Hotel Ferrero (Chapter 38)
Title: Hotel Ferrero
Pairings: Gasquet/Nadal, Djokovic/Roddick, Ferrero/Safin, Federer/Moya
Other characters: Andy Murray, Tim Henman
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Vampires, mentions of blood.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and this is a fiction.
Summary: Andy gives Novak something that he couldn't get from Andrew while Richard and Rafael talk about the upcoming off-season. Andrew pays Tim a visit with Maggie while Juan Carlos takes Marat and Richard out for a meal.
From the previous chapter:
Richard had practiced hypnotizing with Janko and Andy while Marcos had the laboratory results back on his new herb. Juan Carlos had found out that Marat had been aware of Richard having sex while Andrew realized that Tim did like him just as Novak had said.
Chapter 38: The rise and fall
Andy had his arms firmly crossed while his legs were hanging from where he was sitting. Where was he sitting right now? He was sitting right next to the sink in the bathroom where ladies like to show off their whole range of overpriced cosmetics.
“Nole, I told you I can perfectly shave on my own.” The American couldn’t help but feel as if he was getting treated like a kid.
“I know you can, Andy. I just want to help you.” Novak answered casually, grabbing the shaving foam.
He had had offered to shave his boyfriend’s beard since he wanted Andy to look more neat in front of the French crowd. Beards didn’t go well with caps in his book, especially after what he had seen in the Madrid Masters.
“Why do I even have to shave? I told you that I value the balance of hair on my body. Since I don’t have much hair on the head at the moment, it’s only fair that I keep my beard. And don’t I look cool with it?”
Novak gave the soon-to-be-gone beard one last peck and put shaving foam on the handsome face. “You’ll look even cooler with a clean-shaven face, baby.”
“If you say so. But why can’t you just use an electric one? Isn’t it much safer?”
“Hey, these original razors do the job much better and I’ve been shaving with these for God knows how long. Don’t worry. I swear I won’t cut you. If I do, I’ll do whatever you want me to do in coffin for the rest of my life.”
Andy had opened his mouth to protest but he thought that it was a winning deal whatever the outcome would be.
“Good. Now, don’t move.” Novak warned and giggled a little at how stiff the American looked. He placed a soft kiss on the top of the human’s head and got down to work.
For the next few minutes, the vampire calmly did his job while talking to his boyfriend about his off-season plans. There were always so many things that he wanted to do in such a short period of time.
“Before all that, we still have one week of tennis. I’ll probably play in the Masters Cups and you’ll play in the Olympics.” Andy managed to speak when Novak had his hands off him for a split second.
“Yes and I’ll miss you so much when you go back home.”
They both hadn’t realized that they had been practically living together ever since they had started to share a hotel room. They had tried to participate in same tournaments and hadn’t gone back to their own places and just stayed with each other in hotels even when they were off-tennis.
Andy clearly saw the disappointment and sadness in the Serb’s eyes. He was still amazed at the speed of their relationship. He had never thought that he could fall for someone, not to mention someone from a different species, this fast and this deep.
“Hey, I’ll go watch your Olympic Games, if you want. I can also spend Christmas with you too.” He offered, when he usually loved spending the Christmas season with his family and friends.
Novak jumped a little and shook his head. “No, Andy, no. It’s very tempting to say yes, but I can’t do that. We have to learn how to stay apart. I don’t want to take away your family time just like I wouldn’t want you to take away mine.”
“Aww, when did you all grow up, kid?” Andy mussed up the unmussable hair with affection.
“Haha, I’m way older than you, human.”
“Well, age doesn’t necessarily have everything to do with maturity.” Andy was perfectly aware that his boyfriend was mature but it was always so much fun to tease him.
“Like you can talk about maturity. You yelled at how many umpires this year?” Novak chuckled and took care of the last hair that was shamelessly standing on Andy’s chin.
“Hey, it’s called polite arguing.”
