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strandbuckley · 7 months

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Origins Chapter 3

5.3K words | Max Verstappen/Daniel Ricciardo

Link to Chapter 1

Chapter 3: Max and Daniel 2018

Max Verstappen was twenty-one when he felt like his life couldn’t get better. He was happy and in love with Daniel. They’d just moved in together at the end of the previous season and Max was happy to leave behind his apartment and insert himself into Daniel’s life. Living with him, sleeping in his bed, living in his orbit felt more right than anything Max had ever experienced in his entire life.

Now, they were gearing up for the 2018 season. Max was excited, even more than he had been in previous years. Christian had promised them an amazing car for the season and all the data was showing that it would be. Max was racing for one of the top teams in Formula 1, his best friend and love of his life by his side. He was in a position to fight for podiums and Christian said there was a championship in his future if he continued to progress as rapidly as he had over the past few years with the team. The only thing putting a damper on what was shaping up to be a perfect season, was the end of Daniel’s Red Bull contract. They hadn’t talked about it much, but Max couldn’t see Daniel going anywhere else. He couldn’t see Daniel on any other team. He couldn’t see him any other place than right by his side, forever.

What they had going was good. His relationship with Daniel had granted him the first stable home life he’d experienced in his twenty-one years. They cooked dinner together, combining ingredients from the lists pre-approved by their trainers to make meals they would both enjoy. They spent non-race Saturdays cleaning their apartment and going for walks by the harbor. Daniel had taken him to the animal shelter to celebrate six months of living together and they’d adopted two cats, a brother and sister pair named Jimmy and Sassy, who hated Daniel but adored Max.

Life was good, better than it had ever been in Max’s opinion. Despite all that, there was one thing he couldn’t shake.

He doubted that Daniel even remembered their conversation in his driver’s room in Monaco. It had been years and Daniel wasn’t known for having the greatest memory. He remembered the things that mattered like birthdays, anniversaries, big events and such, but random one off conversations were not things that stuck in Daniel’s brain. Not like Max, who couldn’t have removed Daniel’s words from the depths of his subconscious if he tried to dig them out with an ice pick. He kept trying to find the courage to ask Daniel but it never felt like the right time. They were traveling between races, brains overwhelmed by turn one’s and sim data. Or they were spending time at the factory, Daniel trying his best to beat Max’s lap times on the simulator and Max spending time in Christian’s office discussing contract extensions and next steps for the team. Daniel called him “Christian’s golden boy” but there was never any mirth in his voice, just sadness and a little disappointment. Max didn’t blame him, but there wasn’t really anything he could do about their team principal's blatant favoritism. Max just tried his best to cheer his boyfriend up, changing the subject and doing things to make him happy. He kept trying to assure Daniel that he was in for a good season as well. With his experience to back the car Christian was promising, Max was more than sure that Daniel would be giving him a run for his money on the track. Daniel didn’t seem quite as convinced but he appreciated Max’s efforts anyway.

Max could see that the stress was getting to Daniel, with the threat of an expiring contract and desperation to perform looming over their lives like a dark rain cloud. That was why, on a rare weekend off following a triple header, Max put his foot down.

They’d spent most of the week at the factory, preparing for the next weekend's race but when Christian released them Wednesday night, he’d told them not to come back until Monday. So while Daniel was in the shower, Max set his plan into motion. He put both of their phones on do not disturb and hid them away in the bedside drawer not to be touched again lest an emergency arose. He then ordered in pizza, not on either of their approved meal plans but what their trainers didn’t know wouldn’t kill them, and found Talladega Nights on a streaming service. Max frankly thought the film was ridiculous, but Daniel loved it and this was his weekend so Max was willing to indulge him. The food was delivered just as Daniel emerged from the shower, feeling like a new man after washing the disappointments of the day off. Max had beaten him, every lap, every sector and the simulator that day and as much as Daniel liked watching his boyfriend succeed, he wouldn’t pretend his ego wasn’t a little bruised.

“Max? Who was at the door?” he asked as he padded into the living room.

He paused in the doorway to the living room and looked around slightly in awe at what Max had managed to do in the fifteen minutes it took him to shower. The blackout curtains over the balcony doors were shut and the overhead lights were off in favor of the twinkling fairy lights he insisted on stringing around the living space. There was a pizza and a roll of paper towels waiting on the coffee table, along with sparkling cider and two wine glasses. Max also seemed to have drug every blanket and pillow they owned out of storage and made a nest on the couch.

“Food delivery,” Max answered, emerging from the kitchen with two glasses of water to add to their spread. “Do you like it?” Max glanced around, shuffling his feet shyly and Daniel wanted nothing more than to wrap him up and kiss him silly. So that’s exactly what he did. He crossed the room, grabbing Max by his hips and squeezing gently as he pulled him in.

“I love it babe,” Daniel praised when he pulled away, leaning his forehead against Max’s. “But what is all of this for?”

“It’s been a long week. A long few weeks actually,” Max corrected. “I thought we could have the weekend just for us. No racing, no distractions.”

“This is the nicest thing anyone has done for me. Thank you Max, really.”

Max beamed and leaned up to press another soft peck to Daniel’s lips before pulling away. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

“You know pizza isn’t on our meal plan right Maxy?”

“That’s why we don’t tell Brad and Michael of course.”

“Good plan.”

Max placed two slices each on paper plates and burrowed into the blankets, making himself comfy in the nest. Daniel joined him, picking up his own plate of food and positioned himself shoulder to shoulder with Max, absorbing his warmth as Max clicked the play button on the remote.

“Talladega Nights Max? You hate this movie.”

