Chapter Text
His return feels like a prophecy; just when everything looks hopeless, Charles Leclerc comes home and overturns the entirety of it. There’s no war or internal fight for power, not when the Sun of Maranello returns. Undisputed and fated, no one would go against him. Then Charles tells the remaining members his version of the story where Mattia Binnotto falls to the Dutch Lion and betrays everyone.
The pitiful act stays, he even apologies for coming late, saying he needed time to recover from the wounds of fighting. They don’t fault him, they praise him for resilience and begs for orders on what to do next.
Before Charles can execute the next part of his plan, someone bursts through the door. Just as he turns, he’s enveloped in a tight hug and the scent of his brother, Arthur. “Charles! Thank God!” His brother nuzzles into him but suddenly pulls away from the close proximity, “...You smell… different?” is the first thing he says instinctively. Charles looks at him with pity in his eyes but he doesn’t explain, not yet.
Lorenzo is right behind Arthur but he doesn’t move for an embrace, still not knowing if he can or if it’ll anger Charles even more.
“I’m glad you’re safe… both of you.” Charles stretches his hand, only then does the eldest reach over to hug both his brothers.
He plans to tell them the real truth because there should be no secrets between brothers. First, he handles the gang, barks out strict orders, plans for the necessary, takes inventory of what’s left of weaponry and whatnot. Once that settles, he retells from the beginning… Arthur’s reaction towards Lorenzo is what he expects; anger, betrayal, disbelief, hurt, he even shouts at his eldest brother who’s oddly quiet and perhaps… defeated right now.
“I’m sorry.” Is all Lorenzo can say with his eyes down. Charles does not have a response to that apology, not when his body isn’t the same anymore and all of this has caused so much torment and pain to both him and his mate.
“I do not want to linger on the unchangeable past… all priorities must go to reclaiming Ferrari’s power and territories… the rest… we will talk when things are better.” The time spent away from the gang and his brothers gave him a reset and honestly his fears have tied him down for far too long now.
Arthur is the first to disagree, saying Charles needs to recover, that his body must be going through some changes and he should seek out a professional immediately. It’s a nice gesture truly. Lorenzo on the other hand seems to understand the future leader’s thoughts a bit better, he nods on the orders, says he’ll do what he can and hopefully things will resolve sooner so that Charles can really rest.
The differences make him chuckle, remembering old days when they were all young children with no pressure or care in the world. “I have taken a good break… do not worry.” he reassures the youngest, and it’s not all a lie. Max did keep Charles as a lovely prisoner until he’s healed, fed, and well-loved again.
“If… anything feels wrong… you have to tell us okay?” Arthur puts a hand on his shoulder, “...Charles, I cannot imagine what you’ve been through. No more okay?”
The Omega smiles, softly he utters, “No more…”
-O-O-O-
For the next couple of months, Charles buries himself in work and commitment; negotiations, meetings, actual fights, whatever, he’ll do it and he’ll come out on top. Ferrari has a new leader now and his name is Charles Leclerc. Everyone falls in line easily, seemingly believing that Charles’ return restores balance and power. No one dares question it and even rival gangs have started to quiet down over the weeks and months of fighting. The Monegasque will not delude himself, he knows the ever capable Dutch Lion is supporting him behind the scenes by making things easier for him.
If he can guess, it must be Max worrying for his well-being and trying to ensure he stays out of most fights or whatnot. On one occasion, Charles sees one of Max’s men loitering the streets of Monaco and the poor guy’s face turned ghostly white before he ran the opposite direction. God knows what orders the blonde has given his team. Aside from the run-ins with his gang members, Max makes no appearance, likely honoring Charles’ request to stay out of it.
Both reassuring and a disappointment. To Max, it is very likely the price of the mating bite is Charles’ independence so he’s upholding it but Charles… actually misses him. More than he would ever admit– whenever he sees a couple on the streets being lovey-dovey, Charles feels a strong pang of jealousy followed by a deep sense of missing his mate. Some nights he even touches the bite, and if he closes his eyes and focuses enough, it’s almost like he can feel Max’s emotions and hear his heart beating.
