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maxfurstappen · 2 days ago

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To forever and always

Pairing: Max verstappen x Leclerc! OC

Summary: Adeline Leclerc spent most of her life being ignored until she wasn't anymore.

Notes: English is not my first language, so please be kind. This is inspired by @cressidagrey ' s white horse, which if you haven't read, what the fuck are you doing here, go read it! It is probably some of the best writing I have ever read and just rips your soul out and crushes it in the best way. Anyway credits to them were they are due.

Part 1 of 3, 3200 words

To Forever and Always

2007 Lidköping karting track

“I don't understand why I need to be here, Lorenzo isn’t here so why do I need to be.”

“Stop being such a brat, Adeline. You are here to support Charles, and Lorenzo is an adult now so he can make those choices for himself. Now shut up and go help Charles with his kart.” My father’s voice was cold and sharp, spitting out words coated in venom.

I wrapped my jacket tighter around me bracing for the cold wind that had been howling around the track all day long. I don't want to be here. The thoughts that ran through my head had been made abundantly clear to everyone involved, my parents and siblings, but they could give less of a shit whether or not I wanted to be here.

…

The grass was still damp from the rain that had come down with a vengeance that morning. The leather journal I used for sketching was clenched tightly in my hands, just a couple of minutes, they probably won’t miss me. I ducked my head and stepped under the tarp that had been set up to protect the karts. The asphalt under was still dry. Crossing my legs underneath me I cracked open the sketchbook, intricate sketches of necklaces and earrings lined almost every page, the ideas flowing from my head to my hand as easily as water in a stream. Descriptions dress the remaining space on the page, scribbled in every margin they could fit in.

“What are you doing here? You aren’t racing, are you?” a boy my age said, stepping under the tarp. “taking shelter from the rain I’m guessing? His words were covered in the same hard tilt that had been everywhere, dutch.

“Well, yes I am taking shelter and you are right I'm not, my brother though. I could honestly care less. I had an art class this week but that did not take priority” The softness of my vowels was strikingly different from his hard ones. “Nothing ever does” The words were murmured more for myself than anyone else. “I’m Adeline, nice to meet you”

He didn’t hear my complaints and if he did he certainly didn’t make a big deal out of it. He sat down beside me introducing himself as Max and glanced over at the page flipped open. “You do them?” his question was one I had heard more times than I could count I just braced myself for the harsh words that always accompanied it “They’re amazing”

Shock hit me “What?!” pride swelled in my chest, the feeling unknown.

“They’re really good, why was that shocking, surely you’ve heard that before.”

“Um, I haven’t actually but thank you.” My words were shaky at the best and tears threatened to spill as I stood up. “I have to go” A tear rolled down my cheek faster than I could stop it “I hope I see you around Max.” The gravel dug into my palms as I pushed myself up onto my feet, I turned my head back sparing one final glance at the blonde boy.

2009 Spa karting track

The protests had slowed after meeting Max, I had something to look forward to. Something good from being dragged to somewhere I didn't want to be.

I slipped out from behind my parents as soon as we got to the track heading to the oh-so-familiar tent set up.

“Max!” my voice carried out over all the hustle and bustle. His head whipped around blonde hair flying.

My steps quickened into a run and as soon as I was close enough to, I crashed into his chest. Strong arms wrapped around my waist holding me close. Oh, how I had missed this. The warm comforting feeling that spread through my chest when I was with Max. That wonderful feeling of self-worth and of being enough that seemed to stay around when he was near.

“I missed you Addy.” The words were not meant for anyone else, whispered into the top of my head where he had dropped a kiss mere seconds ago. I sat down on the white table, a spot miraculously clear, there always seemed to be a spot for me. The old worn leather is just as familiar as the sight of the white and orange marquee.

“I don’t understand how you still have room in that thing” He nodded towards the sketchbook/notebook/diary that I had been using for mostly everything that needed to be put to paper over the past couple of years.

“Yeah well, I have like three pages left so really a new one is due really soon.”

I spotted Mamans mousy brown hair and sighed hopping down from the table “I need to leave, see you after quali?” The question was more of a statement, I had been seeing Max after guideline for every race I had been dragged to over the past couple of years and I wasn’t about to break the tradition now.

He pulled me back into his arms and I never wanted to leave. I mean I hadn’t ever wanted to leave one of Max's hugs, he gave the best hugs, they were an absolute delicacy. “Veel succes, ik hou van je.” I mumbled the words so quietly you could barely hear them still unsure if they were right. I started to learn Dutch last summer, textbooks hid behind piles of clothes and other things.

“Was that Dutch?” you could almost hear his grin. I didn’t respond.

“Je t’aime aussi” The gravely words that came out of his mouth made me take a step back out of shock.

“And was that French” his silent smile was more than enough confirmation.

“Now go, your parents are going to find us if you don’t.”

2010 Val d’argenton Karting track

His arms crashed around mine “Hi” a giggle escaped my lips “What a welcome, something happen?”

