Reading between the lines

A date or not a date, that is the question

"Max, help-" His voice was high-pitched and his eyes wide, begging the Dutchman for support.

But before Max - who felt very put on the spot with everyone looking at him now - could say anything, another person stormed into the shop, stopping right by Charles' side. Panting heavily and sweat glistening on his face, the guy didn't waste a second to apologize for his roommate's behaviour.

"Oh my god, I-I am so, so sorry! I tried to tell him that- that you were still closed, but he was already out of the door and couldn't hear me anymore. So- so I tried to run after him, but you wouldn't believe how fast he is." Oscar pushed all that out between ragged breaths, bent over, hands stemmed against his knees.

"Osc!" Lando squealed, forgetting all about what was going on, only smiling and waving at his 'friend'.

"Hi Lando." Even in his current state, the Aussie took a second to look up at Lando to smile back at him, before his eyes trailed over to Seb. "I am so sorry for Charles. I promise this will never happen again. He's a bit... irresponsible sometimes."

While Charles tried to protest that last comment and Seb assured Oscar that everything was fine and no harm had been done, Lando leaned over to Max, a wide smile playing across his lips. "This is the most I've heard him talk in one go."

"Kinda cute. And all out of breath too." Max replied, smiling over his friend, smiling over the guy he liked. It was like high school all over again.

"Oh, don't say that!" Lando whisper-shouted, fully flustered. "Now that'll be all I'll think about today!"

Max chuckled and turned back to Seb, who'd seated Oscar on one of the high chairs by the bar, so the boy could catch his breath. Charles was standing next to him, profusely apologizing for his mistimed appearance, even though Seb was just smiling and assuring him that it was alright - his smile not as genuine as it had been when talking to Oscar.

Behind them, Lewis just let out a snort, apparently unhappy that the two were even allowed to stay, before turning around and disappearing to the back somewhere. Max looked after him for a moment, then he just shrugged and joined the group by the bar.

"So, you finished the book?" He asked, one brow raised as he grinned at Charles. The pair of green eyes found him immediately, a hint of pride shimmering in them. Max couldn't deny feeling similarly.

"Yes, I sure did!" Charles replied, even daring to smile again. "Now I know I'm probably not in the top three-"

"You're in fifteenth place, actually." Seb said very matter-of-factly, ignoring Max, who was glaring at him from the side.

Instead he fixated Charles with a less than impressed look. That in no way seemed to dim the younger man's regained confidence, which was fuelled by Max's proud reaction and his own spirited nature. Sheepishly Charles smiled at Seb, clearly wanting something from him.

"So, I guess there isn't a price for coming in fifteenth..." He asked slowly. His eyes were bigger than normally, giving him an innocent look. All diversion of course.

"No..." Seb hesitated, noticing that something was up with him.

He didn't necessarily want to play into whatever game Charles was playing, but he was curious as to know what it was. So were Max, Lando, Danny and Oscar, who were all following the conversation with great interest. They weren't even trying to hide it, unashamedly staring from one to the other like it was a tennis match. The only one showing mild concern was Max, his hands holding on tightly to the table plate of the bar behind him and his mouth pressed into a straight line as if it was hard for him not to interfere.

Finally, giving into the external pressure and his own nosiness, Seb sighed and asked, "Why? Were you hoping there'd be one?"

Charles's eyes lit up and he nodded quickly, mouth flying open to present whatever idea he had. It made Seb want to take his question back, but he knew it was too late. He wouldn't have been able to get a word out anyways with how quickly the Monegasque began to speak.