tennis slash - Smart People (17)
Title: Smart People (17)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, Janko Tipsarevic, Evgeny Korolev, Andy Roddick, Tim Henman
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: Janko inadvertently gives Novak something more to worry about; Rafa deals with Andy and Richie; Marin hits resistance when it comes to escaping the honors program while Roddick begins his Federer payback on his own.
Chapter 17 - Shaken and Stirred
“Novak, I wish you would stop exaggerating.” Janko is beginning to seriously regret coming to Soccer Sunday. Novak is the only one from the group at the field and he’s freaking out about Rafael and Andy. A relaxing day this doesn’t appear to be. “They will be fine.”
“They don’t fight. Well, they fight about who really won some stupid soccer videogame. Not fighting like this. Andy is really upset and Rafa wants to help but I think he’s going to make it worse.”
“Hence why you’re here instead, avoiding the fallout.”
“Basically,” Novak confesses. “I don’t want to be in the middle. Did you know that Andy actually did date in high school?”
Janko considers the question, then answers, “Kind of, even if he never explicitly said so. Richie got it in his head that Andy was lying because he refused to answer any further questions but Andy has always looked kind of… broken. You believed it because you thought Richie knew everything about everything at the time and you refused to hear me when I told you he hadn’t even been kissed by anyone until he was a sophomore in college… and that was only because Viktor dared me to do it!”
“Right. We can’t all find the right one the very first time, end up engaged to that person and start down the road to happily ever after.”
“Whereas you always say you’ve found ‘the one’ and get wrecked when the other person doesn’t feel the same.” Novak begins to shake his head, to which Janko throws in, “Ernie is used to getting what he wants.”
“You think he’s spoiled?” Novak frowns at the thought. “Well, he does joke about that but it’s just the way he grew up. He doesn’t throw money around. He can’t help that his father likes travelling here by private plane.”
Janko shakes his head. “Have you considered that he’s got you wrapped around his finger?”
“Don’t do this to me. I have enough stress in my life without my own life causing stress. Beyond grades, anyway.” Novak retreats to the group gathering, as they’re ready for the soccer game to start, then turns around to blast, “Stop being so damn perfect. It’s annoying for the rest of us.”
Janko laughs, muttering to himself, “Believe me. You’re the only one who thinks I’m perfect and that includes my girlfriend.”
* * * * *
Rafael waits until just after noon to venture toward Andy's room. The door is unlocked so Rafael taps twice then lets himself in. Andy is just waking up, trying to untangle his legs from the blankets which is, in turn, waking Richard up at the opposite end of the bed.
"Good afternoon," Rafael says softly, just in case someone has a hangover.
"Hi," Andy says, his voice sounding gravelly. He coughs, then shakes his head as he lies flat on his back, not quite looking at Rafael. "I'm sorry about last night.”
"No, this one is all on me," Rafael insists. He sits on the floor, leaning against the bed but not facing them. "Novak warned me about pushing too hard and... poof, he was right. I've been a pain most of this semester."
Richard nods but Rafael can't see that or, for that matter, Andy kicking Richard. Andy insists, "You haven't been that bad. You realized that Feliciano was a mistake and that pent-up energy ended up directed my way."
"It's not that. The night you came in my room, drunk and talking about it being nice how considerate Robin had been? It annoyed me, but not because it was Robin. Okay, not only because of him. I just... I saw you in a different light. You've always been the strong one but now I could see that was never true."
Richard squints then asks Andy, "Exactly how considerate are we talking here?"
Andy gives another swift kick, then says to Rafael, "I know that I'm not that dork from high school... at least physically. But it's like my mind goes back to that time when I'm around a guy who pays even a little bit of attention. While I'm not attracted to Robin, what I said that night was true. It did feel nice. The Marat situation fucking blindsided me because he might have been interested prior to the makeover but who knows.”
Richard says, “To be fair, whenever I talked about you to Juan Carlos and Feliciano, it was always in disparaging terms. That way you’d be completely repellent and not of interest to Marat if and when he ever found out about the Scottish suitemate.”
