Max Verstappen does not believe objects can change a person.

He believes in systems. Habits. Repeatable outcomes. He believes that if you wake up at the same time, eat the same food, keep your space controlled and predictable, your mind stays sharp. Focused. Winning.

Which is why the first white mug disappearing from his cupboard should not have mattered.

It was identical to the others...plain, clean. He notices immediately anyway. Max notices everything. The cupboard door opens, muscle memory reaches for the handle of his favorite mug, and instead his hand closes around something… wrong.

Blue. Uneven glaze. Handmade

He frowns at it like it’s personally offended him.