Mixed

Jannik is used to these kinds of things, and how to take it in stride. It's not as if he already knew what was going to happen. He didn't expect it to be something as significant as, "you're going to be playing mixed doubles."

That gets Jannik to pause and look up from his phone where he was watching a replay.

"Are you serious?" Jannik asks, though he already knows the answer; Simone looks serious.

"Top players are getting paired up and they'll play mixed doubles the week before." He does not like this idea very much, but that's not his choice. Jannik is sure there is some outstanding, promotional reason for this. There always is.

Simone kicks his leg lightly and that makes this a little bit better. Calms the annoyance he carries about the ordeal.

"Who did I get paired up with?"

"We don't know yet. We'll know sometime next week."

Great. Now it's a waiting game.

It comes sooner than Jannik was expecting. Three days later, to be exact.

Charlie Alcaraz Garfia + Jannik Sinner

Jannik stares at the announcement for fifteen seconds longer than he should, the graphic showing the range of pairings, but they're smack dab in the middle.

Charlie.

He's barely ever spoken to her. Sometimes, in passing, sure. Enough to be friendly, but nothing intimate.

Charlie had been following him since around the time he officially made his start to the ATP tour in 2018, and she made her start around the same time although they're two years apart in age.

She was a blowout star, coming in so hot that no one expected it. Shot through the rankings and headlines at only 16. By the time she turned 18, she claimed the number one spot left behind by the retirement of Serena Williams - fourth youngest in WTA history.

She's held rank one to three ever since, even after some scrambling with Sabalenka and Swiatek. She's currently at number two, catching up to Sabalenka.

Okay - Jannik did his homework on her at some point. He's a fan of tennis, and not just on the men's side. Plus, he was in a relationship with Anna Kalinskaya for a while. It was only natural that he heard some of the stories, the utter dominance that rested in Charlie Alcaraz.

Sometimes Jannik wonders what she would be like if she went against some of the guys on tour. He'd have no doubt she could take some of them out, too.

Seemingly out of nowhere, his screen buzzes and the notification banner shows CharlieAlcarazz has mentioned you on their story.

Jannik navigates to her profile and clicks on her story, finding the social media team for US Open has already made individual graphics of the pairings. Both of them with pumped fists, mouth open in a yell that no one can hear, and their names in text.

This is going to be fun! 💥😄💪🥳 @Janniksin

Jannik huffs, a small smile forming on his face. He clicks on the 'Add to story' button at the bottom, knowing he would be expected to do so anyway. Might as well get a head start.

💪🎾

He doesn't add anything past that. Jannik shifts on the bed, prepared to turn his phone off and call it a night, but his phone buzzes again.

Charlie: Hola doubles partner! 👋😄

Jannik shakes his head before he schools his features, like a secret camera is watching his reactions right now. He navigates to her page again, starting from the top three posts.

Those are her most recent grand slams. Charlie cradles the sizeable trophies in her arms, her unfiltered happiness shown even through the screen. Her smile is grand and bright, staring up at the sky as if she is thanking the sky or God, maybe. Either way, Charlie is still taking it in.

Jannik knows. He's been there just as much as she has.

She's a beast on natural surfaces, "Queen of Clay" - and it shows. Seven official years on tour. Five combined grand slam titles on grass and clay alone, two on hard court. That doesn't count the other titles she carries.

Past the first three posts, there is the most recent one. It was a couple of hours ago after her last win.

Ready for the next round! 🔜🫶❤️

Without thinking, Jannik likes it, his thumb hovering over the button. He scrambles to unlike it before Charlie notices, nursing the brief, panicked feeling in his chest.

What is he doing?

Jannik opens the chat finally, typing out a response.

Jannik: Hello 👋

He figured he had a couple of minutes to think about what he is doing, or why he felt the compulsion to check her page out. Jannik knows Charlie well enough to be passable. It's just a forced tournament. All of the top players are being paired off.

This is just standard. He'll play a couple of matches - praying they don't mic him up and expect him to talk much - and then it'll be done, and he'll put all of his focus back into winning his next slam.

But the response was near immediate. Shouldn't she be getting ready for bed, too?

Charlie: We'll both be at the same tournament in two weeks? We can meet up or practice together?

Oh, she's taking it serious.

Jannik: I'll ask my team. We can set something up.

Charlie: great! Goodnight 😝 💤🥱

Jannik: Goodnight

Jannik shuts his phone off after plugging his phone in, slumping against the pillow. It doesn't take long to fall asleep and try to forget this entire thing happened.

The photos don't do her justice.

She's a bit distracted signing off on tennis balls and talking to some camera when Jannik notices Charlie. She's wearing a royal blue skirt - one of the colors from their previous Nike kits - and a tied up white shirt, revealing a sliver of skin at her belly. Her hair is in a bun messily, but it suits her.

She smiles and poses for a kid with a camera, and Jannik steals glances until he can't any longer.

They're looking at each other when she walks into the practice court.

Charlie smiles and waves at him, and Jannik sends her one of his own, trying to pay attention to what Darren is trying to say about the conditions for the week. It's all lost when her bag is dropped close to his, her sighing as if it was heavy.

"Hello Jannik!" He tries his best to ignore the cameras pointed at him, knowing every bit of their interactions are being recorded and analyzed for the world. Jannik stands to his full height and for a split-second, he considers hugging her.

No, too much.

Jannik isn't really sure what to do.

Charlie seems to have the answer for him. She draws her hand out for a dap. Typical. regular. Jannik tries not to look visibly relieved when he clasps his hand in hers.

"I'm your hitting partner today, right?" Charlie asks, though it's more of a tease. Jannik shakes his head.

"I'm your hitting partner today." He'll beat himself up about that later - what kind of response is that? - but she laughs and lets go of him.

He doesn't even notice everyone else seems to find some space away from them, aside from the social media folks. There are still phones and professional cameras pointed at them. It's a constant thing.

"Don't take it easy on me." Charlie pokes her tongue between her teeth, bending to search through her bag. Jannik is a little stumped on what to do or say. She acts as if this isn't something brand new or as if this is the longest they've spoken before today.

Jannik chuckles nervously, looking anywhere else but her until she stands up again. He's a gentleman.

"Will do." Jannik doesn't mean it. Not because he's going to take it easy on her, but because he can already tell if he doesn't get a hold of himself soon, he's going to look ridiculous.

Charlie already has her sweat bands on and tennis racket in hand, patting the heel of her palm against the strings. Jannik avoids eye contact with everyone as he reaches unzips his bag to get ready as well.

She slides closer, briefly.

"Do you know you have an ass?" Charlie asks low - enough that no one can her - mirth dancing in her eyes as she casts a teasing look down. Jannik feels his face heat up, though his features twist uncomfortably.

"So I've been told."

"It's not even fair," Charlie continues, as if this isn't a weird topic of discussion. Like this isn't their first conversation and they're talking about his ass. "Some of us work very hard for ours and yours is just genes."

Jannik nearly tells her that he's sure that wasn't a problem for her, but unsheathes his racket instead, pleasantly distracted by pretending to dig in his bag.

"I eat a lot of pasta," Jannik jokes over his shoulder, pulling out his wrist band and sliding it on.

She laughs softly, though it scales more like a giggle, her hand patting his back twice and walking past him.

"I need that pasta," she throws back, turning to find her position on the other side of the court. If his eyes flicker to the way the skirt bounces as she practically skips away, no one is close enough to track where his eyes are looking.

"You don't need it," he murmurs, mostly to himself as he takes a swig of water, finding his place on his side of the court.

His team is standing at the back of the court, arms crossed and expressions knowing. Jannik jogs a little to make himself look more excited for this. He has a distinct feeling he is screwed somehow.

"Jannik," Darren calls out, his name a warning that isn't said out loud.

"I know. Focus." Even as he says it, Jannik's head is turning to where Charlie talks to a member of her team, her hand on her jutted out hip before she nods enthusiastically.

This is uncharted territory,

Jannik turns his head back and prepares himself mentally to practice.

Nothing else.

Chapter 2 Chapter Text

"And we're here with world number one, Jannik Sinner. Jannik, nice to have you."

Jannik toys with the microphone in his hand, switching it from his left back to his right, before he holds it up to his mouth, a polite smile playing his lips.

"Nice to be here. Nice to see you again."

"You just finished your second round here in Madrid. We know clay isn't your favorite surface to play on, but how have you adapted to the surface?"

"I think.. I just try to move better. Hard court is for sure my favorite surface but I think I've improved on clay over the last two years."

"Did you get any pointers from Charlie in your practice session the other day?"

Jannik chuckles softly, his head lowering as he shakes it a little.

"No, nothing like that. It was a good practice session. I'm sure I can learn a lot from her."

"Are you excited about being paired with Charlie Alcaraz for the US Open mixed doubles?"

"She's a great player and I think we can have a good relationship on the court," Jannik answers carefully, then adds jokingly, "I think she'll be the boss of me"

"Oh really?"

"She has more doubles experience than me. I'm not very good at it," Jannik laughs, shifting nervously in his seat.

"What if she yells at you? She likes to do that." There's a rough implication in the second sentence that didn't land right with Jannik, so he changes his answer to be slightly in defense of Charlie.

"I probably deserved it."

"Well, there you have it. Charlie Alcaraz is the boss of Jannik Sinner." Jannik feels his cheeks flush and he shakes his head again, wondering what mess he has started.

Charlie truly earns her title of "Queen of Clay."

She has such range on this surface, switching from drop shots to volleys to shots down the line. One hour and twenty-four minutes later, she is waving at the crowd, thanking them for their support of a dominating match.

Jannik has the match up on the television, thinking he could do something else on his phone while she plays. But once she got started in the third game, the game on his phone became a lost cause.

"Charlie, congratulations on progressing to the third round. How would you rate your performance tonight?" Charlie reaches behind her head, undoing the bun on her head, then putting it back up, her head leaning forward just slightly.

Her eyes look like a different color almost, lighter. Brighter.

"I think I did pretty good today," her accent seems a little heavier than when they talked days ago, "missed a couple of my shots. I'll have to work on that, but overall good match. Happy to make it to the next round."

"Next, you play your fellow countrywoman Paula Badosa. Any thoughts on that matchup?"

"We're good friends. I think it'll be a good match. It's always..always fun when you play at home and you play against someone else from Spain. We're very loud." Charlie smiles wide, wiping a trailing piece of her cheek. "Paula, she's given me some problems before, so I'll just have to be ready."

"Thanks Charlie. Good luck."

"Thank you." She blows a kiss to the camera before the stream cuts away to a panning shot over Manolo Santana.

Jannik shuts the stream off, heading into the kitchen to make himself a late snack then head into the shower.

By the time he comes out, his phone already shows the notification that she had already posted her victory. How does she even have time to post like that? Charlie must be doing it from the locker room.

The first photo is her on the ground after one of her tumbles. She's grinning at the blurred image of her opponent. The second is a mid-action shot of her bursting to receive a serve, all joy wiped from her expression and replaced with utter focus. The third is her backhand, which is usually one of her weaknesses on court. Last her walking onto court with her bags, once again grinning and waving.

Round three, VAMOS! 🔥🫶❤️

Jannik checks how long ago it was posted, deciding to give it a little bit before he likes it. But he's stopped by the green circle around her profile photo.

She put him on her close friends story? Intrigued, he clicks it and nearly drops the device.

It's her in the locker room. Or some bathroom. It's a mirror shot. She's sweaty. She's sticking her tongue out before she shuffles from side to side, like she's dancing. Well she does have headphones on. That would make sense.

Charlie..Charlie is something else.

Jannik closes out of it before he thinks about watching it a second time, liking the photo reel before he closes out of Instagram entirely because there would be no way he saw her story but didn't like her post.

He can almost imagine the tease he would receive from Charlie for that. She loves to joke.

Okay, okay. He needs to go to bed and soon. He sets his alarms and puts his phone on sleep mode, not wanting to know if a certain tennis player tries to message him.

It would be too tempting to reply.

There's a delay for his match. Casper and Korda going to 3 sets wasn't expected, but here they are. While he waits, Charlie has her own interview on Tennischannel. He misses the first couple of questions, but he comes in at the best and worst part.

"Now we spoke to Jannik yesterday -" Oh, no. "-and he said you would be the boss at your matches together."

Charlie laughs, covering her mouth with her free hand. She even hunches a little, and it can't be that funny. Jannik feels embarrassed, even from here.

"He said that?" She asks, no longer covering her flushing face.

"Even said you could yell at him." He did not say that-

"I wouldn't yell at him. He's too nice for that." Jannik's jaw drops and he looks around him quickly before he changes his seating position. "But I can be the boss if he can make his shots." He swallows his spit, unsure if she is being serious or not. He's unsure if he can do any of this anymore.

"Would you let him be the boss?"

"Oh absolutely. He's the best in the world for a reason. I'd listen to anything he has to say-" Jannik shuts it off, unable to take much more of this.

Charlie Alcaraz is going to be the death of him and they've barely even started.

They've barely even started.

He takes a deep breath and opts to go stretching instead, letting music and thoughts about his match overtake the fireball of a partner.

They next see each other in passing.

Jannik's through the fourth round and she's getting ready for her fourth round match. She had just finished her practice session and Jannik is heading to the courts for his.

She spots him nearly immediately, but she was signing autographs. Jannik doesn't want to bother her, so he already makes the decision he is going to say a quick hello and make his way past.

Charlie has different plans.

She finishes signing the enlarged tennis ball and turns around to face him completely. Her hand isn't held out for a dap.

"Jannik," she greets, elated. Jannik gives her a wave and she steps closer to him, uncaring for the guards and team members. "Congrats on round four."

"Thank you. Good luck on your match."

"You going to watch?" She lifts her chin at him. Clearly, he's taller than her, but it feels like a challenge. It's as if she knows he's watching.

"If there's time," Jannik says vaguely, absolutely not going to mention that he has been watching. "You done for now?" He gestures to the practice court and she nods.

"I have a couple of minutes," is what she says, her eyes flickering over to a member of her team. "I'll walk with you." Jannik feels an incredulous laugh build up in him, and he doesn't have it in him to hide it.

This woman.

They walk side by side, and she talks. She talks about how excited she is about Roland Garros and defending her title (this one and Roland Garros). Her accent seems heavier when she is excited, and he wouldn't be surprised if she just started speaking in Spanish out of nowhere.

He can only hope she speaks slow enough for him to pick up on what she's saying if she does.

Jannik nods while she talks, not having much to add. Charlie is speaking to him as if they've known each other for a long time - not a couple of weeks.

But all too soon, they're approaching the practice courts. Her words begin to trail off, acknowledging the end of their short time spent together.

"I'm going to eat so well after this," she groans, rolling her neck around, "I could use whatever magic pasta you have."

"I make it," Jannik responds, unsure why he feels the need to say that. It just comes out. She lifts her head, her eyes just as bright as the night before when she answers.

"I know. I saw your vlogs. You should make me some." Clearly, she's done some research on him too.

"Sure," he says automatically because it's polite. "My father is the real cook, I just..dabble."

"I could be in your vlog, too," she adds, head tilting to the side with her tongue between her teeth. Another tease. "Get you more viewers."

"You'll take my viewers," Jannik murmurs, and she laughs, loud and full. He nearly forgot there are hundreds of people around, many of them casually watching how they react to each other.

His brain seems to lose a bit of function when she's around. Maybe it's like that for the people she plays against, too.

"I wouldn't. Promise. I could even help."

"You cook?"

"No." She says it so dejectedly that Jannik cannot help his own laugh. "Don't laugh at me, Jannik."

"I'm not," he lies, trying to wipe the smile from his face, "I'm just..yeah I'm laughing at you." A soft punch lands on his shoulder, nowhere near hard enough to cause any damage, but enough to be felt.

"Now I'm not going to help you. You're going to have to make it all and I'll judge you the whole time. Like um… what's his name - Gordon!"

"Sure," Jannik says noncommittally, but she licks her bottom lip before she pulls it between her teeth, eyes shining, and he wonders if she is taking this serious.

He can't tell with her.

"Okay then. I win Madrid, then I want pasta from Chef Sinner." He doesn't have time to respond - he needs to tell her that's not a good idea for many reasons - but she turns quickly and walks away. "Wish me luck!"

Jannik pauses to watch her walk away, completely stumped. She doesn't even need luck. Charlie is a bit inconsistent, hence why she is second in the world and not first, but this is her surface. She has more titles on clay than losses.

It's just another thing to knock Jannik off balance. It succeeds.

In front of him is his entire team, who had the unfortunate problem of listening and seeing their entire conversation. They stand at the gated door expectedly, though there is something else there.

Alex lowers the camera, looking at him knowingly.

Jannik scowls at them and steps inside the court, ignoring all of their jabs and jokes throughout the practice. He has this restlessness that settles in him, so it's easier to take it out on the ball than to find the source.

At some point, he does flip off someone discreetly, exhausted of the references to how he looked at Charlie when she said he was making her food.

Alex said he got that on film and he'll share it later.

He prays it somehow gets deleted. He also wonders what he looked like.

Jannik did watch her match again.

6-3 first set, second set tiebreak. She had to come back in the second set after being broken in the first game, but her and Alexandrova held their serves following.

She roars when the final ball curves in the lines, all power and finesse. Jannik watches from his phone, briefly wondering why he didn't watch his ex's match right before this one.

He turns it off as soon as the final point occurs, paying more attention to the conversation between his team, Simone's prepared dinner already eaten and put away.

When Jannik walks back to his room, he gets a message.

Charlie: Did you watch?

Jannik waits until he gets inside of his room before he answers.

Jannik: It was a good banana shot.

There's the indication that she is typing, but it takes her a while to send something, so Jannik prepares for bed. He has an early match tomorrow. When he gets settled into the sheets, the message finally sends.

Charlie: I wanted to be just like Rafa when I was growing up. I looked up to his every move like his banana shot. He was my inspiration. My idol. He still is.

Jannik blinks at the screen wondering where that came from, but the next message came quicker.

Charlie: Have you decided what pasta you're going to make me?

Jannik: You said if you win. I could lose next round

Charlie: You won't. You'll get Shapovalov

She holds quite a bit of confidence in him. He shakes his head before he types his response.

Jannik: Let's see what happens

Charlie: 🤣🤣🤣 you always say that

Charlie: You're very humble. Are you always this nice too?

Jannik: I guess so

Charlie: You didn't see my photo of the day

Jannik: You mean your story or your post?

Charlie: Both 😝

It's clearly a call to action so he checks out her post first.

Just a single photo this time. She's flexing, her bicep muscle apparent and she looks borderline angry. So much fire in her eyes. Must've been taken during the tiebreak.

Excited to be back in the quarterfinals! 🌒💥❤️

Basic. Nice.

Jannik clicks on the story next, tapping past the ones meant for the public before there's a photo of Charlie laid out against a bench, eyes closed, hair out of its bun and strewn everywhere.

Thinking of how I can boss Jannik around 💭

Jannik huffs and returns to chat.

Jannik: I knew it was going to come up again

Charlie: You said it not me 🫢

Charlie: You didn't tell me if the photos were good

Jannik: I'm sure there are plenty of people to tell you they are good

Charlie: I'm asking you

Jannik worries his bottom lip, checking the time. He should definitely go to bed. Truly, there are hundreds of comments on the posts already and probably even more people in her DMs too. Charlie doesn't need Jannik to tell him the photos are good.

She probably already knows it.

Jannik: They look good

Charlie: Thank you Jannik 😆😆😆

Jannik: You're welcome

Charlie: You really are nice

Jannik has absolutely no idea what to say to that. Thank you?

Charlie: Anyway, I'm going to shower and go to bed. Shouldn't text you for that. Goodnight! 💤💤

Charlie: Good luck tomorrow even though you don't need it

Jannik: Goodnight

Jannik does not have the flashing mental image of Charlie in the shower, only the silhouette because of steam. He literally tries to blink away the image, groaning loudly before he smacks the bed.

It takes him longer than necessary to go to sleep.

Chapter 3 Chapter Text

If Charlie wasn't already so good, he would think that she was playing with alternative purpose.

True to her statement, Jannik had taken Shapovalov out with relative ease, but Cerundolo was next. If he managed to beat him, he'd be stuck between Rudd and Draper. He's looking forward to neither of those.

He watched their matches, seeing how well they have been playing.

Speaking of watching: Charlie came to his match.

Nowhere obvious or close. Jannik didn't even know she had come until he watched the replay after. The camera had panned to her sipping water and talking to someone else, but when when Charlie found the person, she raised her sponsored water bottle in the air, mouthing "Go Jannik! Vamos!"

The commentary was of no help.

"And there is Charlie Alcaraz cheering on her doubles partner."

"You can call her the unofficial coach since she is the boss now."

"Ha ha. It seems to be working then. Jannik is breezing through his service game, a minute and six seconds -"

It makes the messages he got after the match make a lot more sense.

Charlie: Black is a good color on you

Charlie: You are moving a lot better on clay

Charlie: We're going to work on your drop shots next time we meet

Jannik doesn't think he's ever met anyone like her. She doesn't beat around the bush, and she treats her relationships like her tennis - diving headfirst, knowing most likely it'll work out. Even if it doesn't, she can leave with the knowledge she gave it everything she has.

Jannik: Thank you? My drop shots are getting better!

Charlie: If you say so 🤣

Jannik: For someone who is rumored to be really friendly, you're mean to me

Charlie: I gave you two compliments!

Jannik: Then you said my tennis sucks

Charlie: I did not say that. Okay. I'm sorry ☹️

Jannik: I was joking. You didn't hurt my feelings at all.

Charlie: So you admit your drop shots suck? 😱😱😱😱

Jannik: Yes, of course. They're the worst.

Charlie: 😋 I'll help

Jannik: But won't help cook

Charlie: OUCH. I see how it is, Jannik! 🤣

Charlie: And you called me mean

Jannik: I guess neither of us are nice

Charlie: Secret mean people

Jannik: Sure. Undercover villains.

Charlie: We scare the rest of the tour 😝

Charlie: We're definitely winning mixed doubles

Jannik: Whatever you say

Charlie: Exactly because I'm the boss 😇

Jannik: I thought I overheard you say I can be a boss too

Charlie: Then act like one 🤣

Charlie: You should come see a match of mine in person

And he does.

Typically - unfortunately - not as many people come to women's tennis matches. But people showed out for her. It was pretty full and he almost couldn't find a spot to sit that was free.

It was a quarterfinal after all. Plus - they're here to see her. They all are.

It's her home country. It's her surface. It's…her.

He sat on the opposite side of where her team resided, not wanting to pose any form of a distraction with his presence, but he knew everyone would recognize him anyway.

When he was with Anna, he went to a couple with his hood on his head as if it could hide him.

Learning his lesson from that, he didn't even bother trying to mask himself, but he made the intentional effort to not show up on time. Make it look like he just happened to stumble onto the court to watch her play.

Charlie spotted him after the fifth game during her water break, her water bottles lined up. Nadal's prodigy, indeed. She takes one of them and drinks from it, her eyes unfocused and staring straight ahead.

But as soon as the umpire goes, “time,” Charlie blinks back into focus and sets her water down, jumping once before grabbing her racket and walking to her side of the court.

Jannik is spotted halfway to her position to receive, her eyes gravitating towards him. She doesn’t do anything flamboyant, thankfully, but her lip quirks up in a quick smile. Then, Charlie’s face falls and she dives for the first serve.

“Fault!”

She catches her footing, and returns back to her spot without missing a beat.