“Yes,” Max agreed, swallowing a bite of pizza before continuing. “But you love it. And I love you so I’ll tolerate it just this once.”

“You’re the sweetest,” he pressed a kiss to Max’s head.

“Shh. Watch the movie.”

So Daniel did. He settled back into the cushions and munched on his pizza as Ricky Bobby graced their screen with his racing antics. Once they had finished eating, Daniel opened his arm for Max to snuggle closer and he took the opportunity happily, leaning into Daniel’s side and burrowing under the blankets. He rested his hand on Daniel’s thigh, tracing the familiar lines of his tattoo even though he couldn’t see it.

At some point during the movie, Daniel leaned back, resting his head on a pillow and pulling Max with him. Max laid his full body weight on his chest and tucked his head into the space of his neck, ignoring the ending of the film in favor of breathing Daniel in, taking comfort in the familiar warmth of his body and the warm planes of muscle under his hands.

When the credits rolled, neither made any move to turn on a new film, letting the ending run its course until silence fell over their living room. They stayed in that position for a while, both too comfortable to move. Max was so still and his breaths so even, Daniel almost thought he was asleep. He was contemplating the best way to get the younger boy to bed without waking him when Max moved, rubbing his cheek against Daniel’s collarbone and tilting his head to look up at him.

“I thought you were asleep,” he chuckled, running his fingers through soft blonde hair.

“I almost was. But I was thinking,” Max trailed off.

“Care to share?” he asked, keeping up the soothing motions of his hand.

“It’s kind of dumb. And you probably don’t even remember it.”

“Did I do something to upset you Maxy? You can tell me if I did and I’ll try my best to fix it.”

“No, it’s nothing like that,” Max took in a big breath and let it out. “Do you remember Monaco?”

“Of course I do. We live here.”

“Not like that,” Max grumbled, rolling his eyes. “The race. A few years ago when I first started in Formula One. I had a bad fight with my dad after I crashed and you came to my driver’s room afterward.”

“Oh yeah, I remember that. You were so upset, it broke my heart a little bit.”

Max nodded and tucked his head back into his previous spot, not wanting to look at Daniel for the next part, “Do you remember what we talked about there?”

“Not really,” he admitted. “I don’t have the greatest memory and that was a while ago. But obviously whatever we talked about that day was important, so why don’t you fill me in on it.”

“You said that you found things that help you get out of your head and be more relaxed. And when I asked you what it was, you wouldn’t answer me. I pushed you, of course, and you told me it was a sex thing and that I was too young to understand. It’s weird for me to remember, I know.

“I don’t think it’s weird. But I am curious, what’s bringing this up all of a sudden?”

“I’ve been curious since then. Even when we started dating I wanted to ask you but I didn’t know how. Eventually, I stopped thinking about it as much. But you’ve been so stressed lately with the contracts and things. So I started thinking about it again. That if you told me what things you used to enjoy I could give them to you. I could help you get out of your head and relax a bit.”

Daniel paused for a minute. Max was almost afraid he’d crossed a line and was preparing to backtrack when Daniel grabbed his shoulder gently and pushed him up.

“Can we sit please? I feel like this is a conversation we should have when I can see your face.”

Max pulled a pillow into his lap and maneuvered himself so that he was facing Daniel.

“I was twenty-five when I joined Red Bull and it was a lot of pressure. I was performing well but I was still under a lot of stress. So, I got into BDSM, sort of low-key.”

“BDSM? That’s a bit, rough, isn’t it?”

“It can be,” Daniel agreed. “But not necessarily the way I did it.”

“How did you do it?”

“I had a few girlfriends when I was younger who were into spanking and things like that. This was a little more intense, tying up, telling them what to do, things like that. But it was always safe and always consensual. I never wanted to hurt them Max, I need you to understand that part.”

“I do,” Max assured. “I’m not sure I understand the appeal, not completely, but if you enjoy it, I’d be willing to try. If you want to do those things with me.”

“Maxy,” Daniel reached across the couch to take his hand. “Of course I do. I have wanted to do them with you for a while actually, I was just never sure how to bring it up. And you were inexperienced when we got together, I didn’t want it to seem like I was taking advantage of you or forcing you into something you didn’t want or enjoy. And just for the record, I enjoy sex with you the way it is now. If you never want to do anything like that I’m perfectly okay.”

“Can you explain it to me more? The things you would want to do?”

“Of course Max. But if anything makes you uncomfortable please tell me. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Daniel kept Max’s hand in his, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of his hand.

“I want to start out slow with you of course, warm you up. I’ve thought about how pretty you look on your knees for me. I want to tell you what to do. You always listen so well Maxy, you respond so well to me without even trying. I want you on your knees between my legs with my cock in your mouth. But I don’t want you to suck it. I just want you to hold it there, see if I can get you all floaty and sweet, desperate for me. Then I want to take you to bed and take you apart nice and slow. I want to make you cum until you can’t anymore, until you’re crying all pretty for me. Then when we’re satisfied, I want to clean you up and hold you and tell you how good you are.”

Max swallowed, mouth suddenly dry and cock achingly hard. He was thankful for the pillow in his lap covering his predicament from Daniel.

“What about spanking?” he asked, brain-to-mouth filter completely offline. Turns out Daniel turning him on had the power to turn his brain off.

“You want me to spank you Max?”

“Maybe.”

“I’d always do it for fun. But in this context spanking is usually a punishment. Not because I’m angry at you but to remind you who is in charge.”

“Is that what you like about it? That you get to be in charge.”

