Chapter Text
When Nico was sixteen he came downstairs one morning and his dad started crying.
"Do you know what you just did?" His dad had asked him, pointing at the younger man's neck.
A bite mark. His bite mark.
Nico had let Lewis bite him, marking him as the brit's omega.
He had shrugged his dad's concerns. He loved Lewis, and it was safer for him to go to F1 bonded either way.
There was only one problem... he had never bit Lewis back.
That night because he was too out of it to think. Later, because the alpha had told him it was not necessary. Then the long distance made it impossible. And now...
Now Lewis did not want him.
He now understood why his dad had cried that day. Nico yearned every single moment for his mate, and he would always do... while Lewis could spend the rest of his life without him.
An alpha could bite a hundred omegas, but an omega could only be bitten once.
That was not the worst part.
Nico would never have a family.
He won't get pregnant unless the alpha he's bonded with is the one to do it.
He's alone. Forever.
~•~
"Meet Formula One's baby, Max Verstappen!”
Nico did not think that much about Max when he arrived. He was too focused on his rocky relationship with Lewis and the beginning of the end. So, no more than necessary thoughts were had.
Thankfully Lewis seemed to not like Max.
He is not sure of what he would do if his the alpha took like of another blond foreigner boy.
And was he a boy, Jesus...
Thing is, Max was young. Really young.
It made Nico hope that maybe... no.
Max had a dad.
A very present, very angry dad.
Yet he reminded Nico of how much the omega wanted a kid.
Every fight with Lewis was another lock on that door.
~•~
Max was a fucking lunatic and Nico was glad he did not have to deal with any children.
The teen drove like a madman. He drove like someone was going to kill him if he did not make podium. And Nico would not usually mind, except two things:
It could screw his race (and his chances to beat Hamilton) and it was dangerous. For himself and others, sure.
But also for Max.
So, after some comments to the media—which he would regret later, because Max did not deserve Nico taking his anger out on him so publicly—, he walked up to the other's motor home and knocked.
The kid took a long time before opening. Nico wished he hadn't.
A fucking bruise.
Nico frowned, deeply. "Who did that?" He hissed, grabbing Max's chin to inspect his face.
Max flinched, withdrawing from his hold. "It's nothing."
Nico decided not to press more. "Look, I didn't come here for that. I just wanted to say...-"
"You think I'm dangerous." Max blurted out.
"I..."
Max talks again, "I heard you saying it on your interview." He looks straight at Nico, and it's so freakishly creepy. "It's okay, everyone thinks that."
"I don't mean half of the shit I say in my interviews." Nico clears, because he feels like he has to.
"Then why do you say them?" Max asks, factually. But there's hurt behind it,
...the german does not have an answer.
"Do you mind that people call you Britney?" Max asked out of the blue.
What?...
"Umm... sometimes I do. When it's people I don't like." Nico says, confused. "Why?"
Max is quiet, looks away, then stares at Nico again. "...I don't want to be called Mad Max."
Oh.
"I'm sorry I called you dangerous." Nico says genuinely. "I'm just worried...-"
"That I'm going to kill someone." Max interrupts him. "I know."
Nico lays a hand on his shoulder. "That you are going to kill yourself."
Max froze, like he never thought about the possibility that his life was worth the same as the other drivers.
Like he never thought about the possibility that it was worth more than winning.
"Oh."
Nico smiles, cradling Max's cheek. Max only allows himself a second of comfort before pulling away.
"You should go... my dad is coming back soon." The kid says. "I... he doesn't like it when I talk with other racers. But it was nice of you to stop by!" He quickly adds, like he was scared that it would make Nico mad.
Nico simply nodded. "I'll see you later, Max."
"Thanks, Rosberg."
"Nico it's okay, kid." He says, chucking. Once he's about to walk out the door, he adds. "Or Britney."
~•~
Nico was attached, there was no point in denying it.
There's only some many self deprecating jokes and childhood abuse comments that a person can make before it's obvious that there is a problem. And Nico noticed instantly that Jos Verstappen was the worst dad in the world. He did not waste any time after his discovery to bond with Max.
Nico had fought with Lewis not long before, earning himself Toto's disapproving speech that he could not stand at the moment. Stomping around the paddock, he found himself bumping against a lump on the floor.
"Fuck!" The kid hissed, dragging his legs towards his chest and looking up at Nico.
"Sorry." Nico said, squatting down to be at eye level. "What are you doing down there?" Max was still in his racing suit, sweat pressing his hair against his face.
The Dutchman shrugged. "Just... here."
Nico sighed. "Come on, get showered and we'll go to the pack's room."
Max seemed unsure. "They don't... really like me that much."