The next serve goes in, to the body, and he manages to get it in. Keys is far behind the baseline when she hits cross court. Charlie reaches it and Jannik barely notices how she adjusts to hit the drop shot all the way from the baseline. Madison sprints to catch it, but she doesn’t.

Applause scatters in the stadium.

“Love, fifteen.”

Charlie clenches her fist, pumped and looking at her team across the way, then walks to her next return spot. The first serve goes in and she hits it just out.

“Fifteen, all".”

“Ugh, no,” she groans audibly, and this is a sound Jannik wouldn’t be able to hear from the television. The way her face scrunches in frustration, arms extending and pretending to hit the invisible serve.

Madison sets up her next serve.

“Fault!”

Charlie rolls her neck as she bends again. The serve is barely in and Charlie barely gets it in with a grunt, but it soars too high, giving Keys the advantage to slam it down.

Madison does.

But somehow, not good enough. Charlie sprints to the other side of the court and catches the smash, sending it soaring again.

Instead of slamming again, Madison volleys it just over, just tapping it. Charlie slides in the clay with ease, creating an impossible angle of a drop shot that Madison couldn’t get back over the net.

Jannik stops himself from standing, forcing himself to remain in his seat as he claps for the point.

“Fifteen, thirty.”

Charlie catches herself with her hand and she rises to her feet again. When calls for a towel, wiping the stray clay on her skin. They catch each other’s eyes again, and she smiles wide as if to say, did you see that? I know you did.

Jannik sits back in his seat, not giving her more fuel to work with.

In the end, she breaks Madison that game after forcing it to deuce, another drop shot, and a double fault. Not a single word was said between them, but it feels like they’re talking when their gazes meet, fleeting but intense all the same.

He couldn’t stop looking if he tried. An hour later, it was all over. Jannik made his exit right before the match ended, not wanting to deal with that kind of traffic or people looking for him afterwards, forcing himself to keep walking when the crowd roars for a good point behind him.

Charlie: Wish you stayed. I would’ve hit a ball at you

Jannik: That sounds like a threat

Charlie: You know what I meant

Jannik: Couldn’t stay. Have a match tomorrow

Charlie: I know. Thanks for coming anyway

Charlie: One step closer to my magic pasta 😝

Jannik: You’re setting the bar too high

Charlie: Nervous?

Jannik: No

Charlie: Good

Jannik: I’ve got to go

Charlie: Goodnight. Dream of pasta and my drop shot

Yeah. Her drop shot.

They wane out after that, too busy to do much talking.

Jannik barely clinches a win after three sets, pulling through in the tiebreak after nearly three hours. He manages to make it back to his bed and pass out promptly.

When he wakes up, his day before his final and her final, he does his usual morning routine. Sleeps in a little. Makes himself breakfast. Scrolls a bit on his phone and answers his texts.

He is getting ready for his final practice when he messages Charlie finally.

Jannik: You don’t need it, but good luck

He pockets his phone and makes his way to his practice courts. Jannik doesn’t check for a response until he makes it to the bench, relacing his shoes.

Charlie: You need to watch me win

Always to the point. Jannik laughs at his screen, forgetting about the people watching his every move, typing out a response.

Jannik: Sounds like I don’t have a choice

Charlie: You don’t. You’ve got to give me your room number eventually, too

Jannik glances around, nervousness hitting him like a forehand straight to the chest. His fingers hover, but the message doesn’t get typed.

“Jannik!” Simone calls for him, and Jannik types the first thing that comes to mind before tossing his phone back in his bag.

Jannik: Win your match and I’ll tell you

He quickly puts his phone away, not wanting to know how she replies just yet. He has a final to get ready for, too.

She wins. Of course she does.

Jannik watched as she played with all heart and game, and even when she messed up and sent it to a third set because of a mishit during tiebreak, she smiles.

Charlie smiles because her joy is her greatest weapon in tennis. Not her forehand, Not her dropshot. It’s her happiness.

The third set reflected that. A 6-2. Jannik pumped his fist when she broke the first time, and the second, and when she finished the match with a service ace.

Then it hit him of his promise. Or their agreement, really.

Jannik gives it an extra hour before he only sends the number of his room. It’s another thirty minutes before Charlie heart-reacts to the message.

He silently panics in his bedroom.

Sure enough, Charlie does come with intent to witness Jannik fulfill his end of the bargain.

Four knocks came at the door, and Jannik takes a deep breath before he walks over to open it.

She’s dressed like she’s ready to sleep. Sweatpants, a tank top. She’s still wearing Nike shoes. Typical. Jannik averts his eyes before he looks too long.

“I,” she emphasizes with a toothy grin, “was promised the Jannik Sinner chef package.”

Jannik gulps, his mind briefly drifting somewhere it wasn’t supposed to, before he opens the door and steps out of the way. She takes slow steps inside, looking around as if they don’t have similar rooms all over the hotel. He thought, briefly, about making the place pristine, but he thought better.

It’s just Charlie and pasta.

There’s no reason for him to be tripping over himself like this.

She doesn’t mention the array of Nike shirts over a part of the couch and walks to the kitchen. He cleaned that area, at least. She pulls out the stool and takes a seat, twisting her body to face him again.

“What’s on the menu for today?” There’s a light that’s directly overhead and it does wonders on Charlie. Her hair, still slightly wet from an obvious shower, is down. No bun. No ponytail. It’s long and she moves it to hang over one of her shoulders.

Jannik walks into the kitchen and opens the fridge, taking a second too long to grab the items he needs because the cold of the fridge settles some of the heat he feels across his cheeks. When he faces Charlie again, items in hand, she has her phone up, clearly taking a photo or video.

He smiles awkwardly. Charlie laughs and puts the phone down.

“I won’t post it. Promise.”

Jannik’s next exhale feels like relief. If he looked as foolish as he feels, that would not be a good look on the internet. He places everything on the counter, mentally double checking if he had everything.

Days ago, he practiced this for his team. They regarded him questioningly when he asked how it tasted or how he could improve, but thankfully, no one said anything.

There’s no reason why he should be hung up over this. It’s just … never mind.

“Not even on your private story?” Jannik jokes, washing his hands. She leans forward, her elbows resting on the marbled counter top.

“Nope. Just for me.” When Charlie smiles this time, proud of herself, she closes her eyes for a short moment. Jannik washes the vegetables to give himself something else to focus on. “Did you watch like you promised?”

Jannik huffs out a laugh before he says, “I don’t remember promising, but yes. I watched you.”

“You like it?”

Jannik locates his knife so he can cut the tomatoes.

Like the match or you?

“I don’t know how you move so well,” Jannik replies instead, “you’re very fast.” His response seems to elate her and her chest lifts a little in pride, her eyes shining.

“You say that like you are also not a good mover.”

“I move better on hard court,” Jannik says, turning on the cook top because he forgot to do so. He’s distracted. The vegetables aren’t cut perfectly, but Charlie says nothing about it, engaged in their conversation.

“You do! But like you said, you’re getting better. I saw it. You’re too good.”

Jannik takes a deep breath.

“Aren’t we supposed to talk about you? You’re the one who won.”

“I hear I talk too much so.” Charlie shrugs, but there is something real there. Jannik looks up from his cut up vegetables.

“You talk fine,” Jannik admits, and her features soften, as if she needed to hear that. “I don’t talk a lot. I like to listen. So you can talk.”

“You don’t mind?”

“No. Talk. Talk about the final.”

So she does. Charlie talks through how the conditions felt, how she came onto feeling good - and feeling good is important for her success on court - how Iga is always a problem on clay. Her biggest rival on natural surfaces.

Charlie mentions at one point how she thought about if he was watching her mid-match, and Jannik was insanely grateful to have his back turned to her at the time.

Occasionally, he poses a thought or question to prove he was listening. It seemed to bear a good result because she would answer with enthusiasm in her tone, like his attention was inspiring.

Jannik’s thinking too much.

At some point, toward the end of his bout of cooking, Charlie does begin to slow down.

“Can I post you on my private story? There’s not many people on there. Family and friends.”

Jannik hums, almost not processing the question, then he instinctively tries to wipe imaginary dirt from his hands onto his sweatpants.

“Yeah, sure.”

He expected her to take a photo of him like this or take a selfie from her stool. Instead, she rounds the island counter and twists right in front of him, her back pressing to his chest.

“Oh,” he says, but she doesn’t respond. Charlie raises her arm up and smiles. He matches her grin, tucking his hands tightly behind him, too afraid to touch her more than he already is. After the photo was taken, she looks down at it.

“Good,” she says quietly, to herself, walking back to her seat. Jannik double checks his sauce one last time for taste before he grabs the plates and silverware.

He serves her wordlessly, unsure of what to say in this moment. Charlie doesn’t seem to mind in the slightest, uttering a low, “thank you,” as she grabs the plate from him.

Jannik distracts himself with the cleaning process.

He’s placing his used cookware in the sink when he realizes she’s not eating. She’s following his every move with an unreadable expression.

“Is it not good?” He asks, the worry of it creeping hot and heavy. She shakes her head.

“Sorry. I am used to eating at the same time. I can wait.”

Jannik decides he can finish cleaning later, more eager than he wants to be regarding her reaction to his cooking. He stays on his side of the island, facing her as he takes the first bite of the pasta.

She takes a bite directly after. The eye contact should be awkward, but it isn’t. Jannik needs to know if he did good and Charlie..he’s not sure why she’s looking.

Finally, Charlie speaks. “Compliments to the chef.”

Another smile spreads on his face and he lowers his head when he takes the next bite, not wanting to show so outwardly how delighted he was to hear a positive review from her.

“Thank you.”

Jannik suddenly stands, mentally smacking himself, and he pours himself and Charlie a glass of water. There’s a teasing look on her face but she says nothing, eating more of the food.

They don’t talk, oddly enough. The phones are away, but words never come. Sometimes there’s a face that is made, communicating non-verbally through simple glances, but Jannik doesn’t strike up anything to say.

When their food is done, Jannik takes the dishes from her and returns back to washing them all, Charlie watching on.

“How do you feel about the mixed doubles?”

Jannik makes an ‘eh’ sound, wiping his hands on a towel.

“Personally, I am not a fan of it. I don’t play doubles a lot and I’ve never played mixed doubles.” Jannik is careful with his wording. Charlie cuts through it.

“You hate it.”

Suddenly, he feels the need to defend it.

“It’s not the worst thing. I have a title to defend and it takes time away to prepare. That’s all.”

Charlie hums, and she unlocks her phone, likely checking something someone sent. She types a response to something, biting her lip and smiling at the same time. He wills the curiosity away.

“I don’t like it, either. But I changed my mind,” she speaks, and Jannik notices the hairs that stand up on her arm.

“Cold?” He questions without thinking. It seems to stun Charlie too.

“A little,” she says slowly, arms wrapping around herself. Jannik walks into the living room and grabs one of his jackets - one of the jackets he wears casually. He offers it to her.

Jannik grimaces, “I should’ve offered a blanket, maybe.”

She quickly snatches the jacket from his hand, sliding her arms through the sleeves with a determined look.

“Too late. Now I have it.” She zips it up a quarter of the way. “Thank you,” she says again.

It looks good on her. Everything looks good on her. She’s model pretty, even with her strong features and rough personality. Walking contradictions at times. Such grace on the court, then a feral scream would scratch its way from her throat.

She would practically steal his jacket, but then look far too good in it - if she did leave with it tonight, he wouldn’t be upset in the slightest.

“Why did you change your mind?” Jannik forces out, needing to shift his thoughts.

Charlie stands and meets him where he stands, somewhere halfway between the living room and kitchen. She has to crane her head up to look at him, and it makes his eyelashes look even longer.

There’s a light poke on his belly and he dramatically caves inward to the touch. Her smile includes tongue this time.

“I got paired with you.” Jannik stills. Charlie pokes him once more before she creates distance between them. “I should probably let you go to bed.”

“You leave tomorrow for Italy?” He asks, although he knows. He’ll be there too, taking the first flight out after his final, regardless of the result. She nods.

“Bright and early. I think they might like me better now that I work with you.”

“They like you plenty,” Jannik says automatically, and Charlie laughs.

“Not since that one match with Paolini, they haven’t. Maybe I’ll say I’m best friends with their prince.”

“Who?”

“You!” Charlie laughs again. “You’re, like, royalty. You have everything but a holiday.”

“No,” he denies, shaking his head, “I’m just a player. I do get a lot of support.”

She huffs, biting her lip again.

“Always so humble. I’d ask to practice with you again but you’ll be busy.”

“We can,” Jannik offers without thinking. They’d have to go through a couple of hoops for that, but he’d try to keep his word. Charlie shakes her head.

“It’s okay. I’m joking.”

Jannik nods, feeling somewhat unsettled.

“You can keep it. The jacket. We have the same sponsor so it's okay.”

To that, Charlie pulls at the string on the hood.

“I’ll give it back when I see you again.”

Don’t.

He nods again, anyway.

“I don’t think I said congratulations. For your win.” Jannik transfers his weight from one foot to the other, nervous as can be. He’s not sure where the anxiety came from. Maybe it’s because he’s alone in a hotel room with Charlie. Maybe it’s the fact he made her dinner. Maybe it’s the fact she’s in his favorite jacket and it looks good on her.

It’s probably all of the above.

And something else.

“Thank you, Jannik,” her voice is more airy, a touch more vulnerable than Jannik knows what to do with. “Think you’ll win tomorrow?”

Jannik grimaces again, running a hand through his hair.

“I don’t know. Casper is a hard opponent to beat on clay. But I did what I could so now we see wh-”

“-what happens,” Charlie finishes, grinning, “you say that all of the time.”

“I mean it,” Jannik tells her, “I..I don’t want to assume I can win everything. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. A lot can happen. I don’t want to lose. I hate losing, honestly. But if I do, I try to remember it’s just another day. I win. I lose, too.”

“Wow. I think that’s the most you’ve spoken to me.”

“Sorry-”

“No!” She interjects quickly. “I like it. I like hearing what you think.”

I’m thinking how I don’t regret you coming here.

Jannik nods once more.

Charlie speaks up again. “I should go, probably. You sure you don’t want your jacket back?” She has her hand on the zipper in case he changes his mind. Jannik shakes his head and his hands.

“No, it’s fine.”

“Okay.” She zips it up all of the way. “Well, goodnight. I hope you win tomorrow.”

“You going to watch me?” Jannik jokes, pulling a page from her book.

“Of course,” she says, tone devoid of any humor. “I love watching you play.”

Oh.

Jannik’s not sure if his chest caves in or if his heart is trying to break out of his ribcage.

“Thank you?”

Charlie laughs lightly, reaching out and patting his arm.

“Goodnight, Jannik.”

“Goodnight.” He should’ve followed her out, opening the door like the gentleman he was raised to be, but his feet aren't cooperating. The only thing that moves is his eyes as he tracks her until she is out of sight and out of the room.

Jannik gives it a few moments before he wills himself to get to bed, even though his thoughts are in a whirlwind.

When he wakes up the next day, he opens her story.

It takes some story skipping to get to their selfie, lost in the various reposts from tennischannel and wta.

Thank you, Jannik

That's it. No emoji. Thank you. It...Jannik screenshots the photo because he can. Because he likes it.

The next one is her on the plane, her legs outstretched and crossed at the ankles.

Italia ✈️🇮🇹❤️

In the corner of the screen, he can see the bright color of his jacket. She’s still wearing it.

She’s still wearing it.

He slumps back onto his pillow, looking up at the ceiling like it can answer the question in his head. Or one of them.

He has many questions.

Far too many of them pertain to her.

Chapter 4 Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Jannik had nearly four entire days without a match to play. Despite this, he was still busy.

Media shined a brighter light on him, requesting - which is really just telling him he has to do it - more social media presence across the multiple accounts. ATP, the tournament itself, Tennischannel, Tennistv. The list goes on.

The best one is the one where he will be with Charlie. They’ll talk about how they look forward to the US Open mixed doubles tournament, and how well they’ve been getting along.

At least the last part won’t be a lie.

It hit Jannik on his way to Rome that Charlie must consider him a friend. She put him on her close friends story. At the same time, Charlie is pretty much friends with everyone; he wouldn’t be surprised if half of the tour on the men’s and women’s side was able to see what she posts almost daily.

Runner-up trophy in tow, he can’t find himself feeling too bad. His loss isn’t a result of the lack of sleep or anything related to her. Jannik can handle things like that. Casper was just had the edge on him.

"You and Alcaraz?” Casper leans over to ask during the ceremony. The person in front of them kept talking so it was natural they were going to talk to each other.

“Yeah?” Jannik says back, turning his head towards his friend and opponent. Casper knocks their shoulders together, saying it without saying it. His spine straightens. “Oh, no. Not like that. We’re..friends.”

At the time, it felt like he was assuming too much about them - about whatever it is that they’re doing. Mixed doubles is barely a topic of discussion for them, so there is something else other than partners. Friends seem safe and dangerous simultaneously.

Casper looks at him like he doesn’t believe him. “Just friends?”

Jannik shakes his head.

“Yeah.” Casper still doesn’t look like he believes him.

He isn’t sure he believes himself, so he understands. Finally, the host finishes his speech and the rest of the ceremony continued, the topic of the odd relationship between him and Charlie abandoned for now.

But he thought about it on the plane.

Charlie: Sorry about the results

Jannik: No, it’s okay. Casper played really well. He deserves it.

Charlie: You’ll win this one! I have no doubt. You even have home advantage. ☺️

Jannik: I will try

Jannik: Liking Rome?

Charlie: It’s nice. I think I should find an Italian to show me around 😇

Jannik: Really?

Charlie: A tall one. Red, curly hair. A bit skinny. I have specific tastes

Jannik: I hope you find this Italian

Charlie: 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Humble and funny

Charlie: Did they make you out of a factory?

Jannik: People do call me a robot sometimes

Charlie: I thought you was a robot once too. No one should be that cool on court and that good. It’s against the law

Jannik: Whose law?

Charlie: Mine. When we play together, you have to smile.

Jannik: The whole time?

Charlie: Every time I look at you

Jannik: I regret saying you could be the boss

Charlie: Can’t take it back! 🤪

Charlie: Don’t worry. I said you can boss me, too.

Charlie: I might like it

Charlie is going to be his downfall, he swears. Jannik has no idea how it is going to happen, but eventually he’s going to do something stupid in front of her.

“We have one of the most anticipated pairings of the mixed doubles: Charlie Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Nice to see you both.”

Charlie raises the mic first. “Nice to see you again.”

“Hello,” Jannik greets.

“So you’ve practiced together already. How is the chemistry between you two?”

Leading question. Jannik answers first, glancing occasionally at Charlie as he speaks.

“I think it’s good. Charlie is an amazing player and person. We get along on and off the court very well. Don’t know how that will look like in August but we shall see.” Jannik chuckles a little when he lowers the mic from his mouth.

Charlie raises hers. “I think he likes me because he doesn’t have to hold back.” If Jannik was drinking water, he would spit it out. She laughs with the interviewer for a moment before continuing. “No, I think the same. I’ve enjoyed learning about him as a person and a player. I think we’ll have a lot of fun.”

“Are you competitive when you practice? Do you intend to win the mixed doubles?”

"We’re always competitive,” Charlie answers, “I think we both like to dominate, but I think we find ways to let the other person take over, no?” She looks at him expectedly.

Jannik can’t help but wonder if they’re still talking about tennis.

“I want to win, I don’t know about you,” Jannik jokes, smiling at her. “I hate losing.”

“Me too,” Charlie chimes in, eyes narrowing playfully. “I’ll even beat you.”

He laughs softly. “Yeah, okay.”

“You clearly get along well. Would you consider continuing to play mixed doubles in the future?”

They look at each other for a moment, questioning. Jannik slowly prepares his answer when Charlie makes it clear she ‘s not answering first this time.

“I don’t know. We’ll have to see what happens.” He doesn’t take his eyes off of her when he answers. It seems to be the right answer because her face seems to light up, swaying restlessly in her chair.

Charlie doesn’t provide her own answer so the interviewer moves on.

“Charlie, you just defended your title in Madrid. How prepared to do you feel coming into Rome?”

Jannik blinks and averts his eyes from her, finding something to mess with on the table instead. Some mini tennis plushie.

She answers the question and he has to pretend not to listen to every word of it. How she thinks she’s ready to take on Rome again in preparation for Roland Garros. How Rome is really pretty and she hopes she has time to explore it.

It’s not lost on him that it feels like she is referencing him in her answer.

When she’s done, she looks at the plushie in his hand curiously. Mindless, he offers the plushie, their hands brushing as they transfer the toy. She squishes it and it squeaks.

Charlie giggles quietly and now Jannik has no more distractions.

Even the question directed at him doesn’t help. He’s forced to ask them to repeat it, even as she softly places the tennis plushie back in his hand.

“Did you steal the toy?” Charlie asks him when they make their exit. He’s still holding it in his hand.

Jannik shrugs.

“They should’ve told me if they didn’t want me to take it.”

“You do have a mean streak!” She bumps their arms together, fingers incidentally brushing. He sports a soft smile, rolling his eyes dramatically.

“I never said I didn’t.” Charlie skips in front of him, a weak attempt to block his way. Jannik stops, regardless. She points a finger at him, accusatory, mirth written all over her.

It’s cute.

“I know your deep secret. You’re not nice at all, Jannik Sinner.” Jannik scoffs and offers the plushie back to her. Her expression falters. “Are you trying to prove me wrong?”

“No. You should have it.”

Her eyes widen, the light hitting it just right as she looks up at him. How can one put a color to those eyes? It’s not brown. It’s like.. sand.

Quicksand.

She slowly reaches out to take it from him, her hand resting over the item for a moment. If it wasn’t between them, they’d be holding hands. Jannik tries not to think about it.

Finally, Charlie puts it in her possession, eyeing it like it is something precious.

“Name it,” she requests, looking back up to it. “You stole it, you name it.”

“Happy,” he says automatically. He had named it when he first saw it, but he won’t mention that.

“Happy,” Charlie repeats, her smile spreading. “I like it. Thank you, Jannik.”

They’re in the middle of a hall. Jannik has other things he needs to be doing - hands he needs to shake, practice times he could be capitalizing upon, sleep he could be having - but that all seems to fade away in the background.

He’d make time for her. The realization has him reeling mentally.

“It’s nothing.”

If she can see the lie on his face, she doesn’t call it out. Charlie is still smiling when she twists around.

“Come on. I think it’s my turn to get you food.”

Jannik tries to remember if he has something he has to do, some reason he should say no. But there’s nothing. Nothing that he gave him enough of an excuse.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“You can get a burger!” She exclaims, like that solves the puzzle in Jannik’s mind.

“Burgers are for when I win,” Jannik explains. Charlie doesn’t hesitate in her response.

“You’re celebrating in advance.”

“That’s not how it works, Charlie.” He finds his place back next to her, making it a point to ignore her frown. The urge to give in and say yes, to do as she’d like, is far too strong. It’s got to be fended off as much as possible.

“Fine, then watch match film with me. My coach has abandoned me to be with his family and I am alone!” She drags out the last word, pretending to collapse while still walking. Jannik chuckles.

“What if I have film to watch?”

“Then I’ll watch yours too. Problem solved.” Jannik laughs, trying to hide it behind his hand. It was always a losing battle with her. Except he never really loses.

“You’re a bad influence,” he points out, index finger aimed in her direction. Charlie wraps her hand around the single digit, tugging him along.

Jannik stumbles a little, startled by the touch. She’s holding his finger.

“Yup. Let’s go.”

