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Abu Dhabi's has always looked just like a dream, especially when you were 20 seconds ahead.
People described it as flying, Max would agree.
In that second, that specific second when you realise you actually just lapped someone, you're no longer driving. You're in the air, with your wings shining right behind you.
Of course it didn't feel that way as the 2025 season was coming to an end with his last round.
He wasn't really thinking anymore, not that he'd usually try to think a lot when he was in his RB21 but this time, it was really different.
All the noise around him had blended together into a long buzzing sound, he didn't even hear the gear changing, the crowd nor his engineers saying something in the radio. He didn't think about any of it, all just a noise in the background as he drove his last lap and crossed the line.
That was it, the 2025 season coming to an end with him being the most meaningless winner of all time.
He didn't realise how he parked his car at the p1 stand they had prepared.
Didn't notice the amount of people shouting around him, some even calling him the true champion and didn't even hear it when his own team were cheering, even though they were standing so close.
Everything still seemed to be happening as a fever dream would go on.
He just saw blurry pictures and mixed noises trying to sink together as he got out of the car. He knew he had to put on a smile for the world the moment he got rid of that helmet and the amount of time lando was taking to finish his celebration was coming to his benefit.
He had to eventually show his face to all the camera around him. He had to wave for them, show them how happy he is about his win! It's just the way it's done, always had been.
As he put down his helmet he saw lando approaching, he gave him a hug as he congratulated him. He wasn't really thinking clearly what to say so he just hoped nothing bad has came out of his mouth but with the displeased expression from the media people around them, he knew he didn't give them the satisfaction of drama and he was glad about it.
For a second he stared at lando as the younger driver went to celebrate with his own team crew and family, Not even taking his helmet off.
Max couldn't help but smile. He knew the feeling, remembered how good it was the first time right in this very spot back then. Maybe he would actually be happy for lando if he didn't feel so dizzy.
He looked around with the forced smile he knew he has to keep or their media team would murder him. It wasn't that he needed to see someone's else reaction, to know if they're happy or disappointed with the result but to find the one person he needed the most at that moment.
Where was he? He could see the Ferrari engineers circling around and some cameras joining them as if capturing what was in that red circle would be more important than would champion's happy moment and deep down, Max felt it was.
As least it was for him, but he knew he couldn't just walk over there, he had to join his own team soon but it didn't stop him from sneaking looks towards the Italian team, searching for the supermodel they were hiding as a driver but there was no sign of number 16 anywhere, not even after the interviews had started and lando had already greeted half the paddock.
What the hell?
Maybe it wasn't a problem if he went to check himself right? He could just say he wanted to talk to Lewis...or anything! He could come up with a joke to cover it later and God, since when he cared what media said about him? He needed to see the Monegasque.
Right as he started walking towards the red motorhome he was called to head to the cooldown room. He could see why they would want him there but the only thing he needed to cool down was Charles at the moment and he was no where to be seen.
With a frown he started heading backwards, even asking about him as he saw Pierre on the way but the French driver claimed he hadn't seen him after getting out of his car.
That's strange, Charlie loved nagging in French after the race, what was going on? He needed to find him immediately.
Max was basically forced out of his conversation with Pierre to get to the cooldown room, he was starting to get annoyed with the way everything was going on, not even considering the race yet.
As they were walking towards the vast room, designed to show off Arabs money and taste in luxury with the extreme lighting and colours, he somehow managed to get his phone from one of the crew members and wasted no time calling the Ferrari driver when he sat down at the White sofa.
No answers, maybe he still didn't have his phone ? It wasn't impossible considering the way Charles treated his phone as a dangerous device, sometimes he even forgot to grab it when he went out and made Max extremely worried but today was different right ?
They had talked about it before the race, Charles had promised he'd be there for Max however he could. That meant he'd pick up the phone so he definitely didn't have it with him. Max was sure if he waited a bit longer he could contact the Monegasque, he needed to hear his voice more than anything else in the world.
Neither Oscar nor Lando had joined him yet so here he was, staring at the shiny floor under his feet as he could see so many people behind a nearby glass looking at him and talking about the race.
What type of cooldown room was this...if anything, it would make things worse before a podium than easy. He kinda missed it when it was just the drivers, actually chilling and doing what they please instead of...well being exposed like this.
