Maroon

Italy

Charles

03/09

Fire within me, speed at its limit and electricity running through my adrenaline high body; I watched the road ahead.

The air hot, my head spinning a bit and my heart hanging on by a drunk string, I finished the last lap, clinging onto second place as Oscar tried to take it from me.

A smile spreading on my face, I slowly came to a stop, as my eyes darted to Max, who excitedly got out of his car, fist in the air.

Standing on the podium next to him, a different kind of light illuminating his face as he proudly stood tall, I barely recognized the person I had with me all the time. He had a different glow on that last step that showed the world he won. And he was just as beautiful, just as brave, just as perfect as when he cried. He was just as strong as when he let himself be vulnerable. Just as great, just as bright.

"Charles!" I turned to find Oscar, heading towards me with a grin. "Great race! That was fun, congrats!" I smiled as he opened his bottle of water.

"Oh, Peter wanted me to tell you that he needs to talk to you." I nodded as he drifted off, to find Leo, probably. "Bye!"

I only managed to find Max again when I opened the door to my hotel room. Sprawled all over the bed, room key in one hand and a water bottle in the other, he didn't move a muscle as I made my way to him. Barely managing to give him a small kiss before heading towards the bathroom, he stayed in the same position and muttered something in a tired voice.

"Are you tired, Maxie?" He let out a groan as I let cold water soak my hands before bringing them to my face.

Joining him on the fresh king size bed, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"Peter was looking for you." I hummed, recalling Oscar's words. "Right. I forgot." He chuckled and his hand suddenly hit my face. I winced and groaned as his small chuckle turned into a loud laugh. "Sorry! I was aiming for your hand."

Right hand holding my pained nose, I rolled away from him. "Well aim better!" Laughing, I found myself looking at the wall, and his fingers found my waist as his body slowly got closer to mine.

"Hi."

Closing my eyes again, I settled in the warm embrace and smiled to myself.

This is real. This is mine. It's ours.

"Hi."

His face was settled in the crook of my neck, delicately sending shivers down my spine as I felt his breath on my sensitive skin.

"I should call Peter..." I felt him nod as I reluctantly pulled away, getting up and grabbing my phone as he sat up and closed his eyes.

Finding his contact and pressing on the button, I brought my phone to my ear and waited.

It rang and rang until I heard his voice, unfortunately sending me to voice-mail.

"Hey Peter! Umm, apparament tu me cherchais tout à l'heure. Rappel moi quand tu peux. Ciao!"

I hung up and turned to find Max, looking at me with sparkling eyes. "What?"

He chuckled and bit his lower lip with a devastating grin.

"Nothing. It's just- No, nothing."

I made my way to him and let my fingers graze his face before they went to his hair and I pulled a bit, a smirk spreading on my face. "Tell me, Max... What?"

I was soon straddling him as his hands snaked around my waist. "It's hot when you speak French."

I chuckled and let my lips melt onto his, fingers still tangled in his hair.