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,,Pleasssee” Andrey whines.
,,No, babe.”
,,Please” Andrey says again and nibbles at Karen’s ear. ,,Just give it a try, look!” Andrey holds his phone right into Karen’s face. ,,Look how handsome he is and cute.”
Karen sighs and carefully pushes Andery hand down. ,,Andrey”
,,Or this, I would like him too. Or her?” He shows his phone to Karen again.
,,Andrey” Karen sighs again.
,,Look, he is already older and he has been looking for two years.” Andrey says and shows Karen another picture.
,,Andrey! We cannot get a dog!” Karen exclaims and tries to push Andrey off of him.
,,Why?” Andrey asks.
,,How do you want to care for a dog, babe? We are traveling most of the time!”
,,My mom will take care of it when we are not home!”
,,Andrey we are hardly ever home!” Karen says.
,,Sascha has a dog too and Lovki goes with him almost everywhere!”
,,If you travel with dogs they often have to go into quarantine before!”
,,Only in a few countries!” Andrey insists. ,,And here, look! This one is so sweet, he is in a shelter nearby and he has been looking for a family for a long time! He is five and the description says he is looking for an active family. We are very active, we can take him to pratice with us and we can go for runs with him.”
,,Really? You want to take a dog to a tennis court?”
,,Yes! We could train him to be a ball dog. Imagine how cute it would be to have a dog bring us our tennisballs! And … and he could be wearing a cute necktie, my granny could sew it! And she can do lettering, it could say ,Go dad’ or ,team Khachanov“
,,Maybe … maybe I like cats more!” Karen says.
,,You do?” Andrey exclaims.
,,I … I might?” Karen says very suspicious. He thought that would make Andrey stop trying to convince him that they should get a dog.
,,Here!” Andrey says and holds his phone out. ,,Look, this is a cat and dog best friends duo! They have been together forever and they are looking for someone who will adopt them together. This would be perfect for us!”
,,I just said we don’t have the time to take care of one dog, how do you think showing me two animals will convince me?”
Andrey pounds and turns away from Karen.
,,Andrey” Karen sighs and tries to kiss Andrey’s shoulder, but Andrey pulls away.
,,No. You can jerk off when you want to get off.” Andrey says and then he reaches out and turns the lights off. Karen sighs and lays back in bed too. 
 
Over the next few days Andrey keeps sending him photos of him with dogs and cats he sees when he is out. The photos are cute and Karen secretly saves some to his favorites, but he does not tell Andrey. Karen also wonders if Andrey does not think it is weird to ask random people if he can take pictures with their pets. But then again it is Andrey, Andrey is shy but also the most social person he has ever met. Andrey can talk to anyone. One time Karen lost Andrey in an Ikea and found him 30 minutes later in a conversation with the lady at the hotdog station. But still, the pictures are not convincing him. They cannot get an animal, even when Andrey keeps bringing up that Sascha manages with Lovki too. 
 
Two weeks later Karen thinks that maybe Andrey has forgotten about the pet thing, well until he asks him to go on a date. Karen agrees, because this sounds quite good, it has been some time since they had some couple time. When Andrey says it will be a surprise Karen does not think anything of it, not until Andrey parks their car in front of a shelter.

,,Andrey!” Karen says.
,,Yes?” Andrey asks innocently.
,,You said we would go on a date!”
,,We are! We are taking a very adorable dog-cat-duo on a walk.”
,,How do you take a cat on a walk?” Karen asks.
,,He just walks along with the dog. They always have been friends, they were found together.”
,,Andrey” Karen sighs.
,,What?” Andrey snaps. ,,You will end up falling in love with them both, I promise!” Andrey insist. Karen sighs, there is no way he will get out of this anyways. 
 
The woman at the reception knows Andrey suspiciously well and she leads them to one of the shelter cabinets. ,,I am so exited” Andrey says and grins at Karen. The woman lets them into the cabinet and stands outside. ,,I will give you some time to get to know each other and then when you are ready, you can take these two on a walk.”
,,Thanks, Anna.” Andrey says and smiles at her.
,,Anna?” Karen asks when they both get inside.
,,Maybe I have been here before.” Andrey says and shrugs his shoulders. He lets Karen go in first and then carefully closes the door behind them. Inside a dog and a cat lazily raise their heads to look at them, ,,Come here and sit down. We don’t want to scare them.” Andrey says and pulls Karen down to sit next to him. 
 
It takes some minutes but then the dog stands up and walks over to Andrey. Karen thinks that she definitely has some golden retriever inside her, but she is black and white and has big ears that stand up. She is cute, but no. Andrey holds up his hand so she can smell it. It does not take long until she rubs her head against Andrey’s hand. Andrey smiles at her and then she rests in his lap and lets Andrey rub her head and ears. ,,Look how cute, her name is Rey.” Andrey says.
Karen has to fight his smile, because yes, it is cute. The gray cat suspiciously eyes them before he takes a step in their direction. ,,Hey, come here.” Andrey softly says. ,,Come here and convince Karen that you can live with us.” Andrey says.
Karen sighs but he lets the cat come closer and sniff him. ,,He is named Pepito.” Andrey says.
,,This won’t convince me, Andryusha.”
,,Why? Just let it happen for a moment, Imagine how well they would fit us. Rey is around four, they think, but she is very active. They say she would probably enjoy running and all that. And Pepito is around three. They found them together last winter. Karen they would be perfect for us.”
Pepito gives Karen a snobby glance but he lets Karen scratch his ears. ,,Andrey” Karen sighs again.
,,Look, my mom says when we will be gone for a long time or have a too long flight, she will watch them both and I talked with Sascha, most of the tournaments allow pets and we are home more than you think. They could be our pets and my parents. They will have like two families and it will work.”
,,Andrey I … this all sounds good, but this is just your fantasie.”
,,No, it is not! This can work. It will be our family and we will all love each other so much. Just imagine our lives with  them, at home, when we travel. I asked my grandmother and she says she can make matching neckties for them both! And I looked it up, you can teach dogs to bring you a tennisball.”
Karen rolls his eyes, because he knows if Andrey keeps beginning a little longer, he will give in and say yes, they can take them on a walk. And Andrey knows that too. Andrey hides his face behind Rey’s body and moves her ears, as in a high pitched voice he says: ,,Don’t you want to take me home, Karen??? Please, the shelter sucks, no one ever gives me enough attention and I want a family.” Andrey takes her paw to softly slap Karen with it. ,,Please, Karen. I will be the best puppy and Andrey says he will go outside with me whenever I need to pee at night.
Karen sighs and glances at the cat. He seems as unbothered and annoyed by that as Karen would like to be. ,,You think that is stupid too, don’t you?” He asks, Pepito grunts at him. Karen sighs. ,,Okay, fine. We will take them on a walk. But that does not mean we will take them home.”
,,You will love it!” Andrey exclaims. 
 
Anna helps them put on the safety harness on Rey and describes how they can take a little walk around the nearby park. Karen is about to ask what about the cat, but Pepito walks next to Rey, as if he has done that a million times. ,,They know the way.” Anna says and winks at them. 
 
,,Look, this would be nice, we can go on a walk together every morning.” Andrey says when they have left  the shelter.
Karen looks over to Andrey, who has the leash. ,,Really? You sleep in every chance you get. You're gonna tell me you will wake up early every morning to go on a walk?”
,,I did not say we have to get up at 6 to go for a walk. If you teach animals that they won’t go on a walk before 10 they will get used to it.” Karen sighs once more. Andrey has a plan and answer for everything and Karen should have known. He has known Andrey for like 17 years, he has been with him for the last nine, he really should have known better.

Yeah, the animals are cute and all and yes he can see it, them all four together and how they spend the off season and hell, he can even see Andrey teaching them to be stupid ballboys/girls. But that does not mean it is a good idea. It certainly is not and Pepito seems to agree with him!
 
They walk back  to the shelter about 20 minutes later and Anna is there to take Rey and Pepito back.

,,And? And?” Andrey asks when Anna brings Rey and Pepito back to their cabinet. He wraps his arms around Karen’s neck.
,,I … yes they are cute and they seem to like us and add to our family. But … Andrey I don’t think that is a good idea.”
Andrey looks at him and then moves away. ,,Okay” He says.
,,Babe” Karen tries.
,,No, it is okay. You don’t have a heart.” Andrey says and pounds.
,,Andrey.”
,,No, I am mad right now.” Andrey says.

When Anna comes back Andrey briefly talks to her and then he walks back to the car without saying a word to Karen.
 
,,Do you want to order take out?” Karen asks when they are back at their apartment.
,,No”
,,Do you want to cook together?”
,,No”
,,Do you want-” ,,I don’t want to do anything with you right now, Karen.” Andrey says and he goes to their bedroom and closes the door behind him.

Karen rolls his eyes, Andrey is being unfair, just because Karen is the rational one. Yes, he liked Rey and Pepito and they were cute and they seemed to like them and all, but could they really take care of them? He is not sure. He knows Andrey wants that and in a way Karen wants that too, they have talked about starting a family in a way. But … but it was always just talking and he was not ever sure if Andrey was serious. 
 
Andrey’s birthday is three weeks later and Andrey has been speaking to him for the last 2 ½ weeks, though Karen is not sure if it is because he is not mad anymore or because he just wants his present.

Andrey’s family is supposed to come by at the 2, so at 1.45 Karen wraps his arms around Andrey and whispers: ,,Do you want your birthday present?”
Andrey glances at his watch. ,,A 15 minute quickie is my birthday present?”
Karen giggles and rolls his eyes. ,,No, it is not, dumbass. I have it in the living room.”
,,Okay” Andrey says and he lets Karen pull him to the living room.
Karen gives him a wrapped box. ,,This is just … it is a symbol for your real gift, okay?” Karen asks.
Andrey raises and eyebrow and tears the wrappingpaper away. When he opens the box, he looks at Karen for a moment and then drops the box to the floor. ,,You are such an asshole.” Andrey says.
,,I … what?” Karen says confused.
,,See, I get that you don’t want pets, okay? Do you think giving me a stuffed dog and cat will make anything better?” Andrey hisses at him and runs to the bedroom. Karen stares after him, before he follows.

Andrey is laying on the bed, back to the door and Karen thinks Andrey might be crying. ,,Andrey?”
,,Go away.” Andrey mumbles.
Karen does not listen and instead comes to lay next to Andrey. ,,Andrey, you did not get the gift.”
,,I think I got that you like me, but don’t love me enough to ever start a family with me?”
,,Where did you get that from?” Karen asks confused.
,,Look, I want pets, I really do but I also want pets for us because it will be the only kind of family we could ever start. No one would ever give us a child, not here, because this is stupid Moscow and not in Spain, because we are not Spanish citizen. So I wanted us to have a different kind of family. But I guess … I guess you don’t want that with me. It is okay, though, it is probably best anyways. You just don’t need to rub it in my face.”
,,Andrey” Karen says softly.
,,No it is okay. Don’t  try to explain it. You don’t want pets and I should not try to force you. It was my fault. I thought you wanted that too.”
,,Andrey, will you listen to me for a minute?!”
Andrey shrugs his shoulders.
,,First of all, I want a family with you, okay? I would give up everything to have a family like we both would like to with you. Second, I think you did not get my gift. I said it was symbole, okay?”
,,For what?” Andrey asks and Karen is relieved to hear the doorbell. ,,Go open the door and you will see.” He says.

Andrey glances at him but he gets up to open the door. Karen follows him,

When Andrey opens the door, his mom and dad are there, which is nice, but what is nicer, is that Marina holds a leash with Rey on it and his dad carries a transportation box, with a very annoyed looking Pepito in it.
,,I..” Andrey says and stares at them.
,,That is your real gift.” Karen says and steps next to Andrey.
,,I … what?”
,,After you left the shelter, clearly pissed at me. I … I thought about it and I really liked Rey and Pepito. So, I talked with your parents and Sascha and his mom and then your parents again and I went to the shelter a few times. Rey and Pepito will stay with us when we are not playing and they will travel with us where it is easy and the rest of the time they will live with your parents.”
,,Really?” Andrey asks.
,,Yes, actually they lived at your parents the last three days and it worked out very well.”
Andrey hugs Karen tightly and kisses his cheek. ,,I cannot believe you went to the shelter without me!” Andrey whispers.
,,This is all you have to say?” Karen asks and grins.
,,No, I also love you and I am sorry I called you and asshole.” Andrey whispers.
Karen laughs and kisses him back.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Autumn, 2014

Karen always knew that tennis comes first for Andrey. He has known Andrey for about 18 years now and Andrey has always been about tennis. And Karen has always respected that. At times he even loved how focused Andrey was on his dreams, how much he worked to achieve them. But it has gotten more intense and intense. Andrey pushes his limits further and further, he trains more and more. And Karen really hates it. He does not hate that Andrey chases his goals, but he hates that Andrey puts everything on hold for tennis. He cancels date nights, he is too exhausted for sex, they never really do anything together anymore. At night Andrey is too exhausted and falls asleep right away. Karen misses him, even when Andrey is around him, he is not really there. Karen does not need much, he understands that they both have careers and school and all, but he needs a little Andrey every now and then. That is not too much to ask, right?
 
That night, Karen’s parents are out and Andrey is supposed to come over. Karen has cooked them dinner and he lit candles and all and when his phone rings, he knows it is Andrey and that he will cancel.

He answers the phone and before Andrey says anything, Karen says: ,,You will be late, right? It is okay. I will leave you some food in the fridge to warm up when you get here.”
 
It is close to midnight when Andrey crawls into bed. He kisses Karen’s shoulder and whispers: ,,I am sorry. I will make it up to you.”
,,Mmh” Karen just makes. He lets Andrey hug him but he does not wrap his arms around Andrey in return.
,,You are mad, right?” Andrey asks.
,,No, I … I just wish … I wish we could spend more time together.” Karen says.
Andrey sighs and says: ,,I know, I am sorry. I will … I will make more time for us.”
Karen sigh too and he leans in to kiss Andrey’s forehead. ,,Thank you.”
 
What Karen did not expect was that ,,making more time” meant that Andrey would wake up early so that he could be back with Karen in time. Which means he is even more exhausted when they meet, because Andrey hardly sleeps five hours a night.

Karen watches this behavior for a few days but he soon decides he does not like it either. It is not good for Andrey’s health. Andrey gets way too little sleep and he trains way too hard for his body. 
 
When Andrey comes to spend the night at Karens the next friday, Karen plans to address the issue.

Andrey is tired and worn out when he comes over and he falls down onto Karen’s bed with a loud groan. ,,Andrey we … we need to talk.” Karen says and sits down on the bed next to Andrey. ,,Talk?” Andrey asks and looks anxiously up at Karen.
,,Andrey I … you are being too hard on yourself in the last time. You … You push your boundaries too fast and far.”
,,But I … I have to.” Andrey whispers.
,,Andrey that you work so hard on achieving your dreams is nice and I respect that, but you need to turn it down a little. You work out for hours every day, you often come home in the middle of the night. You are too hard on yourself and your body.“
,,You don’t understand.” Andrey gasps and Karen can see tears running down his face.
,,W-What?” Karen asks and strokes some tears away from Andrey’s face.
,,It is my first proseason and I … if I am not good enough and don’t get in the the top ten in the next few years and then I will … then I will disappoint everyone and I  won’t be good enough and I … I … Karen I need to be good, I need to get better or I won‘t deserve to play pro.”
,,Andrey I … you are so good already and … you don’t need to be so hard on yourself, it will backfire on you. If you keep going like this, you will break down soon.”
,,I need to get better, I-” ,,Andrey, no. You are a great player and you will be top ten eventually, but not like this. Andrey your body will break down if you keep going like this.”
,,But I … Karen what if I end up not training enough and I … I can do this, I promise. It is okay. I just need to get a little better.”
,,You are already good. Who tells you that?”
,,I …” Andrey swallows and looks down. ,,My … my mother.”
,,What?” Karen lets out.
,,Well, she … she does not say it like this. But she says now that I am pro I need to keep working on myself and improve.”
,,Andrey … I … your mom did not mean that the way you are doing it right now. I am sure she wants you to improve and give it your best, but surely not like this.”
Andrey swallows and whispers: ,,But what if I will never be top ten? Then I will disappoint everyone.”
,,Andrey, no. We are all proud of you, I am proud of you, top ten or not. You always give it your best, you are a strong player. But please don’t keep pushing yourself like this."
Andrey bits his lip and looks up at Karen. ,,I am doing too much, right?” He asks.
,,Yes, you are.”
Andrey licks his lips and nods. ,,I … I will try to … to take it easier.”
,,Maybe we can arrange it, that you take one day off the week. This day you don’t do any tennis, okay? And we will do a date on this night and the other days, I pick you up from practice or you have to call me so I see you finish on time.”
,,I … okay. Thank you.”
Karen kisses Andrey’s forehead and hugs him closer. ,,No more than three hours a day, okay?”
,,Okay” Andrey agrees and yawns.
,,Sleepy?” Karen asks.
,,Mmh” Andrey makes.
,,Come here and tomorrow we will sleep in and you are not allowed to even think about tennis.” Andrey huffs but nods. ,,No tennis tomorrow.” He says.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The first time he holds Alisa he feels both happy and sad. He loves her, he does not need to question that, he has never felt a love like this for anyone before. But there is … there is something wrong. Not with her of course, Alisa is perfect, but with the situation. This is all he should have ever wanted; a family, a child, a wife. But it is … it is not.

Daniil stares at the photo he has posted on Instagram to announce the birth, he stares at the comment. Andrey‘s comment is weird, but funny, like it always is. Daniil likes it and then he Clicks on Andrey‘s profil and looks at his photos for a moment. Daniil shakes his head. No. No, he has all he ever wanted, well … should want.Alisa is laying in her little crip right now, sleeping. Daniil looks at her, she is so lovely, she is so sweet.Why does it feel weird then?Why is there an urge inside of him to do something?Why is everything he can think about Andrey?How sweet Andrey is, how beautiful, how loving, how supportive, how great he would be with Alisa and … Daniils thoughts are interrupted because Daria comes back into the hospital room from her check up.

She looks at him with a smile, but then it slips and she licks her lips.,,What?” Daniil asks.Daria sighs, she sits down on the bed and nods.,,Daria … what is … what is wrong?” Daniil asks and hurries over to her. ,,Are you alright? Is something wrong with you?”Daria looks up at him and then she whispers. ,,You love him, don’t you?”,,I … who? No, Daria I only love you.”,,You are lying. You love Andrey, do you not?” Daria says.,,I …” Daniil starts. He wants to say no, he really does, he wants to love Daria and be good to her, but he … he cannot deny it. He loves Andrey, he is in love and Andrey has been all … all Daniil ever wanted. Andrey has the sweetest smile and the weirdest taste in music and who is always so supportive and shy at the same time. ,,I think I do.”,,I knew it.” Daria whispers.,,W-What?”,,When you … you started to look at him this way and not at me anymore a few years ago and I … I guessed it was because of that but then you … you said you … you wanted to try for a baby and when I got pregnant I thought I might have been wrong. But I … I have not, right?”Daniil licks his lips and he sits down next to Daria on the bed and stares at the wall. ,,I … no, you are right. But this … this does not mean anything, Daria.”,,It means you are in love, Daniil.” She says and sighs.,,I … yes, but I will not leave you, okay? I wanted to try for this baby and we started this project together and we will do it together. I will be a good husband to you, because I promised you that when we got married and I will be a good father to Alisa.”,,You can only do one of these things, Daniil.” Daria says quietly.,,No! No, Daria I can do this. I started this family project and I will not chicken out.”Daria shakes her head and says: ,,You are not chickining out, Daniil.” She takes his hand and says: ,,I … neither one of us will be happy if you stay in this marriage. You … we started this family project and we will finish it together, but … maybe not as a couple.”Daniil squeezes her hand and closes his eyes. ,,I love you Daria.”,,I know, I love you too, Daniil. But … but we both … what kind of marriage would this be, right? You love Andrey and you should tell him.”,,But-” ,,No” Daria says and places a finger on Daniil’s lip. ,,Shh. No more words. You go and … and find him and … we will figure out everything else later, okay?”Daniil turns and hug her. ,,I love you.” He whispers. Daria strokes his nape and kisses his cheek. ,,But I cannot go now.” Daniil says.,,Why?” Daria asks.,,I don’t want to leave you alone in the hospital, you had a baby two days ago. And I mean Andrey is in Spain right now."Daria giggles and sighs. ,,Facetime, sweetie?” She says.,,Do you think  I should?”Daria nods and Daniil gets up from the bed.,,No no. I will leave you alone here for a moment, no one in the hospital needs to hear this.”,,Daria are you sure? You should lay down and-”,,Daniil calm down, I am not planning to run a marathon. The doctor says if I feel like it I can do some light exercises like walking.”,,Okay, but you take your phone and call me when something happens.”,,Daniil?”,,Yes?”,,I am just going down the hallway to get snacks from the vending machine.” Daria says with a small smile. 
 
Daniil stares at his phone for a moment. Should he … can he … fuck. He looks at Andrey’s contact for a long time, his fingers hanging over the call symbol. Andrey is probably busy, he probably won’t pick up anyways, so he can just call. 
 
But Andrey picks up straight away. His hair is a mess and he is still laying in bed and he does not seem to wear a shirt. ,,Octopus.” He says and grins.,,Hey” Daniil says and bits his lip shyly.,,Why are you calling?” Andrey asks and lazily turns in bed. Daniil catches a glance of Andrey’s abs and swallows.,,I … I” Daniil starts.,,Wait are you in the hospital? Is Alisa there?”Daniil nods.,,Can I see her?” Andrey asks.,,Yeah, sure.” Daniil switches his camera around and focus it on Alisa.

,,Aww, she is so sweet.” Andrey says.Daniil giggles and looks at her for a moment. ,,She is.” He agrees softly and all he can think about is Andrey holding her.,,I cannot wait to see her in person.” Andrey says.Daniil flips the camera around again and looks at Andrey again. ,,Andrey I … I need to tell you something.” ,,Okay?” Andrey asks.,,Andrey, I … I wish you were here and I wish I could tell you in person, but I … I love … I love you.”
Andrey coughs and drops his phone. ,,Sorry” He says when he has picked it up again.,,No I am … I am sorry.” Daniil whispers.,,Why?” Andrey asks.Daniil takes a deep breath in. ,,I should have not told you that, did I?”,,Did you mean it?” Andrey asks quietly.,,I … yes” Daniil says and looks down at his hands.,,Maybe … maybe I feel the same.” Andrey whispers.,,W-what?” Daniil shokes out.,,I … well … Daniil, I … I love you too. Wow, this feels weird to say.",,Do you really … you really mean this?” Daniil asks.,,Y-Yes. But what … what about you? You just had Alisa and all.”,,I know” Daniil whispers.,,But I … I only really love you, Andrey.”,,Does Daria know?”Daniil nods.,,Is she fine with that?”Daniil nods again.,,Can I … Can I come visite you?” Andrey whispers.,,Yes, please.”
 
Daniil picks up Andrey from the airport two days later and then they kiss in the safety of Daniil’s car and besides the birth of Alisa that must be the greatest moment of Daniil’s life.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Karen has followed the match from the gym while he worked out, well he had tried to work out, but often was too focused on the match. So he had given it up eventually and left the gym.

Up until Djokovic won, he had hoped that Andrey would somehow turn it around. But he did not, he lost and Karen‘s heart drops when he sees the picture of Andrey crying into his towel afterwards. Karen sighs and takes out his phone and tries to text Andrey but he is not sure what to text. This is always hard, even harder when he himself is still in the competitions. He writes a few texts but deletes them all again, none of it sounds right.

He is proud of Andrey, he has played very well, he has given it his all and since the last season he really has improved his mentality, it is not perfect of course, but it has gotten better. And matter of factly, Karen will always be proud of Andrey for trying and giving it his best. He knows Andrey will see it differently, but Karen will try to convince him.

There are a few texts in their family group, they have with their parents and siblings, telling Andrey he did good and that they are proud, but Andrey only sends a screenshot. It is a comment section from under an Instapost concerning the match results. The first comment says: ,,The only person who could have beaten Djokovic before the final was Rune. But this Guy beat him with a shitty point … Holger didn't deserve to lose like that“, then one reads: ,,This guy ain't a big match player and he knows it“ and then the last: ,,Andrey became the second male player in the Open Era to lose all his First Seven Grand Slam quarterfinals, after Tommy Roberdo“

Karen sighs and answers Andrey privately: ,,What is that?“

Andrey <3:
the truth? LOL

You:
Come on, you are being so hard on yourself. 1. You beat Holger in a fair match. His fans have to deal with that, just like yours have to when you lose. 2. Guys who are not big match players are not in the top ten for like years. People who write that have probably never even played Tennis. 3. So what? Everybody loses, you have won a lot of matches too.

Andrey <3:
You are just trying to cheer me up, so you lie. It is like when you tell me you like my sense of fashion or that my music taste is not too girly

You:
I like your sense of fashion!

You:
Where are you?

Andrey <3 Shared his Location with you

You:
I will be there in a minute

Andrey <3:
You don‘t need to. I will just be sad by myself for a while

Andrey <3:
You should focus on your match tomorrow. At least one of us should like win and be good at tennis and stuff

Andrey <3:
You deserve to be top ten not me
 
Karen hurries down to the gym, on the way Marina texts him asking about the screenshot Andrey sent. Karen texts her that he is on his way to check on Andrey.
 
Andrey is unmotivatedly cooling down in the gym, half focused on his phone. Karen knows there are cameras around, so he tries to casually walk up to Andrey. ,,Hey“ He softly says, Andrey look at him and shrugs his shoulders. ,,Come on, we will go somewhere where are no cameras.“ Karen says.,,What does it matter?“ Andrey mumbles, but he follows Karen to the changing rooms and sits down next to his stuff. ,,Do you still love me?“ Andrey mumbles.,,What? Of course I still love you. What are you talking about?“,,My lose was pretty pathetic.“ Andrey says.Karen sits down next to Andrey and pulls him close. ,,You did well.“,,I lost 1-6, 2-6, 4-6.“ Andrey says.,,I don‘t care. You did your best, you have really improved on your mental health and I am so proud of you.“,,You should not be.“ Andrey whispers.,,Andrey there are many tennis players in this world and only a very few are as good as you and even less would even be able to play 1-6, 2-6, 4-6, against Djokovic.“,,I knew I would lose, you know.“,,What?“,,I knew I would lose when I found out I would play against Djokovic. Showing up there was just … I mean I had to right? But uhm … me, him… we all knew he would walk out the winner.“,,Andrey you …“ Karen trails off and sighs.,,See, you know I am right. We all know it.“,,Andrey you lost once, okay? This happens. Sometimes we lose, sometimes we win, but this does not change that you are a good player.“ Karen says, he hugs Andrey tightly and Andrey buries his face against Karen‘s shoulder and cries. ,,It is okay, I am here.“ Karen whispers. ,,And I will always love you, Andrey.“,,Why?“ Andrey cries.,,Because I am in love with you and not your career or your tennis skills.“,,Not sure if there this much more about me besides this.“,,Don‘t say this.“ Karen says and kisses Andrey‘s hair.,,Karen?“,,Yes?“,,When you found out I would play him, did you really thought I could win?“,,I always think you can win, Andrey. Because I know you are a good player and I always cheer for you. And even if you lose you are the winner for me.“Andrey shrugs his shoulders and pulls Karen closer. ,,Why do people always hate on me, no matter if I win or lose?“ Andrey whispers.,,Because people are idiots and have no idea what it is like to be in our spot. You are a good player and nothing will change this, never.“,,Maybe people are right and my game is too one dimensional.“,,Andrey, people will always critique you and of course everybody can improve, even Djokovic or Nadal, but most people are just trolls on the internet, they have never even played tennis. If you were so … one dimensional you would not be in the top ten.“Andrey sighs and pulls away a little to look at Karen. ,,Can we go back to the hotel and order room service?“,,Yes, of course.“ Karen says and kisses Andrey softly. ,,I love you.“ He whispers again.,,I don’t know what I would do without you whenever I lose.” Andrey says.,,Luckily you don‘t have to.“ Karen says and strokes Andrey‘s cheek.,,I feel a bit better.“ Andrey says.,,I am sure you will feel better after you have eaten a little and we can cuddle, I will scratch your back and play with your hair, the way you like it.“,,Okay“ Andrey says and he gives Karen a small smile.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It starts innocently, well kind of. They are having a glass of wine, they are watching a movie and after about 20 minutes Andrey starts to kiss Karen’s throat. ,,Andrey” Karen mumbles.,,What?” Andrey breaths against Karen’s throat.,,You annoyed me to watch this movie for ages!” Karen says.,,I know, but now I am not intersted in it anymore.” Andrey says innocently and kisses Karen’s mouth.,,I think you have an addiction! We just had sex after lunch.",,So? I swear to God, you are the only person complaining that their partner wants too much sex!”,,I am not complaining. I am just saying you are addicted! You could not go a week without sex!”,,Pah!” Andrey says. ,,I can go a week without sex! I often go longer than that without sex! When we don’t play the same tourmants I don’t see you for weeks.”,,Okay, but how often do we have facetime sex then?” Karen strokes Andrey’s cheek and says: ,,It is okay, I am not complaining. But it is fact that you cannot go a week without sex.”,,Please, I could go a month!”,,Really? A month? A month with no sex, no blow jobs, no quickies, no jerking of neither from me nor from yourself. You could do that?”Andrey thinks for a moment, but then he nods. ,,Yes, I could do that.”,,Okay, deal.” Karen says.,,Deal?”,,We will bet! I say that there is no way you could longer than seven days without sex, you say you could go a month!”,,Okay.” Andrey says to Karen’s surprise.,,Okay?”,,Yes, but the same goes for you. I bet you cannot go longer than a week too, you say you can go a month?”,,Okay, easy.” Karen agrees.Andrey grins. ,,Don’t be too sure about that, babe.”,,What do I get when I win?” Karen asks.,,Mmh” Andrey makes. ,,Whatever you want.”,,Really?”,,Sure. But If I win.” Andrey says. ,,You will do whatever I want, okay?”Karen locks their glances and then he holds his hand out. ,,Deal” He says.Andrey smirks at him. ,,Deal.”
 
