Chapter Text
Saying that they didn’t catch the heavy smell of rotten vainilla and sour cinnamon was an understatement when the scent was floating all over the flat they arranged for the week in Monza. Even Alaïa and Naila felt nauseous when they entered the hotel room, it was clear that something happened and Lou was more than upset. But Nico didn’t care less about anything, his instincts were only focused on his distressed pup, he bargained into the younger omega’s room only to find him curled into himself with visible tears strains on his cheeks, more of them than when Sainz news came up.
His eyes were red, lips parted, the blond hair was a tangled mess. The image of the mistaken American driver was heartbreaking for his dam to take. Although, the thing that got the German attention was the raw scratches in the younger one's neck, specifically on his scent gland, it was easy to see the little blood stains on his fingertips. Nico bent down, scenting and cuddling his kid, his little bear, guilting himself for the state that the young one was in, cooing the boy, trying to soothe the distress in his sleep, caressing his beautiful hair. Anything to calm the sleeping omega in his arms.
But the damage was done, Louis cried himself to sleep, with his cellphone continuing to vibrate on the nightstand. The brit alpha took it, turned it on and unlocked it just to stare at an Instagram post with the image of his smiling son, a post filled with hate comments and jokes about their little angel. The room was now silent, Jenson only could turn the screen in order for Nico to see it, it wasn’t necessary more than a few seconds to know the impact of the news.
The girls felt helpless.
Jenson watched with horror and sadness.
But Nico…
Nico was enraged.
Not only last weekend he could have lost his older pup in that fire, the girls were terrified at the thought of losing his brother, Jenson almost fainted. The summer break was a bliss for Louis to calm down and come to terms about his next steps for the year, evaluating if it would be a good idea that Logan change to Indycar or ‘disappear’ from the media and sport in order to go to some european University, maybe study marketing or literature and live his life as Louis, he could also start posting more photos on his actual Instagram and be a faceless influencer, he alredy had more than 1M followers by only posting photos and reels of his lifestyle in Monaco, Germany and England with the family. And now Williams decided to drop his child, he is wishing to know what kind of excuse they decided to pull up, how James saw Lou, if he called him Logan or Louis, if he repeated the words that echoed in the social media, at least he felt sorry? Or relieved?
The phone continued vibrating on the alpha’s hand, calls from the Aussie friend/crush of their son never stopped, some messages from a few chats were visible in the notifications from some apps. Nico hissed loud enough to scare his husband, the scent of acid oranges and cinnamon was enough to mitigate the vainilla, Naila embraced Alaïa, while Lou unconsciously shrinked.
Nico and Jenson knew that Louis wasn’t keen on having his phone at all times, saying that he anyways didn’t have any desire to be at the screen for more hours than necessary in that electronic thing when he could be using it to play with his little sisters. That was a lie, he was justifying the lack of communication that he had, trying to cover up his longing to have someone to talk to, that he was searched, talked to… He was making up excuses for the people that ignored him almost all the time.
And now they want to contact him? The nerve of some people.
Nothing cares at this point. Williams and the sport they used to love put the last nail into the coffin, and they weren’t having any of that.
— Naila, Alaïa, stay with your brother in his nest, don’t let him go away from this room, please —. The thick accent of the german was proof of his rage, but it wasn’t like he was lashing out, no, he was calm, his voice seemed neutral, his eyes cold and nonchalant. The girls only nodded just to climb the other blond’s bed and start hugging him, releasing their milked scent into the nostrils of their older brother. — Your father and I will be in the kitchen, call us if Lou awakes.
With that the Button-Rosberg marriage exited the room, all in silence, Louis’ phone still in the hand of Jenson, vibrating. Jenson knew better than to poke his husband, the German wasn’t in the right state of mind to joke around or be gentle to anyone but the kids, and he couldn’t find himself to blame him. He was using all of his forces to not go to find Williams Principal and punch him until James felt all the pain that he inflicted on his beloved son, no matter if he would end up in jail for assaulting an omega.
— What are we going to do, darling?.
Nico only smirked, eyeing his husband with decided eyes. He knew that his significant other would do everything for him and the pups, and the feeling was mutual, never letting the other alone. God he loved his mate.
— We’re making them suffer with grace, liebe, but first. We need to make some calls.
The omega’s phone turned on, and in a matter of seconds he was rambling in German while the alpha was reorganizing their schedules. Maybe Mark and DC would exchange their interviews, they probably love more to be in Brazil rather than Monza.