“Nope, just miss you,” his voice was soft, and comforting, drowning out all the outside noise, and made me feel seen. It always did. He always did.

“Well, I missed you too” Butterflies swirled in my stomach, seemingly deciding to start a circus in there.

He leaned his head on the top of my head holding me close like he was afraid I was going to disappear if he let go.

Jos’s steps could be heard from a mile away and they were very clearly getting closer. “Go,” adoration filling every syllable.

…

The air left my lungs faster than I had time to react. Fear pulsed through every vein in my body. Max’s kart lay crumpled against the barrier. Tears glittered in my eyes, the sunlight shimmering against the glossy surface.

He stood shakily from the rubble of what used to be a newly painted kart, but he stood. Air flooded back through my body. Almost making the tears with the force of it. He was okay. I couldn’t stay here. I need to see him.

Gravel flicked out from under my feet spraying onwards the side with every step. The sight of his orange tent made relief flood into my chest like water let out of a dam.

“Max!” My voice was shakier than a rattlesnake in the desert. He turned around at the sound of my voice, a once harsh expression softening at the terror in my eyes. In two long strides, he had crossed the space between us, wrapping me up in the comfort of his arms.

“I’m okay, I promise,” his words barely audible. “I'm fine,” he whispered, but it was so muffled by him pressing his face into my hair that you could barely hear it. I looked up at him.

“I thought I lost you,” My voice cracked more tears spilling down my face. “You can’t die, you're the best thing to have ever happened to me. I couldn’t let you die, not without doing this first,” Soft lips met mine in a collision of emotions running higher than they should be.

“I love you more than words could ever express Adeline, you make each breath I take better. You make every second on this planet worthwhile. You are my reason for living.” His words hit me square in the chest.

“I love you,” I say, burying my face back into his chest.

2013 Belgium (from this point forward mean they are speaking in Dutch, I can’t be bothered to translate everything)

I sat down on the ground doing my best to block out the sound of engines revving and footsteps pounding against the pavement. The blank page stared back at me, like it was taunting me, Joy had been scratched out at the top of the page. A competition my art teacher had told me, two pieces, contradicting emotions. Contrast. It was a chance to get your work into a gallery. The first piece sat at home collecting dust. It had been done for weeks but I still hadn’t started the other piece. My life felt like a slow muddy mess, pure, unadulterated joy felt impossible.

I kept trying but with no reference, it felt impossible. With no starting point, it all felt off. Dozens of sketches lined my walls but nothing felt right, nothing conveyed enough emotion.

…

“Well, what are we waiting for? You are going to love Victoria,” I let Max grab my hand and pull me up from the grass that was still damp from when the sky decided to become nature's shower and dump water out of the sky.

Kids shrieked with joy all around us. It had been a long time since I was allowed to be a kid. I missed it. When life’s biggest problem was deciding between chocolate and strawberry ice cream or complaining over math homework.

A lone tear dripped from the safe space that my waterline had become over the past couple of years, blinking back more tears than any teenager should ever have to. It didn’t take long for Max to notice it. I didn’t make an effort to wipe it away. I didn't need to, I never needed to with Max. He didn’t shame or scream, he just held me close whispering sweet nothings into my ears.

“We’ll get you back. I promise”

“I don’t want to go back, Max. I’m tired of being forgotten. I’m tired of being everyone's last thought.” Tears still glistened in my eyes. They had left, packed up and forgotten me by the water like I was just another bucket forgotten at the beach, thrown away, something to be forgotten and ignored. I was tired, so tired of it all.

“Three more years Schat, just three more years. Then we leave, forget about them. Let them have a taste of their own medicine. Let them be the ones being forgotten for once”

…

“Hey, you must be Adeline, To say that I have heard a lot about you would be the understatement of the year,” She stuck out her hand with a ferocious amount of excitement. “It’s great to finally meet you.” Her blonde hair shimmered in the light in the same way Maxes gleamed when the sun's rays hit it. Sophie and Jos were having a hushed conversation a few meters away from us, their words were quiet enough that I only caught a couple of them, “Stay with us…”, “They left…”, “Without her…” Max came out of nowhere crashing into me from behind. “There’s a lake, please say you have an extra bathing suit Viccy?”

She snorted “You just want to see her in a bikini but yeah I do have a spare” He cut in: “You bet your ass I do” Heat spread throughout my face at his words.

“I did not need to know that. Go change, weirdo. Race you there!” And with those closing words we all dart off, Max turning on his heel and going in the other direction.

Our laughter bounced off of the smooth expanse of water as we

came sprinting down the small hill that led to the lake.

We slowed, not by a whole lot though, when we came to the bridge. Together we made our way to the edge. Victoria was the first one in. Max grabbed my hand and together we jumped. I felt lighter, My soul felt freer than it had been in years. I felt free.

…

My hand brushed the final pencil shavings off of the once-blank page. I had pulled out my pencils after dinner still a little reluctantly after having pointedly been told to go relax and not worry about anything by Sophie.