He wishes he could tell Max he was exaggerating, but the teen was not wrong.
Whatever, Lewis would be there too so it's not like Nico is in a hurry to go.
"Then come on, we'll go to my room."
Holding his hand, Nico pulled Max towards his room. With every blanket he had, he managed to build a provisional nest and invite Max in it.
He had undressed the young alpha, making him shower and change into some of Nico's baggier clothes. Now, they comfortably laid down.
"You're nice." Max says, warily.
Nico frowns, "thanks."
"It's weird."
Yeah... it was.
After half an hour of cuddling together Nico began purring. He had not meant to, but Max's true alpha scent had not yet developed so he had that milky scent that characterized pups.
When Toto called him to go to a meeting, he simply turned off his phone and hugged Max closer.
Like he said: attached.
~•~
Nico was absolutely traumatized by Max's driving.
He needs a shrink.
It's simply impossible to deal with his fights with Lewis while also having the little terror threatening him on his rear view. Hell, he even calls his dad to rant. (Which only serves to make Keke want to meet Max.)
But, for all the shit Max pulls at the track, he makes up outside of it.
Including giving Nico flowers and praising him with the media, after the german won a race.
Max was the sweetest pup ever, and Nico could almost forget that Lewis just said they were no longer mates in international television.
Almost.
If he stayed hidden in his room with tears running down his face then it's his business and only his. At least there was nobody around when he came out.
Except for one person.
"Why are you still here?!" Nico asked, seeing the kid wandering alone.
Max shrugged. "My dad did not wait for me." He said, unbothered.
"And..?" Nico asked.
"I do not have a license."
He should not have laughed at that... but he did. Loudly.
"Come on, pup. I'll take you to the hotel."
He and Max walked towards the car, Nico opening the door for the younger man and ruffling his hair once he sat down.
The drive was quiet, only the soft sound of the radio playing in the background remained. Since the next race was in two weeks, Nico decided to stop by a Macdonald's and buy two small ice creams.
Max looked at him confused,
Nico huffed and explained. "I'm upset, you're upset, we get ice cream. Now eat and don't tell this to anyone."
Max did so, contently licking at his spoon while Nico reached their hotel. They disposed their little secret in a bin outside to get rid of the evidence, and walked into the hotel. Nico had Max wrapped around his arm while they got inside the elevator.
He forgot Hamilton was staying in the room down the hall.
Two omegas, one female and one male, were with the British driver. They were painfully beautiful, and Nico had to hold back a whimper while the trio walked past him to reach the lift. The alpha saw him and, for a moment, he looked somewhat hurt. Then his gaze shifted and he saw the Dutchman at Nico's side.
Max growled lowly at him, standing in front of Nico. Lewis sneered and chuckled. "For god's sake, Rosberg, at least wait until they start shaving before draping yourself over them."
The alpha squeezed Max's cheek, instantly Nico dragged Max behind him. "Do not touch him." Nico hissed.
Hamilton frowned and huffed before turning back. "Whatever, I have better things to do." Then walked away with his two omegas.
Nico opened the door with his card and stomped inside. "I can't fucking believe him." He muttered angrily in german, before grabbing blankets and rebuilding his nest.
Max looked sheepish, and simply stood there until Nico finished. The older driver laid down waiting for him.
"Come on." Nico prompted when it became obvious that Max was not going to move.
The kid pouted but ultimately laid down, too.
After a couple of minutes of just cuddling together, he heard Max speak. "Are you sad?"
It was barely above a whisper, and it was said in german, but Nico heard it.
"Why'd you ask that?" He says, sleep threatening to take over him.
Max rolled so he was looking at Nico, and bit his lower lip. "I'm... I heard what Lewis said, in his interview. About you two no longer being mates... and then you were crying... and now we saw him with the two...-"
"Yes." Nico interrupted him. "I'm a bit sad. But it's okay, baby, it was bound to happen."
The Dutchman pouted and looked at Nico's neck. "But he bit you! You two are bonded!"
Nico sighed. "But I didn't bite him back, Max. He's not tied to me as I am with him. He can move on."
"That's unfair!"
Nico loves this kid.
He loves him so fucking much.
"I know."
"But you're YOU!" Max huffs, his scent giving away his frustration.
He laughs. "What does that mean?"
"You know! Like, every driver's crush. Anyone would bond with you if you wanted it! You're fucking Britney, for god's sake! Everyone has a cool driving nickname and you're named after a pop princess. That's you."
Nico blushes, only a bit. He loves to know he's still wanted; still worth something even when marked.
He wonders if maybe it's the right time to be honest...
"I wanted a pup." Nico says, cradling Max's head against his neck. "I wanted a family. Told myself that as soon as I retired we would endlessly try for it."