And fuck, what a stupid deal that is.

After they had settled on their bet, Andrey cuddles up against Karen and they watch the movie. But  then afterwards, Andrey starts to kiss Karen’s throat again and he whimpers into his ear.,,I am not that easy.” Karen says and pushes Andrey softly away.Andrey sinks back into the sofa and sighs. ,,Are you sure?” He asks and Karen knows that Andrey knows that Karen is half hard in his sweatpants.,,Sure. You are not as seductive as you think you are.” Karen says.,,Okay.” Andrey says and gets up.,,Okay?” Karen asks.,,Sure.” Andrey shrugs his shoulders and gets up to go to bed.

That is weird, but Karen does not think about it. He should have, he should have known that Andrey was not that easy. 
 
The next morning when Karen wakes up, he finds Andrey in their living room. Which would be okay, if Andrey would not be doing Yoga in his underwear, in his very tight underwear. Karen swallows when Andrey movies into this down-dog-whatever position and gives Karen a good view of his ass. But then he shakes his head. Fuck no, he is not that easy. ,,Andrey?” He asks instead.,,Yes?” Andrey innocently glances over his shoulder.Karen takes a deep breath in. Andrey is doing all this on purpose, he knows it. But that does not stop him from getting turned on. ,,Why are you half naked?”,,Oh, it is quite warm in here, don’t you think?” Andrey asks and moves into another position.Karen glances over to their heater and rolls his eyes, because even from where he is standing he can see that Andrey turned it up. ,,Mmh, I guess you are right.” Karen says and while he slowly walks to the kitchen, he shrugs his shirt off. He sees Andrey staring from his corner of his eye and then Andrey loses balance and falls to his knees. ,,Are you okay?” Karen asks with a fake worried smile.,,Sure. Just a new position, I have not done this often.” Andrey says and returns to his yoga.

1-1 Karen would say. He will win this one.

Well, he is sure of that until Andrey does not put on cloth, even after he has finished the yoga. Karen thinks about turning the heater back down, but he cannot deny that he quite enjoys the show. Andrey really tries to make Karen give him, he even eats a banana very slowly. After Karen has watched that little show, which almost makes him weak, he hurries to the gym for a workout.
 
When Karen almost runs out of their apartment to get to the gym, Andrey smiles to himself. He would be surprised if he did not have Karen weak by tomorrow night. Karen has always been crazy for him and way too easy to get. Andrey is surprised that Karen did not already give in when he saw him doing yoga. But okay, Karen wants to win that, he gets that. But there is no way Karen will last a week. Andrey can be a tease when he wants to and he really, really, really wants to. Besides if Karen manages to keep his hands to himself for longer than tomorrow night, then this will be a new record. At least Andrey cannot remember the last time they were around each other and went longer than two days without sex in any form. Hell, even when they are not together he cannot remember the last time it  took either of them longer than maybe three days to start sexting. Yes, yes, they sound like needy teenagers, but who can blame them?They are in their mid 20s, they are in love, they are crazy about each other. But most importantly, Andrey will make Karen go weak. He will be damned if Karen ends up winning  this. No, Karen will be the one giving in. 
 
But when Karen comes back from his work out, Andrey has to admit Karen knows how to play the game too. He gives Andrey a kiss when he comes back, which is okay, totally. But he kisses the way he does when it will always lead to more but it does not. Instead Karen pulls away, strokes Andrey’s cheek and then heads to the shower. Andrey tries to busy himself with emptying the dishwasher. Tries. Because after about five minutes Karen calls for him.
 
,,What is wrong?” Andrey asks from outside the bathroom door.,,Can you come in?” Karen asks.Andrey swallows but he opens the door and steps into the bathroom. Karen is in the shower and damn it, why do they have a glass door to the shower?! Karen is of course naked and he is all soapy and wet and his abs glister and his dick is - no, Andrey shakes his head and looks up to Karen. ,,Yes?” He asks innocently.,,Yes what?” Karen asks, while running his hand over his abs and over his thighs.God he is so hot, Andrey thinks. He forces himself to look back up again and says: ,,You called me, what do you want?”,,I just wanted to know if you want to join me?”Fuck yeah, Andrey does. He steps closer and slightly pulls the door open. Karen leans in closer and so does Andrey, their lips are almost touching and Andrey whispers: ,,And if I did, what would we do? Would you kiss me? And get me all wet and soapy too and then you would … what? Wanna take me in there like we did when I won gold at the olympics? Or … would you like to be sucked off?”Karen stares at him, his mouth hanging slightly open. Andrey grins at Karen and moves a little closer. ,,Then take what you want.” He breathes.Karen licks his lips, his pupils are blown and he almost reaches out to touch Andrey but then he pulls away and shakes his head. ,,No, if you want that, you can get it. Or you can stay and watch me.”,,You would like that, would you not?” Andrey asks and winks.Karen pulls away and starts to run a sponge over his body. Andrey watches him for a moment, but then he steps away. ,,Mmh, I don’t know. I have seen better shows.” He says with a wink and leaves the bathroom.
 
It goes back and forth like that for the next few days. They are both trying to get the other to give in. They touch, they tease, they show off and God, fuck. Both of them are constantly at the edge. When they pass the seven day mark Andrey seriously consideres just giving in. He can just give in and then they can finally have sex and he will own Karen a favor. It will probably be a sexual one, so it will be a favor for them both really. But damn, on the other hand he really wants to win. So he tries to keep it going just a little longer, he can make Karen give in. 
 
They have practice the next day, so the evening before Andrey cuddles up in bed and strokes Karen’s naked chest. ,,Do you want me to give you a massage?”  He whispers into Karen’s ear.,,A massage or a sexy massage because you want me to give in?” Karen asks.,,Whatever you want” Andrey breathes.,,Mmh, you just want to touch me, Andrey.”,,No, I am totally fine. I could totally go the whole month.”Karen turns to face Andrey and says: ,,You had a sex dream last night, babe.”Andrey blushes but shakes his head. ,,No way.”,,You totally had. I woke up because you were moaning.” Karen teases.,,Whatever. Do you want this massage now? My hands on your body, touching you, making you feel good.”Karen gasps and closes his eyes.,,My hands on your body, the warm oil, my touch, everywhere you want it.” Andrey whispers into Karen’s ear, Karen grips Andrey hips tight and groans. ,,You want that?” Andrey breaths.Karen looks at him and licks his lips. ,,Yes” He breathes, but then he shakes his head.,,Was this a yes or a no?” Andrey asks and grins.,,Both, I … no, you are trying to trick me into giving in.” Karen says. He pulls Andrey against him to cuddle. 
 
The next morning, Andrey and Karen head to practice. It is around day nine of their bet, at least 19 more days to go. Karen really wants to win the bet. He does, but damn Andrey all sweaty and power on court and groaning and all this it … it really does things to Karen…
 
And then they are in the locker rooms and Andrey does not even try to be subtle, he strips off his cloth and he bends down and then after a very long time, he heads to the showers. Karen wants to roll his eyes, because Andrey is not even trying to be subtle, but also all Karen can think about is fuck it (and fuck Andrey). He heads to the shower rooms and calls out for Andrey.,,Yes?” Andrey asks in an innocent voice.Karen pulls the shower cabin open in which Andrey is. ,,You win” Karen says and closes the door. Andrey grins at him from under the shower, he is wet and hot and all Karen wants.

,,What do I win?” Andrey asks innocently and rubs soap over his abs.,,The bet. I cannot go any longer without sex!!” Karen says. He pushes into the shower and pulls Andrey in for a kiss. Karen is still wearing his kit, but he does not care. The warm water is running down on them and they kiss and kiss and kiss. At one point Andrey strips Karen off of his clothes and  they kiss some more.

,,I want you!” Karen breathes against Andrey’s lips.,,Take me then!” Andrey says and grins.,,Okay” Karen only answers. He turns Andrey around so he is pressed against the showerwall. Karen kisses his neck before he presses one hand between Andrey’s legs. Andrey moans and soon Karen lets one of his fingers slip in and then another and another.,,Come on” Andrey finally grunts and pushes back onto Karen’s fingers.,,Are you sure?” Karen breathes.,,Fuck yes! If you go on longer, I will finish without you.” Andrey groans and giggles.,,Yes?” Karen groans and then he pushes into Andrey with a loud moan.,,People could hear us.” Andrey hisses but he cannot really care. All he cares about is Karen sleeping with him, fucking into him and making him feel so, so good. Fuck. Karen keeps pushing in the right way and he uses one hand  to play with Andrey’s nipples and the other to jerk Andrey off in rhythm. Damn, how could he go nine days without Andrey, all for a stupid bet?He cannot believe it and those seven days have really pulled him to the edge. So it does not take much until he is at the edge of cumming. Karen moans against Andrey’s neck and Andrey groans. ,,Yes, please.” He whispers and this is really all Karen needs. He pulls Andrey closer and they both come at almost the same time.

Afterwards Andrey pulls him close under the hot water and kisses Karen’s cheek.  ,,So, who is the sex addicted one now?” Andrey asks and grins.Karen strokes Andrey’s cheek and grins too. ,,Lets just say we are both crazy about each other?”,,Oh yes, we are.” Andrey says and giggles.,,Finish the shower so I can finally take you home?” Karen asks softly.,,Oh yes, please.” Andrey says with a smile

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Daniil would consider himself a brave person! He totally is, he is not scared of many things, apart from well … spiders. Nothing freaks him out like spiders and honestly how can people blame him? Spiders are small, they can get anywhere, they have too many legs and way too many eyes and Daniil has seen too many horror movies that included giant spiders. No, nothing is as scary as spiders, just thinking about spiders freaks Daniil out. He vacuums his place at least once a day, when he is home, to make sure there is no place where a spider could hide. He likes animals, no problem, also insects like bees or flies, but spiders are just small little demons sent from hell. One time he went out with that girl, who was very sweet and funny and all and once she had asked him to come to her room with her. Daniil had been fourteen and of course he could not say no to such an offer. Well, he could not say no until he came into her room and saw that she had a pet tarantula. He never saw her again afterwards. What kind of people have pet spiders? Only psychopaths, clearly!

So, given his hate for spiders, Daniil was not necessarily the biggest fan of playing the Australian Open, he had heard way too many scary stories about the kind of spiders that lived in Australia. But he had to play the tournaments, right?And it was okay, there were not any spiders in his room when he came there, it really was okay, mainly because he forced Andrey to check out the room, before he entered. Andrey thought that it was a bit over the top, but Daniil insisted. 
 
On the second night, Daniil is in the elevator with Andrey and Karen up to  their rooms. ,,So … you wanna come over?” Daniil asks, mainly because he does not want to directly ask Andrey to check for spiders again.,,Uhm … No… I am tired.” Andrey says and glances over to Karen.,,I … I promised … I promised my parents to call them?”,,Can you not do this later?” Daniil asks.Karen starts with ,,I could-” but Andrey elbows him and Karen says: ,,Ouch, no I cannot. We agreed on the time.”Daniil raises his eyebrows, that was weird even for Andrey, but okay?

What he is not so okay with, is that now he has to check his room for spiders on his own. That is not good. ,,You can call them from my room?” Daniil asks.,,No, we need to talk about something private.” Karen says. 
 
Daniil really does not want to check his room by himself, what if there is a giant spider right in the room?Like as big as his hand or something?But no matter what he tried, he could not convince Karen to come with him and for some reason Andrey was very set on fastly pulling Karen out of the elevator as soon as the door opened. That is weird. But Daniil can not really think about it, he is way too focused on potential spiders.

When he enters the room, there are not any spiders he can see, which is good. Daniil takes off his shoes and jacket and carefully starts to look around the room. No spiders, good. It is alright. He will just change into his pjs and go to sleep in a totally spider-free room. Or so he thinks.Daniil had just shrugged off his shirt and looked up in the mirror, when it is there. A spider. Sitting right on his bathroom mirror. Daniil yelps and hurries out of the room, smashing the door shut. Fuck. Where did that come from?What should he do now?He nervously looks around his room, when he sees it; the keycard to Andrey’s room. Andrey had forgotten it here yesterday but for some reason did not come looking for it yet. Maybe it is because he has a second. Daniil grabs it and hurries out of the room. Surley Andrey has not fallen asleep yet! He can come over very quickly and get rid of the spider!
 
Daniil runs down to Andrey’s room and uses the keycard to open Andrey’s room. ,,Andrey, you need to come there is a giant spid-” Daniil interrupts himself when he sees Andrey, who very fastly pulls the covers over himself and …. someone else. ,,Andrey?” Daniil asks.,,I … now is not a good time, Daniil.” Andrey says and awkwardly shifts.,,I am sorry, could you just come over really quick? There is that giant spider in my bathroom!”,,Now? I am quite busy here, Daniil. Just kill it and flush it down the toilet.”,,I… what are you doing anyways?” Daniil asks dumbly.Andrey groans. ,,What does it look like?!”,,Oh” Daniil makes. ,,Really?” He asks then.,,What do you mean ,really’? I am 25, I have a sexlife. Which you are interrupting right now!”,,I” Daniil makes and glances around the room. Wait a moment, why is the jacket Karen had worn in the elevator here and there is … Karen’s shoes. ,,Oh my god! Are you having sex with Karen?” Daniil yelps.,,No!” Andrey lets out very fast. ,,I am … I am having sex with someone completely different!” Andrey insists.,,Move the blanket then!” Daniil says.,,No! I am naked.” Andrey says and tries to pull the covers up further.,,I have seen you naked before. Come on.”Andrey sighs and rolls his eyes. ,,Fine, I am having sex with Karen. You caught us.” Andrey says and Karen moves up from under the sheets. ,,Hey, Daniil.” He says.,,Oh my god! How long has this been going on?” Daniil asks.Andrey shrugs his shoulders. ,,The sex? Like two, three years? The going out? Like six months.”,,What you are going out?”,,Yeah” Karen says.,,Okay, cool. But now that we have talked about this, there is this spider in my room and maybe there are more, so … can I sleep here?”Andrey glances at him and Karen and then back to Daniil. ,,Obviously not?” He says and raises an eyebrow.,,But there is … Andrey it is really huge!”,,Yeah, I have heard that before.” Andrey says and smirks.,,He is not wrong.” Karen answers.,,No! I was not talking about your - the spider! This spider is very big and someone … it needs to go or I will not leave this room tonight!”Andrey sighs. ,,Okay, fine. But you own me so big, for that.” He says and gets up.Daniil lifts his hand to his eyes. ,,Eww! Put some clothes on!”,,Calm down, I will not walk through the hotel naked. And who just said I should pull the covers away, because they already saw me naked?” Andrey asks with a grin, before he pulls his sweatpants and a shirt over. ,,Okay, come on. Show me that giant killer spider.” He says and giggles.,,Stop laughing at me! It is a real phobia! And you are scared of owls!”,,I am not scared of owls, I just think no one should be able to turn their head like this! They can follow you with their eyes wherever you go!” Andrey exclaims.

,,Hurry or I will continue without you!” Karen says with a giggle when Andrey and Daniil leave the room. 
 
Andrey finds the spider in the bathroom and to Daniils disliking he does not kill it but lets it out on the balcony. ,,What if it comes back inside?”,,Yeah, I am sure it knows how to open doors.” Andrey says and rolls his eyes.,,Somehow it got in here in the first place! Could you check the rest of the room for spiders?” Daniil asks.,,No. There are no spiders here, okay? Just go to bed.”,,Andrey” Daniil whines.,,No more spiders, okay, Daniil? Trust me. I will go now, because I was about to get fucked before you came in and if you cockblock us any longer, I will slap you.” Andrey walks to the door but then turns around. He walks back to Daniil and pulls the keycard to his room out of Daniils hand. ,,I will take that.” He says and as he walks out of the room, he says: ,,If you are so scared, Stefanos room is down the hallway, ask him to check your room.”
,,For your next birthday, I will lend you an owl!” Daniil calls after him and sinks down onto his bed, pounding.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

,,He looks so good right now, don’t you think?” Andrey says. He is on the stationary bike but all he is doing is staring at Karen.,,I don’t know.” Fernando sighs. Every time for like forever, when they train somewhere where Karen is too, Andrey is lost in thought of either staring at Karen or wandering off to talk to him, as soon as Fernando turns his back on him. Andrey is not only in love, he is unable to do anything else but be in love! It is the main reason why Fernando now has to always stand in front of the stationary bike and make sure Andrey actually does anything.,,No, look for real” Andrey insists.Fernando sighs and glances over to Karen. ,,Yes, he looks good, okay? Best looking person I ever saw, now get back to your workout.” To Fernando’s surprise Andrey actually does, for about two minutes. Before he pulls Fernando closer and rests his head against Fernando’s shoulder. ,,He is talking to someone else, now? Why?” Andrey whines and Fernando rolls his eyes.,,I don’t know, he is probably about to propose!” Fernando say annoyed.,,You think so?” Andrey asks and sounds very sad.,,Yes, of course. I am pretty sure Karen will propose to that 50 year old guy that works here. I swear to God, you were less annoying when you were seventeen.”,,I was not annoying at seventeen.”,,No, but you are now at 25.” Fernando mumbles.,,Hey” Andrey makes and pounds.,,Okay get off there.” Fernando demands.,,What? But we just start-” ,,Get off!” Fernando repeats, so Andrey awkwardly climbs of the bike. ,,You go tell Karen right now that you love him!”,,What? No!” Andrey exclaims.,,You have been annoying me for the last three years! You go now!” Fernando says and pushes Andrey into Karen’s direction and Andrey stumbles a little and almost falls. Karen turns around at the same time and can catch Andrey last minute. Andrey angrily glances back at Fernando who innocently smiles at him.,,Hey, careful.” Karen says and laughs and Andcrey actually stops thinking for a second. Oh God, Karen is so beautiful. All Andrey wants to do is kiss him and then …kiss other parts of Karen’s body. Well, he should not think about that. Definitely not. Andrey clears his throat and makes and awkward sound.,,What?” Karen asks and smiles.,,I … uhm … Fernando…” Andrey starts and Karen smiles at him again and nods. ,,Fernando wants to know where your shoes are from!” Andrey blurs out and once he has said it, he cringes himself. What? He really needs to work on his coolness when he is around Karen.Karen raises his eyebrows and then looks down at his feet. ,,I … I think Nike?” He says.,,Thanks!” Andrey mumbles and he hurries back over to Fernando.,,What the the hell was that?!” He snarls at him.
Fernando grins and rolls his eyes. ,,Nothing”,,Nothing?!” Andrey exclaims a little too loud, because everyone turns around and looks at him. Andrey awkwardly smiles and waits until the people look away again. ,,I should have kept my mom as my couch.” He mumbles.Fernando grins and rolls his eyes. ,,Ah come on. Calm down, I will invite you to dinner later at the hotel restaurant, huh?”Andrey stares at him for a moment, but then he nods. ,,Okay. But just so you know, I will order whatever is most expensive on the menu!”,,Lobster” Fernando says.,,What?”,,The most expensive thing on the menu is the two pound lobster.”Andrey hates lobster and he is allergic to it. ,,I love lobster.” He says.,,You are allergic to it.” Fernando says. ,Whatever.” Andrey mumbles and then he walks away to do some yoga exercises. 
 
The thing is, Andrey should have gotten suspicious when Fernando texted him to dress nice. He knows he's not the best dresser, but Fernando has never cared about it before. Maybe it is because a couple of weeks ago he showed up to the Diriyah gala event in a hoodie and ripped jeans. Maybe not. But just because he wants to piss Fernando off, he puts that same qutfit on again. 
 
Andrey has just entered the restaurant and the waiter leads him to a table when Fernando texts him: ,,Sorry, might be late. Enjoy ;)” Andrey is very confused and he wants to ask Fernando what he should enjoy, when the waiter leads him into a separate room.,,What?” Andrey mumbles, because the room is empty apart from a table, which stands in front of a window where you can look out over the city. The room is lit by candlelight and  the table is set for two. Andrey wants to tell the waiter that he must have mixed something up, when he hears another voice. Karen.What?What is Karen doing here?Andrey turns around and then Karen is standing behind him and smiles. ,,Karen” Andrey says stupidly.,,Hey”,,What are you doing here?”,,What do you mean? Fernando asked if I wanted to have dinner with him and you.”Andrey closes his eyes and groans, ah. Now it is making sense. Alright. No, not alright, this is not alright, what was Fernando thinking?!

,,I …did they mix something up?” Karen asks and looks around the room.,,i …yes!” Andrey exclaims and stops the waiter who is about to leave. ,,Sorry but you must … something must be wrong!”,,You are Mr. Khachnov and Mr. Rublev right?”Andrey nods.,,Then it is correct. You order the private candlelight dinner.”,,I ..No! No one here ordered any light or candle or dinner!” Andrey lets out. The waiter awkwardly shifts from one food to the other, before he pulls a piece of paper from his pocket, a bill. ,,See here, Mr. Rublev ordered-” ,,I am Mr. Rublev and I did not order that!” Andrey interrupts.,,Is that your credit card information?” The waiter asks and holds out the bill.,,I … yes… but it I did no- oh my god.” Andrey says and then he mumbles: ,,I need to get my other credit card back from Fernando.” Andrey mumbles.,,Is everything okay?” Karen asks.,,Yes” Andrey sighs. ,,Fernando probably made a mistake when he made the reservation.”,,Ah, well” Karen shrugs his shoulders and smiles. ,,I am hungry, should we sit down?” He asks. 
 
For a moment, Andrey feels like Karen is joking, but he is not, he seriously sits down and smiles at Andrey. So Andrey sits down too. He shyly blushes when he looks at Karen. This is not a date, but for a moment he can pretend it is. Well he can pretend until
it gets awkward. It starts with their food, well not the food is awkward, but the waiters monologue about the aphrodisiac qualities of the food is. Andrey buries his head in his hands and wants to die of embarrassment. When they finished the main course, Andrey thought the worst part must be behind him, right? Well, he thinks so until someone with a violin enters the room.
,,Oh God, no.” He grunts. The violin player walks over to them and already wants to start playing when Andrey interrupts him. ,,No, please”,,You already paid for it.” The violin player says and smiles.,,I know, for some reason I paid for all this.” Andrey exclaims and gestures around. ,,But we don’t want it!”The violin player looks a bit pissed and shrugs his shoulders. ,,Whatever” He says and then he walks away.,,Fernando must have messed up a lot when doing the reservation.” Karen says and laughs.

The waiter brings them their dessert and when it arrives Andrey glances over to Karen.,,Andrey, are you alright?” Karen asks.,,I … sure.”,,Are you really sure? You seem a bit uncomfortable. Is it … is it because all of that?” Karen asks and looks around the room.,,No …yes” Andrey mumbles.,,Is it because … because the waiter thinks we are gay?”Andrey shakes his head and looks down at the table and his chocolate cake. ,,It is because I know Fernando did not mess up the reservation.”,,Did he … what?” Karen asks.,,I … Karen” Andrey sighs.,,Oh my god, he invited me on accident, did not he?” Karen asks.,,What?” Andrey asks and looks at Karen.,,I … you … you can tell me if you date him. I … I saw how you cuddled him in the gym today and-” ,,No!” Andrey inrrupts Karen fastly. Ewww. Just the idea of being with Fernando like that … no!,,Then … then what do you mean?” Karen whispers.,,I … Fernando did this here for me. But not … not because he and I are … he did it to … to set us up.” Andrey mumbles.,,What?” Karen says again.Andrey stares down at the tablecloth and whispers: ,,He did it because he knows … he knows I am in love with you.”For a moment, that actually feels like forever, Karen does not say anything, before he finally says: ,,So Fernando … Fernando secretly arranged that for us so … because you love me?”Andrey nods. ,,I … yes. He was tired of me lusting and whining after you and … he did it so I would tell you, I guess. I am sorry”,,Sorry because of what?”Andrey bits his lip and whispers: ,,Because I love you.”,,But I-” ,,No, it is okay. I will just … I will go back to my room. Sorry for all of that, it must have been awkward. I … I will … I will go to my room.” Andrey says and he gets up. He has walked a few steps when someone catches his wrist. Karen pulls him back and close and before Andrey can react, Karen kisses him. 
 
For a moment Andrey does not do anything, but then he realizes what is happening. Karen is kissing him! Andrey does not know why, but it happens and maybe this is all he will ever get, so he lets it happen and kisses Karen back. He does not think or care about the consequences, he just wants to kiss Karen. Kiss and kiss and kiss.

After a few minutes, Karen pulls away and he places his hand on Andrey’s cheek and smiles at him.

,,Wow!” Andrey breathes.,,You should thank Fernando.” Karen whispers.,,He used my credit card to pay for this.” Andrey says and smiles slightly.,,I would say it was worth it.” Karen whispers softly.,,I … I still want to go to my room, you know.” Andrey says quietly.,,I … okay. Sorry, I will just go to my room too and-” ,,No!” Andrey interrupts and smiles up to Karen. ,,I want you to join me.”,,Oh” Karen makes and then he stupidly asks: ,,Really?”,,Mmh” Andrey makes and smiles.
 
The next day Fernando has to learn that making Andrey confess his feelings stops the whining, but that is about the only good thing. Because now, instead of whining Andrey keeps bubbling about how great Karen is, how much he loves him and the likes and, now instead of not working out because he is staring at Karen, Andrey does not work out because he sneaks away to make out with Karen.

Fernando is not sure what he prefers …

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Daniil does not take things as hard as Andrey does. Daniil does not overthink as much as Andrey does. Usually when he loses, he loses and then it is okay. He will try to do better next time. If he is not top ten, he is not top ten. It is okay. It really is for most of the time. But not always. He had promised himself that 2023 would be his year, that he would do better and then he lost so early in the Australian Open… it feels depressing and Daniil tries to act like he does not care, but he does. He knows that Andrey knows it too. When he lost he glanced over to where Andrey was sitting in his box and Andrey had tried to smile at him, Daniil had shrugged his shoulders. Happens, he wanted to communicate, but he knew his body language had said something else.
 
Afterwards Daniil hurries back to their hotel room has fast as he can, he knows Andrey won’t be there, he still has practice and Daniil gets that. Unlike him Andrey could still win and he has a match tomorrow, it is okay. Daniil just wants to be in his room and feel safe.

When he closes the door behind him, he realizes that the room is very cold. How can this be? They are in Australia after all. Is anything ever cold in Australia?He is about to go down to get help from the reception, when he sees Andrey sitting on the bed. ,,What the hell is going on here?” Daniil asks.,,Do you like it?” Andrey asks.,,Like what? The north pole like temperatures? Did the thermostat broke?”,,No” Andrey says and shakes his head.,,Then I don’t get it.”,,I turned the temperature down.”,,Oh, well that explains everythings.” Daniil says sarcastically.,,Give me a moment to explain!” Andrey says and steps closer. He places a hand on Daniil’s check.,,Okay, but hurry. I am freezing.”,,You are russian you will survive it.” Andrey says, Daniil wants to insist but Andrey shakes his head. ,,You remember the first match you played to qualify for playing pro?” Andrey asks.Daniil nods, St.Petersburg.,,You lost and thought you would never qualify to play pro.”,,Thanks, that is the way to cheer me up.” Daniil mumbles.,,Let me finish, babe!” Andrey says and rolls his eyes with a grin. ,,We stayed at that crappy hotel because we were not worth spending a lot of money on yet. It was winter and the heater in our room did not probably work.”Daniil remembers, it had been freezing cold and the hotel had been full and he had been sad, so they had … they had held each other as close as possible under all the blankets they could find and they had kissed. Andrey had told him he was proud and he loved him and it had all felt and been alright in the end.

,,So you decided to recreate this?” Daniil asks and Andrey nods.,,Yes, come here.” Andrey says, he pulls Daniil to their bed. They lay down and Andrey pulls the covers over them and over their heads, so they are wrapped up in it. And Daniil feels like the world just shut off, like everything is quite and does not matter, only Andrey and him.Andrey leans and kisses his forehead. ,,You are my winner.” He whispers and kisses Daniil softly. ,,Certainly not the winner of twitter statistics.” Daniil jokes.Andrey presses a finger against Daniil’s lips. ,,Schhh” He whispers. ,,Don’t think about that.” Andrey whispers.,,Okay” Daniil whispers.,,You know what I said in St. Petersburg after you lost?”Daniil nods. ,,You said that it does not matter as long as I tried my best and then … then you said that you loved me for the first.”,,Well, both is still true.” Andrey says and moves a hand through Daniil’s hair to scratch his skull. A shudder runs down Daniils body and he closes his eyes.,,I love you, Daniil.” Andrey whispers as he softly moves his fingers up and down and through Daniil’s hair.