“I suppose so. With racing, I’m in control but only of so much. I don’t get to control the track conditions, or strategy decisions. I don’t get to decide if my contract gets renewed,” Daniel paused. “I feel like there’s so little I’m in control of these days.”

“I want to try.”

“Max, I don't want you to do this just for me.”

“I won’t be,” Max assured and feeling a bit bold, he reached over to grab Daniel by the wrist, pulling his hand under the pillow. “In case you can’t tell, I’m very interested.”

“Holy fuck Max.”

Daniel practically tackled him onto the couch, capturing his lips in a heated kiss. His hand stayed firmly on Max’s cock, massaging as he pressed kisses along his jaw and neck, stopping to suck a mark onto his collarbone, just barely low enough to be covered by his shirt.

“You’re so sexy Max. I love you so much.”

“I love you too. Please take me to bed now.”

Daniel didn’t have to be told twice, scooping him up and carrying him in the direction of the bedroom. Max squeaked at the sudden change in his center of gravity, grabbing Daniel’s neck and holding on for dear life. Once they reached the bedroom, Daniel practically threw him down on the bed before moving on top of him again, scaring Jimmy who had been dozing on their pillows.

“You scared the cat,” Max laughed, watching the poor little guy scamper out of the room and around the corner to hide.

“Meh, he hates me anyway,” Daniel said and kissed him again.

Daniel rid him of his shirt and continued kissing down his chest, sucking marks under his pecs and on the softness of his belly. Max squirmed under the attention and Daniel grabbed his hips to pin him to the bed.

“Stay still for me Maxy. Be a good boy.”

Max tried his best to obey, relaxing into Daniel’s hold and letting him cover his torso in kisses and bite marks. Eventually Daniel pushed down his shorts, leaving him fully naked, laid out on their bed. Daniel sat back on his heels and gestured for Max to sit up.

“Up. Come here.”

Daniel turned so that he was sitting on the edge of the bed and Max scrambled to get up, coming to stand between his spread thighs. He snagged a pillow and dropped it on the floor at his feet before pointing at it. He raised an eyebrow when Max hesitated and Max finally registered that Daniel meant for him to kneel. He dropped to his knees eagerly, not caring that they would probably bruise, even with the cushion to soften the blow.

“Gentle. Don’t hurt yourself, pretty boy.”

Daniel pulled down his sweats and underwear just enough that his cock was exposed and tugged Max forward gently.

“Remember what I said? Don’t suck it, just hold it there for a while,” his hand circled Max’s wrist and brought his hand up to his thigh. “If you need a break or want to stop, I want you to pinch my leg twice. That’s your safeword, do you understand?”

Max nodded.

“I need a verbal answer baby. Don’t get all sweet on me just yet.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Show me.”

Max pinched Daniel’s thigh twice, not harshly enough to leave marks but enough to get his attention.

“Very good. Open for me.”

Max opened his mouth, and Daniel took a gentle hold on his hair, inching his head forward until his semi-hard cock was settled completely in Max’s mouth. It was strange at first, the weight on his tongue and ignoring the instinct to suck. He shifted his jaw a few times until he found a placement that was comfortable, then looked up at Daniel for further instructions.

“Just sit there for me. You can lay your head on my leg if that’s comfortable for you.”

Max leaned his head to the side so that his temple was against Daniel’s inner thigh and realized that it was much more comfortable than fighting to hold his head still. He relaxed more, even going as far as to close his eyes. He knew Daniel would take care of him.

“So pretty,” Daniel murmured, running a gentle hand through Max’s locks and he found himself settling even more.

As Daniel continued to massage his scalp with his fingertips and talk gently to him, Max found himself drifting. He wasn’t quite sure where his brain was going, but he found his mind pleasantly blank. Even the gradual ache settling into his jaw and knees became distant as he focused only on Daniel’s hands and presence around him.

Daniel kept a watchful eye on the clock, not wanting to push Max too far on his first try, but wanting him to get a good taste of the subspace he was hoping he’d reach. Max settled into it even more beautifully than he’d thought, barely fighting the urge to submit and trusting Daniel entirely to take care of him. After fifteen minutes had passed, Daniel tightened his grip on the younger boy’s soft hair and tugged him back gently. Max whined as his peace was disrupted, but Daniel shushed him gently, continuing to move his head back until his mouth was empty. He blinked up at him, blue eyes watery and unfocused and Daniel couldn’t help but smile, cupping his cheek and running his thumb over the soft skin under his eye.

“Hey there pretty boy. How do you feel?”

“Good,” Max croaked, throat sore.

“Not too much?”

“Nuh uh. Feels good, calm.”

“Good,” Daniel reached for Max’s water bottle on the nightstand and held it to his lips. “Drink baby.”

Max obeyed, dutifully taking a few small sips to soothe his throat before spitting the straw out and looking up at Daniel.

“More?” he asked.

“Come up here baby.”

Daniel helped Max stand and maneuvered him so that he was straddling his lap. Max wrapped his arms around Daniel’s shoulders and rested his head against his collarbone as Daniel rocked him back and forth, gently rubbing his back.

“Do you want to keep going? I’m okay to stop here if you need to, I know it can be a lot for your first time. You’ve done so well for me Max, I won’t be disappointed if you want to stop for the night.”

Max shook his head, pulling back to look him in the eyes, “I want to keep going. I want all of the things you said earlier.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. If you need to stop for any reason, if something hurts or you're just not into it anymore, I need you to say red, okay? If you need me to slow down or want to change something, say yellow. If everything is good, the word is green. Can you repeat that for me?”

“Red to stop, yellow to slow down, green to keep going.”

