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Seb holds back a sigh. Charles keeps squirming in his arms, trying to dodge the comb. - “Charlie, please. Stay still,” he pleads with a touch of impatience. Charles whines but leans back against his Dam and crosses his arms.- “Pouting won’t make the minutes go by faster, you know?”
“I know,” he retorts sulkily, poking at the nest’s blankets. Kimi hovers at the doorway with an amused smile. Seb gives him an exasperated look, and the Alpha shrugs. - “We need to get there before Max.”
“Before Max?” Kimi laughs, finding the way the two pack pups constantly teased each other amusing. “And why’s that, pup?”
Charles stares at him as if he’d asked why the sun burns. Kimi knows a sassy answer is coming but Seb cuts him off. The Omega squeezes a glob of foam into the pup’s hair. Charles squeals. - “Think carefully about your answer, hmm?” he purrs calmly. Charles sniffles softly, pushing himself backward. Seb winces at the impact and the stain now adorning his shirt.
“We’ve warned you about this, Charles,” Kimi intervenes, stepping closer. The pup chirps tearfully, sounding regretful. - “One day, you’re going to hit your head hard or hurt someone.”
“Sorry, Dam,” Charles whimpers, turning to hug the Prime Omega. Seb sighs, resigning himself to the fact that he’ll have to change his shirt and forget about fixing the pup’s hair. He pulls the pup into a cradling position in his lap. Charles’ hand instinctively falls onto his neckline, and his eyes close.- “Sowwy,” he mumbles.
Seb shakes his head, a maternal smile crossing his face as he brushes a curl away from his pup’s forehead and guides him to rest on his chest. - “I know, mein Liebling,” he assures, exchanging a glance with Kimi. The Alpha steps closer with a blanket scented by both of them. The pup sighs happily. - “I think it’s nap time,” Seb purrs.
“No nap,” Charles whines without even opening his eyes. His pseudo-parents chuckle softly.
“A nap sounds like a wonderful idea,” Kimi reinforces, sitting beside his Omega and kissing the pup’s forehead. Charles wrinkles his nose, sniffing his Sire and smiling involuntarily at his nearness. - “Rest, kultaseni,” Kimi gently commands.
Charles falls asleep surrounded by the best scents he’s ever known, wrapped in a soft, fluffy blanket bearing the emblem of his new team.
The rookies are looking around. Albon is the only Alpha in the group, a young one without even his canines yet. From the moment they entered, every member of the pack could feel the nervous energy radiating from them—whether it’s Norris’ restless leg bouncing, Russell’s stammering chatter, or Albon’s brooding silence.
“Will Vettel and Raikkonen take long? I have better things to do,” Kvyat huffs, earning disapproving looks from the others.
“Change your attitude or leave, Daniil,” Fernando says, his voice steady and unbothered. The Spanish Omega is seated in the chair next to the one reserved for Kimi at the head of the table. Lance naps in his lap, undisturbed by the tension, while Carlos sits on the other side in the seat that would’ve been Mark’s if the Alpha weren’t traveling.
“Do you really think you have that much authority, Alonso?” the Alpha snaps.
The Spaniard’s eyes lift. He stares at the younger one as though he were just another unruly pup and clicks his tongue. “Out. You’re annoying me,” he orders.
“What?”
“Lewis, Daniel… do the honors, porfa,” the Omega ignores the shock spreading through the room. Daniel doesn’t hesitate before standing and walking toward the other Alpha. Lewis plants a quick kiss on Nico’s temple before getting up. Max presses closer to the Omega as soon as the Alpha moves, and Nico purrs.
“How long have you wanted to do that?”
“Since last Thanksgiving, at least,” the Latino confesses, making Checo chuckle softly and shake his head. Esteban, who had been dozing on his shoulder, opens his eyes but groans and closes them again. - “Amorecito, call Kimi. I swear I’ll summon Mika if he’s fallen asleep. Petulant pup.”