Andy takes the pillow from under his head and stretches as far as he can to hit Richard, then complains, “Why did I even let you in my room last night?”
Rafael answers for Richard, “Free alcohol. I gave you enough reason to agree with him.”
Andy chuckles despite himself. “Yeah, that reminds me. Tomorrow morning, back to workout regimen. Been slacking off. Only Novak can get away with eating junk.” He reaches down to grab Rafael’s arm and pulls. “Get up here.” Richard gives Andy a warning look, which Andy answers with an eye roll, as Rafael stands up then settles on the bed.
Richard lets out a sigh, then says, “That’s my cue to leave. I guess you got bored with Novak and his lack of skills last night.” He tries to get up, only to have Rafael use his leg to block the path.
“You’ve been working yourself crazy since your arrangement with Roddick ended. Sit back and relax… as Andy tells the tale of Eddie the Superstar.”
“Hey!” Andy sits up quickly, stunned at how Rafael suddenly twisted this around. That and Andy once calling the guy that in jest doesn’t sound the same when being repeated.
“Fair enough,” Richard says, then sits back and finally gets a chance to kick Andy back. “Besides, I told Andy to talk to you about that so he’d feel better. I’ll sit in on the proceedings.”
Even if the two have talked last night, Rafael senses from Andy’s reaction that something needs to be added before Andy will tell this story in front of Richard. Rafael declares, “In return, Andy and I each get to ask Richie one question, both which he must answer. If he backs out, he has to join us for our next, very early morning workout.” He glances toward Andy, who is accepting of that compromise, then raises an eyebrow toward Richard. Rafael knows his roommate well enough that he at least will stay around for the story, even with the challenge thrown in.
“Deal.” Richard sits upright, giving Andy his full attention.
Andy lies back down on the bed, staring at the marks on the ceiling. He takes a deep breath before starting. “Eddie was one of the popular guys in school. Lettered in three sports, though his big achievement was quarterbacking the football team to an undefeated season. Had the pretty blonde girl Maria by his side as his main cheerleader. One of his other sports was soccer and he was the leader of the guys who’d pick on me. He especially hated how the coach wanted him to play more like the way I played. One day after practice, the two of us were alone in the locker room and he shoves me against the lockers as he starts in on me about something coach said. He didn’t have his buddies as his backup so I stared him down, not allowing him to intimidate me. Next thing you know he... well, picture the beginning of the Marat video. Eddie would call and I’d be there because nobody had even glanced my way much less what he wanted.
“I should have been bothered by the sneaking around but I loved that I knew something that nobody else, not even his trophy girlfriend, knew. Then prom night comes around. I resign myself to going solo as I watch them dance together. They get into a fight and, next thing I know, he has me by the collar and kisses me in front of the entire school. This should have been a good thing, exactly what I wanted, but it’s later that sticks in my mind. We’re in the room he’d reserved for Maria and he doesn’t stop talking about her. Here we should be glad to be together and instead we end up on the bed and he calls out her name when he climaxes. When he’s asked about that kiss later, he says that Maria made him so crazy after their argument that he had to go as far down the food chain as possible to make his point.” Andy turns toward the wall, his voice breaking as he mutters, “Why would I want to admit having any sort of relationship with him after that?”
Rafael wraps an arm around Andy, pulling him close and whispers in his ear, “Please don’t hate me. I should have realized that something from high school has a lingering effect. I would never have lied to Feli about my age if I wasn’t aware of that.”
Andy gently moves forward and out of the hug, turning around to look directly at Rafael when he says, “I hate him, not you. That’s why I wanted to be left alone last night. I know how I am when I’m angry and I probably would have regretted whatever words came out if you’d tried to apologize then. It is bad enough Richie heard stuff he could use against me later. I claimed we couldn’t stay friends but, now that I’ve calmed down, I realize I don’t want that to happen.”