Seeing Oscar walking towards him made his thoughts go a bit easier, not necessarily calm but still he managed to push down some of them so he could function enough to put on a show. Oscar didn't have to be the victim of...whatever he was going through at the moment.
"Cheers mate, what a race"
The Australian didn't even try to hide his exhaustion and disappointed expression. They both shared a feeling they could not even talk about and that made a sad chuckle escape the P1 winner.
"Yeah man...what a race! "
He was quick with asking about Charles right after that but Oscar mentioned how he hadn't seen him since the drivers parade.
The memory of it puts a smile on Max's face, him and McLaren drivers were caught by the media before joining the rest of the drivers but he could see Charles staring at him with the sweet smile he has. That single memory made him feel better, at least for a few seconds before Oscar mentioned something about the race. He only caught half of it though.
"...was pushing so good even I thought there would be a chance"
Oh he was definitely talking about Charles's attempt for the p3 and what could he say about that? What was left to say?
"Yeah...it felt that way"
The rest of their conversation was about the quality of cars this season, Max was thankful the fellow driver didn't mention the race much even though they both had to face it in less than a few minutes but it was still a nice break from everything.
As lando arrived, his proud posture and aura showing how championship has been a good taste on his tongue, they were focused on the highlights of the race.
It was mostly Charles trying to overtake Lando and Max couldn't help the sad yet warm smile placing on his lips each time his eyes found the SF-25. A gesture he wasn't even aware of. Although both Lando and Oscar noticed it, even if the camera didn't catch it.
The rest of the night went in a mixture of overwhelming, crowded approaches and a longing for a certain driver in red who was still not visible to his eyes.
Not even from the top of the podium.
By the time he was done with post-race interviews he finally found the chance to call Charles again. He heard from Lewis earlier that there was a possibility the younger man had just went back to his hotel since he didn't have a flight till tomorrow, so he was pretty positive he'd get to finally talk to him but there was still no answer.
He called again...and again and again. Even texting in between yet there was no response.
He was worried...did something bad happened? No if it did the Instagram or twitter would've gone crazy by now and he'd definitely hear from it.
He had already checked insta before going on the podium, searching the Ferrari driver's name and there was nothing found but his race highlights, radio messages and a single video Ferrari had posted of him, talking about how the season has come to end and the redbull driver could swear he had watched it at least five times to made sure he hadn't missed anything but he couldn't find any new signs of depression or illness, well aside from what Ferrari had already gave him.
Twitter was still an option though, as much as he knew if there's no news on the Instagram, there will be none of other platforms but he still had to check.
He pressed his thumb over the 'X' logo and searched 'Charles Leclerc'. Nothing out of ordinary. No updates on his health or situation, nothing especial but the fangirls and fan boys talking about how amazing he was tonight and how he deserves more than Ferrari. Max was quite used to seeing people telling Charles to leave the team, he had to admit, he himself was one of those people but the Monegasque was somehow stuck there.
He even found some lestappen shippers talking about how Charles was fighting for his 'husband', finding them all sweet and funny until he saw something that made him freeze.
_< Leclerc was the most stupid person on the grid tonight, he could've given Max what he needed but instead decided to drive like a pussy>_
Max frowned. What, the, fuck? The next one was even more shocking.
_< I bet their relationship will be destroyed after this, remembered 2019? Sth like that is totally gonna be happening people, I'm telling y'all Max is going to kill him for that performance>_
What THE ACTUAL fuck!? Max was furious, he was used to getting all type of bullshit himself but his fans somehow finding charles responsible for this? That was stupid...that was the most stupid shit he had seen all day and he went through A LOT.
He couldn't just let this pass, he had to say something. Maybe a story on Instagram? Maybe even a post with charles? Something that would shut up the so called fans ? Something that would say they're still...well they didn't quite tell the world about their relationship but Max could settle for 'friends' for now.
He had to do something...anything! He had to stop it he-
"Max, there are cameras everywhere! If you keep looking at your phone with that frown you're going to create drama, in a bad way! "
It was their media admin's voice that dragged him out of his thoughts.
"They're hating on him..."
He stated with a shaky voice.
"I have to do something"
"Huh? Who's hating on who Max? Whatever going on..."
There was a hint of concern in her tone now, she quickly put her hand on Max's arm as an act of comfort. The redbull driver was thankful, but it didn't help his temper at the moment.
