tennis slash - The Falcon (11)
Title: The Falcon (11)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Novak Djokovic/Andy Murray; David Ferrer/Juan Carlos Ferrero
Other Characters: Marcel Granollers, Marko Djokovic
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: AU. Novak goes to Spain to look for inspiration to create the Next Great Superhero. This chapter: Novak and Andy both wonder if they're meant to be in different worlds.
"So I hear you drew Juan Carlos," Novak says as a greeting to David when they meet at the tennis academy. "Opting not to send further texts was being quite deceptive on your part."
"Sorry," David replies but he’s deep in the middle of a project that’s distinctly un-Falcon-like. The colored pencils are still around but are only being used for light shading at this early point in the process.
"What are you doing?"
"Juan Carlos’ father has commissioned a piece for his study. It has to be related to the academy, with one of the students in a practice session with a coach."
Novak gives a smirk, deciphering what Mr. Ferrero would want. "Does that mean that Juan Carlos and Marat get to do their routine in front of your face, while you get paid to watch? Quite cruel, considering the confessional."
David shakes his head, then points with his pencil to a lesson in progress involving Coach Robredo. "Juan Carlos will be the student but it’s about the Spaniards."
Novak then notices the distinct shorts in the drawing - definitely Tommy. "That’ll work, especially as you already have experience drawing that student." David nods but doesn’t give any further answer. Novak pleads, "You know I have to see Comic Juanqui."
David points to the sketchbook under his backpack, muttering, "I know there’s no character fitting with your story but it just kind of happened. Might have saved me regarding school, at the very least."
Novak nods along, turning through pages in search of Comic Juanqui. "While this is true, if the book takes off, this is a character that could easily be added. Pablo must have socialite friends, which could start further adventures. I’m pretty sure Philippe will eventually have a henchman with hair blooming out of his head like Gael Monfils." When Novak finally sees the drawing, he smiles brightly. "I take that back. This will definitely be in the next installment."
"Speaking of being deceptive, you spend days in a room alone with Andy and you have nothing to say?"
"You mean do I have anything to say about Rafael Nadal glaring at me because he no longer has Andy on a leash?"
That gets David to stop what he’s doing. He tries to process that sentence, then shakes his head and scolds, "Don’t start a story from the middle."
"Andy doesn’t see that he will soon belong on the main tour. I saw his match and he’s not far away."
"That’s good. Right?"
"Yes, I’m happy for him." Novak puts on something resembling a smile. "He’s going to move on from Valencia."
"I’d hope so. The elite all do." David gives a quick nod, then realizes what Novak means. "Oh. You think he’s going to move on from you."
"It’s a reasonable assumption."
"Pablo has traveled the world, dealt with the most powerful of people in business meetings and wooed the hottest of women. Yet he loves nothing more than his grandmother’s home cooking and is totally lost if he isn’t able to call Charlie."
Novak frowns at David’s description. "How is that this story was created with the idea of Andy as the awkward sidekick and he’s turned into the hero?"
"Andy is still awkward. He just happens to have a job that requires him to travel the world and catching the attention of… okay, superficially I get your point. But he doesn’t open up to just anyone. Do you realize how many people at the academy are thrown by your friendship with him? They didn’t even know he could smile, much less laugh. I seriously don’t think he’s going to forget you." David lets Novak process that comment then says, "You haven’t explained why you’re convinced Rafael Nadal is giving you dirty looks." All of a sudden, something in the distance catches his attention and David hurriedly says, "Hold that thought. Can you watch my sketchbook for a sec?"
"Sure…" Novak barely finishes the word when David shoots up. "What’s going on?" not expecting to turn around to see David heading toward Marcel. Novak also didn’t expect to see Marcel holding a guitar case instead of his racquet bag.
Marcel gives a relieved look upon seeing David approach. When David reaches him, Marcel says, "I was so afraid to go to Mr. Ferrero. Gerard is convinced I stole it so thinks I’m cool for the moment but… Can you?"
