tennis slash - Smart People (11)
Title: Smart People (11)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, Evgeny Korolev, David Ferrer, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: College AU. Richard and Rafael are geniuses who are roommates in a suite, though they’re different as could be. Inspired by the movie Real Genius. This chapter: Marin takes steps toward breaking away from the group; Andy ends up invited to Marat's party; Richie attempts to talk to Roddick.
Chapter 11 - Never Say Never Again
Richard is walking through the Chemistry building when he hears someone calling his name. He turns around and is surprised to see Evgeny tracking him down. “Hey. What’s going on?”
“So I ask Marin about how he did on the test and instead he says the tutoring is over? What happened?”
“I was wondering the same thing. His decision.”
“But I still need the help. I can understand if you didn’t want to do group study…”
Richard interrupts him. “The what?”
Evgeny says slowly, "You mean, he didn’t ask you about Leo and Thomaz joining?”
“No. Marin just told me it was over. I did discover from another source that he aced the test but he’s annoyed with me over something else.”
“Oh. Well, he’s too smart to need tutoring anyway. It was nice him being there… so he never asked?" Richard shakes his head. Evgeny asks, "Would it be okay with you to hold a group tutoring session in my suite?”
Even with what Richard has now seen regarding karaoke night, it doesn’t really explain ending the tutoring. There was a brief blip of Evgeny and Marin laughing together in the corner just prior to Ernie ambushing him, so all seemed good between them. Richard knows he should stay away but Marin is no longer involved. It's Evgeny who is asking for help. “You still owe me. I can make the payment higher to accommodate others.”
Evgeny considers this offer. "Can it include them in this payment? It would seem wrong for me to pay for them getting help."
"Sure, why not. I will think of something."
"I am very grateful for the B I got on the test. You did great work. I accept.”
* * * * *
“Marat invited you personally to this weekend’s party?” Novak says incredulously, sitting on the couch with Rafael as Andy explains about the flier he just received. Marat had even scribbled directions in the corner since this one was off-campus. “Does he realize you have already been to one of his parties this semester? The one we crashed first day?”
Rafael corrects him, “He didn’t come with us that night.”
Andy shakes his head. “There’s something odd about this. Richie knows so.”
Novak rightfully points out, “Richie is the kind of person who will say that just to screw with your head.”
“True but there’s a part of me that thinks he could actually be right. I need to be on alert.”
Rafael shouldn’t push but he can’t resist. “Maybe there’s a superficial reason Marat is interested…”
Andy says, “Superficial in this case meaning? Because when you say superficial, it makes me think of outward appearance and we know Marat can get any hot guy he wants and that is certainly not why he asked me.”
“As in, he wants a favor,” Rafael finishes. “I say you should surprise him. Knock him off his feet.”
Novak glares at Rafael, who clearly is not picking up the panicked look on Andy's face. “Are you suggesting he try to impress Marat? Bad idea.”
Rafael says, “He already has the date… it was Marat’s personal invite, remember?”
Andy corrects him, “No, he invited me to the party, not as his date.”
Rafael shakes his head, insisting, “It is a date. He wrote directions to the location, which is normally a mystery! Something about you at the party captured his attention. You need to hold his attention.” Rafael darts for Andy’s room to sift through his closet. He continues, “Now, you said Richie has figured out the angle? He can’t help dropping hints. Think if he’s said anything weird…”
Novak and Andy laugh at that, Andy saying, “It would be weird if Richie didn’t say something weird.”
“Andy!” Rafael drawls out in an irritated tone, pulling out two shirts and throwing them over his shoulder. He then rushes over to his own room.
Andy turns in the direction of Rafael’s room to explain, “He asked me for advice. That raises the amount of weird.”
“Wait, what?” Novak turns his head too fast and rubs his neck. "Ow."
Rafael jumps out of the room, another shirt in hand along with the ones on his shoulder. “Seriously? How could you withhold this information from us! What about?”
Andy says, “Roddick is looking for them to actually be a couple while Richie is in paranoid mode. To tell you the truth, I had assumed it was the other way around.”
Rafael grabs onto Andy's hand and forces him up from the couch, then holds a bright green t-shirt from his own closet against Andy. "No, actually I believe that. It is difficult to tell when you go too far with Richie." He turns Andy toward Novak, green shirt still in place then swaps it for a white polo shirt from Andy’s closet.
Novak says, "Marin has no idea he accomplished that. But as soon as Richie mentioned Professor Federer, alarm bells started ringing in my head." He nods at the second choice. "You need a ride there?"
Andy catches the expectant look and chuckles. "You just want to crash another party."