"Charles, they're...Jesus we need to put on a statement or something...you know like we did with kimi? "
"Max calm down, kimi was a 19 year old receiving death threats, Charles is a grown man with a few people being mean to him and the whole world supporting him. Leave this to his own fans"
"But! Oh come on, we can't do nothing! "
Max couldn't believe how she didn't understand this, the same people who claimed they love him more than anything in the world were now hating on his beloved over the most stupid thing and...and even their media manager didn't give a shit? Well fuck it, he was going to fix it himself.
"Fine, I'll do it myself"
"No! Max log out of your Instagram and twitter till things go down"
"What the...you can't possibly be serious " Max laughed, it came more hysterical than even himself expected and he had no control over it. His championship went to shit, he couldn't find the one person he needed the most and God knew what happened to him and now...now what he had to be a good bot and shut up about it?
"Max...trust me. You talking about it will not help Leclerc. Not the slightest"
Bullshit, he couldn't...he couldn't just sleep on this one. Dammit! this was too overwhelming. He had to press his eyes shut for a second and take a deep breath cause he could feel how his veins were ready to pop out one by one with the amount of anger he was feeling. Before he could say anything else he was pulled into a comforting hug from their admin.
"Look I understand he is important to you"
Max knew it wasn't a lie, literally everyone at the redbull knew Charles and even respected their relationship.
" I want the best for both of you and trust me, this is it"
She patted his back before pulling away. Knowing she can't really offer any more comfort and Max surely doesn't want any from her.
"You need to calm down and do as I tell you so you don't drag media's attention towards this okay? If you mention in anywhere people will talk about it more and it will only bother both you and Charles so, take a few deep breathes and let it go"
Max stared at her blankly for a few seconds. Well she was the media expert in the end...he had to consider her words.
"Fine"
Before hearing her response he added. "But if this goes on, I want an official statement "
He was serious and his tone left no place to argue so she just nodded and they parted ways as Max tried to actually calm down.
He knew the night was nearly close to being finished and he was more than tired to deal with it.
He could smell the tons of interviews coming his way, all of them asking about the same thing. He was so sick of it that at this point he wanted to find Charles to just ask him how he could escape all this since it looked impossible at the moment.
He didn't even realise what words would come out of his mouth after a while. He just wanted to go back home, in Monaco, where he could eat a random homemade pasta recipe Charles would find off an illegal italian website and play with his cats and Leo. The idea of it seemed comforting enough to help him through the night and when he finally found some time alone, he was a total wreck.
As he took slow and unsteady steps through the empty streets of Abu Dhabi his mind decided to fly back towards the day's events.
His championship
Was lost
Over nothing...over two points that he'd never thought would be troublesome for him.
But the worst part ? He wasn't even fully focused on the race anymore as he kept trying to find Charles and there was no sign of him, anywhere!
He had called Lewis and his race engineers a couple of times, even tried to contact their media admin but there wasn't a clear answer except for Lewis promising him he'd look around. The best scenario would be Charles just being upset with how things went and needing some time which Max was quite used to after knowing him almost his whole life.
Charles was the type to need a break after stressful events and this race, well it was the most stressed they all have been through the season so he knew this would eventually come up but what he couldn't deal with was how he got ghosted the whole night and that made him worried. That wasn't like Charles, something must have had happened and he couldn't do anything but being hopeful he's wrong.
After a few more minutes of pointless walking the sudden buzzing of his phone made him almost jump, Charles! Please let it be Charles!
But of course it wasn't. It was the seven times world champion's name on the screen as the ringing kept going on before he took it.
"Lewis please tell me he's alive"
"Mate I found him! Come to our hotel he's been here the whole time"
Max has never been more relieved in his entire life.
Okay...okay it was going to be okay, Charles was fine, or at least not dead and that was a fucking win at this point.
He quickly found a cab to reach the hotel and didn't even understand a word from the driver's comments on his race and Lando's grand victory.
All he was thinking of was his boy, how he had missed him even though it was only a few hours since they last talked.
Oh God, the way he needed to look into his intoxicating eyes and melt into his warm presence.
He didn't know how he used to live without Charles but he surely knew he would never be able to do so anymore.
He tried calling him a few more times before getting to the hotel, no answer of course but max didn't lose his hopes this time. he knew his location, things were under control.
