#Charles x Max

[ladymarvel27]

Max: WHOEVER CAUSED THIS MESS IS GOING TO- Charles: It was me. Max: be forgiven because everyone deserves a second chance.

[sv5plscomeback]

Don't know which is gayer. Gay people or whatever shit these two have going on.

[sophthecoolperson]

I always laugh when I realise that when Max and Charles got named one of the best rivalries since Prost and Senna they just turned around and said ‘bitch no we’re gonna be in love instead’ and everyone was just okay with it

[4ever-feral]

The way I would do ANYTHING for this man, I’m on my knees begging, pleading. 🧎🏽‍♀️😩

[jennarations]

The Ultimate Lestappen Fic Masterlist ™

Hello all. This list has about 70+ fics within it. That’s just under 1,000,000 words solely dedicated to the Carbonara Leclerc-Verstappens. (yes i counted) I’ve tried to maintain my organization throughout, but if something looks a little janky or feels out of place, let me know. (Lord knows I never made this list thinking I would make it public but alas, here we are) The key is simple:

> (Title) +/= (Multichaptered/One-Shot)

(Summary)

!!! (Link)

• (Tags - please note these are just the tags I saw relevant to myself, double check the fics themselves for any other tags you might deem relevant!) *(Word count)

Now I’ve put a ♥️ next to all of my personal favorites. Remember, this is a masterlist and a fic rec if that’s what you’re looking for. I will never read (or record) any fic that is not up to my personal golden standard; so everything you see below has been read and vetted by yours truly 💋 I will also tag my favorite authors at the bottom of this post so you can go view their pages and send them some love :^) Note: All of these works are on Ao3. There is only one WIP in this list and it is stated with the fic. Now go crazy you animals ;))

(p.s. some of the fic descriptions are quite long, but with respect to the authors wishes I feel that it would be a dishonesty to chop them off though so you’ll have to deal with it) Here we go!!!!!!!! (under the Read More)

> Home (Is Wherever I’m With You) + ♥️

Or: Charles leaves Ferrari, tries to win a championship, and learns some things about belonging. All the while, Max is there.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/40801053/chapters/102234501

• Angst, Fluff, Red Bull!Charles *17.9k

> On The Limit = (Series - Objects in the Mirror) ♥️

Two Formula 1 drivers walk into a bar and accidentally have a heart-to-heart.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/43252263

• Angst, Heart to Heart *6.8k

> Leave No Space = (Series - Objects in the Mirror)

Max Verstappen fucks men sometimes. Charles struggles to cope.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/43505271

• Falling in Love, Charles is depressed, Charles is moving to Red Bull *31.7k

> All To Play For = (End of Series - Objects in the Mirror)

Charles Leclerc is not at Red Bull to win races. He is here to win championships.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46910503

• Nasty Breakup w/ Happy Ending, Charles is so depressed, Pain, Angst, Red Bull!Charles *49.3k

> I Think There’s Been a Glitch = (Series)

or: Max sits on Hüllkenberg’s lap during a press conference. Charles is decidedly Not Normal about it.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46107499

• Teasing, Crush, First Time, Charles POV, Bottom!Max *5.5k

> Room 309 = (End of Series)

or: what happens in room 309

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46397647

• Max’s POV, Smut *8.2k

> Undress Me to the Naked Truth =

or: Charles and Max celebrate post-Austria 2022

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46761448

• Smut, Established Relationship, Bottom!Max *6.8k

> The Rest is Unwritten =

Max ran, like his husbands life depended on it.

Weaving his way around the paddock, murmurs of a black flag and unresponsive boring through the crowds. All he could do was get to Charles.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46203964#main

• Angst, Husbands, Crash *1.5k

> Monaco Malaise = (Series)

Max and Charles have been hooking up for a few months, casually, no string attached — definitely no feelings involved…

The disaster that was Monaco 2021 sees them in Charles’ apartment, with Max having to deal with the fact that Charles can’t get out of his head.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/43192021#main

• Smut, Slight Angst, Slight Fluff *8k

> Azerbaijan Abnegation = (End of Series)

After Monaco, Max thought he’d made up his mind about Charles, and their little arrangement.

They’re in Azerbaijan and Charles is everywhere: in his head, in his messages, in his hotel room…

Will Max be able to hold onto his resolve, or will his attempts at self-denial only prolong the inevitable?

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46781737/chapters/117829006#workskin

• Angst, Smut *16.9k

> Ribs =

He wakes up all weird on Monday. Charles can feel it the moment he opens his eyes. It’s like an odd weight on his chest that evolves into something a lot more achy and sharp emanating down his torso as he starts crawling out of bed.

Or: Charles injures himself before the last race of the season. The only option is to power through it.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/44784424#main

• Fluff, Established Relationship, WDC!Charles *2.6k

> You Could Call Me Babe For the Weekend + ♥️

Or: There are lots of ways to love Charles Leclerc, Max maybe learns all of them through the years.

Featuring: puddles, stargazing, unsolicited driving lessons, and the overwhelming fear of growing up.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/42042690/chapters/105559215#workskin

• Angst, Teenagers, Falling in Love *12.3k

> Got Your Tongue =

It’s the middle of the night, there’s a stray cat in Charles’ bedroom, and only one person he can think of to help him. The rest is just a misunderstanding.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46854709?view_adult=true#main

• Fluff *2.9k

> Do You Want Me (Dead)? =

When Charles accidentally comes out to Max it shouldn’t really change anything. It doesn’t change anything.

Until it does. In fact, it changes everything.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/44626003#main

• Angst, Pining, Fluff, Happy Ending, FIFA in Suzuka *12.5k

> How to Babygirl-ify Your Boyfriend: A Comprehensive Guide by Charles Leclerc =

Charles sees someone on the internet call Max babygirl. He’s instantly obsessed.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/45295756?view_adult=true#main

• Smut, Fluff, Bottom!Max *4.5k

> Silly Me (For Falling in Love With You) = ♥️

“We’re not asking you to ‘woo’ him,” Christian says, looking pained at having to say the word ‘woo’, “We just need others to think you’ve wooed him.”

“I’m not following,” Max says, frowning.

“A PR relationship,” Poppy explains. “You pretend to date, making the public think you’re all happy and in love. Then you reap the benefits of being in a relationship without actually having to put in the effort or work.”

“Absolutely not,” Max says, crossing his arms over his chest. “That’s depressing, I’m not doing that.”

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/44464324#main

• Fluff, Angst, Fake Relationship, Non-F1!Charles *18.3k

> Glitch + ♥️

Max hums. “Well, at least that means I won’t bump into Charles Leclerc again.”

“Bummer, really,” Daniel says, moving back to his own seat and drinking the little bit of coffee that was still in the cup. “Could’ve been the start of a great love story.”

Lando snorts. “Kids, it all started when I told your father, who had won two World Driver Championships at that point, that he sucked at driving.”

Max sticks his middle finger up at them, and pulls his noise canceling headphones back over his ears. Only two hours left to go, he thinks, wistfully, and goes back to work.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46316224/chapters/116609527

• Angst, Fluff, Funny, Programmer!Max *26.6k

> Heart On Your Sleeve =

The thing about having a racing helmet that constantly displays your emotions for the whole world to see, is that you kind of get used to it after a while. These days Charles almost forgets it’s even a thing.

Almost.