He doesn’t bother correcting her that they’re already going, being dragged by a single finger. She doesn’t let go of him until they’re back in public eye, disengaging to wave at a fan screaming for her in the distance.

There were plenty more yelling for Jannik, and he gives his own greeting.

“I’m walking around with a royal prince,” she mutters, and Jannik barely composes his face.

“You give it too much credit,” answers Jannik.

“Yeah, right. Jannik Sinner. World number one. First Italian world number one, to be specific. Uncontested for the most part. You’re your own generation all on your won, you know. Am I missing anything?”

“And what about you?” Jannik throws back breathless. “Have you -” he hesitates, “have you seen yourself?”

Not her appearance, even though that excels all on its own. It’s her tennis, too. It’s the way she can make people smile from simply walking into a room, sometimes even the mention of her name. It’s how she has no enemies, even when they’re doing their best to beat her.

She shakes her head.

“Not about me right now-”

“It should always be,” Jannik cuts in, surprising the both of them. Her lips part, but nothing comes out. He rushes to think of something else to say. “Are we watching your match first or mine?”

“Mine,” Charlie says eventually, her expression still troubled. “I’m ordering food.”

“Okay,” Jannik relents to let the moment pass.

They walk to the hotel room, something crackling unsettled between them, a pressure that has nowhere to displace itself.

Charlie wears his jacket again, joking about how comfortable it is. Her feet curl up on the couch where he sits as far on the opposite side as he can.

They eat dinner and watch through the match of her opponent. Jannik offers notes on the woman’s playing style, though he worries that was too much. Charlie seems to soak the information like a sponge, offering her own solutions to bring to her team the next day.

By the time Jannik’s match got past the first two games, she had dozed off. Jannik watched her for a couple beats too long, considering if he should sneak out or stick around.

He watches the video instead, conjuring up some ideas as to what to do when it comes time. Charlie curls further into herself, and Jannik wonders if she’s still cold. Wonders if that’s just how she sleeps.

He should’ve left.

But by set three, she had woken up, her legs stretching out and bumping into him.

“You’re still here,” she notes, surprised.

“Sorry.” Jannik stands, prepared to go. Charlie is quick to sit up and grab his arm, stopping him from taking a step away from the couch.

“No, I was just surprised. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“It’s okay. I should probably go.”

“Watch a mixed doubles match with me,” she exclaims, her voice sharp and insistent, “we can think of strategy or something.”

Jannik smiles down at her, and her hand drops from forearm.

“We weren’t going to wing it?”

Charlie scoffs, settling back down in her spot. He lowers himself back down, closer than he was sitting before.

“I was serious about winning.”

“Why?” The question is genuine. She blinks at him before she sits up on the couch, closing that distance between them as well. Their shoulders knock together and she reaches her arm to grab the remote from him.

So much contact.

Jannik is too distracted by her quicksand eyes to freeze up.

Her fingers spread his closed hand with ease, removing the remote from his grasp without difficulty.

“Because I hate to lose, too,” she mutters, but Jannik heard every syllable. He felt every brush of their skin, the feel of his jacket on him. Charlie is an enigma and he is entirely and recklessly enamored.

Jannik might do something stupid.

He just might.

She pulls away. They’re still far too close as she finds a good match to watch, knees and shoulders brushing.

Jannik’s not good at romance or things like that - clearly - but if he didn’t know better, he’d consider drawing her in again. Maybe wrapping an arm around her. Laying her back down on the couch and figuring out if she likes to sleep on someone or be slept on.

It’s unfortunately undeniable to Jannik that he likes her.

He shouldn’t. By all means, they’ve never spoken to each other before this pairing. This could be a relationship of convenience to Charlie. They’re two very different people and he hardly knows enough about her to constitute having a crush like he is back in school again.

But he hasn’t had a day since they’ve started speaking to each other that he hasn’t thought of her. His team won’t stop teasing him about every time he visibly reacts to the mention of her name. His own family had grown suspicious of his sentiments to Charlie, even though he’s said they’re just partners.

She talks through possible hand signals and how they should create their own little language.

“We can create something no one will understand but us!”

Isn’t that ironic?

Jannik tries to participate, mimicking hand signals back to her, but he’s thinking about the fact that they look like more than doubles partners.

They look like partners, period.

Her hands grasp one of his, fixing a hand gesture, and now he’s thinking about the size difference in their hands. Charlie seems to have a similar thought because she says it.

“You have hands like a beast,” she jokes, lengthening his fingers and placing her palm against his.

It would be so simple to close his hand and envelop her hand in his, or shift slightly and lace their fingers together.

“Your hands are big, too,” Jannik says back. Charlie rolls her eyes at him, but she doesn’t move immediately. She pushes against his palm and he holds strong until she puts some actually effort into it, and his arm eventually moves back. Satisfaction rolls off her in waves, humming as she looks back at the screen again.

He does his best to do the same, actually offering an idea for them to possibly try out the next time they can practice with each other. With Roland Garros coming up and Wimbledon a couple of weeks after that, he doesn’t foresee a lot of time.

Why is he even investing this much time?

The answer is obvious, but it doesn’t do anything about the principle of it. He had never cared this much. Not until recently.

Happy, the mini tennis ball plushie, finds its way into her possession and it sits on her lap. It’s as if Happy can watch the match with him, though they’re already on their fourth match.

Something tugs hard in Jannik’s chest.

Charlie turns to him and something gives in. He winks and pushes off the couch to his feet.

“I should go. My coach says no sleepovers.” It’s a joke, but the pout of disappointment that comes across her face is not. She stands with him.

“Which one? I’ll tell them it’s necessary for our success.”

Jannik laughs, earning burning. He doesn’t want to think about what sleeping in the same quarters as her would look like.

It’s all getting out of hand.

“Goodnight, Charlie.” He steps out of the hotel room and into the hall.

“Wait - I said I’d give your jacket back.” Charlie begins to reach for the zipper and Jannik shakes his head.

“Keep it. It looks better on you.”

Charlie looks stumped, and it hits Jannik suddenly that he’s leaving her speechless like she does him. He’s doing too much.

He’s flirting back.

“Jannik,” she says, but it sounds like ‘Janni.’ It does something terrible to him. It makes him want to turn around and go back inside, to break every mental wall he is trying to build up. “Goodnight.”

He gives her an awkward wave and smile, fully turning away from her to head to the elevator so he can get to his floor. It’s an effort to not look back, to answer the mental question of if she is watching him walk away or if she has already gone back inside.

Jannik Sinner has to stop thinking about Charlie Alcaraz.

When Charlie steps on court, there’s a new item hanging from her bag. Jannik doesn’t have to guess what it is.

But the camera person does zoom in on the bag and the hanging plushie.

‘Happy’ is penned across the headband with a smiley face.

Jannik bites his lip so hard it bleeds.

Notes:

Someone help Jannik. Poor boy is going through it.

Chapter 5 Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

“Is this your jacket?” Darren asks, angling his phone so Jannik can see what’s on the screen. He doesn’t have to see it to know that it is. Nevertheless, Charlie is on his screen doing one of the mini challenges of guessing a player by their silhouette.

His jacket is on her.

And by some string of fate, or simply editing, Jannik is one of the players. She barely hesitates to say, “Janni-Jannik,” a bit airily. It’s the only person that Charlie calls by their first name.

Jannik shrugs his shoulders, hopeless in his endeavor to appear like something isn’t happening. Like he's not struggling to not want to message her because of the way she said his name.

“Jannik,” he probes again, though they both know the answer. Jannik grimaces, more of a tell than anything.

“I gave it to her,” Jannik finally responds.

“Gave it to her,” Darren repeats, tone calling for more information. He’s not sure what other information there is to give. At least, what can’t already be assumed from the action alone. From her wearing his jacket in public alone.

Jannik decides to say it.

“I think I like her.”

“You think?” His coach huffs, arms crossed over his chest as he leans back in his seat.

“Oh, thanks for the support. Best coach ever.”

“I didn’t get a crush on another tennis player,” Darren teases, but it’s also serious. Jannik groans, hiding his face in his hands. “I’d ask if she likes you back but I think her wearing your jacket in public makes it obvious.”

Jannik peeks up at his coach through his fingers, suddenly intrigued by his assertion.

Charlie might like him back. Well, according to Darren.

“I told her to keep it,” he mumbles, saying it just because he can. Darren hums, acknowledging it but not quite responding immediately.

Eventually, comes the dreaded question of: “Are you going to do anything about it?”

Jannik messes with his own hands because it channels his nervous energy into something.

“I don’t know,” Jannik admits, the answer far too true for his own liking. “I -” like being around her. He cuts himself off.

Darren nods, understanding. “Be careful, either way. You’re your own person and I’m not going to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do off court, but if you’re serious about this, then we need to talk more about this. It changes things.”

Jannik nods, accepting the truth of his words. At the same time, Jannik harbors his own real truth:

It’s already changed things.

Jannik:

Jannik struggles to find something to write, something to spark a conversation. He’s overthinking this.

Jannik: Hi

This is ridiculous.

Charlie: My favorite Italian!

Jannik: How many Italians do you know?

Charlie: You want to know your competition? 🫢

Jannik: You just said I am your favorite

Charlie: That could change! Matteo actually liked my Instagram post

Jannik: I made you food

Charlie: That’s true. I’ll keep you as my favorite

Jannik: Thanks. It’s a high honor

Charlie: 🤣🤣🤣

Charlie: It is! You should feel grateful

Jannik: is there a prize for being the favorite?

Charlie: Have something in mind?

Jannik: No

Charlie: Let me know when you come up with something

Jannik’s not one to check out social media too much. He has Alex for that. Alex takes care of the posts and public statements, as well as helping him create the vlogs.

He should’ve known it was only a matter of time before Alex proposed an idea as bold as a “Sincaraz Vlog.”

“Sincaraz vlog?”

“You and Charlie. Your names together are Sincaraz,” Alex explains, pulling up an X tweet of them walking together days ago. Before they sat in Charlie’s room and watched matches. Before Jannik admitted to himself that he liked her.

“They think we’re together?” He takes Alex’s phone, clicking on the hashtag.

There’s an array of tweets. Some deal with how they’re just promo for the event. Some talk about how they talk and look at each other.

Sincarazluvr: Jellycat in interview → Jellycat on Charlie’s bag. Coincidence? I THINK NOT #sincaraz

Forallmysinners: Jannik spotted blushing and smiling at Charlie. Fork found in kitchen #ikwya #sincaraz

10nis4life: Even if they’re not together, they’re so cute in how they treat each other. Jannik is so sweet and she can be herself without someone telling her she’s “too much.” #sincaraz #sweet

“Too much?” Jannik asks out loud, handing the phone back with furrowed brows. “Why would Charlie be too much?”

“They say things like she’s too loud. Doesn’t act or look feminine?” Alex grimaces. “It’s all talk. People always have something mean to say.”

Jannik thinks about it. He doesn’t think there’s ever been a time he’s seen her as too much.

“I don’t see why that matters,” he says finally, voice harder than he wanted it to be.

“It doesn’t,” Alex agrees, “but if she’s willing, maybe she can come by for a game night? Obviously tell her I’ll be filming your date but.” He shrugs. Jannik sits higher in his chair.

“We’re not together,” he defends uselessly.

“Okay Jannik.” No one tends to believe him on this subject. “Yet,” Alex throws in, and Jannik finds something safe to throw at him. A crumbled up napkin.

“Anyway,” Jannik emphasizes, “Maybe I’ll ask.”

“Bet she’ll say yes.”

“Yeah, sure.”

He doesn’t believe that.

There’s two full teams in one dwelling.

Take-out is spread out all over the place, and it’s bustling with laughter and mini-arguments. His family is seated on the couch, enjoying the chaos unfolding before them.

And Charlie is across from him, attempting a poker face as they play a card game. He had to explain the rules at first, so they were next to each other, pressed at their sides as he shows his cards to her while he talks through it.

After the first game, she was convinced she had a handle on it, moving opposite to him.

Jannik nearly fell out of his seat when showed her cards on accident, laughing so hard his stomach hurt. Charlie glared at him, trying to kick him from under the dining table.

Alex occasionally whipped out the camera to capture footage, but he was invested just as much in the disorder happening. The coaches talked to each other behind their hands, like trading government secrets in plain sight.

Everyone else was in the card game, either watching or playing.

Jannik couldn’t even be bothered with what they could be talking about when Charlie yells, finally getting the game. She beams at him and Jannik applauded her, making sure to set his cards down first before clapping his hands together.

He takes a break when she gets Juan Carlos to sit with her and play the game, almost stopping to correct her misinformation on how to play the game. He can do it when he comes back.

Jannik steps out where it’s a little cooler.

It’s hard to describe, but knowing he is home - hours away from it, technically - it eases some of the tension in his shoulders. He doesn’t know how long he carries it, but it’s like the air gets easier to breathe.

The place they rented has a balcony with a nice view of Rome. The bottle of water is almost empty, so he finishes it in two chugs, following the constellation of lights with his eyes.

Jannik stands out there for a couple of minutes before he hears someone come out to him. He ducks his head low, and he’d recognize those Air Force Ones anywhere.

“What’s it like when you come home?” She asks, standing next to him at a reasonable distance.

He’s a bit upset with himself for hating the air between them.

Jannik doesn’t quite have the answer. At least, he doesn’t have an answer that he can put into words that sound as profound as it feels.

“What was it like for you?”

The just left Spain. It must’ve been something similar for Charlie, surely.

“Like..being home. I don’t know.” She laughs quietly to herself. “It’s good, always. I think it’s a bit overwhelming sometimes. It can be a lot.”

That about sums it up.

“Yeah.”

Jannik turns his head to face her, finding her looking out in the distance, too. Thinking. Now he’s just thinking about her. He’s looking at her.

She’s…

Jannik coughs.

“Sorry you invite you out after a match.”

Charlie turns, her ponytail flying with the movement.

“Don't. I’m having fun. You’re not a robot at all, you know,” she teases, her whole body facing him. Jannik mirrors the movement.

He’ll always be seen as some emotionless, stoic player. Coolheaded until he’s not. Uncaring. Jannik’s learned to not care about the stuff like that because he knows otherwise. But for her, he wonders if she knows.

“You’re not too much,” Jannik speaks low, but he knows she heard it, even with the calamity still happening just inside. A breath of vulnerability crosses her features, and he worries he said too much, but it’s too late. “I’m sorry.”

“No. I - wasn’t expecting that. You read up on me?”

“Came across it while trying to figure out what Sincaraz is.” Jannik rubs the back of his neck with a light grimace. Charlie laughs a little.

“You didn’t know they ship us?”

“Ship?” That makes her laugh harder before she gestures between the two of them.

“Like us. Together.”

“Oh.” That makes sense.

“I’m online a lot,” Charlie adds, pulling her phone out of her pocket. She unlocks it and opens TikTok, pulling up some video she had saved somewhere.

It’s an edit of them.

Jannik steps closer to her to see it better and she moves as a well until her back is pressed against his chest again. He ignores it in favor of watching the video.

It’s pretty good. Some sexual song. He didn’t think anything of it until there was a shot of him lifting his shirt to wipe sweat and then running his hand through his hair. A couple of clips of him during a match. Things he never thought was sexual.

He blinks at that: seeing himself in a different light.

Then it cuts to her pushing herself to her feet from bending down, her ass pushing out. Next is her eating whip cream off of her finger with a teasing smile before winking. They have their own clips of her during a match.

Jannik lightly crushes the empty water bottle in his left hand.

It cuts back to him, the video looping.

Jannik feels his heart rate increase.

“Wow,” he says, “and you saved it?”

She looks over her shoulder at him, and he realizes just how close they are. He could put his hands on her waist, maybe even bend down a little to put his chin on her shoulder.

No, no.

“Saved them so I could show you,” she finally says, and like this, they’re far too close.

Charlie looks back down at her phone scrolls to the next one.

This one is a bit sweeter. Clips of them laughing and talking to each other from their public appearances. A lot more innocent. It does nothing for the rising heat Jannik feels for her, unconquerable with how close they are.

Charlie is practically in his arms right now.

“You look at videos of me,” Jannik tells her, and she stiffens. He’s unsure if it is because of what he said or how close he is when he says it.

“If you come up,” Charlie admits before changing the subject, “take a photo with me?” She closes TikTok before she regards him questioningly again.

“Don’t make me look bad,” kids Jannik.

“I don’t think I could do that.”

She raises her arm to take a photo. Her other arm slides around his back, adjusting their positions without thinking about it. Jannik releases an unwanted sound of surprise, jolting.

“You can touch me, you know,” Charlie comments, “I won’t bite.”

Jannik’s going to die. Or pass out. Or do something stupid.

He carefully puts his arm around her shoulder, resting the limb without applying too much pressure. He’s not sure if he’s worried about touching her because it would be too much or that he might not want to stop once he starts.

Charlie’s fingers tighten on his sides, bunching the fabric, her warm body felt through the layers they wear.

Jannik smiles for the camera.

Then he looks down at her, wanting to see her smile, unaware she was still taking photos. His arm doesn’t leave her.

“We should probably go back inside.” Jannik motions his head toward their teams inside. She nods.

“Yeah.”

But they don’t move.

The city lights reflect on her face, the shadows only emphasizing what is already there.

“You’re not wearing my jacket today.”

“I should really bring it back to you,” she asserts, emphasizing ‘really’ like there was no room for contest.

“Why?” He doesn’t want it back. He’d give another one, if that’s what she wanted.

“It doesn’t smell like you anymore.” Jannik thought he imagined the words. Everything comes to a screeching halt with no chance of recovery. Before he could try to get himself together, she removes herself from him and walks back to the door. “Come on, Jannik. I need to beat you at least once.”

Jannik feels a bit helpless - unsettled - when he follows her inside, unsure of why he feels that way.

Charlie posts her photo dump of Rome.

Two of those included Jannik in some way. One was the photo of everyone playing a game at the dining table, no one focused on her taking the photo.

The other was her and Jannik leaned into each other, smiling at the camera.

Jannik screenshots that one, too.

“I love being home. The fans, they’re always so supportive.”

[Clips of Jannik interacting with fans, signing memorabilia and taking photos. Jannik awkwardly picks up a baby, cooing softly at her.]

“I love being with my family. They don’t come a lot to tournaments, but it’s okay. I appreciate every time they come to see me. My mother, my father, my brother. They always supported me when I made the change to tennis.”

[Jannik and his family eat dinner. His family are seated in the stands, cheering and smiling when Jannik lands the final point to with the Rome title. Jannik raises his trophy in their direction.]

"But I have my home away from home in my team-”

[Darren talking to Jannik during a practice session. Simone tossing him a ball to hit. Jannik sprinkling his water at his other team members, laughing and moving away when they start to chase him.]

“It’s good. It’s really important to have people that make you feel comfortable and who believe in you. I think there are a lot of people in my life who I think make me better as a person and a player.”

[Charlie argues the rules of the game with Jannik, insisting that one way was more right than what Jannik was saying. Jannik leans back on the couch, clutching onto himself as he bellows out in laughter before pointing at her, arguing back. Charlie sticks out her tongue at him, scowling, and Jannik smiles fondly, shaking his head as he picks his cards to explain it again.]

“Thank you to all the people in my life who make what I do possible. This trophy is for you. Hope I can produce a good result in a couple of weeks at Roland Garros. Let’s see what happens.”

[Jannik and Charlie look out at the city. Darren tosses a ball at Jannik's mid-section while he lays on the clay. Jannik holds the trophy in the air, kissing it before the screen goes to black.]

Notes:

Making this right after the first day of mixed doubles was something lol

Chapter 6 Chapter Text

Charlie: I’m sorry I didn’t stay for your final ☹️☹️☹️

Jannik: It’s okay. You had to go

Charlie: Honestly? I was mad at myself for losing. I made a lot of stupid mistakes and I knew better.

Charlie: Sorry. That was uncalled for

Jannik: No, it’s okay

Jannik: I get it. I’ve been there a lot

Charlie: I could’ve met your mom 😫

Jannik: My family likes to keep to themselves

Charlie: Like their son

Jannik: Mean

Jannik: They did ask about you

Charlie: REALLY 😁😁😁😁

Jannik: Darren told them I gave you my jacket

Jannik: Totally uncalled for, by the way

Charlie: So what did they say? 🙈🙊

Jannik: I’d rather not say

Charlie: Jannik!

Charlie: You can’t just say that then not tell me

Charlie: You’re so mean to me 😭

Jannik: It’s hard to say over text

The phone rings less than a minute. Jannik’s wondered if it really matters this much to her - it’s not that profound - when he answers.

Wherever she is, it’s loud. Jannik can barely hear her talk over the calamity in the space she is occupying.

“Tell me!”

“Are you at a party?” Jannik asks instead, looking around his space in Monaco to have somewhere to set his eyes on.

“Friend’s birthday,” she responds, and then the sound mutes some more. Maybe she’s walking into a new room. “You can’t run from this. I want to know.”

Jannik chuckles softly. “It’s not that bad.”

“Jannik.”

It’s an odd mixture - the way she says his name. It could be a little desperate, maybe annoyed, tinged in an undercurrent of a whine. He smiles with the knowledge he affects her just as much, at least in some way.

“Okay, okay. My dad said he is going to start watching you. My mom asked why I gave a girl my jacket.”

“And what did you say?”

He can also imagine Charlie leaned in, buzzing with excitement, eager to hear the rest.

“You like gossip?”

“A little. Who doesn’t? Don’t change the subject!” Charlie asserts in a rush, and Jannik laughs softly behind his hand.

He’s all alone in Monaco - he is going to visit home in a couple days time - but he feels anything but lonely at the moment.

"Jannik, if you don’t tell me, I’m going to find out where you live.”

“And do what? That doesn’t sound like a threat.”

“What I’ll do to you when I get there is.”

Jannik shouldn’t feel hot at those words. He shouldn’t swallow his saliva, then clear his throat after, having to think about something other than her in this space. In his kitchen. On his couch. On him. Her eyes shifting between being playful and serious. His lack of fight while she does whatever she’d like - with limits, of course.

For some reason, he can see her trying to draw tattoos on him, a pen gliding across his skin with her careful hands. An array of patch work that’ll eventually wash off. When she gets really focused, her entire expression drops and you’d think she was dead to the world. But she’s thinking. She’s drawing on him.

Marking him.

“Charlie,” he rasps out, his own voice going deeper than it should.

“Please,” she says, equally as strained. Charlie Alcaraz will be the death of him. He’d welcome it with open arms.

He caves.

“I told them that I think we’re getting closer.”

It’s not a profound statement. It’s not him admitting what he knows: he likes her. In fact, Jannik could leave it right there as a general, objective item. They are getting closer.

They’re talking on the phone. They were texting previously. Before that, barely anything at all.

There’s progression, but to what? Jannik is almost scared to know the answer.

“We are.” Charlie’s voice has gone softer, sweeter. “I - I agree with that.”

“Yeah?” Jannik asks automatically. Nervously. He looks out of the window, into the night, briefly wondering what time it is where she is. Guess it really doesn’t matter if she is out (and answering him on the phone).

“We’ve hung out a couple of times. I’d say we’re..friends, at least.” She has a slight pause when she says friends. Jannik gets it. He did the same thing when he was trying to explain to his parents that just because he gave his favorite jacket doesn’t mean he’s dating her.

They’re..friends.

Jannik can be okay with that.

“Yeah,” he says again, agreeing, shuffling his feet awkwardly on the floor.

