Chapter Text
Japan - Thursday April 3
Knock Knock
Oscar tilts his head as he fixes the sides of his hair behind his ears and under his hat. He turns as he does, noticing the slip of paper slid under the door with the FIA logo watermarked in the middle of the page. Curious, he abandons the other side of his hair to look at the paper, flipping it over to reveal a wall of text.
Drivers,
As part of the initiative to prioritise mental health as well as physical health, the FIA now mandates regular check ins. At least once a week, or as much as you require, please message the below number with how you are feeling. You have been linked with a support person chosen to suit your persona. This service is intended to be anonymous.
NOTE: You are required to obey the laws of your contracts. DO NOT DISCUSS ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO YOUR TEAM.
Your cooperation is appreciated
###-###-###
“Fucking what?” Oscar mutters under his breath, half scoffing in disbelief of what he just read.
It was a pretty ridiculous premise, that texting a random number would somehow improve their mental health. Despite it sounding ludicrous, Oscar was always one for obeying authority and it wasn’t like he had a choice not to comply anyway. He slips his phone out of his shorts pocket and places the paper down on a nearby table before entering the number and assigning the name “Stranger” to the contact. He chuckles under his breath one more time at how out of touch the FIA are before being startled by a knock at door telling him he has 5 minutes before he needs to be at the fan forum.
“Yuuuup” Oscar calls back in response, stuffing his phone back in his shorts pocket and fixing the other side of his hair. He takes one more look in the small mirror, unhappy with the length of his hair and how it feels on his neck, but he is powerless to his team’s insistence to keep the length just that little while longer. He takes a breath before his trek to the fan forum, where he sees Lando leaning against a staircase giving him a polite wave.
“Did you get that letter under your door too?” Oscar asks, sticking his hand into his pockets as he leans against the railing opposite him. The crowd roars for the Ferrari team currently on stage.
“Yeah.” Lando smiles, shaking his head “Truly, they must think we're stupid”
Oscar’s smile slowly fades to a confused head tilt, his brow furrowing.
“What?”
“They just expect us to believe that the 'FIA' want us to text our innermost thoughts and feelings? To some random number they have 'matched on our personality type'?" Lando air quotes dramatically. “The media guys have really run out of content ideas, haven’t they?”
“Oh.” Oscar looks down, realising just how gullible he can be. “Yeah… right”
“You believed it didn’t you?” Lando stifles a laugh, a bright grin breaking across his face.
“It looked pretty official to me” Oscar shrugs, adjusting his hat nervously. After all, who goes through the effort of adding a watermark to a prank?
“Oh my god. It’s April 3rd, Osc! And we didn’t see each other on April 1st… It is a belated April fools prank” Lando keeps laughing as one of the social media crew records the interaction.
“Ah” Oscar lets out a small laugh, joining in even if Lando is laughing at him more than with him. “So, who’s number was it then?”
Lando holds out his hand expectantly, and Oscar tilts his head again before he reluctantly places his own hand in his. Lando smacks it away after a quick squeeze, his laugh getting louder but still muffled by the roar of the fans outside.
“It’s cute that you want to hold hands but give me your phone, dork. I’m checking if I have the number in my contacts”
“Right, yeah” Oscar’s cheeks flush red as he unlocks his phone and hands it over. For a second he wonders if this is a terrible idea with someone as mischievous as Lando, but he watches cautiously as Lando types the number into his own phone.
Lando looks down at the number in his contacts and maintains a perfect poker face, despite seeing that the number belongs to Max Verstappen. He knows his own assigned number was Charles Leclerc, which was a flaw on the media teams’ part for thinking he would not have the number of every driver on the grid bar the new rookies.
However, Oscar does not have Max's number. That much was obvious. It was an impossibility, because Oscar can’t stand Max. He avoids him at all costs, and mutters choice words under his breath to Lando whenever they have to interact with him, usually around him being a complete, pompous prick. It always made Lando laugh, seeing how bad Oscar fakes civility around him. It doesn’t seem like Max is particularly fond of Oscar either, given how he treats him.
It takes everything in Lando not to react. He hides a grin at the sheer brilliance of this accidental setup, something the media admin probably doesn't even realise they have orchestrated. He locks his phone and hands Oscar's back, deciding the April Fools prank should absolutely continue... purely for his own enjoyment.
“Nup, not in my phone” Lando says casually.
Oscar presses his lips together and nods once in mild disappointment.
