Chapter Text
Oscar was an alpha, everyone treated him like one at least. “too stoic to be a beta” that was a narrative he’d gotten used to seeing online. “Too broad and quiet to be an omega” okay that one hurt a bit more but it wasn’t the worst thing ever said about him. Now years into the sport and with no one bothering to question him on his second gender, Oscar never felt the need to correct anyone. If they thought he was an alpha then that’s who he would be.
Max was always a bit interested in Oscar, not in a romantic way but in the way he moved. Oscar was a reserved alpha, a bit of a traditionalist thought Max and the youngest alpha on the grid. He never questioned why Oscar was never seen in the grid pack rooms, maybe it just wasn’t his thing. Max knew Oscar was in a relationship so it’s no surprise really, there’s no need for an alpha who already has an omega to go into the pack rooms, but Max always noticed whenever Oscar would politely decline whenever other alphas on the grid offered to hangout, a simple wave of the hand paired up with a “no thanks mate, I’m good” or claims that he’s tired and just wants to go to his hotel. Really, it was no big deal but Max couldn’t help but get a little annoyed whenever Oscar declined.
“I really don’t understand what his problem is Charles” Max was pacing around their shared motor home, trying his best to keep his head calm after being shot down by Oscar once again. “Hmm what was that?” Charles asks lazily, finally looking up from his phone. “Have you been listening to a word I’ve said?” Yes and no Charles thought to himself, but that’s the last thing Max wants to hear right now. “Something about you inviting Oscar to the alpha room after practice today, you offered, he said no. What’s the big deal?” Charles answers dryly. “Exactly, he always says no, no matter how many times I’ve offered, I thought it was because I’m pack alpha, maybe he was a bit intimidated, but no. I sent Fernando to ask him, still no. I try Carlos-“ “You sent Carlos to him?” Charles interrupts while biting back a laugh. “In what world would that be a good idea?” Max just stares at him, okay maybe sending Carlos wasn’t the best idea he’d admit . “Because it was all I had! Lewis passed me the pack alpha baton and never looked back, couldn’t ask him and Lando said and I quote ‘not gonna happen’ so what else was I supposed to do?” Max had slumped into the couch next to Charles, let his boyfriend play with his hair while he wracks his brain on how to get Oscar to open up. “Maybe an omega should ask him, I could do it. Maybe after todays driver debrief.” oh shit, the debrief. Max had completely forgotten about that. Something about there being new track rules for a few circuits. Max didn’t understand why all the drivers had to be in attendance, probably just another power play by the FIA. “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea” Max lets himself be held by his omega, there’s a few hours until the briefing and if anyone can charm Oscar, it would be Charles.
Oscar made it to the conference room first, choosing the seat closest to the door, tucked away in the corner of the room, leaving a space in case Lando wants to sit next to him. 30 minutes before the meeting starts. He scrolled absentmindedly on his phone, watching as some of the other drivers start trickling in, Esteban’s first followed by Lance, the two arguing something in French, words Oscar can’t make out, not that he really cares to, they end up taking the seats closer to the front. Carlos comes in next with a hyper Lando hanging off of him, not surprising those two chose to sit together. Others shuffle in slowly and Oscar does a head to seat count. 20 minutes before the meeting starts. 18 of the drivers are here and there’s 7 empty seats. Just Max and Charles are left and two seats are open up front for them. Perfect. If Lando wasn’t gonna sit with him then there was no need to keep the seat open, hoisting up his bag to save the seat next to him. Even with 20 minutes to spare, Charles and Max are the last to join the group. The shift in the room is crystal clear. The loud conversations are dulled down to almost nothing as Max makes his way to the seat in the front of the meeting room. Oscar grabs his hoodie and uses it as a makeshift pillow, might as well get some rest before we’re all talked at for lord knows how long.
“Can I sit here?” is all Oscar hears when he’s pulled out of his own sleep. He looks up to see a small smile on Charles face, almost shy. “Sure.” he answers a bit dryly, sleep still lingering in his voice. Oscar watches while Charles makes himself comfortable in his seat, the ferrari jacket he’s wearing looks about three sizes too big, he’s wearing his glasses too and he looks soft. Oscar lays his head back down and just watches Charles. So this is what an omega should look like Oscar thinks to himself. Soft. Pretty. Delicate but still strong. Everything that Oscar wasn’t. He wasn’t pretty. Definitely wasn’t soft or delicate by any nature. He gets so caught up in his own head, he doesn’t notice Charles has been talking to him. “Sorry, did you say something?” it almost sounds rude but Oscar hears the little laugh that leaves Charles. “Is everything alright with you, mon cher?” Charles asks, reaching over to peak at Oscar thru the hoodie. The pet name caught Oscar off guard a bit but maybe it’s a French thing, maybe he’s more tired than he thought he was and he’s officially imaging things. “I’m just a bit tired.” is all he can answer. “You’re always tired.” it’s not a question, Charles says it like its a matter of fact and maybe it is. Oscar is always tired, emotionally, mentally, physically, and he feels the weight of it. “I guess I am.” Charles is looking at him, really looking at him. He’s taken off his ferrari jacket and made his own pillow to lay his head down next to Oscar and Oscar can’t help but feel a little shy, having Charles Leclerc this close to him, his warm jasmine scent covers over him and Oscar thinks he could fall asleep for days if he had the option.
