tennis slash - The International Diner (6)
Title: The International Diner (6)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Andy Roddick/Marat Safin/Roger Federer, Mardy Fish/Juan Martin Del Potro, Lleyton Hewitt/Andy Murray
Other Players: Sam Querrey, John Isner, Tommy Haas
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: AU. ATP at a diner.
Chapter 6 - Blame it on the Rain
“It’s raining very hard out there,” Marat announces as he looks out the door. He heads to the kitchen, calling out, “Lleyton, are we having any more pecan pie today?”
Lleyton is rushing to prepare two pie crusts. “No. Out of pecans. Push the blueberry until I finish the apple spice and double banana cream.”
“Double?” Marat laughs. He forgot all about the double banana, so dubbed by Roddick for the mashed banana on the crust before the banana pudding-like mixture is poured on. “That will make for a very good afternoon of business. Are you trying out recipes before moving out of here?”
Marat walks away before getting a reply. Although he means it as a joke, he also knows that Lleyton had a meeting with Roger away from work two days ago. Roger, of course, wouldn't give details but Marat figures it's either one of two things: another court battle or the bakery idea has been revived.
While the crusts are cooking in the oven, Lleyton heads out of the kitchen to see what’s in the display case but finds himself mesmerized by the effects of the storm. Marat watches Lleyton shake his head then return his focus to the display, fidgeting with the presentation. In any case, Marat observes that there's something clearly different lately about the guy, a bounce to his step that can only be attributed to baking or romance.
Lleyton snaps his fingers to get Marat’s attention, then points to the door. A young guy is standing there, trying in vain to get the rain out of his eyes with his equally drenched slicker. “For one, por favor.”
Marat stares at the customer, seeming vaguely familiar but he can’t recognize him. “Okay then.”
”Is it okay to dry off in the bathroom first?”
Marat nods. “End of counter. I’ll leave you the second table from the door.”
The guy passes Andy Roddick, who has plates of food to deliver. The waiter does a 360 turn to get a better look before dropping them off, then heads to Marat and Lleyton, muttering, “Stupid audition.”
Lleyton looks at the guy, then the equally confused Marat. “What?”
"That’s the kid we’re not supposed to talk about to Mardy because he’ll blow our heads off. It's been two weeks and hadn't seen Juan Martin so I figured he wasn't worth the trouble. Clearly he went out of his way to make the trip, or else he wouldn’t be drenched, and the fucker is on an audition.”
“Really?” Marat watches the guy exit the bathroom, a bit drier but still difficult to identify. “You sure?”
“Bigger build than you, shy smile that appears when he thinks Mardy will show. Yeah, it’s him.”
Lleyton is seeing this guy for the first time so makes an assessment. “Not bad at all. Endearingly bashful, even.”
Andy shakes his head. “There has to be a reason for this visit.”
Marat slaps Andy upside the head. “Don’t you have other people’s lives to interfere with? He’ll see that Mardy’s not here and go on his way. No use dragging out a drama Mardy clearly doesn't want.”
Lleyton chimes in, “You know, when I was growing up, defending someone wasn’t usually a good reason to get ignored like this.”
Andy ignores Lleyton, replying to Marat, "I guess you're right. Mardy wants nothing to do with him so I should stay out of it."
* * * * *
Andy probably gave in so easily to Marat's request because he did have someone else’s life to interfere with. Namely, Lleyton's.
“What do you think of Tommy?” Andy asks him a short time later, as he waits for John to finish an order.
Lleyton shrugs as he assembles the double banana cream pie. “He’s nice. Why?”
“Just that I was thinking… You and Tommy would make a good couple.”
Lleyton stops what he's doing, backing away from his task as if it was the pie that burned him instead of Andy. Sam laughs at Lleyton's reaction, then says, “Oh my God, Roddick. I knew you were jealous of Tommy’s camaraderie with Roger but you need to get a grip.”
“Maybe that’s involved but - back me up - Lleyton, you’ve been on edge lately and I thought you could use a nice night out. Tommy’s not exactly a bad catch.”