“Right. And I hope you won’t politely argue with me because it sounds scary.” Novak beamed at a very neat Andy and quickly put some after-shave on him.
“There you go! You’re back to your stunning old self.”
Andy turned around and looked in the mirror. Novak did a good job and he did look stunning.
“Hmm, not bad.”
“Oh, come on. I know you’re impressed with my work.” Novak put the razor back in its case and leaned in for a hug.
“You’re right. I am. So what can I do for you in return? You want me to shave your legs or chest? Or… I can even provide service on some other private places?”
Andy was busy laughing at the mental image while Novak blushed a little.
“Actually, I do have a favor to ask. I always had wanted to try it with my boyfriend but Andrew was too stubborn.”
The mere mention of the Scot’s name already had Andy eager to do whatever it was. Since he had watched the new Bloodorade TV commercial, he had been paying attention to the other Andy again.
“Tell me what you want, Nole. I’ll do it for you.” Andy was serious.
“Okay, then. I’ll show it to you.” Novak smiled and got out of his boyfriend’s arms.
Andy followed the vampire out of the bathroom and saw him pull two pajamas out of a bag.
“A fan of mine sent this last night. I thought it was cute.” Novak proudly held up one of the pants which had tons of yellow-eyed bats on it.
“That’s what you call cute?” Andy could see why the Scot hadn’t been too cooperative.
“Sure. Bats are cute, don’t you think? Mom even keeps a few bats back in Serbia.”
“Your mother has bats for pets?” This was one of those shocking human-vampire difference moments.
“Yes, she has six or seven of them but I can never tell the difference other than Spooky and Spoony.”
“Spooky and Spoony.” Andy repeated, not knowing how to react. He didn’t want to offend his boyfriend for commenting on his mother’s choice of animals.
“Those two are cute. They like me.” Novak put on a smile, thinking of the two.
“Well, too bad I didn’t get a chance to meet your mom yet. So she’s afraid of flight?”
“Yes. I bet that’s why she likes bats so much. I’m sure they’re not afraid of flying.”
The two chuckled and Novak took off Andy’s T-shirt.
“Woo, no foreplay?”
“I just want to try this on you.”
“But I won’t look hot in pjs. And why do we even need pjs? We sleep in a warm coffin and I take care of your clothes almost every night.”
“Yeah but I thought you liked the undressing part.” Novak knew exactly what to say.
“Ah, you already know me too much.”
Novak finished buttoning up his pouting boyfriend and put on his top as well.
“What do you think?” The vampire asked in front of the mirror once they even tried on their pants.
“There are bats everywhere.” Andy was honest but if Andy Murray couldn’t wear a pair of couple pajamas for Novak, he was going to do that for him.
“And?”
“And… we look fine. We’ll look great even in pink lacy stuff.”
“Eww! That’s a horrible image! I hope you don’t have such fantasies because I’m never going to wear those!” Novak yelled a little too loudly.
“Ahaha. Relax, kid. My point was that we’d look good in anything.”
“So you’re ok with these?” Novak could calm down now.
“Yeah, why not? It’ll remind me of you while I’m back in the States.”
Those words brought back sadness in their minds and Novak didn’t resist when Andy took him in his arms.
“I must really, really love you.” The vampire whispered while they sat in front of the full-length mirror, wrapped around each other.
“I’m grateful that I ran into you in front of the elevator that day.” Andy kissed his boyfriend, pulling him onto his lap.
“You know, it was this hotel. Here in Paris.” Novak reminisced, “You asked if I played in the challenger level, hahaha.”
“Yeah, I remember. Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. It’s been a great year for me, you know. Finally getting over Andrew, meeting you, winning two Slams. It’s been really great.”
Novak looked into the American’s eyes and hugged his boyfriend tight. He knew that the off-season would be torturous without him.
Andy could feel exactly what was going on in the vampire’s mind. He started to rub Novak’s back as soothingly as he could and thought about things that he could do to make both of them feel better.