“Very good. That’s the traffic light system, those are your verbal safewords. I’ll never be disappointed in you for using them. They’re to keep both of us safe.”

“You have safe words too?”

“Yes. If something isn’t working for me, or I feel like you aren’t into it but aren’t using your words, I can use those words. Either of us can use them at any time.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Now would you like to make all the decisions, or do you want some choices?”

“You can decide. I trust you.”

“Thank you for that Max,” Daniel leaned forward to kiss him gently. “Lay back on the bed for me.”

Daniel slid a pillow under his hips, elevating them for better access and pushed his knees apart slightly to make room for himself between his thick thighs.

“This part I’m familiar with,” Max grinned.

“Yes you are,” Daniel pressed a kiss to the inside of his knee.

He retrieved a bottle of lube from the nightstand and laid it next to him on the comforter.

“Are you okay if I go to the bathroom to get a towel real quick?”

Max nodded and Daniel stood, making it into their en suite and back to the bed very quickly. He gently instructed Max to lift his hips again and got the towel positioned under him.

“This could get messy.”

“Isn’t it always?”

Daniel chuckled, “Yeah I guess so. How many times have you made yourself cum in a night Maxy?”

“Two I think. I’ve never tried for more.”

“Do you feel comfortable trying for three tonight?”

“What if I can’t?”

“It’s okay if you can’t. I just want to try, baby. You know what to say if you get uncomfortable right?”

“Yellow if I need to slow down and red if I need to stop,” Max repeated.

“Good. So what’s your color right now for three orgasms?”

“Green.”

“Good boy,” Daniel pressed another gentle kiss to his knee. “Do you want to know my plans or do you want it to be a surprise?”

“Can you tell me?”

“Of course. I want the first one to be from me opening you up, I want you relaxed and ready for me. Then the second will be from me fucking you, obviously. Lastly I want to get you off again with my hand once you’re all sensitive and needy for me. Does that sound okay?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Daniel popped the cap on the lube and slicked up two fingers, warming it in his hand before circling Max’s rim with one finger, teasing him. This bit was a practiced song and dance by now. They had a system that worked and Daniel knew exactly when to work him up to the next finger and which angles to hit to find his prostate. He was fairly efficient in bringing him to his first orgasm but Max was still writhing on the bed and whining when his cock twitched and spurted over his belly.

“Very good boy,” Daniel praised, gently removing his fingers and hovering over Max to kiss his lips. “Are you ready for me to fuck you?”

“Yes please.”

“Such nice manners,” he teased, kissing him again.

He took his cock in hand and slicked himself up, teasing Mac’s hole with the head, allowing it to catch on the rim before pulling back.

“Daniel please,” Max whined, grabbing at his shoulders and digging his nails into his skin.

That was all the encouragement he needed, and Daniel slid home in one thrust. Max’s cock, which had been lying, spent and soft, against his lower stomach, kicked violently and made a valiant effort to get hard again, despite having orgasmed only a few minutes earlier.

“Jesus christ baby, you’re so sexy.”

“So are you,” Max’s hands gripped at his shoulders, pulling him in so their chests were flush and Max’s cock was trapped between them. He shifted his hips up, grinding against Daniel’s abs and he could feel the wetness transferring to his skin as he got hard again and began to leak precum.

“Such a sweet boy for me. You take me so well Max, always do. You’re so soft and needy for me right now. I fucking love it. So sweet.”

Daniel knew he was rambling but he couldn’t stop himself as he snapped his hips, hip bones smacking against the flesh of Max’s ass. He was incredibly turned on, even more so than normal and he could tell Max was too. The younger boy had lost all coherent English and had resorted to pitiful whines and moans.

“I’m getting close, baby. You gonna cum with me?”

Max nodded frantically, bucking his hips to get more friction, “Please, please, please.” He cried out as if that was the only word he knew.

“I gotcha baby. I’m gonna make you feel so good. Cum for me Maxy. Come on.”

Max cried out again and Daniel felt the splash of cum against his stomach. The fucked out look on Max’s face was enough to send him over the edge and he thrust in once more before spilling inside of him.

He allowed himself a few moments to recover before pulling out, thankful that he’d placed a towel under Max as the poor boy was a mess. When he looked up at the younger boy’s face, he was surprised to see fat tears rolling down his cheeks.

“Shit Maxy,” he scrambled to get off of him, rearranging them so he could pull Max against his side. “Shh, it’s okay baby. Take some deep breaths for me. That’s it, good boy. You did so well, I’m so proud of you.”

Max moved closer and rested his head against Daniel’s shoulder, tilting back to look at him with glassy blue eyes. Tears were still rolling down his cheeks but Daniel was slowly starting to realize they weren’t bad tears. They were just the tears of an overwhelmed boy deep in subspace who’d just had two orgasms practically back to back.

“Hi baby,” Daniel smiled down at him, cupping his cheek gently. “Are you feeling a little floaty?”

Max nodded, head feeling too heavy for his neck.

“That’s alright. You’re safe with me babe. Just relax and let yourself float, I’ll be here when you’re ready,” Daniel traced his fingers over Max’s lips and he parted them slightly, taking the tips into his mouth and holding them here. Daniel just smiled and let him have it, whatever would comfort Max he was willing to do.

It took him the better part of an hour to come back to himself and Daniel held him through it, rocking them gently and letting Max suck his fingers to self-soothe. When he was semi-coherent he looked up at Daniel again.

“Hi,” he mumbled.

“Hi there,” Daniel greeted. “How do you feel?”

“Tired. A little sore. But good.”

“That’s good. So you enjoyed it?”

