if he refused to his sisters?
He was already in bed when he finally got to his phone and seeing all of his messages. He liked or deleted most of them, few standing out. His mom, dad, and some friends back in Australia. Then Max and Charles.
would you like to come home with us and collect your rewards?
And, damn, he would rather be without his sister if that meant he’d get to spend time with them.
i just got into bed, sorry again for not reading it earlier, already looking forward to Tuesday.
The answer came almost immediately. - don’t worry, you deserve to celebrate a monaco win. From Charles and a like from Max.
•
It was a little bit after 4 in the morning when he got a message from his mother, asking is everything went alright and if his sisters were on the airport. He was more then he realised, but still wanting to text his mother while driving. He got a few words in when he heard honking. It was the car opposite but afar, letting Oscar know he was driving right in the middle of the road. He had to throw the phone away in a second and fully concentrate in driving.
He stopped after a few kilometres in a little stop area next to the road. He was just holding the steering wheel very strongly for a while, slowly breathing in and out. It was another message that brought him back into reality.
oscar? hello? did you ride you sisters to the airport?
He deleted the previous words, sending a simple - yes, mum, I watch them go though security, on my way to the biggest love of my live right now, my bed.
thank you taking care of them.
He actually loved taking care of his sisters, but he loved his inner piece more. And just like 20 minutes later, he was unlocking his front door to his apartment. He moved back in just few weeks ago, the reconstruction finally done, and he couldn’t be happier. New floors, upgraded bathroom, and a brand new kitchen. The kitchen was his most favourite place, just after his bed. He wasn’t exactly Gordon Ramsey but he was able to make the basic food.
The sun was about to rise, but he fell into his bed and fell asleep in an instant. In those few hours he got, he slept better then the past week on stress and celebration. He woke up at noon, feeling better then ever and actually rested.
He took his phone and actually realised he was looking for one and one message only. He kept looking at their chat, just the three of them. He wasn’t actually sure which one of the two of them named it, but, deep in his mind, thought of Max.
RED WINE CLUB🍷🏎️8️⃣1️⃣6️⃣
He didn’t really remember all the thing that were said that evening, but as Charles was getting more and more drunk, max was the one leading conversations, mentions the club in one of his maxplaining situations.
He felt a bit bad for reading the text so late, but he forgot all about it when he opened it and saw what they wrote to him.
how about a date lunch at ours? Just text when you will come.
And fuck, he wasn’t actually prepared to respond to that. So he did something he actually really disliked, and hit the call button on the top on his screen. This was maybe the first time he had to wait for their response, Charles picking up the phone just few seconds before hanging up.
“Omg, Oscar, hi,” they always manage to surprise him, because why is that Max right now.
“Hi, Max, I am sorry for not answering,” and in that moment he was sure that Max would scold him for apologising, but when nothing came, he just continued, “so, where is Charles? You picked up the call from his phone.”
And again there was a few seconds of silence, Oscar regretting the call a bit, “shit, sorry, Osc, I am looking for MY phone and I cant find it, what were you saying?” And well, that was a relief.
“I was asking where Charles was?” Oscar made sure that he camera was off, but something about panicked Max on the other side, looking for his phone, made him laugh.
“Why are you laughing?” He finally sat on what was probably their sofa, recognising the wall behind him. “Ha, I know why!” He also made sure he was fully in the middle of the screen.
“Oh, really? But why should I be surprised, Max Verstappen should know everything.”
“You think that of me? Anyway, turn on your camera, please.”
“I have bad hair, so no, thank you.” He knew Max would like it ether way, but still deciding against it. They were both quiet for a while, Oscar just looking at Max and his golden hair.
“So, your phone? And Charles?”
“Sure, Charles, according to his last text from his brother, and hell, let me read it to you. 'SOS, youre not gonna believe this.’ And then three laughing emojis. I don’t know where he is right now.”
“Charles or his brother?"
“Well, both, I was in the shower when Charles left, so now that I’m thinking about it, he probably got this from Enzo, did something else here, and then took my phone instead of his.” Max was still looking directly at the phone, even though where must have been nothing, Oscar’ camera still off.
“How can someone not realize that they don’t have the right phone?”
“This is actually not the first time this has happened. We have the same phone and the same wallpaper. I can remember at least ten occasions this has happened. Its usually him that takes my phone, and I am left with him phone. One time, when were at a race, it was Brazil last year, he, in the end, traveled with his family, and I went home to see mine, he took my phone. I had to be in Holland for a week without my phone. Since then we have uploaded almost all our contact into both phones.”
“You two are unbelievable, you know that?” And there was that laugh again, the laugh he Max absolutely loved and adored. There was a few seconds of silence again.
“Yeah, we - we know.” And that was the moment Oscar decided to have mercy and turned on his camera. The look Max gave him was absolutely unmistakable. There was no disgust, nothing that would tell Oscar that Max didn’t like what he was seeing.
“Of course you do,” Thy spend seconds just looking at each other, both smiling. “I am sorry though, for not answering. I got home before five and fell asleep immediately.”
“Nothing to apologise for, but the question still the same, you know, even thought its not gonna be date lunch anymore. It can be something like a snack date,” there was a few seconds that Max looked away, something catching his eyes, but no sound that would help Oscar decipher what it was. “You could come at ours, I don’t know, in two or three hours, we would have something small, do something fun, and then have dinner.”
“What about Charles? Will he be back in the meantime?” Max yet again looked away from the phone and then he quickly turned the camera next to him where Charles was already sitting next to him. “Hi, Oscar.”
“Hey, Charles. Where were you?”