While this conversation is taking place, Andy Murray has a few orders and pins them in front of John in an attempt to avoid the conversation. No such luck. Sam says, “Let’s get an outsider’s opinion. Murray, you work with Tommy more often than the rest of us. Tell Roddick that fixing Tommy up with Lleyton is a recipe for trouble.”
“Andy is an idiot. Just when I think he’s said the stupidest thing possible, he manages to amaze me.” Andy Murray stares coldly at Sam. “Is that what you had in mind?”
Andy Roddick glances over his shoulder and says dismissively, “Thank you for that," then returns to the cooks, "Now seriously. I asked Tommy for his opinion and he’s willing to go along so it’s not so lame.” John has his order ready so he adds, "Think about it," and leaves before getting an answer.
When Roddick is gone, Sam asks Lleyton, "Why is it that he always asks you these type of things? Am I not worthy of being fixed up with Tommy?"
Lleyton offers, "Andy fears Marat will want me back."
Andy Murray adds, "Besides, everyone knows you're hooking up with John." Lleyton turns away from Sam to keep the cooks from seeing him laugh but it's useless.
Sam is not amused, blasting, "Are you fucking kidding me?! All of these lovely guys around here and you think the only guy I can get is him?" waving his hand up and down toward John. Andy watches Lleyton and, while he doesn't want to admit he wasn't quite kidding about Sam, Lleyton's reaction makes it worth Sam's wrath.
John keeps his attention on the home fries and burgers cooking but shakes his head and replies drolly, "I've never been so insulted in my life."
Sam glares at the cook who's completely ignoring him. "Hey! You should be honored, dammit. I'll have you know I could get a guy like that," snapping his fingers. "I don't need to beg... Murray, you tell Roddick that if he thinks so little of me, then our friendship is over."
Lleyton does a double take, then tries to remind Sam, "Roddick didn't say that. Murray did."
But Sam is off and running. "I mean, who brought Mario into our lives? Huh? The new evening cook that the evening shift swoons over? That was me bringing the eye candy!"
Andy rolls his eyes. "The guy who misses half his shifts due to mysterious illnesses? That's what you want to take credit for? The guy who charms his way out of trouble all the time?"
Lleyton adds, "All that proves is that you attract really really tall cooks," gesturing toward John. He sees that Sam is really getting annoyed so goes back to the subject, "So, you think the date with Tommy is a good idea?"
Sam seriously ponders that, then says, "You need to get laid, man. Desperately. Or else you'll turn into him," pointing to Andy.
John shrugs. "I don't really think this will help. Roddick needs to deal with his issues."
Sam chuckles. "Okay, Murray, you're the tiebreaker."
This time, Andy is looking right at Lleyton. There's something almost reminiscent of the night in the closet in Andy's eyes when he answers, “I think Andy is an idiot but if you really want to hook up with the chiseled body and bland charm of the German import, you should take advantage of the opportunity. Nobody's stopping you.”
Lleyton glares at Andy, trying to figure out what's going on. He's not quite sure which Andy is being called the idiot this time. As soon as the doors swing open and Roddick returns, however, Sam says immediately, "Two against one. He'll take the date."
* * * * *
A day later, Andy Roddick thought he'd be in a better mood after finding out Tommy and Lleyton agreed to have their date right after Lleyton's shift. He realizes that is not the case when he emerges from the kitchen at the end of his shift to find Roger and Tommy talking. Tommy is off so has taken the time to dress up and is sitting at the counter waiting. Judging by the fact Tommy is pointing to the newspaper and Roger is rearranging the desserts in the display, it's probably not a meaningful conversation. Even though Andy knows that, it doesn't help when he hears Roger laugh over something he can't understand.
Marat has his jacket on and is ready to go. Although they should be waiting for Roger, Marat notices the narrow glare Andy is aiming at the back of Roger's head and knows he needs to fix this before Roger sees him. He forcibly grabs Andy's arm and drags him toward the parking lot. Neither says anything until Marat pushes Andy into the back seat, then follows him in. "If I'd known you'd be so bent out of shape over Tommy, I never would have said anything."