“You should text it. I’m kinda curious now who these numbers are”
“What? Why can’t you text yours?” Oscar laughs
“I will too,” Lando half lies, considering he texts Charles occasionally anyway. “I just didn’t want to do it alone. This could be interesting actually. First person to befriend their stranger wins?”
“Wins what?”
“I don’t know, like 20 bucks or something”
“What if it’s a creep? Or a fan?”
“Just be anonymous like it said. More of a challenge anyway. C’mon, it’s just for a laugh.”
The intro for the McLaren drivers begins, and Oscar dips his head in reluctant defeat.
“Fine”
“Good boy” Lando grins.
Oscar shoves him lightly before they make their way up the steps to the fan stage, shaking the hands of Charles and Lewis on their way back down. He puts on his best smile as they wave out to the thousands of people waiting to see them. Of course, they all sing him an early happy birthday, which he never liked even in small groups of people, let alone thousands… but as always, he smiles and endures the awkwardness. The host turns to the boys once they sit down and directs a fan question for both of them in Japanese. They wait patiently as the translator communicates it back in English.
“Which driver on the grid would you like to get to know more?” The translator says into the microphone.
Lando brings the mic up to his mouth, a mischievous glint in his eye as he looks directly at Oscar.
“I would love to get to know Max more” He smiles, earning a small eye roll from Oscar that he hopes was not picked up on the big screen “What about you Oscar? You agree?”
Oscar presses his tongue to his cheek, shaking his head lightly while calling on his media training to think of an answer that isn’t “I’d rather die”. He scrunches his nose to the side and looks up to the sky as if the answer might be written in the clouds. He knows most drivers on the grid pretty well, and he hasn’t had much thought into who he wanted to learn more about.
“Yeah, I mean, Max is… cool” He stumbles, trying to keep his true, more vulgar thoughts locked behind his lips. “Uh, I think I would like to get to know the rookies more. I was in their place not that long ago after all”
Oscar smiles at the hosts as they translate back to the crowd in Japanese. He shoots a quick dagger glance at Lando, who could not be more pleased with himself for being the annoying, shit stirrer that he is. Lando knew Oscar wouldn’t agree, given Max is the last person he wants to interact with at all.
It wasn’t always this way though. Max used to be one of the F1 gods to Oscar, the blueprint of everything he wanted to become. They say never meet your heroes, and Oscar learned why at the Hungarian Grand Prix, 2024. His maiden win. It was a win filled with controversy. His lead had been squandered by his team’s poor decision making, which they rectified to the detriment of his own teammate. They ordered Lando to give back Oscar’s place, and much to his dismay and frustration, he complied and Oscar won.
Yes, Oscar felt bad to an extent, but it was his race to win, and he wasn’t the reason that he almost lost it. No one else really saw it that way however, and suddenly what was meant to be the best day of his life, the thing he dreamed about since he was a kid karting around Oakleigh, became a day he almost hates remembering. Almost.
His first time gracing the top step of the podium was met with Lando ignoring his existence and the faint sound of boos, but he shook that off. He knew Lando was mad, but in the end, it was not Oscar’s fault. Lando understood that in time. It was the media pen that fucked with him, seeing his peers comment anything other than congratulations was something he never expected from his first ever win.
It just so happened that day was not only a tough day for Oscar, but a tough day for Max too. Max was doing as Max does, unloading on his team for what was admittedly a poor strategy and at Lewis for colliding with him on track. At this point, Oscar and Max were fine. They did not really talk, but there was no bad blood. Oscar liked him, even if he was a tad aggressive and entitled at times… but who wouldn’t be when they won 3 championships in a row including the most dominant season of all time? It was only that night, when Oscar was being debriefed on the response to the days race, that he saw the Verstappen Tornado pick Oscar apart in its wake.
Q: Max, a very eventful race for you but also for Oscar Piastri. What is your take on the McLaren’s team decisions?
Max: Look you know, if my first race win was won like that? Well, I wouldn’t be very proud of myself. If he wanted to win, you know, he should have pushed through the shit strategy like the rest of us. That’s a deserved win.
Q: So, to be clear Max, you are saying Oscar’s maiden win was undeserved?
Max: Your ears work, that’s good to know.
He would never forget how his blood boiled at Max’s words, especially how ironic it was given his historically controversial 2021 championship winning race in Abu Dhabi. Oscar really thought that, out of everyone, Max would get it. He would back him up that when injustice is done, it should be rectified. Instead, he was met with betrayal and disrespect, and that was something Oscar never forgave. Not like he could ever forgive it, since Max never actually said sorry.