"And now," He continued. "Now I don't even have a mate." He sobs the last part and tears come down his eyes before he can stop them.
Max hugged him the rest of the night. Then they flew together in Nico's plane because Jos decided to take his flight without his son. Never mind that said son is the reason he's traveling for. The German will never get it. How can Jos not care for Max?
Sweet, golden, precious Max who terrorizes Nico in the track and then holds him throughout the night.
It's okay, Nico can care enough for both of them.
~•~
He may be caring a bit too much.
At least that what Toto says after Verstappen Sr. has a fit in the middle of the paddock.
Apparently, abandoning the kid after the race and not even finding him a flight to go to the next country did not mean that Jos was okay with Nico driving and flying Max in his jet.
Nico felt devastated at the idea of not being able to keep hanging around Max. The whole weekend he was unfocused and prickly, though apparently not more than the teen Dutch.
The kid was bitchy, and lashed out at anyone who got close to him. He also dnfed, which made him even snarkier than before.
It took Nico way too long to understand what was happening. But once he did he grabbed Max and hid him in Nico's room, Jos Verstappen be damned.
A rut.
Not Max's first one, and still not a full blown rut. That did not make it any less impactful.
At first Nico thought he could manage. It was alright. Cuddling with Max, making him eat and drink, keeping him in a nest. He does all of it even without the rut.
Then came the fever. And with that Max's inability to be aware of his surroundings for more than 3 minutes.
Nico was marked, which meant that Max did not find anything beyond a paternal bond between them. Understanding this, Nico asked
"Do you want me to call someone?"
Max cried into the German's shoulder. Nico raised his head and wiped his tears. "Nando?" Deny. "Seb?" A growl, deny.
Nico kept brainstorming about omegas in the grid, but Max did not look convinced about any of them.
The Dutchman spoke after some time. "Carlos."
Nico froze. "You want Carlos?"
"Yes."
"But Carlos is an... oh. OH... yeah, no problem. I'll get you Carlos."
Nico ran to get his phone, ignoring Max cries after being left alone in the nest. He spoke when the Spaniard picked up the phone. "Hi... we have a problem."
If Carlos reached the finish line as fast as he reached Nico's room, the omega--and every other racer—would officially kiss their championship chances goodbye.
"I'm here, what does he need?" Carlos accented voice asked.
"Apparently you." Nico shrugged, patting Carlos' shoulder and showing him inside.
Max was squirming in the nest, and Carlos kneeled beside him. "How are you, Maxie?"
"Pain."
Max had even less words than usual, and Carlos looked a bit unsure of what to do. "Do you want me to hug you?" Max nodded and the older alpha hugged him.
Carlos kissed Max's lips and the Dutchman pulled him into the nest.
Nico kneeled with the pair and kissed the top of Max's head. "I'll be right outside if you need me."
Nico's hand hovered over the door handle, waiting to check if Max needed help. He was about to open the door when he heard the thin voice squeak out "Britney?"
"Yes, baby?" Nico asks, ready to kick out Carlos if necessary.
But Max only smiled shyly before hiding his face on the alpha's shoulder. "Thank you."
If only Max knew that Nico would give him anything.
Even if it meant sitting out of his own room throughout the whole night, to make sure Max was okay while also ensuring his privacy.
Nico may or may not have fallen asleep leaning against the door.
...
A harsh kick to his extended leg startled him awake. A string of curses in german left Nico's mouth before he saw who woke him up.
"What are you doing on the floor?" Lewis asked, serious.
"None of your business." Nico hissed, standing up.
"You're my teammate, so that makes it my business."
Nico huffed, leaning against the door. He was still very sleepy, could not even bother to flip Lewis off.
"But I'm not a good teammate, am I? Or a good mate, for that matter."
Hamilton went quiet. Nico frowned, wishing to go away. But he cannot betray Max, and he promised that he would be outside.
The alpha's scent soured up, "Maybe if you actually attempted to be happy for me you would be a good mate! Instead you go bitching around like you deserve the championship just because you're a spoiled little princess."
"Everything I do is be happy for you! I only want ONE fucking championship! JUST ONE!" Nico cried out.
Lewis looked frustrated, then had a deep breath before stilling. "Why do you smell like rut?"
Nico looked down. Cursing internally, he blamed himself for not changing before going outside.
"It's Max." He said, looking away. "I'm outside the room to make sure he's okay."
"That's unnecessary." Lewis mutters.
"It's not!" Nico perks up. "I have to make sure that it goes smoothly! Everyone does it." Except Jos Verstappen. If what Max told him about his pasts experiences was true.
"Every *parent* does it." Lewis says factually. "You're not his dad, Nico. Stop acting like it."