"Don't even. I can see it. I'm not so gullible to believe something just because you said it. They..." he waves his hands in the air, trying to find the words, but nothing's there. Andy sighs, resigned to admitting, "He can easily replace me."
"Andy, no." Marat isn't used to dealing with Andy on an emotional level. This is usually Roger's department but he can adjust. Marat wraps an arm around Andy, pulling him into a hug. Andy buries his head under Marat's neck. "Don't even say that. As far as Roger is concerned, there is nothing. Roger doesn't talk about Tommy any more than he does about any of the other staff members. Well, outside of you and me, of course. It's as likely Roger will mention some lame headline Tommy found in a newspaper as he will about Novak's failed attempts at comedy. And it's not as if there's any reason to suddenly worry about Novak."
"You know how to ruin a moment," Andy says, then slowly raises his head so he's able to kiss Marat's shoulder. Andy's voice is barely above a whisper when he continues, "I don't know if that's true regarding Tommy but it's nice of you to try," as he trails kisses up along Marat's neck until he's just about at the jaw line.
Suddenly, Marat goes rigid as he sees something white blocking the window, followed by banging on the roof. Andy turns his head, squinting out before realizing it must be a coworker and opens the door, his body otherwise not breaking contact.
It's Sam. Normally, Sam would appear embarrassed to have caught them in such a moment but not this time. "Sorry to interrupt but Roger said you were still in the lot and you weren't answering..." He's getting two pairs of eyes impatiently glaring at him. "Right, so Novak just got a call from Mardy's mother." Andy pulls away from Marat, sure that there's going to be bad news next. "He was at an audition for a musical and there's this bit in the routine involving a staircase, in which he managed to mess up his ankle real good. He's getting an x-ray done right now but it's probably a fracture."
Chapter 7 - You Don't Know Me At All
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Andy Roddick/Marat Safin/Roger Federer, Mardy Fish/Juan Martin Del Potro, Lleyton Hewitt/Andy Murray
Other Players: Sam Querrey, John Isner, Tommy Haas
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This did not happen.
Summary: AU. ATP at a diner.
Chapter 6 - Blame it on the Rain
“It’s raining very hard out there,” Marat announces as he looks out the door. He heads to the kitchen, calling out, “Lleyton, are we having any more pecan pie today?”
Lleyton is rushing to prepare two pie crusts. “No. Out of pecans. Push the blueberry until I finish the apple spice and double banana cream.”
“Double?” Marat laughs. He forgot all about the double banana, so dubbed by Roddick for the mashed banana on the crust before the banana pudding-like mixture is poured on. “That will make for a very good afternoon of business. Are you trying out recipes before moving out of here?”
Marat walks away before getting a reply. Although he means it as a joke, he also knows that Lleyton had a meeting with Roger away from work two days ago. Roger, of course, wouldn't give details but Marat figures it's either one of two things: another court battle or the bakery idea has been revived.
While the crusts are cooking in the oven, Lleyton heads out of the kitchen to see what’s in the display case but finds himself mesmerized by the effects of the storm. Marat watches Lleyton shake his head then return his focus to the display, fidgeting with the presentation. In any case, Marat observes that there's something clearly different lately about the guy, a bounce to his step that can only be attributed to baking or romance.
Lleyton snaps his fingers to get Marat’s attention, then points to the door. A young guy is standing there, trying in vain to get the rain out of his eyes with his equally drenched slicker. “For one, por favor.”
Marat stares at the customer, seeming vaguely familiar but he can’t recognize him. “Okay then.”
”Is it okay to dry off in the bathroom first?”
Marat nods. “End of counter. I’ll leave you the second table from the door.”
The guy passes Andy Roddick, who has plates of food to deliver. The waiter does a 360 turn to get a better look before dropping them off, then heads to Marat and Lleyton, muttering, “Stupid audition.”