The sheets are warm and keep them away from the world, they are in their own little bubble and Daniil knows it will be okay.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

,,This tastes horrible.” Andrey says and puts his plate down. Sascha shots him a glance.
,,The chef has spoken.” Daniil says and grins.
,,What?” Andrey asks and then he says: ,,Come on, even I could make better food.”
Sascha and Daniil look at each other and then start laughing. ,,Andrey, you don’t even know how to cook noodles.”
,,That is not true!” Andrey exclaims.
Daniil raises his eyebrows and leans over the table. ,,Whenever Karen is away you either eat at mine and Darias, at your parents or you order take out.”
,,That is just … just because I am lonely when Karen is away.” Andrey says.
,,Really?” Sascha asks. ,,And it has nothing to do with the fact that you cannot cook?”
,,No?” Andrey says and rolls his eyes.
,,Okay, so you can cook better than I do?” Sascha asks with a raised eyebrow.
,,Sure” Andrey says, he totally can!
,,Wanna bet?” Daniil asks.
,,Okay” Andrey says.
,,Ah” Sascha raises his finger. ,,The wager is what makes it interesting.”
,,Okay, what do you want?” Sascha grins and glances over to Daniil. ,,If you win, and you won’t, then I owe you one favor. Whatever it is, I will do it. But if I win…” Sascha trails off.
,,What?”
Daniil turns his phone around and shows him a sketch. Andrey has seen it too, it is from that one instagram account that makes funny cartoons of tennis players and it is him wearing that white Marilyn Monroe dress. ,,If I win, you will not only wear that dress to Daniils birthday party next week, but you will also wax your arms and legs for that.”
Andrey stares at both of them and then he says: ,,Deal.”
Daniil and Sascha burst out laughing. ,,You will be so pretty, Andryusha.” Daniil says.
,,No, I won’t.” Andrey says. He is not going to wear the dress, because he definitely will win.
,,But we will both cook the same dish.” Sascha says.
,,Sure, but something russian, so no one has an advantage.” Andrey insists. ,,Borscht?”
,,Borscht” Sascha says and nods.
,,Who will be the judge?” Daniil asks.
,,Uhm … how about you, Daria, Karen? This way we cannot come out equal.” Sascha suggests.
,,Okay sure.” Andrey agrees.
,,Won’t this be unfair? I mean certainly Karen will vote for Andrey.” Daniil says.
,,We will do it in secret. You won’t know who cooked what.” Sascha says and Andrey nods.
,,Okay, sounds like a bet.” Daniil says and with a grin he asks. ,,What size do you wear in dresses, Andrey?”
,,Don’t smile like that. I won’t lose.” Andrey says. 
 
Some days later, they all meet at Daniil’s again. Andrey has not told Karen exactly what the wager is, but he is confident he will win. He is not the best cook there is but it is alright, as long as he has a step by step description he can follow. Sascha and him have both brought a pot of borscht and while they heat it up in the kitchen, Andrey has to admit, that Sascha’s does smell good. Damn. 
 
They both fill three plates of borscht and set it on a tray. Then they switch the trays to not give any hint who cooked what.

When they bring it to the dining room and sat it down on the table, Karen glances at Andrey. ,,Why exactly did you agree to this bet again?” Karen asks.
,,Because I can cook!” Andrey says.
,,Since when?” Karen asks.
,,Karen!” Andrey lets out and rolls his eyes.
,,S-Sorry?” Karen says and tries to smile. Andrey rolls his eyes at him and both Sascha and him place a bowl of soup in front of everyone.
,,You all only have one vote, okay?” Sascha remembers.

Andrey and Sascha sit down on the other side of the table and carefully watch the others while they eat. 
 
Afterwards Sascha looks at everyone with a smile. ,,So, who wins?” He asks.
,,Mmh, tricky. I liked this one better, I think.” Daria says and points to Andrey’s bowl. Andrey tries not to grin. Good, this is a good start.
,,I liked this bowl best.” Daniil says and lifts up Sascha’s bowl. Sascha looks over to Andrey and raises his eyebrow.
,,Okay Karen. The final decision is yours to make.” He then says and everyone's attention is on Karen.
,,Mmh” Karen makes. He looks at the one bowl and then the other and thinks for a moment before he he points to one. ,,This. I liked that one.”
,,Oh, damn you, Karen!” Andrey lets out and gets up.
,,What? This was not yours?” Karen asks.
,,No, that was not mine!” Andrey exclaims. Sascha and Daniil both snore.
,,What?” Karen asks confused.
,,You will be so pretty, Andrey.” Sascha says and laughs.
,,Oh, fuck you.”
,,It is not our fault. You are a bad cook and you know it!” Daniil defends themselves.
,,I am not!” Andrey says and rolls his eyes. ,,Even if you are not, it does not matter. Because you lost!” Sascha says and grins.
Andrey closes his his eyes and grunts. ,,Fine I will do it. But no pictures!”
,,We will see about that.” Daniil says and grins.

,,What are you talking about?” Karen asks.
,,Nothing. Lets go, Karen” Andrey mumbles and heads for the door.
,,You can stay if you want! We can eat more of Saschas’s very good borscht!” Daniil calls after them. 
 
,,Will you tell me what your wages was?” Karen asks once they are in the car.
,,You will see soon enough.” Andrey mumbles.
,,It is not something bad, right?” Karen asks, because Andrey looks a bit sad.
,,Define bad?”
,,You don’t have to cut of your curls or something, right?”
,,No” Andrey mumbles. ,,Nothing like that.”
,,Then it cannot be this bad.” Karen says and reaches over the gear shifter to take Andrey’s hand.
,,You really liked Sascha's better?” Andrey mumbles.
,,No, actually I liked the other better, but you kept glancing at the bowl Sascha ended up making, so I thought it must have been yours.”
,,Oh” Andrey sighs. ,,Why would not you have voted for what you liked better?”
,,Because I wanted you to win.” Karen says and smiles slightly.
Andrey sighs again. ,,You are sweet.” He says but that does not change that he will have to wear that stupid dress. Ah, damn it. 
 
On the day of Daniils birthday Andrey has to come over early, for the waxing and putting on the dress. Andrey considered pretending to be sick all day, but Sascha and Daniil won’t believe him anyways, so what choice does he have? 
 
When he arrives Sascha and Daniil have of course already prepared everything, both that damn dress and waxing stripes. ,,I want to do the first!” Sascha insists.
,,No, I want to.” Daniil says.
,We could both do one at the same time?” Sascha suggests.
,,Yeah just pretend like I am not hearing you.” Andrey mumbles
,,Hey, you lost in a fair competition. So, shut up.” Sascha says.
They end up deciding that both ripping one of the at the same time would be a fair deal. Andrey would like to disagree but he does not get a saying.

So they both place one waxing strip on his shin, rub and then count to three before ripping it off in one fast motion. ,,Fuck!” Andrey lets out and presses his hands against the skin.
Daniil and Sascha start laughing.
,,That is not funny!” Andrey lets out.
,,I think it is.” Daniil giggles.
,,Come on, come on, next strip.” Daniil excitedly says and almost jumps from the sofa.

It fucking hurts and it does not getter better, Andrey has no idea how anyone could suffer through this or even worse, wax their private areas!?! Daniil waxes his arms and Sascha his legs and Andrey think he might have suffered through it when Sascha suddenly says: ,,Roll up your boxers.”
,,What?”
,,We said the whole leg, so we will do inner thighs too.”
,,No!” Andrey lets out and pulls his leg away.
,,Yes! You agreed the whole leg!”
,,I will not wax my inner thighs!” Andrey insists again.
,,A bet is a bet, Andrey, come on.”
Andrey tries to stare Sascha down, but it is not working. ,,I am sure Karen will like it.” Daniil says with a smirk. ,,Your skin will be so soft.” Daniil adds and laughs.
,,If you rip the hair from my inner thigh Karen won’t be touching anything around the area for some time!” Andrey fires back.
,,Not really my problem.” Sascha says and  then he actually rolls up Andrey’s underwear himself and before Andrey can react Sascha has already applied  the waxing strip.
,,I hate you.” Andrey mumbles and he bites at his own knuckles when Sascha pulls the strip off. 
 
Andrey’s last hope is that the dress for some reason won’t fit. Maybe Daniil and Sascha bought it in a size too small or something. But he is not lucky, because the dress sadly fits perfectly.
,,Maybe we should put on some make up.” Daniil says when Andrey comes out of the bedroom in the dress.
,,No way. This was not part of the deal!” Andrey lets out.
,,Okay, okay” Sascha says and grins. ,,You still look very pretty, Andryusha.”
,,Shut up.”
,,No it is true.” Daniil agrees but Andrey can only roll his eyes. 
 
He is sitting on the couch, when Karen arrives and Andrey takes a deep breath in, when he hears Karen in the hallway talking to Daniil.

When Karen comes into the livingroom he glances at Andrey and smiles, looks away and then wipes his head around again. ,,I …” He lets out, Andrey gets up and sighs.
,,It is because you voted for Sascha's borscht.” He says, Karen bites his lips and reaches out to stroke Andrey’s arm.
,,I … why is your skin so … soft?” He asks.
Andrey rolls his eyes and mumbles: ,,The bet also included waxing my arms and legs.”
,,What?” Karen lets out and giggles.
,Don’t laugh at me!” Andrey lets out and pounds.
,,Sorry. You look lovely.”
 
Afterwards Andrey has to explain his outfit to about every party guest that is there. At least, after some time, Karen lends him his hoodie so Andrey can at least pull this over. It is about eleven, when Andrey falls down on the sofa next to Karen and gives him a suffering look.
,,What?” Karen asks and smiles.
,,I don’t want to wear this anymore.” Andrey exclaims and Karen smiles.
,,I kinda like it.”
,,What? The dress?” Andrey asks.
,,No, well … maybe the skirt, but the top part looked weird. I was more talking about the smooth skin.” Karen says and strokes his fingers over Andrey’s leg.
,,Well, enjoy it, because I will never ever do this again.”
Karen giggles and kisses Andrey’s cheek. ,,Want me to take you home? So I can … get you out of this dress?” He whispers.
,,Karen? Daniil and Sascha spend about an hour forcefully ripping every hair out of my body, from my ankle to my private area and from my hands up to my shoulders, there  is no way in hell I am having sex with you tonight.”
Karen giggles and kisses Andrey’s cheek again. ,,We could still go home, you take off that dress and I will kiss every part of your body that hurts.”
,,I know you are trying to seduce me, but it actually sounds nice.” Andrey admits.
,,Lets go then?” Karen asks.
,,Yeah, definitely.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Karen loves Andrey. He loves Andrey so, so, so much. And he is about equally as scared that he will somehow mess things up with Andrey. The thing is, Andrey is the first person Karen has ever seriously been with. Of course Karen has been with other people and he has dated and has had sex, but he has  never managed for longer than a month. But with Andrey it is different. He loves Andrey so much, he wants to do everything right and since Andrey has been in long term relationships before, he knows how it works. Karen would somewhat preferred if Andrey had broken up with his ex because he was an asshole or something but that was not the reason. Andrey’s ex, Leo, is quite the perfect guy. He is tall, good looking, thick hair, abs, educated, wealthy, he has it all. He even has a job that had allowed him to work from anywhere in the world, so he could accomplish Andrey to his matches most of the time. Truth be told, Karen is not sure why Andrey even broke up with the guy. Yeah, yeah, Karen is tall, trained, wealthy and with thick hair too, but still, compared to Leo he feels like a downgrade. He is not exactly sure why Andrey chose him instead of Leo, Leo does not have crooked front teeth or weird hair or like no bone structure at all. No, Leo has a Yale-degree and an eight pack. And what is probably the worst is that he tries to get Andrey back. He keeps showing up at matches or practice and he sends Andrey flowers and gifts and everytime it feels like it just underlines that Karen is not good at being Andrey’s partner. Yes, Andrey gives the flowers to their neighbor or sends the gifts back, but still. Karen has gotten him flowers too and gifts, but it feels like he is just trying to copy what Leo does. 
 
Karen goes to visit Andrey at practice today, he has packed some snacks and they planned to go on a walk through the park back home and then have a movie night. Karen is excited about the day, well he is, until he spots Leo watching Andrey practice. He stares at him, before he sits down a little away from him. Karen tries not to look at Leo, but Leo notices him anyways. And for some reason, he gets up and walks over to Karen. ,,Hey there.” He says.
Karen does not look at him and just mumbles ,,Hello”
,,Plan to pick up Andrey, huh?”
,,Unlike you.” Karen mumbles and tries to just focus on Andrey. Leo is just trying to make him nervous and feel bad! Andrey does not love him anymore … Karen hopes. Karen swallows and looks at Andrey again, he is fast and sweaty and his hair falls into his eyes a little.
,,He grew it out for me, you know? His hair, I mean. I think it suits him.” Leo says and Karen bits his lip. This is not true. Andrey did not grow out his hair for Leo, he did it because he himself likes it and he does not keep it long because he still wants Leo to find him attractive. No, Leo just … he tries to make Karen insecure, because he knows it will work. ,,It is very nice to grab, when you are … you know.” Leo says with a wink and then he says: 
,,He is good in bed, right? Best I ever had, but you probably know that by now.”
,,We have not yet.” Karen mumbles, more to himself than to Leo.
,,What? You are kidding me, right? Andrey is crazy about sex, he jumped at me every chance he got.” Leo says and Karen closes his eyes for a moment. This is just not important. They decided to wait and  that i- why would not Andrey have sex with him?
Why?
Was there something wrong with him?
Or did … does Andrey not want to have sex with him because all he secretly wants is still Leo?

,,Oh, don’t worry about it, it probably has a reason. I am sure you love each other just as much as we did. I mean, of course you cannot spend this much time with him, because he plays top and you don’t and I mean whenever you do play something together you are competition, but I am sure that won’t get in your way.” Leo says when Karen does not answer.
Karen has never thought about that. He does not see Andrey as competition, even when they play each other. He just … Andrey is Andrey and even when he loses to Andrey, it does not feel like losing.

,,I mean at least you are good enough to win some prize money, otherwise I really would not know you can keep Andrey. He is quite used to fancy dates and stuff. Where do you like to go on dates? I am sure he does not want to go to the same places I used to take him to.”
Karen mumbles: ,,I need to go to the bathroom.” and walks away, but actually, he just leaves. Andrey probably has not seen him yet anyways. Leo can walk him home.

When Andrey comes home, Karen is laying on the sofa, watching TV.
,,Hey, where have you been? I thought we wanted to walk home together.”
,,I … sorry.” Karen just says and shrugs his shoulders.
,,Mmh” Andrey makes. He shrugs off his shoes and lays on the sofa to cuddle with Karen.

Karen looks at around for a moment, before he leans in and tries to kiss Andrey’s neck.
,,What are you doing?” Andrey mumbles.
,,Don’t you want to?” Karen whispers.
,,I thought we said we would wait until we have both settled into the new relationship and have some days off and all.”
,,I …yeah” Karen murmurs and shrugs his shoulders.
,,What is wrong?” Andrey asks and sits up a little, so he can have a better look at Karen.
,,Do you even want to have sex with me?” Karen asks quietly.
,,I … what?” Andrey lets out.
,,Look; I was there today to pick you up, okay? But who was of course also there? Leo and he kept talking about things you and him did, that I don’t with you. And he said, when you were still with him, you jumped at him every chance you got.”
Andrey sighs and reaches out to stroke Karen’s cheek. ,,I … Leo is just  trying to make you question us, he wants to break us up. Please don’t listen to him. I had sex with Leo so often because it was the only thing you could do with him, we never had anything to talk about, he always wanted to show off and stuff and I mean … when I was with him, he and his character constantly stressed me out, so … sometimes I just had sex with him, so he would shut the fuck up. This between us is different! I love you, I really love you and I want us to have sex because we both feel ready.”
,,Mmh” Karen makes. ,,Why do you grow your hair out?” He then asks.
,,Because I think it suits me. Why? Do you not like it? I can cut if off.” Andrey offers.
,,No! No I like it.” Karen says and reaches out to stroke his fingers through it.
,,Please don’t listen to anything Leo ever tells you, okay?” Andrey whispers softly before he leans in to place a kiss on Karen’s lips. 
 
The next week, Leo is there again, when Karen wants to pick up Andrey. Karen sighs when he sees him and he tries to remember what Andrey had told him, but it is hard. Leo sits down next to him again. ,,So” He starts.
,,So what?” Karen mumbles.
,,Did you finally fuck with him? Because otherwise you should really start to worry.” Leo says and laughs.
Karen stares at his hands, he does not know what to answer. Is Leo right? Karen is about to shrug his shoulders, when he hears Andrey's voice. ,,He does not need to worry about anything.” Andrey says and he places his arm around Karen’s shoulder and pulls him close.
,,Ah, come on we both know you-” ,,No” Andrey interrupts. ,,There is no we anymore. This ended about six months ago. Listen, I don’t know if you are stupid or if you don’t want to get it, but I don’t care about you anymore. I don’t love you, alright? I love Karen. If you don’t stop showing up here or sending me gifts and flowers, I will get very mad. I don’t want your money, I don’t want your gifts and I don’t want your attention."
Leo grins and rolls his eyes. ,,Andrey, you-”,,No! I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care.” Andrey says. ,,If you show up here again, I will call the police.” Andrey says, he takes Karen’s hand and pulls him away. ,,Come” He says. Karen feels a little flushed after what just happened, but then Andrey pulls him into an empty building and kisses him.

,,Andrey” Karen giggles and Andrey smiles up to him.
,,If he won’t leave us alone now, I will seriously call the police.” Andrey says and runs his thumb over Karen’s bottom lip. ,,I love you so much.” He whispers.

Karen closes his eyes and leans into the touch. ,,I love you too.”
Andrey smiles at him. ,,You never have to worry about anyone ever, okay? I only love you.” Andrey says and Karen nods.
,,I will try.” He promises.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Sascha knows he is not the best at … controlling his emotions. He has had his fair deal of messing up on court, on breaking racquets and throwing tantrums or getting mad. He is not proud of it but he cannot change it either. Every time he does it, his father gives him hell afterwards and every time he feels bad for it. He does not mean, he does not want to do it, but in those moments he can just not control it. When he loses a point, when he messes up, his body reacts before his mind can.
He think it has gotten better lately, he has more control over himself, at least a bit. Sascha won’t credit himself for that, no. If it was still only him he would still break his racquets and scream insults, it is more because of Andrey. Which is ironic in a way. Maybe Andrey too struggles to keep his emotions under control on court, to not hurt himself. But when it comes to Sascha he does a fantastic job. Everytime Sascha is about to lose it, his mind jumps right to Andrey and he is not mad anymore. He remembers Andrey’s smile, the way his hair curls, the way Andrey whispers ,I love you’ and it is okay. And sometimes Andrey is even there to watch him, from his box and Sascha can glance over to Andrey and it is okay. In his mind he hears Andrey’s soft voice, the way he says ,Ich liebe dich’ in a heavy accent, because Sascha always says ,Ich liebe dich’. And it is okay, it really is.It is okay, until it is not anymore. From the beginning of their relationship Sascha has feared the day he would have to play Andrey. But it happens. He knew it would, they could not sneak around each other forever. The day of the match feels weird. They wake up together in the same bed, they get ready, they kiss and they both leave the room and the next time they see each other they are opponents.When Sascha steps out on the court he feels uneasy, he feels nervous. Before he went on court his dad had reminded him of all the times he had beat Andrey and how this will be an easy win and Sascha had just felt more stressed out. His dad does not know that he is seeing Andrey. On the one hand Sascha does not want to lose, he does not want to disappoint his father but on the other hand he also does not want Andrey to lose.The match starts normally, Andrey and Sascha are kind of going back and forth in the first match. Andrey wins a point, Sascha wins a point, Andrey wins a point, Sascha wins a point and so on. Sascha feels like neither of them really wants to lose or win. But then Andrey ends up winning the first set and a group from the audience screams insults in German at Andrey. Andrey looks around confused and then glances at Sascha, he does not know what they say or what to do.
Andrey shrugs his shoulders and then returns his focus back on the match.Andrey makes the first point of the second set too and again someone screams insults in german. Sascha turns around to the crowd and screams: ,,Halt die Fresse!"
He gets a warning for that and accepts it. Maybe those people will shut up if they realizes that it will make Sascha mad and not make him play better. But they don’t. Everytime Andrey gets a point or makes a move Sascha almost does not get, there are insults screamed. Sascha wants to scream at the emperor that he should make the crowd shut up, be he cannot. That will just get him banned. So he tries to just ignore it, because he knows Andrey tries to do it too. Andrey never tries to take it personally when people hate him. Andrey always tries to be sunshine to others.
But then Andrey makes a point, leading the second set again and that one group buhs him loudly. Andrey let his racquet sink down and his shoulders too. Sascha looks at him and he feels so heartbroken, Andrey does not deserve that and the fact that people keep putting him down makes Sascha so angry. No one has the right to put Andrey down like this! No one, Andrey is the most humble person on this planet! Sascha pulls a ball from his pockets, turns around in a rush and before he has really thought about it he shots the ball in the direction of the group that kept hating on Andrey. He hits the ball with all his force and it flies right into the crowd.
This time he gets buhs and he raises his middle finger at them. ,,Are you happy now? Are you entertained now?!”” He screams at them and in the next second he hears the voice announcing that he gets banned for the match and that Andrey will move on to the next round. Sascha drops his racquet to the ground and shrugs his shoulders. Andrey just stares at him from the other side of the net and when Sascha glances over to his box, his father has already left. Sascha sighs. He cannot change what he did. It happened and now he has to deal with it…His father is waiting for him in the dressing room when Sascha comes back. ,,What the hell was that?! What were you thinking?!” He yells at him.
Sascha rolls his eyes and shrugs his shoulders.
,,That is it?! That is all?”
,,Yeah.” Sascha mumbles.
,,You are such an idiot!” His dad exclaims and gives him a slap to the back of his head.
,,So?” Sascha murmurs and sits down on the bench.
,,The crowd was on your side?! They all knew that you would win! You would have, if you did not totally lose it for some reason! Now Rublev won! He would have never beaten you, if you would not have been stupid!”
,,Maybe I wanted him to win.” Sascha whispers.
,,What?!”
,,They buhed him okay?! They insulted him but they did not even have the balls to do it in a language he would understand! That is pathetic! Don’t hate me now because I dared to fight back!” Sascha snaps back.
His father looks at him and shakes his head. ,,What do you care about what people do to Rublev?! He is grown up, he can deal with that himself!”
,,Because I care about him! Because I love him!” Sascha yells.
His father stares at him and shakes his head again. ,,You are an idiot for fooling around with your competition. You already proved that you let your emotions get the better of you.” His father says and walks away.
,,I don’t care.” Sascha whispers, even though his father probably does not hear it anymore.As soon as his father left he hears other footsteps and then Andrey sits down besides him. ,,You should not have done this.” He says quietly but he takes Sascha’s hand.
,,I know” Sascha whispers and squeezes Andrey’s hand.
,,A lot of people don’t like me and a lot of people don’t like you. We just have to live with that.” Andrey says.
,,I know.” Sascha says again and stares at the floor.
,,Hey” Andrey whispers and Sascha finally turns his head to look at him. ,,We all make mistakes.” Andrey says softly. He places a hand on Sascha’s cheek. ,,Ich liebe dich … doch?” He asks.
,,Trotzdem.” Sascha corrects.
,,Right” Andrey says and smiles.
,,Ya lyublyu tebya” Sascha whispers.
Andrey smiles at him and leans to softly kiss Sascha.
Sascha closes his eyes and leans into the contact. It is okay, it will be okay. He knows it.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey knows that his relationship with Stefanos might be a little … unexpected for some. Truth be told he himself did not see it coming either, especially not after some of Stefanos comments. But what can he say?It happened and now he is beyond happy. After Stefanos had made this ,few skills’-comment, Andrey had been mad at him and he had ended up confronting Stefanos later that day.  Andrey is not usually the one to confront people or to get mad at people, but hearing this comment from Stefanos had made him quite mad. So he had waited for Stefanos in front of his hotel room and when he had finally shown up, he had stopped in front of him and said: ,,I thought you liked me.”Stefanos had glanced at him and shrugged his shoulders before he had tried to reach for his door.
,,No” Andrey had said and gripped his wrist. ,,You owe me an explanation!” Andrey had said.,,I don’t owe you anything.” Stefanos had mumbled and once again tried to open the door.,,You do! Because you were unfair today! We have played each other more than once in the past and very often you won! And when you did I never said anything bad about you or tried to put you down! Even after what you said about my skills today I was nice. Do you think what you did was fair?!” Stefanos looked around them, because Andrey had gotten loud.,,Come inside.” Stefanos had quietly said and let them both into his room.

,,I am waiting.” Andrey had said as soon as they had entered.,,I am sorry, okay?” Stefanos let out and sunk down onto his bed.,,That is all?” Andrey crossed his arms in front of his body.,,I did not mean it, okay? I don’t think you have few skills. It is just I … I am under a lot pressure.”Andrey licked his lips and dropped his arms, before he said: ,,I am stressed too.”,,Please.” Stefanos snorted.  ,,Fernando hugs you when you are sad after a match and he jokes around with you and lets you choose your own diet. You drink  like a litter of cola before matches, for God's sake. Your parents send you like ten pounds of russian candy when they cannot make it to your match. Your parents even cheer for you, when you miss a ball by a meter! And when you mom cannot make it, your dad comes to your matches! And he never gets angry at you! I saw that he fucking hugged you and scartched your back the last time you lost.”,,Yeah, so?” Andrey asks and shrugs his shoulders.,,Your mom was your trainer too, right? Did she ever scream at you when you messed up at practice? Did she ever get super mad at you when you lost?”Andrey licked his lips and shook his head. ,,I … no.” He said, because he might see where this could go. ,,No, uhm … my mom is the best. She … she never got mad me or screamed at me. She … well she was my trainer when I was a child, but when I lost she always took me to McDonalds and afterwards we would … I could choose a movie we would rent and then we would just have a nice evening. I know it does not seem like that nowadays, but I am actually not bad at losing.”
,,McDonalds.” Stefanos grunted. ,,You know when I last had that?”,,No”Stefanos let himself fall down onto his bed and grunted.  ,,I don’t either. But you see, you are probably stressed to but not like me. I … I love my dad and I will never ever fire him but he is …he adds like ten pounds of pressure on me! I … I just snapped at the press conference, because I already had a conversation with my father and all and I … I tried to make myself feel better by telling myself you only won by luck but … you won because you were the better player today.”Andrey chewed on his bottom lip before he sat down next to Stefanos on the bed. ,,I guess this is quite a good apology.” He whispered.,,I am really sorry.” Stefanos said and looked up to him.,,I get it.” Andrey mumbled.,,Can you forgive me?”,,Ah, you know me. I would have forgiven you even without an excuse.” Andrey said and smiled slightly.Stefanos sat back up and shook his head. ,,What I did was wrong. You deserved the apology.”,,It is okay.” Andrey said and then he added: ,,Do you want to grab some McDonalds?”,,McDonalds?” Stefanos asked.,,Yes, you said you had not had it in forever.”,,I … I cannot.” Stefanos mumbled.,,Why? Your dad is already mad you lost to someone like me. Now is the best chance.”,,You are not … alright.” Stefanos said.
 
And then they had gone and gotten McDonalds and it had been great and afterwards they had walked back to their hotel. In front of Stefanos room, Stef had smiled him. ,,Thanks. This was a lot of fun.”Andrey smiled back at him and then suddenly they had kissed, right in the middle of the hallway.
 
And that is what brings them to now: they are getting ready for a small lunch at Andrey’s place to tell some friends. Well, some of Andrey’s friends and actually it is just one and Stefanos does not know that it is just one yet. Because the one is Daniil. Andrey is sure if he had told either of them that only the other would be there, neither of them would have agreed to come.

Stefanos has set the table in the kitchen and is just tasting the noodle salad they had prepared. Andrey wraps his arms around Stefanos hips and kisses him. He wants Stef to be in a good mood before Daniil arrives. Because truth be told, he has not decided on how to deal with the situation yet. He has just decided that he will make them like each other. The question is how?

,,All my friends will love you.” Andrey whispers into Stef's ear.Stefanos laughs. ,,All your friends hate me.”,,That is not true!”,,It is. Tell me one of your friends who likes me.”,,Karen!”,,Karen does not count. Karen likes everyone, just like.”Andrey sighs. ,,My other friends just don’t really know you yet.” Andrey says.
 
Daniil is five minutes early and when Andrey opens the door he is smiling, well … he is still smiling for now. ,,Hey there. Sooo will I finally meet this mysterious parent of yours?” Daniil asks and grins.,,You sure will.” Andrey says. He leads Daniil to the kitchen while they talk.
 
Daniil is in the middle of a sentence when he spots Stef and stops talking. ,,What the hell is he doing here?” Daniil lets out.Stef rolls his eyes and places the bowl of noodle salad on the table.,,You want to meet my mysterious new partner, right?” Andrey asks and grins.Daniil glances over to Stefanos and then back to Andrey. ,,No” He simply says.,,What do you mean no?”,,Andrey are you kidding me? I … what the hell?”,,I don’t know what you are talking about!”
,,I … fuckin Tsitsipas for heavens sake?!”,,I can still hear you, you know.” Stef says.Andrey  sighs. ,,Daniil give it a chance, okay?”,,But … he insulted you publicly and he is … he is Tsitsipas!”,,And you are Medvedev, you moron.” Stefanos mumbles.,,Babe” Andrey says and glances at Stef.,,Ewwh, Andrey you are kidding me right?”,,No, I am … Stef and I are a couple and I want you both to get along. So … sit down. You two have more in common than you think.”,,Yeah, we both hate you right now.” Daniil mumbles but he does sit down.,,Good, I will be back in a minute.” Andrey says and leaves the kitchen. He does not have a reason for it, but maybe this will make Stef and Daniil talk.
 
Stef stares at Daniil. ,,Just so you know, I did not knew about this either.” He says.,,And yet I have to suffer through being in your presence.” Daniil gruns.,,Hey, I am not enjoying your company either.”,,Just so you know, if this is some weird plan of yours to mess up Andrey’s concentration and make him lose or stuff, I will personally find you and destroy you.”,,Uhu, now I am scared.” Stefanos mumbles sarcastically.,,You are such a …”,,What? I am such a what?”,,I don’t know.” Daniil says.,,Look, I dislike you just as much as you dislike me but Andrey likes as both, so … we will probably cannot avoid seeing each other every now and then, okay?”,,So what? You want me to suddenly act like I like you? Quite a lot to expect from some bullshit Russian.”Stefanos sighs and pushes his hair from his face. ,,Look, this is was about five years ago, I was a teenager and I was mad at you. I am sorry, alright? So can you please get over it?”Daniil stares at him and crosses his arms in front of his body. ,,You really like Andrey, huh?”,,I do.”,,You are not playing some game with him?”,,No!”Daniil groans and rolls his eyes. ,,Fine, but don’t expect me to suddenly be your friend or to come over to you when you are hanging out alone at a players gala, because your family are your only friends.”,,Don’t worry, I won’t be your friend either. And I will not come and try to talk to you at a gala when your wife picks out the pepper from your food for you either.”Daniil stares at him again, but then he just nods. 
 