It’s the few things that keeps him waking up in the morning feeling ready for the day, almost like a promise that he’ll be with him again once things are better. When will that be? Another month? Two? Six? Twelve? How much longer before the Dutch Lion decides to barge in these doors and demand for the Sun of Maranello? The mere thought of it settles something animalistic inside him, it makes him want to purr and for all the years Charles has been alive, he’s never felt that way before. Max makes him different… or maybe… the Alpha just brings out his true self.
Just as he’s deep in thought again, Lorenzo walks up behind him, passing over some printed documents, “The shipment arrival is as we expect…”, Charles nods in reply, eyes scanning the printed letters for no more than a couple of seconds before his gaze turns elsewhere. “...Charles, there is something… I’d like to tell you.”
The Omega looks at his brother, waiting for him to continue, “...There are a few medical experts I’ve reached out to regarding your… condition. Don’t take this the wrong way. You have all rights to not forgive me and I know The Dutch Lion spared me simply because of our family connection… I cannot atone for what I’ve allowed to happen… This… this is not me trying to make things right as a failure of a brother, this is me just thinking of you. There is no best time to start caring for yourself… Arthur and I… we can hold the fort while you think of recovery.”
“...I’m fine… even if I am no longer an Omega or just half an Omega… Max will still…” Charles takes a deep breath, “Want me.”
“...” Lorenzo has that look that says he wants to persist in persuading his younger brother but Charles has that gaze that says he doesn’t want to hear another word of it, “...His devotion knows no bounds… if you reconsider, I can e-mail you the contacts any time… Just… know that Arthur and I… we really want you to recover for yourself. It’s not… easy… to understand what’s missing when you’ve never had it.”
The last part digs into the Sun of Maranello but Charles simply walks away, deciding that he doesn’t have the heart to argue about such matters when he already misses his other half so much. If it was the Dutch Lion’s will for him to be dependent on him, then it worked… Charles… misses him…quite a bit…
To district himself, Charles finds better company with his good friend Pierre who apparently is a free man ever since Charles is allowed to leave Red Bull territory. He spots a new ring and a newfound smile with an obsession to yap about his mate. Yuki Tsunoda. Pierre says while he was held hostage under Max’s reign, he also got to know the Japanese Omega much better. At first he wasn’t over the lies and betrayal but they eventually worked through it.
Charles stirs his drink in mindless circles, hearing his friend gush about the love of his life and all their time spent together. He was supposed to be distracted but all he can do now is miss Max Verstappen even harder.
“...He even got the blessing to leave the gang… I… I didn’t think he would do it.” His eyes look so soft when he says so, voice low and Charles knows his friend deserves all the luck and love in the world so genuinely he’s happy for him but also… jealous.
“You guys are that serious about each other, huh?”
“We are! Just the other day he made the sweetest nest for us– I…” The words stop abruptly, the Frenchman apologies quickly, “Sorry, Charles… I didn’t…”
“No. It’s fine. I am happy to see you this happy, Pierre. You deserve it.”
“...You know… you can… also… go back to him, right? I mean he’s an asshole who threatened to kill me and Yuki but… he… misses you…”
Charles’ eyes light up a bit, “He does?”
“Charles. You are not asking that for real, right? Of course he does. He’s your Alpha. I heard Yuki said he’s been in a terrible mood since you left him… everyone is at his mercy, it’s a good thing I was allowed to go too.”
The Omega is maybe a little apologetic for that.
“Heard his ruts have been really terrible actually… they had a hard time restraining him… I think Max almost killed the last guy who suggested he sleep with an Omega to cool down.”
Charles fights back the growl but the scowl on his face is obvious and Pierre sighs loudly, “...Yuki said he’s… suffering a lot harder because he took some drug when he was with you…people are finally seeing that The Dutch Lion isn’t invincible afterall.”
Just the thought alone makes Charles feel uneasy. His unwavering pillar of strength and power now has a weakness and he wonders if his enemies will exploit it for him. He hadn’t had the slightest clue of the Alpha’s sufferings… and he thought they were connected thanks to the mating bite. Maybe his senses have dulled over the years of not being a true Omega. He can picture it… those cold blue icy eyes, furrowed eyebrows, stiff jaw, menacing growl, all huddled up in bed, alone. A sight that should scare others, but Charles finds his heart skipping a beat at the thought.