Max chuckles quietly. Nico smiles, stroking his shoulder blades affectionately. Valterri walks through the room, handing out refreshments to everyone. - “No caffeine, I promise,” he says aloud. Only Pierre and Max notice the conspiratorial wink.
“You’re a gem, Val,” Kevin says calmly, leaning back in his chair. Romain kisses his temple and tickles Pierre when he sees him wrinkling his nose.
“Thanks, mate.”
“Could we have something to eat too, please?” Max asks, looking more at Nico than the pack’s Beta. Nico gestures toward Valterri with his eyes and chin. The young Alpha pup blushes slightly, repeating the question to Valterri this time.
“There are mini sandwiches in the right drawer that Kevin and I made this morning,” Checo announces while persuading Esteban to wake up. The French Beta grumbles. - “I swear I don’t understand how you and Lance always get sick at the same time,” Carlos chokes on his juice. Lance, without even opening his eyes, kicks him in the leg.
"This pack wouldn’t survive without you, Betas, taking care of us," Fernando purrs, appreciating his packmates’ work. He chooses to ignore the petty squabble between his two pups. - “You either sleep or sit with your brother. What’s it going to be, Lance Stroll?”
“Sleep,” the youngest Beta pouts, immediately settling down.
“And you can wipe that smug smile off your face, Carlos. Don’t think I didn’t see you poking your brother.”
“Sorry,” the Spanish Alpha blushes.
“Quite the handful, huh, mate?” Nico teases, biting into his salmon sandwich. Fernando shrugs. - “Maxie, pass Nando a napkin.”
“Yes, Dam,” the baby Alpha agrees instantly. Fernando thanks him, giving his own Alpha pup a sharp look. Carlos blinks in confusion. Fernando sighs in exasperation and literally points to the rookies sitting at the end of the table, whispering and watching nervously.
“I don’t understand, Dam,” Carlos says, still confused.
“Alphas,” Fernando sighs, clearing his throat. - “Rookies, please eat. And make yourselves comfortable, alright? Kimi and Seb are on their way.”
“Thank you, Mr. Alonso.”
“Eish,” Fernando hisses, displeased with the formal address. - “Just call me Fernando, please… And…” His Omega eyes stop on Lando’s sudden pallor as he realizes his sandwich contains salmon—and he’s already taken a big bite. - "Pup?”
Everything happens at once. One moment, everyone is staring at the orange rookie. The next, the door slams open with the arrival of the Prime Couple and their pup. And then, Lando is throwing up all over the floor.
“Bwoah. What’s going on here?” Kimi asks, horrified. He’s carrying a groggy Charles under one arm with Seb by his side.
“Mein Gott. Poor pup,” the Prime Omega coos, rushing to pull the brunette away from the mess. Lando gags again. George retches audibly. Alex averts his eyes, his disgust plain as his shoes get splattered. - “Come here, sweetheart,” Seb says gently, guiding Lando to his side. The pup doesn’t resist. - “Wipes and a clean shirt, please… And can someone clean the floor?”
“Here, Seb. Kimi asked me to bring this,” Pierre approaches after Kimi hands him Charles’ bag.
“Thanks, love,” Seb replies, already tearing open the pack of wipes and cleaning the pup’s face. Lando chirps miserably, shame weighing heavily on his small frame. He sniffles, mortified—he’s vomited in a room full of people he’s idolized since childhood, during the meeting that could get him into his dream pack. - “Oh, sweetheart… no need to cry,” Seb coos, tossing the soiled wipe and using another to clean the pup’s hands. - “See? All clean. Now we just need to change this shirt, hmm…”
“Sorry,” Lando whimpers, his voice thick with tears. The Dams in the room coo in sympathy. Kimi has to hold Charles back, as the pup looks ready to yank Seb away from Lando. - “I didn’t mean to make a mess. Gross. Sorry.”
