Chapter Text
This time, unlike the other night, Max sleeps and in his dream he’s a child again; he looks around realizing the surroundings are unfamiliar. He calls for his mother first like instinct but no voice comes out and that’s when the fear kicks in. Faceless figures walk past him as he panics, breathing heavily, running across the dark street, pushing bodies that feel too close to him.
An unfamiliar city and so many new scents, he’s surrounded, he’s lost—yet all this feels familiar— not a dream, no, not really, more of a memory.
Max’s heart races, his breath feels shorter, he hasn’t felt this way in forever. Not since he outgrew his father’s shadow, not since he learned how to hold a gun, not since he ascended as the leader, not since he met—-
And there across from him stands another boy, not faceless like the others, in fact Max remembers his huge big eyes, incredibly long lashes, cute nose, pink cheeks and rather flat haircut framing his face. Suddenly, there’s light in the abyss of darkness and a sweet scent fills his nostrils; Max’s heart calms with every passing second, he takes a tentative step forward like he’s possessed by some other being, then he reaches out his hand, something inside him snaps violently; he wants to touch, he wants to hold, he wants to know.
“Max!” His father’s voice shouts sternly and Max’s entire body jerks by reflex.
Blue eyes snap wide open, staring at the ceiling, his breathing is uneven as he comes to his senses but with every gulp he takes of the air, Charles’ scent fills his lungs even more. They shared a bed again but this time they ended up closer to each other’s warm bodies. The two pills of hormones activator may have a tiny inch of effect because to Max, Charles smells even sweeter than before.
Times like these he’s thankful for Charles’ sleeping habit because the last thing the Alpha wants is to talk about the past. Reluctantly and slowly, he leaves the bed, using the bathroom to freshen up, splashing cold water on his face and ridding those old memories as he watches the water flow down the sinkhole.
Staring back at himself in his reflection, the Dutchman breathes deeply, grabbing the edge of the porcelain to ground himself in this reality. Like clockwork, he resets his mind and it’s like all traces of what that memory did to him vanished from his expression.
Going back to the room, his mate is still snoozing away, a tender smile graces the Alpha’s lips, imagining this as his everyday soon enough. For someone so high in power, Charles is a bit careless, maybe it is because Max has given him no reason to be cautious or perhaps the Monegasque is just that confident in his abilities if something dire were to actually happen. Max knows it’s the latter.
Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc.
Highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat and various types of firearms; well-known as the most cunning of the Leclerc brothers which is surprising given his rather angelic face. The eldest is the man to negotiate with, burdened with the need of stability, wanting peace above all. The youngest is still too inexperienced, choosing to fight first, talk later. But Charles? Charles doesn’t negotiate, doesn’t need to and his enemies don’t choose to fight him either, it’s a lost cause.
Charles operates like a well-bred full blooded Mafia; he was born to lead, born to be someone important. People don’t talk much about the middle Leclerc brother, he’s not the one making the deals and he’s not the one putting up a fight but people know. The most grueling and mysterious deaths and disappearances, the entire wipeout of gangs overnight, the territorial disputes hushed by dawn? Those were all Charles Leclerc’s doings.
He’ll smile and happily let people take the short term wins but when it’s his turn to play, he doesn’t stop until it’s checkmate. Anyone else would lose this game to Charles… but to play against someone who’s so similar; two sides of the same coin, suddenly the playing field is leveled the same.
His trust is going to matter the most in these 2 months; if he has that, he’ll be able to move freely with the Monegasque. Max opens the mini fridge, he takes one of the glass sparkling water and downs it, he picks up another, opens it and drops two more tablets of hormone activator before he screws the cap back perfectly and places it right back in the fridge.
Charles doesn’t need to drink that specific bottle today, so long as he does get to it one of the days, it’ll be enough. Then he walks to the open living space, grabs the phone by the table and makes a call for room service, he orders more than he should.
