Fic: Tennisslash: 24 Hours (Happy Birthday Flamy!)
Title: 24 Hours
Characters: Novak Djokovic/Ernests Gulbis
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Er, a few allusions to something with a higher rating?
Disclaimer: It's all FICTION, and furthermore, not mine.
Summary: 24 moments across the life of Nole and Ernie.
Author's note: For flamyshine's birthday! HAPPY (belated now, sorry!) BIRTHDAY FLAMY!!!! <3 <3 <3 It's only a short fic with your OTP and can't possibly even begin to make up my pile of Flamy-debt, but I hope you like it. :D *SUPERHUGS*
1 AM: Nole and Ernie stand outside on the balcony, looking up at the stars. The sky is the darkest blue, and clouds flit across their view, wispy grey. It's beautiful.
"That one reminds me of you," Ernie says, pointing to a star bright and twinkling out over the horizon. Novak kisses him, wrapping an arm around Ernie to turn him so they're both looking straight up into the wide expanse of the nighttime sky, filled with countless stars.
"This, all this," Novak whispers into Ernie's ear, sweeping his arm as though to embrace the heavens, "reminds me of you."
2 AM: Novak steps into the locker room and he's crushed into a hug by Ernie. "You won!! Congratulations Novak, you played great!" Novak smiles widely at his boyfriend.
"Thanks Ernie, you really didn't have to wait so late for me to finish, you know."
"I wanted to." Ernie wrinkles his nose. "Although now I have your sweat all over me, so maybe it wasn't that great of an idea."
Novak laughs and drags Ernie deeper into the locker room. "You'll just have to shower with me then."
3 AM: Novak kisses Ernie softly as they lay entwined on the bed. Ernie cuddles deeper into Novak's arms and they both drift off to sleep under the covers.
4 AM: Ernie tosses and turns restlessly before his eyes finally snap open, awake. He frowns as he realizes the space next to him on the bed is empty. The sound of running water catches his attention, and he sees the light on the bathroom is on. Novak steps out of the bathroom, switching the light off. "Sorry Ernie, just had to go to the bathroom. Go back to sleep" Novak says as he slips back into bed. Ernie relaxes and closes his eyes again, a small smile on his lips as he listens to Novak's even breathing.
5 AM: Novak groans as he pushed his cart through the almost empty terminal. "Why do flights have to be so early?" Ernie shrugs, draped across his own cart as he staggers forward, looking very much like he could fall asleep on it at any moment. Novak thinks he's completely adorable. "Probably they just think our lives are too easy and want to torture us with plane rides," Ernie responds, yawning.
6 AM: "Wake up, Novak," Ernie says, poking Novak in this side. Novak rolls away, hidden under the covers. "We have practice at 8, you have to get up now." Novak doesn't respond. Ernie rolls his eyes. "NOVAK, MARIAN IS HERE!" he yells, and Novak jumps out of bed like he's been scalded, looking around wildly.
7 AM: Novak and Ernie are sitting together, eating breakfast. Novak feeds Ernie a piece of fruit.
Fake gagging noises come from behind them. "You two are soooo lovey dovey, I can barely stand it this early in the morning." Richie and Andy Roddick sit together at the table behind them, teasing.
Novak sticks his tongue out and stares pointedly at Richie and Andy's hands on the table. "Says the couple holding hands."
8 AM: Novak bounces the ball, once, twice, three times, before lining up to serve. Smack. His hitting partner for the day returns down the line and Novak tries, again, to flick the forehand slice into the opposite corner. It smashes into the net and Novak shakes his head, frustrated. It feels like the thousandth time he's failed at that shot at today's practice.
Novak takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. Think positive, he tells himself. You can do this.
Ernie's face swims into Nole's head as he serves, his smile encouraging.
Nole's shot paints the line. Winner.
Thank you, Ernie.
9 AM: Novak and Ernie walk down the streets, knuckles brushing. It's nice to just enjoy the city together, fade into the crowd and become another couple of tourists in the throng of people. Sometimes in all the tennis it's easy to miss everything that's passing by, too quickly. Novak and Ernie slip onto a cobbled side street, sharing a quick kiss under a stone stairwell.
And then, Ernie thinks, you remember again.
10 AM: Ernie gets ready to play his match, waiting for the announcer to call his name so he can step out onto the court. He's nervous but he's happy. It'll be the biggest court he's ever played on, but he's got nothing to lose and everything to gain. He's young and unknown and there's a rising old friend out there, watching maybe, that Ernie has something to prove to. He's going to win. For Novak.