Seb feels his heart ache and warm at the sight of crystal-clear eyes shining sadly at him, messy curls bouncing on the pup’s sweaty forehead. If it weren’t too bold of him, Seb would lay the pup down right there and put him down for a nap. - “It’s alright. It’s okay,” Seb soothes, scenting the younger one. Lando rubs his eyes with his fists. - “Guys,” the Prime Omega calls, “I’m taking Lando to change his shirt, alright? And get him some warm tea.”
“I can do it, Seb,” Hulkenberg offers.
“Nah, I’ve got it,” Seb assures. Lando is pliant in the Prime Omega’s arms, not uttering a word as Seb leads him out of the room. Charles lets out a sharp chirp as the door closes behind Seb. Kimi pulls him close, cradling him against his chest. The pup squirms.
“Behave, honey. Be my good pup,” Kimi instructs, rocking the younger one.
“My Dam,” Charles complains, tugging on Kimi’s shirt in frustration.
“Of course, love. Dam is just helping Lando.”
“No! My Dam! Mine! Not Lando’s!”
“Okay,” Kimi agrees, guiding the pup to scent his neck. Charles cries softly but slowly drifts back to sleep. - “He was taking his afternoon nap…” Kimi justifies to the others. Nico purrs in understanding, and Fernando reaches out to brush a curl away from the pup’s eyes. - “Why are the rookies looking at me like I’m one of Mika’s pet bears?”
Alex and George exchange shocked glances. Mika Hakkinen has pet bears? The Alpha reaches out to hold the Brit’s hand.
“Don’t scare the pups, you idiot!” Fernando scolds his brother. - “Darlings, come sit with us! Carlos! Make room!”
“But Dam!”
“Now!”
“Miss my Sire,” Carlos grumbles but gets up, allowing George to take his seat. Nico Hulkenberg gestures for Carlos to sit next to him. It doesn’t hurt that the blonde has more snacks on his side of the table, including salmon sandwiches. The Spaniard can’t suppress the victorious smirk he sends Max’s way when he notices the Dutchman glaring at him enviously.
Kimi adjusts Charles in his arms when he notices George staring at the pup. The Alpha's paternal instincts scream at him to offer the other pup a hug, but he knows he must remain rational for now.- “I want you all to know that we are honored by your willingness to attend this meeting. We don’t want to repeat past mistakes with you. Please know that our pack will always have space for you.”
Alex smiles. George grips the Thai’s hand tighter, but a shy smile begins to spread across his lips as well. Nico feels a wave of nostalgia at their innocence. He hears Max huffing and follows his gaze to the door, where Lewis and Daniel are entering. - “Ruhig, Maxie,” Nico murmurs in German.
“I am quiet,” the pup retorts in the same language.
“Watch the sass, or I’ll send you for a nap like Charlie and Lance,” Nico responds without changing his tone or language. Max blushes. Nico’s expression doesn’t waver, but he gently strokes his pup’s cheek. He rarely has to be stern with Max; Lewis typically handles that role, even if neither the pup nor the Alpha openly acknowledges it. Nico also dislikes reprimanding his pup in public.
Max can feel Russell’s gaze on him and returns it with a powerful look of his own. There’s a quiet satisfaction when the pup immediately looks away. But that satisfaction evaporates when, out of the corner of his eye, Max feels Lewis staring at him with a serious expression. He can practically hear the Alpha saying, “Care to repeat that so I can be sure I heard you correctly, pup?”
Max doesn’t enjoy Lewis’s lectures.
Nico is much more pleasant. He gives better hugs. And he smells better.
“Come here,” a heavy arm pulls him to the opposite side of his Dam. Max whines quietly in protest. - “You’re restless today, pup,” Lewis teases with mock irritation, kissing his temple. Max wants to show the older Alpha who’s boss but loses all fight when Dam purrs. Max doesn’t want to upset Dam. He can handle Lewis.
“Bwoah. What’s with the pups in this pack today, huh?” Kimi asks incredulously.