“Very much. Can we do it again?”

“Of course,” Daniel chuckled. “For now though let’s get you cleaned up okay? I don’t want you to go to bed sticky.”

“Wait,” Max said, eyes suddenly wide. “I only did two.”

“Oh. Don’t worry about that Max, you did so well.”

“But you wanted three.”

“Maxy you were crying and really out of it. I wasn’t going to take advantage of you like that. This was a lot for your first time and you handled it so well. I’m very proud of you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. Now, how does a bath sound?”

Daniel held Max in his lap in the bathtub, pouring warm water over his chest and back and speaking softly to him, helping Max come fully back to himself.

“What was that?” he asked when they were both clean and lounging in the water, not quite ready to get out yet.

“What was what?”

“That. The way I felt when we were doing all of that stuff?”

“That was subspace. Some people can do things like this and never go down like that. Others have a part of their brain that takes over when they experience pleasure like that. It takes over when you feel safe enough to trust your partner and let them be in control.”

“I like it,” Max admitted. “But I also like being in control sometimes.”

“And that’s okay. It’s common to be into both sides of things. Sex isn’t black and white Maxy. You can like more than one thing.”

“Do you like being on the other side?”

“Not usually no. But if you wanted to try I’d be willing to.”

“So how are they satisfied, when they like both parts but their partner only wants one thing?” Leave it to Max to ask the questions no one else wanted to.

“Well, some have more than one partner. Others just learn to live with it I guess. I’m not entirely sure.”

“Oh.”

“Is that something you’re interested in? Having more than one partner?”

“I don’t know,” Max ducked his head. “I’ve only seen it in-- well in porn.”

“Porn is a little different from real life Maxy,” Daniel chuckled.

“No, I know that. Would it upset you if I said I was? Interested in that, I mean?”

“No, it doesn’t upset me. Honestly I wouldn’t be opposed to it, depending on the person of course. Why do you have someone in mind?”

“No. Of course not. I guess I was just curious.”

“Well if anyone does ever peak your interest, just talk to me about it. We’ll work through it.”

Max found himself wondering, not for the first time, how he had ever gotten so lucky to have Daniel in his life.

“Okay,” he agreed.

“Good. Now let’s get out, I’m starting to shrivel.”

That night, tucked into bed with Daniel snoring in his ear, Max found himself thinking that everything would be alright. After all, how could anything ruin this?

*****

Unfortunately, he was wrong.

Max knew something was up as soon as Daniel walked into the apartment. He was strangely quiet, which was the first red flag. Normally, everything Daniel did was loud, even the way he kicked off his shoes at the front door and hung his keys on the hook. The second warning bell was that he didn’t automatically greet Max as he normally would. The third was the dried tear tracks on his face and his swollen eyes.

“Daniel? What’s wrong? You’ve been crying.”

Daniel’s face was sad as he spoke, “I’m leaving Red Bull.”

#formula 1 #formula 1 rpf #maxiel #riccstappen #max verstappen #daniel ricciardo #my works #quartet verse

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strandbuckley · 9 months

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Origins Chapter 2

4.1K words | Max Verstappen/Daniel Ricciardo

Link to Chapter 1

Chapter 2: Max and Daniel 2016-17

Max Verstappen was eighteen when he realized he was in love with Daniel Ricciardo. It wasn’t puppy love like people around him said love was at his age. It was true, all encompassing love that made him dizzy to think about.

Being in love with Daniel made his head spin. The man was so kind to him. So sweet and warm and open in a way that was so different to what Max had grown up with. Daniel paid attention to him for more than just racing. He actually liked to listen to him talk, and would let Max spend hours chatting to him about anything and everything. When Max finally moved out on his own, no longer under his father’s roof, Daniel had come to help him unpack his meager belongings into his first flat in Monaco. Then they’d set up the Xbox and played Fifa on the floor of his living room, even though Daniel was shit and Max beat him every time. Daniel didn’t complain either, just continued to let Max start a new game and smiled at him every time he scored a goal. It was almost like his happiness made Daniel happy, but he didn’t want to think too hard about that and get his hopes up. Daniel had stayed until the sun started to set over the Monaco harbor and they’d devoured their take out with promises not to tell their trainers. He’d almost seemed reluctant to go when he gathered his things, citing an early morning training session with Michael. Max had assured him he’d be fine, but when the door closed behind the older man, the apartment suddenly seemed much emptier than it had before.

Max Verstappen was nineteen when he moved to Red Bull. After he’d hung up the phone with Christian, the first person he’d called was Daniel.

“Ello,” Daniel had answered and Max, not for the first time, thought his voice sounded like sunshine.

“I suppose we’re going to be teammates,” he said, doing his best to play casually.

“So I heard. How does it feel to be racing for a top team in F1?”

“Well, I’m not racing for them yet. But I am excited of course.”

“Of course,” Daniel agreed. “I’m happy for you mate. You deserve it.”

“You think so?” he asked before he could stop himself, wanting to be sure that Daniel really approved of him.

“I know so Maxy. You’re talented, you’re gonna do great things with Red Bull and I’m excited to stand with you when it happens. Granted I’ll be on the top step and you’ll be below me but that’s all semantics.”

“Of course,” Max chuckled.

“You’re doing shoey with me during your first podium,” Daniel said, not leaving room for debate.

“Why would I want to drink champagne out of your boot?”

“It’s tradition,” Daniel had said simply.

“Okay,” Max agreed. He’d do anything for Daniel, anything to have that bright smile directed at him.

“You’re gonna love it. Welcome to the top, Maxy, you’re gonna love it up here.”