He quickly rushed through the lobby looking around for Hamilton As he saw him leaning against the wall with his usual calm posture, listening to something on his AirPods
THe moment he saw max he quickly turned towards him with a knowing expression, wasting no time to give the Dutch the information he needs.
"Hey man...here's the room number. He's awake cause...well I heard sounds coming from the room and if you probably just knock or something he'd answer"
"Did you see him? Is he ok? "
" Mate...come on who's ok in a Ferrari?" Lewis added nothing else but a sad smile and neither of them wasted any more time of each other as he went on his phone and Max rushed towards the elevator.
He was so close to charles, only a few floors,
out of the cabin, only a few doors,
only a few step and there he was. Standing in front of the one last barrier between him and love of his life and all he had in mind was how much he needed to see him.
He knocked on the door, his knuckles almost turning white with the way he had tensed up.
A small sound came from the room, maybe a displeased groan?
He knocked again and what he heard in response made his chest ache.
"LH I told you I'm not hungry..."
Charles sounded...so broken, his voice was a bit off, more husky than usual. His accent somehow grew stronger over the hours but max knew why it happened. Charles would slowly drift towards his mother tongue whenever he was being too emotional.
He knocked again. And again and again until he heard a sudden movement and the door finally being open by a harsh sound as he finally got to see charles.
His charles, and the sight of him broke the remaining pieces of his heart.
The bright eyes that somehow still represented life and light after all he has been through were now blank, dark and tired.
Not to mention how swallowed and red they seemed, most likely from crying.
His sharp nose was colored in a bright shade of red, he could even see some part of the skin being damaged, Jesus charles just how bad has the last few hours been for you?
Unlike Max who had a sad and worried look, Charles seemed terrified by the sight of him.
"Maxie..."
"Charles... "
Before he could say anything Charles bursted into tears. His words coming out shaky and breathless.
" i'm sorry...I'm so sorry...I tried! I swear I tried so hard I was pushing like crazy and and..and lando was always ahead...I tried Max I swear on Leo's life I did my best bu- "
"Charles- "
"My tires were so fucked I couldn't do anything and...and you were asking if I caught him...oh my God you must hate me now...you did your best you...you were amazing" his words were now basically impossible to be understood through his sobbing.
"Charles lis-" he was again interrupted by the Monegasque's restless speech.
"You did all you could and I couldn't even do this one single thing oh my God Max I fucked it all up! You only lost it because of m- "
"CHARLES! for fuck's sake let me talk! " He had to shout which made him regret it immediately as Charles's expression went even more worried.
"No no..no no sorry I didn't mean to do that"
"You hate me"
The way Charles claimed it so seriously was the death of Max.
"I don't hate you darling how could you even say that?"
"Charles please...let's get in, let me hug you and we talk about it okay?" He continued, desperately.
"No I don't want to hear how much you hate me!" His sobbing had somehow calmed down but he was still shaking.
"Charlie, baby I swear I don't hate you okay? "
"Did you check the twitter? "
"Love, let's get in and talk hmm? Let's get you a seat first"
Charles didn't seem to hear him.
"Max your fans hate me...they all hate me..."
"Charles- "
"And THEY'RE RIGHT! you're not the world champion because of me! Even if you ignore today's race we both remember what happened in Texas...I just let him through at the worst timing...oh my god if only I had kept the positio-"
He was finally silenced as he felt Max's arms wrapping around him in a sudden movement. His hug felt as warm as ever. There wasn't any sign of hatred. It was pure love, the feeling Charles would always receive from Max whenever they embraced each other and with that, he could feel himself calming down for even a second.
He melted into his lover's embrace, their slight size difference helping him completely lean onto Max and disappear in his arms. God...this is why he was so afraid. He was so well fitted with Max that he couldn't imagine how he'd live when the older boy would be mad at him but surprisingly Max hadn't said anything yet. Maybe, just maybe things weren't as terrible as he had imagined.
"Charlie ? "
"Hmm?" He murmured into Max's neck.
"Can we get inside?"
Charles almost jumped as he heard the question, finally coming back to his right mind he realised how he had been standing here, freaking out in the hallway as if it didn't matter for anyone else to hear their conversation! God he was really stupid!
"Oh sure...sure of course..."
He quickly invited Max in and locked the door. The atmosphere was feeling a bit awkward but Max's smile and caring look still stayed on, making Charles feel more at ease.
"We should talk shouldn't we...?"