“Pups like change about as much as cats like baths,” Kevin quips from across the table. Pierre is snoring in Romain’s arms, his face sticky with strawberry jelly. - “Hey! Your shirt, Romain!”
“The machine washes, mon chéri,” the Alpha replies calmly. Pierre rubs his face against his Sire’s chest, snoring softly. - “What matters is the little grump here giving our ears a break.” He kisses his pup’s temple lovingly.
“They don’t want us in the pack?” Alex asks, trying to sound braver than he feels. George clings to his arm. The Thai exhales deeply; he needs to be the strong one for both of them. He needs to project confidence for George. - “We won’t stay somewhere we’re not welcome.”
“You are welcome, Alex,” Kimi assures, extending his hand with his palm up and fingers open—a gesture of trust. George looks to Alex. They know Lando’s opinion; they know Lando wants to be part of the pack. They know Lando needs a pack, even more than they do. - “We’re a family, pups. If you choose to join us, you’ll have us by your side—for better or worse.”
“And if we don’t?” Alex blurts out immediately.
“Alex!” George scolds.
Kimi isn’t fazed by the question. In fact, he finds it amusing and respects the young Alpha’s courage. - “We’ll continue to respect you, and our professional relationship will remain cordial. Being part of the pack isn’t mandatory to be an F1 driver. A family shouldn’t be an obligation but a gift.”
The pack members exchange proud glances at their Prime Alpha’s words. Fernando mentally notes to tell Mika how well Kimi is doing as Prime Alpha. Who would have thought Mika Raikkonen’s “little devil pup” would grow into such a capable Alpha? Personally, Fernando never had much faith in his brother.
“I think I’d like someone to talk to after races,” George admits quietly. - “Wouldn’t that be nice, ‘Lex?”
“You can always come to us, George,” Lewis responds seriously, a warm smile playing on his lips, mirrored by Nico’s. - “And you too, Alexander.”
“Just Alex, please,” the Thai requests, scratching the back of his neck. - “Alexander is too formal. Georgie… and my family only call me that when they’re mad.”
“Alex, then,” Lewis agrees, exchanging a look with Daniel. The third-in-command gets up and retrieves two of the three folders from atop the refrigerator. - “It’s an NDA contract. While trust within a pack is fundamental, this is a safety measure we always take when a new member joins. We’re a public pack… and our family’s security comes first.”
“We understand… right, ‘Lex?” George squeezes Alex’s hand to get his attention. Alex nods, opening the portfolio and scribbling his signature at the bottom of the page.
“Welcome, my dears,” Fernando purrs, moving to hug them. Lance whines, clinging to him tighter. The Omega mentally facepalms. - “Ay mierda. I forgot about the pup,” he mutters with an embarrassed smile.
“Bwoah, clumsy,” Kimi teases.
“Well, I don’t have any pups in my arms, and I’d very much like to hug our new pups,” Nico announces, getting up and practically flying toward the duo. Alex and George awkwardly stand to return his embrace. - “I’m here for whatever you need, pups. If you want, you can stay with Maxie and me for as long as you need!”
“And with me,” Lewis interjects. Nico coos in acknowledgment. - “How do you forget we live together?”
“Because you spend half the year in this sunless country,” Nico replies acidly. Lewis averts his gaze as Max shifts and growls softly in his sleep. Lewis hums soothingly to keep him asleep. Nico clears his throat awkwardly. - “As I was saying, we have spare rooms.”
“We’ve rented a loft… Well, Alex rented it since he is the only one who can do it legally., but Lando and I are moving in,” George says, scratching the base of his throat. Nico’s sharp eyes zero in on the pup’s glands. A soft hiss escapes his lips at how swollen they appear.
“Oh, you poor pup!” the Omega coos, ignoring George’s explanation and pulling him into a tight hug. George barely suppresses a squeak when Nico’s wrists press against his glands. He smells like jasmine. - “Hulk, bitte, bring me a blanket. This pup is trembling!”