11 AM: Novak waves frantically over at Ernie, one finger over his lips in a signal of silnce. Confused, Ernie approaches Novak, ready to whisper a question- namely, "What the hell are you doing?" in his boyfriend's ear. He doesn't get the chance, however, as Novak drags him to hide behind a row of lockers.
"Shhhhhhh! He's coming!" Ernie peeks around the corner to see Janko Tipsarevic walking unsuspecting over to his locker. Novak's practically vibrating with suppressed excitement. The second Janko touches the locker, the door springs open, almost hitting him in the chin, and a flood of women's lingerie starts pouring out around Janko's feet. Nole bursts into laughter, leaning against Ernie as he tries to breathe in between giggles.
"NOVAK!" Janko yells as he holds up a bright pink thong.
"Uh oh, time to run," Novak grabs Ernie's hand and leads him sprinting through a maze of lockers, laughing all the way.
"Novak?"
"Yes Ernie?"
"Where did you get all that lingerie?"
"Well, let's just say I'm going to have to avoid Ana and Jelena for a couple of days... or months."
12 PM: Ernie sniffs the air appreciatively as he comes down the steps, following the rich aroma into the kitchen. "Are you making pasta? It smells so good."
Novak turns around, posing with his sauce covered spatula. "I'm glad you appreciate my amazing cooking skills."
"Of course- after tennis you could become a professional chef!"
"You just want food," Novak says, kissing Ernie on the cheek.
"Well, that too."
1 PM: After the 10th drop shot Ernie points his racquet accusingly across the net at Novak.
"You've been playing with Murray!" Nole looks confused.
"Er, yeah, he's my friend and we do have to play each other pretty frequently..."
"You've been driving me crazy, I swear you've been playing like Santoro today, with all the lobs and slices and drop shots!" Ernie complains.
"And you, dear," Nole says as he walks to the net and slings an arm over Ernie's shoulders, "have been spending way too much time with Marat if you just said that." Ernie claps a hand to his mouth in horror.
2 PM: Ernie and Nole stroll through the secluded woods together quietly, listening to the birds singing and the sunlight filtering in through the trees. "Let's have our picnic over there," Ernie says, pointing to a grassy clearing. They spread the blanket across the ground and start packing their basket of food.
"You brought strawberries?" Nole asks, holding up a container. "Yes, for our dessert."
"In that case," Nole responds, pushing Ernie onto the blanket, "I think I want to have dessert first."
3 PM: Novak looks anxiously at Ernie. "Are all your racquets strung?"
"Yes, Nole, I sent them out yesterday."
"Do you need extra wristbands? I have a lot so-"
"Nole, I've packed my bag, I have everything I need."
"What about-"
"I have my drink mixes and my spare shirts."
"Oh. Good."
"Novak, I'm only going to the tournament site to play my match, and I really need to get going now."
"I know, but what if those crazy drivers from Tursunov's blog are still around?"
"Think of it this way, I'll get there faster and I'll be back here with you faster as well, Nole."
4 PM: "Come into the water Nole, it's really nice!"
Novak makes his way gingerly into the sea water, wincing at the cold at every step. "Ernie the water's fre- fre- freezing!"
"Oh, you'll get used to it soon, you just have to move around."
Novak's about to nerve himself to lower his stomach into the water when he's splashed with what feels like a huge wave of water. Ernie is laughing, getting ready to splash him with more water. "You're taking too long," Ernests says, and splashes him again. Novak lunges forward and in a few seconds they're in an all out water war.
5 PM: Ernie carries the steaming bowl of soup into the bedroom, setting it down carefully on the nightstand. "Hey Nole, I brought you some soup. How are you feeling?"
Novak sits up slowly, huddled in blankets. "Ugh, a little better," he says hoarsely. He gives Ernie a weak smile. "Thanks for the soup."
"Here, sit back, I'll hold the bowl for you," Ernie says as he sits next to Novak on the bed, smoothing his hair away from his face.
6 PM: Nole tugs his suit jacket straight as they walk into the theatre, looking up in awe at the vaulted ceiling lined in gold, the red velvet curtains and seats.
"Good evening gentleman, may I see your tickets? Ah, you're in the second row. Enjoy, the show is about to start."
