tennis slash - For My Personal Collection (4)
Title: For My Personal Collection (4)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Andy Murray/Richard Gasquet; Gasquet/Alize Cornet
Other Players: Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, Jamie Murray (and a couple of surprises)
Rating: NC17 (thought not so much in this chapter)
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: AU. Andy is a photographer who has found the perfect model to manipulate.
Richie has been asleep in bed when he hears a screech from Alize at the other end of the hotel room. He opens one eye and sees her with a large manila envelope in her hand with photos sticking out.
“Great,” Richie mutters, hiding under his pillow. “He wastes no time.”
“These are marvelous.” Alize runs to the bed and jumps on it.
Richie grumbles, “Please stop.”
“Oh sweetie. This could open so many doors. For both of us.”
“I know. You’ve said that at least ten times.”
“Better than waiting tables, no?”
Truth is, Richie has no idea what he wants to do with his life and it’s frustrating being around someone who’s known exactly what she wanted since she was a child. Traveling with Alize is a good way to avoid thinking of that stuff. Traveling can also be mind-numbing and he realizes he prefers having roots for longer than a week or two. “Actually, maybe it would be best if I stayed in New York.”
“Really? Are you seriously going to pursue the modeling thing?”
“Sure. Why not?” Though he would be happier never to model again, there was good money in that. It couldn’t hurt to see if the shoot with Alize opens doors.
“Well, it would only be two months apart. Then I can come back, or we can see family in France and enjoy the offseason together.”
* * * * *
Richie finds a hole in the wall of a place that will suffice for the two suitcases of stuff he has.
Although he has savings to cover the two months, it doesn’t hurt that he’s able to talk his way into a job as a waiter at a French café. It seems that he is qualified based off of working in France, not mattering if he could actually do the job at all as long as there was “authenticity”. Based on the artwork covering the walls, Richie suspected it common to hear talk like that.
* * * * *
A few weeks pass and Andy is able to put the photo shoots out of his mind. So he's blindsided when he gets called into his main boss' office, barely getting one foot in the room when it starts. “I wanted to talk to you about these photos.”
When he realizes his boss is holding the photos of Gael and Richie, all color drains from his face and he tries to apologize. “I wasn’t sure it was right but Jamie insisted...”
“I didn’t know what to think about this kid but then I remembered him as being in pics with that French gal who plays tennis. You took those too.”
Andy raises an eyebrow, not quite as familiar with this guy as he was with the previous man in charge. Then again, it was always tough to understand where Andre was coming from when it came to vision. He tries to keep his voice level and with no trace of panic, when he asks, “How did you find out?”
“When you’re dating a tennis player, you try to be on top of that world. Much like he must stay in tune with the fashion world. Why else do you think he hangs around Anna Wintour?”
“I guess I hadn’t thought that much about it, really. Never realized tennis players were particularly fashionable. I mean, outside of Anna Kournikova.”
“She ‘retired’ years ago. Get in the game, Murray.” The boss lounges back in the desk chair, still flipping through the photos. "So how do I get a hold of this guy?"
“I have his girlfriend’s cell number, Mr. Safin.”
“Girlfriend?” Marat laughs. “That’s not gonna last."
* * * * *
Andy hands the task of finding Richie over to Gael, as there's no photo shoots for the next few days. Once Gael talks to Alize and realizes how close he is, he decides it is the perfect opportunity for Gilles to take him for the Americans' version of French food.
Although Gael has told Gilles about the shoot (in detail, and Gilles wanting his own personal demonstration), he neglects to mention that as the reason for this visit. “This is wonderful,” Gilles exclaims as he and Gael enter the cafe.
When he sees the familiar messy blond hair approaching their table, Gael smiles widely. Sure enough, he's their waiter and as Richie tries to go over the specials, Gael coos, “Oh, darling Richie.”
Richie looks up from the receipts. Upon recognition, his face changes from blank to fleeting anger, gritting out, “Gael, right?”
“Yes. Gilles, this is the guy I met at Andy’s. The photo?”