“You know the pack room could really help with that Oscar. Everybody needs somebody sometimes.” Oscar just hums in acknowledgement, feeling the weight of Charles’ hand come up to brush his hair. He should stop it he thinks, tell Charles he’s not into physical touch but Oscar can’t remember the last time someone has touched him so gently, like he was something worth cherishing. So he doesn’t. He leans in and lets Charles play with his hair. “Your hair is soft but I’m sure you hear that all the time” Charles says while absentmindedly stroking the soft hair at the back of the alphas neck and Oscar can’t help the half scoff, half laugh that leaves his throat. “I wouldn’t know, I don’t really like people touching me ” and that’s not exactly a lie. Charles pulls back and Oscar almost misses the weight of the hand on the back of his neck. “What about your girlfriend?” girlfriend? oh yeah Lily . Maybe it’s the warmth of the jacket against his cheeks, or the fact Oscar hasn’t slept properly in weeks but he finds himself answering before he could think of a lie. “That’s a PR relationship, no intimacy, just an arrangement.“ The answer is quick, no room for questions, but Oscar can see the questions running thru Charles’ head. “So if it’s not real, who’s helping you thru your-“ and right on time the FIA director and his army of minions filter into the room, giving half hearted smiles as they make their way to the front.
“Good afternoon everyone, we’re happy you could all join us today. I’ll make it quick, I know you all have your teams waiting for you. A new set of guidelines have been implemented for the 2026 season onward. Five of the twenty four gran prix’s will now require omegas to wear their collars while in the paddock, that goes for drivers, all staff and fans in attendance, refusal to do so will result in a point deduction in the constructors championships and possible suspension.” The uproar in the room was almost immediate but Oscar can’t seem to hear anyone, he sees Pierre standing up and yelling something towards the director, Kimi is on the verge of tears, Max has his jaw set so tight, he could probably bite thru a metal door. He knows people are yelling, he can see them but all he can focus on is the tightening feeling in his chest. Omegas. Collars. 5 races. Suspension. Omegas. Collared. “Oscar? Are you okay? You look a little pale.” Charles asks calmly, reaching up to put his hand against Oscars forehead. “Don’t touch me Charles.” it was cold and a bit rude but Oscar couldn’t care less giving the situation at hand, earning himself a small nod from the omega next to him.
Charles could almost feel the world freeze over when he heard those words ‘mandatory collars for omegas’ but more than that, he could see the way Oscar shut down. The pale Australian somehow going even paler when he heard the news. Charles watched while Oscar wracked his brain, filing away every piece of new information. He looks scared. This rule change doesn’t even affect alphas.. unless, no that can’t be right. Charles pushed any doubts he has to the back of his mind, more worried about the distressed alpha in front of him. “I wont touch you Oscar, I promise.” The meeting goes on, they go over small details that Charles doesn’t listen to, too focused on Oscar next to him. His eyes meet Max’s at some point, mouthing some words he hopes Max can make out and by the nod he gets in return, it seems like Max does.
The meeting ends shortly after, Oscar has wrapped himself up in his jacket, maybe asleep, maybe pretending to be. He was hear shuffling around the room, a lot of ‘see you laters’ and ‘good luck tomorrow’ he feels the chair next to him move and Oscar can only assume Charles has left. Charles warm jasmine scent replaced by a strong scent of sea salt and oak. Max, just great. He peeks his head up to see none other than the one and only Max Verstappen. “You’re going to the nesting room and I’m not taking no for an answer.” Max says plainly, not an order but definitely not a suggestion. “Will Charles be there?” its a simple question but Oscar is surprised by the look on Max’s face. Oh god. He’s still an alpha, an alpha asking the pack alpha if his omega will be there in the nesting room. “He can be if you want him there.” Oscar weighs the options, maybe nesting with Charles wouldn’t be so bad, he doesn’t even remember the last time he’s built a nest, does he even remember how? No, he’s not supposed to be the one building a nest. Oscar’s mouth made his decision before his brain could talk him out of it. “I’ll pass.” he says while lazily gathering his things. “What the fuck is your problem Piastri.” Max is pissed, if the tone of his voice didn’t give it away, the smell of burning oak wood is a clear indicator. “I invite you to the pack rooms, I sent Charles to you and I spent the entire meeting watching you lean into him like you’re starving to be touched.” He sent Charles to me? Of course Charles would never approach him unless Max told him to.
“Look Max I’m really tired and I just wanna rest.” Oscar answers as cool as ever, simple, rehearsed. “The come and rest with us!” Max is teetering between and anger and desperation and Oscar can’t figure out which one it is but he can tell you he’s at his wits end with Max. “I’m not your omega and you’re not my alpha Max, anything you tell me to do is just a suggestion and I’m not very open to suggestions today. So do me a favor and leave me the hell alone, tell your little partner in crime to leave me alone too, I don’t need any pity company, not from you two.” His voice is quiet, just loud enough for Max to hear, loud enough to carry some weight. Max is left standing there while Oscar makes his way out of the room. The whole interaction went to hell but Max can only focus on one thing Oscar said.
‘I’m not your omega and you’re not my alpha Max.’