tennis slash - Free Coffee (7)
Title: Free Coffee (7)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Richard Gasquet/Andy Murray; Marat Safin/Juan Carlos Ferrero
Other Characters: Kim Sears, Marin Cilic, Jamie Murray
Rating: R
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: Richie is in hiding during the suspension so ends up at Andy’s London home. During Wimbledon. Yeah, that’s not asking for trouble.
Author’s Note: After this chapter, I think I’ve given enough hints to narrow Mario’s guy down to two people.
Chapter 7 - Pushing For Information
It would be almost hilarious if Kim wasn't aware this is making Andy even more closed off than before. Still, that he and Richie are avoiding by being as far away from each other as possible while in the same house seems fitting of a bad situation comedy, at the very least.
Even if Marat had been caught sneaking into the Murray house yesterday, the press’ questions would have been cordial. It could easily be twisted into a counseling session: the great Grand Slam winner about to retire, aiding the younger generation. That nothing related to the deal with Richie has leaked to the tabloids is practically a miracle.
Kim tells Andy that she’ll meet him at the practice court later but there are errands that need doing. Not even ten minutes after Andy is out the door, Kim hears the rec room door creak open and smiles brightly. She assumes Richie will sneak out as soon as Andy is gone for the day; after all, Andy was complaining the other day about how that room is not comfortable for sleeping.
With Richie not able to play, it allows Kim the opportunity to work on him today before her call can come through and assist tomorrow. As soon as she can hear him padding through, she yells, “You’re eating decent food today, Richard. No more horrific boxed cereal for you.”
Kim plants a wide smile on her face, enough to make Richie hate her guts as soon as he sees her. He does sit at the kitchen table, though, so he knows better than to second-guess.
“Nice. I thought that would only work on Andy.” She begins cracking eggs into a bowl, then says, “You two don’t seem any closer than when this started.”
“You’re probably right.” Richie stares wistfully at the back door, wanting desperately to leave the house.
Kim notices this and snaps, “Tough luck. He has to lose before you can escape. By the way, what the bloody hell happened last night?”
“He admitted he doesn’t trust me, then threw Roger’s name in my face again. I shouldn’t have let him bait me.”
“It’s more than that. He thinks you have no respect for him, either as a player or a person, so you’re now, in his view, suddenly interested and that puts him on the defensive.”
Richie stares at Kim, unable to reply because he’s absolutely shocked. She focuses her attention on the eggs, letting him process that information. It takes a few minutes for Richie to squeak out, “What? I don’t respect him? How does he… I don’t understand.”
“After that fight last year, Andy was such a pain in the ass. I knew nothing about you two before so I was stunned to see him so offended.”
Richie softly asks, “Is that when you found out he wasn’t into you?”
“Oh no. We’d already had that discussion regarding Gilles. This was totally different. Andy is driven crazy…”
“Wait. What about Gilles?”
Kim’s eyes widened. “You didn’t know… oh, damn.”
Richie wants to ask questions, not mad as much as curious about the details, but it’s really not the point now. “It doesn’t matter. Andy said he had a little experience.” He chuckles lightly. “Still, that’s a surprise. Even knowing Andy hooked up with another player, Gillou is not one that would enter even top ten. Not that there’s anything wrong with him, just that he and Jo are so linked together in my head. Though it does explain why Andy is so tense around Jo.”
Kim gives a slight smile, relieved it's not becoming an issue. “Gilles was why I knew Andy and I would never work but you were why I knew Gilles never really had a chance.” She approaches the table, setting two plates of eggs and potatoes down. “They’d already drifted apart. Andy said that Jo was back in the picture, but he said it as if he didn’t even mind. Nothing made sense until after your argument. That was the passion that has never existed with anyone else.”
“But I don’t respect him as a player? Is he kidding? He’s one of the best in the world!” Richie shakes his head, then mutters under his breath, “Always acting as if he’s got a chip on his shoulder. If it motivates him to make up excuses, like mentioning Roger all the time…" Richie stops that sentence, noticing how bitter he sounds. "This is insane. I need to get out of here. It would make everything easier for him.”
“No," Kim interrupts. "He’s actually playing well despite you. You can’t leave now. That would confirm that he’s correct. That you don’t care - that you never cared - about him. However, if you really want the opportunity to prove him wrong, you will get a chance tomorrow.”
“Because he’s got the day off?”
“Andy is heading to his grandmother’s so between that and practice, he’ll be gone much of the day. No, you will be visited by one Jamie Murray. If you can face him, instead of being a coward and running away from your problems, you can deal with Andy." She gives a false smile before saying in a chipper tone, "Enjoy your last cooked meal.”
* * * * *
Andy returns from his victory over Troicki, ready to annoy Richie about his relatively easy match. Part of him figured that, despite the fight, Richie would return to the room that night. He’d be asleep, having ignored tennis for another stupid romantic comedy, and they can resume the games.