But then he goes and falls in love.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/45717973#main

• Pining, Magical Realism *4.8k

> You Can Hear It In the Silence =

Or, the five times Max and Charles accidentally fall asleep together, and the one time they do it on purpose.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/43882683#main

• Pining, Sleep trope, Fluff *7.4k

> You’ll be Alright = ♥️

Charles is not an idiot. He knows there’s a part of him that has been at least a little bit in love with Max for as long as they’ve known each other. But he’s always been able to shove it down. Burying it under rivalries and competitiveness until it was getting hard to differentiate between love and hate. And that had worked, for a really long time.

And then Max had to go and barge into his life and be really fucking cute with his baby.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/45348790#main

• Kidfic, Fluff, Slight Angst, Max is great with kids, Falling in Love *19.2k

> Maximum Formula =

“Welcome back to another episode of Maximum Formula, I’m your host, Emilian, and this is the first episode for the F1 2022 season. There will be plenty to talk about, but first I’d like to introduce our first guest of the season: Charles Leclerc. Welcome to the show, Charles.”

Or, Charles tries to become a world champion with Ferrari.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/45691483#main

• Angst, Falling in Love, Podcast!Max, Identity Hiding *20.4k

> Violent Delights +

Max can’t smell any of his usual aggression beneath the unusual spatter of Omega, sweet yet violent, and it makes his head spin.

“Max,” is all Charles says, voice breathless. He looks over his shoulder, quick, hasty, looks back. His eyes are wider, if possible. “We have— we have fucked up, I think.”

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/41445333#main

• A/B/O, Alpha!Max, Alpha!Charles turns into Omega!Charles *15.5k

> Petrol =

Max scoffs. He steps closer, smile a little real. It lets Charles see the tiny freckle on his lip, dark and undying, always zoomed in on when his face is in HD. Chuckling, Max scratches at his stubble. “I didn’t know you liked Red Bull.”

Automatically, Charles corrects, “I hate it.” It says too much.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/41359482#main

• Smut, Angst, Denial, Bottom!Max *4.2k

> It All Reminds Me of You =

Pierre turns, and with him, the object of his distasteful frown. “Why do you have a Red Bull cap in your apartment?”

Charles tenses. He looks between Pierre and the cap, still held tepid between two fingers, dark blue and flat-brimmed and garishly branded with a sick sense of obvious. It feels wrong, just looking at it. There’s a big red 1 emblazoned on the front.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/40279869#main

• Angst, Smut, Secret Relationship, Switch!Max, Switch!Charles *3k

> Proximity =

These kinds of smiles on Max are reserved for other people. Like Daniel, like Lando, like those Dutch guys that come around sometimes and he likes to yell with.

Not Charles.

It’s probably the fourth time Max is acting noticeably strange around him that he notices the freckle on his lip.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/40737591#main

• Angst, Smut *6.7k

> Want It Good Want It All =

When Max puts the disc into the cartridge of his PS4 he isn't sure what to expect.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/43761192#main

• Sex tape, Masturbation *2.1k

> Algorithm + ♥️

Tired of all the internal team conflicts, the F1 powers-that-be have developed a simulation-based compatibility test for drivers and their teammates.

or

Five times Max doesn’t find the right partner and one time he does.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/29561109/chapters/72650025#workskin

• Magical Realism, Compatibility Simulations, Fluff, Slight Angst, Some Maxiel in the beginning *16.9k

> In the Dark You Can’t See Shiny Cars +

In the summer of 2022, the quiet neighbourhood of Les Amants in Monaco becomes the epicentre of a strange weather phenomenon.

or

A dark cloud hangs over Charles’ head—unfortunately not just a metaphorical one. Max sets out to investigate.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/41147001/chapters/103144245

• Magical Realism, Charles accidentally controls the weather, Fluff, Slight Angst *14.5k

> Panem et Circenses =

Panem et circenses, the Romans called it. Bread and circus to appease the people.

The bread is always in short supply these days, ever since the wheat fields burned down. So that just leaves-

“The brave new world of Formula One,” Crofty’s voice comes out distorted from the circuit speakers. “Ten teams. Twenty cars. An auspicious new technical programme that combines the top edge AI technology with the most skilled drivers to deliver the best spectacle ever seen.”

-

In a dystopian near-future, Charles and Max drive for survival.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/40704441#main

• Dystopian future, Sentient F1 cars, oppressive Regime, Hope, Angst, Falling in Love *13.2k

> Every Other Sunday + ♥️

The grainy pictures are pieced together like a crude comic strip, sketching a poorly thought-out narrative arc that somehow made it onto the front page of every sleazy newspaper.

EXPOSED!: The secret gay double-life of F1 driver Max Verstappen

-

Max navigates the aftermath of being outed in the press, and Charles is always there.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/34827223/chapters/86722561

• Slight Angst, Fluff, Smut, Max has been outed, Charles does some soul searching, Motorhome club, F1 family antics *34.5k

> Soak Up the Sun =

“What do you think?” Charles asks, leaning back into the seat as he turns the laptop so Max can see the options.

“I think—” Max starts, “—that this can wait until after FP1.”

Charles’s lips curl downwards, and Max wants to kiss the look off his face. “There’s still like an hour until it starts. There’s no one even looking for me yet.”

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Lestappen_Summer_Exchange_2022/works/40998603#main

• Fluff, Non-Linear timeline, Getting together *6.8k

> Like a Prayer =

It was sinful to have such thoughts but then Charles had never been one to shy away from sinful desires. Stood at the alter the priest looked glowing, his strong cheekbones and jawline illuminated by a wash of colour. Charles’ gaze followed the beams of light back to the stained glass, he tried not to think too long about the image of Christ etched on to the window. This was a sacred place, but there could be nothing more deserving of veneration than the God who had so kindly sculpted the body of Father Verstappen.

Or

Charles is an F1 driver and Max is a sexy priest.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Formula_One_Kinkmeme_Round_One/works/44838136#main

• Smut, Religion, Priest!Max *3.2k

> We Go Way Back =

They were the same in the end. Yes, Max was an alpha, and Charles was an omega, but that didn’t matter. If you took racing from either of them, there wouldn’t be anything left.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/43936200?view_adult=true#main

• A/B/O, Alpha!Max, Omega!Charles, Smut, Fluff *13.8k

> Close Proximity =

A hotel mix-up forces Max and Charles to share a room. There is only one bed.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Formula_One_Kinkmeme_Round_One/works/44503150?view_adult=true#main

• Smut, One bed trope *3.5k

> Pens, fingers and most definitely cock ... a random list of things Max likes to put in his mouth =

Max has an oral fixation, Charles is happy to oblige. This is a story of their developing relationship as told through the things Max likes to put in his mouth!

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Formula_One_Kinkmeme_Round_One/works/44205019#main

• Oral fixation kink, Smut, Fluff *2.7k

> FIA Approved Stress Relief =

It’s the strangest briefing Charles has ever been a part of. Ever. Which is saying something because this time last year he was sat wide eyed as the Fia tried to bring in mandatory checks for Fia approved underwear and intimate piercings. A few team principles had helpfully offered their services and it had ended in a rather heated debate over whether that fell under their job description.

It didn’t compare to this though.

