Your Love is Mine

Game On

Max walked in the room followed by Charles.

Charles: So...
Max: Look... We have to do this so we might as well lay some terms down.
Charles: No harming each other is hopefully number one?
Max: We only spend the time we have to, together. Keep your stuff out of my way and I'll reciprocate. And yes, no hurting each other whatsoever. No matter how infuriated we get with each other.

Charles mouth twitched as if a smile attempted to appear but he forced it back.

Max: What's so funny?
Charles: Lando and Pierre. They think they're so smart doing all of this. I must give it to them though, it's already proving we can be decent human beings to each other.
Max: You're right. I just don't want them to think they won their game just yet.
Charles: Are you suggesting we play them back?
Max: In a sense. Maybe we-
Charles: Max, why not let them have the win? We shock them by going back to Monaco as if we never hated each other.
Max: So fake the friendship? How does that play out badly for them?
Charles: They won't believe that it worked and we'll have the satisfaction of knowing we've played them at their own game and they'll be so surprised when we return to hating each other again. Out of public eye of course.
Max: Alright, I guess if we're going to fake it for the press, we might as well start practicing now. You have a deal.

Max stretched out his hand and Charles took it shaking it. Their eyes met and there was something other than the hint of amusement in their eyes. It was the first time they'd been so normal with each other again. It was as if, in that moment, there was no championship battle, no feud and no tension, just Max and Charles again.
Max felt this and released the hand immediately turning back to his bag. Charles felt something was off at this sudden change of mood and stopped himself just as he wanted to ask what happened.

After the hour had passed they made their way to the elevator to meet Lando and Pierre in the lobby.

Max: They'll be there when these doors open. We better be laughing when they do.
Charles: What's equally funny to both of us? Fake laughter is too easy to identify.
Max: Um...
Charles: Oh! Remember that time that one fan got the Dutch flag wrong and you had to show her? Haha, that was secondhand embarrassment worthy.
Max: It was so bad! Like come on, you call yourself a massive fan! Haha! Or that time the fan disappeared as you tried to return their hats after signing them?
Charles: I don't think I was ever so confused. But seriously, the fans have always left such great memories by simple things they do.
Max: They do but the paddock is always an entertaining place to be. Especially with-
Charles: -Daniel! Yeah!

The laughed at the thoughts of Daniel's shenanigans and what started out as forceful reminiscing turned into a moment of nostalgia and their true laughter filled the lobby as the elevator doors opened. Lando turned his head to Pierre who looked just as disbelieving as him.

Lando: They're-
Pierre: -Bonding
Lando: I was going for laughing. But yeah. Bonding works too...

Max: -Hey guys!
The hint of dying laughter caressed his greeting.
Max: So? What's on the itinerary?

Lando: Well it's almost dinner time so let's go grab drinks before we go to the restaurant.
Max: I like your thinking, Charles?
Charles: Sounds like a plan
Pierre: Charles? So you're back to first name basis?
Max: Guess so Gasly.
Pierre: Oh real funny! Let's just go.

The gang all headed out to the nearest bar for a few drinks and proceeded to make their way to the restaurant for dinner.
To everyone's surprise, and most of all Lando and Pierre's satisfaction, dinner went extremely well and there was not one incident or tense moment. It was just like old times.
Eventually they headed back to the hotel room, walking and talking lighter due to the alcohol in their systems.
Lando and Pierre separated from Max and Charles, returning to the room first...

Lando: So, that was a success!
Pierre: It's was! Day one and it's already working out so well.
Lando: Did you see the look on their faces this morning though when they realized it was one bed? That was classic! I haven't forgotten about it all day!
Pierre: You think that it's going to end well?
Lando: What's the worse that can happen?
Pierre: Murder?
Lando: You're always so dramatic! Lighten up Pierre. Let's just be glad they're actually communicating with each other.
Pierre: You're right. Hey Lando?
Lando: Yeah?
Pierre: Today was fun. Thank you. Ibiza was a great idea, and I know it was for Max and Charles but I'm enjoying seeing you more.
Lando: Agreed and same. It's been great fun. Anyway, let's get to sleep. Been a long day. Night Pierre.
Pierre: Goodnight Lando.