“I wasn’t serious about finding you, by the way. I don’t know how to break into a house.” It’s the way she says it, like she’s disappointed in the skillset she lacks. Jannik stifles his laugh once, twice, before it bursts. His head leans back with it, wild eyed and happy. Charlie is so unique.

“I hope you don’t know how to break into a house,” Jannik tells her once he catches his breath, hearing her stunned gasp on the line.

“I can figure it out!”

“Or you can just knock,” he puts simply, “I’d let you in. No law breaking needed.”

She goes oddly silent, and Jannik can hear the party he’s taken her from in the background. They should end this call soon. Charlie has a whole night ahead of her, maybe, and he has a good movie and sleep awaiting him.

“I’m wearing the jacket.”

That throws him off guard.

“What?”

“Hold on.” She goes on mute, all sound completely cutting off, and for a moment, Jannik thinks Charlie is talking to someone else. But his phone buzzes with a message from her and right there is a selfie of her.

Not on her story for everyone to see. Just in their chat. Just for him.

Sure enough, his jacket is on over a dress she wears. Charlie is posing, but not quite smiling.

She’s alluring.

She’s so pretty, Jannik’s going a bit out of his mind.

The sound picks up on the line again.

“See it?” She asks, and Jannik fights himself not to screenshot - it doesn’t mean he doesn’t try to commit the image to memory - before he answers.

“I did. I..told you it looks better on you.” Jannik almost doesn’t say it, but he forces the words out, his face burning.

She giggles and it rings in the space between his ears. “What are your plans for your break?”

“Nothing crazy. See my family. My friends. Might go karting again. Then back to practice. What about you?”

“Same thing. Friends and family. Taking my family to the beach!”

He makes an ‘ah’ sound, padding out to his bedroom.

“The beach.”

“Nothing like a good tan before going to defend another title,” she jokes, and now Jannik’s thinking about what she’d do at a beach.

He needs to reign it in.

“Sounds fun,” he supplies, half-committed in his response, although it’s not a lie.

“I’d invite you if you wouldn’t turn into a tomato.”

“A tomato? I tan.” It’s borderline defensive. She giggles again.

“I’m sure.”

“Go back to your friend’s birthday,” Jannik insists before he tries to keep her going with this ridiculous conversation.

“Aw, don’t be mad at me because you can’t handle the sun.”

“I handle the sun fine.” This is ridiculous. They’re ridiculous. He’s enjoying himself. “It’s called sunscreen.”

“Okay, you don’t turn red. You get nice freckles. They’re cute.”

Jannik’s jaw goes slack. She’s moving on before he can process the words.

“I do have to go before they ask too many questions.”

Doesn’t Jannik know it.

“Okay.”

“Have a good night, Jannik.”

“You too.”

But neither of them hang up the phone for a couple of moments. Jannik watches the timer on the call go up for five more seconds with nothing but breathing on the line before he presses the button.

Jannik collapses on his bed, smacking himself on the forehead.

Friends?

His time off was well spent. Albeit, a couple of teases from his family, especially when they caught him texting Charlie, but how could he not?

She sent him random pictures of her adventures, things that didn’t go on her story,

Jannik nearly choked on his saliva when he saw her in a bikini trying to play beach volleyball, the floral neon print a drastic contrast to her browning skin.

But what she sent to him was polarized, bordering on being the worst tease in history or sweet, simple nothings that made Jannik smile.

A fortune she received.

Her pouting in the middle of the night because she can’t sleep.

One of his advertisements on a screen.

A screenshot of an outfit, asking if she should get it. (Jannik told her he is not good at fashion at all.)

Her brand new Nike shoes.

The most shocking one? She cut her hair. Nothing too dramatic, but it is noticeably shorter. It’s still long enough to go into her ponytails or buns or whatever hairstyle she wants, but.. yeah. Just shorter.

He was a little too focused on the glow in her face rather than the haircut.

Charlie's been updating him at nearly every turn, and he’s appreciated every single one of them, even at the expense of his family refusing to believe they’re just friends.

Every time he tries to explain, it only gets worse and he puts his foot in his mouth, so Jannik just stopped trying.

He’s not accepting Charlie is his girlfriend! It’s just tiring to have to explain all of these moments and say there’s nothing there.

Something is there, at least for him.

Jannik arrived to Paris days in advance, getting himself ready for this. He’s been practicing, of course, but there’s nothing like being in the space. Get your mind ready for those stages.

Everywhere is different.

Charlie seems to have a similar idea.

Charlie: You in France yet?

Jannik: I got in yesterday

Charlie: Which room??

Charlie is knocking on his door minutes later.

Jannik finds himself lucky that he opens the door wide, and he finds himself lucky that he made that choice because a body collides into his own. His breath is knocked out momentarily as he finds his footing again, slapping his hand onto the nearby wall to regain balance.

Legs wind around his waist, arms tight as they surround his neck. Her weight is easy to carry and his hands instinctively try to move to the back of her thighs to hold her up.

He shouldn’t encourage her to remain wrapped around him. A groan escapes him and Jannik couldn’t tell if he did out of frustration or shock.

Jannik’s hit with her scent. With her, really, and as the door clicks shut, he wonders what is going on.

“Janni!” She nearly screams, slipping to the ground again before Jannik can try to keep her upright. Charlie is beaming, so vibrant.

“Hi,” he greets, unsure of what to do with himself. What he does know is if he doesn’t take a step from her right now, he’ll be too tempted to step in to get another dosage of Charlie Alcaraz.

Jannik sticks one hand in his pocket, determined to keep at least one of his hands to himself.

“I got you something.” She reaches in her back pocket and pulls out a little pouch, extending her hand for him to take it.

He takes it with his free hand, the other still secured in his pocket before it has to escape to open it.

It’s a fox pin.

“Because you’re the fox,” she explains, though there isn’t a need for it. Charlie shrugs with a little smile, clearly proud of herself.

“Thank you,” he says, and means it. “I didn’t get you anything,” he adds, half-joking.

“You can make me dinner again.”

“Now?”

“Are you busy?” She casts her eyes away, wandering, seeing if there was something else taking his attention. Even if there was, it’s all hers now.

“No, not busy. I just don’t have anything to cook today.” Her eyes flicker up to him and Jannik doesn’t think he’s ever sank faster. “I can order something.”

“Okay.”

“What do you like?” He asks her, a repeat of a conversation they’ve tried to have before. They finally get out of the entryway and into the common space, sinking on the couch. He’s not completely away from her, but far enough to keep to himself.

Charlie looks him head-on when she answers, “Italian.” Jannik blinks once, then she adds, “but we’re in France! What’s a good French thing to eat?”

“French fries,” Jannik mutters, and she smiles at him, “I’ll look it up.”

Eventually, they agree on something, and her head motions to the television.

“We watching more matches?”

He’s not sure he can watch anything but her.

“If you want.”

“Will your coaches get mad at me if I want to watch a movie instead?” Jannik shakes his head and she grins.

He lets her pick the first movie, some comedy. Charlie’s laughter fills the room as she spreads her legs on the couch, barely touching him. It’s enough.

When they get their food, they practically scarf it down. It was really good. They now sit next to each other, shoulders brushing as the movie progresses.

Afterward, Charlie leans back all of the way, full and satiated. Jannik matches her, enjoying the way she directs her approving smile in his direction before going back to the movie.

Time goes on, but they’re quiet. Still. Close.

The second movie comes on automatically, and Jannik doesn’t care what comes on because Charlie is sleeping on him. Her head is on him, breaths measured. Jannik doesn’t dare move an inch.

He doubts his shoulder is very comfortable but nonetheless, she is knocked out.

“Cazzo,” he whispers with a deep sigh, looking up as if the air or anything above will answer him. How long will she sleep? Would he offer his bed and he can take the couch? If she’s not up to make that decision, will he carry her there?

Too many questions. Not enough answers.

She stirs, making a sleep-filled noise, readjusting her head on him.

Jannik can’t do this.

He tries to watch the movie instead, occasionally checking his phone for any notifications or just finding another distraction than the human on him. A human he would very like to keep on him, but shouldn’t.

But eventually boredom and drowsiness find its way too. Jannik fights it for another fifteen minutes, knowing the only way he is going to fall asleep is if he puts his head over hers. To use each other as pillows.

That’s worse than allowing her to sleep against him.

But it’s a losing battle with her being so warm and comfortable, and the day blending out into the night.

Ten minutes, Jannik concedes once his eyes start to blur.

As softly as he could, he tilts his head, applying the lightest amount of pressure when her hair presses into his cheek.

His heart is pumping, but he takes a deep inhale, closing his eyes.

Ten minutes.

There’s an entirely new movie playing when his eyes open again.

He’s not in the same position he fell asleep in either. Jannik is on Charlie. His cheek is on her abdomen, and he feels the rise and fall of her breaths, quicker than it had been earlier.

She’s awake.

Well that might be obvious. Her hand is in his hair, toying with the strands.

“Buenos dias,” she teases, “can I braid your hair?”

You can do whatever you want.

“How many braids have you done?” His voice is deep with sleep, and her hands pause. He’d use it as his excuse to get up if she didn’t jump back into combing it. If he wasn’t internally panicking over their positions, he’d use this as an excuse to get up.

“None yet,” promises Charlie, and she grabs the hair differently than before, taking his lack of a no as a yes.

“Sorry, I fell asleep.” On you. He feels the shake of her soft laughter.

“I fell asleep first. I just moved so your neck won’t hurt. Bad for tennis.” She’s bad for his heart. He can feel the pull of the braid she is putting on his hair, but he says nothing about it. “You cuddle, you know.”

“Sorry,” Jannik says again, lamely, and they’re still cuddling technically. His body is over hers, his stiff hands to himself. But easily, he could touch her.

Charlie is warm.

“Don’t be,” Charlie insists, dropping a finished braid before picking up some more hair. “It was nice. Not as skinny as I thought.”

Jannik snorts.

“It’s the pasta.”

“The magical pasta for your magical ass.” She leans forward suddenly and taps the low of his back, a threat to smack his ass. “This is a great view, by the way.”

“Do you have a thing for my ass?” Jannik accuses, muffled by her shirt.

“It is a great ass,” Charlie says, answering the question without answering it. “I thought it was photoshop until I saw it in person.”

Jannik groans, and he considers suffocating himself in her skin.

Because this is torture, talking about his ass. No other reason….

“I don’t know what to say.”

“We can talk about my ass if you want,” she offers, making yet another braid on his hair. He’s going to look like a clown, but she’s content.

He’s supposed to be kicking her out. He has no current intentions of doing so.

“That’s even worse.”

It is. There’s no way he’s going to set himself up to admit he’s looked at it or thought about it for more than a second.

“Don’t act like you haven’t looked.”

Kill him now.

“Charlie.” Another laugh.

“Okay, okay. No more ass talk.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Jannik plants his hands on wherever, pushing himself off of her mid-braid. Her hands slip away.

Their eyes lock and it stops him halfway.

Charlie’s lips part, just enough for him to see it, and wow he wants to -

Jannik moves quicker to sit up.

“What have you done with my hair?” He feels for the braids, curious what they look like. Charlie smiles and searches for her phone, taking a photo and flipping it around for him to see.

A clown, like he suspected.

“You look cute.”

Jannik scowls.

“Take them out before I go bald.”

Charlie leans forward, close enough that Jannik wants to place an arm on her waist to keep her balanced as she undoes the braids. He ducks his head to make it easier for her.

“Please don’t go bald,” she says quietly, like a prayer.

“I’ll do my best.” It doesn’t take long for her to get the hairstyle away from his head. When she’s done, she ruffles the hair, tongue poking out with mischief.

“There.”

“Thank you.” Jannik messes with his own hair, trying to fix a problem he can’t see, but it’s pointless.

“You’re welcome,” Charlie replies, still so close to him. Any closer and their chests would be brushing.

So many choices.

Jannik wants to kiss her. The first time, he thought it was just a scattered thought, but no. It’s real and it’s pressing heavy on his chest, a weight that won’t lift for a long time. Forever, maybe.

She sinks back down on the couch, before swinging her legs over to stand up.

“Is it okay if I use your bathroom?”

Jannik nods and points int he direction, though he’s sure she can figure it out. When the door to the bathroom closes, Jannik flails around, unsure what to do with all of this unspent energy and tension that has no conclusion.

Well he knows what he can do, but he can’t. He can’t!

Jannik decides to pick up the trash of their food instead. Charlie emerges again by the time he’s gotten everything tossed.

“I didn’t realize how late it was,” she starts, practically skipping, “Don’t tell your coach that we had a sleepover.”

Jannik pretends to zip his lips, and Charlie smiles, biting her bottom lip simultaneously.

“I should go back to my room,” she adds, not looking happy with that statement. It’s an open door.

“Probably.” Good going, Jannik.

It’s a little awkward as she grabs her things, but he does walk her to the door this time.

She spins back around before her hand wraps around the handle. Jannik doesn’t have time to ask if she forgot something or if she was okay before arms wind around his neck again.

Jannik reciprocates this time, keeping his arms high on her back when he returns the gesture.

“Good luck,” she says in his ear, and he tenses, incidentally holding her tighter.

“You too,” he shoots back, and she loosens her grip on him. Jannik lets her go. Charlie leaves without a proper goodbye, but maybe that was the point.

He almost called her back.

Instead, he lets the locks click again, reminding himself there is distance for a reason. There’s a door for a reason.

He can let her in as many times as he wants - as many times as she wants to come inside - but eventually - for now - she has to go.

Jannik turns back into the common space, picking up the fox pin gifted to him. He finds his tennis bags in the corner and places it on there, assessing its placement for a couple of seconds before he turns all the lights off and goes to bed.

Doing anything but dreaming of kissing her.

Anything but.

Chapter 7 Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

“I know you like to keep private but is there someone special in your life”

Jannik feels a smile come across his face, and he hopes it doesn’t give the wrong impression that he’s in a relationship.

“You know that’s a secret, guys.” He shakes his head as the interviewer laughs. “Right now, I don’t think that is a focus for me.”

“But winning Roland Garros is?”

Jannik huffs jokingly. “Well, yeah.”

“Your draw this year is -”

Jannik tries not to be too obvious when he sighs, relieved of the change of subject. Tennis? He can talk about it all day. Relationships? Not so much.

“Do you have a significant other in your life?”

Charlie taps her finger to her chin, pretending to think, but she gives it up with a laugh.

“Maybe. Who knows. It’s a secret.” The social media person smirks as if they caught Charlie in a Freudian slip.

“You know, Sinner said the same thing.” Charlie shrugs dramatically at the implication, but she doesn’t bite.

“He didn’t tell me! We could’ve been going on double dates. He’s so mean.” She crosses her arms, rolling her eyes to the notion she was being lied to.

“Jannik Sinner? Mean?”

“I know him, okay? He’s so mean. He opens doors for people and asks people about their day and everything. Worst person on tour. I don’t know why anyone is friends with him.” The other person laughs, and they move on to the next question, which is a prompt to see how long she can juggle a ball.

Clever girl.

Her hair is braided today.

They’re in different courts at the same time, so it was only natural that they end up walking onto the practice court together.

“You’re wearing the pin,” she points out excitably, poking it with one of her fingers. He looks at the pin as if he didn’t know it was there.

“Yeah. Looks good, no?”

“Very good. Thank you.”

He’s done for.

“Who’s your round one?” Jannik asks, like he didn’t check the minute the draw came out.

“Osaka! I hate it, honestly. I love her.” She sags momentarily before straightening back up. “You have Rinderknech. Unpredictable.” Charlie clicks her tongue, and Jannik almost wants to puff his chest out, to tell her it’s fine.

It’s the pride thinking. It’s the desire to make her smile.

“We’ll see what happens,” he says instead, and it gets the expected outcome anyway. Her lips stretch, her teeth flashing in her grin before she shakes her head.

“We’ll see what happens,” she mimics, trying to tack on the accent, too.

“Okay, I’m the mean one,” Jannik reminds off, and she leans into him enough to knock their shoulders together before moving away. Their fingers catch and he curls them before he remembers, and his next steps puts distance between. “Have a good practice.”

“Don’t miss me too much, Janni!”

Janni.

He tries not to watch her go, settling to his bench. Darren gives him a long, knowing look, but Jannik shrugs it away.

There’s work to be done, and it can’t always be about her.

Nonetheless, his head turns in her direction. Briefly.

Just to check.

And when she walks past him, her session over a couple of minutes early, he extends his hand out to her for a shake. A dap. Whatever it’s called. It’s more like hand holding as they take far too long separate.

She grips him tightly, saying something generic, but he can’t quite process the words. There’s a shine to her face and of course, it’s from a hot practice session, but there’s something else.

It’s the joy that she has of being here.

He’s but a moth to a flame. She radiates light and he’s far too drawn to it.

His hold tightens and she turns to him, fully stopped by his insistence to keep her here. He knows there are cameras filming them, his team is likely judging him right now for stopping their practice to touch her, but he’s not thinking.

It’s her hand in his. It’s his hand practically swallowing hers, both sweaty from exertion, but he doesn’t care.

“You okay?” She asked, concerned.

He still wants to kiss her, so no, it’s not okay. He wants to close the remainder of the space between them and touch her properly, sweat be damned. So much that he wants.

Jannik falters in his next breath but he lets go, nodding.

“Yeah, sorry.”

Charlie doesn’t look quite convinced, but her hand drops and she turns back.

“See you soon,” she promises before she walks off. Jannik makes sure he doesn’t watch her leave, motioning for Simone to continue.

Simone gives him one look - one that says so many things without saying anything at all - but they resume for their final hits of the day.

Soon doesn’t actually come in the physical sense. Charlie doesn’t stop by his room or vice versa, but they chat like always.

Jannik: Sorry again for earlier

Charlie: Don’t be!

Charlie: You are okay? 🥺

Jannik: I am okay

Charlie: Good

Charlie: You promise?

Jannik: You need me to pinky promise?

Charlie: Yes 🤙

Jannik: That’s not a pinky

Charlie: You get the point!

Jannik: I promise. Just blanked for a second

Charlie: Heat exhaustion?

Jannik: I don’t know

Charlie: But you’re better now?

Jannik: Yes. I’m better

Charlie: Don’t scare me like that 😭 I thought about staying

Jannik: Don’t think you could have done that

Charlie: I’ll sit in your seat 😇

Jannik: And where will I sit?

Charlie: On me

Jannik: No thank you

Charlie: Fine you can sit and then I’ll sit on you

Jannik: That’s also a bad idea

Charlie: You didn’t say no! 😁🤪

Jannik: No

Charlie: Too late now

Jannik: Charlie

Charlie: ☺️☺️☺️☺️

Jannik: I’m going to bed to try to forget this conversation happened

Charlie: Is this worse than talking about my ass? 🤭

Jannik: I don’t even know anymore. They’re both bad

Jannik: You like to mess with me

Charlie: I do ☺️

Charlie: But you have a match tomorrow and I don’t, so goodnight!

Jannik: Care to give me any more good luck?

Charlie: I’ll be watching. All the luck you need

Charlie: Most of it is how good you are. You’re writing your name in the history books, Jannik

Jannik: So are you

Jannik: You’re already there

Charlie: Then let’s keep adding our names in

Charlie: Goodnight, Jannik

Jannik: Goodnight, Charlie

S1nc4r4z: Jannik yelling “Vamos” in his match like a certain female Spanish player I know 👀 👀

Lestappenin: Is it me or were they holding hands? photo attached

Jannike: Both of them said they’re possibly dating someone… YEAH EACH OTHER 🤨

Tennnistherapy: They walk to practice together, hold hands in public, do videos together, but then say they’re not together. So you’re telling me they fuck nasty

User23979749722: Are we really assuming Jannik can’t be friends with someone without them dating or having sex? Grow up.

Katphotobomb245: They can’t say they’re together because they would be too powerful. The tour would simply collapse

Jannik would think to regret telling his mother that Charlie wanted to say hi. If there were any thoughts of it, it disappeared the moment Charlie is sitting next to her at the quarterfinals, somewhere away from his box.

It’s a rough match.

It’s been pushed all the way to the fourth set, which has been a rare one considering all his previous matches were straight sets.

For now, he’s holding, but they’ll move to tiebreak if he doesn’t get a hold of himself.

He wipes his face with his towel, looking first at his team, then up somewhere in the crowd where his mother would be. She’s talking to Charlie and it must be something engaging because Charlie’s hands are moving when she responds back.

Jannik wipes his face against to mask any hint of a smile fighting its way onto his face and walks back onto court.

Musetti readies his serve and Jannik twists the racket in his hands.

“Your parents are very nice,” Charlie says on the phone. Jannik’s already in his bed, but he was already feeling restless before she called him.

“Thank you. I’m sure they enjoyed meeting you.”

They’ll probably talk about it tomorrow, a new slew of questions and assumptions incoming. Lovely.

“I’d say that it’s your turn to meet mine but I have strict guidelines.”

“Really?” Jannik looks to his phone as if she was right there, trying to assess hhow serious she is by the way she sounds.

“Third date privileges only.”

She’s joking.

“I made you dinner,” Jannik responds.

“That’s one.”

“I went to your match.”

“You didn’t even stay the whole time,” Charlie reminds him, “and that doesn’t count as a date.”

Jannik bites his lip.

“We watched matches.”

“Technically that was for work,” is her argument, and Jannik laughs incredulously, wondering why he’s even entertaining the notion that they’ve gone on dates.

“You took my jacket. That’s not work related.”

“You gave it to - fine. Okay. Two.”

“We watches movies together last week.” That one is easy.

“That was mostly sleep.”

Jannik sure doesn’t remember it that way.

“Just admit it, Charlie.”

“Fine. Three. You can meet my family.”

Jannik feels oddly proud, but he says, “I was joking. It’s okay.”

“I wasn’t.” The room feels a little chillier at that. His air catches in his throat again, and this sounds like something. “They’ll come for the final if I make it-”

“You will,” Jannik says automatically. Charlie continues undeterred.

“They’re also curious about the person who gave me their jacket.” Oh, that conversation will be even worse than the one he had with his parents. He knows what it’s like to meet a girl’s parents, their too-watchful eyes scanning and trying to size up whether someone is good enough for their daughter.

And Jannik looks like a contender for her hand.

“You’re setting me up,” Jannik accuses, “you want them to judge me.”

She scoffs, “They already know who you are.”

“That’s not the same.”

“I tell them everything.” What does she mean by that? Is there information he’s missing out on that they’re privy to?

“Everything?”

“Not everything everything, but all the important stuff.”

“I must be important,” he concludes, uncomfortable with how that makes his chest feel full.

It only gets worse when Charlie confirms, “You are.”

Jannik swallows his spit before he speaks, but his voice is still raspy when he says, “I think you’re important, too.”

“Because I got you a fox pin.”

“It was a nice pin.” It looks nice on his bag. Reminds him of her. No one has questioned where it has come from yet. “Do you think the other doubles players talk as much as us?”

“Casper and Iga, maybe,” she laughs, “but I don’t think they talk like us.”

“Like us,” Jannik echoes, rolling over on the bed. “I hope they don’t talk about my ass-”

“I get it. Don’t talk about Jannik Sinner’s big ass.” Charlie sounds upset about that. He laughs too hard at that, his sore muscles screaming for rest. “You know what I mean, Jannik.”

“Do I?”

“We -” She pauses, and he can hear her exhale. “We’re different.”

That’s one way to put it. Jannik hums as he settles back down, feeling the weight of one word. Different.

It says a lot without saying much at all. It could be about their tennis. It could be about them - what extent of a them that exists. Jannik’s unsure. It sounds like she is, too, if this is the way they’re wording this.