Oscar prides himself on his humility. He knows his strengths; he knows his flaws. Max Verstappen knows his strengths, and his flaws don’t exist. He talks rings around people and demands the space because he is the prodigy child of Formula One. He is untouchable, and that makes Oscar’s skin burn.
He snaps back to the present when he hears the translator say Oscar’s name. Oscar’s mouth pulls down at each side awkwardly as he realises he hasn’t heard a single thing being said.
“Uh, could you repeat?” He asks sheepishly, and the translator nods before repeating again away from the mic.
“What would you like to say to the Japanese fans ahead of this weekend?”
Oscar provides the usual response, which doesn’t take away the sincerity. He thanks everyone for coming out and supporting them, and for the birthday wishes. He tells them he looks forward to the weekend and attempts to say “arigato gozaimasu” but butchers it entirely. The two wave goodbye to the crowd and make their way back down the fan forum stairs.
It was a comedic, sadistic fate that Red Bull happened to be next on the schedule, as Max and Yuki wait patiently on the stairs, both transfixed on their phone. Lando leads ahead, squeezing Max on the shoulder and breaking his attention from his scroll. Max smiles, grabs his hand for a shake and pulls him into a quick hug. Oscar tries to slip by. He gives a polite nod and a smile to Yuki and does not give Max the time of day, but Lando’s arm stops him from continuing down the stairs. Oscar sighs in defeat and leans against the railing next to Yuki, facing Max and Lando.
“Oscar” Max nods
“Max” Oscar replies.
“Heard you think I’m cool?” Max smirks, referring to the on-stage conversation. He spreads his arms against the railing dominantly. Lando purses his lips to hold back a laugh.
“Couldn’t exactly say the other C word used to describe you on stage could I?” Oscar retorts. Lando’s eyes widen at Oscar’s brazenness, Max’s smirk deepens.
“What word? Cute?” Yuki replies naively, looking up at Oscar. Oscar shakes his head and can’t help but laugh, appreciating Yuki breaking the ice, or putting out the fire in this case.
“You think I’m cute?” Max teases, making Oscar roll his eyes in response and push his tongue into his cheek.
The Red Bull intro plays, and Oscar breathes a sigh of relief. He shakes Yuki’s hand before making pace down the stairs, uncaring of where Lando was behind him. As he does, he can hear Yuki genuinely ask what the word was, and Max’s cackle in response. Lando eventually catches up, unable to hold back his laughter.
“Well! That went well” He says near out of breath
Oscar groans the word “wanker” under his breath before flipping Lando the bird.
It isn’t until late that weekend that he remembers the stupid bet him and Lando have going. Alone in bed at 10pm, he pulls out his phone and opens his contacts to “Stranger”. Despite it being his birthday, Oscar couldn’t think of anything worse than going out and celebrating. He was exhausted physically, and a bit mentally. Instead, he has dinner with his family and calls it early, but not before his siblings demand just one drink with the birthday boy, their shout. One drink turns to four, and Oscar doesn’t remember when they started becoming his shout instead. He stares at the name in his phone for a moment, weighing up his options. His eyes blur a bit, and it is harder to think of reasons not to message the random stranger’s number when the alcohol that lingers in his system tells him it’ll be fun. Oscar decides that, if nothing else, it could be nice to talk to someone who doesn't know him as an F1 driver.
Japan: Sunday April 6
(10:20pm) Oscar:
Hello stranger, my week was decent.
Could be better, could be worse.
Thanks for asking.
Bahrain: Sunday April 13
(11:00pm) Oscar:
Hello stranger
This week was even better
Very tiring but I can’t complain
Saudi Arabia: Thursday April 17
“Our bet still on?” Lando asks while they sit in McLaren hospitality, patiently waiting for the media crew to finish setting up the next ridiculous video idea. Oscar watches one of the girls theatrically try to blow up another balloon to add to the pile of 20, her face pale with exhaustion. Lando doesn’t look up from his phone, intentionally trying to ignore the fiasco before their eyes.
“Yeah, I’ve been messaging them every Sunday”
“Why only every Sunday?” Lando looks at him confused, and Oscar shrugs.
“It’s just like a weekly update, it makes sense”
“Sure” Lando chuckles, returning to his phone. “Have they replied?”
“Not yet, yours?”
