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Checo had taken the win at the Grand Prix, after Max had settled he had placed all his focus on the track and raced with everything he had managing to take P1 back from Leclerc in the closing laps of the race.
The podium had him standing proud between both Ferraris where he could see from up on the top step Christian standing in the crowd on the pit lane with little Max perched on his shoulders happily chanting his name and waving his little hand as if directing the tune.
As the excitement of Checo's win in Albert Park lingered in the air, the night settled over the hotel room where little Max and Checo were staying. Checo noticed that despite the late hour, Max was still buzzing with energy, his eyes wide and filled with a mixture of excitement and exhaustion.
"Oye, Leoncito," Checo began, using the affectionate term he often used for Max, "I have an idea. How about we have a little race to see who can fall asleep faster?"
Max's eyes lit up at the mention of a competition. "Race?" he repeated, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Checo nodded, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "That's right. We'll both get into bed, close our eyes, and the first one to fall asleep wins."
"Ja!" Max's competitive spirit kicked in immediately. "I win!" he exclaimed, clutching his beloved stuffed duck, Pato, tightly in his arms.
"We'll see," Checo replied, matching Max's enthusiasm. "Ándale, let's get ready for bed and then we'll start the competition." (Go on,) With that, Checo helped Max get ready for bed, tucking him in with care. As they settled into their respective sides of the bed, Checo could see the determination in Max's eyes. The room was quiet, the only sound breaking the silence was the soft hum of the air conditioning.
"Okay, Max," Checo said softly, "Listo?" (Ready?) Max nodded eagerly, his eyes fixed on Checo. "Órale pues," (Okay, here we go,) Checo counted, "one, two, three..."
As soon as Checo said "three," Max squeezed his eyes shut tightly, determined to win. Checo smiled at the sight, knowing that Max's competitive nature would ensure he gave it his all.
For a few moments, the room was silent as both Checo and Max lay with their eyes closed, the only movement the gentle rise and fall of their chests as they breathed. Checo could feel the tension in the air, the excitement of the competition filling the room.
After what seemed like an eternity, Checo heard a soft snore coming from Max's direction. He opened his eyes to see that Max had indeed fallen asleep, his face peaceful in slumber.
Checo couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Tu ganas, Maxito," (You win,) he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Max's forehead. As he settled back into his pillow, Checo felt a wave of contentment wash over him. Despite the disappointment of not being able to celebrate his win with his grown-up boyfriend, he knew that moments like these, sharing a simple game with little Max, were just as precious.
Sergio's phone buzzed on the nightstand, it was his mom's phone showing up on the screen, it was considerably late in Australia and while he was tired from the race and the long day, he would never pass the chance to talk to his parents he got to see so little during the year.
Checo answered the call confident Max wouldn't wake up with the noise of him talking, he answered the phone with a smile, grateful for the not-quite-unexpected call from his parents, he had after all forgotten to tell them about Max's de-aging and with the cameras focused on the small Verstappen before the race began there was no way the call wasn't about that more than to congratulate him for the win. "Hola, ma, papá. ¿Cómo están?" (Hello, mom, dad. How are you?)
"Hola, Mijo. Estamos bien, gracias," (Hello my son. We are fine thanks,)his mother replied. "¿Y tú? ¿Cómo estás? ¿Cómo está Max?" (And you, how are you? How's Max?)
"Estamos bien, gracias,"(We're okay, thanks,) Checo reassured them. "Max también está bien. Ha sido un ajuste un poco difícil al principio, pero estamos bien." (Max is fine too. It's been a little bit hard to adjust at first, but we're doing okay.)
"¿Cómo te sientes al respecto, hijo?" (And how do you feel about it, son?) his father asked, his tone gentle yet concerned.
Checo sighed, trying to find the right words. "Ha sido difícil, papá. No esperaba que esto sucediera, pero estoy tratando de hacer lo mejor para Max, el se lo merece." (It's been hard, dad. I wasn't expecting this to happen, but I'm trying to do what's best for Max, he deserves it.)
"Entendemos, Sergio. Siempre te apoyaremos en tus decisiones," (We understand. We will always support your decisions,) his mother said warmly. "Estamos aquí si necesitas hablar." (We're here if you want to talk.)
"Gracias, yo... no solo por su apoyo pero por todo," (Thanks, I..., not only for your support but for everything,) Checo replied, feeling a wave of gratitude for his parents' understanding and support. "Los amo, hoy y siempre." (I love you, today and always.) Checo remembered each and every time he had used that particular phrase with his parents, from the time he came up with it on the first night he spent alone as a teen with the big dream of becoming a professional racer in Germany, lonely terrified and unable to sleep dialing home in tears half a world away in a country he didn't understand the language to this very moment.
"Nosotros también te amamos, Chequito, hoy y siempre. Felicidades por la carrera Pequitas. Cuídate y cuida a Max," (We love you too, Chequito, today and always. Congratulations on the race, little Freckles. Take care of yourself and take care of Max.) his father said before they said their goodbyes and ended the call.
Checo sat for a moment, feeling grateful for his parents' unwavering support. He knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he could always count on them to be there for him, just like he, Christian, and Toto would do the impossible to be there for little Max and give him the best second childhood they could.
The next morning Checo hoped Max wouldn't remember the game, but the child must've asked at least 15 times who had won before they had gotten to the lobby to join the team for breakfast.
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This might feel like a repeat of Checo's call with Carola but I felt it was necessary, and well it's my story hahaha I can do what I want, anyway, thoughts?
Two chapters so quickly? I'm spoiling you and myself tbh, tsk tsk.
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Little Did You Know
FanfictionCheco went to sleep with his boyfriend the Sunday night after the Saudi GP... he wakes up straight to dad mode by the sounds of a child crying, a child that is sitting next to him on the plush bed, but when he truly looks at that cherub face... "Max...