*****

Daniel Ricciardo was twenty-seven when Max Verstappen became a permanent part of his life. The younger man had entered his orbit slowly, attaching himself to Daniel like glue the moment he’d allowed himself to get close enough. Daniil had even taken to calling him “his little shadow”. Daniel hadn’t minded it, liking the attention the younger gave him and liking to give attention back in the way Max so desperately craved. He and Daniil were close in age and had mostly the same experience level so it was nice to have someone to take under his wing. Max was eager to learn, passionate about racing and equally curious. He held on to every word Daniel had to say, taking them to heart like textbook facts. It was cute. Max Verstappen was cute. Daniel saw him much like a little brother.

At least that’s what he tried to tell himself as he ignored the way his heart fluttered when Max smiled at him or laughed at one of his dumb jokes. He told himself that Max was just a friend, even as he saw the looks the younger man gave him when he thought he wasn’t looking.

He’s a kid Ricciardo, he told himself after he found himself staring at Max’s plush lips and wondering if they’d taste as sweet as the Red Bull he was drinking. Get it together you pervert.

*****

Daniel was twenty-seven when he almost said too much. Max had a rough day in Monaco. He’d been doing so well on what Daniel considered to be one of the hardest tracks on the calendar. That was until he crashed into the back of Grosjean on lap 65 of 78. He’d been far enough ahead that he hadn’t seen it but his engineer had informed him of the yellow flag and the subsequent red flag that had him returning to the pit lane.

“Who was it?” Daniel asked as he followed the leader into the pits and took his spot to wait for the race to resume. He’d passed the car in the barriers on the way, but it was at an angle that he couldn’t see the colors or number gracing the car’s livery.

“It was Verstappen and Grosjean. Max hit the back of him and spun into the barrier.”

“Holy shit. Is he alright?”

“He is fine,” Simon confirmed and Daniel let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.

“Thank god.”

“He’s back in the garage now. Red flag will be lifted any minute, be ready.”

Daniel didn’t really want to finish the race. Part of him wanted to unstrap himself and leave his car in the pit lane for someone else to deal with. He wanted to run to Max and check him over himself to make sure the younger boy was really okay before wrapping him up in a hug and telling him to never do something so stupid again. (Oh how Daniel wished this would be the last time he heard about Max crashing over the radio.) He told himself that it was brotherly, protective instinct and nothing more, but deep down he knew it wasn’t the truth. The truth was, he was afraid because he’d gotten attached to the younger man in a way that was much more than brotherly love. He was falling for someone almost a decade younger than him and he didn’t know how to stop.

He didn’t leave his car. He waited for the green flag to come down and he resumed the race with everyone else, sans Max. He finished well within the points and celebrated with his team for an acceptable amount of time once he was back in the pit lane before pulling away with every intention to go find Max. He was already on his way to the Toro Rosso garage next door when he was stopped by Xevi, Max’s engineer.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, heart leaping into his throat.

“Define okay,” Xevi muttered. He kept a tight grip on Daniel’s bicep as he continued to speak. “Can you go check on Max for me?”

“Yeah of course. I was headed there anyway.”

“Good. His dad tore him a new one over the crash, right here in the garage in front of God and everyone. It was rough. Max walked off looking like he was about to cry and no one has seen him since. I wanted to give him space for a while. But he likes you, I thought he might respond better if you went to see what’s going on.”

“I’ll go check on him,” Daniel promised.

“Thank you Danny. He went toward the driver’s room.”

“Got it.”

Daniel flashed Xevi a thumbs up before heading to the back of the garage. He unzipped his race suit as he went, tying the arms around his waist. The door to Max’s room was shut and he couldn’t see any light from outside. He pushed the door open gently and peeked around the corner, looking for Max. At first, he thought the room was empty, Max nowhere to be seen in the open space. Just as he was about to give up and go search the motorhome high and low, he saw the toe of a red boot peeking out from beside the couch. He shut the door behind him gently, not wanting to spook Max and made his way over slowly.

“Max,” he said, speaking softly like he would to a spooked animal. “I know you’re in here. Xevi said you came this way.”

He finally made it far enough into the room that he could see him, wedged between the sofa and the wall. His knees were tucked up to his chest and he looked so small like that, despite the fact that he’d recently had a growth spurt and was close to matching Daniel in height. He hadn’t commented on the dried tears on his cheeks or the way his nose and face were flushed from crying. Instead he joined him on the floor and let Max talk. And it had been going swimmingly until he decided to introduce his foot to his mouth.

He thought about it that night as he paced around his apartment, mentally berating himself for being an idiot. For a moment, on the floor of Max’s driver’s room, with his knees starting to ache from how cramped the space was, he’d forgotten that he was talking to a kid. Max had only been eighteen for a few weeks and Daniel knew, almost for a fact that he was a virgin, watched him stumble through conversations where he didn’t realize that girls were flirting and admit to Carlos over one too many vodka Red Bulls at his birthday party that he’s only kissed someone for the first time in the last year.

There was no way he was ready for Daniel’s kinky sex stuff. Absolutely no fucking way. It didn’t matter that since Daniel had met him, he’d clocked Max’s need to be taken care of from a mile away. The kid should have had a neon sign over his head that read “spank me, I’m anxious”. But that didn’t matter. It didn’t matter at all. Max was young, too young, and Daniel wasn’t going to drag him into things he wasn’t ready for. His attraction to Max was gross enough, his need to take him over his knee and spank him until he cried, then cuddle him and tell him how good he was was practically criminal.