When Andrey comes back into the room, Stef and Daniil have at least not killed each other. ,,So?” Andrey asks optimistically.,,If you really like him I guess I can learn to tolerate him.” Daniil says.,,Good. So you will start to like each other?” Andrey asks.,,No, but I will not try to murderer him when I see him.” Daniil groals.Stef rolls his eyes but does not say anything.,,Good. That is a beginning. So shall we eat? Stef made a noodle salad with pepper pesto.”Daniil takes a deep breath in and with gritted teeth he says: ,,Of course, I love pepper, Stefanos.”,,I know that. Which is why I made it when Andrey told me you might be coming. He did not tell me that you would be the only one coming though.” Stefanos says in a sweet voice.,,Ahh, you are already starting to get a long!” Andrey exclaims.Daniil and Stef roll their eyes at the same time, of course Andrey would think they are being honest. When they realize they both reacted the same way, they fastly look away. ,,Still don’t like you.” Daniil says under his breath.
,,Don’t like you either.” Stef agrees.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey feels high on adrenaline and screams. Fuck, yes. He won. Of course he had hoped to win, but he never knows. No matter who he plays, he always prepares himself to lose, when he does not, when he wins against Griekspoor, he feels like he train knocked him over. He wants to cry and scream and laugh and everything at once, but in the end he settles on smiling. Smiling with his whole face and heart. He fights the urge to jump up and down and to hug the interviewer of happiness. For him, that already feels like winning the whole thing. Who cares if it is just 250?Who cares if he has only made it to the Quarter final right now? He does not. He gave it his best, he did not let his emotions get the best of him, he did not hurt himself. That is all that matters! He has personally improved and that is what he cares about. Andrey wishes Karen could be there right now, with whom he can share his excitement, someone who is not his fans, even though he loves them. He wishes Karen would be here, so he can hug him and jump on him and share with someone how is as excited as he is. Maybe people online will not get it, how proud he is, but Karen will. Andrey cannot wait to face time him and David later. Damn, he wishes Karen would be there and they could celebrate, like when Karen made it to the half finale of the Australian Open. Andrey has to blush and grin even more when he remembers that; they had ordered room service to eat on the balcony of their room and then they had used the hot tub that was on the balcony too. Not only to enjoy the water, but also to do other things and … he stops himself in his thoughts, before he goes too far. Luckily everybody will think he is grinning like that and red because he just played an intense match, not because he is thinking about wanting Karen’s dick as a reward for said match. 
 
Andrey his full of energy the whole time he is interviewed and does press and all. So much, that he does not even notice how tired his body is. 
 
When he makes it back to the hotel, it is early in the evening, but Andrey still feels ready to lay in bed, treat himself with a pizza and face time Karen and David. Nothing else.

He is on his way to the elevator when someone calls after him.Andrey turns around and sees one of the receptionist hurrying after him ,,Excuse me. This is for you.” She says and hands over an envelope.,,Oh, thanks.” Andrey says and takes it. What is it?He manages to wait the whole minute before he is in the elevator to open it.

,,Would you still be excited to see me even when we cannot celebrate like at AO? ;)”Is written on the card that was inside the envelope. Andrey looks up, that is weird. What does this mean?The only person he celebrated with at the Australian Open was Karen and Karen is home in Barcelona with David.So who else could have dropped of the card?

When he leaves the elevator Andrey anxiously looks around himself, to see if anyone is waiting for him outside his room. But there is no one. Maybe he should go back down and ask the receptionist who had dropped the envelope off?

No, no that would be overreacting. He is just overly careful because he watched  the latest season of YOU last night. Maybe it was just a joke or someone had made a mistake. Yes, a mistake sounds reasonable. Like the one time Daria wanted to surprise Daniil by waiting in his room in her underwear, but the receptionist had accidentally let her into Karen’s room. That had been awkward when Andrey and Karen came back to Karen’s room. Yes, that makes sense. Someone probably gave him the envelope by accident.

When Andrey comes to his room another envelope is sticked to the door. Andrey raises his eyebrow as he opens it.

,,I hope you forgive us that we could not watch your match in person, so we could surprise you."Andrey opens the door while reading that message. That is even weirder. Who is we?And what is that all supposed to mean?

He has just turned on the light on and dropped his bag to the floor, when David screams his names and runs up to him. Andrey is confused but catches him and lifts him up.,,You won!” David says.Andrey looks around the room and Karen walks up to him and smiles.,,Sorry, our flight was delayed, so we could not come watch in person.”,,But I … I thought you were at home?” Andrey says with a big smile.,,We wanted to surprise you.” Karen says and smiles.,,You did!” Andrey exclaims and with the one arm he is not using to hold David, he pulls Karen closer to kiss him. ,,I cannot believe you are here.” Andrey whispers.,,Good surprise?” Karen asks with a grin.,,The best” Andrey says.,,We have another.” Karen whispers against Andrey’s lips.,,You do?”,,Mmh, we already ordered room service, it should be here anymore.”,,Sounds good.” Andrey says and smiles.,,Andrey!” David whines and tugs at Andrey’s shirt.,,Mmh?” Andrey asks and turns his attention back to David.,,Dad got me new hot wheels at the airport.”Andrey grins at David. ,,That sounds cool. Do you want to show me?”David nods and Andrey lets him back down.

,,Did not we say he can wait till easter to get new hot wheels?” Andrey mumbles at Karen.,,Yeah, but you won.” Karen says and winks.,,What if I had lost?”,,Then David would have needed something to feel better.”,,But I would have been the one who lost.” Andrey says and laughs.,,David is very sensitive! Now shut up, I got you a something too.”,,What?” Andrey asks.Karen leans in so he can whispers into Andreys ear: ,,Me. But you don’t get your gift until tomorrow. Because Daria only agreed to watch David tomorrow morning.”Andrey grins and wraps his arms around Karen. ,,I love you.”,,I love you too.” Karen whispers.

And sitting on a hotel floor, eating room service burger and fries and playing with David and his hot wheels, that feels even better than wining. It is all Andrey needs, really. But winning is nice too.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Turin in November is still quite warm. Especially when you grow up with Russian winters and Andrey likes to think that he does not freeze easily. So, when he loses to Casper in the half finale, he does not even mind that much. He can take some days to chill in Turin and enjoy the city. He is not even that bothered by the loss. So when he runs into Casper in the locker room he is in good spirits.

,,One could think you are the one who won!” Casper says with a smile.Andrey blushes and looks over to Casper, who just started to change. God, maybe the reason why he is in such a good mood is not only that it is still so warm in Italy. Maybe, just maybe, being around Casper has something to do with it too. Just maybe.

,,I try to be more positive.” Andrey lies.,,Ah, I see.” Casper says and pulls his shirt off. Andrey stares for just a very small moment. ,,So” Casper says, while stripping off his shorts too. Andrey feels his heart starting to run a marathon in his chest. It should be illegal to look this good, or at least to look this good and then strip in the locker rooms. ,,What will you do now?” Casper asks and Andrey realizes that he had been staring at Caspers abs and … other areas.,,What?” He asks and forces himself to look at Caspers face again.,,What will you do now that you are … not in the competition anymore?”,,Oh” Andrey makes, right, tennis. There was something about tennis. ,,I don’t know yet. My hotelroom is booked for another three days, so I guess I will stay here and … explore the city.” ,,You should golf.” Casper says, while he searches for a towel in his bag.,,Golf?” Andrey asks stupidly.,,Yes, absolutely. The hotel has a very nice golf club, you should check it out. And nothing is better than chilling in a hot tub afterwards. They have that too.”,,I don’t know how to golf.” Andrey admits.Casper whips his head around. ,,You don’t?” He asks.,,No?” Andrey answers unsure.,,We need to change that. Golf is fantastic.” Casper says, he pulls his phone from his bag and looks at something. ,,Tomorrow at 1 pm?” He asks.,,What?”,,Tomrrow 1 pm, golfing lesson?”,,With whom?” Andrey asks confused.,,With me, silly. I have practice in the morning but I can make it to 1 pm.”,,I don’t have … scrubbers?”,,I have some, don’t worry.” Casper says, he throws a towel over his shoulders. ,,Oh and don’t forget trunks for the hot tub afterwards.” And then he winks and Andrey has to cough. Oh damn. What is … what is he doing? Casper grins at him before he wander off to the showers.
 
Andrey seriously considers acting like he is ill the next day, he cannot … he will not survive a private golf lesson with Casper. After that wink and seeing Casper half naked yesterday he already had … struggles and hurried to his hotel room and did … things.

But he cannot cancel. So he ends up waiting in front of the golf club at 12.50, for Casper. He even brought his damn swimming trunks. God he does not know how to survive this. Fuck. 
 
Casper arrives with a big smile and carrying his scrubbers. ,,Hello!” He exclaims and grins.,,Hey” Andrey says shyly.,,Ready?”,,I don’t know.” Andrey admits and laughs shyly.,,Ah, don’t worry. We will make you a good player in no time.”

Casper walks them to a hole that is little further away from everyone else.,,Should not we train in like this cabins that face to a court?” Andrey asks.,,Nah, this will do.” Casper says and winks. He hands Andrey a scrubber and places a ball on the floor. ,,So you have never played golf before?” He asks.,,Does golfing on wii sports count?” Andrey asks.Casper laughs. ,,Not really.” He says.,,Then no.”,,No problem. We will start easy.” Casper says and grins. ,,Just try to hid the ball as hard as you can, you don’t even need to aim.”

Andrey swallows, tries and misses the ball.,,Don’t worry. I still miss sometimes too.” Casper says with a smile.,,Mmmh” Andrey makes. The next time he tries he hits but the ball only flies a few meters. ,,Better. But you are standing wrong.” Casper says and before Andrey can do anything else, Casper stands behind him. Very close behind him. He corrects Andrey’s posture and then places his hands over Andreys. ,,You feel the difference?” Casper asks softly and Andrey can feel his breathing against his neck.,,Mmh” He shokes out. He feels a difference, but he is not sure if that is the one Casper has in mind. They are so close, he can feel the heat of Caspers body and his breath on his skin and fuck. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in. Act professionally, don’t let him know that he is distracting you by being so close.

,,Ready?” Casper breathes into his ear and Andrey can only weakly nods. Casper helps him swing and while doing this, their bodies press even closer and they totally mess up the hit. They don’t even manage to hit the ball.

Casper laughs softly. ,,Well, uhm… now I look bad. I promise I am better at playing then at teaching.”Andrey tries to smile at him but all he can think about is, that he is half hard in his pants. How will he survive an unknown amount of time longer with Casper?
 
He somehow manages but what he totally forgot about was the hottub. Damn. He cannot think of any excuse to pull out of the situation. So he is forced to get into a hot tub with Casper, who is by the way, wearing way to tight trunks. That should be illegal too.
 
They are alone in the hottub and Andrey does not know if that makes it better or worse, because now Casper is sitting way to close.

,,So … did I make you a fan of golfing?” He asks and lazily glances over to Andrey.Andrey swallows. ,,I-I don’t know.”Casper grins at him and bits his bottom lip. ,,Maybe I need to give you a few more lessons and soon you will like it.” Casper winks and Andrey lets out a shaky breath. ,,Are you okay?” Casper asks.Andrey nods. ,,Of course.” He weakly whispers but Casper moves closer and reaches out to stroke Andrey’s cheek.,,Are you sure?” He whispers.,,I…I” Andrey studders. Casper bits his lip again, his hand still on Andrey’s face and suddenly leans in closer. Andrey gasps when their lips are touching.What is happening?Why?
What?

Casper kisses him and without thinking about it, Andrey kisses him back. He wraps his arms around Caspers neck and kisses him. Caspers lips are soft and his kisses sweet and Andrey pants into his mouth when they pull apart. ,,What?” He breathes.,,You liked it?” Casper asks with a grin.,,I … yes. But why?”,,Because I wanted to and I think you wanted it too.”,,I did.” Andrey admits.Casper smiles at him and uses his fingers to strokes over Andrey’s bottom lip.Andrey looks up to him and smiles. ,,I want to kiss you again.” He whispers.,,Then do it.” Casper says with a grin.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When Andrey kisses Casper again, Casper pulls him close and into his lap. Andrey groans and while they continue to kiss, he realizes that Casper is hard.

,,Casper” He groans when they pull apart.,,Mmh?”,,We should … leave.”,,Why?” Casper asks with a challenging grin and places his hands on Andrey’s butt. He pulls him closer and over his own erection. Andrey closes his eyes and groans.,,W-What if someone comes in?”,,They won’t” Casper mumbles, pressing his lips against Andrey’s throat.,,How do you know that?” ,,I don’t” Casper admits.Andrey would like to tell Casper that this is such a stupid idea, but he cannot really think. Not when Casper is kissing his throat and when they are this close.,,Say that you don’t want me and I will stop.” Casper says with a grin.,,I … I … fuck” Andrey studders. He leans into Caspers touch and he cannot care about anything else. Casper kisses him and their hands roam over each other bodies. Andrey presses closer and burries his face in Caspers neck.,,Do you want it?” Casper whispers softly.,,Please.” Andrey nods.,,What do you want?” Casper asks.,,Whatever.” Andrey breathes, he presses closer and wraps his arms around Caspers neck.,,Fuck, I want you, but … we really don’t have any lube and water won’t work.”,,Go to your room?” Andrey whispers.,,I cannot wait this long.” Casper whispers, he kisses Andrey throat and then wraps his hand around Andrey’s erection. Andrey groans against Caspers throat, before he reaches down and takes Casper in his hand too. God, he feels so hot, so good. Caspers fingers work magic and Andrey wonders if he can ever look at Casper normally again.

Andrey presses as close as he can and he keeps slowly jerking Casper off. Casper turns his head so that their lips are touching and Andrey leans into the kiss. He groans against Caspers lips and stars to rock into his touch.,,I am … I am close.” Andrey breathes.Casper pulls away slightly, so that they can looks at each other. ,,Come on.” He moans. ,,Do it.” Andrey closes his eyes and throws his had back, he moves up the speed of his own hand and groans. ,,C-Casper” He lets out and comes into Casper’s hand.,,Fuck” Casper leans in to kiss him again, he rocks up into Andrey’s hand, who is moving with an unsteady rhythm and then he releases over Andrey’s hand.Andrey gasps and unsteadily moves off of Casper, so that he is sitting next to him.Casper looks over to him with a lazy grin and Andrey shudders.,,How about your room now?” Andrey asks with a smug smile.,,Sounds good.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey usually likes most people. Really, he does not struggle to get along with people. He is shy, yes, but still somewhat social and even though his English could be better, he usually finds topics to talk about with people. So when he ends up spending so much time at the Diriyah Cup with Matteo he really does not find it difficult to talk to him. Matteo is nice, funny, interesting … good looking. Not that good looking is important to like a person, but still … Matteo is … good looking. Andrey cannot deny that. Matteo is sweet, Matteo is handsome. Andrey does not even know what it is about Matteo that he likes … so much, but there is something. Him and Matteo also get along so well, Matteo always makes him laugh and around him Andrey does not feel insecure. It is not that he feels insecure per se around other people, but sometimes people giggle when he struggles with a word or they talk very fast and with … difficult words and then he feels a bit stupid. Matteo never makes him feel stupid. Matteo always seems interested in what Andrey has to say! Andrey likes that. Not many people, besides journalists, are interested in him like that. 
 
They are hanging out in Andrey’s hotel room after a long day and watch a movie. Well they try to watch, because Andrey struggled with the english audio so Matteo let him switch to russian and put on italian subtitles, but Andrey feels like now Matteo struggles to watch the movie because the subtitles go by so far. ,,We can watch it in english, if you want.” Andrey says and moves the remote control between them.,,No, it is okay.” Matteo says he turns to look at him and smiles.Andrey blushes and smiles back.,,Besides, russian sounds very nice.”,,No it does not.” Andrey says and giggles.,,I think it does.” Matteo says, he moves closer and then he says: ,,I have never heard you speak russian, say something.”,,I … Я голоден. Хотите заказать обслуживание номеров?” Andrey says and bits his lip.,,Nice, what does it mean?” Matteo asks and smiles.,,I'm hungry. Do you want to order room service?” Andrey translates and grins.,,Si sarebbe bello. Anch'io ho fame.” Matteo answers.,,Does this mean yes?” Andrey asks shyly.,,Si” Matteo says. Andrey gets up on unsteady legs and hurries to get the menu from a drawer.,,Uhh, they have pasta, I love italian food.” Andrey says when he falls down onto the sofa again.,,You ever eaten italian food?” Matteo asks.,,Yeah, all the time.” Andrey says.,,No, not like ordered pizza or stuff. I mean real italian food.” Matteo says.,,Oh…” Andrey makes, he thinks for a moment but then he shrugs his shoulders. ,,I don’t know,  is there a difference between … between italian food in italy and elsewhere?”,,Is there a difference between the russian food your nanna makes and the one you get abroad?” Matteo asks with a smile.
,,Yeah”,,See, Well, then you should come over tomorrow night and I will make you some real italian food.”,,What here in the hotel?” Andrey asks and laughs.,,Sure, my room has a kitchen.”Andrey raises his eyebrows and smiles  unsure. ,,You do that often? Cook for your colleagues I mean.” Andrey asks.,,No, I only cook for dates.” Matteo says with a confident smile.,,D-Dates?” Andrey lets out.,,Si” Matteo says, he slowly reaches out and places a hand on Andrey’s thigh. ,,If you … want to?”Andrey blushes and stares down at his leg, where Matteo is touching it. ,,Really?” He asks shyly and tugs a curl behind his ear.Matteo nods. ,,Only if you want“ he says.,,I … I would like to.” Andrey admits.Matteo smiles at him. ,,You do?”,,Да”,,Does this mean yes in russian?“,,Si” Andrey says and giggles.,,Okay. Do you prefer pizza or pasta?”,,I prefer … I don’t care. Surprise me.”,,I think I already did.” Matteo says and giggles.,,Yes. How did you … know that I am … you know?” Andrey asks shyly.,,I … Karen told me.”,,What?”,,Karen told me that you like men. And he also told me  that you can never say no to food.”Andrey laughs and shakes his head. ,,Did he?”,,Mmh” Matteo makes and leans a little closer.Andrey licks his lips and softly looks at Matteo. ,,What else did he tell you?” Andrey whispers.,,Lots of stuff. But not what I wanted to know.”,,What do you wanted to know?” Andrey asks, they are so close that he can see the little sprinkles in Matteo's eyes.,,Like how many dates are your kissing rule are?”,,Right now?” Andrey whispers. ,,Zero.” He mumbles and then he leans and their lips touch and a fire explodes inside of Andrey.Never has kissing someone ever felt that good. He feels like he is on cloud number nine and he hopes this moment will never end.

When they do pull apart after some time, Matteo smiles at him and strokes his cheek. Andrey smiles back at him.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Daniil usually watches Andrey’s matches via the livestream. They hardly ever watch the others match in person, because they are scared people will start to notice. And often times they don’t even have time to watch in person, because they have other things do. So, that Daniil watches Andrey’s match today really is a coincidence, but apparently one made by destiny. 
 
The match starts well for Andrey, he wins the first set and does good in the second and Daniil already sees Andrey winning the third set and the over all mactg.. It should be an easy match. Daniil is already planning where they will go to dinner to celebrate and what they will do afterwards, Daniil has a few idea for celebration sex, when it happens.Daniil thinks he even sees it a moment before Andrey realizes: Andrey slides to get a ball, takes a wrong step and twists his ankles.

When Andrey does not react right away Daniil think that maybe he did not saw it correctly or it looked worse than it is, Andrey takes it hard, but the next second Andrey sinks to his knees, clutching his ankle and letting out a scream of pain.

At the same time a paramedic hurries onto the court, Daniil climbs over the wall of Andrey’s box. Someone from security hurries over to stop him. ,,Sir, you are not allowed on the court.”,,I am Daniil Medvedev!” Daniil exclaims, he is not usually the kind of person to use his name or status like that, but that is different right now.,,You are still not allo-” ,,That is my boyfriend who just hurted himself, okay?!” Daniil lets out. He pushes past the security guy away and hurries over to Andrey.

Andrey is sitting on court while the paramedic feels up his ankle.,,Babe!” Daniil let's out and wraps his arms around Andrey.,,I am okay.” Andrey grids out.
,,No, no, I saw it. It looked back.” Daniil says, like he can judge it better than Andrey.,,I just twisted my ankle.” Andrey says.,,Will he be okay?” Daniil asks the paramedic.,,Yes, it is nothing bad, I think.”,,You think?” Daniil asks and raises his eyebrows.,,Two days of rest and he will be back to compete in no time.”,,I don’t know, This looked back. How can you even tell you it is not that bad just from feeling it up? Are you even a doctor?”,,Daniil!” Andrey lets out.,,What?” Daniil asks and shrugs his shoulders.,,Let that poor men do his work. I am sure he knows more about it than you do.”,,I just want to make sure you are okay and I have seen all seasons of greys anatomy.” Daniil defends himself.The paramedic glances over to Daniil and rolls his eyes. ,,And I was an idiot and went to med school instead of getting a netflix account." He mumbles.Andrey giggles but Daniil pounds.
,,He will be fine, as I said. Nothing pulled, nothing thorn, just take a few days off and it will be alright.”,,Thank you.” Andrey says, he wants to get up, but Daniil does not let him.,,We should get you crutches!” ,,Daniil, I am fine.”,,No! You wait here! You don't know what you are saying you are under shock” ,,I don't think he has a shock." The paramedic says.,,You felt that too?" Daniil mumbles and hurries away.
 And Andrey realizes if he does not let Daniil get him crutches, Daniil won’t speak for him for the rest of the week. So he does. 
 
Andrey also realizes that now he has a few press questions to answer. Not about his injury but about Daniil’s behavior. And he is right, when he sits at the press conference, with his injured leg up on a chair, because Daniil insisted on it, the first question is: ,,Why was Daniil Medvedev so worried about you?”Andrey stares at the audience for a moment, what can he say? To the public they are just friends.,,I … he is my best friend and-” Andrey starts, but Daniil, who sits in the first row gets up and says: ,,Everybody would be worried if their partner got hurt, right?”For a very small moment there is nothing but silence, before the whole room is filled with people talking over each other.Andrey stares at Daniil, who gives him a small smile. Andrey smiles back. He does not care about anything, as long as he has Daniil.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Daniil feels unsure what to do about Dubai. He likes playing with Andrey, but he does not like playing against Andrey. He is happy when they both come into the final, but only until he realises that means they have to face each other. And of course, as they play each, two things happen.First, Daniil wins, which does not feel as good as it usually does, two Daniil accidentally hurts Andrey, which is even worse. When Daniil makes the deciding point, Andrey lets out a ,damn' and playfully, not even hard or far, plays a ball over the net, before he turns around. At the same moment Andrey turns around, Daniil gets the ball last second, hits it over the net again and right into Andrey’s back. Andrey lets out a little ,ouf' and turns back around. Daniil stares at him for a minute, before he runs over to Andrey. ,,Oh my god! I am so sorry!” He lets out.Andrey gives him a small smile, holding onto the part of his back that hurts. ,,You won, no need to go behind my back like that.” He says but smiles.,,I am sorry! I did not want that!” Daniil lets out.,,Hey, it is okay.” Andrey says, he lifts his hand up to stroke Daniil’s face but pulls away at the last second. They are in public, they cannot do that.,,I am so sorry” Daniils says again.,,Daniil, I have accidentally been hit by tennis balls since I was three, I will be fine.”,,I will make it up to you later.” Daniil promises.And the these first few sentences they exchange after the match feel unreal, they both have not fully realized what has happened or that Daniil won, they are both still high on adrenaline. The reality kicks in after all the interviews and press. It feels weird, Daniil feels bad for winning. He knows one of them had to win, but he still does not like that he won and he feels bad for smacking that tennis ball right into Andrey’s back. Yes, it was an accident, but still. He feels bad, like with the success in his career he also failed in his private live.

They don’t go back to the hotel together, when Daniil arrives Andrey is already there. He is laying on their bed, with his phone and he seems sad. Of course he is sad, he could not defeat his title. Daniil has never deafed a title in his career, but for some reason this is different. It is even worse that when Andrey looks up at him, Daniil is caring his trophy, which he defiently cannot hide behind his back. Ah, damn. He should have given it to Gilles to take care of it for the night.

Andrey swallows and looks away.,,Hey” Daniil mumbles.,,Hey” Andrey says, but he turns around to lay on his stomach, not facing Daniil. Daniil can see the bigh bruise on Andrey’s lower back from the tennisball. He swallows, puts the trophy down and then sits down on the edge of the bed.,,I am sorry about the bruise. Do you want me to give you a massage?”Andrey shrugs his shoulders in responds. So Daniil just moves around until he is sitting next to Andrey. Usually, when he gives Andrey a massage, he sits on Andrey’s thighs, but he does not do that now. Because usually when he gives Andrey a massage it is not because he hurted him but rather to get something going.

When Daniil starts to rub Andrey’s back, he pulls all the moves he knows Andrey usually enjoys, the slow move of his knuckles up Andrey’s spin, that thing where he massages Andrey’s lower back and at the same time scratches up Andrey’s back and into his hair with the other hand. But no matter what he does, Andrey is awfully quite… usually Andrey lets out little gasps and moans, but non of that today.

At one point Daniil cannot take it anymore, so he says: ,,Can you please say anything? Or at least makes some sounds?”Andrey sighs, but then he whispers: ,,I am sorry.”,,Thank you. I mean, wait, what? Why are you sorry?”,,Because I lost.” Andrey mumbles.,,I don’t get it.” Daniil admits.Andrey turns around so that he is looking at Daniil. ,,I did not want to embarrase you.”,,How did you … what?” Daniil asks stupidly.Andrey does not look at him, when he says: ,,You said all those nice thinga about me after the match, but I … I am your boyfriend and I feel like it is kind of embarrassing when your boyfriend is a tennis player too but beating him is not even hard. I am sorry I played so bad today.”,,But I … I am not embarrassed, Andrey! I was just … I felt bad because I won and you did not.”,,I don’t care about that.” Andrey admits.,,You don’t?”Andrey shakes his head. ,,No. I know usually I care about such things but not when I play you. I just … I knew I would be happy either way. I was just scared you would be embarrassed about my performance.”,,I would never be embarrassed about you!” Daniil lets out.,,So you thought I was disappointed because of your win and I thought you were disappointed about my performance? But in reality neither of even cared about these things?”,,Yeah” Daniil says and has to laugh.Andrey sits up and hugs Daniil. Daniil wraps his arms around him too. Andrey buries his face in Daniil’s neck and whispers: ,,My champion.”Daniil giggles uncomfortably, it always feels weird when Andrey praises them like that. ,,Stop it.” Daniil says. ,,Why?”,,You are my winner, my big strong, unbeaten boyfriend. 14 matche wins in a row. You are so good.” Andrey pulls away a little to look at Daniil. ,,I think the winner deserves another price.” Andrey adds and winks.,,Andrey” Daniil breathes and giggles.Andrey bits his lip, but then he shifts around until he is straddling Daniil and wraps his arms around Daniil’s neck. ,,What? You don’t want a nother pierce? Do you not think I am a good price?” ,,You are the best price.” Daniil whispers, he strokes over Andrey’s cheek and leans in to kiss him.

Andrey melts into the kiss and his fingers stroke Daniil’s nape. Daniil whimpers helplessly and trusts his hips up against Andrey. ,,What do you want?” Andrey whispers as they pull apart.,,You” Daniil breathes.,,I know, but how?” Andrey asks.,,I … fuck.” Daniil groans.Andrey giggles and says: ,,I know, but how?”,,I …” Daniil swallows and strokes over Andrey’s side when he does. ,,The classic way, I just want to look at you and be gentle.”,,Okay” Andrey says and smiles.

Daniil lays Andrey back down onto the sheets and while they kiss, they slowly undress each other. Andrey runs his fingers over Daniil’s skin, slowly and softly, just the way that makes Daniil shudder.

Daniil slowly works Andrey open, the way he always does when they have all the time in the world: slowly and teasing until Andrey is gasping and whimpering and begging. When Daniil finally gives them both release by pushing into Andrey, Andrey closes his eyes. ,,Oh” He gasps, Daniil reaches out to wipe his thumb over Andrey’s bottom lip. Andrey takes Daniils finger between his lips and stares up with him with those light blue eyes that make Daniil go crazy.

He sets a slow rhythm and with each trust he draws those little moans from Andrey, that Daniil loves so much. When he knows they are both close, he leans down to kiss Andrey’s neck and Andrey tenses up and comes, he moans Daniils name.,,I love you” Daniil gasps as he spills into Andrey.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey and Daniil often don’t come home at the same time. They both have busy schedules and all, so it happens quite a lot that they come home at different times. So, when Andrey comes back to their apartment that night and hears noises from outside the door, he is not surprised. Maybe Daniil’s meeting ended early? Oh, he hopes it does and maybe Daniil has already cooked dinner? That would be absolutely amazing. Andrey is starving.

He opens the door in a good mood. ,,Babe, I am home and I am hungry!” Andrey exclaims and places his keys in the bowl by the door. 
 