Rafael smiles brightly. “I really thought I lost you for good. I don’t think I could handle that.”
Richard has his knees to his chest with his eyes peering over at them, watching how they’re interacting with each other. His voice is soft when he asks, “Do you seriously think I’m heartless?”
Andy is thrown by the question and immediately jumps up, getting on the defensive. “It’s not…”
Richard shakes his head, getting off the bed as he continues, “I dislike the implication that I’ve apparently never done something stupid and embarrassing, assuming that is the reason I’ve never heard any part of that story before.”
Rafael rushes up and heads for the door, leaning against it to effectively block Richard’s path. “You don’t get to accuse him of that without waiting for a rebuttal. That and you’re not getting out of the questions. Andy held to his part of the deal. Now sit down!”
Richard reluctantly returns to sit on the edge of the bed, looking up at Rafael. Andy’s eyes widen at Rafael’s assertiveness, then turns to Richard to snap, “Exactly what would you consider embarrassing?”
“Is that your question or in general?”
Andy lets out a loud sigh, finding the situation completely exasperating, and goes off. “I’m making a point. No, that’s not the question because I know to word it better than that. I’ve heard you rattle off facts about topics that nobody should know anything about in an effort to get out of serious questions. So do I know you, even after two years?” Andy is tempted for that to be his one question but Richard turns away from both of them, head bowed down and arms crossed, and he realizes he’s gone too far. “Also rhetorical,” he adds then looks helplessly toward Rafael.
Richard struggles to keep himself together as he grumbles, “Stuff can linger for years. I get that. I really get that. Can you get your questions out so I can leave, please?”
Andy gives Rafael a raised eyebrow, wondering what’s going on. Rafael presses on, “I’ll go first. I’ve been hearing about various dalliances since I’ve known you, even if you’ve changed the names for your personal amusement. Leaving Roddick out of the discussion, would you have called any of them a boyfriend?”
That is enough to get Richard to relax. He drops his arms to his sides and takes a deep breath, then calmly answers, “No. I suppose the closest was Gael from the European trip but I wasn’t sorry to see him go a different path when the month was over. It may have been the autumn but he was your typical summer fling.”
Andy points out, rather lightheartedly, “At least he left that lovely dancing video to entertain us on cloudy days.” He slides over to Richard, carefully chooses his words this time. “It was never that I thought you were heartless but that, you know, it’s me. The guy you put up with because it’s part of the package being friends with him,” pointing to Rafael, “and Novak. But I’m now realizing you’re just as afraid as I am when it comes to relationships, friendly or otherwise. Is that why you came in here last night?”
“When I said last night that he didn’t want to hear what I had to say, I neglected to mention that I overheard him saying exactly that when Marin tried to give him the CD with the confession.” Richard reluctantly faces them, dropping his shoulders as he says bitterly, “He wants nothing to do with me and it hurts to be anywhere near him right now so I must have fucking cared even if others think I don’t or, more appropriately, can’t care about anyone.”
While Andy doesn’t understand what changed Richard’s mood, Rafael shakes his head as he’s heard this before. It’s the part about his roommate that Rafael wishes could be made right. He moves away from the door, ending up in front of Richard when he barks out, “Listen to me.” Richard straightens up, focused on the Spaniard. Rafael sits next to Richard and places a hand on the back of his neck. “Professor Federer is an idiot. He does not know you. He wants to see you break. He wants you to shrink back in your shell and be as work-obsessed as he is. You wanted to make sure I didn’t become that when I started college and now it’s my turn.” Rafael surprises Richard by sliding his hand down to his shoulder for a hug, then whispers, “Don’t let what Roddick said in anger make you slip away from us. We’ll help you get through this.”
* * * * *
Evgeny has his telescope and stand under his arm as he heads for the platform on the fifth floor. What he doesn’t expect to see is Marin standing there, his back to him with his hands on the railing.
“It’s a good spot,” Evgeny says. Marin shrugs at the remark but says nothing. Evgeny sets the materials down and approaches the rail, tilting his head in to face him. “Something wrong?”