"Pups need a..."
"HE HAS A FATHER ALREADY!" Lewis shouts.
Nico flinches. It's embarrassing.
His back presses against the door in fear. Of what? he is not sure.
"That man is no father and we both know it." His voice quivers, but he is stubborn. "Mess with me all you want, but don't fucking bring a child into this."
"Whatever." Lewis says before walking away.
Nico sighs and sits back down.
After an hour, Hamilton comes back with two coffees, handing one to the blond. They sit together quietly until Max shouts for Nico. Then Lewis vanished.
~•~
It's was absurd to think that sitting together for some hours in complete silence meant that he and Lewis were good now. It was.
Knowing that did not make Nico any less disappointed when Lewis kept being photographed with new omegas, or when he ignored Nico at any chance.
Depression tugged at him any moment he was not inside a car. Eating, sleeping, grooming, or doing things he enjoyed, suddenly felt more like a hassle than a necessity.
It shows.
He knows it shows.
Even if he did not know, the media does not miss any chance to tell him how bad he looks certain weekends. Even Jenson fucking Button decides to tell him that it looks like he has not showered in a month.
It does not prompt him to change, only helps Nico feel even more helpless.
Why even bother? No one wants him anyways.
That day, he stays on the sidelines watching Max deal with the media's attention. They are doing the teenage magazine type of questions, and Nico knows that the Dutchman despised those.
Angry Max gives the best answers, so fun was assured.
"Do you have a crush in any of the drivers on the grid?" A reporter asks.
Max stops mid eye-roll when he remembers he's boing recorded. "That's inappropriate."
The question or the crush? Who knows.
Still, the reporter rephrased. "Who would you say it's the most attractive? No need to involve crushes."
The teen blushed. "Objectively? Well, there's a lot of attractive drivers. Umm... Button, Carlos,... Fernando and Kimi have their charms...-" Nico supposed that Max mentioned some omegas so that it would not seem weird. Poor kid and his awakening sexuality. "—... obviously Brit..— Nico."
The german hid his smirk at Max stumbling over his nickname. The kid did not like to say it to the press as he believed it could sound offensive.
The interviewer asked, "Rosberg?" Max nodded. "Well, yes. Certainly a few years ago he was the prettiest driver but..-"
Max stared at the other with an icy glare. "Nico is the most beautiful person I've ever seen. Not only that but he's one of the best drivers in the grid right now. He's an inspiration and maybe if you weren't asking me this idiotic questions you could get your head out of your fucking ass and fucking see that."
Yeah... he's getting scolded for that. But right now Nico could not feel happier. Max likes him and that's enough.
Fuck you, Jos Verstappen. You're never touching that kid again.
He dragged Max towards his plane as soon as they could leave. It was fun gossiping with the teen while traveling to their new destination.
"So... Carlos?" Nico asked, because they never talked about that rut again.
Max was Ferrari red before Nico could ask an actual question. The alpha stuttered, "He-I...We... he's just a friend."
"Okay..." Nico smiled. It was lost quickly when he thought about how he and Lewis started like that. "A friend. Who helped you in a rut."
"Mhm."
Nico pinched the other's cheek. "It's okay if you don't like omegas Max."
"I do!" The other perked up. "I just... also like alphas. A lot."
"Mmm... like who?" Nico asked, interested in the gossip.
Max blushed even deeper. "I... so... DON'T TELL ANYONE. There's... Daniel."
Nico gasped. "I FUCKING KNEW IT!"
"is it that obvious?" Max covered his face.
"Meh, a little." Nico shrugged. "Besides, it's only natural you'll get to Red Bull at some point, and then you two will be sitting in a car... K-I-S-S-I..."
"Shut up!" Max groaned. "There's also Checo..."
Yeah, that one was obvious. Nico had seen the kid growling at people for getting closer to the Mexican, or subtly switching seating arrangements to sit beside him. It was amusing.
There's only a slight problem.
Carlos was like three years older than Max. Fine, Nico could get behind that.
But then Perez was seven years Max's senior...
And Daniel was even older than Sergio.
"Is there not anyone your age that you like?" Nico asked softly.
"I..." Max shrugged. "I don't really talk to people my age."
"I suppose there is Charles. And he was an omega... but we fought a lot." Max said after a silence. "I haven't seen him in some time..."
"It's okay, baby." Nico sighed, wrapping Max in a half hug. "Soon some of your friends will also get into F1."
"I didn't have any friends." Max said like it's obvious.
God, Nico is considering sending him back to high school just so that he learns how to function like a human being.
"Do you want to get drunk? I want to get drunk." Nico said. He's done. Parenthood is hard.
Max smiles, "fuck yeah."