Andrey does not get a response, but he does not think anything of it. Maybe Daniil has his headphones in or is lost in a round of fifa. Andrey makes his way to the living room, looking at his phone. ,,Have you already cooked or should we orde-” Andrey starts but he stops in the middle of his sentences when he has entered the living room. There are guys in the living room, guys that are not Daniil or his friends. Because his friends don’t search through his cabinets or stuff his valuables in a bag and his friends also don’t wear ski masks. Andrey does not know what to do and just stares at them.,,Fuck!” One of the guys exclaims and in the next seconds he pushes Andrey’s phone out of his hand.,,I … I did not see anything!” Andrey exclaims and raises his hands.,,I will just … I will turn around and wait till you have left!”,,The hell you will not!” One of them exclaims.,,Okay, I will not.” Fuck, fuck, fuck. He told Daniil they should get security cameras, but noo, Daniil wanted to wait till black friday to buy them. Damn him. Okay, calm down, Andrey trys to tell himself. What do people in movies do when this happens?Ah damn, he really should stop watching 90 teenmovies all the time, those don’t prepare you for live! He does not get a chance to think about what to do, because one of the guys pushes him right to their office.,,You can take my phone, I promise I won’t do any-”,,Shut the fuck up man!” The guy says, he puhes Andrey into the office and then uses cable ties to tie his hands to the tableleg.,,I swear if you make any sounds before we are gone!” The guy hisses.,,I promise I won’t! I will be so quiet!” Andrey promises.
,,Dude, gag him and lets go!” The other guy says and before Andrey can say anything, the guy stuffs one of Daniils shirt, that Daniil always leaves laying around, in his mouth. Andrey has to gag and tries to push the fabric out of his mouth, but that won’t work. The guy that bound him to the table leaves the room and Andrey can hear how he locks the door from outside.

Fuck! What can he do no! Okay, no panic, no panic. The guys will leave soon and Daniil has to come back at one point, right?Oh my God what if Daniil comes home late or does not come home at all?What if has to go on an emergency trip?What if something happens to him on his way back and he does not come home at all?Oh my God, Andrey will die in here, tied to his desk and with Daniil’s used shirt in his mouth! He tries to free himself, but that only ends on either gaging on Daniil’s shirt or the cable ties cutting into his skin. He tries to make sounds but they all get muffled by the fabric in his mouth.
 
Andrey is busy trying to think of a way to free himself, when he hears the front door. Oh my God, yes, Daniil!

He hears him calling out Andrey’s name and Andrey tries to make as many sounds as he can! He hears Daniil moving through the flat and then Daniils shock when he discovers the mess in the livingroom. ,,Andrey?!” Daniil lets out worriedly and Andrey tries to grunt as loud as he can. Daniil pulls at the door and then he must be fumbling around with the key. When he finally gets the door open, he sprints over to Andrey and pulls the shirt from Andrey’s mouth.,,Oh my god, what happened?” Daniil asks.Andrey gasps for air and needs a few second. ,,Someone broke into our place! They were still here when I came home and they tied me up in here!”,,Oh my God, they where still here when you came home?” Daniil asks stupidly. Like Andrey did not just say that.,,No, I thought it would be nice to surprise you by gaging myself with your used shirt and then tie myself to the office desk. Yes, they were still here, as I said!” Andrey is not usually the sarcastic one, but right now is different.,,I will get a scissor to free you!” Daniil says and hurries out of the room.
 
Once Andrey is freed, they call the police and when the police arrives, they have to fill charges. The police does not need long and they will have to drop of a list with all the things that were stolen the next day.
 
Andrey and Daniil are going through their belongings when the police has left. ,,Oh, they stole your watches, I am so sorry!” Andrey sighs, while they clean up their places.,,Babe, it is okay, don’t worry.”,,No! They took so many of the things you loved. They stole the necklace your granny gave you before she passed away! Oh, Daniil that is all my fault, because I just let them tie me up!”,,No, Andrey this not your fault.” Daniil hugs Andrey and kisses the top of his head. ,,The thing I love the most is you, and I only care about you being safe! Please don’t beat yourself up because of that!”
Andrey sighs and he actually has to cry a little.Daniil strokes over his hair. ,,It is okay, baby. I am here. Those were all just material things, I only care about you being save.”Andrey nods but he still is sad. Daniil loves that necklace, it was silver and had a pendant with an D.A. Daniil’s granny had given it to him before passing away two years ago. It had been her way of saying that maybe she did not understood Daniil’s lifestyle, but accepted it. D.A.; Daniil and Andrey.Andrey feels so bad that he could not save it. Even if he gets a new one for Daniil, it will not be the same. 
 
They go to bed early and Andrey still feels bad about the necklace. He is laying in bed, wrapped up in his blankets and placing his order for a security systems, when Daniil comes back from the bathroom. He is only wearing sweatpants and he looks at Andrey like just messed up.

,,What is wrong?” Andrey asks.,,I … uhm … about my grannys necklace.” Daniils says.,,Yes, I know. I am so sorry, Daniil.”,,I …uhm… what would you say I found it?” Daniil asks and grits his teeth.,,You … what?”,,I … uhm … I wore it?” Daniila asks and steps next to the bed.,,You… wore it?” Andrey asks.,,I … yes. I put it on before I left today and I … when I came home I was shocked and I forgot it. Sorry”Andrey stares at him for a moment and shakes his head. ,,I cried because of that!”,,I know. I am sorry!” Daniil says and sits onto the bed.,,I cannot believe it!” Andrey lets out.Daniil kisses his cheek. ,,Are you mad?”,,No, of course not. I am happy you still have it. But you could have realized you wore it a bit earlier!”Daniil smiles and kisses Andrey’s cheek again. ,,I am sorry. It will never happen again.”,,Well, I hope it does not! I was threatened and tied to our desk and I was gaged with your worn shirt! Do you know how disgusting that was?”,,I am sorry.”,,You are installing the whole security system tomorrow as soon as it arrives.” Andrey says.,,I will, I promise.” Daniil whispers.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Daniil pounds when Andrey really leaves him alone in the room. He is such a bad friend! And Stefanos, pahh! There is no way Daniil will go to Stefanos and then admit to him that he is scared of spiders. No way! No! but there is also … There are a lot of spiders in Australia and Daniil got the feeling that he can hear each and everyone of them crawling in his room. What if he wakes up and a spider is on his body?Or worse … on his face?He has once read that every person eats five spiders a year in their sleep. A shudder runs over his body just thinking about it. Fuck, okay. He will go to Stef's room, there is … does he even have a chance? No… no, Stef is the only one he can … ask right now.With a sigh Daniil gets up and leaves his room. He walks over to Stefanos room and for a moment he thinks about just … just going back to his room and living with the spiders. But then he remembers the five spiders a year and knocks.It takes a moment, but then Stefanos opens the door and raises an eyebrow when he sees Daniil standing there. Daniil swallows once, because Stefanos is only wearing boxers. And even if Daniil does not like Stefanos, he cannot deny that Stef is a sex guy. ,,Andrey and Karen are having sex and there is a spider in my room.” Daniil bursts out.Stefanos frowns. ,,Okay? Thanks for letting me know.”,,I have a phobia.” Daniil adds.,,Of Andrey and Karen having sex?” Stefanos asks with a grin.,,I … no, of spiders. I have a phobia of spiders and there is one in my room and Andrey and Karen are having sex right now.”,,Cool, you should start a newsletter.” Stefanos says and is about to close his door again.,,I need to sleep here tonight!” Daniil says fastly.,,You wanna bet on that?” Stefanos asks,,I … please. I am really scared of spiders and I cannot sleep in my room, knowing there might be more. What if there is a neast?”Stefanos sighs. ,,Okay, fine. Come in.” He steps out of the door frame and lets Daniil in.,,Thank you.” Daniil mumbles.,,I would say no problem, but I am not sure yet.”Daniil looks around Stefanos room. It is clean, it is boring. ,,Do you not have a couch?” Daniil asks.,,Do you see one?” Stefanos asks and walks past Daniil.,,No…” Daniil says and trails off. Cool, perfect. His room his full of spiders, Andrey is a bad friend and prefers to get fucked and now he has to share a bed with fucking Tsitsipas. What has he done to deserve that?Daniil swallows, alright, he can do this, it is still better than spiders. Seeing Stefanos half naked is better than seeing spiders. He sits down on the bed and continues to look around the room.,,I was just getting ready for bed.” Stefanos says.,,Okay” Daniil says.Stefanos goes back to the bathroom and Daniil awkwardly shifts on the bed. What should he do now?Just wait until Stefanos is back?Already try to fall asleep?Just hurry out of the room and pretend that never happened? No, this would be even awkwarder. He will just … he will just sit here and wait and see what Stefanos does when he comes back from the bathroom.Stefanos needs 20 whole minutes until he comes back from the bathroom and Daniil wonders what the hell he was doing in there? Does not matter. What matters, just a little, is that Stefanos is still only in his underwear and he climbs into bed with it.,,If you want, you can watch TV, but I will sleep now.” Stefanos says and turns the lights off on his side.,,No… it is okay.” Daniil says, he moves around so that he is laying in bed too and pulls the covers over him. ,,Good night.” He mumbles.,,Mmh, good night.” Stefanos says and when Daniil glances at him, Stefanos is seriously putting on a sleeping mask. Sometimes Daniil wonders if Stefanos really means all of the things he does for real.No matter how hard he tries, Daniil cannot fall asleep. Maybe it is the spiders, or maybe, just maybe, it is that he shares a bed with Stefanos. Just maybe. Daniil sighs, after he has been turning around for what feels like hours.,,Are you still awake?” He asks into the darkness.,,Yes” Stefanos answers. ,,Do Andrey and Karen really have sex?” He then asks.,,Yes, I accidently walked in on them.” Daniil says.Stefanos actually has to giggle and then he turns to face Daniil, while pulling of the mask. ,,You know … I … I don’t actually hate you or stuff.” He mumbles.Daniil looks at him. ,,No?” He asks.,,No … actually I think you are … you are kind of nice.”,,Mmh” Daniil makes, before he mumbles: ,,I don’t hate you either.”,,You don’t?” Stefanos asks.Daniil swallows and looks at Stefanos. He really is good looking. Damn. ,,No” Daniil then says and shakes his head.Stef looks at him and for a moment they don’t move. Daniil suddenly feels hot and weird. He stares up at Stef, licks his lip and leans up a little. Just a little, but Stef gets it, because he leans in a little too. ,,Actually…” Daniil starts, moves in a little more. ,,Actually I quite like you.” He mumbles, Stef answers by pressing their mouths together.Daniil does not move for a second, but then he kisses Stef back. They kiss and kiss and kiss, before Daniil sits up and leads Stef to lay down. He kisses him again, pressing their bodys together. Stef is still only wearing his underwear and through it Daniil can feel how turned on Stef is by all of that. He moans and and rubs his own erection against Stefs. ,,Oh” Stefanos gasps into his mouth and Daniil does not care about anything. He does not care if they will regret this tomorrow, if this is absolutely stupid. He only cares about getting off. Stef reaches down to pull Daniils sweatpants down and wraps his hand around Daniil. Daniil whimpers into Stef’s mouth and reaches down to return the favor.They stroke each other fast, while kissing and moaning and when they spill in each other's hands, Daniil feels like he is on cloud number nine!Afterwards he rolls off of Stefanos and without thinking he pulls him close and they fall asleep like that. The next morning Daniil wakes up, wondering what the hell he was thinking last night? Nothing! He was clearly thinking nothing. Fuck! But Stefanos comes out of the bathroom just as Daniil is about to sneak out of the room. He is dressed nicely and smiles. ,,Breakfast?” He asks.,,B-Breakfast?” Daniil studders.,,Yes?”,,Uhm … okay” Daniil just says. Fuck it, it cannot get worse and he really is hungry.When they step out of Stefs room Andrey and Karen are coming down the hallway, laughing and talking. They stop in front of Stef and Daniil when they see them leaving the room.,,Hello?” Andrey says and he sounds confused.,,I … you told me I should ask Stef for help!” Daniil says fastly.Andrey smirkes. ,,Yeah, I did.”,,I let him sleep in my room, to … to make sure there are no spiders.” Stef mumbles.,,Sure you did.” Karen says with a grin.,,Nice that you are getting along finally.” Andrey adds.,,Yes and now we have to go! Breakfast closes at 9!” Stef says and fastly walks away. Daniil follows him.,,Is it just me or did they give off sex energy?” Karen asks, when Daniil and Stef are out of sight.,,No, they totally did it last night.” Andrey says and grins.,,Speaking of it … interested in another breakfast?” Karen asks.,,We just had bre-Oh. Of course I am.” Andrey says with a smirk, before he pulls Karen to his room.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The good thing about playing Qatar ATP together with Andrey is, that they could spend a lot of time together. The bad thing is, that they hardly have any real time just the two of them. From the moment they arrived, there was programm planed for them, there were cameras and press and everything.

And then they have this museum tour. Sascha is not a fan of museums, he had never been he. Always since he was a child museums and all that stuff had bored the hell out of him. So now running around the museum is boring him the fuck out too. And Andrey must be bored too, Sascha knows it, Andrey is just too polite to ever say or show it. He followes around the guide, he nods when someone explained something and pretends to look at the stuff on display. But there is no way he actually means it. After about 45 minutes of being guided around the museum Sascha decids that maybe it is time to do something more exciting and since he could not just wander off, he decids Andrey would be his source of entertainment. 
 
Andrey is walking ahead of him and Sascha fastly catches up and while he does, he casually places a hand on Andrey’s lower back. Andrey glances over to him but does not say anything. They stop in front of another showcase and when the guide starts to talk, Sascha leans in and whispers: ,,You looks so good right now, I cannot wait to tear all your clothes off.”, into Andrey’s ear.Andrey coughs and turns around to Sascha. Sascha grins at him and raises an eyebrow.,,Seriously? You get horny in a museum?” He whispers back.,,No, but I get bored.”,,How flattering.” Andrey mumbles and turns away. 
,,I did not mean it like that, you always make me horny.” Sascha says quietly as they walk to the next showcase.Andrey rolls his eyes with a grin.,,I bet you make them all horny too.” Sascha mumbles and steps as close behind Andery as he can, without it getting suspicious.,,Yeah, sure.”Sascha leans in again, like he is saying something to Andrey about the exhibits but instead he says: ,,I bet you do. I bet they all would wish they could fuck you. But only I can.”Andrey giggles nervously and looks around the room. Sascha loves how easily Andrey blushes and shifts his weight from one foot to the other.,,Imagine if they knew what I did to you last night, how you were trembling when I eat you out or how you begged for my cock.”Andrey coughs and trips while he walks. Sascha grins and winks at Andrey. ,,Stop it! We cannot do that here!” Andrey lets out quietly.,,Why not?” Sascha asks.,,Because … because …” Andrey studders.,,I bet they would all love to watch me take you right here, over the showcase. I bet you are still lose from this morning.” Sascha says and licks his lips.Andrey has turned the color of his hair and giggles nervously. ,,Sascha.” He breathes.
Sascha winks at him and then, when the rest of the group is already behind the next corner, he reaches out to touch Andrey’s ass. ,,Bathroom in five minutes?” Sascha asks.,,I … Sascha, we cannot!”,,Okay, then don’t show up, but you will regret that!” Sascha says and walks in the direction of the bathroom.
 
Andrey hurries to catch up with the group, when they reaches the next showcase he has no idea what the guide is talking about, because he is way too focused on Sascha’s words in his head, and covering up that he got an erection. He keeps glancing in the direction of the bathroom, but after three minutes, he gives in. ,,I need to go to the bathroom.” He mumbles in the direction of Fernando, before he hurries away.
 
,,Sascha?” He asks unsure, when he opens the door to the bathroom.,,Finally!” Sascha lets out and before Andrey can say or do anything else, Sascha pulls him in to kiss. Andrey whimpers into Sascha’s mouth and presses against him, while they kiss.

Sascha pulls him into one of the stalls and locks it.

,,Hurry, we don’t have much time.” Andrey says. He leans against the wall and stares up at Sascha, panting.,,Fuck, I wish I could fuck you right now.” Sascha breathes with a grin, before he leans in to kiss Andrey again.

Andrey reaches down between them and pushes Sascha’s pants and underwear down far enough to reach his dick, before he starts to stroke. Sascha mirrors his actions and Andrey lets out a grunt when Sascha touches him.,,You are so hot, I want to have you all the time.” Sascha whispers and swipes his fingers over the head of Andery’s dick.,,Yeah? I want to murderer you for always rilling me up in public.” Andrey breathes but he continues to jerk Sascha off just the way he knows makes Sascha weak.Sascha moans and leans in to kiss Andrey again. ,,I cannot change it.” He whispers into Andrey’s mouth.

Andrey whimpers when Sascha pushes his hand away and wraps his own around the both of them.

Sascha jerks them both fast and unsteady. ,,You secretly like it.” He groans and buries his face against Andrey’s throat.,,Maybe” Andrey admits, his legs are shaking and he groans Sascha’s name.

,,Are you close?” Sascha asks and pulls away to look at Andrey.Andrey can only nod in response and Sascha speeds up his hand.,,Come then, Andryusha. Come for me, show me that you secretly like it when I make you hot in public, babe.”Andrey gasps and closes his eyes as he spills over Sascha’s hand. Sascha grunts and it only takes seeing Andrey in pure pleasure, to come too. 
 
He pulls his hand away and locks eyes with Andrey as he licks their cum of his fingers. Andrey shudders and moans.

Sascha grins at him and Andrey pulls him back in for a soft kiss. 
 
,,We need to get back, before some catches us.” Andrey says when they pull apart and Sascha nods with a lazy smile.

They pull their pants back up and Andrey has just opened the stall, when Fernando opens the door. ,,Where are you, everyone is looki- oh god.” He says.Andrey blushes and looks aways. ,,Oh, please tell me you did not sneak off, do it here.”,,No.” Andrey mumbles and fastly pushes past Fernando.

Sascha follows with a chuckle.

,,I don’t get paid enough for that.” Fernando mumbles as he makes sure Andrey and Sascha rejoin the group and don’t get any more stupid ideas.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Karen has his head resting on Andreys shoulder and his arms wrapped around his hips, while Andrey is holding his phone. ,,Come on, give me some ideas.” Andrey demands.,,I don’t know.” Karen mumbles and yawns.,,Well this was partly your idea too!” Andrey says.,,Not really. You were the one that got me the kamasutra for my birthday and then said, we should do a bucket sex list.”,,It is a good idea!” Andrey insist. He is not sure, if it is, but it could be fun, to write down all their fantasises and stuff. He knows that Daniil and Stefanos have a sex bucket list! And Daniil and Stef are way more boring than Karen and him, so they can definitely have a sex list too.,,Okay…. uhm … I don’t know, write roleplay of stuff.” Karen say.,,What kind of role play? Because I am not doing catholic school girl of stuff.”Karen laughs and shakes his head. ,,I don’t know, maybe coach and player or stuff.”,,Okay, okay, role play. Sounds good.” Andrey says and tipes it into his notes app. ,,Did you know that Daniil and Stef play strip tennis?” He then asks and Karen busts out laughing.,,Strip tennis?” He asks.,,Mmh, Daniil told me the other day, not that I asked. Whoever loses a point takes a piece of clothing off.”,,I have a few questions, but mainly, where the hell do they find the space to do this without people knowing?”,,I did not ask, because I really did not want to know!” Andrey says and laughs.,,I am saying no to strip tennis.” Karen says.,,Okay, okay. Bondage?” Andrey asks.,,Why not. But then add edge play as well.” Karen says.Andrey smikres. ,,Edge play?”,,I love how desperate you get when I have not touched you in a few days, I want to know what you are like when you are not allowed to come.”,,Mmh, okay. Wax play?” Andrey asks.,,As long as it is not on me.” Karen says.,,Why?”,,Because unlike you I have hair on other body parts besides my arms and legs.”Andrey giggles and strokes a hand through Karens hair. ,,Good point, you can try it out on me.”,,Do it in public?” Karen suggests next.Andrey writes it down and suggests: ,,Do it on court?”,,How would we manage to find a court where we can do it without people finding us?”,,I don’t know, we can ask where Daniil and Stef play strip tennis.” Andrey says and laughs.,,I am not sure if I want to know that.”,,Daniil told me some more stuff.”,,Really?” Karen asks interested and moves around, so he can look at Andrey.,,Yes, but I am not telling you.”,,Why not?”,,Because you cannot keep secrets, you never shut up.” Andrey says teasingly, he kisses Karen, before he says: ,,Oh, gag you.” And tipes that on his phone.,,Oh, you are so mean.” Karen says and rolls his eyes, but he is still grinning, so it is okay.,,Am I?” Andrey asks and strokes Karens cheek.,,A little bit.” Karen whispers and kisses Andrey again. Andrey kisses him back, but when Karen starts to grind against him, Andrey pulls away. ,,Lets finish the list first.”,,okay, okay.” Karen says, but not before he kisses Andrey’s throat. 
 
In the end, they got quite list, that will keep them entertained for some time:
 
Roleplay
Bondage 
Edge play
Wax play
Do something in public
Do it on court
Gag Karen (aka he is not talking for a minute)
Ice cubes 
Make Andrey wear that tennis skirt again 
Pretend to be seventeen again
Massage with happy end (note: Karen gives the massage! Note two: no, karen does not)
join the mile high club 
use a tennis racquet for spanking 
Tease Karen, he is not allowed to touch!
watch porn together (again, pretend we are 17 again, lol)
do it in front of a mirror
blindfold 
meet at hotel and pretend we don’t know each other
do it in a pool
make a sex tape (not like Tommy and Pam!)
have sex in the back of Karen’s Cadillac (Note, Andrey thinks that won’t work because of height)
mik each other dry
actually use the Kamasutra Andrey bought (,,as a joke”)
use remote controlled sex toy
have sex in a bathtub
 
,,Now put the phone away.” Karen whispers, after Andrey wrote down 25 points.,,But I have more i-” Andrey starts, he does not get to finish his sentences though, because Karen silences him with a kiss. Andrey gasps into Karen’s mouth. They are still naked from when they had sex before they started the list. Karen uses one hand to grab Andrey’s thigh and pull him against him, before he slides into Andrey. Andrey moans and throws his head back. He has his eyes closed and bits his lip. God, damn it. Karen has always known how to work his buttons, from the first time on. Karen always knew how to move and how to make him weak. Andrey has to blush every time he thinks about how Karen can make him come with just penetration. When he was still a teenager, more edger and always horny, Karen was able to make him come without touching, just dirty talk. Andrey cannot do that anymore, but it still does not take much for Karen to make him a whimpering mess. Just like now.

Karen is slowly fucking into him and kissing his throat and already Andrey feels his legs trembling and his muscles tightening.,,Maybe we should do the edge play point right now.” Karen whispers.Andrey opens his eyes and stares at Karen. ,,Don’t you dare.” He says and pushes himself against Karen.,,Give me a reason not to.” Karen says and grins.,,If you edge me now, I will whisper into your ear, all the things Daniil tells me about his sex life with Stef, the next time we have sex.”Karen stares at him for just a second, before he starts to move faster and wraps his hand around Andrey. ,,Please don’t do that:” He breathes.Andrey can only give him a weak smile, because all his attention is focused on Karen touching him. Andrey moans softly as Karen manages to hit his prostate with each trust, while also jerking him off. ,,Karen” He whimpers and clenches around him.,,Oh” Karen lets out.,,Please, come on. Make us come.” He begs. Karen leans in to kiss him again and while he does, Andrey feels them both coming.

Afterwards Karen collabs on top of him and Andrey weakly runs a hand through Karen’s hair. ,,Good?” Karen breaths.,,No, perfect.” Andrey gasps.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Daniil always knew he was not the most attractive one, he never was. He had thin hair since he was like twelve, he has weird bone structure, he cannot grow a full beard, his limps are too long. So, yeah he always knew he was not super good looking or sexy or stuff. He was a nerd, at least kind of, and he looked like that. He also knew that he did not dress super cool or fancy. Summing it up, he looked and dressed average, maybe a little below average even. And for most of his life that was okay. Even when he got together with Andrey, it was okay. Daniil always knew that Andrey would be the pretty one in their relationship and he was okay with that. Who would not be okay with having someone like Andrey as their boyfriend? Andrey was gorgeous, pretty, well dressed, or at least he had a personale style. Andrey had those full and thick curls, straight, white teeth, everything. Andrey was the most gorgeous person Daniil knew, he was totally crazy about and so attracted to Andrey. It was unreal. 
 
Usually Daniil did not question himself, he knows he is not that attractive and he is okay with it. Usually. But not today. Today he had gone out to get pictures for his ID taken and my god where they horrible. He had tried to look good for it, as good as you could look in ID picture. But oh boy did that not work out.

After he had gotten the photos, he had cringed at himself: His smile is cropped, his hair thinning and you could clearly tell where it was fading, his beard looked like he was fourteen (he knew he always looked like he was 14, but still) and oh my god, did his eyes always look that bad? When did he got so many wrinkles around his eyes?

Fuck, is that how he always look?How he looks when there is not a mirror around? Is this how other people … how Andrey sees him?If that is true, why would Andrey ever want to have sex with him again?

Help. 
 
Daniil is sitting on their sofa, still starring at the ID pictures, when he hears Andrey coming home.

,,Hey, babe. I am so worn out from practice. What do I have to do so you will give me a massage?” Andrey asks, while he comes into the living room. He sits down next to Daniil and cuddles up against Daniil. ,,What are you looking at?” Andrey asks and leans a little over Daniils shoulder to look at the pictures.,,Just my ID pictures.” Daniil mumbles.,,Oh, cute” Andrey says and giggles. ,,Let me have a closer look!” He demands and tries to reach for the picture.,,No” Daniil lets out and fastly moves them out of Andrey’s reach.,,Why? It is just your ID picture.” Andrey says, he moves his fingers through Daniils hair and Daniil just wants to pull away. He does not need any reminder of how thin and fading his hair is.,,I look bad in it.” Daniil mumbles.,,So? No one looks their best in their ID photos. You saw my driver license photo!”,,That was a cute picture of you.”,,Not really” Andrey giggles.Daniil sighs. Andrey will see the photo anyways, so … he gives in and holds it out to Andrey.,,Aww, you look cute.” Andrey says and strokes over the picture.,,I look horrible! Are you blind? I that what I look like everyday? Why would you even have sex with me!?”Andrey leans his head against Daniils shoulders. ,,I think you are super cute and sexy.”,,Have you not seen how horrible my hair looks? I am balding!”Andrey runs his fingers through Daniils hair again. ,,I don’t care about that.” He whispers. ,,I think you are super sexy. I love you and your hair and everything about you.”,,You are just lying, because you are nice.” Daniil whispers and takes the photo away from Andrey.,,No, I am not. You are so attractive, Daniil! I love your body and your long legs and the soft outline of your abs.”Daniil blushes and looks away. ,,But look at my hair, it looks so bad and when did I wrinkle so much?”,,Your hair is cute. I like it. It is so soft and I like how you can never control it.” Andrey whispers, he kisses Daniils cheek and then nuzzles his nose against it.,,And I love your face, inducing your small little wrinkles. They are part of live, they are a reminder of all the fun we have had so far.” Daniil blushes and looks down. ,,But you are so much more pretty and sexy compared.”,,No, we both are. See, did you ever think I was ugly and unattractive?”Daniil shakes his head.,,But sometimes I think that about myself but you never think that about me. We don’t see each other the way we sometimes see ourselves! And whenever I look at you, I think you are so handsome and sexy. You always make me feel like I am a teenager again.” Daniil blushes and leans in to be closer to Andrey.Andrey kisses the top of Daniils head. Andrey strokes over Daniils back. ,,You are so pretty, Daniil. I always love looking at you.” Andrey starts to slowly massage Daniils skull and Daniil leans into the touch and sighs.,,You really think that?” He mumbles.Andrey nods. ,,Yes, you are my handsome octopus.” Andrey says and giggles.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Maybe Andrey should have seen it coming. He probably should have, to be honest and yet he did not. It all started a few weeks before, when he was lying in bed with Daniil after they had have sex.

Daniil was stroking through Andrey’s hair and asked: ,,What is your favorite fantasie?”,,Fantasie?" Andrey asked.,,Yes, sexually I mean.”,,I don’t know. Why?
”,,Just asking. I thought … maybe if you have one, we could play it out.”Andrey giggled and shook his head. ,,What is going on with you?”,,Why? I just want to spice up things.”,,Are you getting bored?” Andrey asked and sat up.Daniil reached out to stroke his back. ,,No, I just wanted to do something nice for you.”,
,That is sweet. But I am very happy.” Andrey said and leaned down to kiss Daniil.Daniil kissed him back and wrapped his arms around Andrey. Andrey cuddled up against Daniil again and sighed when Daniil scratched his back.,,But you had fantasies when you were a teen that never became real, right?”,,Sure.” Andrey mumbled.,,Like?” Andrey was half asleep and deeply enjoyed the backscratch, so he mumbled: ,,Uniforms.”,,What?”,,When I was a teen I had this cop fantasie, after I saw this hot cop in the city. I don’t know, uniforms were kind of my thing back then.”,,Mmh” Daniil had just made. 
 
So, really, Andrey should have seen it coming, see something coming at least. Especially after Daniil did not bring up the topic again the next day. And yet … he did not. He really did not see it coming.