If he did something - if he kissed her like he’s been yearning to do for over a week now - would it be acceptable? Would she kiss him back?

“We are different,” Jannik agrees, his tone soft. His heart is beating too fast. He’s starting to overheat in this bed. “Still think we’ll win this whole thing?”

Jannik loves to say we when it comes to his successes. He would be nowhere without the people in his life: his staff, his family, his friends. But this is different. This time when he says we, it’s about the work they did on the court together.

“If we actually practice,” she replies seriously, “but we might be taking this too serious. Other people aren’t taking this too serious because they didn’t ask to do this.”

“None of us did.”

“True..we could stop?” Stop what? Jannik doesn’t want to stop whatever this is at all.

“No, I kind of like winning.”

She laughs softly on the line.

“Me too. We should do it more often.”

“I’m doing my part,” he deadpans, thriving in her gasp.

“Mean! Fine. I’ll win this whole thing. I want another dinner.”

“You want another date,” Jannik corrects.

“Better make it a good one, then, because you’re missing out.”

He scoffs, “What am I missing out on? Other than beach vacations.”

“I kiss on the first date,” she tells Jannik, full of teasing. Jannik’s body goes cold again, the imagery of kissing her going to send him into another downward spiral for the night.

“I wouldn’t brag about that.”

“Not bragging. Just giving necessary information.” Necessary? “I’m going to sleep now.”

“Sleep well. You don’t need luck.”

“Goodnight.”

Charlie defends her title. He knew she would.

Jannik shakes her father’s hand, expecting a tight, unforgiving grip that reflects his concern for the person his daughter is hanging out. Instead, it is neutral, open.

It’s the brothers that caused more issues. They asked all the uncomfortable questions that he wasn’t sure he had the answers to.

But in the end, he figures he survived whatever test was in the entire interaction because they all followed him on Instagram after.

Charlie: I will wait until you win. You have to win!

Jannik: You bet money on me or something?

Charlie: My first house

Jannik: You live with your parents

Charlie: For that, I’m not giving you your surprise when you win

Jannik: What surprise?

Jannik holds his trophy in the air, feeling victorious for more than one reason. Somewhere, Charlie is around waiting for him.

He’s got a dinner to make.

It only adds fuel to the fire. With clay all over his legs, sweat sticking to his pullover, his smile had never been more real.

This time Jannik goes to her room. Charlie opens the door and lets him inside. She’s once again dressed like she is minutes away from sleep. He’s not much better, once again in his sweatpants and t-shirt.

He sets stuff on the counter.

They talk about their childhood stories while Jannik makes a different dinner.

Charlie raised her eyebrows when Jannik presents burgers with a Cheshire grin.

“Dinner of winners,” she says before taking a bite, making a sound oddly close to a moan. Jannik almost chokes on his burger. “I’m going to win all of the time. You too. I need more home-cooked meals.”

“You’re going back home,” Jannik reminds her, recalling her minutes ago saying she was going to sit at home for a week before getting ready for grass season.

“But THE Jannik Sinner made me burgers. Can’t get much better than this.”

He rolls his eyes on his next bite, but it makes him feel good, nonetheless. She makes him feel good.

“I thought about buying them but I was lazy.”

“I think your lazy is different from my lazy,” she throws out, drinking some champagne that was gifted to her. Jannik has his own glass, but he’s quite loose from her presence alone.

Afterward, she pulls him to the couch to rewatch his last set and the moment he won. He watches her more than himself, coding her every reaction to his points, filing away her favorite parts as if there is a pop quiz he has to pass.

Jannik convinces her to watch her last set, too. It’s only fair, considering they both won. He threw out the commentary this time, figuring she would not be as hype about her own performance.

He gets it. They’re trained to be futuristic, growth oriented; they’re thinking of how to improve already.

By the end of it, he can barely keep his eyes open. In the morning, he’ll be posed with his trophy to remember this moment, to engrain it in history. His name is already engraved in the trophy.

Charlie looks to be in a similar situation. She’s leaned onto him, her entire body angled in is direction, slow blinking at the celebration.

“When do you leave?” Jannik asks, just to have something to keep her awake. He’d hate to leave and she’s asleep. Feels wrong, like sneaking out. It would leave a bad impression and that’s one of the last things he wants to do with her.

She hums and breaks her concentration on the screen, looking at him.

Jannik wants to scream or throw something. There’s nothing he can do about how kissable she looks right now. Her hair is a little messy - her usual - yet he wants to take it down, sift his hand through the shortened strands until he can pull her close.

Pull her into his lap and kiss the taste the champagne from her lips until he’s thoroughly drunk. He’d become an alcoholic if that were the case.

His eyes flicker to her lips then back up.

“What did you say?” She sounds breathless, her chest rising and falling faster. They’re close enough that he can do it.

He wants to more than he wants to visit his trophy that he just won.

“When do you leave?” He repeats, staring at her cheekbone instead of her, knowing if he looked any longer, any degree of self-control would fly out of the window. Fresh off of a winning high with the woman who drives him a little insane? It’s a bad mixture.

“Early.” She grimaces, as if it is the wrong answer to tell him. “Guess I can’t convince you to have a sleepover.”

He might not be able to sleep even if he tried.

“Maybe next time,” he offers, and he’ll regret saying that come the next day, but her smile is electric.

“I’ll hold you to it.”

He needs to go. If he doesn’t go now, he’s not going to. Charlie sits up first and walks to the kitchen. Jannik stands and stops at the midpoint of the kitchen and the door, curious as to what she is getting.

She pulls out a crème brûlée, unwrapping a plastic spoon.

“I almost forgot!” She loads the spoon with a bite, motioning it to him. “You got dinner so I got dessert.”

Jannik opens his mouth and takes a bite. It is good. He doesn’t have time to dwell on the taste because she uses the exact same spoon to get her own bite.

He’s fighting a losing battle not to kiss her.

She smiles, lips still wrapped around the plastic, like she knows exactly what she’s doing to him. Then she offers another bite to him, which he is much slower to take. Her eyes follow him as he licks the dessert away from the spoon.

“The rest is mine, sorry.” She doesn’t sound sorry at all when she places the crème brûlée down. He walks numbly to the door, cracking it open before he also recalls something to memory.

“Was that the surprise?” Jannik asks, witnessing as her eyes widen.

“No.” Charlie’s eyes flicker around, bundled with nervous energy. He almost asks what the surprise was before she shoots forward, her palm resting over his cheek. She tilts her head to the side and places a chaste kiss to his other cheek.

Charlie takes a step back, lightly bouncing with the leftover energy that has nowhere to go. Finally, she looks up at him and says, “That was.”

Jannik touches his cheek, wondering if he could still feel the pressure of his lips if he grazed it with his fingertips. The door clsoes again.

“Um, thank you.” He’s fucking this all up. Jannik tries something else. “I didn’t get you a surprise.”

Her eyes light with mischief as she turns her head, index finger tapping her cheek.

“Then give me one.”

He feels like a prepubescent again. Unable to stop himself, he places his left hand on her waist as he takes a step into her, closing that distance again. Charlie gasps softly, but loud enough that Jannik wonders if he should stop.

It’s too late now.

He kisses her cheek softly, but for longer than she had done him. Her hand wraps around his wrist, neither pushing him away or pulling him closer. He can feel her heat from the pressure that he kisses her with and it’s purely accidental when he inhales, taking in the scent of her shampoo or soap. Whatever it is, he likes it.

He likes her.

Jannik pulls away before he considers moving his lips somewhere else.

“Surprise,” he whispers, and she ducks her head down, laughing. Charlie lays her head on his chest.

“We suck at surprises.”

“Yeah.”

There’s a silence that spreads. It’s not awkward. Anything but. Jannik wants to replace that silence with another kiss, not on her cheek.

Leave. Now.

“I’ll see you at Wimbledon?” She asks, before she says, bolder, “I want a practice time with you there.”

“I’ll let my team know of your demands.” He reaches for the door handle, once again cracking it open so he has some reminder to depart from Charlie.

“That’s nowhere close to my demands.”

Jannik considers asking her, but based on the way she scans him slowly, he has a feeling they’re on the same wavelength. He swallows, but his mouth has run dry.

“I’ll see you soon,” he says in place of the other things on his mind. She doesn’t look disappointed, but she still sighs, moving forward one final time.

Her arms wrap around his midsection, her head finding a home close to his neck. Jannik hugs her back with one arm because if that door closes one more time, it will stay closed. Darren will kill him for it, but he doubts he’d regret it.

“Hasta luego.”

It’s cold when she’s away from him again.

Jannik makes it only two steps out of the door before he wants to turn around. It’s a struggle to make it back to his room.

It’s a struggle to not text her when he makes it there.

It’s a struggle to not like Charlie Alcaraz.

He’s doomed.

Notes:

Hehe you got your kiss, but I didn't say which kind of kiss

Chapter 8 Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Five hours away.

That’s how far Charlie was from him by the time he made it to Halle. She’s in Berlin.

Close enough that if he really wanted to, really wanted to, he could but - no, not far enough that he can’t get the distinct possibility of seeing her out of his head.

Five hours.

And they win their maiden grass tournament of the year with that distance, sending each other their own selfie with the trophy even though Jannik isn’t that fond of selfies.

He saves hers.

Charlie: Hear me out

Jannik: I don’t like where this is going already

Charlie: HEAR ME OUT

Jannik: What is it?

Charlie: Sleepover. Night before media day

Jannik: I wonder if you want a sleepover

Charlie: Jannik ☹️😩😭

Jannik: You’re going to get me in trouble

Charlie: But I am good trouble 😈🤪😇

Jannik: I don’t think that exists

Charlie: It does. It’s me

Charlie: I won a tournament! 😇😇 I think that deserves something

Jannik: I won, too

Charlie: Exactly. It’s good for both of us

Jannik: Sleepovers are good for us

Charlie: Sent a post

Jannik: Did you really send me a post on the benefits of sleeping with another person?

Jannik: How long did it take you to find that?

Charlie: It showed up on one of the fitness pages I follow

Charlie: Don’t change the subject!

Jannik: Let’s see what happens

Charlie: 😒🙄🤨

Jannik: What?

It doesn’t end up happening. He got sick right before the tournament started. His week off resulted in him contracting a small cold that Jannik insisted Charlie stay away from.

The last thing he wanted to do was impact her tennis.

The first round of Wimbledon was complete hell, his body barely powering through to finish the match. Afterwards he completely collapses, missing the messages she sends asking if he is okay.

By morning, he tells her he is okay and he fell asleep the rest of the night. Charlie relays that she almost went out of her way to message Darren on Instagram. Jannik laughs - then coughs - at the message.

By round two, he is a bit better. He doesn’t nearly collapse under the heat of the sun this time, and he does finish in straight sets, albeit it’s not as powerful of a performance as he knows he is capable of.

Jannik rewards himself by knocking on Charlie’s door to apologize for his absence. Charlie flings herself at him, giving him a tight hug, before telling him to come inside.

He warns her that he is not completely in the clear yet, but she doesn’t care to hear it. They talk about their mini-break over Asian takeout (because the soup will "definitely” help with the cold).

When he sees her in the third round coughing a bit during changeover, Jannik almost regrets seeing her.

Almost.

Charlie loses the first set of her final.

Jannik watches from his cycle, the worry heavy in his brows. He doesn’t quite care if there is a camera to record this right now.

She yells in Spanish, something that doesn’t get translated, but the frustration is clear across any language boundary.

It’s followed up by being down a break and three championship match points. Jannik accidentally bites his nail as he watches the scene before him, worried for what could come if she doesn’t pull through and get this to a deuce this game.

But she’s Charlie Alcaraz.

Jannik was nothing short of transfixed of the way of how she not only saved the game, but the set. It’s followed by her blowing her opponent out the next set to win it all.

She’s amazing, isn’t she?

He claps for her in the comfort of his own room now, even taking a photo of her with her trophy in the air to send to her in chat, wanting her to know he watched every moment he could.

Charlie: Your turn 😉

She responds quite a bit later, but he gets it. It’s a busy day. Tomorrow will be busy too. He sends a thumbs up and a goodnight, knowing if he doesn’t go to bed now, he won’t sleep well.

Still, he likes her Close Friends story of the trophy in bed with her, pretending she fell asleep cuddled to it.

Novak could easily be one of the most intimidating players to be across the court from. And that’s for everyone. There should be no reason why anyone should be so good for so long.

Charlie sits in the royal box in a white dress, her hair pulled back. He finds her quickly the first chance he gets.

She stands, regardless of the impression she is supposed to be making and yells out, “Vamos Jannik!”

Jannik doesn’t immediately respond to her, but when he secures the first set in tiebreak, his fist pump is aimed in her direction as well as his own box’s.

His family is here. His team is here. She is here. That’s probably about all he needs.

It’s done before he can really think I did it. Novak congratulates him sincerely, though his eyes are clouded with the weight of loss. Jannik gives him credit in his speech, to what he’s done for tennis, before he’s holding his trophy in the air once more.

Somewhere in the distance, Charlie is recording the experience.

It doesn’t get posted on her story, but she does repost the generic one from Tennischannel.

💪🔥 #teammeanies

Charlie: What are you wearing?

Jannik: That sounds wrong

Charlie: Maybe it is

Jannik: I’m a little too tipsy for that

Jannik: A suit

Charlie: Show me!! 👀

Jannik: You’ll see it later. What are you wearing?

Charlie: Show me yours and I’ll show you mine 😋

Jannik: That sounds wrong too

Charlie: I’ll show you later 😇

Her dress - her - Jannik loses his train of thought. They don’t talk much other than a hello but Jannik wouldn’t want to leave her side.

If he thought she was pretty before, she’s exquisite.

His team crack jokes when he keeps turning his head to look for her, not wanting to remove the sight of Charlie like this. Her hair pinned back. Not a bun, not a ponytail, but something else. She’s taller because of the heels she is wearing.

Jannik has never seen her in heels.

It’s like seeing someone brand new, but someone he already knows.

Charlie doesn’t wear so much makeup that it takes away from the beauty of the rest of her, nor does it overtake the natural beauty she already had. Her eyes, when they did meet his, look like they are even more obvious.

Jannik drinks more despite himself.

He’s going to start sweating in this suit if he is not already.

Inevitably, it is time for what he would’ve found to be the most dreaded part of this tradition: the dance. He already messed up by admitting to everyone he had been celebrating quite heavy before he got here, so perhaps that’ll work in his favor as Charlie walks up to the stage.

Jannik outstretches his hand to Charlie with a cheeky expression. She takes his hand easily, her fingers wrapping around his, and he secures his thumb over her hand as she ascends the couple of steps.

“Hello again,” Charlie says, eyes shining brighter than the jewelry around her neck.

“May I have this dance?” He tries to sound confident, but it sounds goofy instead. She doesn’t seem to mind, playing along.

“Of course, Wimbledon champion.” She steps around until they are face to face, the music starting to play.

Naturally, he freezes, but she seems to catch onto it quick. Charlie moves into him, as close as two people slow dancing should be.

“I don’t bite, Jannik,” she whispers teasingly, but there’s something else. Something urging. Her hand, the one opposite of the large crowd’s eager eyes, gently guides his hand back to her waist. The fabric stops there, her dress open back, and Jannik can still feel her warmth beneath his fingertips.

He swallows, slightly regretting how much he drank before this event. Jannik puts more solid pressure on her, squeezing her right hand tighter.

“I’m not good at dancing,” Jannik laughs, unable to fight the flush on his cheeks. Nonetheless, he rocks them, Charlie all too willing to give up control at this moment. That - in combination with alcohol, or simply being drunk on her - is a bad combination; it makes him feel reckless.

She takes a step closer into him, not quite leaning her head on him, but she could.

“Me neither.”

“Guess we’ll both look stupid,” Jannik says offhandedly, chancing a glance at their crowd. At their families watching them. So many people. His right hand clutches her tighter, as if she could escape from his arms so soon.

If she has a problem with it, she doesn’t voice it.

“Who cares? We won. This is really for us.”

Huh.

“For us,” repeats Jannik with a hint of a smile, “in that case.” He steps back to try to spin her around, reveling in her laugh as she twists in her dress. His own enjoyment of this odd tradition grows the longer he gets to touch her, his fingers resting along her exposed back now.

Charlie’s eyes shine when she looks at him, like there was nowhere else to look.

As the song ends, he playfully tries to dip her, ready for when she loses her balance, giggling loudly.

Jannik lets her go, motioning to the crowd to acknowledge her as they applaud their failed efforts to make dancing look good. Charlie performs a curtsy before mirroring his movement. He bows with a sheepish grin, once again flickering over to her even as she walks away from him.

“Alright, Jannik, I want my prize for winning!” She proclaims as they exit the elevator. Jannik keeps his hands in his pockets as he walks alongside her. He was there to walk her back to her room. That’s it.

There’s a sway in her walk that has nothing to do with anything ingested. It’s just her - still on a high of life.

“Prize?” He entertains, shooting her a questioning look.

Charlie spins around to walk backwards, which is a wonder in the shoes she is currently wearing, but he doesn’t dare stop her.

“Yup. I won. You won. We deserve prizes. Or surprises.”

Oh, it’s a hint.

“You want to give me a surprise,” he tells her, shock all in his tone. “And you want one.”

“That’s what I said,” Charlie nearly sings as they round her room, their pace slowing.

He’s not sure how he can survive Charlie being so close to him, wanting a kiss and to kiss. Nonetheless, he tries to keep his composure.

“Alright.”

She beams like a child who has been offered ice cream.

“Me first.” He doesn’t have the time to ask if she meant giving or receiving before he tugs him in by the wrist, pulling it out of his pant pocket.

“Charlie-” Her hands cradle his face, effectively cutting off anything he could say to her. Charlie is no longer smiling; she looks..distracted. Thinking.

Fingers toy with the edge of his hair, and he wonders if she is using it to ground herself. Instinctively, he opens his mouth to tell her that she doesn’t have to - they don’t have to do anything at all, really - but Charlie shakes her head, like she could read his mind.

Her right hand moves to the back of his neck and her left hand tilting his face to the side. She leans in all at once and kisses his cheek.

Not once. Not twice. Three times.

Jannik releases a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“One for each slam this year,” she whispers, the air from her talking whisping by and making him shiver. “Think you can get a fourth? Calendar slam?”

Whether it's rhetorical or not doesn't matter. Jannik doesn't have a good answer for her.

He works his jaw in the grandiose effort to not pull her in and forget all about these cheek kisses. It’s a blessing - it’s torture - when she slinks away, taking her time to find her own space again.

He didn’t even know he was touching her waist until she moved.

Jannik takes a moment to try to get himself together, but it’s hard when the object of his desires is right there. She’s kissing his cheek, riling him up, and it’s killing him. Not doing anything about it is going to drive him insane.

But if she can do it, so can he.

“It’s my turn right?”

Jannik extends his hands out for her sides again, careful as he draws her in with a quick movement. If she lost balance, he’d just catch her.

She follows the unspoken instruction easily, but she’s clearly off-kilter. Hands wrap around his biceps through his suit jacket, an quick noise escaping her. She holds him tighter, wanting the lack of space between them.

Jannik ducks his head, noting how she moves her face away for him. It makes him feel empowered. It makes him feel reckless.

He noses her cheek, featherlight, before he moves further down.

His mouth settles on the pulse of her neck, feeling it pulse beneath his lips as he draws out the kiss. Charlie adjusts, turning her head even further, waiting. Wanting.

This was a bad idea.

He wants more. She wants more.

He takes a small step away with a forced cough, trying to downplay what is reaching its fever peak. It takes her a couple of moments to face him again, breaths deep and quick.

“Jannik.” Charlie breathes out his name, and he’s never seen her look so small. Jannik has never witnessed Charlie be so acquiescent, ready for something. She's the type to get what she wants by her own volition, but now?

Her eyes are slow to slide up to his, and when they do, she inhales deep once more.

He shifts ever so closer, not fighting the magnetism. His left hand reaches out to touch her waist again.

There it is. She gasps. She inches closer.

They’re still staring at each other. They’re still waiting.

“Charlie,” Jannik murmurs. It’s a question. It’s reverence. It’s seeking permission to move any further.

Her own right hand finds a place on his chest, settling like its finding a home.

“Please.” One word. One request. It all breaks.

Jannik’s right hand doesn’t wait to hold her cheek, feeling the weight of it as she sinks into his palm. His thumb brushes her cheekbone as he takes her in, wanting to keep this image and moment in his mind for as long as he can - in the case this is the only time he will have her like this.

“Okay.” He’s not sure why he says it, but he follows it up with closing that distance entirely. It’s a steady, unhurried movement as he leans in, but Charlie is matching him.

Charlie’s chin lifts, lips parting with a barely audible pop, any hint of the lip makeup she wore earlier worn off.

It wouldn’t matter. He’d kiss her anyway.

Their noses brush and he can smell her. Whatever perfume she had on, the alcohol she drank, it’s all there. Jannik’s going to lose his mind. He is losing his mind.

His hands tighten, locking in to what is going to happen before his mind can fully catch up. Charlie’s breath hitches, jerking slightly, and the movement finally - finally - gets their lips to brush.

Something shatters.

Jannik moves all of the way, pressing their lips together fully, inhaling sharply. Charlie reciprocates the kiss immediately, the hand originally on his chest sliding up to where his neck and jaw meet. It makes it easier for her to fall into him, their equal eagerness expressed slightly different.

She’ll dive head-first, whereas he’ll sink over time.

He wants to take his time with her. He doesn’t want to dare forget this exact moment, of the fortune that is Charlie Alcaraz. Jannik adjusts to slot his lips between hers rather than press, and that changes everything.

His hand doesn’t settle on her waist, slipping around to her back, touching her bare skin. Charlie arches into him, her chest fully applied to his, and she’s an addiction he can’t kick.

He has no intentions to.

Jannik kisses her harder and with more confidence. In turn, Charlie’s other arm knocks the hand on her cheek away so she can wrap both of her around his neck. He settles both of his hands on her exposed back.

He loses himself in her, in the rightness of having her like this. If he had any running thoughts, he might’ve smacked himself for not trying for this earlier - the moment he realized he wanted to kiss her.

His mind blanks except for anything pertaining to the woman in his arms, and it takes him far too long to remember he is in a hallway. He was supposed to take her back to her room; instead, he is halfway ready to slide his tongue in her mouth and taste her properly.

Jannik pulls away, just barely. The tips of their noses still brush. Charlie flutters her eyes open again.

“I..” but he doesn’t have the words. He’s not sure what he can say to encompass the longing he’s felt for her, the question of if he should’ve done that, and the way he would like to never stop kissing her if he could help it all at once.

Charlie kisses him again, cutting off the fragments of his brain trying to piece together something to say. This isn’t as sweet as their previous one. It’s not as slow, either.

She kisses him with all intention, nearly dragging him into progressing until he catches up.

Not catch up. He surpasses.

Jannik flicks his tongue out and she opens up for him easily.

Charlie makes a soft noise and he swallows it down, and he no longer kisses like he isn’t sure what’s next. He’ll do it like it doesn’t matter what happens as long as he has this.

He curls his calloused fingers in her pristine hair, effectively ruining it, walking her back until they have something solid to lean onto. He’s unsteady, completely indulged into Charlie. Charlie isn’t any better, her hands frantic on him, unable to choose one place to rest now.

This is getting heated, and quickly.

Jannik has to pull away again, lightly panting.

“We’re in a hallway,” he reminds her. Reminds himself, mostly.