“Georgie.”
“Come with me, Alex,” Daniel says gently, guiding the younger Alpha to sit between him and Carlos. The Spaniard even willingly shares his snacks. - “Our Omegas and Betas will take care of George, alright? He’s not the first pup to need some hugs to feel better,” Daniel promises.
“And Lando?”
“Lando is in the best hands,” Jenson interjects. The unexpected praise for Sebastian surprises many; Kimi discreetly smiles. Perhaps there’s hope for the relationship between those two yet. - “Now, let’s focus on you and George.”
“I’m fine. I’m perfectly fine.”
“You’re always fine, aren’t you, pup?” Jenson retorts softly, his tone surprising the younger members. Carlos exchanges a glance with Daniel, who merely looks at JB with an expression heavy with memories. - “You’ve done well. You’ve taken good care of the pups, young Alpha,” Jenson murmurs, extending a hand to Alex. Alex exhales deeply. - “You can rest now.”
“Promise?”
“George is under my watch, Alex,” Lewis says in his deep voice. Despite holding a sleeping Max in his arms, the dark-haired Alpha keeps a hand on the blonde pup’s head, who is inhaling his Omega’s scent almost desperately. - “Nothing will happen to him.”
“And no one is crazy enough to mess with my Omega,” Kimi states firmly. - “Anyone who touches a hair on Lando’s head will lose their hand.”
“I’ll always wonder which of you two scares me more, Kimi,” Daniel comments.
“I grew up with bears knocking on my door, pup,” Kimi replies with a shark-like grin. Carlos shudders, and Fernando hisses at his brother. - “And Seb… he’s worse than all the bears I’ve ever seen when it comes to protecting our pack.”
“You’re adorable,” the sweet voice of the Prime Omega echoes. Automatically, all eyes turn to him and the orange bundle in his arms. - “Not as adorable as a pup, but adorable,” Seb muses. Kimi shifts Charles to free up one of his legs. Seb smiles, sitting on his left leg and leaning up to kiss his husband’s lips despite the pups cradled in their arms. - “This little one has an aversion to fish,” Seb says, squeezing Lando gently.
“Bwoah… we can adjust our diet,” Kimi responds.
Sebastian’s eyes meet his husband’s, and Kimi matches the intensity of the gaze. They don’t need words for the Omega to understand what the Alpha is proposing. It’s a silent, intimate conversation. - “Two pups in less than three years, Raikkonen. I think the idiots who talk about an Alpha’s virility being tied to their ability to provide for their family will be singing hymns about you.”
“Idiot,” Kimi chuckles softly, affectionately. - “So, it’s official then? We’re adopting him?”
“There’s no way in hell I’m letting this angel go.”
“Charlie doesn’t seem too thrilled about sharing his Dam.”
“Charlie…” Seb smiles fondly, brushing his wrist against his pup’s cheek. His pup, who is now an older brother. - “He’ll be the best big brother. It’s just a little sulking. He’s been chattering about everything he wants to show the new pups for weeks.”
“As long as no one tries to offer the other as dinner to a wild animal, we’ll be fine.”
“Seriously, Kimi?” Fernando grumbles, interrupting his conversation with Checo to glare at his brother. The Prime Alpha returns the glare with sarcasm. - “You’re still not over that? You’re fine, aren’t you?”
“Not thanks to you,” Kimi retorts. Seb frowns, puzzled. There always seems to be some story from his Alpha’s past that he doesn’t know. - “My idiot brother locked me out of the house, and there was a wolf nearby.”
“Well… didn’t you grow up around them? What’s the drama?”
“And then you’ll whine to Mika that I threw you off the yacht,” Kimi responds bitterly. Fernando looks at him, utterly indignant. - “The turtles were bigger than me!” the Omega gasps, clutching his chest.
Kimi rolls his eyes. - “Bwoah. Like that’s hard to manage.”