Lleyton looks at the guy, then the equally confused Marat. “What?”
"That’s the kid we’re not supposed to talk about to Mardy because he’ll blow our heads off. It's been two weeks and hadn't seen Juan Martin so I figured he wasn't worth the trouble. Clearly he went out of his way to make the trip, or else he wouldn’t be drenched, and the fucker is on an audition.”
“Really?” Marat watches the guy exit the bathroom, a bit drier but still difficult to identify. “You sure?”
“Bigger build than you, shy smile that appears when he thinks Mardy will show. Yeah, it’s him.”
Lleyton is seeing this guy for the first time so makes an assessment. “Not bad at all. Endearingly bashful, even.”
Andy shakes his head. “There has to be a reason for this visit.”
Marat slaps Andy upside the head. “Don’t you have other people’s lives to interfere with? He’ll see that Mardy’s not here and go on his way. No use dragging out a drama Mardy clearly doesn't want.”
Lleyton chimes in, “You know, when I was growing up, defending someone wasn’t usually a good reason to get ignored like this.”
Andy ignores Lleyton, replying to Marat, "I guess you're right. Mardy wants nothing to do with him so I should stay out of it."
* * * * *
Andy probably gave in so easily to Marat's request because he did have someone else’s life to interfere with. Namely, Lleyton's.
“What do you think of Tommy?” Andy asks him a short time later, as he waits for John to finish an order.
Lleyton shrugs as he assembles the double banana cream pie. “He’s nice. Why?”
“Just that I was thinking… You and Tommy would make a good couple.”
Lleyton stops what he's doing, backing away from his task as if it was the pie that burned him instead of Andy. Sam laughs at Lleyton's reaction, then says, “Oh my God, Roddick. I knew you were jealous of Tommy’s camaraderie with Roger but you need to get a grip.”
“Maybe that’s involved but - back me up - Lleyton, you’ve been on edge lately and I thought you could use a nice night out. Tommy’s not exactly a bad catch.”
While this conversation is taking place, Andy Murray has a few orders and pins them in front of John in an attempt to avoid the conversation. No such luck. Sam says, “Let’s get an outsider’s opinion. Murray, you work with Tommy more often than the rest of us. Tell Roddick that fixing Tommy up with Lleyton is a recipe for trouble.”
“Andy is an idiot. Just when I think he’s said the stupidest thing possible, he manages to amaze me.” Andy Murray stares coldly at Sam. “Is that what you had in mind?”
Andy Roddick glances over his shoulder and says dismissively, “Thank you for that," then returns to the cooks, "Now seriously. I asked Tommy for his opinion and he’s willing to go along so it’s not so lame.” John has his order ready so he adds, "Think about it," and leaves before getting an answer.
When Roddick is gone, Sam asks Lleyton, "Why is it that he always asks you these type of things? Am I not worthy of being fixed up with Tommy?"
Lleyton offers, "Andy fears Marat will want me back."
Andy Murray adds, "Besides, everyone knows you're hooking up with John." Lleyton turns away from Sam to keep the cooks from seeing him laugh but it's useless.
Sam is not amused, blasting, "Are you fucking kidding me?! All of these lovely guys around here and you think the only guy I can get is him?" waving his hand up and down toward John. Andy watches Lleyton and, while he doesn't want to admit he wasn't quite kidding about Sam, Lleyton's reaction makes it worth Sam's wrath.
John keeps his attention on the home fries and burgers cooking but shakes his head and replies drolly, "I've never been so insulted in my life."
Sam glares at the cook who's completely ignoring him. "Hey! You should be honored, dammit. I'll have you know I could get a guy like that," snapping his fingers. "I don't need to beg... Murray, you tell Roddick that if he thinks so little of me, then our friendship is over."
Lleyton does a double take, then tries to remind Sam, "Roddick didn't say that. Murray did."