As director of the GPDA it’s been left to George to run through the basics of the brand new Fia approved sex doll. Charles was sure he had misheard but no, as it turns out, the Fia really have lost their minds.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Formula_One_Kinkmeme_Round_One/works/44059752?view_adult=true#main

• Sex Doll, Smut, Pining, Voyeurism *2.3k

> Long Live (The Walls We Crashed Through) + ♥️

“What are you doing?” Charles asked, his voice cracking.

Max blinked at him once before he smirked and said, “Well... I was going to kiss you.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to.”

“Why?” Charles repeated, feeling like his legs were going to give out.

“Is that not a good enough reason?” Max asked.

OR: The childhood best friends to lovers fairy-tale-soulmates fic that nobody asked for. Charles has been in love with Max since he was seven years old.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46190509/chapters/116284681

• Fluff, Smut, Best friends to lovers, Slight Angst *76.8k

> Viva la Miami =

Max raced all over the world and was used to different climates. But there was something about Miami’s sticky, muggy, make-your-phone-screen-fog-up kind of scorching heat that made him feel fucking crazy.

It made him want to strip naked and jump in the bright blue water surrounding his hotel.

It made him want to fuck.

OR: Max and Charles hook up for the first time, and it's very different than what Max had pictured.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46963513#main

• Smut, PWP, Top!Charles *8.2k

> I’ll Be Right Beside You = ♥️

Max stared at Charles’ closed eyes and how they twitched in his sleep. Objectively, Max knew that Charles was probably the most beautiful man he had ever seen. But... this was Charles.

Charles Leclerc.

Big, cry-baby Charles.

Sauber #2 driver Charles.

When did he decide that Charles The Driver would become Charles The Boyfriend?

He wishes he could remember.

OR: The self-indulgent Amnesia AU that nobody asked for. This is my love story to Charles Leclerc, thank you for coming along. Warning: this fic may break you.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/42990660#main

• Amnesia, Graphic Accident, Angst, Pain, Fluff, Smut *50.7k

> Breathe You In (Like a Vapor) =

OR: the self-indulgent story of how Charles and Max fell in love over winter break 2022, in a classic Enemies to Friends With Benefits to Lovers fic that nobody asked for.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/45079192?view_adult=true#main

• Smut, Fluff, Falling in Love *53k

> And That’s How I Foksmashed Dad’s Championship Trophy =

All of that would have been forgivable if not for the Green-Eyed Monster’s complete disregard for the pre-contracted occupation rights of Max’s lap. Such rights had long been pre-determined and belonged to Sassy (and occasionally to Jimmy, she admitted begrudgingly). However, no amount of quiet hisses and vicious glares seemed to penetrate the creature’s thick skull, and he would greedily occupy Max’s thigh for more than 95% of any given afternoon. Sometimes with his head, sometimes with his feet, and a few times he even straddled his entire body over Max; the latter could not have been comfortable for Max, as the Green-Eyed Monster was enormously overweight compared to Sassy.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/43833321#main

• Fluff, POV!Sassy and Jimmy, Funny *6.5k

> Set My Midnight Sorrow Free =

He doesn’t blame Max, not really.

If he could have Charles for one night, he would never let him go either.

Maybe he isn’t the one who is losing; Max is also playing a losing game.

You can’t open yourself to Charles and try to exist in his charmed life without becoming irrevocably enamoured.

When Max let Charles walk into his motorhome, when he let Charles slip into his existence, Max didn’t know it then but the battle was already lost.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/31552340#main

• Angst, POV!Pierre, Falling in Love, Jealousy/Pining *13.4k

> All of You, All of Me (Intertwined) =

Or, two future teammates get high, get on Mattia Binotto's wrong side through an inadvisable escapade involving fairy lights, get on a plane, and get a stuffed armadillo named Chax. In that order.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/42627222#main

• Fluff, Slight Angst, FWB to Lovers, Future Red Bull!Charles *12.8k

> The Grid: A Comprehensive Guide for Handling your Gay Racer Friends =

Or, Charles and Max, and the handbook birthed from their idiocy. Featuring a large number of baked goods.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/33291136#main

• Fluff, Humor, Friends *6.3k

> we're fallin' like the stars, we're fallin' in love = ♥️

"So, do we need a signal for when things are going downhill and you need me to save you?" He asks, a glimmer in his eyes that seems so unfamiliar yet familiar that Max feels it like a sucker punch to the stomach.

"Just have the vodka waiting." Max laughs, flicking his gaze down to the gentle grip that Charles has his wrist in before he releases and Max turns around with pink cheeks and crosses the restaurant to join up with his date once again.

(Lando sets Max up on disastrous blind dates that end up with Max falling for the bartender who was the real set up all along.)

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/27047056/chapters/66033652?show_comments=true&view_full_work=false#comment_668986186

• Fluff, Non-Driver AU, Blind dates, Bartender!Charles *8.7k

> Pick Apart the Pieces of Your Heart =

"I reckon-" George says in-between scenes, "- that Charles is Gatsby."

Lando tilts his head back to clock Max's reaction but it's nothing except confusion etched on his face as he scrunches his nose up trying to figure out what George means,

George holds his hand up and continues to explain, "Gatsby threw all these big parties in the hope that Daisy would go to one of them, right? Charles throws a party every other day and I think it's because he wants you to go." He says to Max

alternatively, Charles is Max's nightmare neighbour until he's something much more than that.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/25489348/chapters/61832617?show_comments=true&view_full_work=false#main

• Fluff, Angst, Non-Driver AU, Apartment neighbor AU *6.3k

> We’re Making Gold Dust = (Series)

They’re carefully walking, skipping and hauling themselves across any gaps. The morning air feels crisp and fills Charles’ lungs until it hurts, but god, it hurts in the best way that it’s ever hurt him before. He takes pictures, videos but tries to remember the feeling most of all.

It feels like home.

The best people, the best places, the height, the element of danger, it’s everything that Charles hadn’t imagined his life to be five years ago but maybe it’s right after all.

alternatively, a fascination discovered at fifteen leads to love, trust and healing whilst breaking the rules and climbing things that aren't supposed to be climbed.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/24374812#main

• Angst, Non-Driver AU, Parkour AU, Falling in Love *13k

> Two Burning Hearts (It Would Last Forever) =

In the end, it does turn out that your soulmate can be the person you least expect and neither of them don’t think it could have been anybody else.

alternatively, Charles and Max are soulmates and for the most part, they hate it but should have seen it coming.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/23363920#main

• Soulmate AU, Angst *2.5k

> All the Lights (Couldn’t Put Out the Dark) = (Series - The Warming Verse)

“Charles,” Max said, his tone soft again and breaking Charles of his thoughts. “Please just ask me for whatever you want to ask me. You don’t have to keep explaining yourself.”

Charles laughed again, his cheeks bright red.

“Could I... sit on your cock for a little bit?”

OR: Charles is overwhelmed and wants Max to make it better.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46165159#main

• PWP, Cock Warming, Feelings *7.5k

> The Right Place (The Right Time) = (Series - The Warming Verse)

“Charles,” Max said, his tone gentle.

Charles didn’t move his hands away from his face.

“Hey... look at me,” Max said softly.

Charles took a deep breath and finally let his hands fall.

Max looked at him for a long moment, their eyes locked together before he asked, “Would my cock help?”