Charles said as he pulled two bottles of beer out of the fridge, handing one to Max, who was standing next to his bed looking around his room and opening the other for himself as he sat at the edge of it.
"Yeah" he took a sip from his drink.
They both stared at each other for a few seconds.
Charles looking up with his red,wet and puffed eyes. His lips pressed together and his body all tensed up.
Max's look was filled with concern. His blue eyes filled with understanding yet questions since he couldn't believe Charles was blaming himself for the situation.
"It wasn't your fault" Max finally broke the silence.
"Max- "
"No Charles, let's be real. It's on no one but me, and well...my team"
"Come on Max...you did all you could...I saw the highlights...you were driving your best! "
Max smiled. He knew he did his best but so did Charles. Sometimes trying your hardest just didn't seem to work and that was fine, at least for Max it was.
"Look, we all knew this championship wasn't up to me any longer right ?"
Charles looked down, feeling ashamed as Max mentioned the sad truth. He was right it wasn't up to the Dutch racer...it was up to him.
The change in his posture didn't escape Max's eyes. He gently knelt before him, putting the bottle down and cupping his cheeks. His hands were warm. Closing his eyes, Charles couldn't help but to lean into his touch.
"By saying that, I didn't mean it was on you either. You know that right ?"
Charles didn't say anything, didn't even nod. It felt as he was still too guilty to even talk about it yet too selfish for his shame and regret to hold back the way he needed Max's touch, his words, his comforting presence.
What a joke! Max was the one who needed comfort at the moment and the great partner Charles is, he has changed the way around. Well done Charlie! Great way to help your loved one!
" Baby? please say something"
Nothing. Just the Monegasque calm breathing and his hands finally coming up to place on top of Max's.
" Charlie..."
"You asked...on the radio...if I'm catching him or not..."
Charles finally spoke up. The small gap between his long lashes filled with tears as he opened his eyes.
"Max...your last hope was on me and...I couldn't do it..."
"Charlie! Baby come on..."
"I swear I tried...heaven knows... I tried my hardest..." slow sobs were escaping his lips before each word. "He was too fast...I couldn't do anything...and I...I...let you down...." he burst into crying again.
Max had no idea how to react. He knew what he had said on the radio and he knew Charles was really trying. He also knew what a tractor they had given him so he didn't blame him, not the slightest.
If anything, he was actually proud how his lover drived his ass off trying to give him the championship. He knew from the moment they told him Charles was going for Lando that he'd be forever grateful to the younger man regardless of the final outcome.
The way Charles didn't realise what a great thing he actually did and only looked at the negative points broke his heart.
" I know you tried. We all know. Even on Instagram and twitter everyone was praising you- "
"NO! No...no...no they hate me...they all hate me...God I know how I let them all down...let you down..."
"Charlie please, since when do you, the prince of Monaco, care what some random fan says? And look it if makes you feel better I have to say a lot of people were already debating with the ones who said those harsh things about you"
He leaned in and kissed Charles's forehead.
"No one really blames you except for a few retards. And if I had the chance I'd punch every single one of them! "
That made Charles let out a small chuckle which made Max's heart warm. He loved hearing him laugh.
"You can't go around punching people Maxie! FIA is already up your ass"
Max laughed in response and let out a relieved sigh. He knew the conversation was far away from being finished but Charles finally seemed at ease and that was enough for the moment.
"They may be up my ass but not the way you were chasing lando's the whole time! Baby seriously you were the most amazing driver tonight"
He kissed him again and looked him in the eyes with a serious expression.
"Never, ever blame yourself for such thing again ok baby? It wasn't your fault you were chasing a rocket with a tractor"
Charles's eyes snapped in shock at the 'tractor'.
"Hey it's a Ferrari! "
"It's a shitbox!"
Max couldn't help himself with throwing that line the exact way Daniel Brühl had done in the 'Rush' that made Charles laugh. A real genuine laugh.
Before he could show more of his talent with adding the iconic "ha?" Charles started speaking.
"It's just...I really wanted you to win this championship"
"I know baby...I wanted it too but, it has happened and we can't change it anymore"
"Aren't you angry ? With the way you lost points because of me...or I don't know even kimi? "
Max frowned, this reminded of the interview he had earlier which Charles clearly hadn't seen or else he wouldn't ask this.
