art | m. verstappen
pairing: max verstappen x singer!reader
word count: 5.1k words
request: yes/noby anons: “hiiii, i really like your fics sm. i was wondering if you could write a fic where the reader is a famous singer who’s dating max. also, fans would always look for her during the races. and every time he would win he would look for her first. you could add more if you like. (i also want to say that you’re one of my fav writers everr, hope you’re doing well!)” thank you so much! i loved writing this and got carried away, oops. & “hi babes 💗 i love your writing, you are so mf talented 🥺 can i request something with max verstappen that’s like, soft fluff? just being so in love with each other” yes. yes. i love this. give me soft!max right now.
warnings: fluff, language, uhh slight allusions to sexy times? i think? idk it’s 3:33 am (satan’s hour) and i want to sleep lol. also, there’s a lot of narration at one point, then there’s none. sorry.
a/n: whilst i received these reqs during my ‘reqs are closed’ era, i just really wanted to write some soft!max. i love him. i would die for him. also, yeah, reqs are still closed, but idec at this point. question, do people even read these? if you do and you got this far, comment a yellow emoji.
(we love fluffy hair max)
flashing lights and people screaming her name were things she was used to. she had completely given up on being able to have a nice meal at a restaurant where no one recognized her, but it was fine, she could handle anything as long as max was by her side.
the pair met during a grand prix weekend, she was invited by the mclaren team to attend a race, and as max was getting ready to get in his car, fifteen minutes before a practice session, he spotted her. she was laughing as daniel walked with her, leading her to his garage. the young woman peeked her head forward, curious eyes darting all over the place as she eyed the mechanics working on the car, the engineers observing data on the screens.
“maximilian!” daniel noticed max, standing with the earpiece in his hand. daniel and his guest waltzed in, the aussie bumped fists with people he knew since back when he still raced for the team.
“that’s not my name,” max ran a hand through his hair, the ashy blonde strands were starting to get a little sweaty from the humidity. “hi, i’m max,” he smiled, bumping his fist against hers.
“i know, you’re all this one has been talking about all day,” she nudged daniel with her elbow. “i’m (y/n),” she smiled at him, her eyes crinkling from the big grin on her face, a sincere one.
“wait…you’re… i know you!” his eyes widened once he recognized the girl standing in front of him.
“really?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“yeah, i… i like your music,” he smiled, cheeks reddening as he admitted listening to the girl’s catchy, well-thought-out songs. “it’s good,” he shrugs.
“thank you,” she smiled, noting the way his eyes were seemingly stuck on her face.
“okay, well, we have to go, i’ll see you out there,” dan placed a hand on max’s shoulder, who nodded.
“good luck out there, i’ll be rooting for you,” she giggled at the shocked face daniel made, eyes widening comically.
“maybe next time you can watch everything from back here. the view is much better,” the words slipped out of his mouth without him noticing, but he didn’t find himself regretting them.
“maybe, you’ll have to step up your game,” she raised an eyebrow, surprised by his bluntness. she smirked, being pulled away by daniel, who had to rush to his own garage. she waved her hand as daniel led her to his designated spot.
the next day, they met again. she’d arrived in the paddock, vip pass hanging from her neck, as well as the pass that gave her access to the mclaren garage, but she was lost. she was usually good with directions, but the crowd of people running around thirty minutes before the qualifying session left her a little overwhelmed.
luckily, as she felt a hand on her back, she felt safe.
“hey, you okay?” she heard, the blue eyes and dirty blonde hair she saw yesterday made her let out a sigh of relief.
“yeah, i-i got lost,” she let out a shaky breath, smiling. “i probably sound so dumb but i forgot the way,”
“hey, it’s okay, it can get quite hectic here,” he gave her a small smile. “it’s this way,” he pointed and took a step forward.
“oh, okay, thanks,” she breathed, “i don’t want to waste more of your time, so, i’m sure i can find my way there,”
“it’s alright. i’d like to make sure you get there alright,” he takes another step, and this time she starts walking as well.
