Work Text:
The worst part about Pierre leaving AlphaTauri is that Max no longer has easy access to things that smell like Charles, not unless the Monegasque leaves elements of his plane nest behind when he flies AirMax. Which he doesn’t do nearly often enough.
Charles is always meticulous about repacking his carry-on, making sure everything is in its right place. But sometimes, sometimes Charles will leave something behind; a pillow, or a shirt, something small.
Other times Max watches Pierre pull one blanket out of Charles’ bag and leave it folded up on another seat, and then take a similar blanket out of his own bag, and shove it back into Charles’ bag like he’s Indiana Jones.
Pierre just smiles the first time Max catches him.
There is a cupboard full of blankets Charles has left behind on his plane, and for the first time Max wonders. “Has Charles ever truly forgotten a nest item?”
“A nest item? Oui. Blanket? Non, it is too big. He would feel the lack of weight. I switch them sometimes, the new one for one you have in storage here. But the ones in the closet smell a lot like you, so he will notice when he opens his bag if I take one of them. And it is useful to have a stash of emergency nest materials here, you know?”
Max can feel his eyes bugging out of his head.
“Should I stop?”
“No.”
He sends Max a shit eating grin. “That was quick.”
“Shut up.”
The Frenchman laughs. “You are just as bad as Charlie.” He hoists up both omega’s bags with one hand, and pats Max’s chest as he walks passed to Dutchman. “One day you two will stop this dance. Until then, I will meddle. Hurt Charles and I won’t run you off the road, I will send you into the barriers.”
Max growls before he can stop himself, but Pierre is already walking away.
“Yes, yes. You would never hurt him. I just need to say it. Thank you for the flight!”
Maybe Max takes the blanket with him to the hotel for his den. Who’s to say.