At first her expression is one of annoyance, likely from the end of their kiss, but when the words process, she starts to laugh. Lips slightly swollen and pink, but makeup otherwise intact, she is a marvel. Jannik can’t help but laugh along.

Her head knocks back against the door once before she bites her lip and hones in on him.

“Come inside.” It’s a request masked as a statement. It’s her desire filtered through the slight chance that this was a one-and-done ordeal. “I want my sleepover.”

He’s not sure he could be done unless she told him so.

Nonetheless, part of him considers that this is a bad idea. If he goes in her room, regardless of what happens, it changes everything. Their kiss changes everything by itself but staying?

Jannik wants to stay. He wants to see her out of this dress, despite the fact he loves this look on her, too. Something about her at night, dressed to sleep or not leave her room, it does something to him.

Or he can do nothing at all…

Jannik nearly releases a tortured noise.

Charlie locates her keycard and unlocks the door. She plants her foot in the door to keep it open as she reaches for his hand.

“Jannik,” she calls out to him, her head tilting to the side.

It was always a losing battle. He doesn’t mind losing to her one bit.

“Yes,” Jannik says quickly, “yes.” He punctuates his decision with another kiss, unwilling to stop himself . The door to the room closes again because she doesn’t allow the kiss to be a peck, deepening it without preamble.

They’re still in the hallway. Someone could walk by and see them. Photograph them, even. They’d see Jannik Sinner and Charlie Alcaraz making out against a door.

He can almost see the headlines.

“Come on,” she urges against his lips, though she doesn’t stop their kiss. Jannik almost laughs incredulously.

“Open the door, Charlie.”

Charlie fumbles the second time. She turns her head to pay attention to where the card needs to go, Jannik kissing her face repeatedly, traveling sporadically from her temple to her jaw.

It’s comical how they almost fall through the door, Jannik catching himself on the frame of the door, but Charlie does walk backwards inside.

It’s the most distance they’ve had since they got here.

Her face falls, eyeing the way Jannik has one hand keeping the door open and the other on the frame of the door, still not walking inside.

Charlie doesn’t say anything, though. She waits for him, hunching over to take her heels off. Their eyes don’t leave each other.

Jannik watches until she’s done with the shoes.

Then, like she the menace she is, she smiles. She turns away from him and pads slowly into the hotel room fully, her hand sliding under the strap of her dress.

And Jannik?

Jannik takes a deep breath and walks inside.

Notes:

Now am I going to write smut 🤔
Hehehehehehe

Chapter 9 Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

He’s slow when he enters the space. It’s not because he is unfamiliar - Jannik’s been here before - but this is different.

Charlie’s taste is on his tongue. He licks his lips to chase it as he finally gets his shoes off, leaving them by the front door. His suit jacket is unbuttoned. It has been for a while now and he almost considers taking it off.

In the next room, she’s humming something, and he peeks his head inside the bedroom to see her standing in front of the mirror, taking off her earrings. Something close to relieved fills him and he steps in.

“Can you help me?” She asks, catching his eye. Before he can ask what she needs help with, she answers the question. “There’s stuff in my hair that I have to get out.”

“Doubt I am the right person to help you there,” Jannik says, but he takes a cautious step forward anyway, looking at the hair he had in his hands not even ten minutes ago.

He licks his lips again.

“Want me to call someone else then?” Charlie challenges, smiling victoriously at him in the mirror, like she knows he will give in.

“I’ll try.”

It’s oddly intimate. Jannik is pulling pins out of her hair and placing them in her left hand, her soft laugh bouncing off the walls when he accidentally tugs her hair too hard.

Charlie’s hair falls a bit more with each one until she reaches her free hand and shakes the strands, locating any hiding hair pieces. Satisfied, she turns around, tossing the pins away randomly.

“Thank you, Janni.”

Quicksand eyes.

Jannik doesn’t think too much when he settles his hand around her nape, toying with the hair he just put down, watching as she leans her head back into his hand with a big inhale.

Her eyes are narrowed, but not in a glare. She’s luring him in.

Let him sink. Let him drown.

Jannik is far too willing to close their distance again, feeling Charlie’s hands wrap around his waist under his jacket.

“Charlie.” He’s not sure what else he can say but her name. It’s a complete sentence. It’s a prayer. It’s a remedy.

But with the way she is looking at him? It’s not just the confident woman who knows she is getting exactly what she wants; it’s the person who had wanted it just as bad.

Her hand makes its way to his cheek again, but it only rests.

Jannik ducks his head quickly and kisses her, pulling her into him by her nape at the same time. Charlie was prepared, rising on her toes to kiss back.

Each kiss feels like they’re learning something. His fingers card through her hair and she gasps into his mouth before nearly climbing him.

“I want this dress off,” Charlie complains, separating herself to presumably do so. She messes with the shoulder of it once more before a look of mischief crosses. “You want to help?”

She’s going to be the death of him.

“You…” Jannik doesn’t even finish his sentence before he replaces her hand to slide the material off. Then, because he can, he kisses her bare shoulder - the strong muscle underneath.

“Jannik,” she sighs, and he does it again. And again. Moving until he reaches her ear again.

“What do you want?” Charlie tries to move for another kiss, but he weaves out of the way, almost sorry when an exasperated expression crosses her face. “Tell me, please.”

“I don’t care, I…I just waited for you to get it.” Jannik rewards her honesty with another cheek kiss.

“I got it,” he speaks into her skin. His fingers run along her exposed collarbone, basking in her frustrated huff.

“I knew you did but you didn’t do anything.”

“I am now,” Jannik insists, then adds, “I didn’t know if this meant something.” He backs away to look at her, to try to see her.

Charlie is visually closer to the messy woman he is enamored with.

“It means something,” she says, and he can tell she means it, “I want you.”

His heart might burst out of his chest from pressure alone.

“We don’t have to do anything tonight,” Jannik tells her, watching as she deflates. He’s unsure if it is because of perceived rejection or relief.

“I know. I want you to stay.” There’s something beneath the words. A fear, worry, maybe. Jannik’s quick to alleviate it, to say he’s not going anywhere.

“That’s the whole point of a sleepover, no?”

“So we are having a sleepover,” she smiles, one strap of her dress still hanging off. It’s kind of perfect.

She’s perfect.

“I have ice cream,” Jannik says dumbly, “in my room. I’ll let you wear one of my shirts.”

“I’m convinced! You’re still taking this off me. And I have to wash my face.” Charlie turns away from him quickly, a clear sign to get the dress off. “Chop chop. I want to sleep with you.”

“That sounds wrong,” Jannik murmurs, sliding two fingers under the other strap and watching the fabric pile to her midsection, indicating the top half is off.

“You just had your tongue in my mouth and you’re worried about sleeping with me,” she teases. For a moment, he thought she was going to tell him to slide the rest of the fabric off, but she doesn’t. Charlie steps away from him and pulls the rest of the dress off.

“Uh-” Jannik quickly diverts his eyes, looking at the picture above the bed like it is the most interesting thing in the world. “You did that on purpose,” he accuses, refusing to look anywhere else, trying to do something about how hot he feels.

“Yes I did.” She doesn’t sound sorry in the slightest. “I wanted you to look.”

“Charlie,” he groans, and his eyes flicker over for a moment - understanding it as permission - enough to see the outline of her figure. He’s not going to last this night. A curse slips through his teeth, and another laugh leaves her as he snaps his eyes back.

“Fine. I have clothes on now.”

Jannik turns around to see her in a sports bra and shorts at a length that should be illegal. There’s truly no point in trying to hide how affected she makes him, and the difference in their attire makes it worse.

He’s in a suit and she’s almost naked, and he wants to do something about it. Even the playing field.

Charlie slips by him to walk into the bathroom, bending over the sink to wash her face off. He coughs, face red.

“I think you’re trying to kill me,” he muses out loud. She doesn’t answer until her face is clear of makeup and her hair is back up in a messy bun.

Jannik stands by the edge of the bed, patient and tortured.

“Or you could do something about it.” With that, there’s a shove and he’s sitting on the edge of the bed. Charlie climbs over him, eyes determined, and for a moment, he thought they were not going to leave this bed all night.

They were going to finish what they started right here, right now. His hands settle to her sides carefully, preparing for various outcomes.

Instead, she messes with his tie, flipping it between her fingers.

“Tomorrow, can you stay, too?” She asks, studying him right back.

There are photos they have to do, interviews, too. He should take another trip back home to see his family. Nonetheless, Jannik says, “I can,” because it’s the truth.

Charlie has a flicker of a smile before she yanks on the tie, drawing him into a hug. They’ve changed so much in the last couple of hours.

Hours ago, he wouldn’t believe she would be sitting on him, nosing at his only exposed area of his neck before placing a kiss there, humming with content.

“There’s so many things I want to do with you,” she says, her words laced in heat and promise. Jannik groans and closes his eyes.

This woman.

“There’s time.”

“Tomorrow?” Charlie sounds eager, and it confirmed in the way she moves in his lap, grinding on him. Undoubtedly, she can feel his arousal for her there. “Jannik, I - please.”

Jannik maneuvers into another kiss, fierce and messy. Charlie moans into his mouth, squirming on his lap. He kisses like he’s been holding back for ages; it certainly feels like it. It’s been a small infinity since he’s put his lips on her, a time far too long.

He allows himself to give in, just a bit, to spread his hands over her body. One reaches to touch the skin of her back, sneaking under the fabric of her Nike sports bra, the other touching her ass, trying to bridge the minuscule distance between them by pulling her closer.

Charlie cups his face then proceeds to ruin his hair. He doesn’t mind one bit.

Something shifts after that. It’s no longer as desperate. They don’t touch as harshly, like they both could dissipate the following second. Their kisses slow in pace. Deeper. Exploitative.

Charlie nibbles playfully at his bottom lip, and Jannik finds himself smiling, opening his eyes. She mirrors his grin, putting their foreheads together.

“Tomorrow,” he vows, hugging her instead of feeling her up. “But I do want my ice cream..and to get out of this suit.” And Charlie, the tease she is, glances at his outfit as if she is seeing it for the first time.

“I don’t know. It looks really good on you-”

Jannik interrupts Charlie by gripping the back of her thighs tightly, standing and bringing her with him. He sets her down nearly immediately, confused by the look on her face.

“What?”

“That was hot.”

Jannik snorts, wiping off his own smirk.

“Come on.”

Charlie looks around for his jacket - his jacket, which is likely hers permanently - and zips it up. She does a jazz hand impression when she’s done and it does nothing to falter his attraction for her.

He walks towards the front and slips back into his shoes, and they navigate through the hotel to his room.

At some point, she is walking in front of him, and his eyes cast down to the shorts again. This is all ridiculous.

As if she knew, she turns around and catches him mid-look, giving him a knowing smile. Jannik doesn’t bother trying to act like he was innocent. This was all on purpose, anyway.

He crowds her by the door - more like she crowds herself. Charlie places herself right where Jannik should be, so he has no choice but to touch her, to push himself in her space to unlock the door.

She grins and reaches to open the door for him.

Jannik smiles as he follows her, all too glad to do so.

“I was promised a shirt and ice cream.”

“Were you?” He muses, undoing his tie first. At some point, he should probably tell his team he’s staying another day, but that’s inconsequential to the sight of Charlie taking off the jacket and laying it neatly over a chair. “Any other demands before I can change?”

Her head whips around as Jannik is getting his jacket, starting to unbutton his shirt.

“This isn’t fair,” she whispers, zeroing in on his chest.

“You’re in my room in a bra and this isn’t fair?” Jannik shakes his head and steps into his bedroom to find something else to wear.

“Sports bra!” She calls out, too loud for the time of night it is, but he wouldn’t want it any other way.

They don’t talk again until he’s returned, shirt in hand. Charlie holds her hand out for it, elated, basically snatching from him when he’s close enough. She slips it on quickly, moving to the couch with a flop.

He quells the rush of excitement of her wanting to wear his clothes.

“Promise one.”

Jannik steps into the kitchen and grabs the carton out of the freezer, fishing out two spoons. For a moment, he hesitates to grab the second one, thinking of the last time they shared something; she only used one spoon.

Nonetheless, he joins her on the couch, saying, “And promise two.”

She takes the extra spoon from him.

“Are we going to watching anything?”

That’s a good question. Jannik thinks on it for a second before shaking his head.

Charlie smirks, “Good.” Then she’s right back on his lap, taking a spoonful of the ice cream resting between them.

Jannik couldn’t look anywhere else even if he wanted. She hums when she takes the first bite, looking at him out of the corner of his eye.

No one should look erotic while eating ice cream.

“You’re a tease,” he finally says, narrowing his eyes playfully. Smiling around the spoon, she nods. The next bite, she offers to him.

Well, there goes the need of the second spoon.

“Or you find me attractive,” she retorts.

“You’re sitting on my lap,” provides Jannik, like that’s answer enough, “and who wouldn’t find you attractive?”

Charlie shrugs. “You’re letting me sit on your lap.”

“You look good here.” He squeezes her hips for extra measure, and she chokes on her ice cream.

“Oh my god, Jannik. Are you a secret flirt or something? Where - when did you learn to talk like that?”

“No,” Jannik answers after she feeds him another bite, “I’ve had lots of thoughts about you.”

Her mouth drops, and he wonders if he’s said something wrong. Carefully, she puts the ice cream down. She takes her time with it, refusing to make eye contact until Charlie is kissing him hard.

Jannik toys with the edge of the shirt she wears as he kisses back, and she moans loud.

“I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow,” She declares in between kisses, “Jannik, I can’t.”

“Patience is good.” He’s waited for her for so long now, and while he has half the mind to do something on this couch, she deserves better than that. Better than how quickly they would be done if they got started right now.

“I’m not good with patience.”

Jannik kisses on her neck, feeling the sound of her low moan.

“We need to be up early,” Jannik reminds softly, though his hands hold her tighter, enraptured with the way Charlie arches into him.

“Then we need..to stop.” But she slots their lips back together. “Jannik.”

He forces his head back to break the kiss. Charlie follows him for a moment, just as entranced as he is.

Jannik looks at her, really looks at her. She’s biting her lip, but they’re starting to swell from overuse. Eyes are dilated. There might even be a flush to her cheeks. Her inhales are deep but she exhales quickly.

Ethereal.

“Is it too late to say that I like you?”

Charlie laughs, her head falling on his shoulder.

“Jannik Sinner.” It sounds fond. He hopes it is. "No. Not too late,” she answers, raising her head to look at him.

“Then I like you..if it wasn’t obvious.”

The first response comes in the form of a kiss to his cheek, and it simmers the heat they can’t fight.

“I like you, too.”

This is going somewhere up the list on the best days of his life.

“Good.”

“Good.” They have an impromptu staring contest until Charlie breaks, laughing. “Time for promise three, let’s go.” Charlie climbs off his lap, offering her hand to pull him up. He only takes it to touch her again.

“Promise three?”

“Not a sleepover if you don’t sleep together.”

“You’ve got to stop saying it like that.”

“I’ve got another word for what we’re doing tomorrow,” she throws out, and Jannik groans, not fighting when she pulls him by the wrist into the kitchen to put the ice cream and dishes away.

“Charlie.”

Her laugh is but a siren sound into his bedroom, and she can coax him anywhere.

But in the cool sheets, she doesn’t tempt him further. She fiddles with his hand, facing him, until she puts her fingers in the empty spaces between his.

Jannik just watches her - her focus.

“Just so you know,” she says, sleep already taking her tone, “I might be a lot.”

“Never that,” Jannik replies automatically, squeezing her hand once for good measure, “I like it.”

Her smile is squished by the pillow, but her eyes are closed.

“Goodnight, Jannik.”

“Goodnight, Charlie.”

Notes:

hehehehehhee

Chapter 10 Notes:

I'M VERY OUT OF PRACTICE WITH THIS KIND OF SMUT, I AM SORRY IN ADVANCE

Chapter Text

Charlie: I liked you for a while

Jannik: Are we doing confessions through text?

Charlie: I told you I am impatient

Charlie: Let me finish

Jannik: What is “a while?”

Charlie: 2019. You were trying to qualify for the US Open. I was there because I was so convinced Nadal was going to win it all and I wanted to see it in person. I was right by the way. I didn’t try to qualify that year

Charlie: I watched you play all four matches. You were good. Not even top 100 yet but I knew you’d get there. I knew you’d be better than that by how you played. I even went to your first round against Wawrinka. Hated to see you lose, but you won a set against him!

Jannik: That’s a long time

Charlie: I didn’t LIKE you like you. That would be crazy

Charlie: But when you started to be as good as I knew you could be, I hoped I would get the chance to talk to you more. It didn’t happen.

Jannik: You reached the top before I did

Charlie: Not really that, but that is true. You keep to yourself. I didn’t know if you’d let me be your friend

Jannik: We talked a few times

Charlie: Yeah, but that was basic stuff. The normal stuff.

Jannik: You’re telling me you liked me before I figured out what to do with my hair?

Charlie: 😂 I thought it was cute!

Jannik: Cute is another way of saying it looked bad

Charlie: okay maybe

Charlie: I saw the potential. You used to yell a lot at your earlier matches. I liked your fire

Jannik: How many of my matches did you watch, stalker?

Charlie: I’m opening up and you call me a stalker 😭

Charlie: It’s not like I watched every one. If you happened to be on and I had time, I watched. That’s all. Didn’t happen a lot. It was enough for me to watch you grow

Jannik: I remember being jealous of how quickly you shot through the rankings. You were younger than me and you were already better

Charlie: Well you started in a world where Nadal, Federer, Murray, and Djokovic still played

Jannik: I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit here

Charlie: I don’t think YOU are, Mr. Humility

Jannik: I knew of you, too

Jannik: I don’t think I watched you as much as you watched me, but I saw you

Charlie: Did you like what you saw? 😋

Jannik: Charlie

Jannik: Of course I did. Have you seen yourself?

Charlie: A lot, actually. Tired of looking in mirrors today. If I have to answer one more question about how I celebrated winning Wimbledon, I’m going to rip my hair out

Jannik: Don’t do that

Jannik: You’re so strong. It’s like you’re untouchable sometimes. Even now. You take everyone’s attention without trying

Charlie: Even yours?

Jannik: Especially mine

Jannik: I meant it when I said I had lots of thoughts about you

Charlie: Good ones? 🙊

Jannik: Good ones. Bad ones. All of them

Charlie: What are the bad ones?

Jannik: There is no way you are flirting with me. It’s a prank

Charlie: I thought the bad ones were sexual ☹️

Jannik: I had those too

Charlie: 😱😈 Jannik Sinner has dirty thoughts?

Jannik: I am a human, you know

Charlie: Care to share any?

Jannik: No

Charlie: ☹️😂 expected that

Jannik: I’ll show you

Charlie: oh my god

Charlie: 😳

Charlie: Yes

Jannik: Thank you, by the way. For telling me

Charlie: ❤️ Thank you for listening

Charlie: I need this day to hurry up. I want to see you

Jannik: You really are impatient

Charlie: I told you

Jannik: I want to see you too

Charlie: 😁 soon

Surprisingly, Charlie was done with her day first. She sent him a photo of her feet propped up, looking at a rerun of him on a screen with his trophy on display.

Charlie: You licked your lips when they asked about me

Like he could help it.

Normally, he would be exhausted from the day, but there is a woman waiting for him. He’s excited, anxious.

Jannik wants.

He tries not to rush heading back to her room, at least stopping to grab condoms and slide them in his pocket from his own room with a change of clothes, tucking his toothbrush in the layers.

Using the keycard she gave him, he walks inside.

She’s still on the couch, but she leans forward to see who is entering.

Again, in some sinful shorts. He inhales sharply, placing his clothes on the nearest sensible place before walking to her. She had already stood, taking some steps to meet him halfway.

“Hi, Jan-oh!”

Jannik tugs her into him, silencing her with a kiss. They look reminiscent of their dip when they danced the night before in the way he towers over her, holding her up as she succumbs to his sudden approach.

It doesn’t take her long at all to adjust, arms wrapping around his neck and giving back, trying to match him.

It’s not going to happen. Jannik feels like he has everything to give and nothing to lose. He’s starving.

When they part briefly, Charlie makes a surprised, cut-off noise.

“Hi.”

“Hello,” he responds, kissing her cheeks. He trails to her neck, finding a home there while his hands roam her clothed back.

“This is - is a surprise,” she sounds breathless, holding onto him for support.

“Surprise,” he whispers, nibbling on her skin to hear her gasp. Jannik smiles, sending a kiss to her cheek before capturing her lips again.

Jannik hoists her, encouraging her legs to wrap around him. Charlie gets with the program, powerful thighs clutching him with hands on his shoulders. Her eyes are wide and dilated, and that’s exactly what he wants.

“God, Jannik.”

He gives her a quick grin, carrying them into the bedroom. For a moment, he considers laying her down against the sheets and starting immediately. Something else wins out.

Jannik turns and sits down instead, effectively keeping her on his lap.

“Been thinking about you,” he admits, slipping his hands under her shirt. His shirt. It drives him a little insane to see her in his clothes.

“Good or bad thoughts?” She asks, reaching for his sweater, pulling on it until he takes it off. Jannik responds by cupping her cheek and dragging into another kiss.

He doesn’t want to stop kissing her. He doesn’t want to stop, period.

“All of them,” he responds, nudging her nose against her.

“Tell me,” she whispers.

Jannik hums. “Good,” he starts, getting her shirt off. What a sight she is. He reaches up to toy with the strap of her sports bra. “You look beautiful.”

“Jannik..” Her hips roll against his, the movement small but felt. Jannik moves his hand lower, toying with the waistband of her shorts now. He presses his thumbs into her hipbones, admiring. Charlie’s stomach contracts, the muscles obvious as she rocks against him.

“Bad: I would hate if this is you using me and this is a one time thing.”

She stills.

“No,” Charlie protests immediately, cupping his face, “not one time. Not using you.” She holds his face, trying to punch the words into him. He turns his head to the side, enough to kiss the side of her hand.

“Just thoughts,” he reminds her. Charlie hums, brushing her thumbs against his cheekbones, lids lowered in arousal as she licks her bottom lip.

“You missed the sexual ones,” she teases.

Jannik huffs, wrapping an arm around her back for support before he flips her over.

She releases another soft noise as he lays her down on the sheets. Surprised eyes blink up at him, mouth parted.

“I told you already. I’ll show you.”

“Yes, please,” she rushes, tugging him into a kiss by his neck, her legs reinforced around him. Jannik grinds against her, feeling the way she flexes against him, eager to reciprocate.

“Well I can’t do anything if you act like a snake.”

“Excuse me for wanting to keep you close,” jokes Charlie, releasing her hold on him enough to provide space to move. Jannik spreads more kisses along her neck, before he licks a line up to her jaw. “Ah.”

He burrows his hands back under the shirt, brushing over her ribcage, stopping just shy of cupping her breasts.

“Tócame,” she says, arching her back to him, eyes closed before she shoots them open, repeating herself, “Jannik, touch me. Do something. Anything - I -”

Jannik feels her through the fabric, the swell of her breasts, watching her every reaction. He rubs over where her nipples should be, feeling them harden against the heel of his hand.

“You were saying?” Jannik says, just because he can.

“You’re so mean.” Charlie smacks his shoulder when he stills. “More. Do more.”

“Demanding or asking?”

“Both! Both. Jannik, come on,” she pleads, rolling her hips up against Jannik to get some friction. “I waited. I waited…” Her eyes find his, and they shine, but not in joy or mischief; it’s in need.