‘Why does my brain always give me the same answer? Not that I mind it, though.’
Andy gently laid his precious creature down on the carpet and kissed him with all the love inside him.
“I love you, kid.” He confessed between kisses and saw Novak’s eyes twinkle.
“I love you so much, Andy…”
It was good to be in love despite having to wear bat pajamas.
While the two lovebirds were busy loving each other, there was another pair of lovebirds which was enjoying a soothing moment.
“You want more blood?” Rafael asked his boyfriend and pressed the call button as soon as Richard nodded.
The two were hanging out in the hotel spa, feet inside a wooden bowl filled with rose petals and warm water while they were sitting on massage armchairs. Rafael was injured and had to retire in the middle of a match and Richard had offered to use some relax time.
The French lazily looked over as the Spaniard ordered more blood packs and a glass of orange juice. He knew that he shouldn’t be selfish but honestly, he was a little bit happy that Rafael wasn’t out on court and was rather resting with him.
“The off-season is coming, Rafa. Any good plans?” Richard asked, hoping that he would get a chance to see his boyfriend before the New Year comes.
“After Davis Cup, I think I’ll sleep for a whole week, no? Like those animals that sleep during winter with all the food inside them.” Rafael answered, moaning at the wonderful feeling of the talented chair.
“I hope you’ll still enjoy Christmas, right? I think I’ll be back at the hotel just after Christmas to help out Juanqui. You know, we have this huge party in Madrid at the end of every year.”
“Oh, right. Carlos told me about it. Great party, he said.” Rafael squeezed Richard’s hand which had been in his hand for the past twenty minutes or so. He was going to miss his cute little French so much.
“Well, we give out tons of presents to the guests and staff and Marcos has always worked his magic with the food. He’s great with human food as well so you probably don’t want to miss it.” Richard wasn’t sure if the hint was enough.
“You want me to be there?” Apparently, the world number one got the message.
“I know it might be too much to ask but…” Richard tried to pull his hand out of his boyfriend’s grip. He was ashamed to talk about a party when the Spaniard could use all the rest in the world.
“Too bad I’m holding your hand with my left hand, no?” Rafael giggled as he gave a lovely peck on the stringer’s hand.
“Well, now that I think about it, maybe it’s better for you to stay home.” Richard felt playful after hearing the human giggle.
“Why is that?”
“It could be my chance to check out other hot humans, don’t you think? Juanqui always have great-looking guests.”
Rafael knew that Richard didn’t mean it and found it cute that he was trying to play the jealousy card.
“I can’t let that happen, no? I’ll be at the party if Juanqui invites me.”
“You will? Really? Awww, my dear Rafa!”
Richard jumped up from his massage chair and straddled his boyfriend’s lap to give him the biggest hug of the year.
“Oh, very sorry to bother you. I’ll just leave the tray over here.” A flushed waiter left the refreshment tray near the door and Richard’s cheeks went red as the rose petals.
“This is so embarrassing!! I work here! He must’ve thought that I was going to do… urgh.”
The stringer pulled his hair while Rafael enjoyed a good laugh.
“Hey, didn’t you say that Juanqui wanted to have lunch with you?” Rafael checked his wristwatch and informed him, “It’s already midnight.”
“Really? Well, I still have half an hour.” Richard smiled.
“Then what do you want to do for those thirty minutes? The massage time is over now.” The Spaniard answered, feeling no more vibrations soothing his muscles.
“We have a game room right next to the swimming pool. What about a few PlayStation games? You can play as Carlos and I can play as Nole.” Richard offered, knowing how well he had been playing with his friend’s character.
“It doesn’t make you a great tennis player in those games, just because you’re a genius stringer with fast fingers, no?” Rafael grinned, all fired up to win.
“Hey, Mr. Nadal. Did you just challenge me?” Richard poked his boyfriend in the ribs, feeling highly competitive. “It doesn’t make you a great tennis player in those games, just because you’re a great one in real life, no?”
