The one I've been missing

Have yourself a not so Merry Christmas.

TW: insecurities, developing an eating disorder, abuse, Insecurities and Jos Verstappen A+ Parenting.

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"Dan, you need to go home."

"But Maxy." Signs Daniel and Max puts his hands on Daniel's jaw and they look in each others eyes.

Daniel and Max will be flying to Perth tomorrow. But Max thinks it's better for Daniel to go alone. To have some time with his family alone, to have some time away from racing and from Max.

"This season was tough for you. And I know how much you miss your family and Perth. You need some alone time too, I know that."

"But you-"

"Don't worry about me. I know I was joining you for Christmas and New Year in Perth. But I think it is the best for you if you go alone. Be with your family and have some space from racing and from me."

"Maxy, I don't want space from you." Says Daniel, and puts his arms around Max to keep him close.

"You say that for me Honey. You need some time for yourself. I can tell you need some space. And we have phone calls and texting. It's not like you won't see me for weeks and won't hear anything from me."

"I don't know, Maxy. We're going to celebrate Christmas and New Year together with my family." Says Daniel with a little pouth. He doesn't want to leave Max here, not after everything that happened.

"I know and we will. I will fly to Perth before Christmas. But this will do you good. Having some space and to be with your family, alone."

"But I can enjoy my time with my family with you. They love you Maxy. I need some time away from racing, but not from you!"

"But I'm part of racing too, Dan."

"No, just because you drive in F1 as well, doesn't mean I need space from you if I want to disconnect from racing." Daniel has tears in his eyes when he sees the packed suitcase of Max standing by the door.

"I will remind you of racing, and that's not what you need. You know how I am, and I don't want to ruin this time away from you. My life is about racing and that won't be good for you now. I will be training and need to do some sim racing. I won't help you to forget about racing when I'm trying to be in top condition for next year."

"You are in top condition, stop saying you aren't. You're so fit, what do you need to change?" Asks Daniel, and Max gave him a smile. There's a lot to change, and he got the list from his father he needs to follow, so believe him, it's a lot that he doesn't do right and needs to change.

"I will remind you of racing and that's not what you need right now. You need some time away from all this, from me." Says Max but Daniel shook his head.

"I don't care, you can train or do sim racing in my house."

"It will be okay, alright?" Says Max and presses three little kisses against Daniel's lips.

"It hurts, but I know you need this. And you say you don't, but I know that you will be thanking me after you have your time alone." Mumble Max

And maybe Max is right. Daniel knows that. He had been asking Max over the last few race weekends if they could sleep separately so Daniel could have some time to himself to think.

"But I don't want to be away from you, Tulip." Whispers Daniel and puts their foreheads together. Max smiles at the nickname. Since Daniel saw the tulips in the Netherlands, he calls Max that.

"It will be hard, because I want to be with you too. But we will have contact Danny, and we will see each other again in January." Whispers Max while looking into Daniel's eyes.