“are you nervous?” she asked, max was wearing his racing suit, although the top was hanging from his hips, the sleeves wrapped around his waist, and she could see his navy blue fireproof shirt.
“excited,” he replied, placing the flat cap on his head. “and you?” he asked in return, “how are you enjoying this traveling circus?” she laughed at his words.
“it’s been amazing, i haven’t been a fan for too long, but now that i’m living a race weekend i don’t know if i’ll be able to go back and watch from home,” she admitted, chuckling.
“well, maybe the next time you come, you could come as my guest,” he spoke casually, but her heart sped up as she tried to keep a straight face.
“really?” she asked, a teasing tone in her voice.
“i meant my offer yesterday,” he nodded, eyes stuck on her. “view is much better from my side of the garage,”
“hmm… i’ll have to think about it. what will people think, if one week i come here with mclaren, and the next i’m spotted supporting red bull?” max chuckled.
“they’ll think you’re supporting the right person,” that made her giggle.
“i’ve been supporting you since the first race i watched,” she admitted, feeling a little heat traveling to her face. her words took him by surprise. “i guess you’re probably tired of hearing it, but you really have a natural talent, a gift, for racing.” her words are sincere, he knows by the way her eyes stay on his, by how her voice doesn’t falter or how she doesn’t fidget with her fingers as she speaks. it takes him a second to respond, and in that second, he notices how they’ve both stopped walking, and are now standing in front of each other.
“thank you,” his voice is barely something more than a whisper, “you are incredibly talented as well. don’t tell anyone, but i almost,” he held up a finger, bringing more attention to his statement, “almost cried the first time i listened to your new album.” she chuckles, feeling her face and chest getting extremely warm, “actually, tell whoever you want, i don’t care if anyone knows. you’re too good at writing music that no one should be ashamed to admit they’re a fan,” he says after a millisecond.
“tell you what… if you can get your first grand chelem this weekend… i’ll accept your offer,” she bites her lip, knowing that even if he doesn’t get it, she’ll still accept anything he suggests. “and you get to pick the race, i’m feeling generous,” she smiled.
“you got it,” he winked at her, “you better start clearing your schedule,”
“oh yeah?” she smirked, raising an eyebrow.
“we’ve got a triple-header after the summer break,”
“and you want me to come to all three?”
“spa and monza are two of the most exciting races, and it’s also my first home grand prix. so, yes.”
“let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here, max emilian,” she made sure to pronounce his name correctly, just because she could. “remember your end of the bargain,” she pointed a finger at him.
“i know. and i’m willing to keep my promise, if you do as well.”
“stubborn, fearless, fiery heart,” she thought out loud, “what other title would you like to have?”
“world champion, grand chelem achiever… your friend,” he listed, shrugging. as if the latter was anywhere near the formers’ league.
she smiled, looking to the side, where she spotted the mclaren garage, but she realized that she did not want to step in. she wanted to stay out there, with max, talking about whatever crossed her mind.
“we’ll see,” she nodded, smiling. “thank you for walking me here, they must be looking for you like crazy,” she chuckled.
“it’s fine, i couldn’t leave you out there alone, lost. but yeah, i guess i must go now.”
“good luck,” she stepped forward, raising to her tiptoes and pressed a soft, quick kiss to his cheek.
“i definitely will need it,” he nodded.
“grand chelem, remember.”
“i know.” he nodded as he took a step back, then another. he didn’t want to break eye contact with her. “triple header, remember,”
“i know,” she repeated his words, waving as she stepped into the mclaren garage.
the next day, max started from pole position. he led every lap of the race. he got the fastest lap. and he won the race. she had to clear her schedule for three weeks.
there was no denying the chemistry between them, since that saturday before qualifying people were obsessed with the idea of them interacting with each other.
a like on social media, a comment here and there. people thought that a beautiful friendship had blossomed since that weekend in austria. and it was true, although, that wasn’t the whole story.
they both fell hard, fast, they found themselves talking on the phone until the early hours of the morning, until their voices were raspy from all the laughing, the talking.