Both stared at each other with a wicked grin on their lips and ran out of the room like kids. Rafael had even forgotten that he wasn’t supposed to run until they were passing by the swimming pool.
“Bwahahaha! Stop it, Carlos! Oh God!! That’s not fair! Keehehehe!”
A hyper voice came rattling from the pool and the running kids recognized the voice.
“Wasn’t that Roger?” Richard asked, and they both peeped in.
Apparently, Carlos was tickling the Swiss who was sitting at the edge of the pool in all the right places since Roger was dying of laughter. Other few vampires and humans that were sharing the pool were all watching the scene, enjoying some laughs. Finally, Roger gave up and let Carlos pull him inside the water.
“Aww, they look like kids, no?” Rafael shook his head, not remembering that Richard and he had just been the same not too long ago.
“Didn’t he suffer a back injury?” Richard tilted his head and figured that they probably wanted to sooth the back with some help of water.
“I hope they know what they’re doing.” Rafael shrugged and grabbed his boyfriend’s hand, quickly heading for the game room. He was determined to win and there was going to be no retirement from his part.
‘I have strong fingers, no?’ He reassured himself and opened the door to the game room.
Tick-tack.
Tim had been working nonstop for the past 30 hours, busy catching up on his business. He hadn’t had paid enough attention to his Vampire Adidas line but now that things got awkward with the Scot after their strange “hypothetical friend” talk, there was no reason for him not to plunge into the vast ocean of work.
He hadn’t seen Andrew for more than a week now and hadn’t even returned his calls. He had only answered a few text messages, coming up with excuses that he was too busy with work and that he was too exhausted to talk to anyone.
However, the real reason why he was avoiding Andrew was the hesitation that was apparent in Andrew’s every move and word. Now that he knew how Tim felt about him, he was feeling less comfortable around him and that was the last thing that Tim had ever wanted. He simply couldn’t stand it anymore.
Beep.
“Yes, Alicia.” Tim answered the intercom.
“Sir, Mr. Andy Murray is here.”
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Tim asked again.
His new assistant was very professional. She wasn’t the type of vampire who would have confused Andy with someone else, so maybe he had heard it wrong.
“Mr. Murray from Bloodorade came to visit you, sir. Should I let him in?”
“Uh, of course. Thanks.”
As soon as Tim had said the last word, Andrew was already inside the room, holding Maggie in his arms.
“Good evening, An…”
He couldn’t finish his greeting because he had to catch a flying dog in his arms.
“Andy!” He yelped, checking if Maggie wasn’t hurt.
“Oh, so I see your fingers aren’t broken. You still have those hands that can move perfectly. Ever heard about a phone or something called manners?” Andrew gritted through his teeth and Tim found it quite scary.
“I told you that I was busy.”
“Bullshit! How can you think I’m that stupid? You’ve known me ever since I was born! And sadly, I know you well enough to know that you’re avoiding me like a coward because things got weird between us!”
“Andrew Murray, calm down and stop yelling.”
“You don’t get to say that to me! You were the one who wouldn’t call me back, feeding me lame excuses when I had all the intention in the world to fix things between us. You’re one of my best friends and that’s not going to…”
“Don’t call me your best friend! I’m sick of being your best friend!” Tim burst out before he knew what he was doing.
He was weary in terms of both his work and his love. The world was a cruel place for him.
Andrew had lost his words and was just standing there, in the middle of the room.
“You already have Novak as your best friend. It’s not a secret anymore that I want to be something more to you. I know I may not be good enough for you and I tried, believe me, I tried so hard not to think of you in that way, but I just can’t control myself. Sorry for all this mess but we can’t go back to what we used to be.” Tim was too tired to bother about the directness of his speech. He was too tired.
The Scot bit his lips and walked up to the desk. The elder vampire automatically sat back down on his chair to avoid Andrew’s stare.