OR: In the aftermath of the shit show that was Melbourne, Charles turns to Max for comfort.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46332700#main

• PWP, Cock Warming *9.7k

> Something New (Let’s Not Get Complicated) + (Series - The Warming Verse)

Max smiled at him, his expression soft despite how hard he was against Charles’ hip.

“Pretty boy,” Max mused, brushing Charles’ hair out of his eyes.

“Shut up,” Charles huffed, flushing bright red. It only made Max smile harder.

“You’re even prettier when you tell me to shut up.”

“Shut the hell up, Max,” Charles squeaked.

OR: Charles and Max finally talk about their Feelings™

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46896289/chapters/118129207#workskin

• PWP, Cock Warming, Size Kink, Dom/subspace, Daddy kink *31.7k

—Please note there may be more works in The Warming Verse, I may not be caught up***

> Fair Winds and Following Seas = ♥️

Max lets out an impatient sigh and looks at Lando as he washes the shot glass before putting it back. “Well who is it?”

Lando rolls his eyes. “You’re no fun.”

“I’m delightful, now come on,” Max presses, trying not to show he’s getting curious. “Who is this mystery person?”

“Charles Leclerc!” Lando says with a bright smile, he’s almost jumping up and down with excitement. “He’s chartering the yacht for the week!”

“Charles Leclerc?” Max repeats, raising an eyebrow. “The Charles Leclerc, F1 driver for Ferrari, is here?”

Or

Max works on a super yacht during the summer to make some money to invest in his sim racing career and Charles happens to charter it for the week.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/48088906/chapters/121258555?show_comments=true&view_full_work=false#comment_671144260

• Non Driver!Max, Yacht shenanigans, Fluff, Slight Angst, Mentions of Smut *24.8k

> Carry Me in Your Heart (You Know You’re Never Gonna Leave Mine) =

“You are the reason he started learning German?!” Lorenzo practically gasps, honest-to-god glee on his features. Charles hates him.

“But Max is Dutch,” Arthur says.

Charles groans, his hands trailing in front of his face in an effort to disappear from the situation.

-

AU where you can sometimes see through your soulmate's eyes.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/42022176?view_adult=true#main

• Soulmate!AU, Growing up together, Angst, Harsh breakup, Angst with a happy ending *30.2k

> No Brakes On = ♥️

Max is a race car driver. Charles is a movie star. They really shouldn't work, but they do.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/48170218#main

• Actor!Charles, Slight Angst, Character study, Fluff, Strangers to lovers *32.5k

> Lost In Your Current Like a Priceless Wine =

"What did you just say?" Max asks in a flat voice and Charles gives him a strained smile.

"I might have accidentally told my mom that I have a boyfriend and now she's demanding that I bring you home with me for the New Year. Actually, she said Christmas and New Year, but I told her that you were spending Christmas with your own family..."

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/28535271

• Fake dating, Non-Driver AU, College AU, Fluff, Slight Angst *10.2k

> You Got Me =

When Max looks up he stares into pretty green eyes behind black rimmed glasses. His hand is still blindly feeling around to find the books—his brain lagging—as he stares at the guy from last night. He straightens up and Max follows, staring dumbly as he holds out the books for Max to take.

“Thanks,” Max says, feeling like an idiot as he takes the books, their fingers brushing for a split second. This was not how he wanted to meet again. “Again, I’m so sorry.”

The guy smiles and Max thinks he might just die a little when he notices he has dimples. Of course he has dimples.

Or

Max falls head over heels for the cute guy at a college party and he can't stop thinking about him (aka the lestappen college au nobody needs).

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49182076#main

• College AU, Fluff *16.6k

> This Feels Like Falling in Love =

Five kisses throughout their lives, and the one that started it all.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49162735/chapters/124043815?

• Podfic, 4+1 fic, Kid fic *3k

> Closest I Get = (Series)

“It doesn’t have to be a big deal or anything, right? It can be just about sex, nothing else.” Charles steps forward, into Max’s space. Reaches out a hand, lets it run over Max’s cheek, leans a little closer. “Just sex,” he whispers, in the ever diminishing space between them as Max leans into his touch.

“Fuck,” Max whispers, screwing his eyes shut, breathing deeply through his mouth. “I shouldn’t, I really shouldn’t-“

Charles cuts him off by lurching forward and pressing a kiss to Max’s mouth, quick and fleeting, but then Max groans, grabs Charles’s waist, pulls him closer, kisses him hard. Charles melts into it immediately, overwhelmed by Max’s scent, by his hands on Charles’s waist, his mouth on Charles’s.

It’s like something clicks into place, when they kiss.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49230871#main

• A/B/O, Alpha!Max, Omega!Charles, PWP, Angst *4.8k

> Heart Held Close = (End of Series)

“Just sex,” Charles whispers in his ear, and he’s coming closer closer closer and Max is getting swallowed by the sun, Charles’s smell bright and enticing and all around him.

Max let’s out a heartfelt, “Fuck,” as he feels himself tipping forward ever so slightly, his rut dumb brain taking over, ignoring the little voice in the back of his head that is still screaming at him that this is a terrible idea. “I shouldn’t, I really shouldn’t-“ He tries, but it’s weak at best.

And then Charles kisses him, and it’s all over.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49276354#main

• A/B/O, Smut, Angst, Happy Ending *7.8k

> A Force More Powerful Than Gravity =

Charles studies goop in his lab. Goop is actually a very attractive alien.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/LestappenWeekSummer2023/works/49302043#main

• Non-Driver AU, Alien!Max, Scientist!Charles, Fluff, Slight Angst *4.5k

> Give Yourself Up To Me =

For the safety of his people, Crown Prince Charles is willing to do anything.

Anything.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49300402/chapters/124403428?

• Non-Driver AU, Royalty AU, Angst *1.5k

> Amazing Grace =

“I win!” Charles announces when he has Max pinned to the ground by his wrists, a wild grin on his lips. His chest is heaving, there’s some dirt on his cheek and in his hair, and Max can’t help but grin up at him.

“No you don’t,” He argues, mirth in his eyes. “You only win when you capture my sword!”

-

They're teenagers. And then they're not.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49325872/chapters/124469185?

• Non-Driver AU, Swordsmen AU, Angst *1.5k

> Red Bull’s Golden Puppy =

In a memory box tucked away deep in their minds, Charles, Max and Chloe Leclerc-Verstappen, share their biggest memories and photographs. Adopting a pet named after the original Red Bull golden boy Sebastian Vettel would soon join that club.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/LestappenWeekSummer2023/works/49313617#main

• Kid!fic, Future family, Established Relationship, Fluff *1.4k

> This Love Asylum =

“Are we still having dinner with your mother?,” Max asked, his arm still on Charles’s waist, Sebastian’s low whistle now hard to miss. “I didn’t know you went to dinner with the Leclercs.”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, I do! My mum told Pascale I was only having takeout when I’m here. It worries her, you know? So when we’re here, I’m supposed to have dinner with Charlie and his mum at least once a wee—ow! Hey!” Charles had elbowed Max, causing the latter the pout while another pout was already on Charles’s face.

“I didn’t know Sophie and Pascale were friends either,” Sebastian was having the time of his life and Max being oblivious about Charles’s whole situation was the icing on the proverbial cake.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/LestappenWeekSummer2023/works/49312864#main

• Fluff, Sebastian!POV *1.5k

> Dangerous Games =

Too late, Charles realises he’s been standing rooted in his spot, and Max looks over his shoulder, a questioning look on his face, “Is everything al—,”

“Suck my dick.” Charles blurts out.

