Chapter Text
Charles was drunk. Very drunk. But it was his 22nd birthday so who was really going to complain.
The nightclub was heaving, sweat dripping off of half naked bodies pressed up together in the crowd. The sea of people were lit by the bright burst of rainbow colours being emitted from the strobe lights, the dance floor awash with youth and vibrancy.
Max had settled into one of the booths watching from afar as Charles gyrated around. He didn’t really mean to stare but it was quite the show. Charles may be an amazing driver. Charles may be able to play the piano and speak multiple languages. Charles may be able to do a million and one things but Charles could not dance.
The Monegasque was currently flailing his arms around erratically and swinging his hips without a care in the world. Max would have laughed but really who was he to judge, Charles was clearly having the time of his life.
The questionable dance moves didn’t seem to quell the attention the young driver was receiving from various women. A slim brunette was currently trying to attach herself to him but Charles deftly swerved his head in time, just missing the lipstick covered lips that were launching themselves at him. She seemed persistent though, too persistent Max thought, he was just about to get to his feet when he saw Pierre step in and move the woman away. Satisfied that Charles was okay he returned his attention to his drink and periodically looked down to check his phone.
“Come dance with me”
Max’s head shot up as he heard Charles shouting over the heavy beat of the music. The Monegasque was swaying side to side looking like he was about to tumble over any minute. Although to be fair that was also the way Charles looked when he was dancing so alcohol wasn’t completely to blame.
“I don’t dance” Max protested as Charles tried to reach out for him.
“Max, it’s my - ” before Charles could finish his sentence he tripped over his own feet and came crashing down to the floor where he lay laughing so hard he couldn’t get back up.
“I think maybe it’s time for you to go home” Max laughed gently as he pulled the younger driver up off of the beer soaked floor.
“Yes, take me home Maxy” Charles slurred, the vibrations of the music were no longer fuelling him, they were in fact making him feel a little queasy.
After letting the others know they were leaving and flagging down a cab Max attempted to haul Charles into his apartment building. Charles may not have been heavy but his reluctance to move meant Max had to practically carry him all the way to the elevator.
“Where are your keys Charles?” Max asked as Charles just stood at his front door looking confused.
“Charles, your keys?” Max tried to get Charles’ attention but the younger driver was now looking down at his own hands and laughing.
“What’s so funny? Max asked somewhat amused.
“Hands” was all Charles could respond as he held his hands up for Max to see. Max couldn’t suppress the laugh that left his lips, Charles was very, very drunk.
Reluctantly Max reached into Charles’ pockets feeling around for a set of keys as Charles squirmed around and giggled. As the Dutchman fished out they keys and successful opened the front door he helped Charles inside.
“Shall we get you to bed?” Max tried to work out which door led to Charles’ bedroom. The Monegasque was no use, he had now wondered off to the living room, conveniently choosing this moment to regain the use of his legs.
Charles tapped numerous buttons on his stereo until a loud burst of music blared out making Max almost jump out of his skin before he ran over and turned the volume right down.
“Charles, it’s late, your neighbours”
“You wouldn’t dance with me. In the club. Please dance with me.” Charles looked over at Max pleadingly.
“You need to get to bed”
“Just one dance. It’s my birthday” Charles’ gave Max his most endearing smile.
“Then you’ll go to bed?”
“I promise” Charles giggled.
Max didn’t dance. He didn’t even know how to dance but there was nobody else to see and it wasn’t as if Charles was much better so he nodded his agreement. Max felt the awkwardness in his body as he prepared to swing his limbs around to the ridiculous beat that was now playing quietly in the background. He waited for Charles to start moving first, he didn’t want to be the only idiot in the room but Charles was currently pre-occupied trying to change the song, eventually finding something far slower.
The younger driver turned the volume up slightly and moved close to where Max was standing, he slipped his hands around Max’s shoulders and pulled their bodies close together. Max felt himself tense up momentarily at the closeness, Charles practically melting into him as they both swayed back and forth. As Charles’ hands glided over his back, Max felt himself relaxing into he rhythm, their foreheads now pressed together, eyes closed. It may have been Charles that was drunk but it was Max that suddenly felt intoxicated.
Charles knew Max was gay, Max had never tried to hide the fact from anybody but the Dutchman wondered if the other man realised he had a crush on him. Surely not, he had never told anyone how he felt about the Ferrari driver, it had never seemed worth mentioning, Charles was straight as far as he knew. The older man tried not to think too deeply about it, instead he let himself soak up the intimacy that currently existed between the two of them, letting the thought of them being more than friends enter his mind for a fleeting second.
“Some girl tried to kiss me” Charles murmured.
“I saw”
“Her lips weren’t as pretty as yours” Charles whispered gently and Max had to bite down on his own lip to stop the moan that was about to fall from his mouth.
If Charles’ hadn’t been so drunk, Max would have lent in and pressed his lips up against the younger mans right then and there. He would’ve pulled Charles in close, kissing him tenderly at first before deepening the kiss and showering Charles with all the passion that he had for him. But Charles was drunk, very, very drunk and Max couldn’t help but think it wasn’t right so instead he held Charles tighter as the music hummed in the background.
When the next day rolled around Max knew he had done the right thing, Charles had been so drunk he hadn’t even remembered getting home. Their slow, private dance seemingly erased from Charles’ memory but ingrained permanently in Max’s.