Gilles gives Richie a once-over. “Okay, I see your point. Better in person.”
“Would you just stop?” Richie mutters. "Can I take your order?"
When Richie returns with their drinks, he can't help but notice the magazine Gilles is holding. The guy on the page looks familiar… “Why does that look like Andy Murray?”
Gilles had been reading the article on the other page so it takes a moment to see what he's talking about. “Oh yeah, that’s his brother. Jamie is the new face for this soccer clothing line.”
“It wouldn’t take much for Andy to look this good.” Richie didn’t mean to say that out loud but it doesn’t get a reaction.
Gael replies, “He did when he was younger. His mom is a modeling coach and pushed both her boys into the business.”
“Really? You wouldn’t know that…”
“The way he hides his looks?” Gilles finishes. “Jamie showed me a clothing catalog from when Andy was 13. Jamie’s always been the happy, friendly one while Andy is a jaded sonofabitch who likes torturing underling employees."
Gael snaps, “No he doesn’t.”
“Well, he did before finding out you could be just as sadistic at times. Speaking of, did he tell you to come here?"
Gilles could read Gael like a book. "Oh, yeah. Richie, there is a reason we're here. Andy sent your photos to some fashion people and there was a bite. It seems this guy is into tennis so he saw the spread with your girlfriend as well." He digs in his pocket for the business card. "Now, you can do whatever you want with this. It no longer has a connection to Andy, if that's your reason to be cautious."
* * * * *
That night, Richie is not so sure about this. He did speak to the guy on the business card and he must admit he is kind of wary.
Truth is, he thinks that Marat Safin sees him more as a nice third wheel in his current relationship than for any modeling opportunity. Richie does mention the girlfriend, the one that Marat has already seen, but it doesn't sound like Mr. Safin believes him.
He does call Alize about it. She waves off his concern, saying that practically everyone comes off as gay in the modeling business because they're so obsessed with their appearance. Her calls have been further and further apart and he suspects he hears a male and Spanish voice in the background when she claims she'd been sleeping, so he's not sure how seriously to take her comments.
Richie can tell that Gilles doesn't hold back, even when it comes to his boyfriend's boss, so maybe he should go for the ride.
Still doesn't explain what possessed him to leave a detailed message on Andy's answering machine. He knows he sounds confused and messed-up but that's probably why Andy picked him in the first place.
He is watching the news or, more appropriately, falling asleep to the news, when his cell rings. "Hello?"
"Why do you need my opinion?" It's Andy. He sounds irritated, likely calling immediately after hearing the message.
"You know more about this..."
"I know nothing. Your girlfriend wanted you to have this opportunity, remember? Why the hell do you need me to say any more?"
"Well, I think Mr. Safin wants me in the same way you do."
Silence on the other end. "Is that so? I'm sure Alize would love that idea."
"Come on. She was joking around. I am not gay."
"You definitely fooled my boss."
"You mean you definitely fooled your boss. Remember, you fucking tricked me. Actually, you did it twice - right in front of Alize."
He knows that Andy is trying not to smile. "Maybe you're just turned on by my voice. You like the brogue and it gets to you. I bet I would have the same effect on you right now if I said those same words. You're probably on your couch, trying not to fall asleep. Rest assured, you will close your eyes and imagine I'm talking to you. Giving you instructions as you have your regular sex dream involving your girlfriend. You'll wake up sweating more than you ever have before, not able to remember what she was doing but my voice lingering in your head giving commentary."
"You're supposed to help me regarding the modeling."
"The modeling business sucks. You want to be Marat's new boy wonder? Go right the fuck ahead. Maybe if you're enough of a tease, you'll even get some work. That world will ruin you and everything you have. It will spit you out and taint you. But it's worth a few bucks to be his whore."
"Fuck you. You're just bitter because your brother succeeded and you didn't!"
There's a loud slam on the other side followed by dead air. Richie throws the phone on the table, now certain he is going to pursue this, if only to prove one Andy Murray wrong.