Ernie leans over to whisper in Novak's ear as the curtain rises over the stage. "The opening sequence..."
7 PM: Novak and Ernie knock on the hotel room door. Rafa opens it, greeting them, "Hola Novak, Hola Ernests, glad you could make it." They wave to Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet as they walk in, though the two are too intent on their game to do any more than nod briefly.
"So who else did you invite tonight Rafa?"
"Oh, just us and a couple of other people."
"No Roger?" Novak teased.
"Roger is too old to play video games, no? I mean, he has kids. In a couple of years they'll be the ones playing video games." They shudder.
"I'm glad I'm young," Novak says, picking up a controller.
+"I don't know Nole, to me you seem pretty old already ahahaha," Ernie tells his boyfriend.
8 PM: Novak is sipping at his drink, chatting with all the people he knows and the people who want his attention at the player party. He dutifully answers some questions from the press. When he sees Ernie waving at him from across the room, however, he breaks off his conversation and weaves over to join Ernie in a more secluded corner. "Ernie!" Nole greets him with a hug.
9 PM: The club music is pounding in their ears, strobe lights flashing. At some point Novak had ripped off his shirt and now it's hanging around Ernie's neck as they dance, enthusiastically if not well. Ernie wraps an arm around Novak's naked torso, watching the spiky head bob in the flashes of color.
10 PM: Ernie and Novak lay in the beds of their shared room at Pilic's academy.
"Nole?" Ernie calls out suddenly in the dark of their room.
"Yes, Ernie?"
"Do you think we'll ever make it? Really make it, I mean, on the pro tour, at the Slams?"
"Yeah Ernie," Nole says as he finds Ernie's hand and holds it. "I really think we will."
11 PM: "I want to see one of your impersonations." Ernie's earlier request echoes through Novak's thoughts as he wins the match. He scans the crowd, finding the head of curly hair that had promised to be there. He winks. If Ernie wants an impersonation, that's what he's going to get. Novak looks up at John McEnroe in the commentators’ booth...
12 PM: "5 ... 4... 3... 2... 1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The voices around them all shout, the noise of fireworks starting and confetti streaming from the sky. Novak and Ernie kiss as the New Year dawns, hugging each other tightly.
"I love you, Ernie."
"I love you too, Nole."
End.
Characters: Novak Djokovic/Ernests Gulbis
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Er, a few allusions to something with a higher rating?
Disclaimer: It's all FICTION, and furthermore, not mine.
Summary: 24 moments across the life of Nole and Ernie.
Author's note: For flamyshine's birthday! HAPPY (belated now, sorry!) BIRTHDAY FLAMY!!!! <3 <3 <3 It's only a short fic with your OTP and can't possibly even begin to make up my pile of Flamy-debt, but I hope you like it. :D *SUPERHUGS*
1 AM: Nole and Ernie stand outside on the balcony, looking up at the stars. The sky is the darkest blue, and clouds flit across their view, wispy grey. It's beautiful.
"That one reminds me of you," Ernie says, pointing to a star bright and twinkling out over the horizon. Novak kisses him, wrapping an arm around Ernie to turn him so they're both looking straight up into the wide expanse of the nighttime sky, filled with countless stars.
"This, all this," Novak whispers into Ernie's ear, sweeping his arm as though to embrace the heavens, "reminds me of you."
2 AM: Novak steps into the locker room and he's crushed into a hug by Ernie. "You won!! Congratulations Novak, you played great!" Novak smiles widely at his boyfriend.
"Thanks Ernie, you really didn't have to wait so late for me to finish, you know."
"I wanted to." Ernie wrinkles his nose. "Although now I have your sweat all over me, so maybe it wasn't that great of an idea."
Novak laughs and drags Ernie deeper into the locker room. "You'll just have to shower with me then."
3 AM: Novak kisses Ernie softly as they lay entwined on the bed. Ernie cuddles deeper into Novak's arms and they both drift off to sleep under the covers.
4 AM: Ernie tosses and turns restlessly before his eyes finally snap open, awake. He frowns as he realizes the space next to him on the bed is empty. The sound of running water catches his attention, and he sees the light on the bathroom is on. Novak steps out of the bathroom, switching the light off. "Sorry Ernie, just had to go to the bathroom. Go back to sleep" Novak says as he slips back into bed. Ernie relaxes and closes his eyes again, a small smile on his lips as he listens to Novak's even breathing.