“No offense to you but I don’t mind him suffering a bit more because of what he did to me and my mate so… sure, you can stay away from him as long as you like. Maybe his wolf will beat some sense into him…”
“What do you mean?”
Pierre blinks at his friend, “You don’t know?”
“No…?”
“...Charles, you bit him. You initiated a full mating bond. An Alpha’s role is to provide and love their Omega and when their Omega is not there despite being a bond, their mind goes into lockdown mode. The symptoms vary for different people but often the Alpha will think their mate is gone for a reason; they’re not capable enough, not good enough, they did something wrong or their mate is in danger, or hurt or whatever bad thing. It’s quite a spiral.”
“What?? How come I don’t feel anything on the other end??”
“...Oh, Charles… you don’t go through a proper heat right? You… probably don’t sense like a normal Omega… but Max… he’s an Alpha all his life and…”
Lorenzo’s words ring in the back of his mind, “It’s not… easy… to understand what’s missing when you’ve never had it.”
“Is he… hurt?”
“I don’t know… Yuki isn’t someone allowed near Max’s chambers so… that’s all the information I have.”
The bite was supposed to be a new start, not shackles on the Dutch Lion. Charles feels his stomach churn at the thought of Max grunting and groaning in pain, how his beloved Alpha thinks he’s not capable enough to keep Charles around when that is so far from the truth. He thinks back on the days when he was held ‘captive’ in Max’s room, how attentive the other was towards him. Lorenzo is right… Charles doesn’t know what’s missing because he never had it before. Again, he’s the ignorant one in the shadows. To him, nothing is amiss… the tiny feeling of yearning could be tenfold on the opposite side. He has no way to be certain yet the Alpha remains patient with him.
To wait when there’s not even a single spark of hope; is this what true love feels like? To understand when no words are spoken of. To stay even when it hurts… What else has Max forsaken for a future like today?
Seeing his mood off, his friend starts a different topic to ease his mind. It works for that little bit until some kid walks in the fancy restaurant like a stuffed toy lion and Charles’ head can only think of one person. The universe constantly reminds him or more like he cannot run from the Dutch Lion, everything he sees reminds him of him and as scarily as it feels to be haunted in the daylight like his sleeping hours, there’s a sense of comfort that comes hand in hand.
When he returns home, he surprises his brother by asking for the list of professionals he can speak to. Lorenzo’s eyes soften, he smiles and quickly says he’ll do it immediately. When Charles returns to his chambers alone, he wonders when did home feel so different. This is the place he grew up, his brothers are here, the halls are still the same, the breeze of the sea still similar, yet the spark is gone. He wanted so much to return to Ferrari and now that everything is in the palm of his hands, he seeks a different kind of warmth instead– one that is human with his longer fingers and rough calloused palms intertwining with his.
It was easier when he first got back; high on ambition and revenge. Everything he did had an agenda in the back, but peaceful days are returning with his rule and with that… does he also allow himself that bit of grace again. Charles sits himself at his work table, for the first time in his life, he starts reading about being an Omega. The biology of it, the little habits, the instincts he should have… the more he knows, the more answers he has to some weird feelings in his chest.
In the dead of night, it hits him. He doesn’t need to be an Omega for Max to love him, the Alpha already adores him with all his heart but Charles…
Charles wants to be an Omega for Max.
He wants to be an Omega for the Alpha.
And it has devastated him for the longest time that he can’t…
If he’s honest… At the very start of that cruise… he already wished it was simpler between them; if only he was an Omega, then he can be with Max Verstappen. To know it was true and then impossible… made things so much worse. But Max reassured him time and time again, desperate to bring the Omega back but also… understanding if it’s not possible. His results show inconclusive time and time again, neither Alpha enough nor Omega enough.
He turns his chair to look at the moon in the sky, wondering if Max might also be awake at this hour. He’s fallen for the Dutch Lion… it isn’t some twisted way of fighting or possession anymore… there is nothing Ferrari can give him to fill this need… no amount of power, territory, money, fame… and perhaps this is what Max has felt a long time ago. He did proclaim that he would run away with Charles to leave everything behind… and that’s a man speaking at the top of his throne.
As the night slowly consumes him, Charles’ hand touches the bite, he presses on the gland, closing his eyes; he has never been able to decide for his own body… drugged by Ferrari then kind of re-drugged by his mate but this time… this time he wants to have a say.