“Nah” Lando lies
“Well, this bet is kind of boring then isn’t it” Oscar laughs “Maybe they were just burners”
“Any excuse to give up” Lando rolls his eyes and laughs, earning a playful shove from Oscar.
“Who’s giving up? Me?” Oscar tsks “You’re dreamin”
Saudi Arabia: Sunday April 20
Oscar steps out of his car in the first-place position of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, throwing his fist into the air in victory. He takes a deep breath and lets the feeling sink into his bones, knowing his valiant drive just put him in the lead of the championship. The cheers prick goosebumps on his skin, they always do when he wins, when he gets what he wants and works hard for.
Max pulls up in second, getting out of his car and taking his helmet off before picking up his bottle and walking over to his team. He passes Oscar on his way, reaching out his hand for Oscar to grab in what he assumed would be congratulations. Oscar sees the cameras and grabs the hand, albeit completely unwillingly. Max pulls him in and with a firm pat on the back, leaves him with scathing parting words.
“Another undeserved win to add to your shelf, Piastri”
Oscar shakes his head and forces a fake smile for the camera trained on them, as does Max. Obviously, Max had not taken kindly to Oscar sticking to the inside line on turn 1 which forced Max off the track. The stewards saw it from Oscar’s side, for once, and gave Max a penalty for cutting across the track. Of course, Max did not see it that way. He rarely ever sees things from anyone else’s perspective.
Oscar stands on the podium of the Jeddah circuit, the air thick with humidity and tension from the manchild on the second step. The champagne pops, and instead of drenching Oscar or Charles, Max decides to drink it straight from the bottle in what Oscar can only describe as a typical Max move. Self-centred and defiant as always.
Saudi Arabia: Monday April 21
(12:00am) Oscar:
Good week
Very good week
I think it’s my year, stranger.
Break: Sunday April 28
(2:00pm) Oscar:
Hello stranger, as usual, my week has been great.
Enjoying life.
Miami: Sunday May 4
(9:00pm) Oscar:
Well stranger, each week just gets better.
Maybe you’re my lucky charm
Max:
Lucky me
Oscar:
I can’t say I ever expected a response after a month of silence
Max:
I didn’t expect to become a random person’s diary
So i guess we are both surprised
Oscar looks at his phone completely dumbfounded and leaves the message on read. Truthfully, he fully believed that he was just texting some sort of burner, maybe an old number from someone on the media team. He struggles to come to grips with the fact his sounding board actually had been reading his messages. His cheeks burn, embarrassed at his cringey messages of delight.
He flicks to his messages with Lando.
Oscar:
Remember that bet? My stranger finally replied.
Has yours ever replied?
Lando:
Yeah, every now and then. What was yours like?
Oscar:
I don’t know. They seem like a bit of a wanker.
They weren’t particularly happy to hear from me that’s for sure.
Lando:
That's no way to talk about your future friend!
Looks like I’m making the easiest 20 dollars of my life.
Oscar:
Nah, I’ve got this.
Lando:
I don't know
You're not known to be a conversationalist
Oscar:
I’m not, but I am likeable none the less
and tolerant
besides, it’s fun having someone to just unload onto
Lando:
Okay mate.
You have fun with that lol.
Break: Sunday May 11
(11:00am) Oscar:
In case you’re still tuning in, life is still fantastic.
Max:
Unfortunately I am
Against my will
However, I still do not care
Oscar:
Didn’t need that second part
Max:
Don’t care
Oscar:
and yet, here you are.
still responding.
Oscar can't help but giggle at the speech bubble that disappears quicker than it appears. Every few seconds comes another attempt for a witty reply that must ultimately fail to see the light of day. It would be a lie if Oscar didn't say he was disappointed. The back and forth was fun, but the satisfaction of making the stranger speechless made up for it.
Italy: Sunday May 18
(8:00pm) Oscar:
I spoke too soon
Week was okay
No actually, week was pretty crap
But I won’t be doom and gloom just yet
Max:
That is mature of you
Oscar:
I try to be
Max:
I wouldn’t say it’s mature to randomly tell a stranger how you’re feeling every Sunday night
but whatever
Oscar:
I said I try, didn’t I?
Nobody is perfect.
I can increase the frequency if you like?
Max:
Did you mean decrease?
Oscar:
No, if you read the message that was not an option.
Max:
What gave you the impression I would want to be subjected to more of this then I already am?
Oscar:
I don’t know if you understand how conversations work stranger.
Typically, when you don’t want them, you don’t engage with them in the first place.
