Chapter Text
MARCH 2021
“...so yeah, that’s basically how we nearly lost Hulk in Melbourne”, Dan ends and Max stares at him, the tiny screen of his phone way too bright for that time of the night.
“Because Lewis and you went shopping?”, he sums up with an incredulous look in his eyes and Dan raises one hand defensively, grinning. “Not my fault if he can’t keep up!”
“You abandoned him”, Max says dryly, pulling the blanket higher and Dan pulls a face, clearly not agreeing with his statement.
“He got lost”, he corrects him and Max snorts. “Sure.” He stifles a yawn, it’s already 1 in the morning and not for the first time he curses the time difference between them.
Dan is in Melbourne, it’s the first race of the new F1 season and Max is in Amsterdam, 8 hours behind and he misses him a whole lot. It’s been a month since they’ve last seen each other at the airport in Tokyo and Max isn’t sure when they see each other again - hopefully in May for their anniversary. Hopefully.
“Stop overthinking”, Dan reminds him quietly and Max gives him a sleepy smile, moving a bit more under the covers and yawning.
“‘M not”, he mumbles and Dan laughs. The sound makes Max all warm and fuzzy inside, his belly fluttering and he can’t help but smile, his grip around the phone tightening a little. Fuck, he misses him.
“Baby, I might not be there but I know you. And I know you like to overthink”, Dan says and Max smiles, his throat a little too tight suddenly.
“I know”, he mumbles, taking a deep breath. He wants to say something but then he hears singing from Lando’s room and he stares at the wall in horror, distracted for a moment.
We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we're together
Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better
'Cos you know I've got
So much that I wanna do, when I dream I'm alone with you
It's magic
“What the hell?!”, Dan asks amused, a grin on his lips and Max shakes his head, rolling his eyes.
“Lando is playing karaoke with his followers”, he explains dryly. “And they can pick the songs.”
“Jeepers, is that ABBA?” Dan raises his eyebrows, an excited spark in his eyes and Max shrugs, not really caring what song exactly Lando is butchering at the moment. “Don’t know.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s ‘Take A Chance on Me’ by ABBA.” Dan’s grin widens and Max shakes his head amused. His ABBA knowledge doesn’t reach further than Dancing Queen and maybe Mamma Mia and he looks at Dan again, takes in his beautiful smile.
His full lips which feel so warm and perfect on his’. His brown eyes full of love and Max’s throat is tight again, tears prickling in his eyes.
He doesn’t really have doubts about them or their relationship or his love for Dan but- it’s hard. Especially on nights like this when the last time they’ve seen each other was over a month ago, where all he has from Dan is a blurry picture on his small phone screen, Dan being at the other end of the world.
Where time zones and jet lags basically ruin every chance of having a daily routine with each other, their lifestyles too busy, too different and too hectic.
Max wonders sometimes if all of this is really worth it. Every plane ride, every layover at another airport, every late-night FaceTime conversation. And he’s pretty sure Dan asks himself that too, even tho he would probably never admit it.
But then Dan smiles at him, the world suddenly not seeming that dark anymore and Max realises once more how much he loves him. They knew this would be work. Knew they’d have to put some effort into their relationship, more than normal people might have to do and Max swallows dryly.
Dan is worth every late-night phone call, every long plane ride and every jet lag.
Max wants to say something when Lando suddenly yells “Honey I'm still free, take a chance on me!” and Dan and he both burst out laughing, Dan grinning widely. “Told ya.”
“Yeah.” Max laughs, shaking his head and rolling his eyes at his best friend.
They can be lucky that their neighbours are already used to all the shouting from Lando (and, okay, also Max) and Dan’s face softens.
“I miss you”, he says quietly and Max’s heart hurts at the three little words.
He knows they’re maybe a little overdramatic but with all these uncertainties in their lives- he tries his best to not overthink.
“I miss you too”, he replies, his voice a little hoarse and my god, he wishes Dan would be here. Would lay next to him and kiss him and run his hand through his hair and Max can hear someone shout Dan’s name from the back - sounding a lot like Hulk.
“You should go, you still didn’t have breakfast, did you?”, he says, forcing himself to smile and Dan nods, biting his lip. “Yeah, we’re going now. Sleep well, yeah? I’m gonna see you soon, Maxy.”