No, when Andrey came home this day he did not expect to see Daniil in their bathroom wearing a … well Andrey guessed it was supposed to resemble a police uniform. But he could not be sure. He stared at Daniil for a moment and he was not even sure how to react.,,Hey” Daniil said and grinned.,,I … what are you wearing?”,,Do you like it?”,,if I … I if I like it? Well, uhm … you certainly surprised me.” Andrey stammers.,,It is your fantasie.” Daniil says.,,I … I cannot remember a fantasie where you … wear … what even if this? Is this a costume for very large children?”,,Does this matter?” Daniil asks and comes closer.,,I mean … no, but … yes.”,,It is for … taller young people, okay? They did not have one in my size for adults. Now shut up, or do I need to arrest you?”Andrey tries not to laugh but it is kinda hard. Daniil is wearing a children's cop costume that he cropped himself, by the way it looks, for heaven's sake.,,Stop laughing! This is sexy!” Daniil demands.Andrey licks his lips. ,,Are you sure?” He asks.,,I … yes! This is your fantasie.”,,I … I don’t want to be mean, but this is totally not my fantasie. Please, take this off.”Daniil pounds and Andrey has to giggle. He steps closer and he tries not to laugh again. ,,Come on. I will do something for you, when you take that off, whatever you want.” Andrey whispers.,,Maybe I think this is sexy.” Daniil answers.,,Daniil you are wearing a childrens police costume that you cut into shorts, not even when I was fifteen would that have get me going. You can continue to wear the head.” Andrey says teasingly.
Daniil looks at him for a moment, before he sighs: ,,Can I use the handcuffs?”,,Were they part of the costume and are plastic?”,,Yes”,,Then no.”Daniil pounds.,,Why is this so important to you anyways?” Andrey asks and places a kiss on Daniils mouth. ,,I told you this is not really my fantasie anymore.” He whispers, while he pushes that awful shirt off of Daniils shoulders.,,Do I need a reason?” Daniil asks.,,It would be nice, yes. Because otherwise I might think you are getting weird.” Andrey says and giggles.,,I read an article online how after a certain time of being together you kind of get into a routine and that often leads to being unhappy in a relationship and stuff.”,,So you thought dressing in a kids costume to do a ,,roleplay” would spice things up?”,,Kind of.” Daniil says.
Andrey leans in and kisses Daniils cheek. ,,I would say it is sweet, if you were not wearing what you are wearing. Ah, come on, babe. Do you really feel like we are stunk in a routine?”,,I don’t know, sometimes, when we are home, it feels like we are.”,,Okay, maybe a bit, but actually I like that.” Andrey admits.,,You do?” Daniil asks.Andrey nods. ,,When we are playing competitions, everything is always hectic, always new, always loud. We never stay at a place long enough to really get to know it, we never know how long we will stay and when we will lose, we never know when we will see each other again. That is a lot and it often overwhelms me. When we are home together things are not like that. I don’t need to ask Fernando every five minutes where I need to be next, I know where everything is. I like that. And sexually wise I really don’t think we are stuck in a routine there.” Andrey whispers and leans in to kiss Daniils throat. ,Mmh, I guess you are right.” Daniil agrees.,,See, no need to dress … up like that.”,,You really did not find it sexy at all?” Daniil asks again.,,Daniil, for the last time, you are wearing a childrens costume were you cut the legs off. No, not sexy.”Daniil sighs. ,,Fine, I will take it off.”,,Thank you.” Andrey groans, but he strokes Daniils cheek and adds: ,,We could act out some other fantasie.”Daniil grins. ,,Okay, what is your idea?”,,Mmh, you are my psychotherapist and I just had a really hard game and I really need a massage.”,,Okay and then you might need something else to fully relax?” Daniil whispers and winks.,,No, I think I just need the massage.”,,Hey! You are just trying to make me give you a massage without having to give me one too.” Daniil says and Andrey giggles.,,Okay, okay. Maybe your hands travel elsewhere and I will allow it.” Andrey says and winks.,,Okay, then go on, get naked and I will take the rest of the costume off!” Daniil says eagerly and already hurries to the bedroom.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Karen does not know many people that live in his apartment complex. He has hardly ever run into anyone in the hallway or talked to a neighbor. Maybe it is a little his fault too, he could have introduced himself when he moved in, which he did not. But what he knows is that the wall he shares with the other apartment is very thin. And that worries him a bit, because his neighbor seems  to be in an abusive relationship. Karen has only ever seen one person coming out of the apartment and the doorbell only says A. Rublev. But, almost daily he hears:,Leo, Stop that!’,Leo, that hurts! Stop’,Leo, No!’,Ouch!’,Leo!’ or the sound of things being knocked over. So, whoever else is in the apartment, he must be hurting the guy that lives there.

Karen tolerates those sounds for about a week, before he decides he needs  to do something. He cannot just witness someone being abused and not do anything! So one day, when he has a day off from work, he waits behind his door until his neighbor comes out with a trash bag. Karen tears the door open and calls out: ,,Wait!”His neighbor, a very gorgeous looking redhead, but that does not matter right now, turns around and raises an eyebrow at him. ,,Yes?” He asks.,,I … I need to talk to you.” Karen says,,Okay?” The stranger says.,,I … uhm …look, I… I have the flat next to you and I hear … I hear a lot of what's going on in your apartment. And I … you should call the police!”,,The police?” The other says and raises an eyebrow.,,Yes! I know, that this might be hard for you and maybe you are embarrassed, I get that. But I … I could hear a lot of what is going and … and obviously someone is hurting. You … you should really report it to the police. I will serve as a witness.”The other smirks and nods. ,,Yes, I appreciate your concern, the world needs more people like you. But I am sure the police would not be interested in that case.”,,No! No, don’t say that, domestic abuse can happen to anyone and has n-”,,Leo is cat.” The neighbor interrupts.,,A … a cat?” Karen studders.,,Yes, Leo is my cat, who has no idea about personal space and that definitely needs a claw trim.”,,Oh” Karen mouths.His neighbour smiles at him. ,,But I appreciate that you are so concerned. Come, I will show you.” He nods over to his apartment and Karen follows him unsure. ,,I am Andrey by the way.” The redhead says.,,Karen.” Karen answers.
 
Andrey lets them both into his flat and as soon as the door is closed, a ginger cat comes running and moves between Andrey’s legs. ,,See” Andrey says and smiles. ,,Leo is the only one abusing me.” He says and grins.Karen leans down to let Leo smell his hand, Leo does and when he doesn't do anything, Karen reaches out to pet him. Which Leo obviously does not like, because he hits Karen with his paw. ,,Ouch.” Karen says and pulls his hand away.,,I am sorry.” Andrey says and picks Leo up. ,,What did we say about hitting guests?” He asks, Leo pours and rubs his head against Andrey’s chin. ,,I hope you don’t want to report him to the police for attempted manslaughter.” Andrey says and winks.,,Oh, don’t worry. I could never press charges against such a sweet ginger.” Karen does not realise what he has said, until Andrey winks at him. ,,I … no, I meant, I mean you are sweet, but I was talking about your cat.”Andrey laughs and asks: ,,Ginger is your thing?”,,No! I mean you look good, but I am not into red hair!”,,What a shame.” Andrey answers.Karen clears his throat. ,,I … I just meant I don’t have a fetish! You look good! I … God this is getting awkward.”,,A bit” Andrey agress and grins. ,,But you are lucky. I like awkward tall, dark haired guys.”,,Oh. You try to tell me you have a boyfriend, right? Sorry. I will just … I should leave.” Karen says and hurries to the door,,You don’t flirt often, do you?” Andrey asks and giggles.,,I … well, define often.” Karen studders.Andrey laughs and shakes his head. ,,Like ever?”,,I … uhm … once or twice.” Karen says.,,I see. Well, you should not underestimate yourself, because I was trying to flirt with you.”,,You … you were?” Karen asks.Andrey shrugs his shoulders and nods. ,,Sure.”,,Oh” Karen makes and blushes. ,,I … I need to go!” He says, even though he does not and runs out of Andrey’s apartment back to his own.
 
When he is back in his own flat, he shakes his head. Damn, what did he do? This guy was super handsome and attractive and flirting with him and Karen ran away? Oh my God. He just messed up his chance with his absolutely gorgeous neighbor. He is such an idiot!
 
Well, at least he thought he had messed up his chance. But maybe he did not. Because the next morning, someone is scratching at his balcony door. Karen opens it to find Leo sitting in front of it. He glances over to Andrey’s balcony, who is right besides his, there is no space between the two balconies. Did Leo climb over the railing? Karen is about to go over to Andrey’s and tell him his cat broke out, when he notices a note on Leo’s collar. He bends down and to his surprise, Leo does not try to scratch him when he takes the note:

Interested in getting to know both gingers better? I promise one of us will not scratch when you try to touch ;)

Karen blushes and glances over to Andrey’s balcony again. Is … is Andrey serious?

Karen decides that he needs to bring Leo back home anyways, so he carefully picks him up, climbs over the railing and knocks at Andrey’s door. Andrey gets up from the sofa and opens  the door.,,I found your cat.” Karen says.,,It appears you did.” Andrey says and looks at Karen, like he is waiting for someone.,,I am interested.” Karen then says and Andrey smiles.,,Dinner at my place tonight?” He asks.,,Okay” Karen says and smiles like an idiot.Andrey smiles at him leans over to take Leo and while he does, he places a small kiss on Karen’s cheek. ,,See you then. Oh and feel welcomed to use the front door.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey has bought it as a joke, really. He saw it on etsy and thought it was funny: a hot pink, glittery Minecraft sticker. It was only like 2 bucks! And it arrived rather fast. So, when Daniil is out one day, Andrey sticks it onto Daniils playstation. It was just a joke, just a sticker. 
 
Andrey sits on the sofa and plays on his phone when Daniil comes back home. ,,Hey, babe.” He calls out and comes to the living room.,,Hey” Andrey says and grins.,,What is going on?” Daniil asks confused.,,I have a surprise.” Andrey says.,,Uhh, does it include nudity?” Daniil asks and grins.
,,Not really, no.” Andrey answers and nods over to where Daniils playstation is standing next to the TV.

Daniil looks at it and he needs a few seconds to see it, but Andrey sees the moment he does. Daniils mouth hangs slightly open and he looks at his playstation and then at Andrey. Andrey fight his laughter really hard. ,,Do you like it?” He asks.Daniil steps closer to his playstation and looks at it.,,It is a sticker. I found it on etsy.”,,Ah” Daniil lets out weakly and Andrey bits his lip hard so he won’t laugh.,,I thought it would look very good on the black playstation.”Daniil has this unsure look on his face and he is blinking more than usual, when he turns back around to look at Andrey. ,,Ah” He makes again.,,So? Do you like it?” Andrey asks again.,,It … I certainly was not expecting that.” Daniil says. And the thing is, Andrey did not plan to actually leave it on the playstation. He just wanted to fool Daniil. But for some reason Daniil actually thinks he is serious and pretends that he likes it. So, just out of fun, Andrey plays along. Just to see how long Daniil will leave the sticker on. 
 
A week later, the sticker is still on, when Andrey asks: ,,How long will you pretend you like the Minecraft sticker I bought?”Daniil looks at him. ,,What do you mean?” Daniil asks. ,,You know I only bought it as a joke, right? I was not serious.”Daniil stares at him. ,,Seriously?”,,Of course. Do you think I know you that little to think you would actually like it?” Andrey laughs. ,,It is just a sticker, you can easily remove it.” Andrey says and he tries to pull it off from the playstation; only that it does not come off. Andrey tries again, but it does not work this time either. He glances over to Daniil who is waiting. ,,Really easy! You just need to…” Andrey tries to pick at the edge of the sticker, but that does not really help either.,,Andrey, tell me you get it off! I am meeting friends in an hour for a game evening.”,,What were you planning to do if I was serious about the sticker?” Andrey asks.,,Pull it off as soon as I leave the house of course! Now come on!” Daniil is sitting next to him on the floor as Andrey tries to pull it off. He manages to pull a whole micro millimeter off.,,Wow, this really sticks well for two bucks. I need to upgrade my four star rating.” Andrey says nervously.,,Andrey, I swear I will kill you.” Daniil grits out.,,Don’t worry! We will get that off or maybe…” Andrey trails off and strokes with his foot over Daniils thigh. ,,You could stay here and I could take very good care of you.” Andrey whispers in his most seductive voice. Surely Daniil will not think about the sticker if he can have sex.,,Mmh” Daniil only makes.,,Seriously? You have to think when you can choose between sex or playstation?” Andrey asks.Daniil shrugs his shoulders. ,,Ideally I could do both at the same time.”Andrey closes his eyes and grunts. He wishes this is the first time Daniil tried to make him have sex while Daniil plays some online game. So far he has always said no, but now with that damn sticker not coming off... ,,Fine, but only today.” Andrey gives in.Daniil looks at him. ,,Really?” He asks excited.,,Yes, yes. I will ride you while you play fortnight or some stuff with your friends online.”Daniel grins at him. ,,You will like it.” Daniil promises as he gets up. ,,Sure, my biggest fantasy coming true.” Andrey mumbles. ,,Comes right after you in the childs police costume.”Daniil glares at him angrily and Andrey gives him a sweet smile. 
 
Andrey does not get what Daniil thinks is so sexy about having sex while playing some egoshooter, but okay. He will give in, he will make the fantasy come true. He totally owes that to Daniil after the unwanted attemp at the cop-roleplay, not. Anyways, he lets Daniil play his game for some time, while he prepares himself in their bedroom, before he comes into the bedroom. Daniil only half glances at him, but at least he smirks.,,Daniil” Andrey breathes and steps in front of him. Daniil moves his head so he can look past Andrey and at the TV. Andrey rolls his eyes, but he sinks down on Daniils lap and Daniil wraps his arms around him, but only so he can still hold the controller.,,Muted?” Andrey asks and Daniil half nods.

,,Daniil” Andrey whispers, after pushing Daniils headset half of his ear. ,,You make me so hot, I cannot wait any longer.” He presses a kiss on the point under Daniils ear and slightly nibbled at Daniils earlobe. ,,Please, I need you so much. I am so hard for you.” He gasps, his hands roaming over Daniils body; Daniil who is still wearing a shirt and sweatpants. ,,I need you so bad.” Andrey whispers, he reaches down to pull Daniils cook from his sweatpants and when he touches him, Daniil groans. ,,I think you want me too.” Andrey says and winks. ,,Yes? You want that? You want me to just take what I need?” Andrey whispers, he strokes Daniil in his hand a few times, before he straddles him properly.

Andrey gasps as he sinks down on Daniils cock. Even though everything around is weird, Daniils dick is good. So, good. Andrey closes his eyes and lets out some whimpers he knows make Daniil crazy. ,,Fuck. Daniil! You are so … oh … you fill me so well.” He breathes. Andrey buries his face in Daniils neck, so Daniil can keep his eyes on the TV, as he starts to move his hips. He whimpers into his ear, the way he knows Daniil loves and moves up and down in his lap. 
 
It should not turn him on, but for some reason it still does and Daniils attention is not on the game anymore, but on him. Daniil has one arm around him to stabilize him and thrust up  at every movement of Andrey. Andrey is so close and he knows Daniil is too. Andrey moves away from Daniils neck and kisses him. Daniil moans into his mouth and his hand tightens as he feels Andrey squeezing around him. ,,Fuck” Andrey moans and whimpers against Daniils mouth. ,,Daniil, babe. I am close, fuck please, I-” Andrey cuts himself off with a moan when he manages to hid his own prostate with his movements. He presses his eyes close and moans as he comes. When he comes he clenches around Daniil and that makes Daniil come too, with a low groan. 
 
Afterwards, Andrey moves off of Danil and sinks down onto the sofa, his feet in Daniils lap. ,,That was good.” He says and Daniil smiles at him, scratching Andrey leg, until his movements suddenly stop and he whispers: ,,What?”,,What is up?” Andrey asks with a lazy smile. Well, he is smiling until Daniil moves his headset and cleares his throat. ,,No!” Andrey lets out and Daniil shifts umcomfortbale. ,,Danya! You said you were on mute!” Andrey exclaims, he sits up and pulls the headset off of Daniil and listens. He only catches the end of a sentences, but it is enough: ,,-happy that your dick is so great, but I did not want a show!”Andrey stares at Daniil and Daniil tries to give him an apologetic smile. ,,I will kill you.” Andrey whispers.,,I swear I thought I was on mute!” Daniil says.,,You thought?! How can you not doublecheck?! And how can you not hear your friends?!” Andrey lets out.,,Hey! You were talking about how great my dick is and grinding on my lap! I was only focused on that!”Andrey gets up and pulls his sweatpants over. ,,You are so going to pay for that! The shop where I bought the sticker also makes hoodies and you are so going to wear that out!” Andrey demands.Daniil stares at him in horror and jumps up. ,,Andrey, come on! I did not mean to!”,,I just gave your friends a audio porn! You are going to wear whatever I want.”Daniil sighs and bits his lip. ,,Fine. Buy it.”,,You bet I will.” Andrey hisses and walks of to their bedroom.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey and Daniil got together a few months before Alisa was born. They had figured a dynamic on coparenting with Daria and it worked rather well. And now that Andrey and Daniil are flying to Mexico for their exhibition match, they decided to take Alisa on her first international trip. They would not stay too long, non of them would be under pressure and they could take Alisa on her first trip. It was kind of a test for future family vacations.

And it went rather well, until they reached the airport. The airport was a good hour drive from their apartment and they were there two hours before their flight, check in went fast. Alisa napped most of the time, even though Andrey tried to keep her awake, so she would sleep on the plane, but eventually he gave up. She would sleep on the plane too or they could find a way to entertain her, Andrey was sure of that. Well he was, until they had made it through security and were sitting in at their gate. Alisa had just woken up and Andrey decided that it would be best if no she stayed awake until they boarded the plane.

,,Give me her turtle.” Andrey says to Daniil, who is half asleep too.,,What turtle?” Daniil mumbles.,,Her plushie, the one she always has to have around.”,,It is in her diaper bag.” Daniil mumbles and rests his head against Andreys shoulder. 
 
Andrey searches through the bag, but he cannot find the turtle anyway. So, he searches through the bag again, but still no turtle.,,Daniil, it is not in her bag.” Andrey says.,,Of course it is, show me.” Daniil says and pulls the bag to him. He searches through it too and then through his backpack, but still no turtle. ,,I was sure I put it here somewhere.”,,Daniil” Andrey groans. ,,Please tell me you did not forgot to pack the one thing I asked you to pack!”,,I don’t know, I guess I forgot it at home or accidentally put it on our suitcase.”Andrey moans and closes his eyes. ,,But she cannot live without that thing!”,,She won’t even notice we forgot, I packed her teddy bear.” Daniil says but at the same time Alisa starts to cry. ,,Great, Daniil. Now we will be the couple with the annoying screaming baby on the plane.” Andrey says.,,No. Come here sweetie.” Daniil says and lifts Alisa out of her maxi cosi. He tries to rock her back and forth but she won’t stop crying.,,They will kick us out of the plane.” Andrey grunts and reaches out to take Alisa. As soon as he holds her, she nestles her little head under his chin and starts to sleep.,,See! She does not need the turtle when you are there.” Daniil says and smiles.Andrey glares over to him. ,,I am not going to spend the whole flight holding her on my arm.” Andrey says.,,But it makes her sleep!” Daniil answers.,,I swear to God, Daniil.”,,I am sorry I forgot the turtle, but look how calm she is in your arms.” Andrey rolls his eyes and sighs. 
 
He tries to put Alisa down to sleep in her maxi cosi on the plane, but she starts screaming as soon as she leaves his arm, so Andrey sighs and shifts around until he can kind of comfortably sit and hold her at the same time. ,,You are lucky you are so cute.” He mumbels to her and kisses her head.

Andrey lets his eyes wander around the cabine, when he sees Daniil pulling something from his backpack. ,,What do you think you are doing?” Andrey asks.,,I … I brought my nintendo switch?”,,Oh so you could remember that but not Alisas turtle.”,,I am sorry! The switch was still in my bag from my last trip!”,,Put it away.” Andrey says.,,What? Why?”,,Because I am about to spend a long distance flight with a baby on my arm, because you forgot to bring her plushie!”Daniil sighs and puts his switch back into his bag. ,,Fine” He mumbles annoyed.,,We can watch a movie together.” Andrey suggests.,,Okay. What do you want to watch?” Daniil asks, he leans over to start Andreys seattv and then his own.,,I don’t know, choose something.”

Daniil scrolls around for some time, until he finds some american comedy, the kind of film Andrey usually likes to watch. He puts it on, on both of their TVs. Andrey leans his head against Daniils shoulder to watch on the same TV and strokes over Alisas head.,,I really did not want to forget her turtle.” Daniil whispers and kisses the top of Andreys head.,,I know.” Andrey mumbles.Daniil starts to stroke Andreys hair. ,,You look so cute with her. My sweet little family.” Daniil whispers.Andrey smiles and rolls his eyes. ,,Are you trying to get me in a good mood again?”,,Maybe, a little bit.” Daniil whispers and smiles. ,,Is it working?”,,Maybe, a little bit.” Andrey says.,,How about I promise that as soon as we land, I will try to find her another plushie turtle and tonight, we all go to dinner and when we are back at the hotel … I could put her to bed and give you a massage.”,,Will you do diaper night shift for the next week we have her?”Daniil sighs. ,,Yes, I will do diaper and bottle night shift for the next week we have her.”,,Then it is a deal.” Andrey says and grins.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

To Andreys surprise, they make it to Mexico without any more complications and even all of their suitcases made it there too. Really, he was not expecting that. Alisa wakes up as they leave the plan, which is good. This way she will be tired again in the evening and not suffer a total jetlag. 
 
When they arrive at the hotel, Daniil puts Alisa down for tummy time and she plays with some of their toys on her blanket, while Andrey and Daniil unpack.

,,Ha!” Daniil suddenly exclaims and Andrey look over to him ,,I knew it! I packed it!” He says and holds up the turtle stuffie. ,,I just did not put it in the right back.” He grins and gives Alisa the turtle. ,,Here. See, dad did not forgot your turtle.”,,He only forgot that he did not forgot.” Andrey mumbles but smiles.,,Hey!” Daniil says and pounds.,,Ah, you want me to praise you for not forgetting?” Andrey asks and giggles, as he wraps his arms around Daniils neck.,,No, it is okay. Alisa now loves me more than you again.”,,Mmh, I don’t think so.” Andrey says and giggles.,,It is unfair! I made her!” Daniil says.,,Well, yes. But I am the one she loves.”Daniil pounds again. Andrey giggles and leans in to kiss Daniil. ,,Don’t be mad. She will love you eventually, not as much as me, but she will.”Daniil rolls his eyes and grins. 
 
Because they have their arrival day off, they take Alisa to the beach. They have to go back to the hotel pretty quickly though, because she ends up being scared of the water and throws up on Daniil.

,,That was my lucky red polo!” Daniil mumbles, as they get onto the subway.,,Why did you wear it to the beach then?” Andrey asks and grins.,,I don’t know! Why did she not throw up on you?” Daniil asks.Andrey leans over the stroller to give Alisa her pacifier back which she had just lost. ,,Because she loves me.” Andrey says and winks.,,You taught her how to do this on command!” Daniil says.Andrey laughs. ,,Oh, yes, right. When you are not home I teach Alisa secret signs, because babies are so clever.”Daniil rolls his eyes but smiles. ,,See!”Andrey looks around them, but the subway is quite empty, so he says: ,,I will make it up to you after the dinner and massage you promised tonight.” 
 
When they arrive back at the hotel, there are hundreds of screaming girls waiting outside. ,,What the hell is going on here?” Daniil asks.,,They all want to see the baby that throws up on command.” Andrey says and winks.,,Haha” Daniil makes, as they push their way through the crowd. Surprisingly, Alisa just continues to sleep, even though hundreds of people are screaming right next to her. But God dare, Daniil gets up at night to go to the bathroom!

They have just reached the foyer, when Andrey tugs at Daniils shirt. ,,Oh my God, this is Louis Tomlinson.” He whispers to Daniil.,,Who?”,,Louis Tomlionson. From One Direction.”,,One Direction?” Daniil asks and Andrey rolls his eyes.,,The concert you had to go with me to.”,,Andrey, you made me go to a bunch of concerts I did not want to go to.”Andrey sighs. ,,One Direction, the one I did the cover of. The steal my girl video?”Daniil grunts laughing. ,,Oh, One Direction, right. We should go over there and show him that!”,,No! Daniil don’t you dare!” Andrey fastly says and Daniil laughs.

They try to get to the elevator but then suddenly some people pull them next to Louis and they have like 10 seconds where the cameras goes crazy on them, before it is all over. Which in the end is the story of how Daria gets a photo of Daniil, with a pucked on shirt, Andrey and Alisa, still asleep, standing next to Louis Tomlison. Andrey seems to be the only one excited about this though, because Daniil is pissed he was forced to take the photo with his shirt full of baby puck and Daria only texts back ,Okay? lol’.
 
When they are back in their room, Daniil puts Alisa down for a nap in the living room, before he changes his shirt.

He has just pulled over a clean shirt, when Andrey stands in the doorway of their hotel bedroom.,,Do you regret that trip?” He asks.,,What?” Daniil looks at him, confused.,,Do you … do you regret coming here?”Daniil steps closer to Andrey and strokes some hair from his face. ,,No, of course not, why?”,,Because you did not seem to enjoy it so far and today really could have gone better.” Andrey mumbles.,,No. I mean yes, today could have gone better, but I enjoyed it. I like seeing you with Alisa and having you two all for myself.”Andrey blushes and wraps his arms around Daniils neck. ,,Really?” He asks.,,Of course.” Daniil says and leans in to kiss Andreys neck. He kisses up the skin, up until Andreys ear and then he whispers: ,,You know, Alisa is in the next room, she is taking a nap. Why don’t we skip the going for dinner and get cozy. We can order room service afterwards.”,,Mmh” Andrey makes and leans into the touch.,,Why not?” He whispers back. 
 
Daniil leads him back to the bed and because Andrey is not getting the massage Daniil promised, Daniil softly strips them off of both their clothes. Afterwards he takes his time to kiss every centimeter of Andreys body he can reach, sucking at that spot on his inner thigh and tracing his fingers over Andreys ribcage.

It is not until Andrey is begging and whimpering, that Daniil carefully pushes into him.

Andrey gasps his name and Daniil catches his mouth in a kiss, before he very slowly start to moves.

Daniil loves moments like this, when they are so close and intimate, that he could slowly move in and out of Andrey for hours. And it kind of feels like he does. When Andrey whimpers his name and clenches around him, Daniil feels on cloud number nine as they both come. 
 
Afterwards they sit on the living room floor, dressed again and eat their room service, while Alisa nibbles on her bottle. Daniil has just stuffed the first fork of his food into his mouth and swallows, when he gasps for air.,,What?” Andrey asks worriedly.,,Thats spicy!” Daniil says. He takes another fork, God knows why, and starts to sweat while his face turns red.,,Hey, maybe stop eating that!” Andrey says and pulls Daniils plate away from him.Daniil breathes with an open mouth, while he grabs Andreys cola and pours it down in one sip. ,,It won’t stop being spicy!” He says and wipes his forehead.,,What did you order?” Andrey asks and tries not to giggle.,,I don’t know, something with Ají picante. How can peppers be so spicy?!”,,Ají picante?” Andrey repeats.,,Yes” Daniil gasps, taking a big sip of water.,,Daniil, Ají picante means chili. Pimenton is pepper in spanish!” Andrey says and laughs.,,That is not funny! The whole day is against me!” Daniil exclaims, just as Alisa starts to giggle.,,Alisa agrees with me.” Andrey says and laughs.,,Because you are you!” Daniil says.Andrey moves closer and strokes Daniils cheek. ,,We both love you a lot, mmh. Maybe next time I will order for you.”,,Please” Daniil gasps. He tries to lean in to kiss Andrey, but Andrey pulls away.,,No! Not after you ate that spicy chili!” Andrey says and giggles.When Daniil pounds, Andrey strokes his cheek and whispers: ,,Maybe, I can kiss another part of you when Alisa is in bed tonight.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey is always nervous before every match, no matter who he plays or where. So of course he is nervous when he plays the first match in Miami. There is alway that big pressure on him, that he needs to win, that he needs to play well. Andrey does not even know why, no one that is close to him would ever pressure him, but there is. And maybe he is a little extra nervous about Miami, because Miami is his first match as a family. It is the first match he plays since Karen and him came out. It has only been a few days since they posted the statement to social media, announcing that they had been together for the last 3 years and that now it felt like the right time to announce it. So now Andrey feels like everyone is watching him extra carefully. They are not only watching him as a tennis player, not only as a tennis player who cannot control his emotions on court. They are watching him as a gay tennis player, who just announced his relationship with another player.Sometimes Andrey feels like people are watching him more than Karen, because Karen is … Karen. Karen does not lose it on court, Karen is always charming, Karen had a wife and a son. Andrey is not any of that and he feels like everyone is judging him and thinking he stole Karen. This is the first reason why Andrey feels a lot of pressure in Miami. The other is, that he is really watched by more people than usually, because his parents, Karen and David are sitting in his box. Karen had suggested it and everybody had agreed that it would be a good idea, to see them all together in public. Andrey was not sure. He is not some celebrity or stuff. Do people really care about his private life?But he had understood that it might be good. They had received a lot of support for their coming out, but also hate. Showing up together in public as a family, would be good. And he would have felt bad to tell David no. David (and Karen) had suggested more than once before that it would be cool to come watch his match. But Andrey had always come up with excuses; reasons why they should not come and watch. The truth was, he would not have minded having Karen watch him; Karen understands him, Karen knows what Andrey is like. The reason had always been that Andrey did not want David to watch. He loved David, more than anything. Even if David was not his biology son, he was still his child. Karen and Andrey had been together since a month before David had been born. And for David it had always been normal to have one mom and two dads. It was not that Andrey did not want David around. It was that he did not want David to see him, in case he lost it. Andrey is not the same person he is on court, outside of it. On court he could not keep it together, too much pressure, too much emotions, on court he hurted himself. Andrey is scared that he might not be able to keep it together even when he knows David is watching. He did not want David to see him like that, to see him hurting himself and all. Andrey is not like that and he does not want David to think he is. 
 
So, when Andrey steps on the court today he is more than nervous. He has to smile though, when he looks over to his box. His parents and Karen and David are sitting in the first row and David is holding up a sign he made himself that morning, that says ,Go Andrey!. David excitedly jumps up and down and waves. Andrey waves back and David gives him a big smile. Andrey knows he will be tagged in posts of that very soon. 
 
The match is challenging at first, but because Andrey knows David is watching, he keeps it together and that seems to help.The thing is, people only focuses on when he messes up on court, but what they don’t see is all the progress Andrey has made, for Karen, for David. They don’t need to see it too, all that matters is that Karen and David do.
 
When Andrey wins the first set he feels like he is high on adrenaline. He wants to do a serve to start the second set, when David yells: ,,Go dad!” Andrey has to laugh and plays the ball into the net, but he does not even care. Back in the day, before David, before Karen, he would have cared but no he does not anymore. And he still wins. 
 