Max:
But these “conversations” have been forced on me
And they don’t stop even if I don’t reply
Oscar:
Yes, I guess that is how this works.
The block button exists, in case you’re technologically inept
But you would’ve done that by now
Max:
You are incredibly annoying
Oscar:
and you are still engaging
Max:
Is this really enjoyable for you?
Oscar:
Yup
Is this really not enjoyable for you at all?
(10:00pm) Oscar:
Yeah, got you there.
Max:
I didn’t say anything
Oscar:
Silence means a thousand words
Max:
or it means I just do not want to talk to you
Oscar:
or it means you are too stubborn to admit you like this thing we have got going
Max:
What thing?
The thing where you intentionally annoy the fuck out of a random stranger on a Sunday night and try to gaslight them into caring about you?
Oscar:
Is the gaslight working?
Max:
That’s all you got from that? Not the part where you are frustrating as all hell and a nuisance to deal with?
Oscar:
Why do you never answer questions?
You just move on to another question and avoid answering anything
Probably because you don’t like the true answer
I bet it goes against this tough guy act you got going on
Max:
Are you done psychoanalysing me?
Oscar:
See? another question
You are so easy to psychoanalyse
Max:
No the gaslight has not worked yet
Oscar:
“yet”
Max:
Not what I meant
Oscar:
Freudian slip
Max:
You’re right. The block button is a very viable option right now.
Oscar:
Talk to you in a week, stranger.
Because we both know you are not blocking me.
Monaco: Tuesday May 23
Oscar jogs along the coastal jogging trail of the French Riviera next to his trainer, Artturi. His hair sticks to the sweat on his forehead, as he attempts to blow it away with every exhale.
“Oh for…fucks sake” He groans and collects his breath, stopping to the side and leaning his back against a rail that overlooks the pristine waters of Monaco. He pushes his hair out of his face and pours water on his head to slick it back in a desperate attempt to keep it there. His eyes close as the icy water steams off his hot skin.
“Given up already, Piastri?” A familiar, unwanted voice booms from a distance. Oscar can hear the heavy footsteps of a steady jog and doesn’t need to open his eyes to know who is speaking to him. It’s Monaco after all, you will always run into someone in Monaco.
“No Max” He sighs “Just fixing my bloody hair out of my face”
“Can’t afford a haircut?” Max digs, and Oscar finally opens his eyes to shoot a glare. He could hear the smirk in his voice, but his eyes confirmed it. “Or are we enjoying the pretty boy brand we have going on”
Max stands across from him with his own trainer. He scratches at his beard before stretching out his calf.
“Okay neck beard” Oscar retorts “Surely you own a shaver”
Max uses his grey, sweat covered shirt to fan himself from the heat. His cheeks are a healthy flush that crawls down to his neck. The smirk widens, and Oscar decides he can’t stand being around him for another smartass remark.
“Well, I’d say it’s been a pleasure…” Oscar turns, nodding at Artturi to follow his pace as he jogs away.
“Always is” Max yells out, always needing the last word.
Oscar books in with his hairdresser the next day.
Monaco: Thursday May 22
Oscar arrives to the paddock with his hair short and fresh, much to the dismay of his entire fanbase and his team. Everyone was overreacting, as if he was Samson and just doomed himself eternally. The fact it made the national news of his home country just showed how ridiculously bad it needed to be done.
In the media pen, he spots Max a few reporters away, and notices his scruffy beard was now clean shaven. Oscar drops his head and smiles, realising that he got to him as much as he got to Oscar.
Later in the day, he walks past Max in the paddock, deciding for once he would be the instigator.
“Found a razor?” Oscar grins
“Saved for a haircut?” Max retorts
Monaco: Sunday May 25
(7:00pm) Oscar:
This week was fine
Got rejected by a mate but it’s fine
It’s cool
I’m definitely not replaying the interaction in my head or anything
Max:
How so?
Oscar:
So you care when it’s my misfortune?
Max:
Yes
(8:30pm) Max:
Are you going to tell me what happened?
Oscar:
I asked them to come over and watch something with me, they declined
Max:
That’s it? Boring
Oscar:
You don’t get it
I was weird and there were a lot of people around
Max:
Oh I definitely get that
You are incredibly weird
Oscar:
Great, thanks.
Max:
What did you ask them to watch?
Oscar:
None of your business
Max:
Oh? Something naughty?
Oscar:
What? No.
What
Please just drop it.
Was just sports
Max:
You’re embarrassed because your friend declined watching sports with you?