“How do I know if it’s not a fling? How can you be so sure that you want to be more? Look at me, Tim.” Andrew lifted Tim’s chin while Tim’s hands shook against Maggie’s fur.
“What if you realize that I’m not what you always dreamt of? Or what if I mess up like I did with Nole and things get even stranger? I barely survived when Nole left me. I don’t think I can let that happen again.”
Andrew was shaking with tension and fear when Tim finally chose to look up.
“Andy…” Tim let Maggie jump down on the floor and got up from his chair. Now he could see the eyes that he loved without the disturbance of the height difference.
“I’m equally worried and scared as you. But something tells me that we will do just fine with each other. You won’t mess up and I won’t either. We’re both too desperate to lose the one last chance, don’t you think?”
Now it was Andrew’s turn to turn his head. Tim’s eyes were suddenly too clear for him to look into and he feared that the elder vampire would read the chaos in his eyes.
“Andy, we can do this. I won’t ask for anything you wouldn’t want to do.” Tim tried his best to squeeze every ounce of courage inside him. He could feel that Andrew was weak at the moment. This was his best chance to offer him some comfort and probably lend him a shoulder.
Andrew faced Tim again after quite some thinking. He couldn’t tell how long they were standing there but couldn’t decide if he wanted to take a step back or forward.
“Why didn’t you return my calls?” He wanted to know the reason to why he had to spend a week full of anxiety and remorse. He wanted to hear Tim say the words with his own mouth. “Answer me. Why didn’t you?”
Tim knew that this might be his only chance. Andrew wanted him to admit what he had done and he should do it, in hopes of getting a golden opportunity to get one step closer to him. It had always been that one step that had separated him from having the luxury of his life.
‘Come on, Tim. Be a big boy and take your chance! Things can’t get any worse anyway, right?’
He was struggling to open his mouth and let the Scot hear what he wanted to hear when his ears detected a horrible sound.
“Andy! That’s dangerous! Put it away!” Tim yelled at Andrew who was holding a stun gun in front of him.
“Answer me, Tim. I need to hear it.” Of course Andrew had no intention to use it on Tim. He just thought that he could use it as a leverage to get the truth.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t behave well. I should’ve called you back and try to explain what was going on in my mind. I couldn’t stand seeing you so uncomfortable around me after you realized what I really thought about you, but I should’ve known that it was only a natural reaction from your part. Obviously, you needed time to think.”
Andrew put his stun gun back in his pocket. He shouldn’t have threatened someone with a gift that came from him but Tim had started talking, which told Andrew that the method of choice could be understandable.
“Do you really believe we’ll be alright as a… you know.” Andrew suddenly felt a little shy.
Tim was older, smarter and kinder than him. He still couldn’t figure out why such a vampire would choose him when he could have anyone at his feet.
Tim found Andrew’s blushes quite cute. “I do believe that we’ll be better than alright.”
He carefully took a step forward and held the Scot in his arms. He had to make sure Andrew understood that he wasn’t willing to push him in any way. Even if it was just holding his hand every once in a while and sharing quick hugs, he thought that he would still be the happiest vampire on earth.
Andrew rested his chin on one of Tim’s shoulder which was warmer than he had expected. Maybe it was because he had come inside from a chilly outside and Tim had been staying in his well-heated office all day. Or maybe Tim had always been warmer than he had thought. Maybe he was the one who couldn’t sense it during all these days.
‘Should I hug him back? I mean, it’s just a simple hug. I’ve hugged him many times before. No big deal, right?’
Andrew slowly dragged his arms up and put them around Tim’s back. He couldn’t see Tim’s face but he could somehow feel that he had just put on the dorkiest smile a vampire could ever put on.
“Um… I should go now.”
The Scot quickly pulled out of the embrace, terrified that his heartbeat wasn’t under control.
“But you just came.” Tim was dumbfounded.
“I know but… uh… Maggie wants to go home now.” Andrew couldn’t believe that he had just sold his dog and came up with the lamest excuse possible. But he needed time to think things over and he couldn’t do it in here.