“I had an argument with my mom.”
“Oh.”
“I’ve never defied my parents before but I know this time I need to do so. I want nothing to do with the honors program.”
“What? You’ve been so excited about it.” Marin does another shrug, convincing Evgeny to calm down. “What happened?”
Marin shakes his head. “I don’t know what I want but Professor Federer is definitely the wrong path. I’ve seen and heard too much… I don’t want to end up stuck before it’s too late.”
Evgeny nods. “Oh. I get it. When I left home, I was so sure of what I wanted from life. Pursue a business degree, nab a hot blonde girl, party the weekends away. The idea of studying for my chemistry class on weekends with a bunch of guys throws off my friends. But then I see how passionate people get about the sciences and, well, it’s exciting.”
“I found out from Rafa that the karaoke thing came up because the guys in the suite wanted to see me loosen up. Something so careless…”
“Carefree,” Evgeny corrects.
“Whatever. I’m just stuck.”
Evgeny stays next to Marin, sensing how mixed-up he must be. He suddenly asks, “Do you know anything about astronomy?”
“Huh?”
Evgeny taps Marin’s shoulder to show him the telescope. “It’s my one geeky thing. This… is something of a hobby of mine. Studying the stars. While my grades in most of the sciences left much to be desired, earth science has interesting elements. It’s something utterly weird that my friends back home would laugh at. I found the telescope in a garage sale years ago and… it’s relaxing.” As an afterthought, he adds, “Not like the poetry.”
Marin lightly chuckles at that confession. “Do people back home assume you’re nothing but a jock?”
“Well, to be honest, I never had to be anything else. Once I got here, however, I thought I needed to change that.”
Marin finished, “So that’s how I fit in. I see now.”
Evgeny frowns as he states, “You make it sound bad.”
“You needed a geek to hang around and I was the first one you found.”
“Marin… okay, maybe at first for the chemistry extra help but I wouldn’t be here right now if that’s all you are.”
“You’re here now because I’m apparently standing in a good viewing location.”
Evgeny stuffs his hands in his pockets, shrugging as he admits, “It is a nice view,” but he’s looking right at Marin.
Marin’s eyes widen in shock, then he shakes his head to get the thought out of his head. He looks toward the telescope, stammering out, “St-stargazing. Of course.”
“What did you think-?” Evgeny doesn’t get a chance to finish the question, for Marin keeps shaking his head as he rushes off the platform and back into the building.
* * * * *
It had taken a week but Roddick is finally able to get this plan into action. He’s unlocked Professor Federer’s office, thanks to tracking the janitor’s routine days earlier, and he’s on lookout as Leo and Thomaz ransack it. Time is running out and it’s sadly still the best idea out there. He hopes Richard won’t mind that he’s using the tutoring favors behind his back - as well as swiping his idea wholesale. They haven’t spoken since the fight but this will be worth it if this produces the result Roddick is hoping for: Professor Roger Federer getting what he deserves.
“I believe Professor Federer won’t be back until six.” It’s a jolt when Roddick hears the British accent. Must be Professor Henman; Richard has talked about this guy being something like his savior within the department.
Roddick has to think fast or else Henman will realize something is going on in Federer's office that he's not supposed to see. There isn't much he can use as a distraction so he says the first thing that enters his head. "I was going to confront Professor Federer about something... I need to speak to a head of department."
Professor Henman's attitude changes at that. His eyebrow raises and a glint in his eye makes Roddick suspect this decision might keep everyone out of trouble. "I might be of service."
Roddick looks up and down the hall then asks, "Can we talk in your office?"
“Sure. Are you interested in enrolling in the chemistry major?”
“No.” Roddick lets out a deep breath as he states, “This is about being harassed by him.” At Henman’s raised eyebrow, Roddick blurts out, “He used his position of power for sexual means. He promised to raise my grade to get me to bend to his whim and, damn it. I was such an idiot, about a lot of things, but I need to come clean before I graduate.”