-O-O-O-
12 Months.
It takes Charles 365 days to declare Ferrari back on-top; it is a whole year to rebuild what is lost and to recruit better members and make the gang stronger. The golden era, people start to hail Charles’ reign as that even when it’s only just begun. His days have been similar, he wakes up early, Bryan updates him on his schedule, he makes his rounds, he attends meetings, then lunch, and then a 2 hour session with his doctor, and then the gym, and then dinner, and then more work stuff, and then rest. Life feels normal again… Arthur is growing up to be a capable leader himself, Lorenzo and him have spoken a lot more recently.
Pierre sends him postcards wherever he travels with Yuki. With the Omega out of the Red Bull gang, Charles has no more updates on Max. Radio silence completely. He knows the Dutch Lion continues making a name for himself, he heard their latest expansion is set to bring in a lot of money and that’s about it. They’ve stayed on their own lines, neither risking a fight.
Today is different though, today Charles wakes up around noon with the silliest grin on his face, he has brunch with his brothers, Arthur hurrying off mid way because he’s late for a meeting, “Take care, Charles! Don’t forget to pack sunscreen!” He kisses him on the cheek before running off, Lorenzo chuckles at the both of them but kindly reminds, “Make sure you remember your gun too.”
Charles smiles, “Will do.”
After lunch he gets the butlers to help his luggage in the car and then he drives off with one last look at home from the mirrors. Charles gets a VIP parking spot of course, and there’s crew members already greeting and assisting him so that he can walk up the cruise with just his ticket in hand. He’s in a fabulous mood, he smiles and talks to the other passengers, all while his heart is actually racing.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls… we will be departing shortly… thank you for choosing…”
The words on the coms fade to silence when Charles finally sees him.
He still looks the same; messy blonde hair thanks to the wind, charming blue eyes, sharp jawline, that mole on his lip, broad shoulders in a fitted black shirt, wide chest to a narrower waistline then just plain shorts and comfy shoes. Casual, for the occasion, as handsome as ever. Breath-taking like always.
Charles feels his eyes wet with tears, his lips tremble at the mere sight of his mate. For 12 months he separated them by just a promise. Max waited with the bite, Charles continued fulfilling his prophecy and now just ahead of him stands the Alpha speaking to one of the crew members about his ticket. The ticket that Charles sent him a couple of days before, expecting no questions, just for the Dutchman to board the cruise and of course, like the loyal lion that he is… he’s here.
The Omega thinks his scent must’ve changed a lot for Max to not notice him at such a distance. It brings joy to believe it; that all his hard work paid off… he was so worried when he started telling people about his conditions and then a lot of them said only more medication could help counter the problem. He was so scared of getting injections again, nobody would fault him if he decided against it… but it was the best way to be an Omega again. With his doctor, he persisted with the thought of his mate waiting for him. Just so he can experience what it feels like to see his fated one—
This is the feeling… the swell of love and pride… that makes him want to cry. Charles smiles to himself as he continues looking on, just so he can appreciate every second his inner wolf calls out to the Alpha. This must’ve been what Max felt when he first laid eyes on Charles. This is what it feels like to find your other half. The blessing that cannot be replicated.
He takes a step forward, he remembers Max’s words, “I love you from the day we’ve met… I love you even when we’re apart… even when you don’t know my name.”
The closer he gets, the Alpha’s scent hits him and for the first time Charles connects it as his mate with all the finality in his heart. A tear slides down his cheek, he rubs it away even though they are happy tears. He planned this for a while… it is only right he orchestrates their first meeting to be as meaningful as the last time.
Charles picks up his pace, excited as ever, as soon as Max walks away from the crew member, the Omega purposefully bumps into him.
-O-O-O-
“Sorry– I wasn’t watching where I was going… this place is huge.”
That voice.
Max whips his head to look like he’s been shot and the sight that greets him completely steals his breath away. Charles. The Alpha has no reaction, forgets to breathe until the brunette chuckles and Max feels a little more grounded. Is this a dream? Did he die? When he finally inhales the air around them, Max notices that his mate smells so different. This is the reason why he didn’t realize Charles was approaching him.
“I’m Charles, by the way.”
“...”