they loved each other, truly, deeply. madly. it should be scary, how much they cared for each other. how, despite only knowing each other for a few months, they already were prepared to walk through fire for the other. except it wasn’t scary, it was nothing but honest, unconditional love.
their relationship was the most sacred thing for them, they didn’t want people prying in, and they both knew that their careers came with costs, with privileges they had to give up. but it didn’t mean that they couldn’t have their fun with fans, with the photographers.
they liked to go by unnoticed, so, max would arrive first, wearing his usual uniform. jeans, red bull polo, and his cap. (y/n) liked to play a little. she’d wear wigs, big sunglasses that covered half of her face, sometimes she’d even show up with members of other teams, blending in. once she was in the safety of his driver’s room, she’d burrow her face against his chest, hide in the comfort and warmth of his neck. sometimes, when she was feeling mischievous, she’d take the opportunity to paint his skin, leaving small purple blotches, they were barely visible, they would drive her insane whenever she saw them peeking out from under his fireproof shirt or racing suit.
“how are you feeling?” she asked, watching as he removed his navy blue shirt, she took the opportunity to let her eyes wander over his body. girlfriend privileges. she could stare and ogle all she wanted. bless.
“i don’t know, i just hope the car makes it through the entire race,” he shook his head, trying to fix his hair once he pulled the long-sleeved fireproof shirt. the previous race had been a shocking one, with both cars failing at the end of the race.
“you got this.” she walked to him, grabbing one of his hands and holding it with both of hers, she brought it up to her lips, kissing his knuckles, “that was just the first race, you have this and a ton more,” she reassured him. max nodded. “stubborn, fearless, fiery heart…” she started, knowing that the words of the first song she ever wrote for him never failed to bring him comfort. those words were also the ones that she used that first saturday back in austria.
“a thousand miles can’t tear us both apart,” he finished the lyric, leaning down, pressing his forehead against hers. “i love you,” he said, she smiled, feeling his hands on her waist, she wrapped both of hers around his neck.
“and i love you,” she pecked his lips, knowing he still had to keep most of his focus on the race.
“come down with me?” he asked, still holding onto her, his hands now fully enveloping her back.
“are you sure?” a public outing, as mentioned before, was not something either of them were strangers to. but heavens knew how many pictures the press would take just from the short walk between the hospitality and the garage.
“i need you,” he admitted, his hands traveling up her arms until they were holding gently, but steadily, her face.
“okay,” she nodded, her hands resting on top of his.
“i like your headband,” he said, looking at the shiny stones that reflected the light. “that way i’ll know what to look for in the crowd,”
“i think it might blend in with the flashing,” she laughed.
“no. you shine brighter than all of them combined.” he didn’t hesitate, his voice didn’t falter as he spoke. she felt as if her face was on fire. she helped zip his suit up, letting her hands rest over his chest, staring into his eyes in hopes that they’d communicate everything she was feeling at that moment.
with a tight grip on her hand, he led the way to the garage, he was prepared to shove away anyone who dared step in between them and their destination.
they were untouchable, no one dared to speak to them, but that didn’t stop photographers from taking as many pictures of the pair as they could. they made their way to the garage, hand in hand, head held high. once they stepped into the garage, the red bull mechanics were surprised to see the couple there. they all knew how protective of their relationship they both were.
but it was good for max, it was necessary that he felt her support as much as possible.
she said ‘hi’ to everyone, taking her usual spot by the side of the garage, next to the wall where max’s helmets and the rest of his equipment were. he felt her eyes on him, as he talked to his team principal and then with his race engineer. she didn’t want to disturb his concentration, but she knew he didn’t like it when she strayed too far away, so she always stayed nearby, ready to provide comfort, encouragement, and even make some more bets like the one they made almost nine months ago to help motivate him.
she listened in on the conversations, without noticing, she started nodding when she agreed with what was being said, and when the topics turned back around to something that had already been discussed, she’d let her eyes roam around, finding her own face on one of the screens broadcasting the pre-race coverage. she found the camera, smiling and giving it a small wave. she was certain that countless gifs, screenshots or clips from that small action would pop up all over social media in just a matter of minutes.