Chapter 5
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Andy Murray/Richard Gasquet; Gasquet/Alize Cornet
Other Players: Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, Jamie Murray (and a couple of surprises)
Rating: NC17 (thought not so much in this chapter)
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: AU. Andy is a photographer who has found the perfect model to manipulate.
Richie has been asleep in bed when he hears a screech from Alize at the other end of the hotel room. He opens one eye and sees her with a large manila envelope in her hand with photos sticking out.
“Great,” Richie mutters, hiding under his pillow. “He wastes no time.”
“These are marvelous.” Alize runs to the bed and jumps on it.
Richie grumbles, “Please stop.”
“Oh sweetie. This could open so many doors. For both of us.”
“I know. You’ve said that at least ten times.”
“Better than waiting tables, no?”
Truth is, Richie has no idea what he wants to do with his life and it’s frustrating being around someone who’s known exactly what she wanted since she was a child. Traveling with Alize is a good way to avoid thinking of that stuff. Traveling can also be mind-numbing and he realizes he prefers having roots for longer than a week or two. “Actually, maybe it would be best if I stayed in New York.”
“Really? Are you seriously going to pursue the modeling thing?”
“Sure. Why not?” Though he would be happier never to model again, there was good money in that. It couldn’t hurt to see if the shoot with Alize opens doors.
“Well, it would only be two months apart. Then I can come back, or we can see family in France and enjoy the offseason together.”
* * * * *
Richie finds a hole in the wall of a place that will suffice for the two suitcases of stuff he has.
Although he has savings to cover the two months, it doesn’t hurt that he’s able to talk his way into a job as a waiter at a French café. It seems that he is qualified based off of working in France, not mattering if he could actually do the job at all as long as there was “authenticity”. Based on the artwork covering the walls, Richie suspected it common to hear talk like that.
* * * * *
A few weeks pass and Andy is able to put the photo shoots out of his mind. So he's blindsided when he gets called into his main boss' office, barely getting one foot in the room when it starts. “I wanted to talk to you about these photos.”
When he realizes his boss is holding the photos of Gael and Richie, all color drains from his face and he tries to apologize. “I wasn’t sure it was right but Jamie insisted...”
“I didn’t know what to think about this kid but then I remembered him as being in pics with that French gal who plays tennis. You took those too.”
Andy raises an eyebrow, not quite as familiar with this guy as he was with the previous man in charge. Then again, it was always tough to understand where Andre was coming from when it came to vision. He tries to keep his voice level and with no trace of panic, when he asks, “How did you find out?”
“When you’re dating a tennis player, you try to be on top of that world. Much like he must stay in tune with the fashion world. Why else do you think he hangs around Anna Wintour?”
“I guess I hadn’t thought that much about it, really. Never realized tennis players were particularly fashionable. I mean, outside of Anna Kournikova.”
“She ‘retired’ years ago. Get in the game, Murray.” The boss lounges back in the desk chair, still flipping through the photos. "So how do I get a hold of this guy?"
“I have his girlfriend’s cell number, Mr. Safin.”
“Girlfriend?” Marat laughs. “That’s not gonna last."
* * * * *
Andy hands the task of finding Richie over to Gael, as there's no photo shoots for the next few days. Once Gael talks to Alize and realizes how close he is, he decides it is the perfect opportunity for Gilles to take him for the Americans' version of French food.
Although Gael has told Gilles about the shoot (in detail, and Gilles wanting his own personal demonstration), he neglects to mention that as the reason for this visit. “This is wonderful,” Gilles exclaims as he and Gael enter the cafe.
When he sees the familiar messy blond hair approaching their table, Gael smiles widely. Sure enough, he's their waiter and as Richie tries to go over the specials, Gael coos, “Oh, darling Richie.”
Richie looks up from the receipts. Upon recognition, his face changes from blank to fleeting anger, gritting out, “Gael, right?”
“Yes. Gilles, this is the guy I met at Andy’s. The photo?”
