tennis slash - Consolation Prize
Title: Consolation Prize
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Tim Henman/Andy Roddick; Carlos Moya
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: They’re not mine. This did not happen.
Notes: Takes place sometime in the first week of the US Open. I had wanted to do something involving Henman during Wimbledon but it’s tough to write about someone who’s happily married. This is how I worked around that one.
“How do you feel about your career being nearly over?”
Tim had been hearing the question numerous times since arriving in New York but it doesn’t feel as annoying when it’s Carlos asking. Maybe because they’ve known each other for so long. That, until his recent success, Carlos had been hearing murmurs of retiring himself.
“It probably won’t hit me until Davis Cup.”
Carlos chuckles. “I hope I’m able to script an ending as fitting. The home crowd able to cheer you off the court. In your case, you might even be able to leave the court a winner, which is even more rare.”
“I won’t miss the pain,” Tim mutters, the twinge in his back a painful reminder of why he was leaving the sport now. “But I’ll miss the other players.”
Carlos grins. “Any player in particular?”
Tim collapses back on the lounge chair. He wishes he could give the real answer to that question but it’s simply not possible even at this time. “Always the gossip.”
“Actually, Rafa suggested getting you a player. After all, everyone’s here in New York. It’s much easier to celebrate here than when you return to England.”
“Getting me a player? What does that even mean?”
“You can have fun with the player of your choice. I see the way you look at Rafa and me as well as other couples…”
“I am not jealous of that. I have Lucy and…”
“Of course. I’m not suggesting anything to jeopardize your marriage. It would be more like a visit to a strip club. Or the more prudish such as yourself, maybe just a dinner date with the player of your choice. Since Rafa is charismatic enough to get anyone to agree, even Roger would be available.”
Tim rolls his eyes at the Rafa part but has to laugh at the last bit. “Okay. But not Roger. He’s a friend and that would be too awkward.”
“But you like the idea?”
He reluctantly says, “Sure.”
* * * * *
Tim is perfectly aware of who he really wants but he can’t say that nor can think of a suitable alternative. Carlos insists he knows what to do and assures him that it will happen tonight.
So when he is approached at dinner by Maria Sharapova, Tim is already plotting ways to torture Carlos. He briefly considers kidnapping Rafa and leaving a ransom note. That was, until she said she was simply escorting him to the destination.
Alone at the bar is Andy Roddick. Tim decides to not ruin the mood to say that Carlos made a mistake. At least now he was sure that Carlos wasn’t evil, just mistaken.
“I admit I was surprised when I was approached by Rafa about this. I never thought you thought of me that way.”
Tim looks over Andy’s shoulder to see several players watching them with curiosity. It’s as if they all know why Andy is here, which he wouldn’t doubt because Rafa can’t keep his mouth shut. “Let’s get out of here.”
They decide to head to Andy’s hotel room because he’s staying at a closer spot. Even though neither will explicitly say so, it’s turning into more than a simple dinner date with every minute. After all, one doesn’t suggest a hotel room unless there’s more on both their minds.
When they reach the room, Tim doesn’t even get a chance to dodge items on the ground when Andy gets the door shut and pushes him against it.
“Look, Andy, you don’t have to do this just because Rafa said so.”
“No, you earned this.” He leans in and whispers in Tim’s ear, “If this goes too far, let me know cos I don’t want to cause problems…”
Tim doesn’t hear the words because he’s too busy paying attention to the hot breath on his ear and the faint scent of cologne. Before he even realizes what he’s doing, Tim moves Andy’s head back so they’re now face-to-face and kisses him.
Andy smiles against his mouth and moves his hands to Tim’s hips. The kisses are slow and lingering, in contrast to the heat emanating though lightweight button-down shirts and jeans.
While Tim knows Andy is not the one he wants, it doesn’t matter when he’s such a good kisser. He could pretend it’s someone else but the American really is a catch so he keeps his eyes open. Especially when Andy’s hands move off him to his own shirt and he starts unbuttoning.