Max feels dumb because he can’t fucking talk right now. He just stares at the beauty of a man like some stupid brainless Alpha for seconds that feel too long until his inner wolf literally growls at him.
“Max.” He answers honestly for the first time, he takes Charles’ outstretched hand and they shake but Max doesn’t let go, he intertwines their fingers, he leans closer, “Charles…hello.” His voice is soft, low, gentle with his mate, “Omega…” He calls out with love-striken eyes.
“I’d offer you a drink but there’s a place we have to go first.”
Charles leads the way and honestly, Max has no fucking clue what he just said. He just follows because Charles is holding his hand and the Alpha is very fucking smitten by the view of his very happy and alive Omega. They go up to the highest floor, a private lounge with not a soul in sight, they arrive just in time to see Monaco shrink in view as the cruise continues onwards towards deeper waters.
“I plotted my way to get you here… now you’re at my mercy… none of your men can come save you…” Charles says with a glint in his eyes, Max’s hand immediately snaking around his waist to pull him close until they’re chest to chest.
“Okay.” He mutters, closing his eyes and leaning on Charles’ shoulder to sniff more of that addicting sweet Omega scent. “Charles… Charles… Omega… please.” What is he begging for? The Dutch Lion reduced to nothing but a pathetic yearning Alpha for his mate.
“I made you wait again.” His voice cracks, Max shakes his head, “No… no… It’s okay. I was willing to wait…you gave me a bite… I was willing to wait no matter what.”
The Omega wraps his hands around the Alpha’s shoulders and Max looks up to see his beloved mate crying with a smile, he feels crushed and touched all the same, he cannot believe what is happening right now. “Max.”
12 months felt like another lifetime but it’s okay because he’s here now.
Max surges forward to capture the Omega’s lips, feeling him melt in his hold as they continue to passionately lose themselves in each other. This is home. This is love. This is real. He can’t stop his hands from roaming all over, he misses the Monegasque with all his heart and soul, now nothing but the man naked below him could sate his hunger. Max makes quick work, navigating the new place until he topples Charles down on one of the sofas and starts sucking his mating bite. He receives a few giggles, and laughs, naughty hands also trying to get his shirt off which Max happily obliges so he can continue kissing Charles all over.
For 12 months he waited with the bite as a promise and nothing else. It killed him every day to know his mate was out there doing something dangerous for a gang that deserved 0 of him.
He contemplated time and time again to put himself back into the narrative but… that would be going against Charles’ wishes and wants— and then the bite just snapped the Alpha back to his true instincts of wanting to please and do his best for the Omega.
He came back like he said he would.
He smells like his Omega—
“Max~” Charles’ moans his name and that makes Max suck his nipple even harder, he lays fresh love bites all over, cherishing every bit of the man below him. Their clothes tossed aside to be forgotten, Charles lays bare with his legs spread and Max in between, it is welcoming when the Omega tangles his hand in his hair, yanks him down forcefully for a kiss. They both breathe a sigh of relief, smiles and giggles before getting busy with their mouths again.
When the scent of fresh slick hits his nose, Max feels like someone stabbed him but in a good way. The Mafia leader pauses sucking off his lover to see it for himself and sure enough, the plush cushion below them has a patch of wetness to it and he can see some glistening sticky substances on the curve of Charles’ ass. This is every Alphas’ wet dream, Max included. He remembers the first time he felt it when he drugged Charles up but this is… different.
This is natural… and given what it looks like now… it’s a lot.
Max dives in for a taste and gets addicted immediately. He probes his tongue as deep as it can go, lapping up the sweet juices, making sure none of it goes to waste. Charles is very wet, Max can tell… this is new progress, he cannot believe he wasn’t around to witness it happen. This isn’t their first time together, Max knows by Charles’ whines that his Omega refuses to wait anymore. He slides in the first finger easily, tight but the self-lubrication helps ease everything.
The Alpha paces only because he wants to remember this moment forever, Charles on the other hand is getting impatient, so Max slides two in hopes it’ll keep him satisfied for a while. The Omega moves his hips in rhythm to Max’s thrusts, Max just gently crooks it to nudge that special spot and Charles’ cock starts leaking pre-cum steadily. He’s beautiful and his scent is even more alluring in this state.