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Players: Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, Marin Cilic, Janko Tipsarevic, Evgeny Korolev, Andy Roddick, Tim Henman
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: Janko inadvertently gives Novak something more to worry about; Rafa deals with Andy and Richie; Marin hits resistance when it comes to escaping the honors program while Roddick begins his Federer payback on his own.
Chapter 17 - Shaken and Stirred
“Novak, I wish you would stop exaggerating.” Janko is beginning to seriously regret coming to Soccer Sunday. Novak is the only one from the group at the field and he’s freaking out about Rafael and Andy. A relaxing day this doesn’t appear to be. “They will be fine.”
“They don’t fight. Well, they fight about who really won some stupid soccer videogame. Not fighting like this. Andy is really upset and Rafa wants to help but I think he’s going to make it worse.”
“Hence why you’re here instead, avoiding the fallout.”
“Basically,” Novak confesses. “I don’t want to be in the middle. Did you know that Andy actually did date in high school?”
Janko considers the question, then answers, “Kind of, even if he never explicitly said so. Richie got it in his head that Andy was lying because he refused to answer any further questions but Andy has always looked kind of… broken. You believed it because you thought Richie knew everything about everything at the time and you refused to hear me when I told you he hadn’t even been kissed by anyone until he was a sophomore in college… and that was only because Viktor dared me to do it!”
“Right. We can’t all find the right one the very first time, end up engaged to that person and start down the road to happily ever after.”
“Whereas you always say you’ve found ‘the one’ and get wrecked when the other person doesn’t feel the same.” Novak begins to shake his head, to which Janko throws in, “Ernie is used to getting what he wants.”
“You think he’s spoiled?” Novak frowns at the thought. “Well, he does joke about that but it’s just the way he grew up. He doesn’t throw money around. He can’t help that his father likes travelling here by private plane.”
Janko shakes his head. “Have you considered that he’s got you wrapped around his finger?”
“Don’t do this to me. I have enough stress in my life without my own life causing stress. Beyond grades, anyway.” Novak retreats to the group gathering, as they’re ready for the soccer game to start, then turns around to blast, “Stop being so damn perfect. It’s annoying for the rest of us.”
Janko laughs, muttering to himself, “Believe me. You’re the only one who thinks I’m perfect and that includes my girlfriend.”
* * * * *
Rafael waits until just after noon to venture toward Andy's room. The door is unlocked so Rafael taps twice then lets himself in. Andy is just waking up, trying to untangle his legs from the blankets which is, in turn, waking Richard up at the opposite end of the bed.
"Good afternoon," Rafael says softly, just in case someone has a hangover.
"Hi," Andy says, his voice sounding gravelly. He coughs, then shakes his head as he lies flat on his back, not quite looking at Rafael. "I'm sorry about last night.”
"No, this one is all on me," Rafael insists. He sits on the floor, leaning against the bed but not facing them. "Novak warned me about pushing too hard and... poof, he was right. I've been a pain most of this semester."
Richard nods but Rafael can't see that or, for that matter, Andy kicking Richard. Andy insists, "You haven't been that bad. You realized that Feliciano was a mistake and that pent-up energy ended up directed my way."
"It's not that. The night you came in my room, drunk and talking about it being nice how considerate Robin had been? It annoyed me, but not because it was Robin. Okay, not only because of him. I just... I saw you in a different light. You've always been the strong one but now I could see that was never true."
Richard squints then asks Andy, "Exactly how considerate are we talking here?"
Andy gives another swift kick, then says to Rafael, "I know that I'm not that dork from high school... at least physically. But it's like my mind goes back to that time when I'm around a guy who pays even a little bit of attention. While I'm not attracted to Robin, what I said that night was true. It did feel nice. The Marat situation fucking blindsided me because he might have been interested prior to the makeover but who knows.”
Richard says, “To be fair, whenever I talked about you to Juan Carlos and Feliciano, it was always in disparaging terms. That way you’d be completely repellent and not of interest to Marat if and when he ever found out about the Scottish suitemate.”