The rough outlines of me, Max, and Victoria stared back at me instead of had become accustomed to seeing over the past couple of days. I had decided then and there that that was the one. Joy radiated off of our bodies and emanated out from the picture. I looked like I wanted to be there, something that had been increasingly hard to find in the other references that I had at home.

I padded softly out into the open hallway. Max's old hoodie hung loosely over my shoulder, falling down my thighs. A bowl of oatmeal was laid out at the spot that had become mine over the past couple of days. A handful of walnuts, a scoop of peanut butter, and a heap of sliced bananas made tears well up in my eyes.

It felt increasingly stupid how many times the things that felt like everyday actions, helping each other, brought me to tears, but the truth was no one had ever made an effort, no one had ever wanted to learn, but here we were, three days later and they already knew how I liked my oatmeal. Something so utterly and completely normal felt utterly out of the ordinary. They cared and that was more than enough to make my cheeks sparkle from the drops of salty liquid that seemed to be making regular appearances.

A plane ticket sat nestled in between my tea and a matt green bowl. Sophie walked out of the kitchen. “Your parents weren’t answering so we just went ahead and got you a ticket ourselves, had to get you home somehow didn’t we.” Her smile was eerily similar to victorias, curling in the same places. Warm, kind, inviting. Nothing like the cold calculated ones that lined my father’s face and would haunt my memories for years to come.

2015 Monaco

The slip of paper fluttered out of my hand, landing on the smooth cold surface of marble, expensive, funded with what was supposed to be the money for an art camp years ago. Four letters. One to each and everyone. No explanation other than I was safe and left on my own.

The cold night air swept over my face as I stepped out of the house I grew up in. I stared back at the brick building. I was finally leaving, for once I was choosing me.

“Hey Girl, you ready?” Bianca stepped into view, her face illuminated in the dim light of the street lights.

I nodded, unable to really form a coherent sentence so early in the morning. We slid the two bags into the trunk of her car. She had turned 18 a month ago and therefore had a licence, something I didn’t have a chance to do considering My birthday was in a couple of days.

We drove in silence. Neither of us really felt like talking, not that we even even knew what to say. I was leaving. We had always lived a mere 3 minute walk from each other, practically neighbors, and here I was moving hours away. To a country I had only been to a couple of times.

We stepped out of the sleek car. The air in Nice not much warmer an hour later.

“Thank you” I didn’t elaborate. I didn’t need to. She knew what I was thanking her for. For years she remembered. She never forgot my existence. She made me hold on. And after meeting Max she held on to me, to our friendship through the hours of lovesick monologues I spewed during the school days. She listened through my dream, held my hand when thing got tough. She was there with a warm candle of support. “I’m gonna miss you.” A tear rolled down my face. “Promise you’ll visit?”

“Always, Isa, always. Now shoo you have a flight to catch.”

2015 Belgium

I drop my bag by the door. Victoria comes skidding down the hallway. Socks gliding against the stone floors, almost squealing at the friction.

“You're here!” A breathy laugh escapes from me at her excitement.

“Yes, yes I am Vic. This has been in the works for the whole year. Why on earth wouldn’t I be here?” The question isn’t serious, of course it wasn’t, I missed her too.

“I’m just so excited. Have you seen the house yet?” A quick shake of my ends ina. tug of my hand. “Well let’s go. We can walk?”

2016 Belgium

My hands are shaking and I think I'm going to cry as I stare down at the strikingly white envelope. The red logo stands out like a disco ball at a funeral, that red U, the squiggly line that holds my feature. Antwerpen, University of Antwerp. Best medical school in Belgium.

For years I had been dead set on doing something in the art world and then Max’s kart had been flipped upside down in a whirlwind of chaos. And I couldn’t breath, and apparently neither could he. But they saved him. My path changed when I sat in that quiet hospital room, nothing but the faint beep from the monitors to keep me company. I couldn’t stop looking at them. The purple line spiking and falling in an even pathway.

I wanted to be the one to save people.

My phone vibrates in quiet confirmation and I practically launch at it. Max’s contact blazing across the screen. “It’s here. I’m so nervous, what if they don-” I don’t even get to finish the sentence before Max’s voice cuts in.

“You're one of the smartest people I know, Addy. You’re gonna be fine, I promise. And if for some reason they don’t accept you, you’ll apply next, and we'll keep trying,” The comments are meant to be soothing, calming. They’re not really though, a few words wouldn’t slow my heart or keep my hands from shaking.

I slit it open and flurry papers flutter out onto the desk, You have been accepted to Antwerps medical division. We hope to see you for the next semester and look forward to having you learn from our professors. My breath clogs in my throat, a lone tear slips from my eyes, gliding down my face in a silent quest, dripping down my chin before falling to the floor.

“Well?” The question isn’t unexpected but it still shocks me. I flinch slightly before answering.

“Well, I guess we'll have to go get those books.”

He laughs, “I’m so proud of you Schat.”

#max verstappen #f1 fanfiction #charles leclerc

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