Oscar:
You don’t get it
Max:
Evidently
A bit precious don’t you think?
Oscar:
I wish I never messaged you
Max:
Good
That’s ideal
The block button exists, by the way
Oscar:
You are so annoying
Max:
De ja vu
If history continues to repeat itself, right now I should go on this random monologue about how you secretly love talking to me
But I don’t have a random fetish for being talked down to by strangers
Oscar:
Wait what?
Do you actually think that?
Max:
Time to reflect
Oscar:
What the fuck this is not a fetish thing
Max:
I mean why else would you keep responding?
I am an asshole to you and you just eat it up
Oscar:
Bloody hell okay I’ll stop psychoanalysing you
I see how annoying it is now
Max:
Did I strike a nerve?
Oscar:
No but there was no winning from that
I say yes, I’m weird
I say no, you'll say I’m in denial
Max:
So this is a fetish thing?
Oscar:
Oh for fucks sake goodnight
Spain: Sunday June 1
(7:30pm) Oscar:
Okay this week was good
Positivity wins
Max:
Your friend still rejected you
Oscar:
Are you ever nice?
Max:
Depends who you ask
Oscar:
I’m asking you
Max:
I think I am
Oscar:
Prove it
Max:
To people I like
Oscar:
Ah
Nice
Max:
Second rejection by a friend in one week, that’s gotta hurt
Or maybe it doesn’t hurt, you know, with the whole degradation kink
Oscar:
So we are friends?
Max:
No
You have a great knack for cherry picking statements and running with them
Oscar:
Whatever you say, friend.
Max:
Yeah I need to stop responding to you
Oscar:
Why would you ever stop responding to a friend?
Shit friend you are
Max:
👍🏻
Break: Sunday June 8
(1:00pm) Oscar:
Week was good
Sleep was good
Good stuff
Max:
👍🏻
Canada: Sunday June 15
(6:30pm) Oscar:
This week sucked.
Max:
Positivity loses?
Oscar:
No more thumbs up huh?
I don’t know why I thought I would get anything supportive out of you.
But yes, positivity loses
Max:
Aren’t you going to ask me how my week was?
Oscar:
Wasn’t planning on it
Max:
👍🏻
Break: Sunday June 22
(4:00pm) Oscar:
This week was fine
Chilling
Max:
👍🏻
Austria: Sunday June 29
(8pm) Oscar:
Another fine week
Not bad, not great
Just, fine
🙂
Max:
👍🏻
Oscar:
You know you don’t need to thumbs up every message
It’s cute that you’re trying to prove a point but all it is showing is that you can’t possibly leave me on read anymore
Max:
👎🏻
England: Sunday July 6
(11:00pm) Oscar:
This week shouldn't have been shit
But it was
I no longer think it’s my year stranger
Max:
You sound dramatic
Oscar:
It’s a feeling I can’t shake
Max:
Shake harder
Oscar:
👍🏻
Max:
It’s fine when you do it but not me?
Oscar:
That is the joke, yes
Thank you for spelling it out
Sick of resisting the urge to talk to me?
Max:
Just bored
and you’re fun to stir up
Oscar:
I’m fun?
Max:
Read the rest of the sentence
Oscar:
Don’t need to, got all the information I need
You have fun talking to me
Max:
You are so desperate for validation from me
Oscar:
but you say I liked to be talked down to? Be consistent
Max:
Maybe you like being brought down to be brought back up again
Except you don’t get the second part with me
Oscar:
Well you did just call me fun, and apparently we are friends
I think you let out a lot more that you try to hide
Maybe it’s not that I have a degradation kink, maybe it’s that you have a degrading kink
Max:
Not quite
Oscar:
What
What does that even mean
Max:
Don’t like degrading
I like being dominant though
Oscar:
Oh
Okay nice
Max:
Flustered?
Oscar:
No
Max:
It is fun talking to you
Especially when you lose your words the moment I stir you up
Oscar:
At least you finally admit it
Max:
Yeah, I bet you’re happy about that
Oscar:
No
I mean
Yes? What is this mind fuck
Max:
You can think on that
I’m sure you would’ve anyway
Oscar:
You are incredibly cocky
Max:
Yup
Oscar:
and honest
Max:
Yup
Oscar:
I like that
Max:
Of course you do
You’re incredibly submissive
Like you’re bratty, but panic into submission
Oscar:
We are absolutely not having this conversation
Max:
That’s okay, you can run away from the truth if you like
Oscar:
I learned from the best
Max:
Good one
Oscar:
👍🏻
Break: Sunday July 13
(9:00pm) Oscar:
You would think I would be over last week, but I am definitely not
This week was shit too
Max:
Have you tried shaking?