"Actually, Ernie was already invited so I'm attending one way or another. Rafa?"
Rafael is about to say yes but remembers just in time, "Saturday night is my date with David."
"Of course. Should be fun."
Andy feigns innocence as he says, “I think your date with David will go a lot better than mine did. Go focus on that instead of this.”
“Oh no you don’t,” but is interrupted by Novak pushing him back into his own room and slamming the door shut. “Hey! That isn’t until Saturday!”
Novak yells through the door, “You need to prepare.” He then turns to Andy, takes a bow and says, “You’re welcome.”
* * * * *
"Hey Marin," Ernie says as Marin arrives home past eleven on Thursday night. It was rare but Ernie was reading from his History textbook. "I didn't think the library was that much of a draw for you."
"Wasn't at the library. Professor Federer was holding a lecture."
"Your chemistry professor had a class that had you getting home near midnight? That is an absolutely terrible lie."
"No. I was invited to a seminar held for the biochem department. There was myself and another guy who stayed after, in which we got into a discussion with Federer about DNA composition. There's this exhibit being opened this weekend..."
Ernie cuts him off. "Okay, I get it. You're not lying, just incredibly boring. If you want to talk chemistry, go seek Richie out. At least he'd know what the hell you're talking about."
Marin glares at his roommate but continues, "I didn't really think I was even interested in the field before tonight but the way he speaks regarding his research is so much different than he does for a freshman chem course."
"Wow." Ernie stares in disbelief. His roommate seems happy about something that would seem to be a lot of extra work. "Well, I hope you enjoy the exhibit. By the way, your mom called. She asked me how your birthday went since someone didn't tell her we did anything for the occasion."
"Sorry about that. I didn't want her to worry but she asked when I was wanting to forget about that night."
"I decided that was your business. I did mention the cake and that you weren't in a celebratory mood. But you know how mothers get..."
Marin finishes, "She's still worried."
"Yeah."
* * * * *
Rafael isn’t entirely sure what to expect from a date with David. The problem is that what they talk about during work is basically all they have to talk about. The shared soccer interest helps for awhile but it’s not date material and they both know it.
It is entirely possible that Rafael has been spoiled because of his past relationships. Everything regarding Feliciano was dramatic - wonderful when it came to a candlelight dinner and first time sailing (which turned into Rafael's first time for other things as well), terrible when it came to his flirtatious ways and dealing with an even more dramatic Fernando.
David, on the other hand, is on the shy side and downplays everything. Rafael knows that David is a hard worker since they've shared classes but David is also always convinced that he failed a test and didn't put enough work in.
The thing is that Rafael has always been restless and this evening is trying on his patience. Even sitting on his bed playing video games in silence would be better than this.
Then again, Rafael ruefully realizes, Andy would definitely say that's better than the evening he's having. Rafael is wondering why he pushed Andy so hard regarding that stupid invite, as of course Andy would be uncomfortable with dealing with Marat - if he even was at all.
Rafael suggests to David they head to a movie after dinner. At least that way, two hours can pass which will be worthwhile without either accepting that this date has not gone the way either hoped.
* * * * *
Meanwhile at the party, Novak and Andy are hanging around the chip table and making Ernie restless. After what feels like hours but is actually about fifteen minutes, Ernie whispers into Novak's ear, “He doesn’t need a babysitter.”
Novak counters, “Neither do I so go find someone else to annoy for now. You actually know people here.”
Ernie rolls his eyes but happens to spot someone, muttering, "You're lucky to still have cartoon evenings with me," and heads off.
Novak chuckles. “The sad part is that he’s cooler than anyone else in our suite.”
Andy replies, “I wouldn’t take that fact so seriously. Ernie speaks Russian. That is his way in.”
Novak isn’t listening, going on, “I mean, I’m not a wallflower by any means...”
Andy answers dryly, “No, you can do the chicken dance like a pro. Anyway, it really wouldn’t take much for him to be deemed the cool one of the suite but you’re a bit biased anyway.”
“I cannot believe I’m agreeing to take abuse from you just so you’re not lurking in corners.”
“I was willing to ignore the invite.”
“You do not ignore a personal invite from… hi, Marat!”
Andy turns around, right into that blinding smile aimed right at him. Marat says, “Glad you could make it. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about and figured this was the easiest way to do that.” He gives a quick wave to Novak, then asks, “Mind if I take him away for a minute?”
“No, not at all. We’re not here together so take all the time you need.” Andy rolls his eyes at Novak being not at all subtle.
“Will do. Let’s go.”
When Marat’s back is turned, Novak mouths, “Wow.”