Tim knew that the sudden announcement of leaving had something to do with the embrace. But as he had promised that he wouldn’t force Andrew into whatever he didn’t feel like doing, he was willing to let him leave.
“Okay, I’m just a bit disappointed that you wouldn’t even have a cup of tea. It’s very cold outside.” Okay, he had to try once, just in case it would work.
Andrew bit his lips again and heard Tim’s voice inside his head.
‘Please don’t bite your lips like that, Andrew. You’ll bleed yourself.’
‘Oh, Tim…’
The younger vampire put his hand on the corner of his lips. Tim had put his hand on the exact same place with such a worried face, the last time when he had come to the office with Maggie’s food. It was no big deal, really. Everyone bit his lips and it wasn’t a dangerous thing to do, but it must have still scratched the big heart of a certain vampire.
“Well, I suppose Maggie will be kind enough to wait till I finish a cup of tea.” He put on a soft smile and made himself comfortable on the guest couch.
“All right! I’ll have to bring out some special tea then!”
Tim had never been so excited in his whole life just to prepare some tea. His mother was right. British tea could beat them all.
“Ahahaha.”
‘Ahahaha.’ Marat imitated his lover’s laugh in his mind as he angrily poured more blood in his mouth. He had been grumpy all day and night for the past week or so, feeling the urge to strangle anything and everything. Ever since the night that Juan Carlos had found out about his precious little Richard sleeping with his boyfriend, he hadn’t been the same vampire.
The Spaniard wasn’t eager as he used to be in bed, often crying out a swear word with Nadal’s name or calling out Jesus Christ more than the Russian’s name. And, as if overworking was the best answer to forget about his woes, the hotel owner had been working even more than usual.
Tonight’s lunch was a very special occasion according to Juan Carlos’ recent schedule. He had announced in the middle of the morning, when Marat was sleeping like a baby vampire, that he had to have a decent meal with Richard, and hence the three were sitting at the Corpse right now.
“I wish I would’ve brought Mario too. He would’ve loved to join our talk on the recent developments of modern art.”
To make matters worse, his lover had even just mentioned the annoying Croatian’s name in the middle of their exhausting art talk.
“Marat, are you all right?” Richard asked, worried that the Russian would explode and strangle someone.
“Oh, don’t worry, sweetie. He’s just missing his old tennis days these days. Aren’t you, Marat.”
It wasn’t even a question but Marat was still going to answer it properly, if Juan Carlos hadn’t kissed him on the lips.
‘Ok, that was acceptable.’
He admitted and served himself some roasted beaver lips, completely forgetting about how he wanted to explain the real reason of his bad mood to the French.
Meanwhile, Juan Carlos was beating himself for all the trouble that he had caused for the past week or so. He was aware that his lover wasn’t happy with him at the moment but he couldn’t focus on anything else other than work these days. He knew that what Marat probably hated the most was, understandably, crying out other names than his in bed but he couldn’t stop picturing Richard and Rafael doing the exact things that he and Marat had been doing during all those nights.
He felt also very sorry to Richard’s mother and his deceased father for not giving more attention to their beloved son. And, there was Janko who wanted to take a vacation that he hadn’t used yet, to go back to the U.S. to join Tommy but Juan Carlos had asked him to stay until the off-season started, since Marat didn’t look concentrated enough while standing guard which was completely the Spaniard’s fault in his opinion.
“Juanqui, are you okay?” Richard asked Juan Carlos this time, wondering what was wrong with both vampires.
“Would you like me to leave early so you guys cans talk?” He offered and got a clear response.
“Oh, don’t do that, sweetheart. We’re fine.” Juan Carlos answered.
“He says that we’re fine, so you can stay.” Marat added with not such a fine face.
“Ok, I’ll stay then.”
Richard replied sheepishly and ducked his head in his plate. The lunch was definitely going to be a long one.