F1 One Shots Based On Songs

maybe, i'm afraid - Lestappen

Song for this chapter: maybe, i'm afraid - lovelytheband

Max Verstappen stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie for the evening's gala. He had made the mistake of promising to take Kelly to this charity event, but his heart wasn't in it. Instead, it felt like it was somewhere else—somewhere far away, with a certain Monegasque who had managed to slip under his skin over the years.

"Max! You ready?" Kelly called from the living room.

"Yeah, just a second!" he replied, forcing a smile at his reflection. He wasn't sure what he was doing anymore. The façade was getting harder to maintain, and the thought of being in a room full of people while pretending to be someone he wasn't felt suffocating.

Max had been dating Kelly for almost a year, and while she was sweet and understanding, she didn't know the real Max. The one who had hidden his true self for so long. A part of him knew he should be grateful for her, but another part felt trapped. He wanted to break free, but he couldn't shake the feeling that coming out could be dangerous.

His mind drifted to Charles. The way they'd laughed together in the paddock, the brief moments they had shared that felt charged with unspoken words. He still recalled their first kiss—innocent, yet electric, as if the universe had aligned just for them. It had been during a night in Lando's hotel room after a long race, the excitement still buzzing in the air. He had felt alive then, yet so terrified of what it meant.

"Max, let's go! I can't be late!" Kelly interrupted his thoughts, her voice snapping him back to reality.

"Right. Coming!" He inhaled deeply, plastered on a smile, and left the sanctuary of his thoughts.

The charity gala was crowded and loud, filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. As Max and Kelly entered, he felt a knot form in his stomach. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and he felt out of place in his carefully curated outfit. He held onto Kelly's hand tightly as they navigated through the throngs of people.

"Verstappen! Over here!" Lando waved them over to a table where several drivers were gathered, including Charles. Max's heart raced at the sight of him, wearing a fitted suit that accentuated his physique. Charles looked like he belonged in a magazine, and Max couldn't help but admire him from a distance.

"Hey, Max! Kelly!" Lando greeted them as they approached. "Come join us!"

Max forced himself to smile, but his eyes kept drifting back to Charles. Their gazes locked for a brief moment, and the world around them faded away. Max felt an electric current pass between them, one that made his heart race and his palms sweat. He quickly looked away, afraid of what he might reveal in that moment.

"Max, are you okay?" Kelly asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Yeah, just... tired," he replied, attempting to deflect.

As the night progressed, they mingled, danced, and laughed, but Max's heart was heavy. He felt a profound sadness settle in his chest as he watched Charles interact with others, his laughter bright and contagious. It felt like a cruel reminder of what he could never have—at least not while he was with Kelly.

"Champagne?" Lando offered, and Max accepted the glass, downing it in one go to numb the ache inside him. He felt guilty for the way he was feeling, but he couldn't help it. Each time Charles laughed or caught his eye, it reignited the hope that maybe there was something more waiting for him.

Later in the evening, they found themselves dancing to a slow song, the dim lighting creating an intimate atmosphere. Max held Kelly close, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

"You seem distant," she murmured, her forehead resting against his.

"Just thinking," he said quietly.