By the time his Omega is awake, Max is lounging on the sofa watching television. He greets the sleepy baby and politely apologizes for overstaying in which Charles returns the apology for dragging Max to the pool at such late hours. They share a meal together, casually chatting about the show playing until Charles remembers something from the previous night.
“...Your scars….across your back…”
Max sets his fork down, munching and swallowing the food in his mouth slowly while he thinks of a good story. His muscular back wasn’t just to show-off the hours of hard work and training, there’s also quite a few scars from his ‘work’.
“...My father…” he decides to dump the blame on his father again which isn’t all a lie; some of the scars did come from vigorous and not child-appropriate teachings. “...was strict and he wanted a stronger Alpha son.”
There’s an immediate grimace on the brunette’s face as the rooms fall into a silence. It takes awhile for Charles to pick up where it left off “I… I’m sorry for asking…I just- I have a few scars of my own… and yours look… “ He doesn’t finish his words, eyes searching and reaching the Alpha’s face but Max remains emotionless.
“Similar?” Max supplies a continuation.
“Yes… but no- because my father would never…do anything to hurt me.”
The Dutchman frowns at that statement; well-knowing that the drugs and medication given to Charles since he was a young pup isn’t at all painful per say but they are harmful to his body and how much does he family actually know is still a mystery however Max knows they are not completely innocent.
Charles must’ve read that frown thinking he said an insensitive statement given Max’s relationship with his dad so he immediately apologizes again “Sorry, Franz… I did not mean it like that…”
“No… it’s fine. My scars serve as a reminder and I am not ashamed of them… even if I am… a bit… broken.”
Max is caught by surprise when Charles’ warm hand envelops his own.
“You are not broken, Franz.” His voice is so soft, so earnest and genuine that Max’s selfish heart immediately wants to take advantage of it.
“Damaged… maybe? But… we are all a little damaged.”
“Spoiled goods?” Max makes a joke out of it, Charles can’t help the corners of his mouth twitching to a smile.
“You will still be wanted by many even so…” There’s a glint in those green orbs, a true compliment between two Alphas, Max merely returns the grin, heart full as he continuously basks in the warmth of Charles’ hand.
-O-O-O-
They go out for some sunshine, already making plans together; there’s a lot of free entertainment on a cruise ship so both Alphas plan to go to the theater for a musical and then maybe a round or two of bowling. Deep in their conversation, the world around them fades away, and it would’ve continued that way but from the corner of the Dutchman’s eye, he spots a little pup hiding behind a pillar, eyes swollen red and pouty lips all over.
Max stops in his tracks, Charles does the same, slowly following his line of sight to see the child. If this was Max Verstappen, the Dutch Lion he would’ve had some reserve handling a crying child but right now he’s Franz Hermann and any ordinary kind stranger would act first, think later. Just like that, the blonde slowly walks over to the kid, he even bends down to his height, a friendly smile on his lips “Hello, are you lost?”
The pup sniffles once, twice and instead of replying full on bawls and sobs instead.
Charles stifles a laugh behind his back, also bends down and attempts but the kid doesn’t want him either. Both Alphas look at each other with a knowing look.
“Maybe we should get some help…?” The Monegasque frowns, looking around but the ship is so big that this area is more secluded and hidden away so there’s no one within earshot.
Max takes a deep breath, his voice soft as he says “...Do you want to play?”
The pup blinks at him, his sobs slowly down seemingly recognizing the word ‘play’. Max realizes it works so he continues on boldly “We can play… hide and seek? Or… tag? My friend and I are very good at games.”
He looks at Charles for some help and immediately the other catches his eye-contact.
“That’s right! I’m better though… Do you wanna challenge us?”
The kid wipes his tears away, eagerly nodding his head.
“A game of tag…” Max suggests, a wide smile now, he reaches out to tap the kid on his shoulder “And you’re it!”
He gets up and makes a run, Charles does the same and luckily for them the young pup follows quickly behind, wanting to chase after them.
“Oh shit- you almost got me!” The Monegasque yelps with a bit of a jump forward when tiny hands reach out to grab him.
“No cursing!” Max laughs at him while multitasking the route back to the main hall.