Andy takes the pillow from under his head and stretches as far as he can to hit Richard, then complains, “Why did I even let you in my room last night?”
Rafael answers for Richard, “Free alcohol. I gave you enough reason to agree with him.”
Andy chuckles despite himself. “Yeah, that reminds me. Tomorrow morning, back to workout regimen. Been slacking off. Only Novak can get away with eating junk.” He reaches down to grab Rafael’s arm and pulls. “Get up here.” Richard gives Andy a warning look, which Andy answers with an eye roll, as Rafael stands up then settles on the bed.
Richard lets out a sigh, then says, “That’s my cue to leave. I guess you got bored with Novak and his lack of skills last night.” He tries to get up, only to have Rafael use his leg to block the path.
“You’ve been working yourself crazy since your arrangement with Roddick ended. Sit back and relax… as Andy tells the tale of Eddie the Superstar.”
“Hey!” Andy sits up quickly, stunned at how Rafael suddenly twisted this around. That and Andy once calling the guy that in jest doesn’t sound the same when being repeated.
“Fair enough,” Richard says, then sits back and finally gets a chance to kick Andy back. “Besides, I told Andy to talk to you about that so he’d feel better. I’ll sit in on the proceedings.”
Even if the two have talked last night, Rafael senses from Andy’s reaction that something needs to be added before Andy will tell this story in front of Richard. Rafael declares, “In return, Andy and I each get to ask Richie one question, both which he must answer. If he backs out, he has to join us for our next, very early morning workout.” He glances toward Andy, who is accepting of that compromise, then raises an eyebrow toward Richard. Rafael knows his roommate well enough that he at least will stay around for the story, even with the challenge thrown in.
“Deal.” Richard sits upright, giving Andy his full attention.
Andy lies back down on the bed, staring at the marks on the ceiling. He takes a deep breath before starting. “Eddie was one of the popular guys in school. Lettered in three sports, though his big achievement was quarterbacking the football team to an undefeated season. Had the pretty blonde girl Maria by his side as his main cheerleader. One of his other sports was soccer and he was the leader of the guys who’d pick on me. He especially hated how the coach wanted him to play more like the way I played. One day after practice, the two of us were alone in the locker room and he shoves me against the lockers as he starts in on me about something coach said. He didn’t have his buddies as his backup so I stared him down, not allowing him to intimidate me. Next thing you know he... well, picture the beginning of the Marat video. Eddie would call and I’d be there because nobody had even glanced my way much less what he wanted.
“I should have been bothered by the sneaking around but I loved that I knew something that nobody else, not even his trophy girlfriend, knew. Then prom night comes around. I resign myself to going solo as I watch them dance together. They get into a fight and, next thing I know, he has me by the collar and kisses me in front of the entire school. This should have been a good thing, exactly what I wanted, but it’s later that sticks in my mind. We’re in the room he’d reserved for Maria and he doesn’t stop talking about her. Here we should be glad to be together and instead we end up on the bed and he calls out her name when he climaxes. When he’s asked about that kiss later, he says that Maria made him so crazy after their argument that he had to go as far down the food chain as possible to make his point.” Andy turns toward the wall, his voice breaking as he mutters, “Why would I want to admit having any sort of relationship with him after that?”
Rafael wraps an arm around Andy, pulling him close and whispers in his ear, “Please don’t hate me. I should have realized that something from high school has a lingering effect. I would never have lied to Feli about my age if I wasn’t aware of that.”
Andy gently moves forward and out of the hug, turning around to look directly at Rafael when he says, “I hate him, not you. That’s why I wanted to be left alone last night. I know how I am when I’m angry and I probably would have regretted whatever words came out if you’d tried to apologize then. It is bad enough Richie heard stuff he could use against me later. I claimed we couldn’t stay friends but, now that I’ve calmed down, I realize I don’t want that to happen.”
Rafael smiles brightly. “I really thought I lost you for good. I don’t think I could handle that.”
