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Max woke up after a short nap surrounded by comforting warmness of Charles' shoulders when it was already dark outside and cool, refreshing air blew into their hotel room through the open window. They were laying on the bed, cuddled against each other, and Max noticed that Charles had covered them with a blanket. He didn't even know when he had fallen asleep, but in truth it wasn't really unusual. He just loved these sweet cuddles that he was given as much as soft strokes of his lover's fingers on his head, and it made him feel so cosy, and protected, and loved that finding a way to sleep wasn't especially tough.
After some time of recognition of the situation, Max tightened his embrace around Charles' ribcage and put a soft kiss on his chest before raising his head to look into these gorgeous eyes. The Dutch driver winced a little after seeing them red, swollen and deprived of cheerful spark, but he wasn't surprised since the last races had been horrible for Charles. Max's weekend at Silverstone hadn't ended up favorably either, but it was easier to accept some malfunction in the car after a couple of wins than another mistake of your team in a row.
Max understood it, maybe even too well.
But seeing his sweet Charles, his favorite person and walking sunshine, to be so sorrowful made his heart aching. He knew he couldn't do anything but offer him comfort through his touch, since they already had an honest conversation about the race. It was one of the principal rules of their relationship to talk about all the feelings and thoughts after the races or qualifications, so there is anything unspoken left.
When Charles smiled softly at him, Max could feel a warm, fuzzy feeling inside him. He reciprocated the smile and pecked his rose lips.
"Have you rested a bit?" the younger one asked while stroking his naked back under the blanket.
"Yeah, you are comfty Charlie." Max replied with half closed eyes, still not fully awaken. Charles chuckled and Max was just in love. He knew he was cheesy, but Charles had shown him that emotions were okay. That having positive feelings wasn't a weakness, unlike he had been taught. That he isn't too much because he wants closeness. Charles was more than ready to take Max's love with him despite its fervency, hesitance or clumsiness and give him his love in return. Max couldn't find a better person to share life with. "Have you slept too?"
"Nah, couldn't fall asleep. You know, too many thoughts." Charles looked dimmed again and flashbacks from the race could almost been seen on his face. It was painful to watch, especially compared to how Charles had shone on the highest step of the podium at the beginning of the season. He simply didn't deserve this shit and Max wanted to cheer him up so bad.
"Would you like me to do something?" he asked with furrowed brows and put his right hand on Charles' cheek. He could feel stubble on his palm as Charles snuggled into his hand and there was something natural in this gesture as if Charles had done it without thinking. As his body was completely accustomed to Max's touch and Max skipped a breath when he realized it.
"Some kisses would help, I guess" Charles said with closed eyes and a little shy smile. His cheeks become slightly flushed, and he looked so appealing, so charming that Max could do anything for him.
"Fine, but then I'm gonna help you fall asleep, okay?" Max told him and after Charles nodded he pulled himself up and press his full lips against his lover's ones. Charles immediately wrapped his arms around his waist and made Max almost lay on him. They kissed lazily, slowly and tenderly since they had already learned that kisses don't have to be a foreplay only. They used them to feel proximity, to exchange feelings and even if they wanted each other so bad and almost all the time, these moments of respite deepened their bond more than quick sex before the race ever could. Charles knew that Max had some difficulties with speaking about his emotions, but touch-love was easy for him, so he tried to initiate small moments between them as often as possible. And honestly Charles simply loved kissing Max who was so passionate and focused on Charles like no one before.
A quiet sigh of relief left Charles' mouth when they separated after the kiss. He still felt miserable because of the race, but having Max next to him made the failure more bearable. He looked at him and remarked how sleepy his eyes were. Charles wanted to say they should get proper sleep, but at the same time Max leaned in to steal another kiss and Charles couldn't resist.
And they kissed, kissed and kissed.
"We have to stop if we don't wanna be late for the fly tomorrow" Max muttered into his mouth after a few more moments. Their faces were close to each other, and they shared the same breath. Max amusingly poked Charles' nose with his and added: "But I promise we'll make up for it at home."
Max froze. They didn't live together technically, but he spent so much time between the races at Charles' apartament that he involuntarily started to think about it as their home. He didn't force himself to take his words back though, so he just looked scarily at Charles who saw his uncertainty and pecked his lips to wash it off. "Can't wait" he replied gaily and grinned.
Max smiled at him too before taking him into his arms, so now it was him who was laying on the back. Charles immediately tucked his head into his neck and tried to follow Max's breathing to fall to sleep. With Max's soft kisses pressed against his hair and forehand, his mind finally became peaceful. His last thought before the sleep wasn't about that damn race, but about how lucky he was to have Max by his side.