Tim leans against the door, breaking from the kiss long enough to watch Andy. He doesn’t remember ever paying attention to Andy in the locker room but there’s a nice physique hidden under the too-big shirts he favors on the court. The shirt ends up on the ground, revealing muscular arms.
He lets his eyes wander down, past a lean torso stopping at the button of his jeans. At that point, he shuts his eyes. Everything he cares about would get thrown away if he let this get out of hand. Even if Lucy never found out, it's a guilt he’d have to deal with for the rest of his life. If it was Carlos, he could deal with it but he doesn’t know if he wants that risk from a meaningless encounter.
Andy senses his hesitation and stops moving. “I know you gave in because Rafa and Carlos were so excited about the idea but you don’t have to do anything.”
“It’s not that…”
“It’s Carlos. He’s a blind idiot. He’s got this renewed youthful spirit ever since he’s been with Rafa. It certainly hasn’t hurt his game.”
He wishes Andy was wrong but that’s exactly how it is. Carlos hasn’t been this happy in years and he couldn’t take the reaction if he admitted his feelings.
“If you knew, why did you agree?”
“It sounded amusing. I wondered what you’d do when I appeared. I was picturing a Hugh Grant with the prostitute moment. I’m glad you weren’t a stammering idiot.”
Tim murmurs, “The Brits aren’t exactly thrilled about that particular stereotype.” But the prostitute part leaves a sickening feeling. “Were you paid to be here?”
“No, I simply agreed. You have no idea how many of the guys were hoping you’d choose them. Let’s just say that Lleyton was very upset with the pick. He was willing to throw money around but Rafa doesn’t like the guy enough to screw you over.”
“They consider me unattainable?”
“Yup, you’re like the Roger of the dating pool, absolutely beyond their reach.” Andy frowns, realizing how much that was true. “Look, you can stay here so everyone thinks this was a victory. We can fall asleep to the movie marathon.” He grabs a t-shirt from the clutter and quickly puts it on before settling on the bed with the remote.
It takes a few minutes but Tim finally peels himself from the door and joins Andy on the bed. He’s able to relax to the mindless action movie, somewhat satisfied with getting this consolation prize.
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairings: Tim Henman/Andy Roddick; Carlos Moya
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: They’re not mine. This did not happen.
Notes: Takes place sometime in the first week of the US Open. I had wanted to do something involving Henman during Wimbledon but it’s tough to write about someone who’s happily married. This is how I worked around that one.
“How do you feel about your career being nearly over?”
Tim had been hearing the question numerous times since arriving in New York but it doesn’t feel as annoying when it’s Carlos asking. Maybe because they’ve known each other for so long. That, until his recent success, Carlos had been hearing murmurs of retiring himself.
“It probably won’t hit me until Davis Cup.”
Carlos chuckles. “I hope I’m able to script an ending as fitting. The home crowd able to cheer you off the court. In your case, you might even be able to leave the court a winner, which is even more rare.”
“I won’t miss the pain,” Tim mutters, the twinge in his back a painful reminder of why he was leaving the sport now. “But I’ll miss the other players.”
Carlos grins. “Any player in particular?”
Tim collapses back on the lounge chair. He wishes he could give the real answer to that question but it’s simply not possible even at this time. “Always the gossip.”
“Actually, Rafa suggested getting you a player. After all, everyone’s here in New York. It’s much easier to celebrate here than when you return to England.”
“Getting me a player? What does that even mean?”
“You can have fun with the player of your choice. I see the way you look at Rafa and me as well as other couples…”
“I am not jealous of that. I have Lucy and…”
“Of course. I’m not suggesting anything to jeopardize your marriage. It would be more like a visit to a strip club. Or the more prudish such as yourself, maybe just a dinner date with the player of your choice. Since Rafa is charismatic enough to get anyone to agree, even Roger would be available.”
Tim rolls his eyes at the Rafa part but has to laugh at the last bit. “Okay. But not Roger. He’s a friend and that would be too awkward.”
“But you like the idea?”
He reluctantly says, “Sure.”
* * * * *
Tim is perfectly aware of who he really wants but he can’t say that nor can think of a suitable alternative. Carlos insists he knows what to do and assures him that it will happen tonight.