David nods, then holds out his hand to accept the guitar. "Why do you have this?"
Novak reaches them just in time to hear Marcel say, "Andy asked me to get this back to its rightful owner. I had no idea it was the guitar until he was already out of the building. There’s a rumor circulating that he’s leaving the academy so maybe he’s..." Marcel looks from David to Novak, it clear neither had heard that rumor, and stumbles over his next words. "Oh… well… it’s stupid gossip. I’m sure it’s not… right. Better get to my lesson before I’m in trouble."
When Marcel leaves, Novak says, with determination, "There is no way Andy is bolting. He would tell us."
David nods, but then realizes he’s actually not sure. "Do you know what I’m holding?" Novak sizes up the case, then tilts his head. "Yes, I know you can recognize it’s a guitar. It’s Juan Carlos’ father’s prized guitar, which is why Marcel is freaking out over it. Mr. Ferrero gave it to Rafael Nadal as a token of appreciation, who seems to have given it to Andy. I told you what I know. Care to tell me what you know?"
* * * * *
Pablo frowns as he rereads Charlie’s hastily scribbled note. It just does not compute that Charlie would leave in the middle of the night to make a trip to some Spanish island in the middle of nowhere. There has to be something more that isn’t written on the page.
It really doesn’t help that Pablo doesn’t have Charlie available. Pablo needs Charlie’s help when it comes to dealing with Philippe, which is so much better than what amounts to a vision quest.
Novak doesn’t want anything to do with the academy. He stays in his small room for days and focuses squarely on the story, pretending not to care he’s written Charlie as fleeing in the middle of the night to deal with an imaginary Spanish villain that has suddenly appeared where Philippe should be.
He really did need all of his attention to be on writing. So what if Andy isn’t returning his messages? It’s irrelevant as Andy will move on, even if he’s not leaving at this very moment - Novak found out from Juan Carlos that Andy had already intended to leave the academy when the tour switched to grass court season, still weeks away. This made sense as that would have Andy playing in Great Britain followed by his favored North American hard court swing.
Regardless, David is still correct when it comes to Andy’s future in Valencia. Andy may already be uncomfortable with what happened in Barcelona and is therefore distancing himself from Novak. That would be understandable, at the very least. Novak isn’t sure what exactly he wanted Andy to do but he would have been sure that Andy should be concerned at Novak not being at the academy these last few days so there is some avoiding on both sides. Novak can admit he’s avoiding… but at least he’s being all productive about it in the process.
In this haze, he doesn’t initially notice the knock at the door. That is, until he hears yelling he hasn’t heard in quite some time. "Novak! Stop being a brat and let me in!"
Novak blinks quickly, then shoots up from some contortion he’d gotten into hours ago to answer the door. "Marko?"
"It’s about damn time," Marko snaps, then wraps Novak in a hug before he has a chance to react. "Got a message from a friend of yours here. It was nice to finally hear some news that wasn’t filtered through Mom. You look like hell, by the way."
Novak pulls away to take in how much his brother has matured. "I know you’re getting older but pretty sure you’re still not yet allowed to leave the country without permission or a guardian."
"Dad found an investor in Valencia so I tagged along. He, um…" lowers his voice, "would prefer if you came home with us. Assuming I tell him that we talked, of course."
Novak nods along. "That is Dad for you. Still looking for money from questionable contacts?"
"Something like that, yeah. Look, I wouldn’t necessarily want to encourage our father but… there’s something I didn’t tell him that you should know. Your friend said in the message that he thought you needed to come home and talk to Jelena. That, and I’m going to use his words, he thought you needed to finish one book before you could make real progress on your new story."
Novak turns around and looks at the table with his notes spread out, that lump in his throat making any reply too difficult. He finally musters out, "I can’t believe Andy… I don’t deserve…"
Marko stands by Novak’s side and looks over the table. He’s never seen his brother in writing mode even though Novak did write a novel. Usually that work was whatever was on the computer. "How far have you gotten?"