“More… Alpha~ More… please… I want…”
Three because Max isn’t taking any chances. In his mind, they haven't had sex for a whole year, he needs to be very careful so that Charles enjoys his time with him. “I’m ready… hurry…” the demanding Monegasque seems to have other plans on his mind. Max appreciates the excitement but he won’t compromise on this. “Wait.” He commands with a growl and Charles immediately quiets down.
To show he’s pleased he gives another soft peck and then continues with prep until Charles is on the verge of whining yet again. He won’t lie, it’s fun to play with his Omega like this, he always enjoys seeing the pleasure pool in those beautiful greens and hearing how much the other really needs him.
Charles begs with the sweetest noise, and really he’s as cunning as ever, “Please Alpha… Don’t keep your Omega waiting.”
Well, fuck. Max is gonna be screwed for all his days.
His own aching cock has been waiting long enough so Max positions himself, he looks right at Charles’ face so he can commit that euphoric look into memory just as he pushes forward and the head of his hard dick catches on the rim. Charles moans wantonly, hands wrapping around Max’s shoulder to drag him closer, aching for more, needing more and the Alpha doesn’t deny his mate or himself any longer. He thrusts forward deeper this time, “Charles!” He curses at the wet heat just enveloping and sucking him in.
“Max!! M-Max!!”
They share a long kiss just as Max fully settles inside his mate; he’s so fucking happy he could cry. Charles must feel the same because he’s holding onto Max’s face, kisses him again, mouthing for the other to go faster, to “Fuck me like I’m yours.” and that really breaks the Alpha in ways he can’t imagine. He picks up his pace, sliding out, slamming back in, always against the sweet spot that makes Charles scream his name.
“My Omega! My Charles–” Max fucks like he means it. Like he needs air, like he needs his mate and he really does. He doesn’t stop, he keeps going, hearing the wet slap of skin to skin, their scent mixing like lovers do. “Mine. Forever. Forever. Going to make you the happiest Omega in this world, I promise— I’ll never… let anyone hurt you ever again. I swear… I fucking swear…”
His tears make him so much prettier, Max feels the heat squeezing him from that love confession, it makes his heart swell to know Charles likes hearing his declaration.
“M-more… Don’t stop… Max… please… give me more… need you…”
The Alpha falters for a moment, dropping his head to the mating bite, burying his nose right there while one of his hands strokes Charles’ cock, his hips continuing to thrust deep inside. Their moans echo along with the wet sounds of their love making, they’re both close, Max doesn’t know how much longer he can last, it feels too good, Charles is perfect like this. When his Omega yanks his hair to the side so he can bite the bond again, Max feels the peak of his pleasure, he orgasms inside while Charles makes a mess on their stomach. The Alpha sucks a bruising love bite on Charles’ bond in return, weakly he pistons his hips until he fully empties inside his mate.
They pant in silence, both just letting reality wash down for a moment.
Max attempts to pull out, trying to prioritize Charles’ comfort but his mate’s legs lock him still, “No… keep it in.”
“Want my pups?” He meant it as a tease but Charles replies “Yes, I do.”
Max kisses him again, until they’re both breathless, then he hugs his mate close, “Okay… Let’s try again…” He can feel Charles’ smile on his skin and now their heart beats in sync.
-O-O-O-
The stars are in the sky as Max softly pets the brunette’s hair, Charles' head on his chest listening to his heart beat for some reason. He leans down to peck the top of his head, “It’s beautiful.” he says and his mate looks up to the stars above them. “That’s why I picked this private spot… though I… didn’t think we’d be here from… noon till… night but… well, it worked out.”
Max chuckles, he pulls the blanket above Charles’ body to keep his mate warm, “There’s a few large sofas here, you really thought I’d wait until we got back to the room?”
The Omega laughs now, “Isn’t it great how you still surprise me?”
A comfortable silence settles between them until Max cannot hold his happiness anymore, “...Thank you for coming back to me…”
“Did you think I wasn’t going to?”
“...Part of me thought you only gave me the mating bite so I’d let you go back to Ferrari… it is a solid plan… you are right, I wouldn’t have let you go for anything lesser. But then I hoped everything I did gave you some of your senses back to realize how much you need me like I need you.”