-
As part of the media team, they had to be concisiuos of their words whenever they entered the paddock, a bad use of words and everything would go to the drain. And when you’re in Tifosi’s home, the pressure of not screwing it is far more palpable.
But Nico felt everything was in place. Walking around the paddock with his Sky Sports microphone in hand, and one of the most astonishing looks that had given him the enough boost to continue his pace. Passing every motor home with grace, side eyeing some drivers, not giving a fuck if some of them had more WDC than him. He grew up in this game, he knows how to play it.
Finally he saw the motorhome he was searching for. With a smile on his face he went there, saluting some fans that recognised him and feeling some stares in his back, they knew.
It wasn’t until he passed some security, entering the motorhome and then the supposed Team Principal office that all the facade went off. He saw the other omega laying there in the desk, concentrated enough to not notice the entrance of the german man, only unfocusing his gaze when said omega let some of his pheromones go and sour the room.
— Nico wh-.
He didn’t have the chance to complete the sentence.
— Watch your mouth Vowles, I’m not in the mood for courtesy —. The venom in his words was enough to shut him. — What the fuck are you thinking? Is this a type of revenge or something that Mercedes pack pulled over or what? Because now, I hope
your actions are justified.
James only observed him before sighing. — I love Logan, Nico, you know I do, I know him since he was clinging to your arms when you entered Mercedes… But this, he had cost us so much, that it is unbearable, you need to understand that it was for the greater good.
— His name is Louis, Vowles… Louis Heikki Button-Rosberg, and your so-called greater good almost unalived my son last weekend, innit? —. Staying calm was getting harder, but he couldn’t risk this opportunity. — What would you have done if the tractor you gave to your drivers had killed him? What if he couldn’t run off the fire? Tell me.
— Nico, don't be ridiculous, Logan is- —. Once again he couldn’t end the phrase, this time because of a loud hiss, he took a step back, not wanting to be the center of the German anger, although he already was.
The blue icy eyes of Nico didn’t recognise James, he didn’t see the kind omega that was his race engineer back in his years as a Mercedes driver. He couldn’t picture that wonderful help, that loved to yap about all the strategies that the team was making for him and Michael, –later Lewis–, that used to give Louis some chocolate treats behind his and Jenson’ back, as the man standing in front of him. A man that not only put Lou in a semi-lucid state, but that right now is brushing off the health of a driver, of the kid he used to watch.
— Are you even hearing yourself, James? This isn’t about the money, it is about what you caused… Yes Logan wasn’t the greatest, I can agree with that, but the conditions you putted him into weren’t the best also, your car is a fucking tractor that’s easily over lapped by an Alpine, you never cared about his mental health, scheisse, you even took him too early from F2, when he wasn’t prepared, for the voultures to eat him alive, and you know it!.
James tried again to talk, a non successful attempt to say the least. — No! You’re listening to me, what if instead of Louis was one of your pups? What would you and Bono have done if one of them was dropped like you did? Would you be saying this shit? Telling your kids that they’re a waste of money, yeah? Would you do it?.
And that was the nerve he didn’t want to touch, but here they are.
Pain. Pain in his right cheek, he looked dumbfounded at the brit, fixing his face to see the other man who met his gaze with guilt, lowering his hand. — I need you to get out of Williams now, I’m not willing to tolerate this type of disrespect from anyone, less from you, Rosberg.
— It wasn’t me who slapped an interviewer, Vowles, remember that —. Nico answered with venom, a clear threat to the older omega, not wanting to stay more in that hell house that his pup used to call team.
-
If the situation with Nico was stressful, Jenson wasn’t having the best day also. First of all, he had to put up with the fact that someone slapped his mate and he couldn’t do anything about it, yet. The media already catched the blond's bruised cheek and started the gossip of what could have happened, and Nico gave them the headline: “Ex-driver and WDC Nico Rosberg slapped by Williams’ Team Principal, James Vowles”, their socials were exploding as the fans began to speculate what had happened between both omegas. His husband, clever as ever, just went along with it, exclaiming that Williams was clearly in a rush and bad state to not only drop a driver, sign a new but slap a reporter that raced for the team in his early years, showing their lack of control and hearing to criticism. Well, now the reporters are eating alive every single worker of the team and the German single WDC is enjoying it second by second as they drown in their own sorrow, but they asked for it.
A bad situation for Colapinto and Albon, though, but you can’t blame them, parents' instincts are far more strong to even care about the other drivers.