“I hope”, Max whispers, barely audible but Dan seems to have heard it, his smile widening a little. “Of course. Sweet dreams, Maxy.”
“Bye, Dan.”
“Gangsta.”
Max snorts and stares at his phone screen, Dan has hung up already and he shakes his head, swallowing dryly. Lando is still singing - or dying if Max judges by how it sounds but he won’t judge - and he pulls up Instagram, scrolling mindlessly through his feed.
Look. He’s happy for Lando and Carlos, he really is, especially after these two oblivious idiots took ages to finally confess their love for each other but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a little jealous.
And yes, he knows what he has gotten himself into when he started dating Dan. He knew they’d have a long-distance relationship most of the time. Knew Dan would be in different countries while he’s here in Amsterdam. But fuck, he misses him.
And Instagram doesn’t help at all. Max keeps staring at the picture, a sad smile on his face and his heart hurts - fuck, he misses him. And even though he just heard his voice five minutes ago he misses it, misses how Dan smiles at him and he closes Instagram, going on YouTube instead.
Also not helpful. And Max has watched that video at least five times already, no need to torture himself even more.
He knows Dan misses him just as much, they talk about everything and Max is grateful for it. He needs constant reassurance and Dan doesn’t seem to mind, always having a smile for him, being patient and being there for him.
They’re gonna see each other again in May, Max knows that - but that’s two months away. Dan will probably be in Amsterdam and then they’ll have to figure out a living situation with Carlos also being here nearly every day now.
God, things would be so much easier if they just lived together.
The time they spent together in Australia and Japan, basically being together for nearly three months and settling into some kind of daily routine - Max wants that again. Wants to wake up next to Dan every morning, wants to live with him-
He keeps scrolling through Dan’s videos and he gets a lump in his throat when he sees the next video.
Max swallows dryly, thumb hovering over the video before he locks his phone and stares at the dark ceiling. He’ll definitely cry if he watches that video now and he considers going to sleep - he knows everything seems worse at night and that he’ll be fine tomorrow morning - but there’s too much going on in his head.
Fuck, he misses Dan.
He unlocks his phone again but closes the YouTube App, opening Instagram and he scrolls through his camera roll for a second before he finds what he’s looking for - their last picture in Tokyo at the airport.
Hulk took it and Max treasures it, still remembering how soft Dan’s pink sweater felt below his fingers, how he smelled, how he had hugged him and he knows he’s close to crying. Fuck.
He pushes the blanket back, takes his phone and slips out of the bed, his bare feet hitting the wooden floor and he makes his way out of his room, gently knocking on Lando’s door. The singing stopped half an hour ago already and Max carefully opens the door.
Lando sits cross-legged on his bed, already in his pyjamas, Balu on his lap and Lando looks up when he sees Max.
“You’re okay?”, he asks, leaning against the wall and Max raises his eyebrows.
“You’re done trying to kill everyone with your horrible singing?”, he counters while he comes in, closing the door behind him and falling on the bed next to Lando and Balu, pulling his cat on his lap.
“Fuck you, I made a Twitter poll to let my followers choose a game to play and it turned out to be Singstar.” Lando laughs and Max pulls a face, his hand going through Bali’s soft fur. “It was horrible.”
“They loved it.”
“Of course they did.” Max can’t hold back a smile and Lando gives him a concerned look, pulling the blanket over them. “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?” Max plays with Balu’s ears which gets him an annoyed look from his cat and he avoids Lando’s eyes.
He just didn’t want to be alone, his bed feeling too big and empty and Lando pulls him closer, Max nearly falling into him and he manages to steady himself, Balu giving him an offended look before gracefully walking over their legs to sleep on Lando’s chair.
“You talked with Dan on the phone and now you’re sad”, Lando states and Max shrugs helplessly, missing Balu’s warmth and leaning into Lando a little more.
“I miss him”, he says quietly. “And I’m not having doubts it’s just...hard.”
“I understand that but don’t you dare and leave Dan because I will be the one who has to deal with your sorry ass then and I’m not gonna do that.” Lando gives him a stern look and Max blinks confused but before he can say something, Lando keeps talking. “Because you won’t get a man like Dan ever again.”
“I know that.” Max can’t help the smile that’s forming on his face - he still can’t believe he got that lucky. That Dan actually wants to date him and Lando grins, properly pulling him closer. “Good. When are you seeing him again?”