Richard has his knees to his chest with his eyes peering over at them, watching how they’re interacting with each other. His voice is soft when he asks, “Do you seriously think I’m heartless?”
Andy is thrown by the question and immediately jumps up, getting on the defensive. “It’s not…”
Richard shakes his head, getting off the bed as he continues, “I dislike the implication that I’ve apparently never done something stupid and embarrassing, assuming that is the reason I’ve never heard any part of that story before.”
Rafael rushes up and heads for the door, leaning against it to effectively block Richard’s path. “You don’t get to accuse him of that without waiting for a rebuttal. That and you’re not getting out of the questions. Andy held to his part of the deal. Now sit down!”
Richard reluctantly returns to sit on the edge of the bed, looking up at Rafael. Andy’s eyes widen at Rafael’s assertiveness, then turns to Richard to snap, “Exactly what would you consider embarrassing?”
“Is that your question or in general?”
Andy lets out a loud sigh, finding the situation completely exasperating, and goes off. “I’m making a point. No, that’s not the question because I know to word it better than that. I’ve heard you rattle off facts about topics that nobody should know anything about in an effort to get out of serious questions. So do I know you, even after two years?” Andy is tempted for that to be his one question but Richard turns away from both of them, head bowed down and arms crossed, and he realizes he’s gone too far. “Also rhetorical,” he adds then looks helplessly toward Rafael.
Richard struggles to keep himself together as he grumbles, “Stuff can linger for years. I get that. I really get that. Can you get your questions out so I can leave, please?”
Andy gives Rafael a raised eyebrow, wondering what’s going on. Rafael presses on, “I’ll go first. I’ve been hearing about various dalliances since I’ve known you, even if you’ve changed the names for your personal amusement. Leaving Roddick out of the discussion, would you have called any of them a boyfriend?”
That is enough to get Richard to relax. He drops his arms to his sides and takes a deep breath, then calmly answers, “No. I suppose the closest was Gael from the European trip but I wasn’t sorry to see him go a different path when the month was over. It may have been the autumn but he was your typical summer fling.”
Andy points out, rather lightheartedly, “At least he left that lovely dancing video to entertain us on cloudy days.” He slides over to Richard, carefully chooses his words this time. “It was never that I thought you were heartless but that, you know, it’s me. The guy you put up with because it’s part of the package being friends with him,” pointing to Rafael, “and Novak. But I’m now realizing you’re just as afraid as I am when it comes to relationships, friendly or otherwise. Is that why you came in here last night?”
“When I said last night that he didn’t want to hear what I had to say, I neglected to mention that I overheard him saying exactly that when Marin tried to give him the CD with the confession.” Richard reluctantly faces them, dropping his shoulders as he says bitterly, “He wants nothing to do with me and it hurts to be anywhere near him right now so I must have fucking cared even if others think I don’t or, more appropriately, can’t care about anyone.”
While Andy doesn’t understand what changed Richard’s mood, Rafael shakes his head as he’s heard this before. It’s the part about his roommate that Rafael wishes could be made right. He moves away from the door, ending up in front of Richard when he barks out, “Listen to me.” Richard straightens up, focused on the Spaniard. Rafael sits next to Richard and places a hand on the back of his neck. “Professor Federer is an idiot. He does not know you. He wants to see you break. He wants you to shrink back in your shell and be as work-obsessed as he is. You wanted to make sure I didn’t become that when I started college and now it’s my turn.” Rafael surprises Richard by sliding his hand down to his shoulder for a hug, then whispers, “Don’t let what Roddick said in anger make you slip away from us. We’ll help you get through this.”
* * * * *
Evgeny has his telescope and stand under his arm as he heads for the platform on the fifth floor. What he doesn’t expect to see is Marin standing there, his back to him with his hands on the railing.
“It’s a good spot,” Evgeny says. Marin shrugs at the remark but says nothing. Evgeny sets the materials down and approaches the rail, tilting his head in to face him. “Something wrong?”