Unfortunately, he can’t enjoy it as he wishes for, he is trapped with Danica in a mini interview with no-one more than Lewis Hamilton himself and, bloody hell, even Sebastian is there, for what? God knows why, probably just to cherish his mate, but come on, this week has been stressful enough, give them a break.
Thank God Keke was available to look after the three kids.
— Well, now movin’ on to some news, Lewis, what are your opinions over Williams' decision to drop Sargeant just after summer break? —. Both Brits flinched at the question made by the woman, the blond one starting to countdown to zero to calm down, trying to maint calm and not let the cameras see his discomfort.
At least, the seven times world champion had the decency to look uncomfortable, looking back to his husband for help after Jenson didn’t dare to meet his gaze. — Well, sincerely, that’s Williams decision, I only hope for the new rookie of the grid a good season and race, you know? I can only imagine how hurt Sargeant was at the news, I wish him the best for his future, honestly —. The Mercedes driver answered with an apologetic smile on his face, searching Jenson's gaze to ensure the message was received.
The blond interviewer snorted, but didn’t say anything. Not now, not here.
But apparently, luck isn’t a thing in his family.
Seb titled his head towards Jenson, giving him a warning look to the older man. — Something to say, Jen? —. The German ex-driver asked slowly, looking between the two drivers and the beta woman in front of him.
He didn’t respond, but his companion did, fuck.
— Well it is clear that Jenson was attached to that American boy by the look on his face whenever they encountered each other in the paddock, is such a disgrace that Log…
As Danica’s voice continued to sound, he zoned out, not wanting to hear whatever stupidity exited her mouth, much less if she’s bad mouthing his son, if not he will snap and he doesn’t want to fuck the plan NIco made last night. Oh Louis, he hoped that the short visit from Keke would cheer him up a bit until he and Nico escaped to go and eat with their kids, hopefully the last image that his father-in-law sent him calmed him a bit. It was just the pups with their usual face masks, hats and extravagant sunglasses, –in order to keep their faces private–, making funny poses.in front of some fountain in the city, he could easily portray the next videos on his FYP, Keke holding strangeously his cellphone while the kids laughed at him. What a bliss.
Although his daydreaming has an end.
— Please don’t speak that way of a driver Mrs. Patrick, less knowing the situation he’s in, have some respect. If you want to say something, talk to him directly then —. Lewis' voice was far more deep, God knows what his partner said to make even Seb frown. — I do believe that Lou- Logan was a respectable driver, very calm and gentle, but the circumstances with Williams didn’t make his situation profitable —.
— That’s rich coming from you Lewis, don’t you think? —. He slapped himself internally for the outburst, now he has to answer the critical gaze of both Seb and Lewis, but you know what? Fuck it. Lewis didn’t dare to even say a word to Louis in the last year and a half he was on the grid, he only appeared to send his presents in his birthday and an occasional message when something good happened (which wasn’t very common nowadays) and now he decides to say a phrase that could ease some of the pain that Lou had?
His kid waited and longed just to receive at least one message from his onkel and godfather, only getting a solo message not even on the 31th of december, not even when he was signed, replaced and dropped. Just a solo message in a letter that was delivered by a carter in Monaco on a random day. Lewis could love Louis, but his actions spoke enough for not to believe him.
— What are you trying to imply, Jenson?.
Well, here we go. He took another step liberating some of his scent watching close the couple movements.
— It's ironic that you and your mate talk about speaking directly and respectfully to someone when you haven't been capable of doing so.
He noticed how the cameras and microphones turned to them, wanting to catch every single word that escaped from his mouth. They want drama? Well, they'll have it.
— If you're going to bad mouth us, say it, you don't need to be mysterious, Button.
The blond alpha smirked, Lewis and Sebastian are already furious, he can sense it with their sour scents.
— Bad mouth you? I'm stating facts here, Hamilton. You're both hypocrites, you say that you are concerned and available for every person in the grid that needs to be heard, but when was the last time you talked with your nephew? That you acknowledged him? I refresh your memory, Lewis, you haven't been capable of talking to your own godchild in the last four years! You pathetic excuse of godparent.
That was the correct use of words. Even Danica was silent, –for the first time–, Sebastian looked guilty, but Lewis was fuming. His was heavy breathing, taking more steps to be in front of him, his eyes fixated on the face of the other alpha. The cameras were now filming everything, some drivers and staff from different teams were surrounding them, not wanting to miss anything.
The show must begin.
— You don't know nothing, Jenson, I've been in contact with him! Hell, I've been with him far more times than you have been! Don’t sell me as the bad guy here when you aren't even related.