max noticed her action, following her line of sight and meeting the camera as well. more content for the fans. since that first weekend in austria, fans became obsessed with the idea of the singer and driver being an item. there was something about a guy like max -with a tough demeanor-, and someone like her -a girl with a delicate way with words-, that drove everyone crazy.
she kept her eyes on max, analyzing his features as he put on his earpieces and balaclava. she smiled at the way his hair, a little bit longer than what he was used to, tried to peek out from the hem at the top of his face. max was quiet, he always was before a race, but she could tell that it was different this time.
“max,” she called his name, he kept going with his routine, grabbing his helmet and placing it in front of him, “max,” she repeated, this time, he turned his face to meet her eyes. “what’s wrong?” she asked.
“nothing,” he spoke quickly as he returned his attention to the helmet. first mistake.
“love,” her voice told him she wasn’t buying it. “fine, if you don’t want to talk, then you’ll have to listen. i don’t know what happened last week, but that’s in the past. if you go into this race feeling like your car is not good enough, if you don’t trust the car, then you know how things will turn out. trust your instincts, trust your team, have faith in yourself. i know how much you want to win, but even if you don’t tonight, you’ll have many opportunities in the future. try and have fun, as well. you’re fighting against guys you’ve known your whole life, you know how they drive, use that to your advantage. do not get frustrated because one race didn’t go well, don’t let it dictate the rest of your season.”
max had never been one to initiate a public display of affection, but she -like always-, had managed to put into words everything he was feeling, everything that was going on in his head. so, he took off the balaclava, his hair sticking up, and he held her chin, directing her lips towards his. it was short, but he poured everything he was feeling inside his chest into the kiss. it took her by surprise, a small gasp leaving her lips after he leaned back.
“thank you,” was all he whispered before putting the white balaclava on again. that was yet another moment when he found himself thankful for her gift of putting into words what most people couldn’t, what most people didn’t notice.
winning a race is a feeling like no other. being the very first person to cross the line, especially when the runner-up is close, is a thrill that never gets old. max had just won his first race of the season, a race that was equal parts stressful and exciting. he couldn’t deny that he was quite scared that the car might fail again, but he remembered (y/n)’s words. trust yourself, trust your car, trust your instincts. so he did. and that led him to the top step on the podium. even though it was a bittersweet win, he knew that this was his teammate’s race to win, but he couldn’t deny that being on top was where he belonged.
as he stepped out of the car, congratulating the two ferrari drivers that would go up to the podium with him, his head was turning from side to side. when he was being hugged and padded on the back by his team, he was counting the seconds until he was free so he could look for (y/n). he was quickly ushered to do the post-race interview, before the podium ceremony, and as he spoke to the interviewer, everyone could tell that his attention wasn’t on the person in front of him, or the words that were leaving his lips. they were speeches that he’d perfected over time, about how tough the race was, how he enjoyed the battles and how much it meant to add another win to his list. he could recite them even in his sleep.
his eyes and full focus were set on finding that shiny headband, for a second, he thought she’d been right. that she would just blend in with the rest of the crowd. but he was determined to find her. max was led to the podium, he had a frown on his face as he walked up the steps, waiting for the two ferrari drivers to go out first. the frown was accompanied by a weird feeling in his stomach, it was taking him by surprise how much not seeing her was affecting him. as his feet touched the top step, he raised his hand, smiling a little as his eyes continued their search for her.
from up there, faces looked blurry, tiny dots that seemed to blur together even though he was trying his hardest to find the person he was looking for. his eyes were darting all over the place, he tried to spot the headband, he couldn’t let her down, he had to find her. as the anthems played, his heartbeat sped up, it even took him by surprise. he saw movement down there, people parting as someone shoved their way in through the crowd. the shiny headband appeared, she was holding on to the fence over the wall, she had two of the red bull mechanics on either side of her, looking after her and making sure she was safe.
