Royal Speed | Leclerc & Verstappen

48 | future plans

-/- Monaco 2021 - race break -/-

"You listen now! Your son is amazing, he's the kindest and friendliest person I know so he obviously will be great with all the people in your country. Also we don't live in the middle ages, people nowadays are open for different kinds of relationship, yes, also man and man." Max yelled at my father, something I would never dare.

It also seemed that it caught my father by surprise, probably as never ever had spoken to him that way.

"And yes, maybe he isn't the loudest or most confident one, but guess what, that's why you have a partner on your side. Someone who supports you and helps you with all the things in the world. And gosh yes, I love your son and I can see why it's hard for you to accept this, I really can, but this is nothing you can decide or forbid, you can only decide if you accept it or not."

I was as scared as proud, listening to Max while our fingers where still intertwined.

"And I can only hope for you, in the last days you have, sorry to say it like that, I am really sorry for this, but I really hope that you can be happy. Even if you don't like me, that's fine, I honestly don't care, but at least be happy for your son, because he has found someone who loves him, someone who supports him, hell, someone who would give his life for him. I only want you to see that and accept it, thank you."

He then looked at me and sat back down, his cheeks all heated up and puffy. I thankfully smiled at him and squeezed his hand before I turned towards my father again.

"I think you should go down now, dinner is ready soon." was all he said before he stood up and went through the little back door over to his room.

My jaw was dropped as I looked after him, not really believing that he just left the room without saying something about the things Max had listed.

"Just let him, maybe he needs time." the Dutchman tried to explain and I slowly turned my head over to him.

"W... What just happened?" I stuttered, feeling his hand on my cheek.

"Don't think about it, let's just go and eat dinner and then we can relax the rest of the evening. Tomorrow is another day and things may be different." he breathed as he leaned in, leaving a kiss on my forehead.

Even though I was still confused, maybe hurt, I followed Max and a little later we entered the dining room. Again, the stuff was looking at us as the Dutchman still held my hand while we walked over to the table. He then pulled my chair back, like he always did, but I stopped him.

"I just wanted to say something." I said, clearing my throat as I was really getting scared.

But then I felt Max's eyes on me, smiling down at me with so much pride and love that I knew it was right and I knew I needed to say that.

"I'm gay and this is my boyfriend." I announced, looking around all the people, my mother, brother, Cathy, the staff, "If you have any problems with that or questions just tell me, but try to act normal, don't change anything as this isn't something weird, it's normal and it's okay, we can love who we love."

My mother smiled and Arthur was the first one who started clapping his hands, followed by all the other people.

"Also we're not official yet, people not even know that I'm gay." I added and laughed slightly, "So please keep it down and let us do the announcement when we're ready."

With that I took a seat and quickly gave Max a kiss on the cheek, feeling my face blushing as I noticed all the looks on us, or better me.

"I'm so proud of you Charles." my mother said a little later as the first course was brought.