They need to get help from a crew of some sort; two of the men are thinking the same thing yet so different because Charles turns to the left, Max to the right and they somehow end up colliding chest to chest.
“Franz!!” Charles yells in a playful manner, a second later the young pup grabs onto his leg and just like that Charles Leclerc is it.
Something in him blooms, the thought of Charles, his mate and a little pup around them makes Max feel all sorts of warmth inside. The Dutchman could’ve let the kid lose to tag in a couple of seconds so the child could go back to chasing the both of them but a more brilliant idea comes to his head. He scoops up the kid, carries the light pup in his arms and gives a smirk “Let’s go!”
He bolts this time, no restraint and Charles shouts something in foreign tongue before racing after him. The kid in his arms laughs, probably at the Monegasque’s predicament and because Max is so darn fast, Charles is actually trying really hard to keep up.
Echoes of their laughter and giggles, taunts and challenges thrown from Max to Charles. The child’s tears dry up, he’s clutching on the Alpha’s shirt tightly, bright smiles and even chants of “Faster! Go! Go!” like he’s supporting him.
Now they’re dodging other passengers wondering why two grown men are running through the halls like some children. Max makes it quickly to the main deck where the information counter is located. The staff are no short of surprised and a little worried when they see him rushing towards them.
Max pants softly “...This…. Kid….”
“You’re it!” Charles cuts him off, there’s a sound of a loud crack as he lands a hit on the Dutchman’s back.
The staff look even more horrified now.
Max laughs, shaking his head “Sorry– um… this kid… is lost… we found him at the outer deck and he was… crying and alone.”
When the situation gets handed over to the official staff, it’s clear that the kid is scared again; not much can be done but Max does pat the kid’s back to soothe his nerves. He’s not much for words but luckily Charles tries to strike some random conversation, talking about playing again and that keeps the child distracted. At some point, the pup reaches out for Charles, wanting to be in his arms instead of Max’s and the Alpha takes no offense in passing the baton over, in fact, he admires the view.
The Monegasque was a little awkward at first but he warms up easily and starts talking away, bright smiles and even throwing a few jokes out there. Max admires quietly, listening to Charles’ chuckle, the way the edges of his eyes crinkle and how deep his dimples go. He wants this. He really wants this and though it’s a heartwarming sight, something dark bubbles in the Dutchman’s chest.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end; the child has to follow the actual helping adults and Charles does his absolute best to support the transition.
“You’re good with kids.” Max has to praise, Charles shoots him an accusing look “No. I just grew up with a younger brother so I know what they’re like.”
“Mhm…”
“You’re good with kids too, Franz. He warmed up to you first.”
Max shrugs, “...I don’t handle kids very often… so I don’t know.”
“What? No plans for a big family? Wouldn’t you want many pups of your own some day?”
Max thinks carefully before he answers “How many pups… depends on my mate… I do not mind….” '
“Really? Your omega will be lucky to have such a considerate Alpha.” Charles chuckles, “Well, I want a lot of pups! I was thinking 6…and then when Lorenzo and Arthur have their own… it will be very crowded…and loud… that is the kind of household I want…bright and loud.”
‘So, I guess I’ll be having 6 pups.’ Max ponders to himself, his inner Alpha very happy with the news, just the thought of his and Charles’ pups running around makes him a very contented man.
Despite his inner happiness, every chance he gets to sell a sob story about himself to earn pity favors is an opportunity so Max continues on with “That sounds nice… I am not sure if I am capable of holding such a bright family together… after my childhood, I think I’ll always doubt-”
Charles halts in his steps, immediately his eyebrows are furrowed in a serious manner “Non. You cannot think that way, Franz. You are not your father and even though I’ve only met you, I know you are more than capable. You are considerate, kind, understanding and your mate will be very lucky to have you… your house will be just as bright and loud as mine.”
‘It will be the same household.’ The Alpha happily thinks in his thoughts, outwardly he just nods, sighing “I hope you’re right, Charles.”