If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was going to cry. She could get anything she wants with eyes like that.

Jannik kisses her once more for good measure.

“You’re beautiful,” he compliments with even more kisses. They begin at her mouth to her chin, to her sternum, right above where the bra covers. Jannik bites the bra, pulling it on lightly before he lets go and keeps going lower.

“And I’m the tease,” she scolds with a smile, jerking when he nips at her toned stomach.

“It’s called taking my time.”

“Can we skip that part and get to you kissing somewhere else?”

Jannik raises an eyebrow at her, but slides his fingers under the shorts, pulling them down enough to kiss her hip bones.

“No patience.”

“None,” she gasps, “I want you so bad.”

“Me too,” he says into her skin, pulling her shorts down further, completely unsurprised she opted to not wear underwear underneath. Charlie is getting easier to read.

Thus, it’s becoming easier to find his pocket of control.

And this is his.

“Jannik.” Charlie raises her hips to help him slide the article off all of the way, feet kicking it away. Jannik takes a moment to take her in, hands adventuring over all of the skin she exposed to him. Finally, he drags his eyes back to hers.

“You’re so pretty, Charlie.”

“I’ll be prettier if you do something,” and he sees it for the beg it is.

He’s got her, too.

Jannik smiles, lowering his head without breaking eye contact, one hand behind each leg to spread them apart.

“Good.” He presses one last teasing kiss on the mound of Charlie, hearing her gasp one final time before he drowns it out. Before he drowns in her.

Jannik gives an experiment lick, collecting the taste on his tongue.

Charlie jerks, saying something but he’s not paying attention hard enough to hear the hushed words. A hand finds his hair again, an encouragement to continue.

There’s no more scientific inquiry after that. It’s trial by fire to figure her out, and he’ll take as long as he needs to until she’s driven to madness as much as he had been.

Jannik tracks her reactions with each varied flick of tongue - the pull of his hair, the roll into him for more, the sounds she emits.

He lets her take what she wants because he’s doing the same thing. Under his grip, her legs shake before they start to close around his head with less power than she exhibited before they started.

"Jan-Jannik,” Charlie warns around a moan, “fuck.”

He’d smile if he could.

Her first orgasm is a spectacle.

Jannik doesn’t stop, even as her thighs clamp around his head, her chants turning to something borderline pitiful.

“I can’t. I can’t!”

He lifts his head up, laser-focused like he’s in the middle of a set, before he blows softly on the area. Charlie jumbles sounds together.

“You can,” is all Jannik provides before he resumes, not wanting to stop until she tells him or he wrings a second peak out of her.

“God!” She yells, head knocking back against the bed. His face is accumulating a mixture of his spit and her arousal, but he doesn’t care.

This time, he doesn’t allow Charlie to direct as much. She’s quivering more than guiding. His hands hold her by the hips to keep her both open and still, for the most part.

She trembles. Her voice raises in volumes. Ten fingers find purchase in his curls, though it doesn’t yank him away.

If her first orgasm was a spectacle, the second was… he’s got to see that again. And again. Put it on repeat every time in his head he has a free moment.

Charlie tenses everywhere before it all unwinds, slumping and succumbing to the overstimulation with a stuttering moan.

Jannik collects the remainder of her release, planting one last horrid kiss before he rises to face her.

“You okay?” He asks, scanning her oddly peaceful expression. Then, Charlie opens her eyes, biting her lip. She pushes him softly, but that’s all he needs to lay back on the bed.

Charlie straddles his lap, marking the front of his pants with her. She leans in close, but not enough to kiss.

It looks like she has something she wants to say, but nothing comes out. Jannik feels like he’s being analyzed, unsure if this is going anywhere.

Finally, she closes the distance to their lips again. His mouth might bruise from the end of the night with how much they’ve kissed, but he’ll carry the feeling as long as he can. Hips grind once more, and it must be uncomfortable for her, but Charlie gives no indication of such.

Jannik releases a short sound when he realizes she’s tasting herself through his tongue, and is seemingly eager to do so.

“Next time, I want to sit on your face,” Charlie declares as she pulls away, licking her lips. “Can I do that next time?”

“Yes,” Jannik says immediately, his dick jumping in its confines.

The idea of her riding his face is so perfect. Her riding him in general. He’s been thinking about it all day, stuck on the memory of Charlie squirming on his lap, trying to get him to this point.

They’re here. They’re beyond it.

He’s so gone.

Charlie explores his torso, running her left hand down and back up, past the shoulder and to his bicep.

“I’m not that buff,” he laughs, but she shakes her head with an open mouth kiss to his pectoral.

“You do realize you’re insanely hot, right?”

“Am I?” Jannik smiles. She bites at his pec like a warning before kissing the reddening skin. Finally her left hand goes further south, holding his clothed erection in her hands. His breath hitches.

“Jannik, I want more.”

“Tell me,” he demands, reaching for her bra again. Moving to sit up, she helps him take it off. Jannik sucks one nipple into his mouth, cupping the other breast.

“Want you inside. Want to feel you.” She whispers, but he hears it perfectly. He groans before switching to the other nipple. “Jannik, please.”

“Patience,” he says, scratching his teeth against the bud before stopping entirely. Now a hand cups her cheek, taking in her heavy-lidded expression. “Do you want my fingers?”

Charlie shakes her head, rocking on his lap again.

“Next time,” she vows, placing her hand above his. “I’m impatient.”

They’ll talk about the prospect of them doing this again later.

“I can tell,” teases Jannik lightly, “I want to see you when I..” He trails off because she’s hopping off of his lap with unexpected speed, laying back on the bed.

Desperately, he tries to hold his laugh in, but it slips out anyway. Her foot kicks him hard enough to put him back in business, taking the condom out of his pocket and taking his pants and underwear off.

Charlie watches with hungry eyes.

He undoes the wrapper with his teeth, pulling it out with one hand, and whipping his head to the side suddenly to try to toss it away as he hovers her. She drags him by the nape into another long kiss as he slides the condom over his erection.

“Hey, Jannik.”

Jannik stills at her tone, preparing to stop. Charlie still holds him by the neck, but it’s not as tight. But she smiles at him, moving her hand to brush his bottom lip.

“I like you,” she tells him.

Jannik smiles, ducking to kiss her cheek.

“I like you. A lot, I think.”

“You think?” She snorts. “We’re about to have sex and -”

“Charlie,” Jannik groans, still smiling as she laughs loud. “I was getting ready to stop and you’re teasing me still.”

"Don’t you dare stop. I needed you like yesterday.”

“I’m right here,” Jannik corrects, situating himself back in position. Her chin tilts up in challenge, and it’s mirrored in her eyes.

“Prove it.”

He doesn’t bother with a response, pushing in slowly. They both share a gasp, moving forward at the same time to kiss it away as he eases inside.

“G-od.” The word breaks apart on her tongue.

He shares the sentiment.

Jannik settles in the space between her neck and shoulder, just trying to breathe. Blunt nails attach to his back, not yet dragging or marking, but the threat present. He huffs, closing his teeth on her skin - not biting, but resting. An equal threat.

He will if she does.

Nonetheless, the first push is measured. When he’s settled all of the way inside, he exhales harshly, fingers soothing whatever skin she can reach. It’s a small waiting game after that.

A very small one.

She kisses the side of his head, already trying to move against.

“You have no concept of patience,” he murmurs, not meaning it at all. Charlie smacks the back of his shoulder lightly.

“Not when it comes to you, no.”

Jannik opts to move instead of answer that verbally, the slick drive leading him to plant a hand by the side of her face, both for support and so he can see her.

Charlie doesn’t keep her eyes open long once he builds a rhythm, neck craned as her noises flow freely. It doesn’t matter that there could be people next door. It doesn’t matter that their bodies need the well-deserved rest from two weeks of intense sport.

The only thing matters is the way she says his name - this beautiful concoction of desire, fondness, and need that makes Jannik want to give her so much more.

She’s a masterpiece hand-crafted to drive him insane.

A drug that he’s now had the first real hit of, and Jannik might not be going anywhere until he has more.

Jannik pauses to alter their positions slightly, placing her legs over his shoulders. He kisses her tan line before he resumes his original pace, hearing her moan change an octave.

Charlie is lost somewhere, face scrunched in pleasure, so he slows a bit, kissing on her left calf absently.

“Charlie,” Jannik calls out, trying his best not to moan it - because damn, she feels so good. “You with me?”

“Ye-yeah, with you. So good.”

His thighs burn, he’s picking up a sweat, but it’s of no consequence when she says his name like that. He pries her legs apart to guide them back around, feeling her ankles lock together behind his back.

Leaning back over, he captures her lips again. Charlie holds his face in her hands, dictating how long this goes on for.

There’s almost no end to this kind of pleasure. He has half a mind to never leave.

“Do I meet your sexual thoughts?” She pants, trying to find a smile in the midst.

Jannik shakes his head before pulling on her bottom lip with his teeth. “You’re better.”

Charlie reinforces her legs, trying to push back onto him, and he lets her, slipping his hands on her lower back to help her.

“Ride you,” she says suddenly, “let me-” But Jannik’s already moving to change their positions, hoisting her up so he doesn’t have to be outside of her. Her next sound is somewhere between a squeal and a laugh. "That’s so hot, Jesus Christ, Jannik.”

A smirk toys on the corner of his lips for a moment before he takes in this new sight of her fully naked on his lap, now full of him. How can he go back to treating her like just another colleague on tour?

Not when he knows what she looks like writhing in waves of pleasure. The pebble of her nipples. The shaking of her thighs that has nothing to do with a fitness regime.

Not when he knows what she sounds like calling out his name for more. The change of breathing patterns when something changes. The difference between a moan, a groan, and a whine in Charlie Alcaraz.

Not when he knows what she feels like. How she molds underneath his hands. The wet heat that makes space for him.

Their hands weave together to give her some level of stability as she rolls her hips. There’s not one place he can’t focus on. The bounce of her chest, the bite of her lip, the movement of her lower half as she rides him, the way her hair has fallen out of its bun.

“So pretty.” Couldn’t stop complimenting even if he tried.

Charlie smiles, “Yeah? Prettier than earlier?”

“You’re always pretty. Bit unfair.”

“Unfair,” she scoffs, but her hips roll harder. Their hands release each other in favor of her finding purchase on his chest instead, grinding down. Jannik is captivated by the way she takes what she needs from him, yet every time Charlie catches his eye, she smiles.

Jannik settles his feet on the mattress and pushes up into her, relishing in her surprised moan.

“That’s deep,” and that’s all she gets out before Jannik does it again, palming over her ass. Hands land on the side of his head, clipping his shoulder on their descent.

He gives her all that he can like this, feeding off of her responses.

His lap is wet with it.

“Gonna…again…”

“Yes,” he whispers back, feeling his own impending orgasm. He wants to see if he can make her cum without rubbing her through it.

Sure enough, he can. Her fingernails dig in his shoulders as she cries out, subjecting to the thrusts Jannik gives her temporarily.

Jannik doesn’t stop. She keeps pushing her hips back like he shouldn’t dare quit now, even as her sounds resemble more of oversensitive whines.

“So good,” she drawls, sucking on his earlobe, “want it so bad. Please.”

And who is he to deny her?

Jannik whispers her name when his thrusts falter, spilling into the condom. She sighs happily by his ear, and that made his hips twitch.

“Jannik, Jannik, Jannik.” Charlie chants his name softly, not inciting him to do anything. It’s like she’s just as gone as he is. He noses her cheek while he tries to regulate his breathing.

Wordlessly, he holds her tighter, unsure if the impromptu cuddle is more for himself or for her. Nevertheless, he enjoys the prospect of not letting her go and her not letting him go.

“Can we do that again?” Charlie eventually breaks the silence. Jannik laughs, taking that as the cue to nudge her off. “I was comfortable,” she frowns, and he mimics the same expression as he slips out of her.

“I’ll come back,” Jannik promises, moving to tie and toss the condom in the nearest bin. Charlie waits for him, attaching to him the moment he returns to the bed, humming happily. “You’re like a koala.”

“You like it,” she throws back.

“I do.”

Charlie hums again. He rubs her back, finding a pattern of movement that works for them.

“So you’re a secret flirt and sex god. Good to know.”

“No,” Jannik denies quickly.

“I think my body would disagree with you. I’m throbbing. Throbbing, Jannik.”

“Okay, I get it,” he laughs incredulously before he sobers, “thank you.” Her head lifts at that with those quicksand eyes.

“Thank you.” The tone is soft, and Jannik can’t help but lean forward to kiss her again. “I was serious yesterday. It means something,” she mutters against his mouth.

Jannik swallows before nodding.

“I know. It does.”

“Good,” she nods once, continuing, “I am going to circle back to the fact that you ate me like a last meal-”

A full-hearted, loud laugh spurts from him and he curls in on himself with the spontaneity of Charlie.

He likes her so much, it almost hurts.

Chapter 11 Notes:

Song of the chapter:
Miss Independent by Ne-yo
https://open.spotify.com/track/34ceTg8ChN5HjrqiIYCn9Q?si=a866dfa3c29e4bb9

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Bloomshowdown: Charlie Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner spotted leaving the hotel at the same time after their Wimby win. You think they..?

Aceservingface: Godddddd that Wimbledon dance. Jannik couldn’t take his hands off of her. I don’t blame him

Sinningsinnerz: I don’t know if I want to be Jannik, Charlie, or be in between them. #toobisexualforthis

Charcharlitos: Charlie was drop dead gorgeous at the Wimbledon ball!

emmaluciousns: They’re dating. How they act is not normal

Jannik: Did you land safely?

Charlie: I did

Charlie: Attached photo

Jannik: I’m starting to think you have a jacket fetish

Charlie: Don’t worry, I’ll take the other one back when you wear it some more 🥰

Charlie: I like it because it’s yours

Jannik: I’ll steal a bra next time. Call it even.

Charlie: 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Charlie: Wait that might be hot

Jannik: No

Charlie: ☹️

Charlie: I don’t think there’s enough time off to be able to compete at two 1000s

Jannik: I agree, but what can you do

Charlie: But I’ll be happy to see you again so soon 😁😋😉🤭

Jannik: They call something like that addiction

Charlie: Guilty 😋

Charlie: Don’t act like you don’t want to see me too

Jannik: Oh I do

Jannik: Very much

Charlie: Good ❤️

Charlie: You owe me a practice. I am collecting in Canada

Jannik: Whatever you want, princess

Charlie: I know you’re joking but that almost made me take a trip to Monte Carlo

Jannik: You’re not a princess

Charlie: Ouch 😭

Jannik: You’re a queen

Jannik: And you say I don’t let you finish

Charlie: You did. multiple times actually 😇

Jannik: Charlie

Charlie: What? 😇😇 I’m just saying

Jannik: Stop texting me and enjoy your time off

Charlie: I can do both

Charlie: My brothers say hi

Jannik: I know. Jaime sent me a photo of you on a couch and told me you’re giggling and texting me??

Charlie: He didn’t

Jannik: You mismatch your socks?

Charlie: That fucker. Going to kill him now

Charlie: Talk soon ❤️

Jannik: Have fun

“Charlie is a nice girl,” his mother speaks casually, but her side eye tells Jannik it’s anything but nonchalant.

“She is,” Jannik agrees. When Singlinde turns fully towards him, he knows to prepare for something big.

“You together?”

There it is.

“Yeah.” No point in hiding, especially from his mother.

Jannik’s not entirely sure if it is true - if they’re together. They’re something together. At the very least, they’re having sex, which is some kind of relationship.

It’s not a lie. It’s just a bit of a blurry truth.

His mother offers him a smile, patting his cheek.

“Are you being good to her?”

“Trying to be.”

“Good.”

They move on after that, and Jannik messages Charlie to tell her that his mom asked about her.

Charlie’s Wimbledon dump included a photo of Jannik. The first one.

It’s them right before he walked her back to her hotel room, and didn’t leave. They’re holding their trophies and smiling enthusiastically.

Jannik can’t quite tell if the joy on his face is about the trophy in his hand or her. Maybe both.

Further into her dump is a mirror selfie, one he already saw on her Close Friends story, but it’s her in his jacket posed in front of a mirror. The jacket hangs off the shoulder and she’s decked out in her Wimbledon kit while she looks over her shoulder.

Charlie knows exactly what she’s doing. She knows exactly how she drives people like Jannik insane.

The third time he’s implied, he knows she’s making a statement to the world without saying it. It’s a picture of the bed, clear by the shoes still lined up in the back.

Two pairs of legs are in the sheets, hidden underneath, but still insanely obvious to indicate she had been with someone.

Him.

Jannik knows better than to check the comments. He likes the post and tries to move on, though his face behind the screen is heated and wide-eyed.

His post were significantly more professional, only pertaining to himself or his opponent, yet she liked them within minutes. It seems he’s not the only one who turned on post notifications.

If they’re trying to be subtle, they’re doing a horrible job of it.

Charlie is a tease: well known fact.

Charlie is a going to be the death of Jannik: also fact.

She walks into the practice court with her usual ease, not wearing his jacket due to the heat. It only make it take a minute longer for him to realize she’s still wearing something of his.

His shirt.

It’s tied up to resemble more of a crop top but that’s all him.

Jannik wants to kiss her so bad. Jannik wants to keep being on her.

Nonetheless, he keeps his hands to himself and remains seated in the shade as she sets her stuff down right next to him, eyes sparkling as they make small talk.

“Hello Jannik.”

Kiss her

“Hola Charlie.”

She giggles and the feeling comes back tenfold. Jannik feels it in his chest. He can almost feel her - the subtle brush of her leg against his when she side steps - and it takes an enormous amount of control to keep his hand wrapped around the water bottle instead of Charlie.

“Miss me?” She asks, like there isn’t cameras around. It’s like a challenge to see how far they’re willing to push it.

“Yes,” Jannik answers, both because it’s true and to see how it stumps her for a moment. Charlie’s teasing grin falters into something serious, something that shows how much she wants him back beneath all the jokes, and it emboldens him in more ways than one.

Jannik picks up his racket and walks to his team, brushing the open skin on her back as he passes, refusing to look back. Even when he hears the barely audible sound of surprise, it’s not enough.

He wants to hear it again when he can touch her more than that. Doesn’t want to stop hearing it.

Darren is unamused with him, as is Simone. Jannik shrugs with a coy shrug.

“I would tell you to focus if I knew you could,” Simone throws out, tossing a tennis ball at him. Jannik catches it after it bounces off of his chest, still grinning like he won the lottery.

“I can focus,” he defends, bouncing the ball on his racket.

“Not on her,” Darren says, nudging his head in her direction.

“I can.” He sounds too defensive, but he doesn’t care. Both of his coaches don’t believe him one bit, but they talk through what was agreed for them to do today for a minute.

It includes a practice set by Charlie’s insistence. It makes him want to kiss her all over again.

By the time the practice set starts, his shirt is already soaked in sweat. They don’t bother doing a racket or coin toss to see who would serve because she’s already tucking the extra tennis ball in her pocket with a determined glare. She does her her little feet shuffle, a habit of her tennis.

Jannik readies himself for her serve, unable to hold back his own smirk.

It goes right down the line and Charlie smiles at him, victorious.

“Fifteen, love,” she calls out.

“Fault,” he calls back, just to be mean. Charlie rolls her eyes at him.

“That was in!”

“It was.”

She scoffs and prepares her second serve. He lifts his shirt to wipe some of the sweat from his face, and she stops her preparation, watching him.

Jannik keeps his eyes on Charlie as he bites into into the fabric for a moment, letting it fall on its own.

Charlie says nothing, but she rips the next two serves into the net.

She gets him back after they switch sides, brushing against him. That, he can handle. Jannik raises his eyebrows at her with a quick inhale, but he manages. Yet the moment he turns around after he finds his place, he is faced with the seat of Charlie bent over in her skirt, tying her shoes.

Jannik nearly drops his racket.

Charlie rises to her feet, casting a look over her shoulder to show that she had meant to do it, gauging his reaction.

He coughs once, not wanting to look at either of their teams to see if they know what’s going on in front of their eyes. They must know, but they say nothing, talking amongst each other, pointing and gesturing as they do certain things.

Jannik serves and Charlie knocks it down. A fault.

“You really need to work on your first serves,” she sings, and Jannik can’t help but smiles.

“You’re right.”

Charlie doesn’t receive his second serve, so it all works out.

The rest of the set goes like that: an exchange, a couple of points, another jab. It ends 6-4, and she walks up to the net to meet him.

“Good ga-” Charlie pulls him into a hug, her hand still clasped in his. “-me.”

“Good game,” she says, head touching his chest for a moment. Withdrawing she asks, “Come over?”

“Later,” Jannik promises. “Food?”

“Yes.” Charlie drags out the word, sinking dramatically.

His hand is still on her shoulder as they go back to their bags, only dropping it when there They’re sitting hip to hip as they drink their water, making conversation with their respective teams.

Charlie is the first to leave, hoisting her bags on her shoulders.

“See you later,” she waves to everyone with her usual energy: friendly and light. For him, those words are a prediction of the future.

Jannik takes another drink of his water and watches Charlie leave.

“This was a supervised date,” Darren says out of nowhere, standing next to him, and Jannik chokes on his drink.

Charlie leaps onto him as soon as he puts the food down, legs tight around his waist and head tucked into his neck. Jannik can’t help but smile, holding her just as tight so she doesn’t fall.

“You would think we didn’t see each other this morning.”

“Mean. You missed me.”

He did, but he doesn’t voice it. He takes her in - the way she feels, the floral scent she’s carrying. Jannik carries her to the counter next to the food, setting her down on the surface carefully.

“How was your media day?”

“They asked about my mystery boyfriend,” she responds, still keeping Jannik close with her powerful legs.

“Did they?”

“Mhmm. Told them it’s private. Sure you’ll see it later.”

Jannik taps her thighs, just to have something to do.

“I’m going to see your boyfriend?”

Charlie scoffs.

“Yup. Sorry you’re just the number two.” She fists his shirt, looking up at him. They’re moving closer on their own, their noses brushing before Jannik answers.

“Tragic.”

They don’t talk for a while after that, mouths moving against each other without haste. There’s time. Charlie’s hold on him softens while Jannik’s do the opposite. He pulls her as close to the edge of the counter as he can, making home in the space between her legs, and his hand is a constant pressure on her back.

“Tragic that you’re number two or that you’re my number two?” She asks when they part.

“Both.” Jannik gives her a kiss on the cheek. “I heard someone could be number one again very soon.”

“Don’t jinx it,” Charlie warns, “I have to do well here and in Cincinnati. And I have to better than Sabalenka.”

“You will.” Not a doubt in his mind it’s possible.

“Not all of us can hog the top spot. You have to share sometimes.”

Jannik shakes his head.

“I’m a little selfish,” Jannik provides, emphasizing the words with the way his fingers dig in her muscles, massaging them.

“Selfish?”

“A little greedy, too.”

“You don’t want to share number one.”

“And you.” It flies out of his mouth without much thinking, far too intoxicated on the ease of being with her. She tenses under his fingers, but her arms wind around his neck, toying with his hair again.

It eases some of the panic of him saying the wrong thing. The last thing he wants to do is make the wrong assumption about what they are.

“Too bad. Gotta share me with the whole world.”

Jannik clicks his tongue, feigning disappointment. “Not all of you, right?”

Charlie moves her hands to his waist, trying to pull him in closer.

“Jannik,” she breathes out.

It was meant to draw him in, but it does the opposite. He tries to back away, despite her strong grip on him.