Max’s eyebrows shoot up. Charles’ cheeks are bright red. “What?”

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/collections/LestappenWeekSummer2023/works/49276297#main

• Non-Driver AUCollege AU, Blowjob, Slight Smut *1.9k

> Eighteenth Summer =

Max wanted to burn it into his memory, engrave bits and pieces of it into each of his senses. The way the blue sky reflected off of Charles’s massive sunglasses, the smell of the hot asphalt mixing with Charles’s cologne, the nearly hysterical sound of their laughter as their playlist finally shuffled to Mr. Brightside; everything felt so precious. So fleeting. Moments memorialized on the 101 northbound, flying out of their open windows and away from his greedy fingers.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49253491/chapters/124280527?

• Fluff, Angst, Happy Ending, Summer in California, High School AU *5k

> Middle Child Syndrome +

After all, Charles being a middle child always made a lot of sense to Max.

Max’s unwillingness to deny Charles anything always made a little less sense to Max.

Standing on the third place podium beneath the Monegasque flag made a lot less sense to Max.

The fact that he wasn’t mad about it, a warm sense of acquiescence spurred by Charles’s smile, made it all click.

He was in love with Charles Leclerc, and he always had been.

Or: A small collection of memories leading up to a realization on the podium of Baku 2023

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/46979311/chapters/118348648#workskin

• Fluff, Realization of Feelings *3.6k

> Rules of Engagement =

“Take me with you then!” Max felt his eyes go wide, his jaw literally dropping at the suggestion. “Tell them I’m like. Say I’m your fiancé, mate.”

The heat had melted Charles’s brain, Max decided, staring at him blankly.

“No.” He deadpanned.

“Mate it’s genius! You won’t have to do anything, just stand there. Let me handle it. Them. The women.”

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49006156#main

• Fake Relationship, Roommates, Non-Driver AU, Socially inept!Max *7.2k

> All the Stars We Cannot See = ♥️

Sitting on his roof, bathed in wintery silence, Max prayed to be rescued. To whom, he wasn’t sure. Maybe the force that branded his wrist, the universal power that decided who to tie him with forever. Perfectly. Something like fate.

Max prayed to fate, then.

“Am I interrupting something?” The man’s accent was French, his tone unusually assertive for a question of intrusion.

“It’s not my roof,” Max shrugged, hopping back onto the ledge.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49182697/chapters/124096612?

• Soulmate AU, Non-Driver!Charles, Mentions of Child Abuse, Mentions of Sickness, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Happy Ending *9.8k

> Lie to Me =

5 times they told the truth + 1 time they tried to lie

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49206214?view_adult=true#main

• Soulmates AU, Angst, Smut *5.3k

> Shut Up and Drive +

Max pointed at Charles’ bags. ‘Is this all you're bringing or will there be more?’

Oh so he was making fun of him now, well Charles could do the same. ‘You mean more than the four white t-shirts you brought?’

Max blinked at him for a couple of seconds before his entire face lit up and he giggled. He giggled.

‘Good one, and I actually brought five t-shirts,’ Max replied, still smiling.

Was he serious? Charles hoped not.

OR: Charles and Max are 'forced' to go on a road trip together, whatever could go wrong?

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49181029/chapters/124092070#workskin

• Road-trip, One bed trope, Enemies to Lovers, WIP *

> Partiality =

“Okay, this is—,” Max stops himself. His eyebrows knit together and he’s obviously frustrated with something. “I know this isn’t what you wanted,” He says slowly, when he gathers his thoughts. “But I’m not going to force you to treat me like your—,” Max makes a face. “Your alpha.”

Charles coughs. “But… You are.” He points out.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49230259?view_adult=true#main

• A/B/O, Alpha!Max, Omega!Charles, Fluff *2.4k

> You Went, and It Was Night =

“I can hear you thinking from here,” Max says suddenly. His voice sounds husky, used, wrecked. It sends a shiver down Charles’ spine. He did that. “You’re being very loud.”

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49182070/chapters/124095055?

• Slight Angst, Fluff, Charles is thinking *900 words

> Sort You Out (Heart Out Series) =

Charles can't tell which is worse — that he can't remember the sex he had with his childhood rival, or how according to her, it wasn't even good.

!!! https://archiveofourown.org/works/49340395/chapters/124508077?

• Girl!Max, Pining Charles, Slight smut *6.3k

Here are some of the best authors in the Lestappen field. Please go follow and send them some love!! They are doing the Lord’s work!!!!!!

@nyoomfruits (nyoomfruits on Ao3)

@drivestraight (Linearity on Ao3)

@fabbyf1 (Fabby on Ao3)

@charlescoded (lazarusgreeneyes on Ao3)

@fueledbyremembering (NovaCloud on Ao3)

@wanderingblindly (Wanderingblindly on Ao3)

@hoewedeshummels (Monzas on Ao3)

-Only Ao3 username is known-

Actparci

Anney

*Authors, if you want to be untagged, or you want your fics pulled from the list, shoot me a dm :)

[hitthatapex]

Max Verstappen is assigned as the race engineer for the newest Red Bull driver, Charles Leclerc.

Both being stubborn to the core, clashed from the very first meeting and as they try to work together without ripping each other's throats out, other feelings also begin to blossom.

[COMPLETE]

[cuoredimarzapane]

Everything reminds me of them.

[dittaturamonegasca]

Charles: In light of what you did for me, you can hug me for four to five seconds.

Max: FORTY FIVE SECONDS?!?

Charles: No! Four to five seconds!

Max: Too late!!!

[the-dragon-with-thegirl-tattoo]

The Nutcracker

[dannyleclerc]

guys do you think charles named his pup leo because max is like known as the lion??????????????

[ladymarvel27]

Charles: How do i make a date more romantic? Carlos: Try being mysterious Charles: Got it. [Later] Max: So where are we going? Charles: None of your fucking business.

[lilvalleys]

SNEAK PEEK

lestappen x reader

what i’ve been working on recently :P

CHEATING

“ It started out kind of normal. You knew that Max and the boy were close but you always assumed it was more brotherly. It was the last race before summer break , and you were never the type to party, so him being out late with his buddies post-race was not a big deal to you. Only he never came back to the hotel that night. Instead of waking up in Max’s warm embrace , you woke up to images of your boyfriend stumbling out of the ferrari drivers bedroom , hair mussed and lips red. You wouldn’t even have been that mad if he had just asked. This was all too much. You had to talk to Max. Maybe he could explain this all away… or maybe not? “

[sophthecoolperson]

Yes, I would say you ARE pretty close, Charles 😏

[fallingprincess]

i'll sink my teeth right into it

a vampire!Max x human!Charles Oneshot

"You have some strange kinks and are apparently into guys. So what?"

- "We both know that is not what was happening, Charles."

or the one where Charles finds out that his opponent is a vampire and also that he is kind of into it.

words: 4.7k

warnings: mentions of blood and sex but nothing graphic

≈

Hurriedly finishing up the text message to his mother Charles used his shoulder to push open the door to the club's bathroom. He pocketed his phone as he was about to step into a stall but then stopped in his tracks when his eyes fell onto the scene unfolding right in front of him.

Granted he was a little bit maybe a lot of bit drunk after this long and tedious sprint race weekend. Yet, what he saw sobered him up faster than a cold shower.