Andy ducks away from Novak’s look before he thinks too much about what’s going on. He’s already prepared himself for a question regarding tutoring so as not to get his hopes up about this night. Especially since Andy doesn’t really think he can handle Marat having actual interest in him.
* * * * *
Richard knows he could have gone along with the others to Marat’s party but he would prefer taking advantage of being in the quiet dorm. He was going to Soccer Sunday for a change so needed tonight to go through articles Professor Henman had mentioned in Friday’s lecture.
He is returning from the vending machine, can of soda in hand, when he spots Roddick at the other end of the hallway. Roddick is on RA duty tonight so is likely doing a patrol.
“Are you working yet?” Richard calls out. He is being deliberately obnoxious in case someone else can hear him.
Roddick smiles then strides down the hall, yelling back, “It depends on what you want.”
Richard waits until they meet to answer, “No, not that this time.”
“Oh. Is this an RA question?”
“No.”
Roddick walks past the suite toward his room but stops upon realizing Richard is unlocking his own residence. He tilts his head, trying to figure out the angle. “Richie, what’s going on? Something tells me we’re not here because of looking for new locations.” Though, upon following Richard in and looking around, mutters, “Nobody seems to be here so maybe.”
“I thought I would invite you in.”
“You do know I’ve actually been in your room for fire safety checks so it doesn’t have quite the magnitude you’re aiming for.”
Richard stares coldly at him, having not considered that. “You’re ruining the moment.”
“Right. This is a significant accomplishment. I have never been here before. My mind is cleared.”
“Thank you.”
“I do find it amusing that this is probably the second-most likely place we should have hooked up by now yet…”
Richard stops just before opening the door to his room, snapping, “I am tempted to throw you out.”
“I’m just being a jerk.”
“Can you turn off jerk-mode right now?”
Roddick notices how tense Richard has been since allowing him in the suite and realizes this is no joke. “I am sorry,” he says softly.
Richard nods, then walks into his room and lets Roddick follow. “Rafa is the one who has a lot of stuff but he’s a neat freak. Piles all organized,” pointing to the video games. “I’m so tempted to mess up his system and blame it on Novak.”
Roddick nods along, though he’s actually paying attention to the more sparse other side of the room. Other than homework spread on the bed - itself a clue that Richard really didn’t invite him for their usual reason - there isn’t much to see. Roddick does remember from the inspection that the closed closet has several containers stacked along the side, which only stayed in mind because he figured Richard had stashed something against the rules there.
On Richard’s desk, though, there is a bulletin board containing a lot of photos of unfamiliar places. Since he doesn’t quite know why he is there, Roddick decides to start with that. “Is this the European tour?”
That succeeds in relaxing Richard a bit. “Yeah. That was amazing. I can probably seduce you in six different languages.”
“Not so impressive when I figured out you once recited a shopping list in French when I thought you were talking dirty.”
Richard says, “To be fair, that started as a seduction. Whipped cream, syrup, strawberries… the problem was I got distracted instead of turned on.”
There’s a photo overlapping another that catches Roddick’s eye. He sits down in the chair and moves the photo just enough to see there’s someone in the second photo - and it’s definitely not Richard. “You met someone along the way?”
Richard gives a slight smile and nods. He drags the other chair over. “That’s Gael. He was doing a similar trip and we joined forces for about a month.”
“Is that code for 'broke your heart'?”
“It wasn’t like that. He was just a guy on the trip. He happened to be my first… well, a lot of things but no, was not in love with him. I just got sick of explaining to others when they saw the collage but I didn’t want to cut him out because it wasn’t a break-up.” Richard smiles brightly as memories from that time come to him. “Gael and I were on webcam once talking to Janko and there’s video around of Gael dancing as I’m trying to talk. At one point, Janko had used clips from it as his screensaver.”
Roddick chuckles along, his finger on the edge of a photo taken in Barcelona. “You went after your sophomore year?”
“Yeah.”
“Why then? I have to admit I’d have difficulty returning to school after a trip like that. If it were me, it would take place either after high school or after college.” Roddick stops as he remembers how that wouldn’t have quite worked in Richard’s case. “But you couldn’t have done that after high school because you were sixteen then so, yeah, makes sense.”
“Um, that wasn’t the reason, exactly. It… I had to get away. No…” Richard rests his elbow on the table, heel of his hand against his forehead as he shakes his head. He’s trying to take Andy’s advice - and it was going okay when it came to the trip - but he can’t seem to get the most important pieces out of his mouth. “Let’s just say I was rather sheltered and this was a way to get experience in the world.”