The first thing he does after he realized he won, is glance over to Karen, David and his parents. They are all yelling and cheering for him. Karen holds David, who sits on the railing. And when Andrey waves over, David struggles free from Karens hold, much to Karens dislike. But it is too late, David is faster and he runs over the court to Andrey. ,,You won, dad!” He exclaims.Andrey smiles at him and picks David. ,,I did.” He says.David wraps his arms around Andrey neck and smiles brightly.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Miami, 2004

Roger does not know what is the reason why he comes early. It just happened. Maybe it was destiny. He is not sure. All he knows is, that for some reason he is early in the locker room. He has just put down his stuff on the bench, when he hears it. It does sound like someone is crying or sobbing. That is weird. Usually, when Roger is that early in a locker room, he is alone.Roger sighs, he wanted to prepare and get ready in peace, but he also cannot let anyone suffering like that. So, he follows the sounds to the showers. 
 
When he enters the showers, he sees him. Well, it is quite hard not to see him, give the fact that he is sitting against the main wall, crying. Roger clears his throat and the other looks up to him. Rafa or Rafael, Roger knows that. They are supposed to play each other later that day.

,,Are you okay?” Roger asks and sits down on the floor.Rafa wipes over his eyes. ,,Si” He says, because he cannot say anything else. He is at the edge of hyperventilating.
Roger is not sure what to do. ,,You … you know, usually when people cry and hyperventilate before matches, they are not fine.”Rafa glances up  to him, he tries to control his breathing, before he says: ,,I … fine. Am. I am fine.” But as soon as he pressed the words out, he is back at the edge of a breakdown.,,I … uhm.” Roger clears his throat: ,,When I first started playing professional matches, against … top players, I … I often felt … weird too, overwhelmed. It it can be a lot, it can be hard to handle. We all have been there.”Rafa mumbles: ,,I … I often … have la ansiedad.”Roger thinks for a minute, before he asks: ,,Anxiety?”Rafa nods. ,,Si, I …” He has to interrupt himself again, because his breathing gets heavy again. Roger takes his arm, he moves two fingers softly down from Rafas arm crock to the tips of his fingers and then again and again. ,,Tell me five things you can see.” He says.Rafa looks at him, but then he presses out: ,,You, the showers, the … floor, door, window.”,,Four things you can feel.”,,I … you hand, the floor, my … paño, air.”Roger nods. ,,Three thing you can hear.”,,You voice, birds … people.”Roger takes Rafas other hand to repeat the stroking movements, while he says: ,,Two things you can smell.”,,You perfume, me.”,,One thing you can taste.”,,There is … energy bar in my bag.” Rafa says and his breathing is not completely out of control anymore.,,Better?” Roger asks quietly and Rafa nods.,,Si, gracia.”,,No problem. I often felt like this when I was younger too. Focusing on things around you can help.”,,Thanks” Rafa says, but then he gets up. ,,Need to… no, wrong. I need to go.” He says.,,Okay” Roger says and nods.Rafa is almost at the door, when he turns around and says: ,,Good luck.”Roger smirks but nods. ,,Good luck to you too.” He says, without thinking that he himself needs luck, but oh, is he wrong. Rafa beats his ass and he does not even seem to struggle while doing it.
 
After the match, Roger is in his hotel room. He had just wanted to order some roomservice, after a lose like that he deserves some unhealthy greasy pizza or something. His plan is interrupted though, when it knocks on the door.

Rafa is standing in front of the door, when Roger opens. ,,Hey” Roger says.Rafa holds a piece of paper in his hand and he starts to read, with a thick accents and rather badly, from it, before Roger can say anything else: ,,Thank you for helping me today. You saw that I struggle with anxiety and you could have used that to make me weaker. You could have used it for a easy win, but you did not do any of that. I appreciate that a lot. You are a good athlete, not everyone would have done that.”Roger tries not to grin, because it is kind of weird, but grinning now would be mean. Rafa took the time to come here and to thank him. Roger has heard him speak english, or rather try to speak it, getting that thank you in perfect english must have meant a lot of work for Rafa. It must have meant that he asked someone to translate it for him and then practiced to read it out and then work up the courage to come here and to read it all out.,,Come in” Roger says and opens the door a little further. 
 
Rafa looks around the room for some time, taking in the details. ,,Is nice.” He says.,,It is.” Roger corrects.Rafa blushes. ,,Sorry” he mumbles. ,,It is nice.” He then says.,,No need to be sorry.” Roger says and smiles.,,I try.” Rafa says.,,I know. You are getting better.” Roger says, but he is not sure; at least Rafa is not getting worse with his english.

,,Do you want to drink something?” Roger asks and gestures for Rafa to sit down.,,Water?”Roger nods and he gets them both a bottle from the mini fridge. He sits down next to Rafa.,,I no always like that before matches.” Rafa says.,,It is okay. I had … I often am nervous before matches too.” Roger says.,,Si. I was … I was scared playing you.” Rafa admits.,,I … I was the reason for that?” Roger asks.Rafa nods. ,,Si. You are … number one. Who not scared of playing you?”Roger laughs. ,,Well, after today I don’t think you need to be scared of playing me. You will be number one soon.”Rafa blushes and looks at his fingers. ,,I no sure.” He says.,,But I am.” Roger says. ,Why you … so nice? No, wait ... Are you?”Roger nods, so Rafa repeats: ,,Why are you so nice?”,,I don’t know. Why would I not be?”Rafa shrugs his shoulders. ,,I think you … think you no want to see me after I won.”Roger smiles slightly. ,,No, it is okay. You played good and won fair.”Rafa smiles backs. ,,Thanks.” He says, but then he gets up.,,I should go.” He says.

This time Roger calls after him. ,,Wait.”Rafa looks back at him. ,,Si?”,,Do you want to go have dinner?” Roger asks.,,Dinner?”Roger nods.,,Why?”,,I don’t know.”Rafa pulls his eyebrows together. ,,Like … date?” Rafa asks.Roger licks his lips but then he nods. ,,If you want.” He says.Rafa smiles slightly, before he says: ,,I no like … no cheese.”,,I think we can find something without cheese.” Roger says and smiles.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Daniil is not necessary the biggest party person. It is not like he is super boring at parties or a mood killer or anything. He just does not like parties that much. So, going to the pre-tourmant party is more a ,has to go‘ instead of a ,want to go‘. Daniil had thought about cancelling, but Andrey had begged him to go, so … what could Daniil do?Andrey knew damn well that Daniil could never say no to him and he definitely took advantage of that. But how could Daniil blame him for that?He just liked, or more loved, to see and make Andrey happy. He loved that big honest smile that would spread on Andrey‘s face when Daniil agreed to do this or that. And when all it took to make Andrey happy was going to that party, Daniil would do it. 
 
So, that is how Daniil ends up at a the party and spending the evening with Andrey could have been fun, if Daniil would not lost him after an hour. Daniil had spend a good amount of time searching for Andrey, but for a long time he could not find him.When he did finally find him, Andrey seemed weird, at first Daniil thought he is drunk, but it turned out that was not it. Andrey did not smell of alcohol and Daniil had seen Andrey drunk more than once, that is not what Andrey was like drunk, not at all. He seems to be not really there mentally and his words are kinda blurry.

,,Are you okay?“ Daniil asks.,,Sure“ Andrey mumbles, he tries to take a sip of his drink, but splash most of it over Daniil. ,,Sorry“ Andrey blurry out.,,It is okay. But hey, give me that.“ Daniil says. He takes the drink from Andrey‘s hand smells it. Cola. That is weird, when Andrey has not even been drinking, why is he so … weird? Daniil holds onto Andrey‘s arm, when Andrey tries to leave again. ,,Stay here.“ Daniil says.,,But I“ Andrey starts.,,Babe!“ Someone yells and Daniil turns around. Some guy he has never seen before comes over. ,,There you are.“ He says.Daniil is about to ask who the hell is, because he has never seen that guy before. But before he can, Andrey frees himself from Daniils grip and holds onto that other guy.,,Can we go?“ The guy asks Andrey, moving his hand along Andrey‘s throat to lift up his chin.Daniil want to throw up; not only because someone else is touching Andrey in generell, just because the guy is such a … crawler.,,Yes“ Andrey whispers and cuddels closer.,,Hey, wait.“ Daniil says and holds onto Andrey.,,What?“ The guy asks and snaps around. ,,I am not letting you go with him.“ Daniil says,,Babe, do you want to come with me?“ The guy asks in Andrey‘s direction and Andrey nods. ,,See. He can call you tomorrow.“ The guy says and tries to pull Andrey away.,,or“ Daniil says and he pulls Andrey away from the guy and holds onto Andrey thightly. ,,He can call you tomorrow, if he still remembers you. I am not letting you go with him, so … uhm … fuck off?“The guy looks at Andrey and then at Daniil. ,,Fine“ He grunts. ,,You were not that pretty anyways.“ He mumbles as he walks away.

,,Daniil“ Andrey pounds.,,Lets get you home.“ Daniil mumbles. He uses one arm to stabilize Andrey, while they make their way outside to find a taxi. 
 
Andrey is half spaced out the whole ride to the hotel and Daniil really is worried about him. Daniil googles some of the symptoms and all he finds is party drugd and spiked drink. Can that be? Of course it can be. It is rare that men get their drinks spiked, but why not?Daniil reaches out to stroke over Andrey‘s hair and Andrey cuddles his head against Daniil‘s shoulder.
 
Daniil is not sure what to do with Andrey. What if he throws up at night and chocks on it? So, he decides it is best to take Andrey up to his room. 
 
Andrey just falls down on the bed without taking his cloth off.,,Andrey, you need to change first.“ Daniil says. But Andrey is already half asleep. Daniil sighs and starts to work on Andrey‘s cloth. When Andrey is only wearing underwear and his shirt, Daniil goes to the bathroom to change into his sleeping cloth. 
 
Back in the room, Andrey is already sleeping. Daniil lays down next to him and in the matter of seconds, Andrey has wrapped his arms around Daniil and his leg thrown over him. Daniil does not fight it. 
 
The next morning, Daniil wakes up, because Andrey grunts next to him. He cuddles closer to Daniil but jumps up in the next second. ,,What?“ He lets out and then presses his hand against his forehead.

Daniil struggles to sit up in bed. ,,Someone drugged your drinks last night. I think.“ Daniil mumbles.,,What?“ Andrey asks.,,Yes, I … I stopped you going home with some stranger“,,Thanks God“ Andrey mumbles and then he says „Now that you say it. I … I left my drink unattended for a minute, but I mean I thought … I thought no one would do that to me, at a player party … but after I got back to my drink … it is all a little blurry.“,,Are you okay?“ Daniil asks.,,I have a hangover, I guess. But besides …“ Andrey lays back down in bed stares at the ceiling. ,,Thanks for taking care of me.“ Andrey says.,,Of course. Like I would let you leave with some stranger in your codition.“,,I hope I was not hard to handle.“ Andrey says and huffs.,,You were a little cuddly, but besides you were an angle.“ Daniil says and winks,,Cuddly?“ Andrey ask sand blushes.,,Yes, but it is okay, really.“,,I cannot remember that.“ Andrey admits.,,I do quite vividly. I … I mean not because … I just remember it.“Andrey turns around to look at Daniil. ,,Maybe I would like to remember too.“ He whispers,,What?“ Daniil breaths.,,I am happy you took me home, but I would like to remember what cuddling you is like.“ Andrey says again.,,For … for real?“ Daniil asks shyly.,,Yes.“ Andre whispers. ,,If you want.“,,I … yes. Come here.“ Daniil says and he reaches out to pull Andrey into his arms.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Roger hurries to put on his jacket, before they leave the hotel. The hotel is directly in the city, so Roger kind of directs them to walk.Rafa keeps glancing at him, but every time Roger looks back at him, Rafa fastly moves his eyes to the ground. ,,Are you okay?” Roger asks and buries his hands in his pockets.,,Si” Rafa says.,,Are you nervous again?” Roger asks.Rafa blushes but nods. ,,Little bit. Last I went on date with other guy, it was …extraña.”,,Extraña means something like weird or strange?” Roger wants to know.Rafa nods. ,,Sorry, I try to no mix spanish and english, but sometimes is … it is hard.”,,It is okay, don’t worry. I understand you. Actually, I speak very few word in spanish.” Roger says.,,Now I feel bad. I no know German words. You know German, french, english, a bit spanish, no?”,,I mean yes, but you don’t have to feel bad for not knowing any other languages.”,,You think I stupid, no?” Rafa asks.,,No, no not all.” Roger says and smiles.,,You see, the other guy thinks I was … he is, what did you say, weird? He was weird, but he also thinks I stupid.”,,Then certainly he was the stupid one.”Rafa giggles. ,,I not know about that. You hear me speak, no? Not really good. I spent time with tennis and football, but not in school.” He giggles nervously.,,I still don’t think you are stupid, school is not everything. And you are learning, right? Your english is getting better.”Rafa giggles and pushes a staring of hair behind his ear. ,,I … am still bad. You see me in interviews?”,,Maybe” Roger says and winks.,,You do this often? Date with players?”,,No.” Roger says and then he adds: ,,Only with the pretty ones and there are not many.”Rafa laughs.,,Was this too much?” Roger asks. ,,No, I like it.” Rafa says. 
 
They reach the city center, the shops are all closed but the streets are still full of people, heading to bars or restaurants. They walk around for a little, when Roger asks: ,,What do you want to eat?” Theres a greek place, italien, dinner and a spaniard close by. But Roger feels like suggesting to get spanish food would be kind off too clichee.,,You choose.” Rafa says.,,Mmh” Roger says and while he thinks and then says: ,,Greek?”, he sees that Roger keeps glancing over to the spanish place.,,Greek is good.” Rafa says and focus back on Roger.,,We can go to the spanish place, if you want. I just thought that would be too clichee to suggest.” Roger says.Rafa looks up to him and bits his lip. ,,If you no mind.” Rafa says.,,No, not at all.” Roger says. 
 
The place is small and cozy and there are not too many people around. Roger is pretty sure the waitress that leads them to a table in a corner recognized them, but she does not say a word. 
 
A waiter brings them their menus and Rafa smiles at him. ,,Gracias” He says.,,¿Tú hablas español?” The waiter asks.Rafa giggles. ,,Si, soy de Mallorca. Estoy aquí por trabajo.” Rafa answers.Roger looks at Rafa; Rafa smiles at the waiter and tugs a curl behind his ear. Roger wonders if Rafa is flirting with the guy on purpose, just to make it clear to Roger that there are other guys begging to take him on a date. Does he want to make clear that Roger’s world number one title and all does not impress him?

When the waiter finally leaves, Roger asks: ,,You want to show me I am not your only option?”,,What?” Rafa asks.,,Your flirting with the waiter, was that to make clear that you could have other dates?” Roger asks and grins.,,I no fliter!” Rafa says shocked.,,You totally did and he was totally into it!” Roger says and laughs.,,No! He only nice, that was no … oh my God, you think?” Rafa asks and blushes even more.,,Totally” Roger says and smiles.,,I sorry, I no mean.” Rafa says.,,No need to worry.” Roger says and winks.Rafa shyly smiles back.
 
The waiter comes back way too fast for Roger’s liking and brings them breadsticks. ,,We did not order these.” Roger says, but the waiter is not even listening, he only has eyes for Rafa. Roger cannot really blame him, Rafa is gorgeous. 
,,En realidad, solo tengo quince años y él es mi
amante mayor adinerado
. Si sigues coqueteando conmigo, me castigarán más tarde y no recibirás propina.” Rafa says.The waiter makes big eyes, then he looks over to Roger. ,,Asqueroso” He mumbles and walks away.,,What did you say?” Roger asks.,,Ah, that I 15 and that you my … what is the english word? Sugar daddy? Yes, I think. That you are my sugar daddy and no tip if he flirts more.”Roger makes big eyes at Rafa, but Rafa giggles. ,,You did not say that!”,,Si, I say.”Roger has to laugh a little too. ,,Rafa! You cannot say that! What if he recognized me! He will tell anyone that I take minors on dates and pay them for it!”Rafa grins and rolls his eyes. ,,No everyone know you, Roger.”,,Well I hope he does not!” Roger says and laughs.,,So I no get money after? You no made this clear.” Rafa says and winks.Roger bits his lip to stop himself from smiling and rolls his eyes. ,,I don’t think so.”,,Ah, shame. Then I go, find other top ten player.” Rafa says.,,I like how confident you are when you are not under the pressure of playing a match.” Roger answers.Rafa blushes and looks down at his fingers. ,,I … I no always like today. I no baby.”,,I did not think you were acting like a baby. Playing top competitions is a lot of pressure and stress. I sometimes break down too, it happens to everyone.”Rafa glances up at him. ,,I no sure if I could have played without you. I … I have ansiedad. I … I no struggle with it for some time, but I just … I miss home. Sorry, you think I am childish, no? Maybe I am. Sorry, you must think I just stupid 17 year old.”,,No, I don’t think that. Not at all, I think admitting and openly dealing with your emotions and struggles is very mature.”,,You never miss home, no? You always just play and win.”,,I have done this a few years longer than you, Rafa. You will see, in five years this all will be a lot easier for you.”Rafa nervously licks his lips, before he says: ,,You no struggle in other land, no?”,,I … no, I don’t think so.” Roger says.,,My uncle say Miami not this different from Mallorca. I no think so. Is very different. When I home, people understand me. Here, no one understand.”,,I understand you.” Roger says.Rafa smiles and shrugs his shoulders. ,,You will get anunciado. You always speak good, no? Imagine me speaking with you like now all time.”,,I would not mind. I think it is sweet. I like it. I can try to speak in spanish, if that makes you better.”Rafa laughs and his eyes light up when he does. ,,You really try for me?” He asks.,,Si, pero no esperes mucho. I only had like one year of spanish classes.” Roger says. 
 
After their dinner, they walk back to the hotel. They are talking the whole time and soon Rafa seems to forget that he is not fluent in English and Roger does not mind, because he understands him just fine.

When they have reached Rafa’s hotel room door, Rafa leans against it. ,,That was nice.” He says.,,Yes, I think so too. But if I read in the newspapers tomorrow that I am a sugar daddy to 15 years old, I will have to kill you.”Rafa giggles. ,,I am sorry. But he no come back for me after, no?”,,Luckily.” Roger says and giggles.,,So …” Rafa starts and looks at Roger.,,So?” Roger asks.,,You no kiss after first date in Switzerland?” Rafa asks and adds: ,,Becasue we do in Spain.”Roger blushes. ,,Do you want me to kiss you?”Rafa grins and nods. ,,Si, por favor.”Roger swallows, but then he steps closer. He places one hand on Rafa’s face, before he leans in to kiss him.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey should have known that babysitting two toddlers would be a bad idea. He should have known that something would happen, but he had hoped that one of them would fall off the swing or something. He did not hope that Alisa and David both ask him, if he will root for their dad. They were four and five for heavens sake, why did they even know their dad’s were playing each other in the semifinal?! And yet they did… they had been playing with David’s legos quietly for almost an hour, when they came out of his room and called for Andrey. Andrey had expected that Alisa had eaten a lego again, like last month when Daniil talked him into watching her, because ,,If you watch only David or David and Alisa, what is the difference?” but no, she had not eaten a Lego.

,,Can we watch Daniil’s and dads match later?” David had asked.,,Of course.” Andrey had said and then came the question: ,,Will you be for dad?” Alisa had asked.,,No! He is for my dad!” David said.,,But Dad and Andrey are best friends!” Alisa argued.,,But my dad and Andrey are a couple!” David shot back and they both turn to look at him.,,I … well… uhm.” Andrey made. ,,One second.” He mumbled and hurried to the bathroom.
 
Tennis Squad 🎾
 
Andrey: Guuuuys

Andrey: help! Alisa and David both ask me if I am cheering for their dad

Sascha: Lmao. Sucks to be you, lol😂

Andrey: Shut up, you not helping!!🖕🏻

Daniil: So… how is David dealing with the fact that you are on my side?

Karen: Excuse me?

Karen: You meant ,how is Alisa', right?

Karen: Of course Andrey is for me, I am his boyfriend💖

Daniil: So?

Karen: Shut up, he is for me

Daniil: in your dreams lol

Karen: Don’t make come to your side of the gym, Octopus🐙

Andrey: Excuse me?

Andrey: this is not helping?

Andrey: What do I do?🥲

Daniil: just tell them you are on my side, I am your best friend!

Karen: I am your boyfriend!

Karen: Remember only one of us has breathtaking sex with you

Sascha: Ewww, keep that for the private chat! 🤮

Daniil: That is cheap Karen

Daniil: Andrey, I have been your best friend since we were small children!

Karen: David will be so sad if you (his dad!) is not on his dads side

Sascha: You call yourself dad and dad? How is this not confusing?

Karen: We tried dad and daddy, but … It … was too weird

Sascha: Why?

Daniil:.. use your brain...

Sascha: Ewww! 🤮

Andrey: Hello

Andrey: back to the issue!

Sascha: Just tell them you don’t have a side, you are happy no matter who wins

Andrey: they are 4 and 5, that won’t work

Karen: Sorry, your problem

Karen: remember the orgasms though!

Sascha: I am leaving this group soon

Daniil: Give them snacks, they will forget about the question

Andrey: Thanks!

Andrey: @Karen, that is how you help

Andrey: No sex for you, even if you win!

Sascha: I am serious!!!! 
 
Andrey comes back to the living room, where David and Alisa are waiting. ,,And???” David asks and jumps up and down.,,Why don’t we check to see if we can find some ice and then we can talk about who you think will win?” Andrey suggests.,,Ice!” They both exclaim and run ahead of Andrey to the kitchen.And, luckily Daniil was right, they have forgotten about their question as soon as they are busy with the ice. 
 
They sit on the sofa and eat the ice while they watch the match and Andrey tries to stay quiet, so they won’t ask him again who is cheering for. Truth be told, he does not really care. He will be happy no matter who wins and he knows Daniil and Karen don’t care this much either. Of course, both of them want to reach the final, but they are not as hard on themselves as when they play other people.

At some point during the match, Alisa falls asleep and David cuddles up against Andrey. Andrey places an arm around him and strokes his hair.,,Dad will lose, right?” David asks when in the third set Daniil leads 4-3. ,I think he might, but we will see.” Andrey says.,,Will you be sad when dad loses?”,,Maybe a little bit, but it is okay. Daniil is my friend too. I will happy for whoever wins and a little sad for whoever loses.”,,Mmh” David makes.,,It is like when dad and I play people that are not our friend. We are always happy when we win, but when we lose it is okay too.” Andrey adds.,,Will dad be sad if he loses?” David asks and looks up to Andrey.Andrey pushes some curls aways from David’s face. ,,He would be a bit sad, but not that much. It will be okay. You cannot win every match.”,,Unless you are like uncle Rafa, right?” David asksAndrey laughs. ,,Even Rafa loses sometimes, but that is okay for him too. Losing is part of the game.”,,If you are not sad and dad is not sad either, I don’t mind if he loses.”,,That is very grown up.” Andrey says.,,But don’t tell Alisa that!” David demands.Andrey laughs and kisses the top of David’s head. ,,Okay. It will be our secret.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

,,Daddddd!” David yells from his room.Andrey hurries over to his room. ,,What?”,,We are bored.” David says.,,You are three people, how can you be bored?” Andrey asks.David had screamed for him like it was an emergency, a real one, not a boredom one. Andrey sighs. Great. He is up to three children by now. That was not planned. No, he watches David, because he is his other dad, so that is normal. Then Daniil started to talk him into watching Alisa, which was another thing, because Alisa was not like her dad. She was a quite and nice child, very unlike Daniil, really. But then Sascha heard that Andrey babysits and talked him into watching Mayla too. Andrey tried to insist that he was not actually babysitting, because watching David was not babysitting and that he already did not want to watch Alisa, but Sascha had not even listened. So, in the end because no one listened and all knew Andrey could not say no anyways, was now watching all three, while Karen does some errands (errands for them, that was true), Daniil is ,,building up some furniture” (definitely a lie. Everyone who ever saw Daniil trying to us a tin opener knew he could never use tools) and Sascha is helping out Mirka (good excuse, if he would not have been stupid enough to post on Insta that he is out at the beach with Misha).,,Okay, well, what will we do about that?” Andrey asks and sighs.,,You can teach us tennis!” David suggests.,,But you are three. I cannot teach you all at the same time.”,,You are top ten! You can do it!” David says confidently and then he jumps down form his bed. ,,Come” He says to Alisa and Mayla and walks out of the room.Andrey sighs again. Sascha and Daniil so owe him for that!Andrey finds some of his and Karen’s old racquets, they are way too big for all three of them, but neither of the kids seems to mind. Andrey uses their clothing line to make a net in between two trees in the garden.,,Okay. So, uhm… we will just play me against you.”,,Is this not unfair?” David asks.,,No, I think i can manage against you thre-”,,Since you are alone.” David interrupts and smiles at him.Andrey has to stop himself from rolling his eyes. ,,I will be fine.” he says and grins.,,Okay, we just start by simply hitting back and forth. Okay? Just try to get the ball over the net.” Andrey says, because he does not really know how to teach three kids aged five and six, anything useful about tennis. How had his mom teach him when he was a child? Well, she probably only thought him and not three kids at the same time.Andrey plays them the first ball, David runs after it and while he hits it he yells ,,Bweeh!” Andrey hits it back and stares at him.,,Don’t say that.” He says.,,Why not? You do it!”,,I … well… no I don’t!” Andrey studders.,,Yes you do.” Alisa says and Mayla nods.,,Did your dad’s tell you that? Well, it is a lie!” Andrey says and plays them another ball. This time Alisa runs after it and he makes ,,bweeh!” too when she hits it.,,I don’t make this sound!” Andrey insists.,,Dad says you do!” Mayla insists.,,Okay, fine. We make a deal, when you win something at the Olympics, you can make bweeh!” Andrey suggests.,,Sounds fair.” David decided for all of them and Andrey has to smile a little, because David sounds like it will actually happen soon. God, Andrey does not know where David got it from, but sometimes he wishes he had his confidence.They play for some time, with only a ,bweh’ every now and then, which Andrey ignores. It has been at least an hour and Andrey starts to wonder if they never run out of energy, when Karen, Daniil and Sascha come into the garden.,,Dad!” Alisa screams and runs to Daniil’s arms.,,Hey there, did you have fun?” Alisa nods and wraps her arms around Daniil’s neck.Mayla comes toddling over and almost falls, but Sascha catches her last minute, while David clings to Andrey.,,Did Andrey teach you how to play tennis?” Sascha asks and Mayla nods.,,He did okay.” David says and giggles.,,Excuse me? I did okay? We played three against one!” Andrey says and lifts David up.,,You said you would be fine!” David says and giggles.,,Do you want to show us what you learned?” Sascha asks, but Mayla shakes his head.,,We will play with Andrey.” She says.,,That is unfair!” Sascha says.,,he is our coach.” Alisa says.,,Actually, I am bette-” Sascha starts but Karen elbows him. ,,Okay, okay. Andrey is your coach and you only play with him.” Sascha mumbles.,,What do the new tennis stars say about pizza though?” Daniil suggests.,,Yey” David says and lets go of Andrey to run ahead.,,So you are a coach now?” Karen whispers and grins, as they walk behind the group to the car.,,Maybe, it is always good to have a second income.” Andrey says and winks.,,Will you coach me too?” Karen asks.,,No. My schedule is already very busy.”,,Mmh… maybe you could make some time for me? I promise to train shirtless.” Karen whispers.Andrey giggles and rolls his eyes. ,,Maybe I will consider it. We can have a job interview later, when David is in bed.”,,Mmh, deal.” Karen says and giggles.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When they play doubles together they never expect to win, it is just fun and games. So, when they actually win in Monte Carlo, it seems like a joke. A nice joke though. Afterwards they are both exhausted and tired, but they still want to celebrate, so they take some things and head down to the beach. 
 
They lay on the beach, cuddling and watching the sunset for some time. Andrey has his head rested against Karen’s chest and is half asleep.
,,Hey” Karen mumbles and kisses Andrey’s temple.
,,Mmh?” Andrey mumbles.

,,Are you asleep?” Karen teases.
,,No” Andrey mumbles.
,,I think you are. Maybe I need to throw you into the water.”
,,Don’t you dare!” Andrey says and sits up.
Karen grins at him.
,,No! Karen, do that and you are single!” Andrey says and jumps up.
Karen grins and follows him.
Andrey yelps and tries to run away. Karen chases him around for a moment, until he wraps his arms around Andrey’s hips and lifts him up.
,,Karen” Andrey yelps and giggles.
,,What? You are being such a bad boyfriend, falling asleep on our celebration date!”
Andrey giggles and tries to free himself, but it is too late. Karen throws him into the water but jumps after him.

Andrey emerges from the water and shakes his head. ,,I hate you!” He says but laughs.
Karen pulls him close and kisses him. ,,You do?”
,,Just a little.” Andrey says and giggles. He pokes Karen’s nose and shakes his head.
,,But now you are awake.” Karen says.
Andrey grins, wraps his arms around Karen’s neck and rolls his eyes. ,,It is cold! You are totally crazy.” Andrey says and kisses Karen’s cold cheek.
,,Don’t you always burst yourself with being immune to cold because you are russian?” Karen teases.
,,Maybe” Andrey says.
,,Okay, okay. You are right, it is cold. Lets get back to the hotel.” Karen agrees. ,,We can get warm and dry again.”
,,Mmh. Will you throw me in the bathtub when I fall asleep while we cuddle?” Andrey asks.
,,No, I promise.” Karen says and smiles.
,,Mmh, you owe me extra big cuddles for it though.” Andrey says and winks.
,,I can do that.” Karen says and leans in to kiss Andrey.
 
The only problem is that they are dripping wet and even though the hotel is only three kilometers away from the beach, taxis won’t stop for them. So they have to walk back.

,,This is all your fault.” Andrey says and giggles, when they hurry past the receptionist and into the elevator.
,,Sorry? Who fall asleep?” Karen says and grins.
,,But who threw us into the water?” Andrey asks, grinning.