Oscar:
I am physically incapable of shaking any harder, stranger.
Max:
You’re still dramatic
Oscar:
I liked you better when you didn’t respond
Max:
I think you just like me a lot in general
(11:00pm) Max:
Yeah, got you there.
Oscar:
No you didn’t
Max:
Whatever you say, submissive stranger
Oscar:
Don’t you mean friend?
Max:
No
Oscar:
Talk to you in a week, friend
Max:
If you’re lucky
Oscar:
I usually am
Max:
Not this week you’re not
or last week
Oscar:
Yes okay I said usually for a reason
Thanks for the reminder
Break: Sunday July 20
(2:00pm) Oscar:
A bit more over it now
Still not happy but less depressed for sure
Anger though? That persists.
Max:
Typically does
Oscar:
What do you do to get rid of anger that won’t go away?
Max:
I am possibly the worst person to ask
Oscar:
Why?
Max:
I’ve been known to temper quickly and hold a grudge
Oscar:
Do you agree?
Max:
I guess.
Anyway, go punch a pillow or something
or like, see a professional I don’t know.
Oscar:
Who needs a professional when I have a stranger friend in my phone to unload to.
Max:
Do you often message random numbers or am I just the unlucky recipient?
Oscar:
You’re just the LUCKY recipient.
Max:
Lovely.
Do you not have friends?
Oscar:
I do!
You!
Max:
not friends but anyway
Why not bother them?
Oscar:
It’s better bothering you
Max:
You don’t know me
Oscar:
Likewise
Max:
I could be the worst person you have ever met
How do you confide in me so easily?
Oscar:
I could be the best person you have ever met, maybe you should confide in me more
Max:
Unlikely
Oscar:
Cool thanks
To answer your question, it’s easier to confide knowing you have absolutely no idea who I am
No strings attached
Max:
You know that saying is usually reserved for friends with benefits, right?
Oscar:
Again, calling me a friend
Max:
You actually might be an idiot
Oscar:
That’s not a nice thing to call a friend
Max:
Good thing you’re not my friend
Although you apparently want to be friends with benefits
Was it because I said I liked being dominant?
Oscar:
You’re the one that took it there remember? Not me
All that kink talk.
Am I not your friend because deep down you want more?
Sorry friend, you’re not my type
Max:
I don’t know how you can make that assumption when you don’t know me at all
Oscar:
Based on vibes
Why? Does that upset you friend?
Max:
As if my ego is that fragile
Oscar:
Could’ve fooled me
Max:
🖕🏻
Oscar:
I think you meant 👍🏻
Max:
No I meant what I meant
Oscar:
👌🏻
(7:00pm) Oscar:
Admittedly, talking to you did help the anger.
So thank you.
Max:
👍🏻
Belgium: Sunday July 27
(8:00pm) Oscar:
Hello friend, ignore previous whiney communications
We are so back
Max:
So you were, in fact, being dramatic
Funny that
Oscar:
It was realistic at the time
Max:
I don’t know the situation but that seemed like a quick turnaround
Oscar:
Fucked up some work, fixed it
Boss was pleased.
Max:
That’s it?
Oscar:
It was important work
How was your week?
Max:
Have we reached the reciprocity stage?
Oscar:
Evidently
Max:
Mine was shit
Oscar:
Dramatic
Max:
Are you like this to everyone?
Oscar:
Like what?
Max:
Annoying
Irritating
Intentionally grating
Oscar:
Never been told that before actually
Max:
People probably think it
Oscar:
That was incredibly mean
You are a ray of sunshine aren’t you
Max:
Like you were when you were having a shit week?
Oscar:
Sorry
Maybe things get better for you soon
Max:
Doubt it
Oscar:
So dramatic
Max:
🖕🏻
Oscar:
👍🏻
Hungary: Sunday August 3
(7:30pm) Oscar:
Good evening friend, reporting in.
This week was good.
Work is good. Life is good.
Max:
Have you considered not reporting in
Oscar:
No
Max:
It’s an option
Oscar:
One that I won’t be taking
Max:
of course
do me a favour
don’t ask me about my week
Oscar:
I think that answers the question anyway
Max:
👍🏻
Oscar:
👎🏻
(10:30pm) Oscar:
I know you said not to ask so I won’t, but I hope it isn’t too bad
Max:
I’m not as dramatic as you, I’ll be fine.