5 AM: Novak groans as he pushed his cart through the almost empty terminal. "Why do flights have to be so early?" Ernie shrugs, draped across his own cart as he staggers forward, looking very much like he could fall asleep on it at any moment. Novak thinks he's completely adorable. "Probably they just think our lives are too easy and want to torture us with plane rides," Ernie responds, yawning.
6 AM: "Wake up, Novak," Ernie says, poking Novak in this side. Novak rolls away, hidden under the covers. "We have practice at 8, you have to get up now." Novak doesn't respond. Ernie rolls his eyes. "NOVAK, MARIAN IS HERE!" he yells, and Novak jumps out of bed like he's been scalded, looking around wildly.
7 AM: Novak and Ernie are sitting together, eating breakfast. Novak feeds Ernie a piece of fruit.
Fake gagging noises come from behind them. "You two are soooo lovey dovey, I can barely stand it this early in the morning." Richie and Andy Roddick sit together at the table behind them, teasing.
Novak sticks his tongue out and stares pointedly at Richie and Andy's hands on the table. "Says the couple holding hands."
8 AM: Novak bounces the ball, once, twice, three times, before lining up to serve. Smack. His hitting partner for the day returns down the line and Novak tries, again, to flick the forehand slice into the opposite corner. It smashes into the net and Novak shakes his head, frustrated. It feels like the thousandth time he's failed at that shot at today's practice.
Novak takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. Think positive, he tells himself. You can do this.
Ernie's face swims into Nole's head as he serves, his smile encouraging.
Nole's shot paints the line. Winner.
Thank you, Ernie.
9 AM: Novak and Ernie walk down the streets, knuckles brushing. It's nice to just enjoy the city together, fade into the crowd and become another couple of tourists in the throng of people. Sometimes in all the tennis it's easy to miss everything that's passing by, too quickly. Novak and Ernie slip onto a cobbled side street, sharing a quick kiss under a stone stairwell.
And then, Ernie thinks, you remember again.
10 AM: Ernie gets ready to play his match, waiting for the announcer to call his name so he can step out onto the court. He's nervous but he's happy. It'll be the biggest court he's ever played on, but he's got nothing to lose and everything to gain. He's young and unknown and there's a rising old friend out there, watching maybe, that Ernie has something to prove to. He's going to win. For Novak.
11 AM: Novak waves frantically over at Ernie, one finger over his lips in a signal of silnce. Confused, Ernie approaches Novak, ready to whisper a question- namely, "What the hell are you doing?" in his boyfriend's ear. He doesn't get the chance, however, as Novak drags him to hide behind a row of lockers.
"Shhhhhhh! He's coming!" Ernie peeks around the corner to see Janko Tipsarevic walking unsuspecting over to his locker. Novak's practically vibrating with suppressed excitement. The second Janko touches the locker, the door springs open, almost hitting him in the chin, and a flood of women's lingerie starts pouring out around Janko's feet. Nole bursts into laughter, leaning against Ernie as he tries to breathe in between giggles.
"NOVAK!" Janko yells as he holds up a bright pink thong.
"Uh oh, time to run," Novak grabs Ernie's hand and leads him sprinting through a maze of lockers, laughing all the way.
"Novak?"
"Yes Ernie?"
"Where did you get all that lingerie?"
"Well, let's just say I'm going to have to avoid Ana and Jelena for a couple of days... or months."
12 PM: Ernie sniffs the air appreciatively as he comes down the steps, following the rich aroma into the kitchen. "Are you making pasta? It smells so good."
Novak turns around, posing with his sauce covered spatula. "I'm glad you appreciate my amazing cooking skills."
"Of course- after tennis you could become a professional chef!"
"You just want food," Novak says, kissing Ernie on the cheek.
"Well, that too."
1 PM: After the 10th drop shot Ernie points his racquet accusingly across the net at Novak.
"You've been playing with Murray!" Nole looks confused.
"Er, yeah, he's my friend and we do have to play each other pretty frequently..."
"You've been driving me crazy, I swear you've been playing like Santoro today, with all the lobs and slices and drop shots!" Ernie complains.
"And you, dear," Nole says as he walks to the net and slings an arm over Ernie's shoulders, "have been spending way too much time with Marat if you just said that." Ernie claps a hand to his mouth in horror.