“I had an argument with my mom.”
“Oh.”
“I’ve never defied my parents before but I know this time I need to do so. I want nothing to do with the honors program.”
“What? You’ve been so excited about it.” Marin does another shrug, convincing Evgeny to calm down. “What happened?”
Marin shakes his head. “I don’t know what I want but Professor Federer is definitely the wrong path. I’ve seen and heard too much… I don’t want to end up stuck before it’s too late.”
Evgeny nods. “Oh. I get it. When I left home, I was so sure of what I wanted from life. Pursue a business degree, nab a hot blonde girl, party the weekends away. The idea of studying for my chemistry class on weekends with a bunch of guys throws off my friends. But then I see how passionate people get about the sciences and, well, it’s exciting.”
“I found out from Rafa that the karaoke thing came up because the guys in the suite wanted to see me loosen up. Something so careless…”
“Carefree,” Evgeny corrects.
“Whatever. I’m just stuck.”
Evgeny stays next to Marin, sensing how mixed-up he must be. He suddenly asks, “Do you know anything about astronomy?”
“Huh?”
Evgeny taps Marin’s shoulder to show him the telescope. “It’s my one geeky thing. This… is something of a hobby of mine. Studying the stars. While my grades in most of the sciences left much to be desired, earth science has interesting elements. It’s something utterly weird that my friends back home would laugh at. I found the telescope in a garage sale years ago and… it’s relaxing.” As an afterthought, he adds, “Not like the poetry.”
Marin lightly chuckles at that confession. “Do people back home assume you’re nothing but a jock?”
“Well, to be honest, I never had to be anything else. Once I got here, however, I thought I needed to change that.”
Marin finished, “So that’s how I fit in. I see now.”
Evgeny frowns as he states, “You make it sound bad.”
“You needed a geek to hang around and I was the first one you found.”
“Marin… okay, maybe at first for the chemistry extra help but I wouldn’t be here right now if that’s all you are.”
“You’re here now because I’m apparently standing in a good viewing location.”
Evgeny stuffs his hands in his pockets, shrugging as he admits, “It is a nice view,” but he’s looking right at Marin.
Marin’s eyes widen in shock, then he shakes his head to get the thought out of his head. He looks toward the telescope, stammering out, “St-stargazing. Of course.”
“What did you think-?” Evgeny doesn’t get a chance to finish the question, for Marin keeps shaking his head as he rushes off the platform and back into the building.
* * * * *
It had taken a week but Roddick is finally able to get this plan into action. He’s unlocked Professor Federer’s office, thanks to tracking the janitor’s routine days earlier, and he’s on lookout as Leo and Thomaz ransack it. Time is running out and it’s sadly still the best idea out there. He hopes Richard won’t mind that he’s using the tutoring favors behind his back - as well as swiping his idea wholesale. They haven’t spoken since the fight but this will be worth it if this produces the result Roddick is hoping for: Professor Roger Federer getting what he deserves.
“I believe Professor Federer won’t be back until six.” It’s a jolt when Roddick hears the British accent. Must be Professor Henman; Richard has talked about this guy being something like his savior within the department.
Roddick has to think fast or else Henman will realize something is going on in Federer's office that he's not supposed to see. There isn't much he can use as a distraction so he says the first thing that enters his head. "I was going to confront Professor Federer about something... I need to speak to a head of department."
Professor Henman's attitude changes at that. His eyebrow raises and a glint in his eye makes Roddick suspect this decision might keep everyone out of trouble. "I might be of service."
Roddick looks up and down the hall then asks, "Can we talk in your office?"
“Sure. Are you interested in enrolling in the chemistry major?”
“No.” Roddick lets out a deep breath as he states, “This is about being harassed by him.” At Henman’s raised eyebrow, Roddick blurts out, “He used his position of power for sexual means. He promised to raise my grade to get me to bend to his whim and, damn it. I was such an idiot, about a lot of things, but I need to come clean before I graduate.”