So when he is approached at dinner by Maria Sharapova, Tim is already plotting ways to torture Carlos. He briefly considers kidnapping Rafa and leaving a ransom note. That was, until she said she was simply escorting him to the destination.
Alone at the bar is Andy Roddick. Tim decides to not ruin the mood to say that Carlos made a mistake. At least now he was sure that Carlos wasn’t evil, just mistaken.
“I admit I was surprised when I was approached by Rafa about this. I never thought you thought of me that way.”
Tim looks over Andy’s shoulder to see several players watching them with curiosity. It’s as if they all know why Andy is here, which he wouldn’t doubt because Rafa can’t keep his mouth shut. “Let’s get out of here.”
They decide to head to Andy’s hotel room because he’s staying at a closer spot. Even though neither will explicitly say so, it’s turning into more than a simple dinner date with every minute. After all, one doesn’t suggest a hotel room unless there’s more on both their minds.
When they reach the room, Tim doesn’t even get a chance to dodge items on the ground when Andy gets the door shut and pushes him against it.
“Look, Andy, you don’t have to do this just because Rafa said so.”
“No, you earned this.” He leans in and whispers in Tim’s ear, “If this goes too far, let me know cos I don’t want to cause problems…”
Tim doesn’t hear the words because he’s too busy paying attention to the hot breath on his ear and the faint scent of cologne. Before he even realizes what he’s doing, Tim moves Andy’s head back so they’re now face-to-face and kisses him.
Andy smiles against his mouth and moves his hands to Tim’s hips. The kisses are slow and lingering, in contrast to the heat emanating though lightweight button-down shirts and jeans.
While Tim knows Andy is not the one he wants, it doesn’t matter when he’s such a good kisser. He could pretend it’s someone else but the American really is a catch so he keeps his eyes open. Especially when Andy’s hands move off him to his own shirt and he starts unbuttoning.
Tim leans against the door, breaking from the kiss long enough to watch Andy. He doesn’t remember ever paying attention to Andy in the locker room but there’s a nice physique hidden under the too-big shirts he favors on the court. The shirt ends up on the ground, revealing muscular arms.
He lets his eyes wander down, past a lean torso stopping at the button of his jeans. At that point, he shuts his eyes. Everything he cares about would get thrown away if he let this get out of hand. Even if Lucy never found out, it's a guilt he’d have to deal with for the rest of his life. If it was Carlos, he could deal with it but he doesn’t know if he wants that risk from a meaningless encounter.
Andy senses his hesitation and stops moving. “I know you gave in because Rafa and Carlos were so excited about the idea but you don’t have to do anything.”
“It’s not that…”
“It’s Carlos. He’s a blind idiot. He’s got this renewed youthful spirit ever since he’s been with Rafa. It certainly hasn’t hurt his game.”
He wishes Andy was wrong but that’s exactly how it is. Carlos hasn’t been this happy in years and he couldn’t take the reaction if he admitted his feelings.
“If you knew, why did you agree?”
“It sounded amusing. I wondered what you’d do when I appeared. I was picturing a Hugh Grant with the prostitute moment. I’m glad you weren’t a stammering idiot.”
Tim murmurs, “The Brits aren’t exactly thrilled about that particular stereotype.” But the prostitute part leaves a sickening feeling. “Were you paid to be here?”
“No, I simply agreed. You have no idea how many of the guys were hoping you’d choose them. Let’s just say that Lleyton was very upset with the pick. He was willing to throw money around but Rafa doesn’t like the guy enough to screw you over.”
“They consider me unattainable?”
“Yup, you’re like the Roger of the dating pool, absolutely beyond their reach.” Andy frowns, realizing how much that was true. “Look, you can stay here so everyone thinks this was a victory. We can fall asleep to the movie marathon.” He grabs a t-shirt from the clutter and quickly puts it on before settling on the bed with the remote.
It takes a few minutes but Tim finally peels himself from the door and joins Andy on the bed. He’s able to relax to the mindless action movie, somewhat satisfied with getting this consolation prize.