Reigning Formula One world champion and his rival since childhood days Max Verstappen had his back turned to him, one hand holding his large frame up against the wall, the other on the hip of a man Charles recognized as one of the bar staff of the club.

Motionless in shock Charles watched Max' mouth working against the smaller man's neck. The bartender's eyes were closed in bliss, a look of pure arousal sprawled on his face.

A strange jolt of electricity that Charles could not quite pinpoint ran through him causing him to take a deep audible gasp for oxygen.

Upon hearing the sound Max' head turned towards him at lightning speed and once his darkened eyes met his, Charles officially lost the last of his senses. Following a horrified glance at the other driver’s blood smeared lips Charles turned in place and marched right back towards the door. Whatever the fuck was going on here, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. He had always secretly assumed Max was into some strange and weird shit, especially since him and Kelly had broken up last year. However this, this was a level he had not seen coming.

He lifted his hand to push open the door but instead of wood, his fingers connected with the material of a cold black dress shirt. How had he gotten there so fast? His eyes met the now once again blue toned ones of the other man who was currently using his shirt sleeve to wipe blood off his chin.

Maybe it was not blood, Charles tried to reason with himself, maybe this was some strange foreplay Max was into. Who was he to judge?

“Charles, wait.” Max’ voice was raspy yet strong. “Let me explain.”

Charles tried to shrug nonchalantly. “Explain what? "You have some strange kinks and are apparently into guys. So what?"

Max had the nerve to chuckle. "We both know that is not what was happening, Charles."

And he was right. Of course Charles knew. Or at least some part of him knew. Mainly he could not believe what he had witnessed. He still tried to make sense of it whilst trying his hardest not to stare at the red spot still prominent in the corner of Max’s mouth. It could not be. This was not real. This was some weird fetish shit. But deep down, Charles knew it wasn’t.

“Please let me explain.”, the Dutchmen tried again. “But not here. Meet me at the hotel? I have to take care of some stuff first.” He nodded his chin toward the bartender leaning against the restroom wall as if in a daze. “Please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to compel you. It fucks with your brain and you need your brain to drive. Please?”

Charles felt himself nod very slowly, his mind not catching up with the situation in any way whatsoever. Because this could not be real. This was some twisted prank and there were cameras everywhere. There had to be. Right?

“We are at the Hilton. This is my key card. I will meet you there, alright?”

Charles stared at Max’s extended hand, his heart beating so loudly he could hear the thumping in his ears. With one last confused yet horrified glance at Max’s face he reached for the card and then got the fuck out of there.

~

Save to say, this was not an ideal situation. Max knew he should have been more careful, should have looked for a locked room, should have taken the bartender back to the hotel. But he had been so thirsty, so filled with adrenaline after he had continued his winning streak. He had not been thinking straight until the warm liquid had been running down his ice cold throat. And even then it had been too late. Post bite clarity really was a thing he realized.

He felt strange knocking on the door to his own hotel room, but he had to try everything in his power to not scare the Monasque on the other side of it. Max could hear steps behind the wood, a faint heartbeat that rapidly grew in speed. It was obviously not his own.

The door opened and he got a look at Charles’ scared face as he waited for Max to come in.

Once they were alone and Charles was apparently happy with their positions - him close to the door and Max very far away from him, not that it would matter if it came down to it - he met his eyes. “What the actual fuck, Max?”

Max groaned. “Believe me, I did not want you to see this.”

“Well maybe you should have thought about that before using a public restroom to suck on some guy’s neck.”

He had him there. Post bite and all that.

“So..” Charles began and gestured wildly as he paced up and down the small space between the door and the bed. “It’s some weird fetish? Because if so, that is totally cool and also totally not my business.”

Oh, how Max wished it was. “It is not, no.”

Charles took a deep breath, his heart speeding up in the process, pumping more blood through his body to provide his lungs with oxygen. Thankfully, Max had just had his fill.

“So you were licking up that guy’s blood because…”

“Because I need it to survive, yes.” Max finished for him.

“Because you are…”

“A vampire.” Max sighed. “I know it sounds super cringey.”

“No you’re not.”

“Yes I am.”

“No, you’re not.”

Max sighed again and stood up to move right in front of the other man in the blink of an eye to prove a point. “Yes I am.”

Upon his suddenly close appearance Charles had pressed himself against the door, his eyes wide open in fear.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Charles. I’m not a monster.”

“You drank some guy’s blood!”

Max ran his hands through his hair and returned to the armchair on the other side of the room at normal speed.

“How long…I mean, you were a child when I was a child. I saw you!”

“It happened last year before I broke up with Kelly. It…it wasn’t safe for P to be around me anymore. It was better this way.” Max grimaced. The memory still pained him. One night of hell had turned his whole life around and destroyed the future he had imagined with the woman of his dreams and the girl he had thought of as his daughter. Now he was the asshole who abandoned them. But better the asshole who left than the asshole who lost control of himself and did things he would regret later on.

“Does she know? Kelly?”

Max shook his head, noticing that Charles' breathing pattern had slowed down as he seemed to wrap his head around this. It was happening rather fast. He was impressed. But then, Charles had always been rather methodical.

“The only people that know are GP and Horner. Not even my family knows.”

“But I saw your vitals and stuff on the Redbull screens. You have a heartbeat and all that.”

As he was saying: Methodical. Max liked that about Charles. In hindsight maybe it was good that he had walked in on his feeding instead of someone else.

“It’s all faked. Just please don’t tell anyone, okay? Not even Alex. Nobody.”

Charles scoffed. “Max, they would put me in a mental institution if I told them Max Verstappen is a vampire.”

“So you won’t tell people?”

“Obviously not.” Charles glanced at the door. “Just don’t eat from me or whatever it is you do, okay?”

Then he left without another word.

Max stared at the closed door. It definitely could have gone worse.

~

It was four weeks later and once again Max had found himself in a not so ideal situation. He was actually quite good at finding them, he noticed. Not that he was actually searching for them, they more so stumbled upon him and then he had to deal with the aftermath.

He was currently leaning against the bar in Lando’s apartment, who was celebrating his birthday. All had been fine. Max had socialized, Max had drunk alcohol to dull his senses, Max had pretended to be a human in every way he possibly could. He had made sure to breath, expanding and collapsing his chest in a speed that was appropriate and normal for the setting. He had slowed down his movements, avoided too much eye contact and pretended he could not hear the blood pumping through everybody’s veins in the room. It all had gone very very smoothly.

Until Martin had broken the glass, one of the shards slicing through the palm of his hands, the droplets of dark red blood falling onto the couch table.

Max had held still as a statue, his breathing stopped, convinced that just the scent would make him snap. He had eyed the door judging it as being too suspicious when he left now. This was truly very not ideal.

He was still motionlessly watching the moment of panic unfold, people yelling and bringing napkins and towels to clean up the blood everywhere - hands surely bled a lot, didn’t they? - when out of nowhere a warm hand wrapped around his still forearm and he got dragged along the hallway of the apartment and into Lando’s guest bedroom that was currently used as a coat storage for the guests.

The clicking of the door lock zoned him back into the moment and he stared at Charles’ concerned face in confusion.

“Your eyes are literally black, man. Get a hold of yourself.”, the Monasque scolded him and Max walked over to the floor length mirror by the closet to take a look at himself.