He tried and failed not to think about it. He slammed two glasses of wine and took a long, cold shower, determined not to think of pretty blue eyes, plush lips, and ruddy cheeks stained with tears. He failed, miserably. He found himself scrolling on his phone, waiting for a reply from Max that never came. The text he’d sent him earlier was innocent enough for something written in a moment of weakness. A reassurance that he was proud of him and was on his side, because he knew Max needed it, even if the boy himself didn’t yet. He forced himself to put his phone down and try to go to sleep. He forced himself to put Max out of his head. He failed. He knew he’d failed the minute he let his hand slip under the covers. It was all too easy to side his hand under the loose waistband of his boxers, where his body was already starting to respond eagerly to the attention. It was too easy to imagine Max’s face as he’d seen it that day, but in a different position. Instead of huddled on the floor of his driver’s room, he was sprawled over Daniel’s lap, face pressed to the gray comforter, darkening it with his tears as Daniel’s hand spanked him over and over again, leaving his pale skin a pretty shade of pink. It was too easy to imagine the praises that would flow from his lips, telling Max how good he was, how proud he was of him, that it was okay to make mistakes because Daniel would always be there to catch him when he fell. It was too easy to spill over his hand and wipe it away with his boxers before collapsing back into bed, naked.

It wasn’t easy to forget Max’s face.

Daniel Ricciardo was twenty-seven and he was in love with Max Verstappen. Daniel Ricciardo was going to hell.

*****

Daniel Ricciardo was twenty-eight and Max Verstappen was a few days shy of nineteen when they became teammates. Daniel knew when he picked up the phone that he was the first person Max called, and his heart swelled with pride at that.

He wasn’t particularly sad to see Max taking Daniil’s seat. He and his former teammate had been friendly, but not friends. He was sad to see a good driver lose his seat, but he couldn’t be too sad when he remembered how much time he would be getting to spend with Max. They now got to see each other almost every day. They got to film PR videos together and Daniel got to make him laugh as they competed in ridiculous challenges and answered ridiculous questions. They got to race each other in the sim and pour over the data together in a conference room in Milton Keynes. They got to travel to races together and share a garage and occasionally a driver’s room when there wasn’t enough space at the track for each of them to have their own. Not that they minded. They usually ended up invading the other’s space over the course of the race weekend away, something Daniel had a sneaking suspicion that Christian already knew about. They even got to share a podium, Daniel on the top step as he’d predicted months ago, and Max to his right on the second step. When Daniel handed him the racing boot full of champagne, Max hadn’t hesitated. Instead he’d turned it up, downing the bubbly and sweat in one go.

That night, they’d kissed for the first time in Daniel’s hotel room.

*****

Max Verstappen was nineteen and happier than he’d ever been the first time he kissed Daniel Ricciardo. They’d shared a podium earlier in the day, followed by a sweaty racing boot filled with lukewarm, slightly flat champagne. It should have disgusted him, but it didn’t. He didn’t think anything about Daniel could ever disgust him. Even his sweat after a race.

They’d celebrated with the team that night, probably too much for a group of people who had flights to catch the next morning, but they didn’t care. A double podium was something to celebrate to the fullest extent, the next day’s consequences be damned. He’d been a little surprised when Daniel invited him back to his hotel room. It wasn’t the first time they’d spent extra time together after a race, but it was the first time it had happened so late at night.

“I’m too wound up to sleep,” he’d explained when he extended the invitation. “We can watch a movie and just chill out until we both get tired.”

Max was already getting tired, but he refused to turn down a chance to spend extra time in Daniel’s presence.

“Okay,” he agreed and let the older man pull him into the elevator, only pressing one button, for the floor Daniel was staying on.

He let Max borrow a hoodie, insisting he’d be more comfortable in that than his team polo that smelled vaguely of stale sweat and too much alcohol. They’d both showered after the race before going out to celebrate, so they changed their clothes and climbed onto the bed together. Max found he quite liked wearing Daniel’s hoodie. It was big and warm, and worn to the point of fraying around the sleeves and the hem but it was the softest thing Max had ever put on his body.. The smell of his cologne seemed to be woven into the fabric, and Max found himself tucking his face into the hood to breathe it in. He pressed himself to Daniel’s side as the older man scrolled Netflix on his laptop, looking for something to turn on. He eventually settled on an American sitcom he’d been insisting Max should watch, and balanced the computer against a spare pillow before getting comfortable and pulling Max in closer. He tucked his face into Daniel’s neck, his favorite spot to be when they hugged, and breathed in the smell of him straight from the source.

“You smell good,” he whispered, liquor and the late hour loosening his tongue.

He could hear Daniel’s smile more than see it when the older man pressed his nose to the top of Max’s head, took a small inhale and said, “You smell good too.”

Max sighed happily, even though he knew it was a lie. No one likes the smell of sweaty teenaged boy mixed with vodka and Red Bull but then again, Daniel seemed to like everything about him, so maybe it was the truth. He wiggled himself into Daniel’s space even more under the guise of shifting his position to get more comfortable. He was as close as he could get without being in his lap, which was something he’d thought about more than once. He could feel Daniel’s eyes on him, looking down at him and he tilted his head back to see him.

“What?”

“Nothing. You’re just cute.”

Max blushed and hid his face again, sure that Daniel could feel the heat of his cheeks through the fabric of his shirt.” You’re cute too,” he whispered.

They were silent for a few minutes before Max looked up again. He studied Daniel’s face, taking in his prominent nose, his soft brown eyes, and the slight turn of his lips. He wanted to commit every part of his face to memory, just in case he screwed it up with what he was about to ask.

“What is it Maxy?” Daniel asked, running a hand through his hair.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Why?”