max smiled, finally. he let out a sigh of relief just as the anthems finished. the crowd cheered and clapped as the first place trophy was placed in his hand. as usual, he raised his arm, lifting the trophy up in celebration as a true, wide grin made its way onto his face. he placed his free hand on his chest, locking eyes with her. he chuckled as he saw her cheering, cupping a hand around her lips so her loud screaming echoed louder.
the next minutes seemed to fly by after that, max smiled, took pictures, shook hands, and said goodbye to people as quickly as he could. once he was free to go down the stairs and into the garage, he was out of there in the blink of an eye. his hands were tingling as if they were going numb, but it was just the excitement and desperation running in his body. he was taking fast, determined steps to his garage, even though he wasn’t completely sure if that was where he’d find her, but he needed to see her, needed to wrap his arms around her and tell-
“max!” he heard, he turned his head to the side, his steps never faltering, he just prayed that he wouldn’t run into someone. “max!” the voice -her voice-, he realized after a second, called for him again. she was running towards him, at full force, they slammed into each other, her arms pulling him down towards her by his neck, his hands wrapped around her waist, and he hoped she’d forgive him for stabbing her back with the trophy. “you fucking did it. i told you,” she said, hoping he’d forgive her for taking off his first place cap, but she needed to curl her fingers around his hair, pulling him impossibly closer to herself.
“i know. i know. i love you,” she heard, he spoke through his smile, burying his face in her neck as she did the same.
“max, (y/n), let’s move this somewhere more private, please,” they heard max’s press officer, felt as she tapped their shoulders in hopes of getting them to let go of each other. that didn’t happen, though. instead, they held on tighter. “ugh, fine, but if you fall it’s not my fault,” they started walking, blindly, being guided by the red bull press officer. max lifted his head from (y/n)’s neck a little, so he could see where he was going, he didn’t want her to get hurt.
once they were in the garage, max walked straight to the back, thanking the walls that now separated them from everyone else.
“i love you.”
it didn’t matter who said those words first, all that mattered were the way they clung to each other, how she lightly scratched his scalp and neck with her nails as she curled her fingers around his hair, how he was afraid that he might leave marks on her waist from how tight he was holding her waist.
“i knew you could do it,”
“i know,” max smiled.
“i told you,”
“you did,”
“i love you,”
“i love you, too.”
for someone who always knew how to express her feelings, who always managed to come up with compelling, well-thought-out sentences, she was finding it difficult to summarize everything she was feeling into words. so, she hoped, for once, that her actions could speak louder than her words.
a kiss. holding onto him. pressing her forehead against his. grabbing his hands and kissing his knuckles. seeing the way his eyes lit up, feeling the way his breath seemed to tremble as she trailed her fingers on his cheeks.
“guys, remember you’re still in public.” someone shouts, making them chuckle as they lean back, “max, hate to break this up, but you’re needed right now,”
“five minutes,” he yelled back, (y/n) was shaking her head.
“go,” she said, even though she made no effort to step away from his hold.
“they can wait,”
“max! don’t make me come in there,” they both laugh at the press officer’s words, threatening them as if they were teenagers.
“go,” (y/n) repeated, standing on her tiptoes to press a soft kiss to his lips, “i’ll be waiting for you,”
“okay,” he replied, kissing her soft cheek. he kept an arm around her shoulders, feeling her sliding hers around his waist.
“you two owe me a fucking beer after this,” the press officer said, shaking her head, “i’m going to let you two deal with the pda stuff on your own, don’t count me in,” she said.
“fine. heat of the moment. we’re in love. end of story.” max replied, shrugging his shoulder as if it were no big deal. he noticed how (y/n) was still holding his cap, gently he grabbed it from her hold, adjusting the velcro strap and he placed it on her head. she smiled, closing her eyes as she felt his lips on her cheek.