Gilles gives Richie a once-over. “Okay, I see your point. Better in person.”
“Would you just stop?” Richie mutters. "Can I take your order?"
When Richie returns with their drinks, he can't help but notice the magazine Gilles is holding. The guy on the page looks familiar… “Why does that look like Andy Murray?”
Gilles had been reading the article on the other page so it takes a moment to see what he's talking about. “Oh yeah, that’s his brother. Jamie is the new face for this soccer clothing line.”
“It wouldn’t take much for Andy to look this good.” Richie didn’t mean to say that out loud but it doesn’t get a reaction.
Gael replies, “He did when he was younger. His mom is a modeling coach and pushed both her boys into the business.”
“Really? You wouldn’t know that…”
“The way he hides his looks?” Gilles finishes. “Jamie showed me a clothing catalog from when Andy was 13. Jamie’s always been the happy, friendly one while Andy is a jaded sonofabitch who likes torturing underling employees."
Gael snaps, “No he doesn’t.”
“Well, he did before finding out you could be just as sadistic at times. Speaking of, did he tell you to come here?"
Gilles could read Gael like a book. "Oh, yeah. Richie, there is a reason we're here. Andy sent your photos to some fashion people and there was a bite. It seems this guy is into tennis so he saw the spread with your girlfriend as well." He digs in his pocket for the business card. "Now, you can do whatever you want with this. It no longer has a connection to Andy, if that's your reason to be cautious."
* * * * *
That night, Richie is not so sure about this. He did speak to the guy on the business card and he must admit he is kind of wary.
Truth is, he thinks that Marat Safin sees him more as a nice third wheel in his current relationship than for any modeling opportunity. Richie does mention the girlfriend, the one that Marat has already seen, but it doesn't sound like Mr. Safin believes him.
He does call Alize about it. She waves off his concern, saying that practically everyone comes off as gay in the modeling business because they're so obsessed with their appearance. Her calls have been further and further apart and he suspects he hears a male and Spanish voice in the background when she claims she'd been sleeping, so he's not sure how seriously to take her comments.
Richie can tell that Gilles doesn't hold back, even when it comes to his boyfriend's boss, so maybe he should go for the ride.
Still doesn't explain what possessed him to leave a detailed message on Andy's answering machine. He knows he sounds confused and messed-up but that's probably why Andy picked him in the first place.
He is watching the news or, more appropriately, falling asleep to the news, when his cell rings. "Hello?"
"Why do you need my opinion?" It's Andy. He sounds irritated, likely calling immediately after hearing the message.
"You know more about this..."
"I know nothing. Your girlfriend wanted you to have this opportunity, remember? Why the hell do you need me to say any more?"
"Well, I think Mr. Safin wants me in the same way you do."
Silence on the other end. "Is that so? I'm sure Alize would love that idea."
"Come on. She was joking around. I am not gay."
"You definitely fooled my boss."
"You mean you definitely fooled your boss. Remember, you fucking tricked me. Actually, you did it twice - right in front of Alize."
He knows that Andy is trying not to smile. "Maybe you're just turned on by my voice. You like the brogue and it gets to you. I bet I would have the same effect on you right now if I said those same words. You're probably on your couch, trying not to fall asleep. Rest assured, you will close your eyes and imagine I'm talking to you. Giving you instructions as you have your regular sex dream involving your girlfriend. You'll wake up sweating more than you ever have before, not able to remember what she was doing but my voice lingering in your head giving commentary."
"You're supposed to help me regarding the modeling."
"The modeling business sucks. You want to be Marat's new boy wonder? Go right the fuck ahead. Maybe if you're enough of a tease, you'll even get some work. That world will ruin you and everything you have. It will spit you out and taint you. But it's worth a few bucks to be his whore."
"Fuck you. You're just bitter because your brother succeeded and you didn't!"
There's a loud slam on the other side followed by dead air. Richie throws the phone on the table, now certain he is going to pursue this, if only to prove one Andy Murray wrong.
Chapter 5