"I thought I had an ending but it doesn’t make sense right now." Novak picks up the drawings of Pablo and Charlie. "Pablo needs to let Charlie go on his journey. Charlie may not be around but always there."
Marko raises an eyebrow at the drawings. "I didn’t know you drew. I mean, I suppose you are going to an art school…"
"No, it’s from David. His work has been amazing. Very helpful when it comes to this particular story." He sets the papers back down and concludes, "I do need to talk to Jelena."
"You’re coming home?"
"Not for good but I can’t hide here, either. I’ll get my backpack together."
* * * * *
Andy had been successful at his first futures event since having a taste of the main ATP tour but each week is different. He knows that he has to let Novak do this trip back to Serbia but it does hurt that he found out from David. Then again, Andy didn’t tell David the role he played in Novak’s brother coming to Valencia.
It will be easier to be around more familiar faces at the French Open before he’s able to see his family again. He supposes it’s a positive that Novak is in another country dealing with loose ends. Andy had tried not to get attached to Novak, even while knowing that Novak was still hung up on issues in Serbia.
That said, Andy immediately has to head to the bathroom upon realizing his first round opponent at his second futures event is none other than Pablo Andujar. Even though Andy has made a point not to contact Novak, he feels borderline hysterical right now as Novak’s fantasy world and Andy’s real life have collided thanks to some Spanish player from another academy. Andy knows that Novak would care about this when it comes to The Falcon and would outright hate him if this was discovered later on.
On the other hand, Andy can’t contact Novak without hearing about Jelena and Viktor right now. Andy shakes his head, thinking about the hurt in Novak’s voice when he was talking about Serbia. Andy wishes the time they spent in Barcelona could have ended differently. If Andy could have just acted on his feelings that night so Novak would have at least some clue that there is brightness on the other side of this confessional. Andy would have to suffice with telling Novak he didn’t need to be alone any more.
Novak must deal with Serbia. With that in mind, Andy opts to text Juan Carlos with the message: Charlie has to vanquish Pablo Andujar. Send tip to Nole for story. Actually playing this match. Must win situation.
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Novak Djokovic/Andy Murray; David Ferrer/Juan Carlos Ferrero
Other Characters: Marcel Granollers, Marko Djokovic
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: AU. Novak goes to Spain to look for inspiration to create the Next Great Superhero. This chapter: Novak and Andy both wonder if they're meant to be in different worlds.
"So I hear you drew Juan Carlos," Novak says as a greeting to David when they meet at the tennis academy. "Opting not to send further texts was being quite deceptive on your part."
"Sorry," David replies but he’s deep in the middle of a project that’s distinctly un-Falcon-like. The colored pencils are still around but are only being used for light shading at this early point in the process.
"What are you doing?"
"Juan Carlos’ father has commissioned a piece for his study. It has to be related to the academy, with one of the students in a practice session with a coach."
Novak gives a smirk, deciphering what Mr. Ferrero would want. "Does that mean that Juan Carlos and Marat get to do their routine in front of your face, while you get paid to watch? Quite cruel, considering the confessional."
David shakes his head, then points with his pencil to a lesson in progress involving Coach Robredo. "Juan Carlos will be the student but it’s about the Spaniards."
Novak then notices the distinct shorts in the drawing - definitely Tommy. "That’ll work, especially as you already have experience drawing that student." David nods but doesn’t give any further answer. Novak pleads, "You know I have to see Comic Juanqui."
David points to the sketchbook under his backpack, muttering, "I know there’s no character fitting with your story but it just kind of happened. Might have saved me regarding school, at the very least."
Novak nods along, turning through pages in search of Comic Juanqui. "While this is true, if the book takes off, this is a character that could easily be added. Pablo must have socialite friends, which could start further adventures. I’m pretty sure Philippe will eventually have a henchman with hair blooming out of his head like Gael Monfils." When Novak finally sees the drawing, he smiles brightly. "I take that back. This will definitely be in the next installment."
"Speaking of being deceptive, you spend days in a room alone with Andy and you have nothing to say?"