A loud growl was heard, making Sebastian and Danica shrink. He was Louis father no matter the blood link, Louis is and will be his first pup, even if he's almost twenty-four years old right now. His nostrils expanded by the heavy breathing, taking all of his strength not to jump and punch the dark skinned alpha in front of him.
As he opened his mouth, Danica spoke. — Jenson I don't th-.
— Shut the fuck up Danica, you aren't better than them —. He shouted, it didn’t matter the amount of eyes and cameras that fell on him, public humiliation is one thing, his son is another, and he will not tolerate the disrespect from anyone. — That you keep in contact you said? Sending gifts only in Christmas and birthdays isn't staying in contact, you have MY son’s number and didn't have the time to call him or send a message! Damn it, even Seb has his email address and know he lives with us off season, have you ever called him via Skype or went to a coffee with him? The answer is no!.
He won't stop now, he silenced Sebastian attempts to calm them down.
— Yes, you know Lou since he was in Nico’s womb, you are the reason of why he's called Louis and you're his godfather, but I am his father, I’m the one who didn’t let him down, I’m not the one who banished from his life after 2016… You and the mo-
— Jenson enough.
He shifted slowly, meeting his father-in-law eyes, sensing the power that the Finnish alpha held with only two words, not even releasing his scent or command voice as he did previously. Just calculated calm. The four ex drivers shut their head down, as a sign of respect to the older.
The weight of his words taking a toll in the blond Brit face, reddening when he saw all the cameras keep filming the encounter.
— Keke I-.
The senior Rosberg didn't even pay a look to the Mercedes driver, he turned his gaze to the older alpha. — Your kids and husband are waiting in the parking lot, let's go.
Both of them turned and started walking away, but apparently they should have the last word. — Jen, you can't just go away after dropping this, don't be childish, we have to talk about it.
Keke saw his son-in-law, not wanting to continue in this circus, although, deep down he knows Jenson isn't known to be one who shut up. Sighing, he waited for the response. Taking note of how some reporters were already walking off to where his grandkids and Nico were waiting.
— Well Seb, look at me, I won't be talking more about it, because unlike you, I do have a family to look for, goodbye.
Just a soft whimper was heard before he headed to the parking lot.
-
Louis knew that what he’s doing isn’t healthy. But he needs to talk directly to Oscar, at least one last time, he isn’t letting that their last encounter be a heartfelt message. No, he needs to be mature and say goodbye properly, his dads teach him better, –he’s not taking 2016 in account, thank you very much–. He left the car where his isoisä left him and his little sisters in while his papa was arranging the last bags in the back, muttering some excuse to just go to the restroom, it was unbelievable? Yes, but his papa was too stressed by the look on his face to only said to not take too long before his dad arrived.
Perfect.
He took out his phone, sending his location to the Aussie alpha, receiving in less than ten seconds a thumbs up emoji. In any minute he’ll be there, no he only needs to calm down a bit in order to explain all the things he wants to say to Oscar. He played with his sunglasses a little bit, fixing his hat and mask, he needs to keep himself private, the photos of him with his sisters and grandad were already on internet, besides, his dads have probably made some fuss in the paddock, so is better to not provoke some reporter that could be around.
— Lo! You’re here! Mate, why are you here? You’re allowed into the paddock, no? Come on, you can be in McClaren on my side.
Oscar's scent have always had a calming effect on him, he smiled to him behind the mask, only letting him know his emotions by the sweet smell of vanilla and cinnamon, he shocked his head and took in his hands one of Oscar’s. Bloody hell, this will be more difficult than he thought.
— What do you mean? Come on Logs, let’s go, we need to talk, we have been missing many things the last couple of weeks, we didn’t even see each other on the summer break, and I visited Miami just for you! —. The Aussie shut himself when he noted that the American wasn’t answering him, not even looking at him, he calmed down a bit and started again. — Logan? Are you okay? I know this week haven’t been the best, but you can talk to me, ya know, right?.
Louis let a big sight out, he looked directly to his beloved face, drowning into that hazel gaze before speaking with a wobble voice. — I love you Osc.
The alpha went quiet by the confession. He flushed hard, opening and closing his mouth, unable to say something, just looking into the beautiful eyes behind the sunglasses.
— And… I’m so sorry I left you, but it’s for the best, don’t you think?.