Just stressed.
Oscar:
I’m choosing to ignore the insult. I hope things become less stressful then
Max:
Appreciate it
Can you go back to being annoying
It makes it hard to stir you up when you’re nice
Oscar:
I have literally always been nice
Max:
Fine
It makes it hard to stir you up when you’re being a good friend
Don’t be weird about that
Oscar:
Are we officially friends
Oh my god
Max:
I take it back
You could not help yourself
Oscar:
Can’t take it back
Max:
Just did
Had your chance to not be weird for once and you blew it
Oscar:
and you’re back to denying the truth
(11:00pm) Oscar:
Wait do you actually think I am weird?
Max:
Yes, I have made that very clear
Oscar:
Yeah I guess you have
(11:30pm) Max:
all my friends are weird though
it makes life fun
Oscar:
noted
Max:
Good boy
You’re learning
Oscar:
Fuck off
Max:
👍🏻
Break: Sunday August 10
(2:00pm) Oscar:
Smooth sailings this week
Max:
How old are you?
Oscar:
Why?
Max:
You just seem older
Oscar:
I do?
Max:
You write like you’re old
Who says “smooth sailings”
Oscar:
I’m in my 20’s
Max:
Spiritually you’re 45
Oscar:
How old are you then?
Max:
15
Oscar:
You’re joking
Max:
Nope
You were flirting with a 15-year-old
Oscar:
You are not 15
Max:
But you were flirting
Oscar:
I didn’t say that
Max:
I’m not a minor
I am in my late 20’s
Oscar:
So you’re older than me and talking smack?
Max:
Again who says “talking smack” that isn’t 46
Oscar:
You said 45 before
Max:
That aged you a year.
You were flirting by the way
Oscar:
Please stop talking
Max:
Why? Are you blushing?
Oscar:
No
Max:
Proof
Oscar:
My cheeks are naturally flushed
Max:
Even more so when you’re blushing I’m sure
like now, for example
Oscar:
You are far too good at rage baiting
Max:
and making people flustered, apparently
Oscar:
Is what you’re doing right now not flirting?
Hypocrite
Max:
Guilty
Oscar:
Oh
Yeah didn’t expect you to actually admit it
I don’t really know what to say here
Max:
If I knew all I had to do to shut you up was flirt with you I would have been way worse way earlier
Oscar:
It gets worse?
Max:
Guess you'll find out
Oscar:
What the fuck
Break: Tuesday August 12
Oscar drives around the tight streets of Monaco, his windows down to enjoy the salty air. He parks out the front of his favourite café, taking a seat outside and soaking in the sun. Ordering his favourite smoothie to-go, he begins to answer unread emails he had been putting off all morning.
A shadow casts over him, and he looks up assuming it to be the waiter, only to be met with something far more sinister and annoying.
“This seat taken?” Max grins, sweat glistens off his face as he watches Oscar pull down his sunglasses and shoot an unamused look.
“Yes” Oscar sharply replies, putting back on his glasses and returning back to his phone.
“Yeah? Are they on their way?”
“Yup” Oscar replies, his lips popping on the final syllable. Max takes a seat regardless, and Oscar pushes his tongue against his cheek.
“That’s cool, I’ll just wait here until they do”
“Would prefer you didn’t” Oscar spits, refusing to make eye contact. He hears Max chuckle under his breath.
“Relax, just sitting here until my drink is ready” Max brings out his own phone to scroll “Unless you can’t handle me for that long”
“I can handle you just fine, I just don’t want to” His foot taps the ground incessantly, as he holds back from making a scene.
The waiter brings around Oscar’s smoothie and places it in the middle of the table. Oscar thanks him with a smile, and Max takes the opportunity to grab the smoothie and stand up.
“Wh- Are you kidding me? That’s mine you dog” Oscar finally makes eye contact with Max, feeling his cheeks burn a different heat than the one from the sun. Max clutches the straw between his teeth first, donning a full grin before covering his lips over it and taking a sip.
“The berry one? Good choice” He laughs, winking before walking away with Oscars drink. Oscar’s mouth gapes in disbelief at Max’s brazen act, pulling himself together as the waiter brings out Max’s actual drink. Oscar smiles politely again and nods. He looks at the receipt on the plastic cup that sticks to its condensation and scoffs, shaking his head as he returns back to his car.
Order: Berry Me Smoothie
Name: Max