“I’m sorry it took so long… as soon as I was more Omega… I… I felt it. That bond between us… it was so much stronger… I could easily deny it in the past because I couldn’t feel it… I can’t begin to imagine what you felt when I denied it.”
“You worked hard on your progress, I wish I was there to see it.”
Charles sighs, “...You’ll be there to see it… because I’m not…” he pauses and Max waits because maybe his mate is finding the right words to say, “...The test finally came back conclusive… Omega. My doctors say I should be proud of it… but I’m no longer a Perfect Omega…”
“Schatje, you do not need to be a Prime Omega… like I said even if–”
“I know. I know. Even if I’m not an Omega, you would still love me. I know… but it was my own will that wanted it… that helped me with this progress. I had to want it as well… and then it’s like I started connecting with my inner wolf again. It’s who I’m meant to be…”
“Okay. I’ll support you, whatever you want.” Max kisses his forehead, cradling him like a precious baby, “We will work on it together… you will not leave me again, yes?”
Charles hums in agreement, “I don’t ever want to leave you again.”
“Good.... tell me, was it difficult for you?”
“At first, yes. I was scared of the needles…and I kept thinking everyone was out to get me…”
“You’re very strong for getting through it. I am proud.”
“What about you? I heard your ruts were pretty bad…”
Max goes quiet for a while then he lies, “It’s not that bad.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Charles' stern voice makes the Alpha feel terrible.
“...I had people chain me up so I wouldn’t attack anyone… Everyone was given strict orders of not coming into my room, no food, no water… because I… I really lost myself and if I wasn’t subdued… I think I would’ve gone looking for you.”
“How long?”
“...Usually my ruts last a week but without a mate… it went for 9 days, 12 days at most… but I was out of it… 90% of the time I am not myself… when I come back to my senses, the room is wrecked and I have some wounds here and there but… nothing I couldn’t handle.”
When Charles is quiet, Max tilts his chin up so he can kiss his worries away, “Hey… it’s fine… we’re both okay now… we had to go through a lot of hardships but we’re here now… under the stars… on a cruise you bought tickets to–”
“Because we never got to finish the first one…”
Max chuckles, understanding why his lover came up with this specific plan.
“I wanted to… know… how it would go… If I boarded the ship and knew you were mine… if we could have that restart again…”
“We know how it starts now… I wonder how it’ll end…” Max can think of a few good ways.
“Mon chéri… I know how it ends… for sure this time.”
“Really? Tell me then.”
“Well… first we have a very romantic two months together, then once the ship docks, I introduce you formally to my brothers and then we tell the gangs we’re together, we’ll initiate some kind of… union…and then I work on my conditions, you help out handling both gangs… and then… maybe… just maybe… we retire on a lifetime luxury cruise or something.”
“Good… but I think mine is better.”
“What? How do you think it’ll end then?”
“...Yes, we’ll have a very romantic 2 months on the cruise… we dock, I meet your brothers, then we have more romantic things in Monaco… and we’ll tell the gangs… we’ll officially get married… I’ll even invite my mother and sister… then….” Max whispers the next part in Charles’ ear, “We’ll have 6 little puppies running around the house.”
“6? That is ambitious even for the Dutch Lion.”
“You are the one who said you wanted 6, Charles. I am listening to you…”
“Let’s start with 1…”
That very night Charles falls asleep in Max’s arms and for the first time in 365 days, the Dutch Lion falls into a dream of his own; no more nightmares, enemies or ghosts left to haunt him. In said dream, his instincts tell him to persist in the familiar halls of his mansion and he does, the place is bright, there’s a familiar sweet scent, he calls out “Charles!”
“Shh! Not so loud, I finally got him to sleep!”
The Omega scolds with a smile, he turns and Max sees the baby he’s cradling in his arms.
His heart skips a beat, he pauses and just stares. Self-consciously he knows this is a dream now but instead of just a dream, he’d like to feel like it’s a fore-telling of the future… he did find his way back to his mate with the aid of his instincts afterall.
The baby makes a noise, and Charles coos gently, “It’s okay, my little lion~ Go back to rest… it’s just your Dad coming home to us… you’re safe… go back to sleep…”
His voice lures both Lions to peace
Inevitably he wakes but with his Omega tucked safely in his arms and a new dawn rising across the horizon, Max Verstappen is more than excited to begin anew.