“You are not gonna believe that cause - “
“Yeah, and you took my phone,” Max was quick to interrupt Charles in his explanation.
“Really, well anyway - “
“You know, I was just telling Oscar here, that he could come to our, have some snack, then dinner,” interrupting him again.
“Fine, i don’t have to tell you,” turning to Max, giving him a kiss to his nose, Oscar feeling like interrupting their dynamics, turning away.
They was a share nod between the two of them, looking back at the screen, finding Oscar looking away. “Oscar?” He looked back at them. “Why don’t you come now?” Charles probably meant it as a question, but it came out more like an order.
Oscar had to laugh to himself. “If you don’t mind that I just woke up and had no breakfast, why not?” There were all looking at each other for a while. “Fine, call when you are downstairs, we will prepare you the best breakfast you have ever had.”
And who would Oscar be to refuse that, right?
He didn’t really wanted to be obvious in Monaco, choosing to take a taxi, stepping in front of their building just 30 minutes after the call ended. He brushed his teeth and hair a bit, made sure he was wearing clean clothes, and took a little portable charger with him.
They were absolutely telling the truth when they told him about having the best breakfast he ever had. He ate almost everything they made for him, the two little toasts with garlic and cheese, a yogurt bowl with fruit and a little poppy and cream cheese bun. It was a lot better then all the hotels breakfast he’s been eating.
Max was actually very serious about doing something fun, but for him and Charles not Oscar. The little time they were at the gym would be okay, but playing Fifa was not. He tried to play the game multiple times, never winning, this time not an exception. Of course he lost, and he lost twice to Charles and four times to Max.
He and Max lost track of time, so when Charles told them he’d like to order something to have dinner, they very very, but nicely surprised. Charles was also the one order all the food, them choosing to watch TV. Even though Charles wished to eat at the table, they persuaded him into eating in front of the TV.
They sat in a comfortable silence with Oscar and Max at the floor and Charles on the sofa, so he could eat at a table. Oscar made sure that there was at least some space between him and Max, moving every time when Max did.
It was getting close to 10pm, when Oscar let out a wish to go home, Charles and Max looking at each in a second.
“I should go, it is getting late and you deserve some piece and quiet,” standing up and giving the blanket he was covered with back on the sofa.
“We thought that you could stay, we don’t have to do anything. Well, unless you have some plans tomorrow…” Max was uncertain, stuttering few times. Charles on the other hand, confident in his words. “What he wanted to say was, that you are not disturbing us in any way, and we would be happy if you stayed. I can borrow some clothes again and we could watch another movie in the bedroom.”
Oscar had his words ready, but nothing came out. He suspected Charles was inviting him to their bed only for a quick fuck. He looked back at Max that was playing with his fingers on the floor. “I know we talked, well texted about it, but I don’t want to, I promised myself I wouldn’t, with anyone.” In no way, he was sure that it wasn’t just a quick fuck they wanted, but couldn’t bring himself to change his mind.
Max, quickly understood what Oscar meant, standing up, coming to stand straight in front of Oscar. “That is not what we want Oscar, not at all, we - “
“So you are telling me that you would be able to be with me without any sort of real physical contact? I am not ready for sex, I haven’t even given myself a handjob ever since!!!”
He suspected he just needed time, time to get to know his own body back, get to know their bodies, but that would be so much work that he actually wanted to do. He took his phone from the table and left. He heard Charles going after him, but knew he was smarter that to really go after him and stop him.
So, just like that, he left. Cut all personal contact with the two of them. Deleted the chat from his phone, made sure he was as minimal in Monaco as possible. Didn’t text back even when they texted from other numbers, refusing all other contacts other than what was necessary for their work.
He wasn’t even ready to face them when he won the 2025 championship, Lando coming with a 100 points gap behind him, and Max way more behind Lando then between the first and the second. He ignored them all the time from that day in Monaco to Abu Dhabi.
He was just about to go to dinner in his hotel, stepping into an elevator, the door almost closed, when a hand stopped them from closing.
“Hi,” Charles said it very simply, expecting to be throw out of the elevator. “Can we come with you?”
Oscar, even though his AirPods, heard what Charles said, sticking with a slight nod and put them back in their case.
“Never, in all that time, we wanted the relationship to be about sex, Oscar. If we knew that you really didn’t want to do anything, we would be never sending you anything. You should’ve told us that you didn't want to anything. We would’ve known and wouldn’t even try to suggest anything.” Max was still quiet all that time, Charles probably saying the words as they came to his mind.
“From the begging, I thought you just wanted to be friends, but then you invited me to your place, twice, and I just didn’t, I didn’t want to ruin what you probably planed with me.”
“Why didn’t you tell us, that you didn’t want to start anything with us then? I would never try to be so inviting if I knew it was all for nothing!” And there it was, Max’ honesty again, telling something that wasn’t necessary.
“Nothing, really, nothing. So that was all I was to you Max, really? A fucking sex toy?” He really regretted now that they were locked in an elevator, looking at the number, they were still 3 floors to go. “Look I am sorry if I understood you wrong, but I never wanted a relationship based on sex and - “
“We didn’t want that either!!!” Charles screamed, all red, just like his Ferrari shirt.
“Then why did you invite me to your bed?! That day in Monaco, I thought for a moment something could work out. I wanted to go home, think about what we could be, but then you,” looking back at Charles, “you just up straight invited me to fuck me, well, and to me, it sounded like that, even though you said otherwise.”
Now, he was actually glad to be in an elevator, cause the moment he said the last words, the door opened and he could walk out, Max and Charles not going after him.