2 PM: Ernie and Nole stroll through the secluded woods together quietly, listening to the birds singing and the sunlight filtering in through the trees. "Let's have our picnic over there," Ernie says, pointing to a grassy clearing. They spread the blanket across the ground and start packing their basket of food.
"You brought strawberries?" Nole asks, holding up a container. "Yes, for our dessert."
"In that case," Nole responds, pushing Ernie onto the blanket, "I think I want to have dessert first."
3 PM: Novak looks anxiously at Ernie. "Are all your racquets strung?"
"Yes, Nole, I sent them out yesterday."
"Do you need extra wristbands? I have a lot so-"
"Nole, I've packed my bag, I have everything I need."
"What about-"
"I have my drink mixes and my spare shirts."
"Oh. Good."
"Novak, I'm only going to the tournament site to play my match, and I really need to get going now."
"I know, but what if those crazy drivers from Tursunov's blog are still around?"
"Think of it this way, I'll get there faster and I'll be back here with you faster as well, Nole."
4 PM: "Come into the water Nole, it's really nice!"
Novak makes his way gingerly into the sea water, wincing at the cold at every step. "Ernie the water's fre- fre- freezing!"
"Oh, you'll get used to it soon, you just have to move around."
Novak's about to nerve himself to lower his stomach into the water when he's splashed with what feels like a huge wave of water. Ernie is laughing, getting ready to splash him with more water. "You're taking too long," Ernests says, and splashes him again. Novak lunges forward and in a few seconds they're in an all out water war.
5 PM: Ernie carries the steaming bowl of soup into the bedroom, setting it down carefully on the nightstand. "Hey Nole, I brought you some soup. How are you feeling?"
Novak sits up slowly, huddled in blankets. "Ugh, a little better," he says hoarsely. He gives Ernie a weak smile. "Thanks for the soup."
"Here, sit back, I'll hold the bowl for you," Ernie says as he sits next to Novak on the bed, smoothing his hair away from his face.
6 PM: Nole tugs his suit jacket straight as they walk into the theatre, looking up in awe at the vaulted ceiling lined in gold, the red velvet curtains and seats.
"Good evening gentleman, may I see your tickets? Ah, you're in the second row. Enjoy, the show is about to start."
Ernie leans over to whisper in Novak's ear as the curtain rises over the stage. "The opening sequence..."
7 PM: Novak and Ernie knock on the hotel room door. Rafa opens it, greeting them, "Hola Novak, Hola Ernests, glad you could make it." They wave to Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet as they walk in, though the two are too intent on their game to do any more than nod briefly.
"So who else did you invite tonight Rafa?"
"Oh, just us and a couple of other people."
"No Roger?" Novak teased.
"Roger is too old to play video games, no? I mean, he has kids. In a couple of years they'll be the ones playing video games." They shudder.
"I'm glad I'm young," Novak says, picking up a controller.
+"I don't know Nole, to me you seem pretty old already ahahaha," Ernie tells his boyfriend.
8 PM: Novak is sipping at his drink, chatting with all the people he knows and the people who want his attention at the player party. He dutifully answers some questions from the press. When he sees Ernie waving at him from across the room, however, he breaks off his conversation and weaves over to join Ernie in a more secluded corner. "Ernie!" Nole greets him with a hug.
9 PM: The club music is pounding in their ears, strobe lights flashing. At some point Novak had ripped off his shirt and now it's hanging around Ernie's neck as they dance, enthusiastically if not well. Ernie wraps an arm around Novak's naked torso, watching the spiky head bob in the flashes of color.
10 PM: Ernie and Novak lay in the beds of their shared room at Pilic's academy.
"Nole?" Ernie calls out suddenly in the dark of their room.
"Yes, Ernie?"
"Do you think we'll ever make it? Really make it, I mean, on the pro tour, at the Slams?"
"Yeah Ernie," Nole says as he finds Ernie's hand and holds it. "I really think we will."
11 PM: "I want to see one of your impersonations." Ernie's earlier request echoes through Novak's thoughts as he wins the match. He scans the crowd, finding the head of curly hair that had promised to be there. He winks. If Ernie wants an impersonation, that's what he's going to get. Novak looks up at John McEnroe in the commentators’ booth...
12 PM: "5 ... 4... 3... 2... 1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The voices around them all shout, the noise of fireworks starting and confetti streaming from the sky. Novak and Ernie kiss as the New Year dawns, hugging each other tightly.
"I love you, Ernie."
"I love you too, Nole."
End.