"Well...I can't say I'm thrilled but you know that's how it always goes right? It just happens...I had caused other drivers some points in the past as well...some of them didn't take it very well back in 2019" he couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face.
Charles answer him with a tired smile.
"Okay quit the jokes and everything...seriously how do you feel? You know I'm not the only one who got depressed today...you must be feeling terrible"
"I know that's how it seems but...I'm not angry or depressed. I guess I'm just pleased I didn't go down without a fight you know..."Max shrugged.
Charles smiled. Max had grown so much more mature over the years and he could see what a great person he had become. If it was the same Max from his rookie years he'd probably be throwing punches till now.
"For real Charlie, I'm not in agony. I'm just proud of myself and my team" he smiled and pressed his forehead against Charles's. "I'm also proud of you, a bigger team-mate than Yuki I'd have to say"
"Hey, go easy on him! " Charles laughed and closed his eyes.
"I'm proud of you too max...you pulled the greatest comeback of all time...no matter what anyone else says you're the champion for me"
Max smiled, that was all that mattered.
They stayed like that for a minute before the rough day finally hit them both, making them realise they should actually rest.
Max was the first to pull back and stand up, leaving Charles annoyed with the sudden withdrawal of his touch.
"Let's have some dinner and finish this day off as it should hmm? With a warm hug and some hot chocolate maybe ? "
Charles laughed and got to his feel next to him.
"I'm not having any type of hot drink in this country, the weather's hot as shit! "
He was still red around the eyes and nose but he seemed more alive now and that was the thing Max needed to see all day. He can't belive how they had wasted hours before actually talking it out but he was glad they did anyway.
As Charles went to order their meal with the hotel's phone saying something about losing his phone hours ago, which explained how he couldn't contact him, his phone started buzzing in his pocket, he looked at it to see Lewis calling again, he took it as he sat down on the bed.
"Hey man everything alright ? "
"Yeah..yeah we talked, we're good"
He could hear the older man sigh out of relief on the other side.
"Is he ok?"
Max stared at Charles, muttering something in French as he was arguing with the hotel staff on the phone. He smiled, oh Charles and his passion about his pasta.
"Yeah he's good he's ordering dinner at the moment. Wanna talk to him? "
"Dinner ? Cool cool, make sure he eats. I'm certain he hadn't have anything since that coffee in the morning. He was pretty stressed the whole day mate. Take care of him"
"Will do mate, will do" before he could hang up Lewis's voice caught him.
"Oh and Max?"
"Yeah?"
"It was a shitty season. Personally I'm just glad I don't have to drive this shit box anymore"
Max held his laugh, see Charlie? Even the great LH calls this a shit box.
"Anyway sorry about the championship,you deserved your forth title man"
"Fifth"
"Fourth"
"Hamilton I swear I'll come down and kill you "
Making Charles suddenly stare up at him and causing Lewis to laugh his ass off through the phone.
"Hahaha classic! Anyway have a lovely night in OUR hotel room since I know your lover boy won't let you go tonight. I'll crash with Fernando"
"Thanks man, see you later"
When be hung up Charles, who was also done with his call came up to him.
"Lewis ? "
"Yeah"
Charles laughed. God Max I loved the sound of it.
"I knew he would eventually make the joke about that title...he was just holding it back in front of me"
Max nodded as he laughed along.
"Yeah should've seen it coming honestly"
They stared at each other for a few seconds.
"So...."
"So...?"
Charles gave him a shy smile as he put his hands on his shoulders.
"Anything you want to do before our food arrives? "
Max smiled. "I don't know...a shower with a certain Prince would be nice wouldn't it?"
Charles chucked.
"Seriously? Instead of depressed you're just horny? "
Max shrugged. "Hey, I still won a race ! And who was telling me I'm champion in his heart just a while ago? I want a reward! "
Charles laughed as he stepped back, holding Max's hand and dragging him towards the bathroom.
"Anything for the four times world champion then"
"Not you too! Joining teams with Lewis? I'm heart broken!" He faked a sad expression as Charles laughed loudly about it.
This was nice.
This was the thing that made him forget about the championship. Spending time with his beautiful Charles. He didn't seem to be feeling guilty anymore, his usual energetic-sunny attitude replacing the sad face from before.
He could heal him, Charles could heal him from any pain and discomfort in the world and he was forever grateful for it.
As long as he had Charles, he didn't need anything else so truly,
He still won.