“jesus, what happened to you two being private? okay, you do that. see how it plays out,” the way the public relations expert was shaking her head let them know that they might need to come up with a better explanation. they arrived at the media pen, max reluctantly let go of (y/n), kissing her temple one last time before walking away. she leaned back against a wall, running a hand through her hair as she smiled, watching him stand in front of the first interviewer.
the paddock was packed with people, and as much as she tried to blend in with the background, she’s still a famous singer and it was only a matter of time before she was approached by fans.
she dedicated her time to each of them, taking pictures, asking how they were, and signing stuff. she spent a little more time with a young girl who asked her to sign a cap that had already been signed by max. she smiled, seeing both of their signatures together.
after max was finished, they all headed back to the motorhome, max was still being congratulated by people that passed by. she snuggled her head against his chest, feeling the comforting warmth against her skin.
“good thing i went down there today,” she admitted once they were in the safety of his driver’s room, “i would’ve hated myself if i hadn’t been here with you,”
“that’s okay, my love. thank you for being here, and for your words. i really could not have done this without you. this win is yours as much as it is mine,” he said, she smiled. no matter how much time passed, he could still make her heart beat as fast as the car he drove. “i owe you this win.”
“it’s okay, we’re a team. when you feel down, i’m always going to be right there cheering you up, if you need space i will step back, but not too far away because i know you don’t really like being alone. your highs are my highs and your lows are my responsibility to turn them into highs. we’re in this together, baby,” she said, wrapping her hands around his back, pushing his front against hers.
“i really couldn’t have asked for anything better,” he shakes his head, feeling so incredibly lucky to have her by his side.
“me neither.”
the next morning, they woke up to thousands of social media notifications. their little moment was captured by all cameras, they were the talk of the town. it was sort of nice, having pictures of their moment, seeing how in love they looked, how their happiness was evident on their faces.
her favorite one was a picture of max holding her, his fingers on her waist, that held her with such strength and delicacy at the same time. it hadn’t even registered to her that he was holding the trophy at the same time as he held her. she wasted no time in setting it as her wallpaper on her phone, she never thought that she’d be the type of person to have a picture of herself as their lockscreen picture.
“this looks pretty,” she heard max’s raspy morning voice.
“what?” she asked, turning to look at him. they were both sitting up, she was holding the bedsheets up to her chest, covering her otherwise nude figure.
“this,” he leaned in, moving her hair away from her neck, he ran a finger across the skin. “it’s like a painting,” he kissed her cheek. removing the covers off his body as he walked to the bathroom. she opened her front camera, seeing the hickeys scattered all over her neck, collarbone, and behind her ear. she smiled, covering her face with her hand. he was incorrigible.
“paint my body with your kisses, don’t tear me up to pieces,” she hummed. smiling she opened her notes app, typing what she’d just come up with. “let them know i’m only yours, this love is only ours,” she continued typing, once max came back, he saw her with an adorable frown on her face as she tapped on her phone, typing and deleting.
he slid in beside her, throwing an arm around her shoulders as he let her continue.
“you’re writing a song about me?” he smiled, it was a feeling he still was not used to, he found it extremely odd how she could tell a wonderful story with her music, which was based on things he said or did.
“yes, another one,” he read what she was writing. “this one’s a bit forward,” he noticed. most of her previous songs were more laid back, none of them went deep into details about their relationship, but she always tried to come up with things that most people could relate to. by the looks of it, this was going to be a completely different story.
“it is,”
“i like it,” he confessed, kissing her shoulder.
“really?” she asked, turning her head.
“i like everything you do, and i’m not just saying that. you are my favorite person in the planet, but that doesn’t stop me from being able to appreciate good art. and yours, my love, is the greatest art that’s ever been created on this green earth,”
it takes her a moment to register what he just said.
“max, that’s the greatest compliment i’ve ever received,” her eyes were slightly wide, mouth parted as she saw him. her mind was going a million miles per hour, still thinking about the next verse for the new song, still reeling from the great joy he made her feel. “let me be your canvas, your lips will be the brush, and with a single touch, you make my body blush,”
“you’re a genius,”
“and you’re a co-writer for this song, now, mister.”
“as long as it’s with you, i’ll write a million more. i’m ready to make more art with you.”