The word left Daniel’s mouth before he could think to stop it. He watched the way Max’s ears turned red and he pulled his shoulders up shrugging.

“Because I want to. Because I like you.”

“I like you too Max.”

“You do? Do you like me, or just like me? Like a friend or?”

Max trailed off and Daniel shifted so they were facing each other properly. He cupped Max’s cheek with his hand and brought their faces close together.

“I like you Max,” he said again. “As more than a friend. Even though I shouldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re young.”

“I’m not that young,” he protested. “I’m not a little kid Daniel.”

“I know you’re not,” he placated. “But I’m still a lot older than you.”

“Nine years isn’t that much,” Max insisted. “There’s a whole lot worse. I’m nineteen, almost twenty.”

“Yeah and I’m twenty-eight. Almost twenty-nine. Soon I’ll be thirty and then you’ll think I’m old and gross,” he was trying to make a joke but there wasn’t much humor in his voice.

It was a real fear he had, true self-conscious thoughts leaking their way out into the open. Sure Max liked him now. Maybe he was attracted to the fact that Daniel was older and more experienced. He’d had crushes on a few older men when he was in his early twenties too. But that meant he would age faster, he would retire from racing first and he would get old first. Then what would Max do? Would he still love him when Daniel was forty and washed up and Max was still in his prime? Would he still love him when he was holding the championship trophy that Daniel found was slipping further and further from his grasp?

“I would never think you were gross,” Max said, sincere in a way that Daniel would never believe in anyone else. Only Max was this honest with him. Only Max told the truth no matter what, brutally blunt and honest at the best and worst of times. “I don’t care if you’re older than me. I like you, I want to kiss you. I want to be with you.”

“I want that too,” Daniel admitted.

“Then kiss me. Please?”

So he did. He pressed his lips to Max’s and had to suppress a groan, feeling as overwhelmed as he had when he first kissed a boy behind the woodshed when he was sixteen. He tasted just as sweet as he’d always imagined, enhanced by the Red Bull he’d consumed over the day, undercut by the staleness of old vodka. His plump lips were slightly chapped, raw from Max’s habit of nibbling on them, but he didn’t care. It was Max. He pulled away and pressed another soft kiss to the freckle above his lip that he loved so much. Max smiled at him, eyes crinkling in happiness and Daniel pulled him in for a hug, squeezing him to his chest and never wanting to let him go. He said as much, rubbing circles on Max’s shoulders.

“If we do this, I’m never going to want to let you go Max.”

“I don’t want you to let me go. I want to stay with you always,” he said earnestly.

Daniel smiled at him and kissed his forehead, “I don’t know about always. You’ll have to leave my side eventually Maxy. But we can start with tonight.”

“Tonight sounds good.”

Daniel closed the tab that contained the show they’d long forgotten and left the bed long enough to place his laptop back in his travel bag. He climbed back into bed and Max immediately filled the space in his arms, pressing so close Daniel wasn’t sure where he ended and Max began. It was good. So fucking good.

Eventually they parted ways the next morning, Max flying back to Monaco and Daniel taking advantage of the week they had off before the final stint of races to see his family in Australia.

“So,” Max had said awkwardly. “What now?”

“What do you mean?” They were standing on the curb outside the hotel, waiting for their cars to take them where they needed to go.

“Are we-” Max cut himself off. “God it sounds so stupid.”

“Are you asking me to be your boyfriend Max Verstappen?” Daniel asked, poking his ribs, teasing him.

“Yes?”

Daniel couldn’t help himself, leaning in to kiss him quickly.

“Yes Max. You’re my boyfriend.”

“Oh. Okay good.”

“You’re so cute. I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

“You can call me anytime. I know the time difference is weird but we’ll make it work.”

“I wish I could just come with you.”

“One day baby.”

“Baby?” Max squeaked.

“Do you not like that?” Daniel asked, suddenly worried he’d crossed a line.

Max shook his head quickly enough to give himself whiplash, “No I do. I was just surprised.”

“Well get used to it baby,” he said again teasingly.

Max saw their cars approaching in the distance and he turned quickly to hug Daniel tight again, “Schatje,” he whispered against the fabric of his t-shirt.

“What does that mean?” Daniel asked.

“It’s sort of like baby. But in Dutch.”

“Schatje,” Daniel repeated, fumbling over the foreign syllables but not doing a terrible job. “I like it.”

They parted ways then, getting into separate cars and Max felt an ache in his chest as he watched Daniel speed off in the opposite direction. If he never wanted to be apart from Daniel before, he really didn’t now. Not after he had gotten everything he wanted since he realized he was in love with him at seventeen.

It wasn’t until he was home and unpacking his bags that he realized Daniel had slipped something into his suitcase. As he was sorting through what was clean and what needed to be washed, his hands landed on soft fabric. He pulled it out and gasped recognizing the hoodie Daniel had let him borrow the night before. He snapped a picture and sent it to Daniel with a series of question marks, not bothering to do the math on what time it was there. Apparently, it wasn’t a bad time because Daniel responded almost immediately.

Danny: Just something to keep you company until I’m back. Don’t miss me too much baby, I’ll see you soon

*****

Max Verstappen was nineteen, almost twenty when Daniel Ricciardo became his boyfriend. He was twenty, almost twenty-one when the new racing season started and Daniel invited him to move in. He was twenty-one when Daniel finally told him what he’d meant that day, sitting on his driver’s room floor when he was eighteen.

#formula 1 #formula 1 rpf #maxiel #riccstappen #max verstappen #daniel ricciardo #my works #quartet verse

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