His cheeks were covered in dark blue veins, his irises expanded to their maximum size; he could feel the fangs poking against his bottom lip from the inside. God, he hoped in the chaos nobody had paid attention to him. Well, except for Charles, who had admittedly been avoiding him as best as possible in the past few weeks.

“Are you okay?” There was now more concern than anger in Charles’ voice, his French accent more prominent in the soft way he spoke.

Max closed his eyes, willing the blue to appear back in them, but to no avail. “I’m trying. It’s just…the smell…I haven’t fed in a bit…I…wow.”

“Alright. That’s okay.” Charles slipped right into problem solving mode as he ran his fingers through his already messy mop of hair. “We can fix this…okay…hm.”

Max watched him nod to himself in the mirror as he stepped closer and then opened the first few buttons of his dress shirt to expose his neck.

“Here. Bite me.”

Max spun in non-human speed and stared at his fellow driver. “Absolutely not. I promised you not to do that.”

Charles shrugged. “Well it’s this or going outside. What will it be, Max?”

~

Charles knew this was insane. Offering himself up to whatever the fuck Max was now as some sort of bait. Yet, he had to admit that ever since he had learned of Max’ little secret he had fallen down a rabbit hole of internet searches he only allowed himself to do when he was entirely alone using a VPN and incognito mode. He had found more info than expected, mostly shit probably but some accounts had sounded rather convincing to him. Above all, the common denominator had been that being bitten was a feeling like no other before.

Charles would not call himself curious by nature. He was more of the obsessive type. The type that had to have something once they put their mind to it. He had wanted to drive an F1 car, so he did. He had wanted to be part of Ferrari, so he was. He wanted to know what it felt like, so now he would.

“I can’t.”

“I don’t have HIV or something. Not sure if that matters.”

Max shook his head, the dark veins under his eyes fascinated and petrified Charles equally. “It’s not that. Just…there is too much muscle in your neck..it’s difficult…not that I like thought about it before…my brain just kind of does naturally….always…not that I ever would…bite you…until now…I guess”

Seeing a being that made his instincts scream RUN in a pile of stuttering mess made Charles chuckle quietly. “Where would be better for you then? It’s fine. Go for it. You have my permission, Max.”

Charles blinked, he swore that was the only thing he did. But suddenly he found himself shirtless on his stomach on the bed, all coats and jackets strewn across on the carpeted floor. He felt Max’s cold hands against his sides as he pressed him down against the mattress.

Fucking hell.

“Are you 100% sure about this?” Max questioned again, his fingers seemingly shaking in anticipation against Charles’ skin. “I will heal you right up after it, but it might make you weak for a bit.”

“Next weekend is not a race weekend. It’s okay.”

Charles knew instinctively that this was wrong, that he should neither allow nor encourage this. But god, if he did not want just this. Maybe Max was emitting some sort of weird pheromone that clouded Charles’ mind. It had to be that.

“Alright. This will be quite intense, you won’t be able to tell me to stop. Still sure?”

“Just fucking do it, Max!”

Before he could take his next breath, he felt cold soft lips against the side of his lower back. Shit. This was actually happening. Suddenly he felt very vulnerable in his position of prey. Charles flinched as something sharp pierced his skin in two spots, his abs tightened to distract from the pain of the piercing.

“It’s not even that inten- oh wow.”

Charles squirmed against the mattress as something wet - most probably Max’ tongue ran over his skin to collect the blood that had been pooling in the new wound on his back.

Charles could feel his muscles relax instantly, his brain clouded in some kind of fog that turned into different colors. He had never felt happier, it felt as if euphoria was pumped straight into his veins with every beat of his heart. He could almost hear the blood moving through him, being replaced with joy and colors and fireworks. He had never taken drugs before but he assumed this is what it felt like and now he understood how people got addicted to it.

Unable to move on his own accord, he heard himself moan somewhere far away in pure ecstasy. Was he even in this room anymore? Maybe his body was, his mind felt millions of miles away, swirling through galaxy after galaxy, the milky way just a small dot in the distance.

His hips moved against the mattress and he noticed he had gotten hard as another moan escaped him with the friction. God, he was aroused, and high, and most definitely not in control anymore. His hips kept rutting against the mattress, chasing a release he suddenly so desperately needed. Somehow he was watching himself from above, Max still sucking on the wound on his back, one of his cold hands stabilizing Charles’ hips, the other holding his own body up against the mattress.

Not able to help himself, Charles grunted and humped against the mattress at a feverish pace. He had never needed anything more in his whole life. He was craving it. He felt starved of whatever lay after.

Another deep groan escaped past his lips, this time muffled by a pillow that he was almost sure had not been next to his face moments ago. He clenched his jaw not to scream out a loud, instead he managed to huff out “Oh…fuck…Max…shit.” With a final rut he caught the release he had been running towards, his brain spinning and twirling through colors he was not sure even existed. He could hear the earth moving or maybe it was his own breathing. Everything was bright and ecstatic and wonderful.

And then everything went black.

~

With a satisfied smile on his lips Max watched Charles stir in his sleep. His messy hair fell softly into his face and he was almost jealous of the way his chest rose and fell all on its own.

Charles mumbled something that sounded like a mixture of French and Italian and then slowly blinked open his eyes against the ceiling light.

“Welcome back.” Max hummed, a little nervous to say or do anything else. He still could not believe that Charles had offered himself up as remedy for his own issues. He had always considered Charles to be one of his best friends to be honest but somehow he had not expected the other driver to feel the same way. And what other reason could there be for Charles' selfless act?

“Did I fall asleep?”

Max’ non-beating heart hurt at the soft sleepy voice that came from Charles. He had never heard him in any way that was not confident or pissed. “Sort of. You blacked out there for a bit.”

His face was still comfortably pressed into the pillow. “Your eyes are blue again.”

“Well, I was properly fed. A negative blood. Somehow I had thought you were gonna be more of a positive type by your smell.”

Charles groaned against the pillow. “What the fuck, Max?” He moved against the mattress only then realizing that Max had covered him with a blanket.

Max watched the other driver turn around to face him before glancing to the crotch of his jeans and grimacing disgustingly.

“Did I…?”

Max held back an anxious laugh and nodded slowly. “Happens more often than you would think.”

“I don’t think I have come in my pants since I was a kid, man.”

“I’m sorry.” Max wasn’t. He had to admit to himself that hearing the man thrash and moan under his body and touch had riled his bloodlust up even more. However, the Monasque didn’t have to know about that.

“It’s okay.” Charles said as he pushed himself up. “Are you feeling better now?”

Max nodded. He was sure an embarrassing blush would have appeared on his cheeks if that was still possible.

“Okay. Cool.” Charles looked around awkwardly. “I’m gonna clean this up. So…yea…bye.”

Max watched his back disappear though the door frame, his dark brown hair sweaty and matted in the base of his neck. He was not sure what to think. Somehow, he could still taste him on his lips. Somehow, he still craved more.

Well.

That was a problem for a later day.

~

Something that sounded an awful lot like something or someone walking against his couch in the other room woke Charles up from a restless dream. Ever since 'the second inchident' as he liked to call it that had happened at Lando's party his dreams had been filled with strange shapes and colorless blobs that appeared to close in on him the more he tried to wriggle away. He was very close to requesting sleeping pills at this point.