But Sam is off and running. "I mean, who brought Mario into our lives? Huh? The new evening cook that the evening shift swoons over? That was me bringing the eye candy!"
Andy rolls his eyes. "The guy who misses half his shifts due to mysterious illnesses? That's what you want to take credit for? The guy who charms his way out of trouble all the time?"
Lleyton adds, "All that proves is that you attract really really tall cooks," gesturing toward John. He sees that Sam is really getting annoyed so goes back to the subject, "So, you think the date with Tommy is a good idea?"
Sam seriously ponders that, then says, "You need to get laid, man. Desperately. Or else you'll turn into him," pointing to Andy.
John shrugs. "I don't really think this will help. Roddick needs to deal with his issues."
Sam chuckles. "Okay, Murray, you're the tiebreaker."
This time, Andy is looking right at Lleyton. There's something almost reminiscent of the night in the closet in Andy's eyes when he answers, “I think Andy is an idiot but if you really want to hook up with the chiseled body and bland charm of the German import, you should take advantage of the opportunity. Nobody's stopping you.”
Lleyton glares at Andy, trying to figure out what's going on. He's not quite sure which Andy is being called the idiot this time. As soon as the doors swing open and Roddick returns, however, Sam says immediately, "Two against one. He'll take the date."
* * * * *
A day later, Andy Roddick thought he'd be in a better mood after finding out Tommy and Lleyton agreed to have their date right after Lleyton's shift. He realizes that is not the case when he emerges from the kitchen at the end of his shift to find Roger and Tommy talking. Tommy is off so has taken the time to dress up and is sitting at the counter waiting. Judging by the fact Tommy is pointing to the newspaper and Roger is rearranging the desserts in the display, it's probably not a meaningful conversation. Even though Andy knows that, it doesn't help when he hears Roger laugh over something he can't understand.
Marat has his jacket on and is ready to go. Although they should be waiting for Roger, Marat notices the narrow glare Andy is aiming at the back of Roger's head and knows he needs to fix this before Roger sees him. He forcibly grabs Andy's arm and drags him toward the parking lot. Neither says anything until Marat pushes Andy into the back seat, then follows him in. "If I'd known you'd be so bent out of shape over Tommy, I never would have said anything."
"Don't even. I can see it. I'm not so gullible to believe something just because you said it. They..." he waves his hands in the air, trying to find the words, but nothing's there. Andy sighs, resigned to admitting, "He can easily replace me."
"Andy, no." Marat isn't used to dealing with Andy on an emotional level. This is usually Roger's department but he can adjust. Marat wraps an arm around Andy, pulling him into a hug. Andy buries his head under Marat's neck. "Don't even say that. As far as Roger is concerned, there is nothing. Roger doesn't talk about Tommy any more than he does about any of the other staff members. Well, outside of you and me, of course. It's as likely Roger will mention some lame headline Tommy found in a newspaper as he will about Novak's failed attempts at comedy. And it's not as if there's any reason to suddenly worry about Novak."
"You know how to ruin a moment," Andy says, then slowly raises his head so he's able to kiss Marat's shoulder. Andy's voice is barely above a whisper when he continues, "I don't know if that's true regarding Tommy but it's nice of you to try," as he trails kisses up along Marat's neck until he's just about at the jaw line.
Suddenly, Marat goes rigid as he sees something white blocking the window, followed by banging on the roof. Andy turns his head, squinting out before realizing it must be a coworker and opens the door, his body otherwise not breaking contact.
It's Sam. Normally, Sam would appear embarrassed to have caught them in such a moment but not this time. "Sorry to interrupt but Roger said you were still in the lot and you weren't answering..." He's getting two pairs of eyes impatiently glaring at him. "Right, so Novak just got a call from Mardy's mother." Andy pulls away from Marat, sure that there's going to be bad news next. "He was at an audition for a musical and there's this bit in the routine involving a staircase, in which he managed to mess up his ankle real good. He's getting an x-ray done right now but it's probably a fracture."
Chapter 7 - You Don't Know Me At All