Louis started to sob quietly, keeping his hands around Oscar’s wrist, he started trembling. The brunette boy took with his other hand the omega’s face, putting the sunglasses on his shirt and putting down the mask. Only admiring the beauty of Logan’s face, caressing with the same hand his cheek, just wishing they could stay longer. How many years have they lost?
Not wanting to waste more time, he kissed Logan.
— I love you too, Lo… I wish we had confessed earlier, we would be together for far more years —. The Aussie smiled, his friend, the one that had accompanied him since karting days as his boyfriend and future mate? That type of luck only belongs to Charles and Max or Alex and George. He put together their foreheads, releasing happy sound that his inner alpha wanted to express, he wanted to show Logan his love by any means.
But Logan’s scent wasn’t a happy one, it was sour and spicy, and his body was trembling even more, sobbing harder and harder. What the hell was happening?
— Lo? Are you al-.
— You don’t… You don’t love me Oscar, don’t lie to yourself.
What…?
And like a virus, Louis poured all his emotions and thoughts. — You love Logan, Oscar, you love an American driver who you don’t even know his family… You love the image of a frat floridian guy who was dropped from his team because he was a waste of money. You don’t love me, you’ve never had.
— What are you talking about, Logan? Of course I know you, I’ve known you since karting! Yes, maybe I’ve never had the chance to meet your parents or Dalton, but that’s okay, we can change that. I love you, I’ve always had, just… Let’s go inside so we can talk, I promise you that it’ll get better.
To the alpha’s surprise, the American driver moved away, denying over and over the last statement, until he met his gaze again, whimpering with emotional pain.
— That’s the image you fell in love with and I’m so sorry… You could have had anyone, not a broken lying omega that fooled you in this vicious cycle. I’m so sorry Oscar.
Without noticing a few reporters catch them from afar, recording their faces and some of them could hear what they were talking about. Even worse, some of them already made the link between Logan’s outfit and Louis' recent reel, without taking in account the shit show his father made some minutes ago with Lou’s godfather and onkel.
— I don’t know what you’re talking about, how could you have deceived me?.
The blond was going to answer, but his phone began to ring. And to the McClaren driver's surprise he started to talk in a fluent and rapid german, cleaning his face with his arms, trying to stop his tears.
— Since when you speak german? —. Was the only question that he could formule before he felt the other lips pressing his, unconsciously he embraced the other omega waist, returning the kiss.
But as it happened, it ended.
Logan separated himself from Oscar. Watching him with sorrow, pain and love.
— I’m so sorry Osc… Goodbye.
The omega ran, putting back his sunglasses and mask as he returned to the car were both of his parents were waiting for him to appear, his isoisä and sisters already on their seats. The Aussie was perplexed, he stopped daydreaming when he heard the snaps of different cameras and some voices behind him, goddamnit, the media’s already there.
He ran towards the way where Logan went.
— Logan!.
— Louis! Steig jetzt ins Auto!.
Who the hell is Louis and why are Rosberg and Button rushing Logan into the car? Why are they shouting in german? Why is the American getting into the car with three WDC and two girls? Why…?
He zoned out, watching the car start driving away from the parking lot. Trying his best to comprehend what just happened. He didn’t acknowledge the microphones that were too near to his face, or the arms that were supporting him when his legs decided to stop working, he couldn’t hear the smooth spanish accented voice that was speaking to him in his ears nor he smell the differents scents, –distressed ones, if he could sense it–, of his pack, of the gridpack.
Minutes passed, minutes that felt like an eternity and he recovered his senses. He heard the broken voice of Alex calling out for him, the strong arms of Max and Charles embracing him, scenting him at the same time, he looked up just to see a barrier of the older and some retired drivers protecting him from the reporters and cameras. He saw Fernando shouting at them as his manager and godfather tried his best to not let his mate go feral to the media on camera, he saw Lewis and Sebastian shoving the cameras, not letting them take a picture of him in this state.
They all were protecting him.
But why did it feel wrong?
Wh-.
— Oscar for how many years have you known that the driver Logan Sargeant was in reality Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button’s pup, Louis Button-Rosberg?!.
— Are you dating given the fact that some reporters affirm with proof that you two kissed?!.
He couldn’t bear with this anymore. What are they talking about? Logan couldn’t be their son, he is from Florida, he’s the youngest son of a pair of betas. He isn’t European either, he wasn’t named Louis.
Until it clicked.
He looked up again, searching for answers from his gridparents and the leaders of the pack. Only to receive pitiful looks and guilty whimpers. Everything was too much, his body started to fade aways, not sensing what was happening again.
— Oscar!.
— Oscar.
And the world turned off.