Listening closely he slowly moved his hand towards his phone on the nightstand. What if there was an intruder? Should he call the police? But what if nobody was there and a pillow had fallen off the cushion and he was just being paranoid about creepy monsters lurking in the dark and the police would laugh at him?

Another thud.

Should he go investigate?

Not bothering with putting on a shirt he quietly made his way to his bedroom door, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. What exactly was his plan here? Should he just make some noise to announce himself? Maybe whatever was out there would leave. Or maybe then they would know where to find him to kill him and eat his flesh. Wow, he was in desperate need of those sleeping pills.

Slowly and carefully he pulled the door towards himself, expecting the dark and empty hallway behind it.

What he definitely did not expect was Max, eyes black and cheens covered in veins.

Grasping at this chest Charles tried to take a breath but the shock would not let him. Struggling for air he took a few hurried steps back, his eyes never leaving Max - was it even Max? Or was it the creature that had now fully overtaken his body?

Charles' whole body was shaking as two cold sets of fingers wrapped around his naked arms, pressing him against the rough material of the bedroom wall. He wanted to scream, or to run, to do…literally anything except what he was doing now which was standing and staring in fear.

"Max.", he finally managed to choke out and this time it was the other man that went completely still.

"Max?" he tried again as the tight grip on his biceps began to loosen. Alright, maybe there was a chance he was not going to die after all.

Slowly Charles reached up to touch Max' vein-streaked cheek causing the other driver to blink a few times as if to clear his head. Yet still, Charles saw nothing but darkness and the drive to hunt in his eyes.

There had to be something he could do, right?

With the adrenaline still pumping through him he raised another shaky hand and placed it against the Dutchman's face gripping him tightly to force Max to look at him.

"Max. It's me. Okay? It's me." Max squinted at him, his cold fingers now holding onto Charles' waist. "Just me. I know you don't want to hurt me, Max."

Did he understand? How could Charles make him understand that he was neither his prey nor his enemy?

"Max." Charles leaned in. "It's just me." Should he really? "You don’t want to hurt me." Would he really? "It's me." A little closer. "You know me."

The moment his lips pressed against those of his fellow driver he felt the tension leave Max' body.

"Charles." He hummed against his mouth and then broke their faces apart just to go back in and lean his forehead against his.

Finally, Charles managed to take a full breath and opened his eyes, the usual blue he had seen so many times staring back at him.

"Thank you for not eating me." he laughed exasperated which made Max take a fast step backwards.

"I am so sorry. I don't even know how I got here. I … I'm so sorry! Fuck, I could have killed you!"

"Well luckily you didn’t." Charles ran his fingers through his sweat drenched hair. "I need to sit down. Fuck.”

Max stared at him intently. "I should go."

When he opened his eyes Charles was alone again.

~

“Do you have a minute?” Max was standing in front of Charles who was already in his fireproofs.

It had taken Max a lot of mental strength to walz his dead ass into the redbull area of the circuit to find the other driver. Because honestly: He was massively embarrassed about the other night. When he had come back to his senses Charles' lips had been pressed to his and finally Max managed to snap back into control. Up until that point he had merely been a spectator to the events leading up to his first kiss with Charles. Had it even been a kiss? If yes, he hated himself for not being fully present for it.

He had watched himself compel the doorman in the lobby to get him Charles’ emergency key from the safe. He had felt himself opening the apartment door to stalk through the dark, his mind and all his senses focused on one thing and one thing only: Blood. Specifically Charles’ blood. There was just something about his blood that had Max riled up and it was all he could think about day in night out.

When Charles motioned towards the back corner of the garage with his chin Max followed obediently.

Before they even came to a standstill Max was already rambling. “Charles, I am so so sorry. I don't even know how to apologize or what came over me. I guess when you freely offered me your blood something clicked in my brain like that has never happened to me before and my instincts just told me to hunt. I just want to hunt all the time. Obviously I don’t. Also that doesn't justify almost killing you obviously, I just wanted to explain and I promise I will do anything I can to stop this from happening again. I will chain myself to my bed if I have to and-”

“You can hunt me." Charles suddenly interrupted him mid rant whilst his hands were nervously fidgeting with the zipper of his racing suit.

Max stopped in his tracks, his mouth still half open. "What?"

"We have been hunting each other all our lives, Max. I'm used to it. Just maybe let me know first and don’t just show up in the middle of the night like a freak." He said it so nonchalantly Max was not sure if he was dreaming. Well, Max was sure because ever since he had died he had not been dreaming anymore. Maybe this was a very vivid daydream fantasy that was playing in his mind while he was driving?

"Are you serious?"

Charles nodded. This could not be real.

"I would probably drink from you again."

Another nod. It could not be real because that meant-

"Other things might happen again."

"For god's sake Max.” The Italian came out in Charles as he gestured wildly with his hands. “Yes. To all of those things. I want you to do your vampire shit again, okay? There. I said it. Happy? Now I kind of have to race so.."

Max smiled to himself as he watched the other driver walk away with an agitated and delicious sounding heartbeat. He perhaps was a little too happy about this.

~

Charles was about to hit the gas pedal when a knock on his rental car window startled him. Pressing the button he rolled it down and blinked up towards Max. It had been a long race weekend and all he wanted was to get away from the media and people in general. "What's up?"

Max smirked before leaning down to be on his level. Before Charles could register what the fuck was happening Max' mouth was on his in a lingering kiss and back out the window.

"Hey, Charles?" Slightly tugging on his top lip Max bared his fangs for a brief moment and then smiled, a daring spark in his darkening eyes. "Run."

..

And so what if Charles drove to his hotel like a maniac?

And so what if he left the room door open on purpose?

And so what if this time Max' lips were on his skin before his teeth were?

And so what if he woke up the next morning weak but content, covered in a warm blanket and engulfed by a cold naked body?

And so what if Max was a dead blood-drinking creature now?

Charles could always run.

But it was a lot less fun without a certain someone chasing him.

≈

the end.

[jennarations]

look me in the eyes and tell me this isn’t what charles would find in max’s kitchen

[hitthatapex]

The way I'm literally in the mood to update all my wips EXCEPT Radio Check when that baby is soooooo close to being done. Every time I open that particular google doc I lose the ability to write it seems. 😭😭

On that note, I've plotted three extra chapters for Hunting Love !!!!

So here's a little sneak peak.

“Maaaaxxxx.” Charles whined for the umpteenth time. “We can’t stay in bed forever you know, we have to show our faces to the outside world eventually.”

Max grumbled something unintelligible, nuzzling further into Charles’ neck while his eyes remained firmly shut.

“Come on you big alpha.” Charles poked him in the stomach. “Don’t you have important pack duties to fulfil?”

Max lifted his head slowly, a dangerous spark glinting in his eyes, and Charles immediately knew he was about to say something utterly ridiculous.

“How dare you? I’m currently fulfilling my duties." He paused mid-sentence, then a smirk graced his lips as he added. "I’m working very hard to create the next Verstappen pack heir.”

Max emphasised his words with a slow, deliberate movement of his hips, and Charles’ breath caught at the way the alpha’s knot, buried deep inside him, shifted, brushing against that sweet spot.

He couldn’t help the little gasp that escaped his lips at the spark of pleasure running up his spine, swatting his hand on the cackling alpha’s chest.

“You are insufferable!”