Roddick says slowly, “You mean sheltered like Marin?” Richard gives a shrug to that. Roddick runs his fingers through stray curls on Richard’s neck to force him to face his way. It’s that same confused look from the day Mardy visited and, this time, Roddick understands. “This is why you wanted me to come in.”
“I suspected it would be easier to talk if in here. But even now...” Richard bows his head down. “I’m nothing but a coward.”
“I don’t think you’re a coward. You don’t want to get hurt. I understand that.” Roddick wraps an arm around Richard to bring him close, the tension quite evident in his shoulders. “I have to continue my inspection then I’m on RA duty so I can’t stay. But you can keep me company downstairs if the quiet starts getting to you.”
“No offense but I’d rather get work done before Rafa comes in complaining about his date.”
Roddick nods, then rustles Richard’s hair and kisses his cheek before standing up. “Okay then. You know where I am.”
* * * * *
Andy tries to keep in mind that there is some ulterior motive here. He doesn't think Marat is being deliberately cruel to him - this isn't high school, after all - but he has to keep expectations low.
It was probably the high from the singing that had him under control when speaking to Marat the first time. But they are alone in a corner, little space between them as Marat keeps leaning in to hear him clearly, and he can't seem to stay focused. Andy hasn't touched a drop of alcohol tonight so he can't blame that but Marat has and the entire situation is intoxicating.
They have mostly been talking about music (it turning out they both share a love of classic rock) and sports (Marat had messed up his knee last year, the real reason he took a semester off as opposed to the rumor about getting thrown out). Most significantly, whenever someone interrupts, Marat has been quick to send them away before they get more than a few words in.
The longer the evening goes on, the more the nagging insecurities fill Andy’s head. It's likely his imagination that everyone is looking their way and snickering. Marat is humoring him so he should just stop the conversation and move on.
Finally, Marat seems to notice. "You okay?"
"I'm kind of not sure what's going on here. I suspect you want a favor. That we've been talking this long means it must be a rather big favor."
"You are so pessimistic."
"No, I just see the signs. If this was a date, you would have said so and been rather obvious. Yet you have told everyone to get lost..."
Marat shakes his head, not wanting to deal with the beginning of neurotic rambling, and shuts Andy up by forcing him against the wall and devouring his mouth in a kiss. When Marat pulls away, he hisses out, "I wasn't thinking of this as a date but it can be. If you must know, the reason I invited you was because I love hearing your voice."
The kiss had occurred so suddenly that it takes a few seconds for Andy to recover, realize that Marat still has him pinned to the wall. He takes a deep breath and considers what Marat just said. "My voice? I admit it was fun on karaoke night but I'm a rather off-key singer."
"No. Your speaking voice. My friends make fun of my love of Sean Connery-era Bond films but it's such a turn-on. I had given up finding anyone on campus. Hell, I even sat in on a three-hour lecture held by Juan Carlos' grad studies advisor but he's English so it didn't have the appeal..."
Andy straightens up, suddenly jolted back to reality. He stares coldly at Marat as he asks, “You mean Professor Henman?”
"Yes, that is his name. You Brits all know each other?"
"Not exactly." Richard had said that he knew what Marat was up to but enjoy the ride. With that in mind, Andy pushes Marat back, catching the Russian off guard, then closes the distance and whispers in his ear, "You have a Scottish accent fetish?" Andy keeps his voice level, not sure exactly which direction to take this but wanting to keep close, and rests a hand on Marat’s hip.
Marat seems less confident, having been taken by surprise with Andy's strength. "Basically, yes."
Andy stays in position so Marat cannot see his reaction and shuts his eyes, needing to calm down. He hasn't had anything resembling physical contact with a guy since the senior prom debacle. Marat is intoxicating to him and being this close - and having been too stunned by the earlier kiss to react - is getting to him just as much as the accent is getting to Marat. Andy's voice sounds gravelly when he continues, "You don't particularly care about what we're talking about as long as I'm talking. Every one of your friends has figured out that's why I was invited. Would that be correct?"
Marat hesitantly nods. "It sounds bad when you put it that way."
Andy gives an airy laugh, then tilts his head and slowly kisses Marat, sliding his hand around to Marat's back and bringing their bodies closer. The Russian is initially stunned by the change in mood but soon his mouth catches up.
But once Marat does reciprocate, Andy pulls away and shakes his head, muttering, “I can't do this. I want this... I want you so badly but I can see this is just like every other mistake I've made and I can't do it.” He stares straight at Marat, making sure he is clear when he says, “I hope you got what you wanted out of tonight. Have fun.”
Andy walks away, straight toward Novak’s glare and Ernie’s confused look. Without stopping, Andy says, “Can we get out of here?” Novak gives one last glance toward Marat and they follow him out.