Forbidden Love - Lestappen AU Charles Leclerc x Max Verstappen

Chapter 8 - Home Sweet Home

You stopped by my house the night you escaped,
with tears in my eyes,
 I begged you to stay
- Twin Sized Mattress by The Front Bottoms

This chapter just reminded me of this song, might put a few more in but don't quote me on that.

The next few days were spent trying to locate the kidnappers and looking after Charles. He had suffered severe cuts and wounds in his abdominals, limbs and chest area. He also suffered with a few minor broken ribs. 

Charles was still yet to see his family even after a couple of days since his return to the palace with Max. The moment his family entered, the youngest Prince came running into Charles' arms yelling "Charlie" whilst making his way to his older brother. Meanwhile Lorenzo didn't dramatically run toward him like Arthur did, but still showed his appreciation that younger brother was still living. 

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A few months passed until it was safe for Charles to leave back to Monaco. The young boy was able to walk but not for consecutively long periods of time. This meant that he would be leaving with his family, whom he still held a grudge to. 

Max was unhappy to say the least when Christian informed him that Charles and his family would be leaving. Of course the British guard understood to some circumstance the impact it would have on the young Dutchman. But to no avail could he do anything to change the outcome. Unless, Charles' mother saw it necessary to allow Charles to see Max, would it change. But that would be incredibly difficult to complete. 

Lorenzo, on the other hand, saw the situation from Christian's view. Unlike, his mother he wished that Max and Charles were able to see each other, understanding the relationship they had formed with one another. In some way, Lorenzo felt pity for his younger brother. Of course he would never share that information with Charles, but he didn't need to know that. 

Lorenzo had seen that his younger brother had gone through so much and finally found someone he could trust. Charles had finally found someone to love, who loved him back just as much. That was all that was in it for Lorenzo, he had to make sure Max and Charles could keep some communication whilst he try get the younger boys to be able to see each other. 

Charles had seemed to realise that this would be the last time he would see Max. The thought of it all pained him. He wouldn't be able to see the way Max's face lit up when he suggested they take the horses out. Or the way his smile beamed when Charles had shared an embarrassing story of himself. Or the way he would race his way down to the dining room when dinner was ready, leaving Charles to slowly hobble himself down. Only to find that Max had waited for him at the stairs to help him descend them safely.

All the memories of Max came crashing down on him. From when the first met - and Max being the confident person he is, spoke to Charles - to merely a few hours ago when they were laughing together on their way back to the infirmary, where Charles was supposed to be at all times. 

Max and Charles had really gotten to know and love each other so well in such a short time together. It was as if they don't remember their time before meeting. The impact that the other had on them was suddenly going to be lost in the next few hours. How could all the love and trust they had built break down in merely a few hours? 

Charles wasn't ready to leave this new found life he had created with Max. But sometimes you had to do things you're not ready for. That's why he found himself kissing Max goodbye on the doorstep of the Dutch Royal Palace. Tears littered his face as he turned to walk down the steps of his short term home. He turned one last time to see Max fighting the tears in his eyes from falling. 

Charles turned back to face where he was walking, seeing a light smile placed on his mother's face fuelled the anger within him. He took the few final steps into the carriage, grimacing as he did so. He turned to look at Lorenzo seated opposite him, who placed a smile on his face, one plastered with discomfort. "You'll see him again," The older boy simply said before the carriage started to move. 

Charles didn't have the strength to even look out the window at max and his family. So instead, he stared at nothing in particular, his thoughts keeping him entertained throughout the long journey ahead of him. 

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Charles hadn't realised how far he'd actually travelled away from Monaco, until he was going back to exact place he no longer wanted to be. He also hadn't realised how much a place could change in 14 months. Or, how much he didn't miss the place he grew up all because of the memories of the place he carried.

 The carriage took them through the dark and depressing streets of Monaco which were once full of joy and laughter. The once comforting and reassuring country now brought disturbance and fear to his now damaged soul. 

As they reached the palace, memories trapped within the walls, the carriage slows down to a halt and the family disembark. Charles enters his old home, hostility enveloping him as he does so. Lorenzo steps in behind him placing a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be alright this time, Charles." The words take some time to be processed in Charles' head but before he could do that, Lorenzo left and ascended the stairs. 

Thinking he should the same, Charles follows subtly behind his older brother. He ascends the stairs thinking of how long he should leave it until he runs away again. And before he knows it he has reached his chamber. Without thinking he opens the door, spotting a recognisable figure sitting on bed facing away from the door. The figure turns its head and Charles doesn't even realise who it is before they're pulling him into a tight grasp. 

"Charles, à quoi pensais-tu ? Comment as-tu pu nous laisser comme ça ? J'étais malade d'inquiétude pour toi. Calamar, tu m'as tellement manqué. Pourquoi, Pourquoi t'es-tu enfui ?" The words of his best friend merged together, as he never thought about people like Pierre missing every single day. 

"Pear, donne-moi juste une seconde et je t'expliquerai tout." Pear, just give me a second and I'll explain it all.

PIERRE GASLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY has finally been introduced!!!!!!!!!! In case you were wondering what Pierre said I'll put it below. 
Charles, à quoi pensais-tu ? Comment as-tu pu nous laisser comme ça ? J'étais malade d'inquiétude pour toi. Calamar, tu m'as tellement manqué. Pourquoi, Pourquoi t'es-tu enfui? 
Charles, what were you thinking? How could you leave us like this? I was worried sick about you. Squid, I missed you so much. Why, why did you run away?