"You mean do I have anything to say about Rafael Nadal glaring at me because he no longer has Andy on a leash?"
That gets David to stop what he’s doing. He tries to process that sentence, then shakes his head and scolds, "Don’t start a story from the middle."
"Andy doesn’t see that he will soon belong on the main tour. I saw his match and he’s not far away."
"That’s good. Right?"
"Yes, I’m happy for him." Novak puts on something resembling a smile. "He’s going to move on from Valencia."
"I’d hope so. The elite all do." David gives a quick nod, then realizes what Novak means. "Oh. You think he’s going to move on from you."
"It’s a reasonable assumption."
"Pablo has traveled the world, dealt with the most powerful of people in business meetings and wooed the hottest of women. Yet he loves nothing more than his grandmother’s home cooking and is totally lost if he isn’t able to call Charlie."
Novak frowns at David’s description. "How is that this story was created with the idea of Andy as the awkward sidekick and he’s turned into the hero?"
"Andy is still awkward. He just happens to have a job that requires him to travel the world and catching the attention of… okay, superficially I get your point. But he doesn’t open up to just anyone. Do you realize how many people at the academy are thrown by your friendship with him? They didn’t even know he could smile, much less laugh. I seriously don’t think he’s going to forget you." David lets Novak process that comment then says, "You haven’t explained why you’re convinced Rafael Nadal is giving you dirty looks." All of a sudden, something in the distance catches his attention and David hurriedly says, "Hold that thought. Can you watch my sketchbook for a sec?"
"Sure…" Novak barely finishes the word when David shoots up. "What’s going on?" not expecting to turn around to see David heading toward Marcel. Novak also didn’t expect to see Marcel holding a guitar case instead of his racquet bag.
Marcel gives a relieved look upon seeing David approach. When David reaches him, Marcel says, "I was so afraid to go to Mr. Ferrero. Gerard is convinced I stole it so thinks I’m cool for the moment but… Can you?"
David nods, then holds out his hand to accept the guitar. "Why do you have this?"
Novak reaches them just in time to hear Marcel say, "Andy asked me to get this back to its rightful owner. I had no idea it was the guitar until he was already out of the building. There’s a rumor circulating that he’s leaving the academy so maybe he’s..." Marcel looks from David to Novak, it clear neither had heard that rumor, and stumbles over his next words. "Oh… well… it’s stupid gossip. I’m sure it’s not… right. Better get to my lesson before I’m in trouble."
When Marcel leaves, Novak says, with determination, "There is no way Andy is bolting. He would tell us."
David nods, but then realizes he’s actually not sure. "Do you know what I’m holding?" Novak sizes up the case, then tilts his head. "Yes, I know you can recognize it’s a guitar. It’s Juan Carlos’ father’s prized guitar, which is why Marcel is freaking out over it. Mr. Ferrero gave it to Rafael Nadal as a token of appreciation, who seems to have given it to Andy. I told you what I know. Care to tell me what you know?"
* * * * *
Pablo frowns as he rereads Charlie’s hastily scribbled note. It just does not compute that Charlie would leave in the middle of the night to make a trip to some Spanish island in the middle of nowhere. There has to be something more that isn’t written on the page.
It really doesn’t help that Pablo doesn’t have Charlie available. Pablo needs Charlie’s help when it comes to dealing with Philippe, which is so much better than what amounts to a vision quest.
Novak doesn’t want anything to do with the academy. He stays in his small room for days and focuses squarely on the story, pretending not to care he’s written Charlie as fleeing in the middle of the night to deal with an imaginary Spanish villain that has suddenly appeared where Philippe should be.
He really did need all of his attention to be on writing. So what if Andy isn’t returning his messages? It’s irrelevant as Andy will move on, even if he’s not leaving at this very moment - Novak found out from Juan Carlos that Andy had already intended to leave the academy when the tour switched to grass court season, still weeks away. This made sense as that would have Andy playing in Great Britain followed by his favored North American hard court swing.