Richie isn't in the bedroom and, in fact, Kim says she isn't sure Richie will even be in the house the next morning. That news hurts. Of course Richie is likely just in the rec room, but that means Richie wants nothing to do with Andy and is just biding time until he can safely leave.
Andy had pushed too hard and he is back in a familiar position. Alone.
* * * * *
When Juan Carlos notices Marin waiting in the hotel lobby early on Middle Sunday, the Spaniard cannot resist asking questions. “So, how’s Mario?” Subtlety not exactly his forte since Marat has been teasing him in every way possible for over a week.
The young man looks up slowly, stunned to hear the question being directed his way. “How would I know? I haven’t spoken to him in months.”
“Come on. I am aware Marat doesn’t want you to reveal this new advantage you have but I know. I mean, you didn’t make it out of the first week but that was a very tough match against Haas…”
Marin shakes his head, not interested in hearing praise about a losing effort right now. “Safin? What does he have to do anything? Isn’t he out of the tournament?”
“Marin, you don’t have to play this innocent act with me. Mario was supposed to help you do well at Wimbledon. I guess that type of motivation can help a person…”
“What type of motivation?” Marin’s eyes are wide as saucers, deciphering what Juan Carlos means. “Are you talking about…” Marin pauses, then finishes in almost a whisper, “Marat’s way of motivating?”
Juan Carlos is not in the mood to be coy, shouting, “Of course I mean that!”
"Oh." Marin stares down at his hands, wishing he had whatever answers Juan Carlos is looking for. “I thought those were just rumors. Marat has never even spoken to me about anything beyond tennis.”
Juan Carlos’ mood falters, realizing Marin has no idea what he’s talking about. “You mean you have no interest in Mario?”
“Well yeah, but he sees me as his little brother.” Marin shrugs. "But if you think he doesn't..."
“Sorry about this. Hope you’re enjoying England.” Juan Carlos walks away from the confused Croat, shaking his head in disbelief as he declares, “Marat tricked me and now he must pay!”
* * * * *
The rec room may not be the most comfortable place to sleep but it doesn’t bother Richie nearly as much as the sound of someone pounding on the punching bag as a means to wake him. It feels a lot like a hangover right now, though he knows he hasn’t touched that bottle of vodka since Marat left two days ago.
He narrows his eyes on the moving bag, hating both it and the person hitting. It takes a few minutes until he gets a response. “Oh. Good morning, Richard.”
Richie doesn’t like the fake pleasantry any more than the wake-up call. “Bon jour, Jamie,” he grumbles.
“You know, I would have liked to sleep in but Kim insisted.” Jamie hasn’t taken his focus away from the punching bag.
“Same here.”
“Well, you’re here so I guess that makes it a little better. Now, give me a good reason why I shouldn't deck you."
"I can't. Take your best shot." Richie stands up and holds his arms out.
Jamie stops hitting the bag, staring at Richie carefully, then frowns. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am. If this is what needs to happen, go ahead. I deserve it for everything. I've done nothing but horrible things to him over the years and you should hate me."
"So why are you trying for him? Just give up, ignore whoever convinced you to stay here, and walk away from my brother."
"Do you realize I'm dealing with a drug suspension right now? It kills me that a brief lapse in judgment could cost me everything. But, worse, it's given me time to think about everything that's happened involving Andy. That's enough to make me want to drown myself. I thought I still had something with Roger, which makes me a delusional fool since I already knew Mirka was pregnant and they were talking wedding plans, so I went out one night to forget and kissed the wrong person. I've been so hurtful to Andy all this time yet, sadly, he's the one who can see me. He's the only one who likes what he sees." Richie stares at the floor mat, shaking his head. "Do what you want. It doesn't matter."
The room stays silent. Richie can't bear to see if Jamie believes him or not. After a few minutes of silence, Richie snaps, "What are you waiting for, Jamie? Hit me!"
Finally, Jamie softly says, "Have you told Andy?" Richie shakes his head, head still down. Jamie walks toward Richie, pushing Richie's arms down, then declares, "You should. For yourself."
* * * * *
Meanwhile, Marat gets a jolt from a loud banging on his door. Juan Carlos had left a clipped message last night, informing that he may have led Marin to ruin Mario’s bliss. But since Marat hasn’t gotten a call from Mario, he’s not overly concerned. That means that neither Marin nor Juan Carlos has found Mario's location.
Marat trudges over to the door and is shocked to find Andy there. Andy works his way in, stating, “We need to talk.”
“We?” Marat looks around, making sure there’s nobody else in his hotel room. “Are you kidding?”
“I need someone who doesn’t think storing a tennis player in another player’s house makes me sound insane. Is Juan Carlos gone? I don’t want to give him an advantage should we face each other in the quarters.”
Marat needs to be careful here. Andy is wound even tighter than usual. So he deliberately takes his time before answering, “He’s hanging out with Verdasco. I was just watching the recording of yesterday’s matches.”