The elevator doors are opening and Karen is about to tease back, when Fernando comes out of the room and stares at them. ,,What is going on here?” He asks.
Karen and Andrey both stand up straight. ,,Nothing” Andrey says.
,,Why are you dripping wet?”
,,It is Karen’s fault! He threw me into the water!”
,,Because Andrey fell asleep!” Karen says.
Fernando sigh and presses his hand against his forehead. ,,You went swimming? In your clothes? In early April?” Fernando asks and raises his eyebrows.
,,I … uhm … well… not really swimming.” Andrey stammers.
Fernando sighs. ,,If you get a cold tomorrow, I will not go easy on you!” He says and Karen and Andrey nod, before the run past him to their room, giggling.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

David does not understand the difference between a 250, 500 or 1000 Title. All he understand is that his dads would like to win each, no matter if it says 250, 500 or 1000. For him it is all the same. So he is not quite sure what it means when Andrey reaches the Monte Carlo finals, it just another final for him. But he is still excited for the match, he always is. Andrey and Karen both think it is super sweet, how excited David gets whenever he is allowed to come to one of their matches. He makes a new sign each time, leaving glitter and a trail of glue all over the kitchen and the floors.
 
This time he has made a big blue one and he wrote ,Dad for the win!’ on it in with glitter. He also drawn some pictures on it and added colorful ribbons to it. He has left a trail of glitter in the car, much to Daniils dislike, who had driven them, and then a trail of glitter all the way to Andrey’s box.

Karen tries to shake some off the excess glitter of over the bin, but it does not really help. Everytime David jumps up with the sing a shower of glitter rains down on him and everything around him.

Andrey has to grin when he steps onto the court and he sees the glitter all over Karen and David, from ten meters away. He grins at Karen, who rolls his eyes with a grin. 
 
Looking back, they should have been happy with the glitter, because it would have been only glitter. Well, until they found out David did not only bring a sing of glitter rain. No… not only glitter.

When Andrey wins and after he has managed to get up from the floor. He runs over to his box, to pick up David, like he always does when he wins. He lifts David over the barrier and holds him in his arm.

When he walks over to the center of the court again,  David suddenly throws a colourfull cloud of something in the air. Andrey looks around him for a second, confused, until David throws another hand of confetti and then another and another. He has managed to empty a whole bag, before Andrey can take it.

,,I … where had you get that?” Andrey asks him.,,From Daniil! He said it is not allowed inside, but showed me how to sneak it in!” David says with a big smile.,,Oh really he did?” Andrey asks with a forced grin, because David’s confetti throwing had the whole audience laughing.,,You won!” David exclaims and looks at Andrey with a big smile.,,I know” Andrey says and winks. He will have a word about the confetti with Daniil later. ,,Do you want to lift the trophy with me?” Andrey asks and David nods excited. 
 
Family 2.0👨‍👨‍👦👨‍👩‍👧

Daniil: Congrats on the win. Told you you get a 1000 this year

Daria: yeah, congrats from me and Alisa too!💖

Daria: Come over for celebration dinner later?

Karen:  @daria, 8.30?

Daria: Perfect👌🏻

Andrey: thanks

Andrey: Hey, daniil, one more question

Daniil: Always ready to share my wisdom🧐

Andrey: WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR THAT HUGE BACK OF CONFETTI

Daniil: Idk what you are talking about

Karen: Don’t lie. David told us you gave it to him

Daniil: Ah, come on

Daniil: Little revenge ;)

Daniil: You let him in my car with that glitter bomb!

Andrey: HE THREW THE WHOLE BAG ON COURT

Daniil: I know. Saw it, lol!😂

Andrey: NO!

Andrey: You are paying the clean up bill we get for that!

Daniil: Ah, come on. they no sue you for that

Daniil: besides, you just won 5.5 Million, lmao🤑

Andrey: HE

Andrey: THREW

Andrey: THE WHOLE BAG

Daniil: Okay. Okay.

Daniil: Next time I will get him the small bag!

Andrey: Daniil!

Daniil: Let the kid have fun!1!🥲

Andrey: I hope you like noises! Because Alisa is about to get every loud toy I can find for her next 15 birthdays and christmas and easter

Daniil: ….

Daria: Thanks, @daniil. 🙄

Daniil: I did not tell him to throw it all!

Daniil…. come on!

Andrey: Too late ;)!

Daniil: Why the wink?

Daniil: Andrey! WHY the wink?!?😭

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

,,
Karennnn! Hurry. We are late.“ Andrey says and comes back into the bedroom.,,The baptism is in hour and we only drive ten minutes“ Karen argues, while pulling on his pants.,,So ten minutes for the drive, but we have to walk down the car, plan in some time for traffic, find a parking spot, find Daria and Daniil. I don’t want to be there last minute!“Karen grins and rolls his eyes.,,Don’t worry, babe. We will be there on time.“ Karen promises.Andrey looks him up and down. ,,Are you seriously going to wear sweatpants?” He asks and raises his eyebrows.,,Those are not sweatpants! They are comfortable suit pants.”,,That look like sweatpants?”,,Shut up. I am not taking fashion advice from the person that wears ripped jeans to a baptism!” Karen exclaims and rolls his eyes.,,At least I am wearing jeans!” Andrey insist.Karen grins and shakes his head. ,,Whatever. I will be ready in a minute, okay?”Andrey sighs and nods. ,,Okay, one minute.” He sits down on the bed and pulls out his phone. 
 
Karen is searching through his closet for a jacket, when David comes into the room. ,,Dad!” He says and tugs at Karen sleeves.,,One minute, dear, okay?” Karen says and pulls out a jacket from the closet. ,,This?” He asks Andrey.,,Yeah, works great with sweatpants.” Andrey teases and Karen rolls his eyes.,,Dad!” David says again.,,Okay, now you. What is it?” Karen asks.,,Will Alisa and I now be related?” David asks.,,I … well…no, no you will not be related.”,,But Andrey is becoming her godfather, and that is family, right?”Karen nods. ,,Well, yes, kind of.”,,Okay and you and I are related, right?” Karen nods.,,So, when you are the Godfather to a baby, we are related, because I am related to you and the baby is related to you. And when Andrey is my other dad and is Alisa’s Godfather, then why are we not related?”,,Well, uhm …” Karen clears his throat. ,,You … you see, being related is one thing, it means that you and the person have the same ancestors. You for example have the same parents, or the same grandparents, okay?”David nods.,,That means you are related. But that does not always mean you are a family. A family are the people you love and that are always there, okay? So uhm … for example, you and Andrey don’t have the same ancestors, right? But you are still a family, because you love each other.”Davids nods again and thinks for a moment, before he says: ,,So Alisa will be my family but we are not related?”,,Yes, you could say that.”,,Mmh, do you think I can watch her soon?”,,Maybe when you are a little older you can watch Alisa. But we can ask Daniil and Daria if Alisa can come visit us some time.” Karen suggest.David nods and then turns to Andrey, who is sitting on the bed, busy with his phone.

,,here” He says and holds out a folded piece of paper,,What is that?” Andrey asks and smiles.,,I made a card, can you give it Daria and Daniil?”,,Of course” Andrey says. ,,I also wrote something in it, all by myself.” David says proudly and climbs on the bed next to Andrey.,,Oh, really? Should we have a look at that?” Andrey asks and David nods. 
 
Andrey opens the card and heap of glitter falls into his lap and on the bed. ,,Oh, great you used glitter. Again.” Andrey mumbels through gritted teeth.David nods proudly. ,,I found it at the back of the living room cabinet.” He says.,,Really? I wonder how it might have gotten there.” Andrey says and looks over to Karen. They had said they would put the glitter somewhere where David definitely could not find it. Karen grits his teeth and shrugs his shoulders.,,Okay, you wrote, For Alisa. Happy baptism.” Andrey reads out or at least he guesses that is what David tried to write.,,Yes! Mom helped me, but she only wrote it on a piece of paper, I wrote it on the card all by myself!”,,Very good, I am sure Alisa will like it.” Andrey says and strokes David’s hair. 
 
They are fifteen minutes early in the end, but Andrey is still stressed until they spot Daniil and Daria standing outside of the church with Alisa in her stroller.

,,Hello there.” Karen says and waves, as they come to a stop in front of Daniil and Daria.,,Hey” Daria says, busy with rocking Alisa back and forth in her stroller.,,Why are you glittering like a striper?” Daniil asks and grins.,,You must know about glitters and stripers.” Daria says and raises her eyebrow.,,I … I mean like stripers in movies?”,,What kind of movies?” Karen teases and grins.,,Shut up or I will tell Andrey about your search history when I borrowed your laptop last month.” Daniil shots back and grins.,,Why? What did he look at?” Andrey asks.,,Nothing.” Daniil says and winks at Karen.Karen sighs and rolls his eyes.,,Okay, okay, back to the glitter question.” Daniil says.,,David made you a card.” Andrey sighs.,,That does not explain the glitter though.”,,Surprisingly Karen’s super secret hiding place for the glitter could not stop David from finding it and  he used … a lot for the card.”,,Were you the card?” Daniil asks and laughs.,,No, but here.” Andrey says and hands the card over. Daniil has not even held it for a minute, when the glitter starts to appear on him too.,,Andrey! That will be visible in the photos! I will look like a twilight vampire!” Daniil exclaims and tries to brush the glitter off of himself.Daria laughs.,,Ah, no. I am sure it will not be noticeable.” Andrey says, but he is not really sure. Maybe he has just gotten used to glittering every day of his life by now, that he does not even see it anymore.

,,Mr. and Mrs. Medvedev.” The priester says and approaches them.,,Okay, we need to glitter all. If we all glitter it won’t be noticeable in the photos!” Daniil suggest, he has not even noticed the priester joining their group. He tries to shake the card over Daria’s head, but she pulls away at the last second and Daniil ends up accidentally shaking glitter all over the priest.

Daniil and the priest stare at each other for a moment, while they others try to hold back their laughing. ,,I … you will still baptism our daughter, right?” Daniil asks quietly and clears his throat.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It is the offseason and this always means for a short time they live just like everybody else. When they first started playing pro, all their time always revolved around tennis all the time, but they soon learned that they needed to have some total off time. So whenever they have off time, they take a week or something to just be together and themselves. 
 
Karen is an early riser, but he knows Andrey is not. Karen likes to just stay in bed and read or play on his phone,  until Andrey wakes up. On the first morning of their week off, Andrey wakes up at around 10. He lazily rolls over in bed and cuddles against Karen.,,Morning, babe.” Karen says and puts his book aside.Andrey lets out a deep sigh and inhales Karen smell. ,,I love when we don’t have any obligations.” Andrey mumbles and wraps his arms around Karen’s hips. ,,Yes me too.” Karen says and kisses the top of Andrey’s head.Andrey sighs and lets himself fully sink into the touch for a moment. ,,I love you so much.” He whispers.,,I love you too.” Karen mumbles and closes his eyes again.

They both nap for a little longer like that, until Andrey carefully frees himself from Karen’s hug, to make them both a cup of coffee. 
 
He returns to the bedroom with their mugs and crawls back into bed. ,,It is so nice when we can slow down like that, even if it is just for a few days.” Andrey says and places his legs over Karen’s.Karen places one hand on Andrey’s thigh and strokes up and down. ,,Mmh, sometimes I cannot wait until we retire and can spend every morning like this.” Karen says.Andrey giggles and nods. ,,Yes, this will be nice. We will have a cup of coffee in bed every morning.”,,Mmh” Karen makes and closes his eyes.,,You know what?” Andrey asks.Karen half opens his eyes to look at him. ,,What?” He asks.,,Lets choose the pictures for our photo wall today.” Andrey says.

They have planned to do a photo wall over their bed for forever. Andrey has already bought the frames and printed out way too many pictures but they still have not decided which ones to use.

,,Good idea.” Karen says.Andrey reaches for the stack of photos on his nightstand. ,,Oh, this one is good, we definitely need to use this one!” Andrey says and shows the first photo to Karen. It is from when they finally saw each other at the airport again last year, after being apart for weeks.

Karen pulls Andrey in closer so that they are cuddling and can both look at the pictures. ,,I like this one.” Karen says after a few photos.,,This?” Andrey takes a closer look, his mom had taken that on christmas two years ago. After unwrapping their gifts they had fallen asleep on the sofa together. Karen has his head resting on Andrey’s chest and his arms wrapped around Andrey while Andrey holds him.,,Yeah, this one is nice.” Andrey says. ,,And this one.”,,No!” Karen saysAndrey giggles. That was from when Karen’s sister had gifted them a visit to an Alpaca farm. It was fun, until one of the Alpacas started to chew Karen’s hair and Andrey decided to take a picture instead of helping, the picture he was holding now, actually.,,I don’t even know why you printed that out!” Karen says and rolls his eyes.,,It is funny.” Andrey says.,,Oh, yes. I would have loved to see your reaction if someone had chewed on your beloved curls.”Andrey rolls his eyes and grins. ,,I let you suck on body parts I care more about my hair. But okay, I will not put this one up.” He agrees and Karen grunts.

They look through the photos for over an hour. There is the on they took in Paris in the middle of the night. They had left dinner late and the city was empty and they had have too much wine when they passed by the Eifeltower, Karen had suggested they take a picture. ,,What if someone sees us?” Andrey had whined.,,No ones is around, it will be fine.” Karen had said and so, they had used self timer to snap a fast picture of them kissing in front of the Eifeltower. Which was clichee, yes, but they hardly got any couple pictures outside their home our families together.

There is some photos from when they were still playing juniors and had just started dating. They only agreed to put these up, because they both looked dorky.There were some vacation pics too, usually from when Karen dragged Andrey to the beach and some they had bought at an amusement park after a roller coaster.There were the usual birthday pictures and some from when the trained.

,,Okay, those are all good. But we need to choose one favorite picture. We can print this out in bigger and then put it in the middle.” Andrey says after they have divided the pictures into ,going on the wall’ and ,You only want this up because you look good in it’.,,You know which one my favorite is.” Karen says and kisses Andrey’s neck.Andrey sighs. ,,Yeah, I know which one is your favorite.” Andrey says and goes through the pictures again. ,,I look so nerdy in it and why did no one never tell me that this haircut was not it?”,,I liked it back then on you.” Karen says and Andrey glances at him.,,You wanted to get laid, you were not thinking about my hair.” He says.Karen laughs. ,,You wanted to get laid too, you were almost jumping on me after the second date.” Karen says.,,Okay, but I was 15, that was not a surprise. You could have had more self control.”,,I was 17 and you were the first person that I was serious about!” Karen says and giggles.Andrey sighs and holds the picture a little away from him a little.

That was when they went on their first date back in 2012. Fuck, that was 11 years ago, how is that possible?They went to dinner and then the movies, it had been winter and snowing. On their way back they had walked through the city and when they had walked over the red square someone had stopped them, because he thought they were tourists. Probably because they were walking over the red square on a friday night while it was snowing and because Karen had stopped to take pictures of the square and of Andrey.They guy had talked them, well Karen, because Karen could never say no, into paying him to take a photo of them. Which was why now they had a rather bad photo of them on the red square. Andrey did not like his hair style in the photo or the horrible cloth he was wearing, God, how could he ever think that was fashionable? Plus his nose was super red from the cold. All while Karen looked rather good. Karen said he liked the picture because it was a memory for their first date and because they had kissed later that night.And to Andrey’s horror it was also still the picture his mom showed around when she talked about them! He had send her at least twenty alternatives by now, but she insisted on that one.

Andrey looks at it again, then he sighs. ,,Okay, fine, we will put that in the middle.” He says and he can feel Karen smiling against his cheek.,,I love you.” Karen says.,,You better do, that photo is horrible.” Andrey mumbles and then giggles.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Andrey loves David’s nap time and not just because then he can take a nap too. That’s definitely not the main reason!

This afternoon however David doesn’t seem to be sleepy, which is a shame because Andrey is really tired. They are laying in Andrey and Karen’s bed, like they always do at nap time and Andrey is already half asleep.

,,

папа

?“ David asks and tugs at Andreys shirt.,,Mmmh?“ Andrey makes, without opening his eyes.,,When the baby is here, will you and dad love him more than me?“,,What?“ Andrey asks and now opens his eyes.,,When he is here you will have to split your love, right? Will you like him more than me?” David asks, pressing his stuffed bear against his chest.,,No, of course not. Dad and I will love you just the same, David. We don’t need to split our love! When someone new comes into your life you just … you create a new love for them. You see” Andrey says and starts to stroke David’s hair. ,,First it was just your dad and me and we loved each other very much and we wanted to have you. So you came along and dad and I created this whole new sort of love just for you, but we still love each other the same and when your brother is here, dad and I will love each other and you just the same way. And there will be a whole new love just for your brother.”David tugs at his teddy’s ears. ,,My friend Louis got a brother and now everybody just cares about the baby.” He says.Andrey leans down to kiss David’s hair. ,,Don’t worry, David, okay? We will still love and care about you the same. There will be times where you want something and your brother too and maybe sometimes we will help your brother first but that is just because he is very little and he cannot do a lot of the things you already can. So sometimes yes, maybe we will pay attention to your brother first, but we will also always care for you.”,,But sometimes when he wants somethings and I want something, you will help me first, right?”,,Yes, of course, David. We will care and love you both the same. You don’t need to worry. It will not be all about the baby.”,,I guess then it is okay.” David says.,,I am sure you will like him a lot. Having siblings is great, you always have someone around, someone you can play with, someone you can trust, someone who will always be there for you and sometimes someone you can always annoy. You can ask your aunt Ari, she says I was very good at annyoing her when we were kids. I promise you will like your brother.”,,Do I have to share my toys with him?”Andrey laughs and strokes over David’s head. ,,No, you don’t have to, but it would be very nice if you do it.”,,Mmh” David makes and thinks. ,,He can have some, but not my hot wheels.”,,Sounds reasonable.” Andrey says and smiles.,,But what when I don’t want to have someone all the time?”This time Andrey thinks before he says: ,,That is okay too. Sometimes we just want to be alone.”,,No, what when I want you and dad but not him?” David asks.Andrey licks his lips. ,,Well, that is okay too. If you want we can find one day a week where you can do something just with me or dad. Maybe every two weeks we can ask grandma and grandpa to watch your brother and you can do something just with me and dad?” Andrey suggests. avid tugs at the teddy ears but then he nods. ,,Okay” He says.Andrey smile at him. ,,See, you really don’t need to worry about it. It will all be okay and your brother and you will both be loved.”,,Can I pick his name?” David suddenly asks.,,Ähm … well … you can make a suggestion?” Andrey says.,,Iron Man!” David exclaims.,,Mmh” Andrey makes. ,,I will put it on the list, okay? But don’t get sad when we maybe don’t take this one.”,,What about Spidermen or … no I like these two!”,,Dad and I will think about it, okay?” Andrey asks and David’s nod.,,Okay” He says and smiles.,,Do you feel ready to take your nap now?” Andrey asks and jawns.,,Yes” David says. He snuggles up against Andrey and closes his eyes.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

*Stefanos added you to the group ,double dates💝’*
 
Andrey: ????

Daniil: babe, I told you to just text Karen and ask, no need for a whatsapp group

Stefanos: Psst🤫, maybe this will will become a regular thing, then the whatsapp group is useful

Karen: What double date? Did I miss something?😳

Stefanos: So, we all have been waiting for the movie of the year. So Daniil and I thought we could go together?🙈

Karen: Sure! Andrey and I wanted to go see Oppenheimer anyways!

Daniil: See! I told you Stef!

Stefanos: I am not talking about Oppenheimer?🤨

Karen: ????

Stefanos: The Barbie movie of course!🌸🎀

Daniil: …

Daniil: If you think he is joking

Daniil: He is not!

Stefanos: Come on, it will be great! The trailer was fantastic 😻

Karen: You just want to look at Margot Robbie for two hours😏

Andrey: uhhh

Andrey: Stefanos got a crush

Andrey: one that actually has hair

Daniil: Shut up Andrey, you and Karen do Star Wars role plays✨

Karen: Andrey!!!!

Andrey: I TOLD YOU THAT IN PRIVATE, DANIIL

Stefanos: Can we please go back to the important things? So, Barbie movie next week?

Karen: I don’t want to watch Barbie. Lets go watch Oppenheimer

Daniil: @Karen, I am in

Stefanos: nooo! Barbie!💖

Daniil: Sorry, babe it is three against one!

Stefanos: @Andrey what about you? Come on you want to watch Barbie🥺

Andrey: Idk. It is kinda girly, no?

Stefanos: No, it is a great movie! You will like it. Come on!

Daniil: I am booking oppenheimer ticktes in this moment

Stefanos: Daniil!

Daniil: too late!
 
They should have known this was not the end of this discussion. Really. They should have known. Stefanos sat his mind on something and he would not give in that easy.

It is friday evening and they are meeting in front of the cinema. Karen tries to hold in his laugh when Stefanos shows up in a pink flannel and sneakers. ,,Nice look” He teases.,,I think it is a quite protest” Daniil says and grins.
,,Maybe it is more.” Stefanos says as they walks to the register.,,What do you mean?” Karen asks.,,Four tickets under Medvedev” Daniil says to the cashier.,,Right, Medvedev, four times Barbie” The girl behind the corner says.,,What? No we-” Daniil starts but Stef already snatches  the tickets from the girl. ,,Thanks” He says and smiles.,,What the hell? We said we wanted to watch Oppenheimer” Daniil says as they walk away.,,No, you decided because before it was three against one. But it changed to two against two, so I called and changed your reservation.” Stef says and smiles.,,What?” Daniil asks and glances over to Karen.,,Was not me!” Karen exclaims.,,No, it was Andrey. I texted him and he changed his mind.”,,What? Love!” Karen says and turns to Andrey.Andrey blushes and looks down at his feet. ,,I mean Stef texted me and it seemed like he really wanted to see it, so ….” Andrey shrugs his shoulders.,,Okay, this does not count! You know Andrey is a people pleaser! He says yes to anything!” Karen says.,,Hey!” Andrey exclaims.,,Sorry, dear. But you know it is true.” Karen says.,,No! And you know who I won’t please tonight?!” Andrey hisses. He takes a ticket from Stef’s hand. ,,And you know what else? I want to watch Barbie now! So come!”
 
The movies has just started and Karen feels like he is gone colorblind and all he can see now is pink.Andrey rests his head against Karen’s shoulder. Karen leans over and kisses Andrey’s hair. ,,I did not mean people pleaser in a bad way early. I think it is sweet how you always try to make sure everybody is happy.” He whispers.,,I know, I lied too when I said I would not please you tonight” Andrey whispers back and giggles.,,Psscht!” Stefanos makes.

Andrey and Karen look at each other grin. 
 
Twenty minutes into the movie Andrey has fallen asleep on Karen’s shoulder. Karen rolls his eyes and grins. Yeah, Andrey definitely wanted to watch this movie. He glances over to where Daniil and Stef are sitting and sees that Stef is sleeping on Daniil’s shoulder too.Daniil meets Karen’s eyes and rolls his eyes. ,,Romantic, is it not?” He asks. Karen grins and rolls his eyes back. ,,Yeah, so great that we got to go on this double date.” Karen agrees.,,Do you think they would notice if we sneak over to the Oppenheimer movie now?” Daniil asks and winks.Andrey shifts on Karen’s shoulder and nuzzles closer while throwing a arm over Karen’s stomach. ,,Yeah, it is fine. Let’s just watch the barbie thing.” Karen decides. He reaches out and strokes Andrey’s hair.Daniil sighs and runs his hand through Stef’s curl too. ,,Fine” He mumbles. 
 
Andrey wakes up halfway through the movie and pretends like he did not fall asleep. Stef wakes up 10 minutes before the end.
 
,,I am saying out loud what we all think! This was a total waste of money!” Daniil says when they leave the cinema.,,What? No! This was a great movie.” Stef insist.,,You slept through it all!” Daniil mocks.,,No? I was taking in the sound effects.” Stef defends himself.,,Sure. You definitely did not look at Margot Robbie for ten minutes and then went off to dreamland.” Daniil teases.,,Come on, lets go” Stef mumbles and laces their fingers together.,,Eager to go to bed, huh?” Karen says and laughs.Stef looks at him and smirkes. ,,Eager? Yes. But not for bed.”,,Eww” Andrey makes. ,,Disgusting.”,,Not as disgusting as the mental image of you and Karen doing Star Wars roleplays.” Daniil conters.Karen roll his eyes. ,,You and Stef play strip tennis. How is this better?!” He asks.Daniil blushes and licks his lips. ,,Well, I think Stef is right. We should go home.” Daniil says, stops a taxi and tugs at Stef’s sleeve.,,Yeah, we should go home too.” Andrey agree.,,Going to role play Barbie and Ken?” Daniil teases, before they climb into the taxi.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

,,Why don’t you come?” Andrey asks on friday on the phone.He hears Karen sigh on the other side. ,,Andrey, it is … you know.”,,Yeah” Andrey mumbles and tugs at the hotelbed blanket. ,,It is because you think I will win, right?” He asks then.,,You know this is not the reason.” Karen says on the other end of the line.,,Just come, if I make it to the finals, you can watch the finals and if I don’t we can spend the day in the city. We can fly to hamburg together. It will be fun.”,,What if someone sees us?” Karen asks. ,,I have no reason to be there, I am not even playing right now.” Karen says.,,So? You can say you are there to support me as my friend.”,,And I happened to bring my kids too?” Karen asks.,,Yours?” Andrey repeats.,,You know what I mean.” Karen says.,,Yeah, maybe I don’t.” Andrey mumbles.,,Andrey… don’t make this harder for me, for us, than it is.”,,I am making it hard for you? What is hard for you? You can go out and be a dad, you are not the one that every damn time has to pretend you are just the uncle, the dad’s friend, you are not the one that has to be careful what you post. You can be you. I am the one who has been putting on an act.”,,And I don’t? I pretend to be married, I pretend to have a children with someone who just does me a favor, I was the one who had to be careful that no finds out Ver is faking a pregnancy, I am the one who made sure that twice we find a surgeon that will believe she is carrying a child for me and Veronika and keeps quite about it.”,,Yes, but at least people know you are their dad.” Andrey says.,,You are being unfair.” Karen says.,,Am I? You are the one who is scared. You are the one that is ashamed for me.”,,I am not ashamed of you!”,,No? Then why can I not openly say you are my partner? Why can I never openly be their dad?! It is always hiding, hiding, hiding, for ten fucking years. Yes, I know it is your sperm and you are on the adoption certificate, but they are my sons too!” Andrey feels the tears of anger filling his eyes and he tries to swallow them down.,,Of course they are your sons too, Andrey. You know this is not about-”,,Yeah, it does not feel like it.” Andrey interrupts.,,Andrey… I … I just want to protect you. People will be so mean when they find out, about us, about that my marriage is a lie, about that David and Mikael are from a surrogate, that they are our children and-” ,,I don’t care about that and you know it. But you care, you care what people think and say and do.”Karen does not answer that.,,You know, what? I don’t even want you to come to Sweden. Just stay in Barcelona and pretend you are happy and I think I will fly to Hamburg all by myself. I don’t want you to come to Sweden or to Hamburg. You don’t want me to take my father role anyways, so what does it matter if I am there with them or not.” 
 
Andrey hangs up and rolls onto his side, curling up. He misses Karen, even if he is mad at him and even more, he misses David and Mikael. He had to leave so soon after Mikael was born, he feels bad. Karen has been at home with the children for so long, lying that it was because of an injury that he pulled out of competitions. Sometimes Andrey wonders if David even thinks of him as his dad, if Mikael will. Do they even know he is their parent too?Or do they think he is just somebody?Yes, Daniil gets excited to see him, but it is Karen who is there, Karen who brings them to bed, who makes them dinner, who does everything. And all just because of one big lie. Yes, it made sense at first when they were teens and when they got older and the press asked questions, it made sense to put Veronika as a fake girlfriend but then it never stopped. Karen always said soon, always said he wanted to protect Andrey from hate and cancel culture, but now Andrey wonders if Karen just does not love him?When they decided to become parents they had talked about finally being honest with the world, but they had decided to first settle in with the baby and then be honest. But they never did and now they have two sons and most of the world still thinks they are only Karen’s. 
 
Karen and him don’t talk over the phone the next two days, Karen sends him photos and videos of David and Mikael, they only make Andrey’s heart arch and he does not respond.
 
Then he actually makes it to the final but it does not feel like a win, it just feels … lonely. Now that Karen took time off to be with Mikael, there is no excuse as to why he is hanging around Andrey’s matches. Andrey had wanted to take time off too, but he never suggested it to Karen. There would not have been excuse as to why he was taking time off, so he just continued playing.
 
When he steps on court this afternoon and faces Casper, he cannot really bring himself to care if he wins or loses. Maybe this is why he wins in the end, because he does not care. He wins and he pretends to be happy when he sprays around the champagne. He has learned to put on an act.

He is handed a microphone to say a few words. Andrey takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. It is fine. He can just say the usual stuff and it is fine.

,,Dadddd!” He hears someone yell, before he can say something. Andrey turns around on instinct, he knows that voice. Andrey sees David running thorwards him, his little arms wrapping around Andrey’s leg. Confused Andrey strokes his hair. ,,David, don’t call m-”,,Hey” Karen says, interrupting Andrey. He stands in front of him, Mikael on his arm.  ,,I know you said you don’t me to come.” Karen says. ,,But … you are right. We should not hide anymore. I don’t care what people say, because you don’t either. I thought by stopping you from telling the world, I would be the strong one, the one who protects you, but I … I just hurted you and I am sorry. So, if you forgive me … I don’t want to hide anymore.”Andrey smiles slightly. ,,Are you sure?” He asks.,,Dad!” David tugs at Andrey’s jacket, wanting attention. ,,Dad, can I hold the trophy?” He asks.Karen and Andrey both have to laugh. Andrey wraps his arms around Karen, kisses his check first, then Mikaels’s head, before he picks up David. ,,Yeah, you can hold it. Do you want to help Dad say something very important too?”David nods.,,Okay” Andrey holds the microphone out for David. ,,Okay, now say, ,I love my two dads’.” Andrey says.David grins at him. ,,I love my two dads.”