Regardless, David is still correct when it comes to Andy’s future in Valencia. Andy may already be uncomfortable with what happened in Barcelona and is therefore distancing himself from Novak. That would be understandable, at the very least. Novak isn’t sure what exactly he wanted Andy to do but he would have been sure that Andy should be concerned at Novak not being at the academy these last few days so there is some avoiding on both sides. Novak can admit he’s avoiding… but at least he’s being all productive about it in the process.
In this haze, he doesn’t initially notice the knock at the door. That is, until he hears yelling he hasn’t heard in quite some time. "Novak! Stop being a brat and let me in!"
Novak blinks quickly, then shoots up from some contortion he’d gotten into hours ago to answer the door. "Marko?"
"It’s about damn time," Marko snaps, then wraps Novak in a hug before he has a chance to react. "Got a message from a friend of yours here. It was nice to finally hear some news that wasn’t filtered through Mom. You look like hell, by the way."
Novak pulls away to take in how much his brother has matured. "I know you’re getting older but pretty sure you’re still not yet allowed to leave the country without permission or a guardian."
"Dad found an investor in Valencia so I tagged along. He, um…" lowers his voice, "would prefer if you came home with us. Assuming I tell him that we talked, of course."
Novak nods along. "That is Dad for you. Still looking for money from questionable contacts?"
"Something like that, yeah. Look, I wouldn’t necessarily want to encourage our father but… there’s something I didn’t tell him that you should know. Your friend said in the message that he thought you needed to come home and talk to Jelena. That, and I’m going to use his words, he thought you needed to finish one book before you could make real progress on your new story."
Novak turns around and looks at the table with his notes spread out, that lump in his throat making any reply too difficult. He finally musters out, "I can’t believe Andy… I don’t deserve…"
Marko stands by Novak’s side and looks over the table. He’s never seen his brother in writing mode even though Novak did write a novel. Usually that work was whatever was on the computer. "How far have you gotten?"
"I thought I had an ending but it doesn’t make sense right now." Novak picks up the drawings of Pablo and Charlie. "Pablo needs to let Charlie go on his journey. Charlie may not be around but always there."
Marko raises an eyebrow at the drawings. "I didn’t know you drew. I mean, I suppose you are going to an art school…"
"No, it’s from David. His work has been amazing. Very helpful when it comes to this particular story." He sets the papers back down and concludes, "I do need to talk to Jelena."
"You’re coming home?"
"Not for good but I can’t hide here, either. I’ll get my backpack together."
* * * * *
Andy had been successful at his first futures event since having a taste of the main ATP tour but each week is different. He knows that he has to let Novak do this trip back to Serbia but it does hurt that he found out from David. Then again, Andy didn’t tell David the role he played in Novak’s brother coming to Valencia.
It will be easier to be around more familiar faces at the French Open before he’s able to see his family again. He supposes it’s a positive that Novak is in another country dealing with loose ends. Andy had tried not to get attached to Novak, even while knowing that Novak was still hung up on issues in Serbia.
That said, Andy immediately has to head to the bathroom upon realizing his first round opponent at his second futures event is none other than Pablo Andujar. Even though Andy has made a point not to contact Novak, he feels borderline hysterical right now as Novak’s fantasy world and Andy’s real life have collided thanks to some Spanish player from another academy. Andy knows that Novak would care about this when it comes to The Falcon and would outright hate him if this was discovered later on.
On the other hand, Andy can’t contact Novak without hearing about Jelena and Viktor right now. Andy shakes his head, thinking about the hurt in Novak’s voice when he was talking about Serbia. Andy wishes the time they spent in Barcelona could have ended differently. If Andy could have just acted on his feelings that night so Novak would have at least some clue that there is brightness on the other side of this confessional. Andy would have to suffice with telling Novak he didn’t need to be alone any more.
Novak must deal with Serbia. With that in mind, Andy opts to text Juan Carlos with the message: Charlie has to vanquish Pablo Andujar. Send tip to Nole for story. Actually playing this match. Must win situation.