Andy takes a deep breath, realizing he needs to calm down, then inquires, “Mario’s man still in the tournament?”
“Yes indeed. See, this is why you shouldn’t fight my ways. They do work. Especially given you’re playing Stan tomorrow. He is tough, plus has the power of Roger.”
Andy rolls his eyes. “Of course he does. Roger’s abilities light up everyone he touches.”
Marat raises an eyebrow, surprised by the sarcastic tone. Of course Marat knows that Roger and Andy are rivals on the court but this doesn't sound like a tennis issue. “Don’t like Roger?”
“No, I don’t." Andy glances around the hotel room, then asks, "Has Richie told you about his past relationship with him?”
“I know there is one. Common knowledge.” Marat leads Andy over to the couch. “You appear to be very confused. Here, stretch out and tell Dr. Safin all about it.” Marat drags a desk chair over near the couch and parks himself down, notepad and pen in hand. Andy warily sits on the edge of the couch. “No. Lay down. I promise I won’t try anything.”
“That’s not what I’m concerned about,” Andy says but does as told.
“Okay, now close your eyes and relax. Richie told me you believe this is going on only because you’re now an elite player. It’s not about that, you even know it but refuse to believe. Now, unless Richie did something I don’t know about…”
Andy holds a hand up to get Marat to stop. “Fine.” He sighs loudly, then settles into the couch. “Remember years ago when Roger was initially dominating the tour and was suddenly beaten by a teenager named Richie?” Marat nods, even though Andy can’t see. “Well, soon after that, Richie told me that he was invited to Roger’s house in Basel. They were becoming closer friends and, of course, Richie would brag about everything Roger could do. It was pretty cool at first, an up-and-comer having Roger take him under his wing. There were already rumors that there was more going on but Richie always insisted to me it wasn’t true. A few years pass and I’ve beaten Roger…”
“Is this the first? You’ve done that feat quite a few times.”
“Yeah. Here I think Richie will be impressed but he just shrugs and says that Roger has had a long season and I happened to be in the right place and right time. I keep pushing, even getting to the point where I have him cornered in his hotel room and I make a move.” Andy turns his body into the cushion, shaking his head. “I kissed him and he rejected me. I shouldn’t have let my guard down, even for him…”
Marat cuts him off. “Yeah, that much I figured. More importantly, Richie knows all about that.” He doesn't believe for a second it's that teenage rejection that has set Andy off.
“Richie doesn’t know what I saw later… So a few weeks after that monumental screw-up, I beat Roger the second time. I’ve just left the locker room afterwards when I realize I forgot my watch. I return and I hear Roger’s voice in the shower…”
A sudden burst of laughter escapes, Marat blurting out, “You didn’t!” Marat wishes he had a tape recorder instead of a notepad because nobody is going to believe this conversation. Then he realizes Andy would never allow that, thinking it would be sold to the highest bidder.
“I wasn’t even sure who was kneeling in front of Roger at first. Apparently, Roger does call out the right name when someone’s giving him a blowjob. I would have figured he’d be closing his eyes and imagining someone else.”
“Richie has no idea you witnessed that.”
“None. He was fucking consoling Roger after Roger lost to me! That is… it’s stuck in my head. Even though I officially found out about them soon after, it was too late. It had twisted around in my head into some messed-up fantasy…”
“You mean like imagining you’re Roger and that Richie is giving you the blowjob?”
“No.” Nonetheless, Andy has tensed up, turning further into the seat cushion. Marat is reasonably sure the vision is in Andy's head right now. “Just… he messed me up. I want to move on but I can’t. I tried… it’s not worth wasting the energy on someone else when I can’t stop thinking about him.”
Marat sits back in the chair, not sure what to do. He realizes that this session could backfire on the original plan. After all, Andy has to beat his next opponent or else everyone will find out Richie is in England. Andy set those terms. More importantly, Richie is too fragile to deal with those vultures - even if Marat now wonders if Richie deserves their wrath.
Finally, Marat figures out what to say. “Here’s what you do. Beat Stan tomorrow, then tell Richie about the fantasy.”
Andy opens his eyes and shoots up into an upright position. “Are you kidding?”
“Remember what Richie told you on the first day? He will do whatever you want.”
“What does that have to with anything? I cannot believe you took everything I said and are using the smuttiest detail to achieve your purpose!”
“You need to tell him. You cannot change what’s already done. Richie fucked up and he knows what he did, even if he’s unaware that you know what he did.” Marat blinks quickly then shakes his head before he thinks about what he said. “If you want to move past this image, he needs to hear about it. Maybe he’ll actually live it out, maybe he can’t. Maybe you’ll find out that he’s sorry and will leave you alone. My role is officially over tomorrow night because I cannot pick sides now that Juanqui has a real chance. So, whether you win or lose, stop using me as an excuse."
Chapter 8 - Are You Really Here?