“Sorry-” Jannik starts, prepared to change the subject to food so he can ignore all of that. Charlie has other plans.

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

Jannik’s quiet for a couple of moments too long, but he knows he is going to ask anyway.

“Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

She laughs, dropping her head on his chest.

“Jannik, I just said I am in a relationship in an interview. I think I already made my decision there.”

Jannik chuckles, reaching for her hand. Charlie gives it freely, wrist limp. He kisses the back of her hand - her knuckles - and she touches his cheek afterward.

He nudges her hand with his face for a moment, briefly acknowledging how far into her he is with a smile. It’s reciprocated, and that’s what matters.

“Maybe you should’ve asked me out,” he jokes, “since you already decided.”

“Maybe I should get on my knees and show you.”

Jannik coughs while she laughs.

“Charlie.” She’s still laughing, so it’s only fair he cups her face, tilting her chin up to look at him. “I thought you wanted to sit on my face.”

She releases a noise that Jannik can only categorize as a whimper.

“Jannik.”

“We’re supposed to be eating.”

“We can,” Charlie insists, sounding breathless still, “ we will. After you kiss me again.”

“They shouldn’t have paired us together,” murmurs Jannik against her mouth, giving her a short kiss.

“Best pairing ever,” she argues, “We wouldn’t be doing this if they didn’t.” They share another kiss, speaking in between.

“You’re right. Maybe we’ll send a thank you,” he offers, smiling when she shakes her head.

“No. They’ll think mixed doubles was a good idea.”

Jannik looks around, leaning into the theatrics.

“Ah, you’re right.”

"I am,” Charlie smiles. “Now back to the food.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know food is more important than this moment we’re having.”

Charlie pushes him away softly so she can hop off the counter, though she drives her hips back into him on purpose as she pulls the meals out.

“We can do both,” she says as she hands him one of the meals.

“You really are a tease.”

“And now that’s your problem.”

Jannik wraps his arms around her, squeezing lightly, and her head leans back into him. It’s all new, all fresh, but he’s overjoyed.

“There goes all my clothes,” Jannik fake-complains, taking the plastic fork from her hand.

“You like me in your stuff.”

“I do.” Because he does. He really does. “I like you.”

“Good,” she says, but her happy sigh tells a different story.

Jannik lets her go in favor of eating, finding somewhere to sit, never straying too far from each other. They constantly look up at each other, smiling as they catch each other’s eye.

Charlie kicks his foot softly and Jannik is such a fool for her.

But he won’t complain one bit, not with the impalpable joy that breaches her expression, washing over him like high tide.

And he is more than willing to drown.

Notes:

Update: we have the inaccuracy of them not being at the same tournament in Canada but shhhhhh just read the fic 😂💜

Chapter 12 Notes:

This chapter's song:
Better by Khalid
https://open.spotify.com/track/6zeeWid2sgw4lap2jV61PZ?si=724bba016e854dbd

Partially because it is stuck in my head

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

“We saw you recently played a practice set against Alcaraz -” Jannik nods his head, pulling his lips into his mouth to refrain from a smile, "-so how, how did that go? Did she win?”

“No,” he says immediately, voice an octave or two higher than what it usually is. The room has a bit of quiet laughter at that. “It was a good practice and she is a good competitor. Charlie has a very fast forehand. It’s, uh, very..precise? She hits lines very well. But, no, I won.” Jannik cuts himself off, realizing he was talking too much.

“How would you describe your relationship with Charlie Alcaraz?”

Jannik turns his head at the word ‘relationship,’ but he’s already trained in his response when he says, “We get along well off the court. I hope in a couple of months it’ll work on the court but I don’t know about that.” He laughs a little. “Maybe the more we see each other, the better we’ll play.”

That was a slip-up, but it doesn’t seem enough to capitalize off of.

“Jannik, you just won Wimbledon - congratulations. First, I don’t think anyone has asked how you celebrated your win. And my second question is do you think this will carry over into the next month before the US Open?”

Charlie leaning her head back as he kisses along her collarbone, though he told her they needed to get ready to check out an hour ago. Jannik trailing his lips until he can reach her mouth again, practically pinning Charlie to him.

“Only one night is horrible,” she moans against him, an odd blend of complaint and pleasure, “I want more.”

“Soon,” Jannik responds, slotting their mouths to make use of their last moments before they part until hard court season begins.

Jannik blinks as if he could swipe the memory from his brain. “The usual for me, I think. Time with friends and family-”

It’s a strong effort to keep the one time he had her away from his forethought.

They were good.

Jannik and Charlie watched each other’s matches from the comfort of their own rooms or on their own screens. They’re trying to take it slow, figuring out what slow means for them.

As slow as one night and one morning session in the sheets together can dictate.

It’s proving to be difficult because he wants to see her. Even if it is in a limited capacity, like sitting in the stands, it’s just his preference.

Now they’re on FaceTime, her phone propped up while she eats her meal plan from a container.

“I have a question for you,” she says between bites. Jannik stops looking at the television to his phone, wondering if he should mute or pause his program. “I thought you were into blondes.”

A noise chokes out on its own and Jannik turns the tv off.

“What?”

Charlie looks a little less sure of herself when she shrugs, looking away from the screen.

“You either date or are rumored with girls with blonde hair.”

I’m dating you, Jannik thinks, but that’s probably the wrong response.

“Why do you ask?”

“Trying to figure out if I need to go blonde.” And that makes Jannik huff softly.

“Please don’t,” he says first, then decides to add, “You look good no matter what.”

Charlie looks to the camera, expression soft, and it almost feels like she’s right in front of him. “You’re pretty good at this boyfriend thing, you know.”

He gives a tiny shake of his head, before his own question comes: “Wait, who have you dated?”

“I didn’t date. Sometimes I..” She trails off, worry crossing her features. “I had partners sometimes.”

“People I know?”

“Some,” Charlie admits, and Jannik tries hard to process that. Probably someone on tour. She jumps in, very defensive, “I’m not sleeping around if-”

“No, no,” he interrupts quickly, “I don’t think that at all. I’m honestly trying to guess who. I probably shouldn’t.”

“This is a very bad conversation to have one week into dating.” She runs her hands over her face, clearly stressed about this, but she still tries to laugh it off. “I don’t want you to not like me anymore.”

Jannik very nearly breaks their no-contact rule right then and there.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Jannik declares, voice strong, “I think you underestimate how much I like you.”

That changes her expression. It settles into her normal, wicked smirk like she knows something she shouldn’t.

“How much?”

“Charlie.” But she smiles around her fork. Her hair is down, already close to the length it was before she cut it.

“I don’t know. A lot. You already know this.” At that, she finishes her meal and disposes of it properly, not really offering much of an answer. Her cheeks are a bit flushed, if Jannik’s eyes don’t deceive him.

“I wish I could see you.”

“Yeah?” Jannik runs his hand through his hair in a disastrous attempt to hide the elation the admission makes him feel.

On the other line, she jumps on her bed with a loud oomph.

“Not the reason why I want to see you, but you in glasses is really hot.”

“I don’t need them anymore.” At this point, they’re there for comfort reasons. “But thank you.”

“We’re getting close to the US Open,” Charlie says casually, but her side glance at the camera was anything but. “Did you realize Nike gave us matching kits?”

He did. Same color scheme and design. All black.

Hers is a nod to Daniela Hantuchova’s Roland Garros outfit in 2002 with the mesh incorporation. He only remembers because he remembers Charlie talking about it one day, super excited about trying it on.

Sadly, Charlie said he has to wait like everyone else to see it.

Jannik’s has the mesh on the shoulders, but there is still fabric underneath so he’s not exposing skin. That’s not his style or preference to reveal much.

“Think it was on purpose?”

“Of course, it was,” she exclaims. “They’re setting us up.”

“I don’t think they have to try very hard for that,” he deadpans, breaking into a smile when she laughs.

“We have that Nike launch party, too.”

Jannik groans. "Don’t remind me. Grand slams are too busy and most of it isn’t tennis.”

“Wish it was just tennis?” Her tone shifts to something more serious and understanding.

“Sometimes, it is good. I can do good things for people. But I wish sometimes it was just tennis,” Jannik ends with a resigned shrug of his own. Charlie nods.

“I wish there was more time to rest and be ourselves,” she sighs, “I miss being home a lot and going out to explore. Travel. Stuff like that. I know I can always drop out of tournaments and I do if I need it, but it always comes at a risk.”

“Yeah,” he agrees, and there’s nothing more to add. Charlie gets it; of course, she does. “Maybe we can go out in New York.”

That makes her perk up from her somber state, eyes going sharp to focus on him.

“Like dinner?”

“If you want,” Jannik adds, ignoring her growing grin. “I have a couple of favorite places-”

“Yes.” The cut-off throws him off for half a second. “Wherever you want. I don’t care.”

Jannik chuckles incredulously, lowering his phone incidentally in the process.

“We’re doing a very bad job of being private about this.”

“Who says two friends can’t go out to dinner?” Charlie asks, another tease. Jannik feels his face heating up. “I’ll even dress down a bit. I won’t look that good.”

“Impossible. You always look good.”

“Coming from Gucci himself!”

“Didn’t you do that entire underwear photoshoot-” She makes a loud, clamoring noise to shut him up.

“Don’t talk about that!”

“It wasn’t that bad,” Jannik tells her, but Charlie is having none of it.

“You’re biased. You’ve seen me naked.”

“Why does that matter?”

She shakes her head. “Never mind. Does this dinner come with dessert?” Charlie raises her eyebrows multiple times, implication all over her face. Jannik finds himself laughing again.

“Before our mixed doubles? You want us to lose in the first round?”

“It’s team bonding!” Charlie tries to argue, but joins right in with Jannik’s unstoppable laughter, falling back on the couch. “We’re... building…chemistry,” she forces out between laughs.

“Yeah, okay.” He doesn’t believe her one bit, but neither does she. “Because we want to win.”

“Exactly.” Charlie beams. “It’s strategy.”

“Strategy,” he echoes, “I think we’ll never lose if that is the case.”

“We can be number ones forever!”

That sobers Jannik, just a little. He’s invested in her tennis.

“You’re two matches away from earning your number one again.”

“You remembered…” Charlie trails off, eyes wide in shock.

“Of course.”

Why wouldn’t be care about it?

“I’ll have to defend it at the US Open,” she notes, but he assumes it’s mostly for herself. “Sabalenka and I close.”

“But she is defending her title. You have points to gain because you lost second round last year, right?”

Her eyes go wide again.

“Jannik…”

“What?”

“I really want to see you right now.” Charlie’s voice is strained in desperation, and Jannik has absolutely no clue what brought that on. “Like,” her hands flail dramatically, “I want to touch you.”

“Touch?”

“Hug. Kiss. Don’t be a pervert.”

“You just talked about ‘dessert’ and I am the pervert.” He pulls out finger quotes, biting his bottom lip when Charlie lifts her middle finger. She swipes her hand across her face, pulling some of her hair behind her ear.

“Thank you,” she speaks low, “I think too much about the pressure, but it doesn’t sound bad coming from you. You say it like I can do it.”

“You can,” Jannik says automatically, “Charlie, I don’t think there is an English word for you. Amazing, maybe. You’re amazing.”

He hears her quick inhale, but he keeps going. “The pressure is good for us. It’s bad for us, too. It brings out the good and the bad. For you, you do good with the pressure.. and you’ve been here before. You being number one is nothing new.”

Jannik doesn’t see her face anymore on the screen. Without her response, he has no clue if he’s said something right or wrong, but he meant it. It’s the only reason why he won’t apologize for it.

“Jannik?” She pipes up, the top of her forehead coming into frame.

“Yes?”

“When we go to Cincinnati, I want to do something for you.” Charlie doesn’t elaborate what, and he figures it is because she doesn’t want to tell him yet. “And your birthday is coming up, too.”

That makes him wince.

“I didn’t do anything for yours.”

“You gave me your jacket,” Charlie counters, but timeline wise, that doesn’t line up. She keeps going before he can voice that. “Also, can I come to a match? In your box?”

“In my jacket?” Jannik jokes. “Yeah. Of course. Darren won’t be in Cincinnati. He’s taking some time off to be with family so you’re stuck with Simone.”

“That’s fine. I’ll get him to teach me some Italian. You want me to wear your jacket? Want me to wear a t-shirt with your face on it, too?”

Jannik immediately shakes his head. The image of looking up to his team and finding her in his clothes is enough for him to know none of his first serves are going to make it onto the court.

“Don’t.”

She giggles, turning over on the bed, finally fully in frame again.

“Jannik’s biggest fan on the front. I’ll even bring a bucket of carrots.”

“Charlie.”

“Scream forza instead of vamos.” That one makes him pause. He might not mind that one.

“Go to bed, Charlie,” he exaggerates.

“Telling me what to do? Careful. I tend not to listen.”

His body responds to that, and he’s going to struggle to go to sleep once again because of Charlie Alcaraz. It’s a common occurrence at this rate.

“Tease,” Jannik accuses, “you’re a walking, breathing tease.”

“Do something about it,” challenges Charlie.

I will.

“Impatient,” he says instead.

“You know it,” she winks, “but I do need to go to sleep. My match is at 11.”

Jannik doesn’t even have to check the time to know it’s too late for her to be up for an early match.

“Goodnight, Charlie.”

Charlie pouts, then sighs.

“Goodnight, Jannik. Dream of me!”

The call ends before Jannik considers telling her that was a certainty.

Sure enough, Charlie Alcaraz reclaims her position at the top, making it through to the semifinals before losing to Bencic. She leaves with her head held high, and Jannik watches her leave the court on the stream, Happy still dangling from her bag.

Jannik has a rough semifinal against Medvedev, but he pulls through in a tiebreak.

His final against de Minaur was much easier.

Charlie sends him a selfie of her in front of the television screen, pointing at him holding his trophy.

Charlie: You on hard court should be banned! You’re too good.

Charlie: Also the sweaty curls are 🔥

He’s not sure his smile leaves even as he boards the plane almost right after to make it to Cincinnati.

One of the first things he does the following day is knock on her door, wrapping his arms around her as the door closes with a bang.

Charlie hides her head in his chest and hugs him back just as tight, slightly rocking from side to side. Without thinking, he kisses the top of her head before tucking his chin, securing her to him further.

“I was on my way to do some media, but I wanted to see you first,” Jannik explains when he pulls away. Even then, he leaves a hand to the side of her neck.

“Thank you,” she says, looking content, tilting her head into the hand. “You look tired.”

“I’m very tired,” Jannik says, “Played the final. Took some photos, then hopped on a plane. Got a couple of hours in.”

“Stupid schedule,” she comments, and he smiles fondly.

“So stupid.”

“I’d say you can sleep with me after if I didn’t have to be with my team tonight.”

Jannik shakes his head. “It’s okay. I just want to see you.”

“And touch me,” she pokes, taking a step into him. He doesn’t bother telling her that he is going to be late if he stays any longer. It’s a risk he’s willing to take.

“You like touch,” Jannik argues softly, brushing his thumb across her jawline. Charlie nods.

“It’s good for me - from people I trust. Makes me feel.. grounded?”

He’s so going to be late. His heart still races when she says things like that.

His phone buzzes but he ignores it in favor of pulling her into a kiss, Charlie all too willing to follow his guidance. It’s been too long since he’s been able to taste her, and it didn’t hit him how much he had really missed this.

Something about the way she holds onto his bicep and stands on her toes before she holds his face and tries to pull him lower, to her.

He can’t get tired of kissing her. He can’t get tired of her.

But his phone buzzes again and Jannik has to break himself away.

“Going to be late,” he admits.

“Sorry,” she says, but she’s anything but judging by the mirth on her face. “I’ll see you later.”

They have no idea when later is, but there’s no doubt they’ll find the time. Jannik nods, ducking once more to give her a much shorter kiss. A tad longer than a peck, but not allowing himself to get too carried away.

“See you later.”

Jannik Sinner’s #1 fan🥕🦊😂

Charlie posts on her Close Friends story later that day. It’s a poster of him from his previous win at Cincinnati two years ago, somewhere on the campus.

Jannik: I never asked if you told anyone we’re together

Charlie: My family knows. My team. Some friends from back home. 🤭

Charlie: Why?

Jannik: Thought it was a good question.

Jannik: My family and team know, too. I think some people on tour have suspicions

Charlie: Do you care about that? 🤔🤔🤔

Jannik: About people on tour knowing?

Charlie: Yeah

Jannik: No. Casper asked me before we made it official. Frances made the joke that I need to bring my girlfriend around because I act like I don’t get any

Charlie: Well it has been a couple of weeks 😂

Jannik: Don’t remind me

Charlie: I’ll fix it 😁😈😋

Jannik: Charlie

Charlie: If you want to tell people, you can. Private doesn’t mean hiding

Charlie: Or that’s what Juanki told me last week

Jannik: That’s smart from him

Charlie: He also says if you come to a match, you need to sit behind him where he can see you 🫣

Jannik: Should I be scared?

Charlie: No. He’s probably just tired of me talking about you.

Charlie: But we haven’t really talked to each other’s teams a lot

Jannik: We’ll have to fix that

Charlie: Just like I’ll fix you

Jannik: Tease

Charlie: 😘😘😘

“Hey,” Anna says, approaching Charlie slowly. Charlie finishes tying her shoe, though she looks up at her competitor.

They have a second round match together in less than half an hour, and Charlie usually spends this time getting lost in her head. Not in the way where she locks into every single possibility of how the match, but just letting her thoughts run wild until there is nothing to grasp onto.

And moments before, when she’s in the tunnel, every single one of them find a way to disappear, leaving only tennis left.

“Hey,” Charlie says back.

“I know this is probably the worst timing, but, um, are you with Jannik?”

“Hm?” She thought she didn’t hear it right the first time.

“Like are you in a relationship with him,” Anna clarifies, “a lot of people have been saying you two might be, and I thought I should just ask you.”

For a moment, Charlie considers fibbing, but that would be out of consideration for Anna and not herself.

“We’re taking it slow,” she answers, cryptic in her response while she tries to figure out if there is any angle to this.

“Cool. Congratulations.” Anna doesn’t say anything further, giving her a small smile before turning around to finish her own warm-up.

Charlie exhales harshly when she leaves, muttering about how she needs to focus before she undoes her shoes and ties them again. It feels like she has to.

The added stress of that moment is channeled into their match later, where she breadsticks her opponent twice. When Anna meets her at the net, she wishes her a good game first.

Charlie feels bad, a little bit, so she apologizes. Truthfully, she’s not sure if she is apologizing for the win or for Jannik.

“Don’t,” Anna insists with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

She’s not sure what that means either.

Jannik: I thought you weren’t good on hard court?

She reads the text as soon as she enters the locker room, unable to stop herself from rolling her eyes fondly.

Charlie: I have a good teacher 😉

Jannik: That’s all you

Private doesn’t mean hiding.

Charlie thinks she understand what Juan Carlos means by that now.

Notes:

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/french-open-daniela-hantuchova-during-match-at-roland-news-photo/81376344

If you want a reference to what Charlie's USO kit is inspired by.

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RyoChar on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 06:58AM UTC

Charlie is such a flirt I am not sure Jannik can deal with it the first meeting 😂

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fallendaphne on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 07:47AM UTC

so glad you're back, i love your writing so much!!

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syj5grace on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 08:53AM UTC

OMG I LOVE THIS SO MUCH

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Artemisalilianvesta on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 09:27AM UTC

OMG!!! I loved it!! Charlie is such a flirt!! And poor Jannik doesn't know how to react 😂😂
I can't wait to read more!!! Your fics are always sooo good!!!!

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Cassie (BADFalcon) on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 11:01PM UTC

I already love Charlie!

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BeauBennett on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 06:36AM UTC

jannik is so in over his head lmfaooo go charlie

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RyoChar on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 07:01AM UTC

Charlie is such a tease!

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vaxxxxxxxin on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 08:29AM UTC

i love her and i love you more🥹

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jisijie on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 08:33AM UTC

oh，its so funny！poor jannik！hope they will play like this more time
not be together so soon

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EndliVII2 on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 08:50AM UTC

Omg… Charlie is full of play!? I love her, lol. I mean, does Jannik realize what he’s into now?? I just love seeing Jannik tries while underneath he knows Charlie is irreplaceable;)

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elle_woods on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 03:17PM UTC

made me cheese lowk they’re so v v cute. jannik needs to lock in on the pasta please

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AntologiRasa on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 06:27PM UTC

indirect flirting through the reporters and then directly through stories and messages 👀 awwwwwww sincaraz 🫶🏼

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Sk15ks on Chapter 2 Sat 16 Aug 2025 04:26AM UTC

Absolutely obsessed with these two!! Can't wait for the next part

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joygukks on Chapter 3 Mon 18 Aug 2025 04:01PM UTC

charlie is a menace hhahahah i love this au! i have so much fun while reading it :3

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RyoChar on Chapter 3 Mon 18 Aug 2025 06:41PM UTC

Oh no Jannik is down so bad!!!

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DEREDEREHOSEOK on Chapter 3 Mon 18 Aug 2025 06:41PM UTC

I ADORE THIS SOOOOO MUCH!!!

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blackmojito on Chapter 3 Tue 19 Aug 2025 05:21AM UTC

this is so amazing i'm HOOKED!!!! seriously, this is so good, i love carlos/charlie here and jannik is also so sweet and their convos are so engaging and easy to read. love it!

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alltimecharlo on Chapter 3 Tue 19 Aug 2025 08:26PM UTC

loving this fic so far!!! just had to comment on this chapter because it reminded me of a tweet i saw today where carlos is (maybe) wearing jannik’s jacket!! 👀🩷
https://x.com/sincarazzzz/status/1957687698614792688?s=46
it’s all i could think about reading this chapter hehe, but they are sooo cute!! i love charlie <3

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kazufuyu_petshop on Chapter 3 Sun 07 Sep 2025 09:47AM UTC

"Casper is a hard opponent to beat on clay."

casper is my pookie number one and you did him DIRTY lmao. flashbacks to that one rome match

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Olirero on Chapter 4 Tue 19 Aug 2025 11:40AM UTC

SOOO CUTEEEE OMG!! <3<3

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RyoChar on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 06:58AM UTC

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fallendaphne on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 07:47AM UTC

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syj5grace on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 08:53AM UTC

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Artemisalilianvesta on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 09:27AM UTC

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Cassie (BADFalcon) on Chapter 1 Mon 11 Aug 2025 11:01PM UTC

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BeauBennett on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 06:36AM UTC

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RyoChar on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 07:01AM UTC

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vaxxxxxxxin on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 08:29AM UTC

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jisijie on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 08:33AM UTC

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EndliVII2 on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 08:50AM UTC

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elle_woods on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 03:17PM UTC

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AntologiRasa on Chapter 2 Tue 12 Aug 2025 06:27PM UTC

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Sk15ks on Chapter 2 Sat 16 Aug 2025 04:26AM UTC

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joygukks on Chapter 3 Mon 18 Aug 2025 04:01PM UTC

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RyoChar on Chapter 3 Mon 18 Aug 2025 06:41PM UTC

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DEREDEREHOSEOK on Chapter 3 Mon 18 Aug 2025 06:41PM UTC

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blackmojito on Chapter 3 Tue 19 Aug 2025 05:21AM UTC

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alltimecharlo on Chapter 3 Tue 19 Aug 2025 08:26PM UTC

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kazufuyu_petshop on Chapter 3 Sun 07 Sep 2025 09:47AM UTC

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Olirero on Chapter 4 Tue 19 Aug 2025 11:40AM UTC

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