“May, for the anniversary.” Max’s belly flutters when he thinks about it, warmth spreading through his veins and Lando smiles, carelessly throwing his phone on his pillow - how he hasn’t gotten a scratch in the display yet amazes Max every single time.
“He’s staying here then?”
“I guess, that’s okay for you?”
“Mate, you lived here first and Carlos nearly moved in anyways.” Lando laughs and Max smiles, chewing on his bottom lip while his gaze wanders through the room.
He loves Lando, he will forever be eternally grateful that he moved in with him in 2018 and he loves living with him. And he loves living in Amsterdam. He really does. But maybe-
“What- what would you say if... if Dan and I moved together?”, he says quietly and he can feel Lando tense a little next to him.
“You mean like, forever?” Lando sounds a little hoarse suddenly and Max looks up, biting his bottom lip. “Yeah. I mean, if he’s in Europe it would be a flat where we are together and I mean I would always come back to Amsterdam and visit and-“
“Mate-“, Lando’s voice breaks a little but he’s smiling and he pulls Max even closer. “I’d be happy for you.”
“But you wouldn’t like it”, Max says quietly and Lando snorts, shaking his head. “Max, you’re my best friend and I love living with you - not just because you cook for me. Of course I’m gonna miss you when Dan and you move together but I knew this day would come.”
“You did?” Max stares at him and Lando nods, a small smile on his face.
“Mate, I see the way you look at each other. It’s mean to be”, he says and Max’s throat tightens. He has no doubts about his relationship but it feels so fucking good to have his best friend by his side, supporting him.
“I get Balu”, Lando then says and Max stares at him. “Absolutely not!”
“He likes me better anyway!”
“He’s my cat!”
“And he loves me!”
“I’m the one feeding him!”
“Technically we’re both feeding him-“
Max can’t hold back his laugh anymore and Lando neither, both of them laughing until Lando is nearly crying and Max puts an arm around his shoulder, swallowing down the lump in his throat. “Thank you, mate”, he says quietly and Lando smiles - it’s an honest one.
“Just means Carlos can move in here.” He grins and Max shakes his head amused, leaning against his best friend. He’s gonna miss living with Lando, miss these evenings and them gaming until 6 in the morning (which, to be fair, has gotten a bit rarer) and Lando takes a deep breath.
“By the way, did you hear anything from that F1 driver? Charlie or so?”, he asks and Max snorts, he has completely forgotten about Charles. “Charles, and no. I doubt he’ll write me after all this time.”
It’s been 4 months that Charles and he exchanged numbers at the Mexcian GP and he doubts he’ll hear from him ever again - he could’ve guessed that. He’s just not interesting enough for an F1 driver and it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.
Charles- it isn’t that he necessarily liked him but he had actually thought they could maybe become friends. Well. It wasn’t supposed to be then.
“He’s scared that you’ll kick his ass.” Lando grins and Max wants to say something when Lando changes the topic once again - really, Max shouldn’t be so surprised, Lando’s brain is a mystery of its own.
“Have you talked with Dan about it?”
“About Charles?”
“No, about moving in together.” Lando rolls his eyes at him and Max blinks confused, slowly shaking his head. “No. Do you think he wouldn’t want that??”
He doesn’t know where that panic in his voice is suddenly coming from but Lando just sighs, burying his face in his hands.
“And you’re saying I’m the idiot”, he mumbles - Max elbows him for that.
“Max”, Lando gives him an exasperated look, “Dan loves you. That man will do absolutely everything for you, haven’t you noticed that by now?”
“I-“
“Shut up. He loves you and I’m pretty sure if you suggest it he’ll start searching for flats immediately.” Lando grins and Max takes a deep breath, his heartbeat slowly calming down again.
Deep down he knows Lando is right and Max smiles, playing with the phone in his hand. “Thanks, you dick.”
“Always.” Lando grins and Max feels as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. They keep talking until Lando falls asleep, Max switching off the light but staying in his bed, opening his chat with Dan on his phone.
Whatever will happen, whatever the future has in store for them, they’ll make it - together. As long as Max has Dan by his side he doesn’t worry too much about it and they will be okay.
He takes another deep breath, Lando next to him already snoring peacefully and before he can think longer about it, he starts typing.
